Elite Mini-Bar FAQs

[bigguy1]

Thanks Paul. I guess my next question is - why not? They are both alcoholic beverages although one has more alcoholic content than the other. Is the cost differential that great? Just wondering!

[paul929207]

Thanks Paul. I guess my next question is - why not? They are both alcoholic beverages although one has more alcoholic content than the other. Is the cost differential that great? Just wondering!

I assume a mini bottle is more expensive than a beer. They have beer lumped in with soda and water for exchange purposes.

[Stevesan]

I assume a mini bottle is more expensive than a beer. They have beer lumped in with soda and water for exchange purposes.

 

Princess apparently prices mini's as equivalent to a bar drink. I think that's @ $7.

[Chipster2]

It's recently been discussed on several other threads about our Elite Mini-Bar setup options so I decided to begin a thread about those options. Not everyone is aware of the recently implemented new option to exchange the complete mini-bar setup for 2 coffee cards.

 

If anyone is interested in this new option or other options including the types of wine for those who exchange their mini-bar for a bottle of wine, I've attached a PDF of that info including the link to where it's located on the Princess website which wasn't easy to locate.

 

Exchanging the mini-bar for the bottle of wine is not what I do however I know there are some who prefer this option even though the wine value is about half of the mini-bar's value. Hopefully this won't become a discussion about this option because for some it's their preferred option.

 

You need to be signed in to your Captain's Circle account to view the info on this Princess website which I've included in the attached PDF file to make it simpler to view or to print the info about the current Elite Mini-Bar benefit.

 

https://book.princess.com/captaincircle/contactUs.page#elite_mini-Bar

 

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

[antsp]

on the pdf is does not mention swapping minatures for beer, is this confirmed

[Pia1913]

on the pdf is does not mention swapping minatures for beer, is this confirmed

 

You can swap miniatures for anything; water, Perrier, beer or soft drinks.

[Who Knew]

I'm sorry, this may not be the thread to ask, but it sort of relates to the exchange for a coffee card.

 

My friend and I travel together. She is Elite and I am almost there. Since neither of us drink she usually exchanges the mini bar set up for water. Once I make Elite, do we get two mini bar set-ups?

 

I ask that because I would love to exchange mine for coffee cards, but my friend doesn't drink coffee so I wouldn't want to use her set up for that.

[paul929207]

The Elite mini-bar is one per cabin.

[Who Knew]

The Elite mini-bar is one per cabin.

 

Thank you...I was afraid of that. Looks like I will just continue to buy them, lol.

[Hlitner]

Just can't resist posting a minor "rant" about the mini-bar set-up. If there is one Elite in the cabin you get the mini bar set up. If there are 2 Elite's you still get the same one-time set-up :( And if you take a 7 day cruise you get the one time set-up. If you take a 30 day cruise you still only get the 1 time set-up. :(

 

Hank

[paul929207]

Hank,

That is correct. We are in the same boat. Both Elite and taking long cruises. Oh well. better than nothing

[Astro Flyer]

Just can't resist posting a minor "rant" about the mini-bar set-up. If there is one Elite in the cabin you get the mini bar set up. If there are 2 Elite's you still get the same one-time set-up :( And if you take a 7 day cruise you get the one time set-up. If you take a 30 day cruise you still only get the 1 time set-up. :(

 

Hank

 

My experience has been that when a longer cruise can be booked as multiple cruises then we get a minibar for each segment...can your 30 day be booked as shorter cruises?

 

Since Princess gives 2 coffee cards it would be good to get 2 bottles of wine instead. The wine & the coffee card cost the same so wonder why there's a difference.

 

The only thing I can think of is that the wine cost more than what it costs Princess for 15 specialty coffee drinks & unlimited brewed coffee.

[Layla]

Yes, you will get two minibar setups. You should be able to trade one for two coffee cards. You will also get two Grapevine invites. You will only get one cruise credit, but after the cruise you can call and get the second credit.

 

Hi Paul - I wasn't aware that you can call Princess after taking a 14 day cruise that is technically two 7 day cruises to get the additional cruise credit. Do you call the Captain's Circle to get the additional credit? Thanks!

 

Barb

[paul929207]

Hi Paul - I wasn't aware that you can call Princess after taking a 14 day cruise that is technically two 7 day cruises to get the additional cruise credit. Do you call the Captain's Circle to get the additional credit? Thanks!

 

Barb

Yes, call the Captain's Circle. I have done it twice and it was no problem.

[paul929207]

My experience has been that when a longer cruise can be booked as multiple cruises then we get a minibar for each segment...can your 30 day be booked as shorter cruises?

 

Since Princess gives 2 coffee cards it would be good to get 2 bottles of wine instead. The wine & the coffee card cost the same so wonder why there's a difference.

 

The only thing I can think of is that the wine cost more than what it costs Princess for 15 specialty coffee drinks & unlimited brewed coffee.

Yes, you do get the mini bar setup based on the shortest way you can book it. But to Hank's point, in September, we will sail on the Ocean Princess for 48 days. This is a 28 day and a 20 day cruise. Two mini-bar setups for nearly 7 weeks.

[Pia1913]

Just can't resist posting a minor "rant" about the mini-bar set-up. If there is one Elite in the cabin you get the mini bar set up. If there are 2 Elite's you still get the same one-time set-up :( And if you take a 7 day cruise you get the one time set-up. If you take a 30 day cruise you still only get the 1 time set-up. :(

 

Hank

 

But if your 30 day cruise is sold as a 12 and 18, you get two. :D

 

OOPS: posted before I read to the end. I must say this though. When we took a 33 day from SEA to SYD, we got three setups. It was sold as a one day, a two day and a 30 day. We certainly didn't expect it and didn't know where to put all that stuff.

[pablo222]

Yes, you do get the mini bar setup based on the shortest way you can book it. But to Hank's point, in September, we will sail on the Ocean Princess for 48 days. This is a 28 day and a 20 day cruise. Two mini-bar setups for nearly 7 weeks.

 

It seems to me that there is a formula for the 'right' cruise length.

You want to maximize 'mini-bar-setup-per-day'; you want to maximize

future cruise credit/military credit; you want to maximize elite internet

minutes. And, some other nearly valueless things, like wine tasting,

and extra discount in the shops on the first day or two.

 

For all the calculations and tips people post here about maximizing

benefits, I don't understand why anyone takes cruises longer than

about 14 days.

[paul929207]

It seems to me that there is a formula for the 'right' cruise length.

You want to maximize 'mini-bar-setup-per-day'; you want to maximize

future cruise credit/military credit; you want to maximize elite internet

minutes. And, some other nearly valueless things, like wine tasting,

and extra discount in the shops on the first day or two.

 

For all the calculations and tips people post here about maximizing

benefits, I don't understand why anyone takes cruises longer than

about 14 days.

In my case it is because maximizing the perks is not my priority. Finding a wonderful cruise is. Once I find the cruise I want, then I will try to book to maximize the perks.

[jayrup]

Question: What if I don't want any alcohol in my Elite mini-bar?

Answer: If you do not wish to have any alcohol in your mini-bar we will be happy to exchange your mini-bar for one of the following:

Alcoholic beverages may be exchanged for non-alcoholic beverages on a one-for-one basis

:) Full mini-bar may be exchanged for two (2) Coffee Cards :)

All water mini-bar setup will consist of eight (8) 1.5 liter bottles of water

[RNGALNG]

Okay. I understand that two elites in one room will get one set up. (I think that because we will both become elite, we should get one, but that doesn't matter. . .)

 

And I understand that you can trade the full set up for one coffee card.

 

I am allergic to alcohol, do not drink carbonated beverages but I do like my mochas! Hubby on the other hand loves wine, some hard stuff, beer, carbonated beverages, but not coffee.

 

So, here is another question. Can't we trade out 1/2 of the set up for one coffee card so we both can enjoy the spoils or will one of us be left out?

[Astro Flyer]

Okay. I understand that two elites in one room will get one set up. (I think that because we will both become elite, we should get one, but that doesn't matter. . .)

 

And I understand that you can trade the full set up for one coffee card.

 

I am allergic to alcohol, do not drink carbonated beverages but I do like my mochas! Hubby on the other hand loves wine, some hard stuff, beer, carbonated beverages, but not coffee.

 

So, here is another question. Can't we trade out 1/2 of the set up for one coffee card so we both can enjoy the spoils or will one of us be left out?

The complete minibar can be exchanged for two coffee cards & others on CC have asked about splitting it for 1 coffee card & some alcohol. Unfortunately I haven't read any post saying whether that's an option but it may vary on who handles the request.

[Sea Day Cruiser]

 

So, here is another question. Can't we trade out 1/2 of the set up for one coffee card so we both can enjoy the spoils or will one of us be left out?

 

I just got home from the Royal TA. I usually trade the mini bar for 20 cans of Diet Coke. For some reason I never drink as much Coke on a cruise so this time I asked if I could trade the mini bar for 10 Cokes and one coffee card. The answer was no. It was either all Coke or two coffee cards. I took the coffee cards and still have one full one and part of another to use on future cruises. I'm not much of a coffee drinker so I just used the card for occasional speciality coffees. The cards are also good for gelato if the ship has it.

[Astro Flyer]

I just got home from the Royal TA. I usually trade the mini bar for 20 cans of Diet Coke. For some reason I never drink as much Coke on a cruise so this time I asked if I could trade the mini bar for 10 Cokes and one coffee card. The answer was no. It was either all Coke or two coffee cards. I took the coffee cards and still have one full one and part of another to use on future cruises. I'm not much of a coffee drinker so I just used the card for occasional speciality coffees. The cards are also good for gelato if the ship has it.

Thanks for the info about the exchange.

 

I was also on the TA & used the coffee card at Gelato for ice cream however I haven't read any posts about using punches for gelato on other ships...is that a confirmed option?

[RNGALNG]

Thank you for the information. Maybe by the time we become elite, they will have figured out a better solution! We are getting there but have about 6 more to go! And with retirement peeking around the corner, maybe more cruising will be in our future!