Should I purchase soda packages ahead of time?

[alwalaska]

I'm wondering, since we are leaving out of Bayonne, is there a difference in the taxes charged if you order online vs what you pay when you get on the ship?

 

Last time I sailed out of Bayonne (way back in in 2009) someone suggested to wait until after sail-away to purchase our soda packages and then the tax wouldn't be included. When I went just before dinner to purchase them, I was told that tax would still be added until we were more than 100 miles from shore, so I would have to wait another couple of hours. I bought them at this point.

 

Also, if you purchase ahead, do they put the cups and stickers in your room, or do you still have to stand in line with your receipt to get those?

[Clarea]

No taxes on beverage packages, either pre-cruise or on board.

 

Cups in your stateroom if you purchase ahead of time. SeaPass card will also automatically indicate your package.

[alwalaska]

No taxes on beverage packages, either pre-cruise or on board.

 

Cups in your stateroom if you purchase ahead of time. SeaPass card will also automatically indicate your package.

 

Thanks Bob.

 

Another question, is the tip included in the $8.50 per person per day?

 

It was the fine print online and previous experience in Bayonne on the Explorer of the Seas that made me wonder. We had a pretty hefty sales tax added on.

"Your check may reflect an additional tax for certain ports or itineraries. "

 

[Clarea]

Thanks Bob.

 

Another question, is the tip included in the $8.50 per person per day?

 

It was the fine print online and previous experience in Bayonne on the Explorer of the Seas that made me wonder. We had a pretty hefty sales tax added on.

"Your check may reflect an additional tax for certain ports or itineraries. "

 

No, you will have 18% added to the $8.50 per day.

[tonyweir]

Sometimes it's cheaper to get it beforehand. Watch your email and cruise planner. I know the Cadillac package was much cheaper bought ahead of time.

[Mid43]

"Supposedly", RCCL wants you to believe that the $8.50/day is cheaper than what they charge on board. Seems a little pricey to me, but we are leaving in 2 weeks and I will find out.

I have pre-purchased mine, and will look to see what they are charging once on board. I suspect it will be the same, they just want your $$ earlier.

[Clarea]

"Supposedly", RCCL wants you to believe that the $8.50/day is cheaper than what they charge on board. Seems a little pricey to me, but we are leaving in 2 weeks and I will find out.

I have pre-purchased mine, and will look to see what they are charging once on board. I suspect it will be the same, they just want your $$ earlier.

Maybe I've missed it, but I cannot recall the soda package going on sale recently. It's been the same price pre-cruise or on board.

[Mid43]

Yeah, one email I received implied "Save 20% on the soda package" when you read closer it was implying that the price will be 20% higher once on board, but I'm not really buying into that, I think they just want you to order that package early.

 

As I mentioned I'll find out in a few weeks.

Good luck!

[internetwhiz]

Maybe I've missed it, but I cannot recall the soda package going on sale recently. It's been the same price pre-cruise or on board.

 

 

Me either. I have seen alcohol package on sale, the replenish pkg on sale, but never the soda package.

[whitsmom]

I read that the soda package is the same price. However, I pre-booked ours just for the convenience of having it done and out of the way.

[Ocean Boy]

I, also, have never seen the soda package on sale. And on Freedom last week it was selling for exactly what it was going for pre-cruise in the cruise planner.

[roxierox]

Not sure if this goes here but I am a newbie to Royal. Can someone tell me what the soda prices and bottled water prices are if you don't have a drink package? Hubby drinks a lot of soda. I drink a lot of bottled water.

[Clarea]

Not sure if this goes here but I am a newbie to Royal. Can someone tell me what the soda prices and bottled water prices are if you don't have a drink package? Hubby drinks a lot of soda. I drink a lot of bottled water.

Soda is up to $3.84 per 12oz can. Not 100% sure about the water, but I believe it's $2 to $3.

[Mid43]

Not sure if this goes here but I am a newbie to Royal. Can someone tell me what the soda prices and bottled water prices are if you don't have a drink package? Hubby drinks a lot of soda. I drink a lot of bottled water.

 

 

I don't know the per pricing costs, but I believe the cups they give you with the package are 10 - 12 ounces; and generally speaking I think if you will have about 4 sodas per day, the package will pay for itself.

[BekkaW]

Soda package was $10.50 if purchased onboard Voyager this week

[Clarea]

Soda package was $10.50 if purchased onboard Voyager this week

That's $8.90 before gratuity. First time I've seen a jump in that price in a while.

[trev71]

I don't know the per pricing costs, but I believe the cups they give you with the package are 10 - 12 ounces; and generally speaking I think if you will have about 4 sodas per day, the package will pay for itself.

 

 

That is pretty much the way I see it. I know I probably have at least 6-8 a day while cruising. They make a killing off these packages. Fountain soda costs penny a glass if that

 

 

I always purchase my soda package ahead of time. Sure I don't get to use the free sytle machines the first meal but that's ok.

[cruzinlady1947]

No taxes on beverage packages, either pre-cruise or on board.

 

Cups in your stateroom if you purchase ahead of time. SeaPass card will also automatically indicate your package.

 

 

I paid tax on my beverage package when buying it on board, before sail away. This was years ago on the Explorer out of Bayonne. They said if I had waited until we were out at sea, I would not have been charged the tax. This might have changed now, but, doubt it.

 

Also, they now charge tax on purchases, including the specialty restaurants on the Grandeur, leaving from Baltimore, before getting out to sea, which isn't until about 11pm. They also now do not open the casino and shops until the next day, because we don't get out of the Chesapeake Bay until 11pm. Plus, they close the shops and casino around 5:30pm the last night of the cruise right before we enter the bay. This only started in November of last year. Something about the laws in Maryland and Virginia. Before that everything was open a couple hours after leaving the Port of Baltimore and stayed open the last night even while in the bay.

 

 

Gwen [emoji3]

 

 

 

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[DISFANS3]

Thanks for info...

[Clarea]

I paid tax on my beverage package when buying it on board, before sail away. This was years ago on the Explorer out of Bayonne. They said if I had waited until we were out at sea, I would not have been charged the tax. This might have changed now, but, doubt it.

This was reported by someone else a while back. They protested to Guest Services and the taxes were removed, saying it was a "mistake". I don't know if it was another intentional mistake by RC, or something like the crewmember pressed the wrong button, but it should not happen.

[alwalaska]

I always purchase my soda package ahead of time. Sure I don't get to use the free sytle machines the first meal but that's ok.

 

Why not??

 

By the way, where are the freestyle machines and how do they know if you have a drink package?

 

Also, is it easy to get sodas if you have the package? Both in the buffet and at the bars and shows? I know sometimes, I have had bar staff "forget" to come back if you weren't ordering something where they would get an extra tip.

[Clarea]

Why not??

 

By the way, where are the freestyle machines and how do they know if you have a drink package?

 

Also, is it easy to get sodas if you have the package? Both in the buffet and at the bars and shows? I know sometimes, I have had bar staff "forget" to come back if you weren't ordering something where they would get an extra tip.

You must have the special cup to use the Freesyle machine. For those who pre-purchase the beverage package, that cup is in the stateroom, which is usually not accessible until after lunch.

[cruzinlady1947]

This was reported by someone else a while back. They protested to Guest Services and the taxes were removed, saying it was a "mistake". I don't know if it was another intentional mistake by RC, or something like the crewmember pressed the wrong button, but it should not happen.

 

 

I wish I had known that. I will remember it the next time, for sure. Thanks.

 

 

Gwen [emoji3]

 

 

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[Mid43]

Why not??

 

By the way, where are the freestyle machines and how do they know if you have a drink package?

 

Also, is it easy to get sodas if you have the package? Both in the buffet and at the bars and shows? I know sometimes, I have had bar staff "forget" to come back if you weren't ordering something where they would get an extra tip.

 

I am not sure the exact location of the soda machines, but there are usually 1 or two by the buffet, and one mid ship lower level usually at the very least.

 

You can only use the machines with the cups they provide you as the cups have a small microchip located in them that the machine reads and clears you to pour your drink. I think you cannot get a second drink until after something like 12 mins after you've gotten your first drink. You can also go to any bar and order a soda, you just need your Sea Pass card to show them you've ordered the package.

[Canugess]

We bought a soda package when we did a 14 day cruise. but we found we didn't really get our money's worth from it as we spent a lot of time off of the ship in port. So really its only worth it on days you are sailing.