Drink Coupon Question- sorry!

[gargoyle999]

I haven't been able to find the answer to my question by searching.

 

When you have a drink coupon and purchase a drink that is more expensive than the ticket value you will likely get charged for the difference in price. Do you also get charged a gratuity on that difference or just the difference in the price of the drinks?

 

I'm trying to decide if I should purchase them for my upcoming trip. I don't really care about the "pre-pay" aspect of them. Just want to figure out if I'll save money buy using them. If you have to pay the difference in price plus additional gratuity on that difference then probably not worth it. But if you don't have to pay that extra gratuity then it seems like you would save money even if you get charged the difference for the more expensive drink and buying drink coupons is a "good deal".

[David-n-Rita]

I haven't been able to find the answer to my question by searching.

 

When you have a drink coupon and purchase a drink that is more expensive than the ticket value you will likely get charged for the difference in price. Do you also get charged a gratuity on that difference or just the difference in the price of the drinks?

 

I'm trying to decide if I should purchase them for my upcoming trip. I don't really care about the "pre-pay" aspect of them. Just want to figure out if I'll save money buy using them. If you have to pay the difference in price plus additional gratuity on that difference then probably not worth it. But if you don't have to pay that extra gratuity then it seems like you would save money even if you get charged the difference for the more expensive drink and buying drink coupons is a "good deal".

 

We always buy them. Save about $1.00 on drinks over buying them on board. NEVER since 2005, and we cruise alot, have we been charged extra for a drink. Mostly do mixed drinks served in 4-6 oz glasses.

Frozen drinks (Pina Colada and the like) served in 8-10 oz glasses. I am sure if you asked for top shelf brands, or wanted it in a souvenir glass, it might be different and you might have some added. The gratuities are in the coupon already which is where the savings come in. When you don't have a coupon, they add it to the stated price. With a coupon, you hand them the coupon, they hand you a drink.

[Lady_Jag]

Hey, never apologize for asking a question. ;)

 

It's been a while since I've used drink coupons, but I thought drink prices already included the gratuity? In other words, the coupon is good for up to x amount, but the bar bill you get is y amount, which includes gratutity.

 

So I guess the answer is yes, you have to pay the extra gratuity because that's included in the difference.

 

Clear as mud, right? :p

[Cruise, J.D.]

I haven't been able to find the answer to my question by searching.

 

When you have a drink coupon and purchase a drink that is more expensive than the ticket value you will likely get charged for the difference in price. Do you also get charged a gratuity on that difference or just the difference in the price of the drinks?

 

I'm trying to decide if I should purchase them for my upcoming trip. I don't really care about the "pre-pay" aspect of them. Just want to figure out if I'll save money buy using them. If you have to pay the difference in price plus additional gratuity on that difference then probably not worth it. But if you don't have to pay that extra gratuity then it seems like you would save money even if you get charged the difference for the more expensive drink and buying drink coupons is a "good deal".

 

I wouldn't even count on that happening. The server I presented the drink coupons to would not let me do that. The drink price had to be at or under the coupon amount.

 

Also, it is unclear if the server receives a gratuity from your use of the coupon - you may be "guilted" into tipping extra, further making it not worth it. I realize that the coupon includes gratuity, but it is unclear if the server actually receives a gratuity from the coupon.

 

That was my experience.

[gargoyle999]

Clear as mud is right! :p

 

I guess even if I get charged the difference and have to pay 15% on that difference I'd still save about $1.30 per drink vs the full cost of my drink plus 15% on top of that.

 

I like frozen drinks. Those are $7.25 x 15% = $8.34

 

I can buy the coupon for $5.31 each and recent Spirit cruisers report the coupon is good for $5.75 on the ship. (still don't understand that since face value is $5.25, but that's for another time :))

 

So even if I get charged $1.50 for the difference plus 15% that would be total of $7.04. So at a min I'd save $1.30 per drink.

 

That would be worth it I guess. And if I find a server who doesn't charge me extra that would be a big score!

[gargoyle999]

I wouldn't even count on that happening. The server I presented the drink coupons to would not let me do that. The drink price had to be at or under the coupon amount.

 

Seems like things are done different from ship to ship or server to server. Based on the pic on the carnival website the coupon does say good for one drink not exceeding $5.25. So they could refuse to let you use it for a more expensive drink.

 

I think if I buy them and get that response I'll just find another server/bar. I'll tip extra if they let me get a $7.25 drink with just the coupon! :D

[gargoyle999]

Also, it is unclear if the server receives a gratuity from your use of the coupon - you may be "guilted" into tipping extra,

 

For those of you who do tip a server, do you give them cash or add it to the piece of paper you sign? I haven't tipped extra before since gratuity was included already.

[Cruise, J.D.]

I think if I buy them and get that response I'll just find another server/bar. I'll tip extra if they let me get a $7.25 drink with just the coupon! :D

 

Good idea. I should have just saved them and tried again with a different server.

[lewandbella]

We always tip extra with cash.

[Cruise, J.D.]

For those of you who do tip a server, do you give them cash or add it to the piece of paper you sign? I haven't tipped extra before since gratuity was included already.

 

We did it with cash.

[WaterBabyFireWoman]

Where do you buy these coupons? Online?

[maumekim]

We were on the Splendor on Jan 31 through feb 7th and we had been given drink coupons as a gift (Thanks Jen)

 

We asked about using them and were told "You can get a bottle of beer and the price will be paid as well as the Gratuity, or you can use it toward a more expensive drink and pay the difference between the total price of the drink plus gratuity MINUS the $5.75."

 

We used 3 for beer and one for a pina colada/strawberry daiq mix (YUMMY) the 3 beers were all paid in full including tip and the daiqcolada was $3.00. I tried to hand her a tip for my drink and she refused saying the entire price plus gratutity was already paid with the coupon and $3. (I made her take it anyway because she made the drink really special and answered so many questions for us)

 

I was told by our bar server in the dining room that it is really up to the individual server weather they accept the coupons for higher priced drinks at all, even if you pay the difference.

[Cruise, J.D.]

Where do you buy these coupons? Online?

 

http://www.carnival.com/BonVoyage/AddToCart.aspx?cat=Specialty+Items&pid=BAR

[relin711]

We asked about using them and were told "You can get a bottle of beer and the price will be paid as well as the Gratuity, or you can use it toward a more expensive drink and pay the difference between the total price of the drink plus gratuity MINUS the $5.75."

 

 

Actually, they deduct the $5.75 first, then add gratuity.

 

For example, $8.75 drink. With coupon, they minus the $5.75.

 

Remaining balance is $3.00 + 15% tip = $3.45.

[PittsburghGirlee]

I am unsure of the policy, but my own personal experience on the Glory last year was.....

 

I used each of my 4 coupons for a Kiss on the Lips. I am not sure if this drink is more than the amount allotted or not, but the coupon was just taken off of me by the bartender with a thank you:D:D. I was not ever charged any more. I went to the bar myself and did not use a server. Not sure if this made a difference or not.

[gargoyle999]

Actually, they deduct the $5.75 first, then add gratuity.

 

For example, $8.75 drink. With coupon, they minus the $5.75.

 

Remaining balance is $3.00 + 15% tip = $3.45.

 

So you still save. $8.75 x 15% = $10.06. Coupon cost = $5.31

 

$5.31 + $3.45 = $8.76.

 

$10.06 - $8.76 = $1.30 saved

 

So it's probably worth it to get some. Save at least $1.30 per drink.

 

May get a server who won't let you buy a more expensive drink with the coupon. But may find a server who gives you a more expensive drink without making you pay more.

 

I'm going to give it a try and see what happens. Could save enough to pay for one piece of luggage on our flight to San Diego. :p

[gargoyle999]

I used each of my 4 coupons for a Kiss on the Lips. I am not sure if this drink is more than the amount allotted or not, but the coupon was just taken off of me by the bartender with a thank you:D:D.

 

You saved $3.03 per drink! :)

[Tiffany1203]

My boyfriend bought me a few gifts for our cabin on the Pride 1/10/10 and one of the gifts came with the 5.25 drink coupons...I used them all over the ship....all the waiters/waitersses/bartenders just subtracted 5.25 from whatever my drink cost was. :)

[Capette]

Our experience was different as they DID charge us the extra. I would never get them again. It was a big pain carrying them around. On our last night we gave a bunch away and went to bed early.

[ampfadvisor]

Trying to reach maumekim.. don't think cruise critic allows direct contact.. so I'll try replying to this thread... Maumekim if you get this, I am curious about suite 7273 on splendor...it looks like you've "been there"... we've booked this cabin for a july sailing.. just curious how "it was".. the deck plan indicates its an obstructed view.. what was it and just how obstucted was the view. thanks in advance if you do get this and reply

[SCarlow]

I have been on several of Carnivals ships and each one is different. I never had any problems using them for "Kiss on the Lips" on the Lido deck or from the Casino Bar/Sports Bar. I have found that the waitresses in the casino or from other areas would charge me the additional amounts.

 

I was in one of the lounges and they took my ticket and I got a small glass instead of the normal daiquori glass.

[arush5268d]

Your Mileage May Vary, YMMV, is the rule of thumb with the drink coupons.

[falconfan]

My experience was much the same as others that were charged extra. I typically got Fosters which was only a little bit over the value of the voucher and I paid the difference. I think my total was like 81 cents.