How do you 'pay' for drinks etc

[LoopyLou66]

Hi all, first time cruiser here, boarding the Epic in May. I know I've seen something about this and there are bound to be threads on here (sorry to make all you hardened experienced cruisers groan) but can you give me a reminder on how the 'paying' or 'signing for' drinks etc works on board? I know you register a credit card to cover it at the end but do you have to show your onboard pass/card individually every time you order a drink. If you get more than one do you have to take everyone's pass with you? And how does it work for drinks at mealtimes?

 

Many thanks, Louise

[Demonyte]

All drinks are charged on your cabin key card and you need to sign each receipt.

 

How it works precisely depends on if you are paying each drink as you go or if you have a beverage package:

 

If you are paying per drink, then you can get as many drinks for as many people you like at one time and one card (this means that you are buying the round).

 

If you all have a beverage package then you can get only one drink at the time and it depends on the bartender/waiter if everybody needs to sign their slip personally or not.

 

At the dinner it varies how the payments are handled, especially in MRDs they can ask to sign for each drink but they can also bring the "bill" at the end.

[LoopyLou66]

Right, thanks very much! Forgot to say, yes we are on the UDP. So we'll just have to see how it works in each place, suppose you get used to it. Just like in any hotel where you pay a bill at the end.

 

Cheers! Louise

[Chuck2810]

Your Key card is your life blood. You can't get on or off without it, and with the exception of the casino and the duty free, cash and cards are ignored. If you have the UBP, and/or the UDP, when you sit down (or during the meal sometime) the waiter will collect everyone's to ring up - they all have to be done individually. The tip for Bev is an automatic 15% and I usually consider that done, unless someone 'bends the policy' like a strong pour, etc. If you didn't have a package, then they usually just ask for one and ring everything up once. (assuming you are a family). Tip - unless you don't want to be a cruise geek (and then why would you be here) take a lanyard with you, and at check-in ask for your card to be punched. Much more convenient and less likely to be dropped or forgotten.

[LoopyLou66]

Thanks Chuck, more useful info! We've got both food and drink packages and pre-paid gratuities as that was on offer when we booked so we're covered there.

 

I have taking lanyards on my list but good to know you need to get your card punched for it. We're boarding in Barcelona on 31 May but I do love a good bit of research time beforehand and getting a nice list of things to take/know beforehand so as to not look like a geek! ;)

[Kroozen]

European ports may be different, but in US/Bahamas/Caribbean ports, cash can only be used in the casino. You have to use your card for the duty free shops.