Soda Card Purchase - bad experience

[mpbmark]

I always buy the soda card. I generally do not, however, utilize the soda container but rather go to one of the pool bars and order a large sprite. I then take that back to my room, drink several swallows and refill the cup with my “adult beverage of choice”. On sea days, I may perform this routine more than once. I also, occasionally, will drink soda without an additive.

 

That is not to say I don’t patronize the bars on board because I do and usually have wine with dinner. I like the ability to have a drink when and where I want and, also, how I want it. Furthermore, I don’t have to go through the annoying process of signing for a soda every time I order one. No need to worry about a pen or dripping water all over the receipt.

 

While it may cost somewhat more than ordering individually, for me, it’s a matter of convenience.

 

And, incidenly, I have not experienced poor service with the card. Indifference maybe, but not a poor or an unpleasant attitude. As for the tips, they, like a lot of other tip money, are probably pooled and divided among the servers.

[nellydean]

we stupidly bought soda cards for all three of us on the Navigator recently and, of course, only our son used his fully, because we were off the ship in all the ports and when we did eat in the Windjammer we always drank the water/lemonade, so we'll learn from that for next time

 

I also had a problem when in the casino, I was playing at a table and asked for a coke and the waiter took so long I thought he'd forgotten, so I had to leave my chips and go get one myself - he came back with my order about half an hour later

[ngtbj05]

Our assistant waiter was great with it. I ordered Diet Coke and by night 2 I didn't have to show him my card or request the drink, he just brought it for me.

 

 

**Sorry**.....new cruiser here trying to understand..... Do you have to buy your beverages in the main dining room or are they included with your meal? Why would you have to show you card to get a soda at dinner?

[wrp96]

Sodas are never free on the ship. You always have to purchase them.

 

The beverages that are included in your cruise fare (you don't have to pay extra for them) are juices at breakfast, coffee (but not specialty coffees like espreso or cappucino), tea (both hot and iced tea), milk, water (but not bottled water), and lemonade.

[KelJ]

**Sorry**.....new cruiser here trying to understand..... Do you have to buy your beverages in the main dining room or are they included with your meal? Why would you have to show you card to get a soda at dinner?

 

No sodas are included. You have to pay for them, even in the dining room. So if you have a soda sticker, you show it in the dining room and they bring you fountain soda. If you don't have a soda sticker and you want soda, they bring you a can of soda and you pay for each one individually.

Drinks that are included all over the ship, including the dining room, are ice tea, hot tea, milk, coffee, tap water and lemonade.

[CRUIZIN SUZAN]

quote "Drinks that are included ALL OVER THE SHIP, including the dining room, are ice tea, hot tea, milk, coffee, tap water and lemonade."

 

Can you clarify the phrase "all over the ship for me"? I had a real problem on EOS finding a self serve beverage/water station anywhere other than the self serve in the Promenade cafe (which was just coffee,tea, and water- NO lemondae and NO iced tea) and in the Windjammer during it open hours (which is limited) and then it was served "by the glass" with not access to the machines themselves in which to fill my own travel mug with. Of course, in the dining room (dinner and lunch) I was able to get iced tea but it caused a problem daily when I asked for it with breakfast (took forever to get, "forgotten" to be served or just plain told "we do not serve iced tea at breakfast, please read the menu for our breakfast beverages". I enjoyed the 24 hour self serve beverage stations on the pool decks of our last Carnival cruise. It was super convenient and allowed guests to serve themselves iced tea, cold water, punch, and hot coffee and hot tea at will. I took advantage of that by filling my mug full of ice and adding half water, half iced tea. There was never a shortage of cups and did not seem to have an over-abundance of half filled glasses littering the pool-side tables (also missing from our last EOS cruise. I miss sitting poolside eating while the rest of the gang enjoyed the pool roo).

 

I do not drink much soda and prefer sugar free iced tea or at the least, non-carbonated lemonade or punch around the pool or deck areas. They do not serve iced tea at the pool bar either. It was a real hassle trying to get an iced tea for my travel mug to take to the pool on my last RCI cruise. God forbid I leave my chair to venture to the WJ for a iced tea refill (sneaking past the drink "servers" to fill my own mug) lest I be construed as a "deck chair hog" and have my belongings moved. I do not even recall a water fountain on the outside decks (but I could be wrong) as I would be willing to bring up ice from the cabin in my travel mug and refill with water instead of trekking around trying to find a non-carbonated or sugar-free drink.

 

Any suggestions???? Paying $$ for a bottle of water that will get warm before I can fininsh it is not my favorite choice either.

[aloha of the seas]

Just off a 17 day cruise which made the package expensive, but since I don't drink I am sure i got my money's worth. Bought at pool bar but spent most of my time at Schooner Bar. Bartenders there would see me and just pour a soda without asking. Gave them an extra tip for being so good. The people in the lounges and showrooms were also very polite. Yes most of their money comes from their paying customers, but they also know that you can still criticize them at the end of the cruise on your survey; and they do not want that, there is too much at stake in salary and tips.

[Merion_Mom]

As much as you tipped for these sodas, you could have BOUGHT 5 cans of soda for $10.00--tip already included in that price!!!!!!

 

Not true. At $2.24 including gratuity, he could have bought FOUR and had some change from that $10 bill. :D

[mckinna]

I did have a bad experience recently on the Voyager at the pool bar. I was laying out on the upper deck, and when a server came around taking drink orders. I ordered a Coke for my daughter who was with me (She had the soda card, but I didn't.). They never brought it- waited 20 minutes. The next server that came around, I ordered a Coke for her again, and also a Margarita for myself. This time waited 30 min, no drinks, AND they had my Seapass card. I finally flagged down another server, told them I had asked for a Coke and Margarita, and gave my card to someone else, but they never came back. She asked me what they looked like, and I told her. She came back about 15 minutes later with my card, but NO DRINKS! When I questioned her as to why she didn't bring the drinks, and she said, "Oh I'll get you one, what did you want?" (I had told her what I had ordered earlier.) She brought the Margarita, but NOT the Coke. Didn't charge me for the Margarita, at least, but only after I complained about the poor service.

 

We didn't have any issues in the DR- after the first night, the sodas were brought when we sat down. Since I didn't have the soda card- only the kids did, I don't know if this was an isolated incident or not. It was worth it for them, but since cans were only around $2, when I needed my Diet Coke fix, I just bought the whole can. Worked fine for me.

[Jimmers]

Have never tipped for soda and have no complaints about the service. I paid for the soda and the service and I don't feel I need to throw money at them to get either one. Do your job or find another one.

[JJ2sail]

I have been on the Monarch three times. And the only time I had a problem with getting sodas with the soda card, was when I bought them for the kids.

Several times they said they could not get anyone to refill their cup, and I would have to go get them refilled for them. This was mainly at the pool bar. (BTW, my kids are teenagers and over 6 feet tall!) They really seem to have an attitude at the pool bar! The dining room, windjammer, and schooner bar were all great when we went.:rolleyes:

[Cincy-David]

My wife and I always buy the soda card and would not think of cruising without.

 

In our world, neither of us drink adult beverages, so having the card on hand is an easy way for us to enjoy a beverage as we move about the ship and go bar hopping with our group of friends. Although it is pricey, we certainly get our money in value as we drink anywhere from 10-15 sodas a day. (Remember, they are served in glasses - over ice), this is not as much as you would think.

 

We have never had any trouble whatsoever on any of our cruises. Service has always been prompt and courteous. As many others have said, service in the dining room has been above average. Once showing my card on the first night, we promptly had our glasses waiting and refilled all through each meal.

 

Funny enough, on our Sovereign Cruise last year, we all switched seats everynight to change talking partners, the servers couldn't keep track of who did and didn't have the card, so they just brought drinks for everyone each night and were happy to do it.

 

I also find it very easy to sit in the same area each night in the theatre. On our recent Radiance Cruise, "Shammy" saw us entering the show each night and had our Diet Cokes in our cupholders each night before we even made it to our seats. This was exceptional service.

 

I know that some people feel the price is a little steep, but for me the cost is worth it. Even if you don't drink the "value" of the card each day, it is just nice and convenient to be able to flash it and grab a quick swallow (when you don't want a whole can) as you pass by any beverage center. To me it is also worth some of the cost just so I don't have to wait on a server to sign the slips for billing. This is very annoying when your group is waiting on you to get s sip of soda.

 

One last thing. As one of the earlier posters mentioned. Depending on the time of day and location, it can be hard to find the "included" beverages. Never a problem with the soda card. It is accepted everywhere soda beverages are availablem which is almost everywhere on board. Again, one of those things which add to the value, even if you don't drink 5 a day.

 

I know this is a hot topic on CC, just wanted to share my thoughts in favor of the card.

 

Happy Cruising

Dave

[cruisnpat]

I got the soda card 1 time an didn't think it was worth it. I didn't have any problems getting my drinks.

[CJJSmith]

It's interesting how different all of our experiences were. I really didnt mind the cost of the soda card and I liked the cup - lol. It was just the way I felt like I was treated when I wanted a soda.... mind you, I have bought sodas on other cruises without the card and never had this issue.

 

Anyhow, it is good to know that it's a 50/50 shot getting good service at the pool and buffet with a soda card - lol. I will just look at that as a 50% liklihood I will get great service next time. :)

[KelJ]

quote "Drinks that are included ALL OVER THE SHIP, including the dining room, are ice tea, hot tea, milk, coffee, tap water and lemonade."

 

Can you clarify the phrase "all over the ship for me"? I had a real problem on EOS finding a self serve beverage/water station anywhere other than the self serve in the Promenade cafe (which was just coffee,tea, and water- NO lemondae and NO iced tea) and in the Windjammer during it open hours (which is limited) and then it was served "by the glass" with not access to the machines themselves in which to fill my own travel mug with. Of course, in the dining room (dinner and lunch) I was able to get iced tea but it caused a problem daily when I asked for it with breakfast (took forever to get, "forgotten" to be served or just plain told "we do not serve iced tea at breakfast, please read the menu for our breakfast beverages". I enjoyed the 24 hour self serve beverage stations on the pool decks of our last Carnival cruise. It was super convenient and allowed guests to serve themselves iced tea, cold water, punch, and hot coffee and hot tea at will. I took advantage of that by filling my mug full of ice and adding half water, half iced tea. There was never a shortage of cups and did not seem to have an over-abundance of half filled glasses littering the pool-side tables (also missing from our last EOS cruise. I miss sitting poolside eating while the rest of the gang enjoyed the pool roo).

 

I do not drink much soda and prefer sugar free iced tea or at the least, non-carbonated lemonade or punch around the pool or deck areas. They do not serve iced tea at the pool bar either. It was a real hassle trying to get an iced tea for my travel mug to take to the pool on my last RCI cruise. God forbid I leave my chair to venture to the WJ for a iced tea refill (sneaking past the drink "servers" to fill my own mug) lest I be construed as a "deck chair hog" and have my belongings moved. I do not even recall a water fountain on the outside decks (but I could be wrong) as I would be willing to bring up ice from the cabin in my travel mug and refill with water instead of trekking around trying to find a non-carbonated or sugar-free drink.

 

Any suggestions???? Paying $$ for a bottle of water that will get warm before I can fininsh it is not my favorite choice either.

 

You have me rethinking my answer now, and apparently I phrased it poorly. I guess by "all over," I meant Windjammer and DR for sure, but I thought there was also a drink station outside of the WJ on the pool deck on the Voyager class. Can anyone confirm this? I can't remember if they had it on the Enchantment.

I never gave any thought to availability of the "included" drinks elsewhere on the ship, as my kids always get the soda sticker and I also have an alcoholic drink in my hand! I didn't know that you couldn't get lemonade, ice tea, etc., at the bars. I do recall, now that you've mentioned it, the lack of lemonade and ice tea at the Promenade Cafe.

I'm sorry to have given you misinformation.

[CRUIZIN SUZAN]

I do recall, now that you've mentioned it, the lack of lemonade and ice tea at the Promenade Cafe.[/color][/size][/font]

I'm sorry to have given you misinformation.

 

 

No appology needed. All information anyone is willing to share on these threads is helpful. But I must say, I was hopeful there for a minute, but I will need to watch to see if the beverage station outside the WJ will be confirmed by someone here.

 

I save my cocktails for after dinner. Then it is Mojito Time! Or maybe Southern Comfort Old Fashioneds. Or maybe both!!! I head to the bar when my DH take DS to Adventure Ocean then he joins me for a drink. I just tend to get headaches if I consume booze in the sun on deck- where I expect I will be for the most of our days at sea. DS is 6 yrs old and has already told me about how he is going to eat, breathe, and sleep at the kids H20 zone.

 

A big, cold iced tea would hit the spot, but I may need to resort to the soda card for pool side convenience- but then again there is a whole other thread about difficulties using the soda card on the pool decks and other bars.

 

What was your kids experiences using the soda card poolside?

[KelJ]

I do recall, now that you've mentioned it, the lack of lemonade and ice tea at the Promenade Cafe.[/color][/size][/font]

 

I'm sorry to have given you misinformation.

 

 

No appology needed. All information anyone is willing to share on these threads is helpful. But I must say, I was hopeful there for a minute, but I will need to watch to see if the beverage station outside the WJ will be confirmed by someone here.

 

I save my cocktails for after dinner. Then it is Mojito Time! Or maybe Southern Comfort Old Fashioneds. Or maybe both!!! I head to the bar when my DH take DS to Adventure Ocean then he joins me for a drink. I just tend to get headaches if I consume booze in the sun on deck- where I expect I will be for the most of our days at sea. DS is 6 yrs old and has already told me about how he is going to eat, breathe, and sleep at the kids H20 zone.

 

A big, cold iced tea would hit the spot, but I may need to resort to the soda card for pool side convenience- but then again there is a whole other thread about difficulties using the soda card on the pool decks and other bars.

 

What was your kids experiences using the soda card poolside?

 

We've been fortunate that my kids and my husband (he always get the soda sticker too) haven't run into any of the problems cited on the other thread. The bartenders/servers have been great about getting them soda.

[alwalaska]

Not that its right, mind you, but I can see how that could happen. The servers probably very seldom get tips on the drinks they deliver to people with the soda package. I can imagine how frustrating it must be to walk around serving people drinks all day for nothing, and like I said before, not that its right, I bet thats where the attitude comes from.

 

Something to think about to those of you who use the soda package.:)

 

Except for the fact that a 15% tip is added on to the price of the soda package and I would assume goes to the bar staff. Some people drink more than they paid a tip on and many others a lot less, so it should balance out for the servers.

 

On the Sovereign, we had wonderful service and friendly smiles with the soda card, but we did have problems on our Princess cruise with a few waiters with attitudes about getting the soda (especially in the buffet in the evening). I just got in the habit of going by the pool bar and picking up a drink on my way into the buffet and that solved the problem for me.

[VillaHappy]

That's it - I'm skipping the soda card entirely!

[PhoenixCruiser]

Can someone please explain why they would prefer to drink soda out of a can instead of getting it from the fountain:confused: .

 

Canned soda has a metallic taste that fountain soda does not. I know you take your chances with fountain soda where fizziness is concerned. But I would rather drink a flat fountain soda over a metallic tasting soda anyday:p .

 

But then again I have had people ask me how I can taste the difference between diet coke and regular coke:rolleyes: .

 

I don't like fountain soda ;) If we all liked the same things life would be boring :p

 

###

[CJJSmith]

Except for the fact that a 15% tip is added on to the price of the soda package and I would assume goes to the bar staff. Some people drink more than they paid a tip on and many others a lot less, so it should balance out for the servers.

 

On the Sovereign, we had wonderful service and friendly smiles with the soda card, but we did have problems on our Princess cruise with a few waiters with attitudes about getting the soda (especially in the buffet in the evening). I just got in the habit of going by the pool bar and picking up a drink on my way into the buffet and that solved the problem for me.

 

both really good points!

[mochuck]

Hey I'm an Aussie and we don't usually tip bar staff unless we are drunk. So my question is it standard practice to tip for something that is supposed to be "free" - like when using the soda card?

[alwalaska]

Hey I'm an Aussie and we don't usually tip bar staff unless we are drunk. So my question is it standard practice to tip for something that is supposed to be "free" - like when using the soda card?

 

Since there is a 15% tip added into the price of the soda card, we don't tip and I don't think the majority of other do either.

 

Other than the standard positions that should be tipped (waiter, cabin steward, etc.) the one main other thing I have heard is that the majority of the people tip for room service. Most everything from room service is free, but most people tip the servers a couple of dollars. RCCL's web site specifically says that tipping room service is optional. We haven't ordered room service so I can't say what my personal practice is on that.

[crusinmama06]

CJJSmith - I had the SAME issues with the soda card. It does seem like you have the plague. We had the same experience at the Freedom juice bar (next to the H20 zone). My husband would go to get a soda, they would ignore him. :rolleyes: Or they would barely acknowledge him when they got him the soda. It was like he was incoveniencing them because they had to pour a soda.

 

The best service is always in the casino. :) And the guys at the Cafe Promenade were VERY nice too in regards to the soda.

 

The bartenders think it's beneath them to pour a soda. :rolleyes:

 

I don't get soda cards for me or my daughters because we don't drink soda.

[MtnBikerFallDown]

I'm allergic to alcohol, so the soda package is VERY worth the money to me. That being said, I have gotten the cold shoulder before from bartenders (never in the dining room) when using my card. I figured out that if I can find a bar that isn't very busy, they are usually much happier to fill my cup. As others said, I can see why they probably aren't as keen on it, when there are bigger tips floating all around them with the folks ordering alcoholic drinks.

 

When we were on Enchantment, we were some of the first to board. We went to Boleros and started talking to one of the bartenders. Dad ordered a Margarita and I got a Coke. The bartender was teasing me about getting something so "strong" and I told him about my allergy. That just amazed him. After that, every time I went into Boleros, he not only poured me a coke, but he dressed it up with cherries or slices of fruit. He said I needed to have something extra to get that cruise feel! I thought that was so sweet!