I know Soda Cards and Beer are Expensive But!!!

[rummenroman]

Here is why I carry on my own soda....

 

I have managed a pizza joint, and a 16 oz soda cost us 9 cents. That included the syrup (set at the industry average of 5-1), soda water, and ice. If you factor in labor and hardware (class, machine) it up the price to 15 cents per 16 oz glass.

 

It was around $35 for a 3 night soda package a couple of weeks ago which included a 15% tip. That puts the cost of the soda package around $30 for the 3 nights. Doing a little simple math, that would mean I would have to drink around 200 16oz sodas to get my monies worth. Now they offer a self serve machine on the pool deck, so half the time I would go get my own, which would increase the number of sodas I would need to drink.

 

I don't know anyone that would drink 3200 ounces or 266 cans of soda in 3 days.

 

That is the only reason why I choose to carry on my own soda, so if you want to call me a penny pincher, then so be it, I will wear my badge proudly!

[critterchick]

I don't drink ETOH on the cruise ship because it is disproportionately expensive, and because my wife and I are just not big drinkers. We have from time to time gotten a bottle of wine on board and enjoyed that with dinner. At home most of the time we drink iced tea, but they make the iced tea out of a mix on board the ship and it tastes like earthworm urine. So because we like it better (not because it's cheaper) we wind up making our own iced tea at dinner with a cup of hot tea and a couple of glasses of ice. But, if you could buy a glass of real iced tea made the real way for $3 a glass, we'd happily do that.

 

I must ask how you know what earthworm urine tastes like.:eek:;)

 

Do they serve guava juice out of the buffet fountains (self-serve) on Royal Caribbean? They have it on Carnival and I drank it all the time on our last Carnival cruise.

 

No. And not every Carnival ship has it - Paradise doesn't.

 

Here is why I carry on my own soda....

 

I have managed a pizza joint, and a 16 oz soda cost us 9 cents. That included the syrup (set at the industry average of 5-1), soda water, and ice. If you factor in labor and hardware (class, machine) it up the price to 15 cents per 16 oz glass.

 

It was around $35 for a 3 night soda package a couple of weeks ago which included a 15% tip. That puts the cost of the soda package around $30 for the 3 nights. Doing a little simple math, that would mean I would have to drink around 200 16oz sodas to get my monies worth. Now they offer a self serve machine on the pool deck, so half the time I would go get my own, which would increase the number of sodas I would need to drink.

 

I don't know anyone that would drink 3200 ounces or 266 cans of soda in 3 days.

 

That is the only reason why I choose to carry on my own soda, so if you want to call me a penny pincher, then so be it, I will wear my badge proudly!

 

What ship has a self service soda machine?

 

We don't carry on soda any more - I don't drink more than one or two in a week. DH will have a little more. We do bring on water, though - two or three small bottles to start and then we refill the bottles plus get more in the ports. It just bugs me to pay $4.95 or whatever they charge for a bottle of Evian.

[1lovehols]

!st 2 cruises I did, I bought the soda card neither of them did I get value for money out of it.

 

November 2009 cruise I was suffering from a cold so didn't drink fizzy stuff stuck to ships (free) drinks and maybe a couple of sprites in ports.

 

June 2010 cruise, I went to shop before hand a stocked up on 6 cans of different soda and drank that. I had beer in the bar and inc my spa treatment & JR I spent $190 in 5 days.

 

For me the soda card is not worth it as I like variety in my drinks and I quiet like the frozen mix lemonade, I love the fruit punch but they didn't have it on AOS.

 

If we do the Southampton cruise in Nov 2010 then I will again bring my own soda not for cheapness reason just variety reasons.

[dmdiver]

The most we have ever taken on a cruise is a 6pack of water for our excursions. We buy soda cards because we don't want to have to go back to the cabin every time we want one. We like sitting by the pool or up on deck reading & like to have our coke to drink. We will easily drink 2 or 3 in one sitting. The convenience overrides the expense for us. When we do our vacation budget, that's just one of the things we add in.

[bluegirlum]

We always get a soda card. I don't drink coffee, but need caffeine to avoid migraines, and diet coke is my drink of choice. To me, it always works out cost-wise. We definitely go through more than 3 a day. If we drove to the port, we might bring our own, but since we fly, it's so nice to have this option, and we just budget it in. We sometimes bring a few bottles of water in our carryons or grab a few in port just to have in our room for convenience, but otherwise think the water on board is fine. I know some people bring their own water for health reasons. Whatever floats your boat!

[kidz_rn]

Reading this thread has been a pleasure -- sensible comments by intelligent posters and no flaming. What a refreshing change!

 

May all our future cruises be under fair skies and following winds.

[Gilgo Surfer]

We haven't cruise in 6 years.... the only drinkers back then were my husband and myself. Kids got soda cards or smoothie card and we were good to go. We are cruising on the Liberty over New Years. The cost is mind blowing but we are celebrating a few milestones so we're biting the bullet. Will will however now have 4 people of legal drinking age aboard! Our 2 sons have now joined the ranks- one is still a student and therefore not yet gainfully employed. We are pretty concerned about the bar tab and have been discussing limiting beer drinking while on board. DH loves his bucket of beers but he has agreed to go lightly so the boys will do the same. I like the frozen drinks which add up quite quickly. I'd love to throw caution to the wind and say "hey, we're on vacation" but this time around I could make a down payment on home for what we are paying:p. Sobriety aboard may be our motto!!

 

I plan on keeping my bar tab to a minimum on my next cruise. Partly due to a couple of bar tenders with bad attitudes on my last cruise(pool bar/casino) and bad cocktail service in MDR. Partly because I'd rather keep the money in my own pocket.:D

[barbie5401]

Buy the soda card on-line before you travel saves paying Miami Sales Tax in addition to the 15% tip. It gives you the luxury also of not having to stand on line. Your seapass card has the emblem on it and the cup is in your room when you arrive.

 

As far as beer is concern buy the buckets of beer - cheaper than individual beers.

[aldewitt]

I must ask how you know what earthworm urine tastes like.:eek:;)

 

Guys talk, word gets around, you hear things... You know.. heard it from a friend, who, heard it from a friend who, heard it from another.... that kind of thing. :)

[frito58]

Reading this thread has been a pleasure -- sensible comments by intelligent posters and no flaming. What a refreshing change!

 

May all our future cruises be under fair skies and following winds.

 

I so agree , I was just curious. Was figuring someone would would go off on me. I agree whatever floats your boat, I doesn't bother me to see someone carry on a case of pop or water , seems like a lot of work:p but it doesnt bother me how people show up in the dining room either:eek::eek: ok now I've done it there goes our peaceful thread.

[frito58]

Buy the soda card on-line before you travel saves paying Miami Sales Tax in addition to the 15% tip. It gives you the luxury also of not having to stand on line. Your seapass card has the emblem on it and the cup is in your room when you arrive.

 

As far as beer is concern buy the buckets of beer - cheaper than individual beers.

 

Thanks for the tip I was wondering how that worked. My wife likes the refillable cup and I was wondering how you got it.:D:D

[aldewitt]

Reading this thread has been a pleasure -- sensible comments by intelligent posters and no flaming. What a refreshing change!

 

May all our future cruises be under fair skies and following winds.

 

I had the same thought. I've also learned a thing or two in this thread which is not always the case on here.

 

Thanks to everyone who contributed a point of view. It's been helpful. I am going to forego the card on this next trip and see how it goes.

[teacherkim]

Guys talk, word gets around, you hear things... You know.. heard it from a friend, who, heard it from a friend who, heard it from another.... that kind of thing. :)

 

 

No flaming my fellow Missourian but I think you mean REO Speedwagon not PPL!;)

On the soda issue I think it is definately a personal preference/where do you choose to spend your money sort of thing. Most of prioritize the $$. We put excursions higher on the list than soda because we just don't drink that much and so spend our money on what matters to us and on things we cannot do at home. I can say that I would never hassle with dragging water or soda on board, I usually have too much luggage. While I can live without soda I CANNOT live without lots and lots of shoes!! Which some people would find crazy I am sure.

[donnaandtim]

My husband and I are traveling on the FOS in Feb 2011, we will be bringing our 15 year old son and we will be buying him a soda card. I will have a couple of bevvys and so will my husband, but we don't drink a lot so we figure our bar bill at the end will not be to big.

 

I can understand where people are trying to save money any way they can, for us we are travelling from Calgary Alberta and we have to leave on the Friday to make sure we can get to the ship on Sunday, as long as there are no blizzards we should make it on time. Flying from Calgary to Toronto to Orlando.

 

All we care about is having a great time with Kix our son and making memories that we can share forever. We are giving him a budget of 700.00 to spend while we are holidaying. This is his own money that he has been saving, in fact he can't wait until we can prebook some shore excursions. We figure since we have already paid for our grats up front and we will prepay our shore activites the bar bill will be the least of our worries. This will be our first cruise and the first time in Orlando so we are staying in the area for a week after. As long as we come back to freezing Calgary with tans all will be good.

[jhc12]

How much do individual beers and soft drinks cost on the Independence of the Seas and are any drinks included at mealtimes?

These Soda packages seem quite expensive:eek:

[Cravin]

If I have to go to the all the trouble to take enough soda to last my wife all week and beer for me, I might as well stay home and sit on my patio. I like to save money when I can I booked our up coming cruise a while back save at least $200 over the going rate. But when I get on the ship I want my buckets of beer and my wife wants a soda whenever she wants it with out counting how many.

 

Does anyone feel like I do. I guess when it comes down to to it I like to enjoy my vacation. I just keep reading all these post about all the trouble people go to , to save a few bucks , I am not slamming you and don't want to be slammed just find it interesting.

 

 

I'm with you.... But I can certainly understand those that need to save a few bucks.

[mek]

BTW, does anyone know the cost of the soda card on a 12 night cruise? Buying pop in Europe is expensive and probably not worth the effort. Caffeine free is difficult to find also.

[aldewitt]

No flaming my fellow Missourian but I think you mean REO Speedwagon not PPL!;)

 

I probably did, but, hey, I'm getting older and I can't keep track of who sung what anymore. *s*

[MrsPete]

Here's why I nickel and dime (a little - I'm not as extreme as others):

 

I'm in my late 30s and my wife is a stay-at-home mom. I make a good salary, but we're not an independently wealthy family. Like a lot of people here, cruising is my family's favorite vacation and I don't even know what the runner-up would be. However, if we were to go crazy with on-board spending on our upcoming cruise, we will find out next summer. :)

 

We can only cruise in the summer when the kids are out of school, which of course is when fares are at their peak. We also don't have anyone to watch the kids so mom and dad can go alone, and it's a family vacation anyway. Still, that doubles our fare. We live in the midwest, so we don't have the luxury of a 60-minute drive to the nearest port.

 

By the time I pay for airfare and cruise fare for four, in two adjoining oceanview rooms (no balcony), I'm already in for about $5,600. Throw in tips, dad's soda card, and one specialty dinner for my wife and I, and it's an even six large.

 

I can manage that, but it really red-lines my discretionary spending budget for the year. If I go crazy and rack up a bar tab that costs several hundred dollars and sign the whole family up for a few excursions, a cruise vacation would immediately become prohibitively expensive for us.

 

We enjoy ourselves on the cruise. I tip in accordance with the guidelines and I don't try to be cheap. Rather, I try to be frugal because (a) we can still have a TERRIFIC time without spending a lot of money on board and (b) the whole family wants to come back each summer.

 

A good many folks on here are empty-nesters and retirees whose kids are off on their own. And good for them, I say. Theirr years of hard work and child rearing are now paying them back. But some of us are still in the midst of that and have not yet reached our peak earnings period. It seems that perhaps some are far enough removed from that period of their lives to remember what it's like trying to do everything you want to do, but still pay the mortgage, save for two college educations, and put money away for a nice retirement. Believe me, when that day comes for my wife and I, you come find me on the ship and I'll buy you a couple drinks. ;) Until then, I gotta go easy!

My family's details vary, but our attitude is the same: We have children at home, and we don't want to vacation without them. We can certainly afford to go, but we need to watch the discretionary spending -- and bringing sodas along is a very easy way to save big bucks. Sure, we have the money . . . we could spend, spend, spend on vacation, but we also have a brand-new driver whose insurance is expensive, college coming up in only a couple years, another child who'll be getting braces in the fall . . . over-spending on drinks when a viable alternative exists is not the best use of our resources! We're close enough to drive to the port, so it's very easy to buy two 12-packs ($2.50 each on sale), pop 'em into an XL ziplock bag, and send 'em in with the other luggage.

 

Being frugal is why we became debt-free (including mortgage) just before my 40th birthday, and it's why our children won't have to borrow for college. I won't apologize for cutting corners where I can! It doesn't detract from our enjoyment, and it's why we're financially comfortable!

I have always been of the thought that if I have to watch every penny when on vacation, I'd rather not go.

See, there's a great deal of space between "watching every penny" and going hog-wild. That space in between is a happy medium, which allows for a moderate amount of spending. And don't forget that more money spent does not = a better vacation.

seems like a lot of work

Well, let's calculate the work entailed:

 

1. Buy 12-pack of soda -- I'd do that while I'm buying my everyday groceries, so no extra time is expended.

2. Package soda securely in XL ziplock bag, wrap with duct tape for extra security, label with luggage tag -- 10 minutes.

3. Place soda into car trunk -- 5 minutes (and that's assuming I had to hunt for the car keys). Now, if you're flying, your cost-to-reward ratio may be different.

4. Hand sodas to the porter at the terminal -- we're going to have to hand over the luggage anyway, so no additional time is expended.

 

Onboard no extra time is expended. The drinks will be delivered literally to your door. We'd already have ice in the rooms, so there's no extra time spent in keeping the drinks cold.

 

So we're looking at 15 minutes of extra "work" to bring a 12-pack. If a soda onboard costs $2.50 (ironically, the cost of one 12-pack on sale), then that 12-pack saves you $27.50. My time is worth $27.50 /15 minutes!

[tip]

 

... it's very easy to buy two 12-packs ($2.50 each on sale), pop 'em into an XL ziplock bag, and send 'em in with the other luggage.

 

1. Buy 12-pack of soda -- I'd do that while I'm buying my everyday groceries, so no extra time is expended.

2. Package soda securely in XL ziplock bag, wrap with duct tape for extra security, label with luggage tag -- 10 minutes.

3. Place soda into car trunk -- 5 minutes (and that's assuming I had to hunt for the car keys). Now, if you're flying, your cost-to-reward ratio may be different.

4. Hand sodas to the porter at the terminal -- we're going to have to hand over the luggage anyway, so no additional time is expended.

 

Onboard no extra time is expended. The drinks will be delivered literally to your door. We'd already have ice in the rooms, so there's no extra time spent in keeping the drinks cold.

 

So we're looking at 15 minutes of extra "work" to bring a 12-pack. If a soda onboard costs $2.50 (ironically, the cost of one 12-pack on sale), then that 12-pack saves you $27.50. My time is worth $27.50 /15 minutes!

 

 

So is mine! On the other hand, for some it is, "A fool and his money are soon parted"!;)

[frito58]

My family's details vary, but our attitude is the same: We have children at home, and we don't want to vacation without them. We can certainly afford to go, but we need to watch the discretionary spending -- and bringing sodas along is a very easy way to save big bucks. Sure, we have the money . . . we could spend, spend, spend on vacation, but we also have a brand-new driver whose insurance is expensive, college coming up in only a couple years, another child who'll be getting braces in the fall . . . over-spending on drinks when a viable alternative exists is not the best use of our resources! We're close enough to drive to the port, so it's very easy to buy two 12-packs ($2.50 each on sale), pop 'em into an XL ziplock bag, and send 'em in with the other luggage.

 

Being frugal is why we became debt-free (including mortgage) just before my 40th birthday, and it's why our children won't have to borrow for college. I won't apologize for cutting corners where I can! It doesn't detract from our enjoyment, and it's why we're financially comfortable!See, there's a great deal of space between "watching every penny" and going hog-wild. That space in between is a happy medium, which allows for a moderate amount of spending. And don't forget that more money spent does not = a better vacation.Well, let's calculate the work entailed:

 

1. Buy 12-pack of soda -- I'd do that while I'm buying my everyday groceries, so no extra time is expended.

2. Package soda securely in XL ziplock bag, wrap with duct tape for extra security, label with luggage tag -- 10 minutes.

3. Place soda into car trunk -- 5 minutes (and that's assuming I had to hunt for the car keys). Now, if you're flying, your cost-to-reward ratio may be different.

4. Hand sodas to the porter at the terminal -- we're going to have to hand over the luggage anyway, so no additional time is expended.

 

Onboard no extra time is expended. The drinks will be delivered literally to your door. We'd already have ice in the rooms, so there's no extra time spent in keeping the drinks cold.

 

So we're looking at 15 minutes of extra "work" to bring a 12-pack. If a soda onboard costs $2.50 (ironically, the cost of one 12-pack on sale), then that 12-pack saves you $27.50. My time is worth $27.50 /15 minutes!

 

Ok that may work for you , now take into consideration you need a cooler to keep it cold ,unless you plan on drinking all of it in your room over ice , those fridges stink in the rooms they keep things luke warm. If you want some up with by the pool as lie out if you have your cup they keep refilling it for you , same thing applies at dinner. I'm just playing a little devils advocate here. $27.50 is nice but to me in the big picture just not worth the hassle and yes we fly , so another hassle of buying when you have arrived. :p:) Hey I wish drinks were cheaper we backed down to a 5 day cruise this year with 2 days pre on the beach. I hate paying $5 for beer probably will do my drinking on the islands where its cheaper. Justsaying to each his own.

[teacherkim]

I probably did, but, hey, I'm getting older and I can't keep track of who sung what anymore. *s*

 

LOL! Understood, I graduated high school in 1986 and it came as quite a shock when the "oldies" station started playing 70's and 80's music!!:eek:

I think MrsPete probably hits the nail on the head on this issue. Big difference in the "is it worth it" question between those of us who must fly and those of you lucky enought to be able to drive to the port. (Still waiting for the cruise terminal on the Mississippi)

[frito58]

So is mine! On the other hand, for some it is, "A fool and his money are soon parted"!;)

 

So you are saying people that don't think like you guys are fools with there money:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[tip]

So you are saying people that don't think like you guys are fools with there money:rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

It is "their" money, (or since you are the OP, "your money") so spend it as you wish!:rolleyes::rolleyes: As for me, $25 here and $25 there and as the late Senator Everett Dirksen used to say, "...pretty soon you're talking about real money!":rolleyes::rolleyes:

[MrsPete]

Ok that may work for you , now take into consideration you need a cooler to keep it cold ,unless you plan on drinking all of it in your room over ice , those fridges stink in the rooms they keep things luke warm. If you want some up with by the pool as lie out if you have your cup they keep refilling it for you , same thing applies at dinner. I'm just playing a little devils advocate here. $27.50 is nice but to me in the big picture just not worth the hassle and yes we fly , so another hassle of buying when you have arrived. :p:) Hey I wish drinks were cheaper we backed down to a 5 day cruise this year with 2 days pre on the beach. I hate paying $5 for beer probably will do my drinking on the islands where its cheaper. Justsaying to each his own.

Since we have ice provided in the room every day, I don't see a problem with keeping the drinks cold -- no need to bring a cooler of your own. And those "fridges" aren't really fridges; they're coolers like the things you can get to plug into your car. We always stay on the 10th floor, so I don't mind running back for a soda; I can't sit still forever anyway. I understand your point of view, but personally I really don't see any effort at all in bringing your own sodas.

I think MrsPete probably hits the nail on the head on this issue. Big difference in the "is it worth it" question between those of us who must fly and those of you lucky enought to be able to drive to the port. (Still waiting for the cruise terminal on the Mississippi)

Everyone brings things on their cruise to avoid buying this-or-that on the ship: Sunscreen, disposable cameras, batteries, asprin . . . the details may vary, but we all bring these things because we know they're very inexpensive at home, but they'll demand a premium price onboard. Why are sodas different?