So if I don't get the unlimited soda card.....

[waldocruiser1]

OK, this may sound stupid, but I have been going back and forth on whether to get an unlimited soda card. I'm a major coke drinker, but it seems like it would be easier to bring my own on board so I don't have to keep finding a place to order it. My questions are:

 

When you order (and pay) for a coke in the MDR, do they give you the whole can instead of a small glass like it seems you get with the soda card?

 

Can you use drink coupons in the buffet area and MDR?

 

I know I probably sound stupid, but I've only been on Disney (where I drank way too much soda...because I could), and keep finding this to be the thing I can't decide on. Any other opinions or info would be great.

 

I just got off the Dream May 1st, we did both, brought a case of water (24) 16oz Coke bottles (12) 16 oz Sprite (6) and 24 oz Dr Pepper (6) we also ordered a bottle of rum, and a cooler with 4 beers from Bon V and brought a bottle of Kulua and a small rum runner of rum from home.

 

When on the ship I also bought a Soda Card it was $49 and change,

 

We drank all the Sprite, it was good with the heat of the day, used 6 of the cokes with the rum, and drank 3 of the Dr Peppers, and most of the soda and beer were taken off the ship in port to the beach.

 

The soda card works very well, you can order from anyone selling drinks, there is no "attitude" if you are using it, they bring the drink, and don't even hesitate as if waiting for a tip. If you ask and they were not busy, they will bring you 2 at a time, I tried to tip one waiter for doing this, and they look at you like "what are you doing?" they took it, but tipping was not the normal.

 

They serve the soda in a large glass that will hold 80 % of the can with ice, and at dinner one time they brought the can to the table for a refill, opened it and it all fit in the glass.

 

My suggestion is bring with you water (the ship water on the Dream was VERY BAD, had a processed taste, like the filter needs changed) to drink on the ship and off, also bring soda to take off the ship in a small cooler.

 

The card is a great investment for the trip if you are going to drink 3 or 4 per day,

[happy cruzin]

They do bring you the whole can in the dining room and a glass of ice for it (with the soda card I mean)... thats been what everyone Iv seen got, a whole can. Not sure what ship you were on to only get a glass of soda.

 

Now they are limiting you to carrying on 12 sodas per person, so if you drink more than one a day, that might not be enough.

 

That has never been our expereince.

 

When using the soda card in the MDR DH is brought a large glass - with ice. They fill the glass from the can - and have never left the can. BUT.......They have always come back and refilled his glass - similar to the way any restuarant at home does.

[happy cruzin]

Another soda card question -- I see Red Bull on the "soda" menu someone posted. Is that included in what you can get with your soda card?

 

I do not think so.....

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

There is a CVS drug store in site of the ship. they carry soda. We were on a B2B in Feb and bought the soda card the first half and bought soda in port for the second half. Much more convenient to have in the room and we are Pepsi drinkers, so not only was it a lot cheaper, but enjoyed more. Just ask the locals...we found it in every port!

 

Silly question, but is it the typical US soda, because someone mentioned in other areas the soda tastes different because of the sugar vs. preservatives, etc? I do like my Pepsi!

[cawagner]

They do bring you the whole can in the dining room and a glass of ice for it (with the soda card I mean)... thats been what everyone Iv seen got, a whole can. Not sure what ship you were on to only get a glass of soda.

 

Now they are limiting you to carrying on 12 sodas per person, so if you drink more than one a day, that might not be enough.

 

We have 2 cabins and were planning on putting in a rolling dufflebag (that will be checked baggage OR must we carry it on?) 12 pk of bottled water...to take on our excursions...AND some 12oz bottles of pepsi....we are only allowed 12?

[poobears]

We've always checked a suitcase with a case of water in it. From the sounds of it you now have to carry it on. My guess is they want all the liquids out of the checked baggage so smuggling alcohol will be easier to catch. I'm just splitting the case between my carry on and Dh's, 12 waters in each.

[waldocruiser1]

We have 2 cabins and were planning on putting in a rolling dufflebag (that will be checked baggage OR must we carry it on?) 12 pk of bottled water...to take on our excursions...AND some 12oz bottles of pepsi....we are only allowed 12?

 

We brought a small gym bag that the full case of water fits in, in the case, then mix the soda in the other suit cases, that way we don't have to carry it.

[StrangeBrew]

There is a CVS drug store in site of the ship. they carry soda. We were on a B2B in Feb and bought the soda card the first half and bought soda in port for the second half. Much more convenient to have in the room and we are Pepsi drinkers, so not only was it a lot cheaper, but enjoyed more. Just ask the locals...we found it in every port!

 

Thanks , now I hope they carry Dr Pepper , and I'll be all set . :D

[Millerhead]

I feel silly worrying about the soda card, but it really bothers me. $50 seems like alot of money for the card, especially when you can bring on a case of soda for around $5. Problem is, I'm a HUGE Diet Coke drinker. Went on RCL in 2007 and bought the card. I remember feeling like I was bothering the bartenders when I just wanted a soda. Hated that feeling. That is the main reason I'm thinking of not getting the card. I wish CCL had those soda dispensing machines where you buy a mug with a bar code on it - that way, we wouldn't have to bug the bartender.

[buckirj1]

I feel silly worrying about the soda card, but it really bothers me. $50 seems like alot of money for the card, especially when you can bring on a case of soda for around $5. Problem is, I'm a HUGE Diet Coke drinker. Went on RCL in 2007 and bought the card. I remember feeling like I was bothering the bartenders when I just wanted a soda. Hated that feeling. That is the main reason I'm thinking of not getting the card. I wish CCL had those soda dispensing machines where you buy a mug with a bar code on it - that way, we wouldn't have to bug the bartender.

 

Same here, but I've come to realize just buying a can of Diet Coke when I want one is the solution. I'm trying to cut down on my consuption, and here's what works for me: I have one at breakfast and find I can make do with tea and water the rest of the day on sea days, and I drink whatever I want in port. Then I get one to drink in the room while I'm getting ready for dinner, and make do with tea or water at dinner. I usually get a couple more if I spend time hanging around the ship in the evening.

 

Works out cheaper than the soda card, and I don't have to fool with those dinky little glasses. It's my one cruise splurge: I don't drink alchohol, use the casino, and rarely buy the cruiselines's port excursions. Even if my onboard charges exceed $50, I'm still more frugal than lots of others.

 

I love your idea of the bar-coded mugs (provided the mugs are properly sized). Do you know of any ships using this method?

[conchead]

 

 

There was a question about the quantity of water allowed.

I think but may be wrong, that water would be considered a

non alcoholic beverage.

 

I did notice someone said the soda came in large plastic glasses.

We did not consider them to be large at all.

Below is a pic of the different sizes from the Lido deck.

The 2 clear ones on the left are the ones they serve the sodas in

with the soda card, then a coffee cup for comparison and the amber

one is at the beverage stations for tea, lemonade and juices

Hope this helps

 

 

[Rockypoint]

We are just off the Splendor and we packed a case of soda in a duffle bag by itself and a case of water in another duffle bag by itself. It all arrived in our room no problem. The only item searched was my husbands golf clubs. We ordered a bottle of rum from bon voyage and brought plastic cups with us.

[busymomcanada]

I just came back from a carnival cruise last week- I brought on board 3 12pks of diet coke and found it very convenient to bring my own up to the pool deck, for example, and just get a glass of ice and a straw from the buffet. Our room steward filled our ice buckets with ice everyday. I placed the 12pkgs in a sports bag and tagged it as luggage and it arrived in exellent condition. I would definitely recommend bringing your own on board, especially if you drink alot of sodas.

[newcatintown]

Silly question, but is it the typical US soda, because someone mentioned in other areas the soda tastes different because of the sugar vs. preservatives, etc? I do like my Pepsi!

 

 

The cokes bought in Mexico are still made with real sugar (don't have any info on Pepsi), hence the difference in taste. Cokes on the ship are from the US made with HFCS.

 

Pick up a coke in Mexico and taste the difference for yourself :)

[MOMOFTHREE68]

Thanks everyone for the great responses. I still don't know which way I'm going to go, but feel more informed about it.

 

I am do try to limit my soda consumption at home, but heck, when I'm on vacation I deserve to have 1 indulgence. I don't drink alcohol, mostly because I just don't like the taste of it. I don't like coffe either, so no caffeine that way.

 

I do love the idea of getting more coke in Cozumel. We have a local Mexican restaurant (tiny family run kind) that serves Coke Mexicana in large glass bottles. It really DOES taste better. You know...I pay $2.00 for a can of that as well. LOL