Can soda cards be used in the dining rooms?

[KayJay4]

I think we will get soda cards for our kids (Cruising on the Grand in August to the Med) but wondered about ordering drinks in the main dining rooms (we have booked the early traditional sitting) Can the soda cards be used in there? If not what happens - are we charged separately or do we have to take the drinks in with us from the bar?

[Colo Cruiser]

I think we will get soda cards for our kids (Cruising on the Grand in August to the Med) but wondered about ordering drinks in the main dining rooms (we have booked the early traditional sitting) Can the soda cards be used in there? If not what happens - are we charged separately or do we have to take the drinks in with us from the bar?

 

Yes you can use them in the DR. ;)

[turquoisesea]

Yes you can use them in the DR. ;)

 

And you can use them at the buffet, too! Just flag down one of the staff, show them your card and they will get you your soda. :)

[sergeant655]

they can be used in the MDR. I find that the soda you like is waiting for you when you get to the dining room the rest of the nights after you show your soda card on the first night

[obnurse]

It's good any place on the ship but not on Princess Cays.

[Rollexx]

As others have said, the card is good anywhere on the ship, however...on our last cruise I was in the casino and ordered a coke while at the poker table. Showed my card. The guy sitting next to me said "don't hold your breath". Sure enough, the server took his time. This also happened before the nightly entertainment on more than one occasion when ordering a drink from the servers. I'm pretty laid back so not that big a deal to me,

but just a heads up that you might wanna get your drinks at th bar before going into a venue.

[Pam in CA]

Anything in a can is NOT included. For instance, the cans of soda in the mini-frig in your cabin or cans of soda that they have on carts in the buffet. The card is good only good for what can be dispensed at one of the bars.

[LindaandJeff]

Just a suggestion for the OP... Although I always get the soda card I find that on Med itineraries it usually doesn't pay because they are so port intensive and the stay in each port is so long. Just make sure you are going to get your $ worth. Caribbean=always! Med=not so much...

[KayJay4]

Thanks everyone for your help!

[cosytoes]

Can I check, do the waiters expect a tip when you use the soda card?

[sultan_sfo]

No tip is expected or given for sodas served in the dining room. In traditional dining, on many cruises the waiters have had the soda glass ready on the table once they know that you have a soda card and want soda with your meals. However, once the dinner orders are being taken the waiters become so busy it is difficult to order any drinks -- even wine!

 

Can I check, do the waiters expect a tip when you use the soda card?

[Pam in CA]

Can I check, do the waiters expect a tip when you use the soda card?

When you purchase the soda card, it will include a 15% service charge so you will already have "tipped." You are not expected to tip additionally.

[cruiserbryce]

I believe its all soda on board except the mini bar

[Pam in CA]

I believe its all soda on board except the mini bar

At lunch, someone goes around with a cart of canned soda. The card cannot be used for that. As I said above, the card is not good for any canned soda.

[Hunwolf]

At lunch, someone goes around with a cart of canned soda. The card cannot be used for that. As I said above, the card is not good for any canned soda.

 

Related to this...since our cabin was right next to the International Cafe (literally) after we got moved...we frequented it during the week on Emerald. ;)

 

None of us bought the soda card but we were never charged when either I or my daughter asked for a Coke. They just gave us a glass. Maybe we got lucky...I don't know? The one night I had to run there to grab a can of ginger ale...we were charged of course.

[framer]

I thought in the MDR during diner that soft drinks were included without the card.

 

framer

[MojitoMadness]

I thought in the MDR during diner that soft drinks were included without the card.

 

framer

 

nope, only tea, water and regular coffee included

[Colo Cruiser]

I thought in the MDR during diner that soft drinks were included without the card.

 

framer

 

No free soda in the DR without the card.

[Hunwolf]

No free soda in the DR without the card.

 

That's certainly one thing that is different on Princess versus some of the other lines. On Princess, they charge you in the DR for soda (with no card). On some of the other lines I've been on recently you can get soda in DR with no problem.

[Doug R.]

That's certainly one thing that is different on Princess versus some of the other lines. On Princess, they charge you in the DR for soda (with no card). On some of the other lines I've been on recently you can get soda in DR with no problem.

 

Please specify the lines. RCI and Celebrity are same as Princess in this regard.

[Colo Cruiser]

That's certainly one thing that is different on Princess versus some of the other lines. On Princess, they charge you in the DR for soda (with no card). On some of the other lines I've been on recently you can get soda in DR with no problem.

 

I would also like to know the lines that provide free soda?

 

And I am not talking about the all inclusive ones. :rolleyes: