Does anyone really use the minibar?

[OceanCruise]

I always wonder how many people actually use the minibar and pay the very inflated prices for items, especially when so many cruisers have a drink package. Is it really that profitable for the cruiseline, given the staff time needed to fill, replenish and bill for it? Do passengers truly want this convenience so they don't have to walk to a bar? Do the cruiselines "prey" on people (or kids) who consume the items by mistake, not realizing they have to pay for it?  I also always wonder how long the items have been there and end up being expired.

[zitsky]

I'm trying to find a price list for the mini bar.  Haven't found one.  It's a convenience for when you just want a quick drink on your balcony.  I'd like to use it on my next cruise but I've read they only stock vodka and will not replace it with something else like scotch/whiskey.

 

 

[paulh84]

The half bottles of wine have been around $24 in the past. If we have an excessive amount of OBC as we usually do and I want a drink while getting ready for the evening, we’ll drink a bottle or two. 

[George C]

Upper suites get two liters of liquor of there choice , since we would rather drink in a bar with live music we rarely use them and bring home one or both of the bottles.

[PTC DAWG]

I have used it…

[cublet]

Hello,

 

I empty the contents and use the cooler as such for my stuff.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[ymncruise]

Sometimes I have a bag of the kettle chips. I think they are $4. 

[Luvcrusn]

We ask for ours to be emptied and use ours to keep bottled water and soda cans we get from our drink package chilled and handy in our cabin lol. 

[Jim_Iain]

These were the Prices October 2021.    I'm sure they have increased but will give you an idea.

 

[bnurick]

Never have and have always stayed in a suite, except once, so far.

[Dolebludger]

We use them for Diet Coke, beer, and plain bottled water, but never if these items are not included. There is another thread here that shows the confusion as to whether mini fridge items are included in the Retreat — or not. 

[hcat]

we use it for our items after we ask for it to be emptied.. agree it can be a trap or  a VERY expensive convenience.

[C4HCG]

I’ve drunk bottles of beer from it before but then replaced them from drinks got from the bars.

[D. B.]

3 hours ago, OceanCruise said:

I always wonder how many people actually use the minibar and pay the very inflated prices for items, especially when so many cruisers have a drink package. Is it really that profitable for the cruiseline, given the staff time needed to fill, replenish and bill for it? Do passengers truly want this convenience so they don't have to walk to a bar? Do the cruiselines "prey" on people (or kids) who consume the items by mistake, not realizing they have to pay for it?  I also always wonder how long the items have been there and end up being expired.

We just use it for storage.

Nothing in there worth paying for.

[nikel]

Always have the cabin steward empty it when we get to our cabin.  Usually just fill it with water or some fruit.

[Boston lab girl]

Last year we were on the summit in CC and when we put our suitcase under the bed we found a celebrity tote bag filled with the minibar. We couldn’t figure out why it was there so after view days got a chance to ask our attendant. He apologized and said on the last cruise the people in the room used all the minibar and refused to pay for it saying they thought it was free. Our attendant told us celebrity wanted him to pay for it. So he just put everything under the bed so it wouldn’t happen again. He said “You cruised you know it isn’t free. I can put it back.” We said no it’s fine we don’t  want it. 

[Luvcrusn]

When we've asked for ours to be emptied, the steward usually puts everything from the fridge into the bag under the bed. I always wondered if they put the same uncooled stuff back into the fridge after we leave for the next unsuspecting passenger.

[C4HCG]

8 minutes ago, Luvcrusn said:

When we've asked for ours to be emptied, the steward usually puts everything from the fridge into the bag under the bed. I always wondered if they put the same uncooled stuff back into the fridge after we leave for the next unsuspecting passenger.

They are cold drinks not out of date, does it matter? Or should they throw them away and bring new ones in?

[Luvcrusn]

1 hour ago, C4HCG said:

They are cold drinks not out of date, does it matter? Or should they throw them away and bring new ones in?

Doesn't matter to us since we never consume them.🤣

[PTC DAWG]

3 hours ago, C4HCG said:

I’ve drunk bottles of beer from it before but then replaced them from drinks got from the bars.

I have also done this..