Sharing a soda card

[mojitodiva]

On my next cruise I'll be getting a few sodas during the week on my sons soda card! :D :D :eek: :eek:

 

Once the waiter/bartender knows you they really don't care they will bring out say 2 soda for two different people on one soda card. :eek:

 

I don't smuggle booze onto the ship I buy all my booze onboard. Of course I don't use my seapass card to buy booze cash only. ;)

[Sugar*Magnolia]

mojitodiva, what ship allows purchases with cash?? (and who would want to carry cash to the pool deck or other bar on board?)

 

coopster, you share lager/beer with your 18yo??

 

:rolleyes: :p

[coopster1974]

coopster, you share lager/beer with your 18yo??

 

:rolleyes: :p

 

Erm yes - he's 18!!!! In the UK it's legal :D Obviously he'll have his own glass though!

[mojitodiva]

mojitodiva, what ship allows purchases with cash?? (and who would want to carry cash to the pool deck or other bar on board?)

 

coopster, you share lager/beer with your 18yo??

 

:rolleyes: :p

 

It is a matter of finding "the Right" bartender. I have cruised with RCCL 9 times. I don't drink booze during the day just at nite. :cool:

[madforcruising]

mojitodiva, what ship allows purchases with cash?? (and who would want to carry cash to the pool deck or other bar on board?)

 

coopster, you share lager/beer with your 18yo??

 

:rolleyes: :p

 

 

CruiseDivaNJ,

;)

[coopster1974]

I assume that was aimed at me? Care to explain your reasoning?

[billyelliot]

Hi Coopster, We are expecting it to be vry difficult, or even impossible for our 18yr old to have a drink. It sounds like the US are very keen on their rules. Got any ideas?:D

[coopster1974]

:D We'll be in the Med so no worries for us!! Hmmmmm how about the eldest taking his full pint to the loo, closely followed by the youngest..............;)

[billyelliot]

Good idea;) hope we have a waiter who turns a blind eye at dinner so he can have some wine. Dont want to be greedy and drink it by my self:eek: otherwise we will have to buy an ADULT soda card for him, even though they think hes a kid:confused: (just a little gripe for me)

[pumkinsmom]

Effective today all major hotels in the U.S. have agreed to the following:

 

- an automatic 15% gratuity (additional gratuity is much appreciated) for all things consumed within the hotels will be automatically added to your bill to show your satisfation with the service...whether you liked it or not. This is non-negotiable.

 

- gratuities are expected for your bellboy, bartender, desk clerk, maids, servers and doorman. We recommend: $5 for your bellboy, $2/drink for the bartender, $2/day for the desk clerk, $3/day maid service, $1 per door opening

 

-absolutley no alcoholic beverages will be allowed to brought into the hotels. You and your luggage will be searched as you enter. Violators will have their beverages confiscated and returned to you when you leave the hotel. Those wishing to have an alcoholic drink are encouraged to vist the hotel bar where a nominal $8 fee (gratuity automatically included for your convenience) will be charged.

 

- entrance into the casual restaurant and formal dining lounge of the hotel will be subject to a $4 and $20 cover charge respectively

 

-you may buy bottles of alcohol in the hotel but you can not have them until you are done your stay in the hotel

 

- you may buy a soda card while staying at the hotel. For a family of 4 it will only cost $192...oh lets just say $200, it sounds better (includes the 15% tax aforementioned). Note:sharing your $50 card is prohibited and you will be chastised by fellow hotel patrons if caught doing so. For your convenience your drink cup will be completely filled with ice first...to keep it cold of course.

 

- free juices will be available in the dining area. These consist of sugarless ice tea (not diet...just no sugar), orange juice (just kidding, its powdered orange Tang and just available in the morning), powdered punch and powdered lemonade.

 

These changes are necessary in order to keep the hotel prices down to afforadable costs. This pricing structure has been adopted by a number of cruise ships and found to be quite favorable by the majority.

 

;)

 

And your point is??? If you are unhappy with these typs of rules, find something else.

Why all this fuss over the soda card, when RCI allows you to bring your own soft drinks on board. If someone is so cheap that they need to share a card, then why buy one at all when it is not against the rules to bring your own.

[berwyn]

And your point is??? If you are unhappy with these typs of rules, find something else.

Why all this fuss over the soda card, when RCI allows you to bring your own soft drinks on board. If someone is so cheap that they need to share a card, then why buy one at all when it is not against the rules to bring your own.

I think M&M had their tongue firmly planted in their cheek.

LMAO

[M&M]

rdloughy is correct, my point was tongue in cheek to show how silly the nickel and diming is...but how quickly those nickel and dimes add up.

 

pumkinsmom, if I really wanted to save money I would just not bother going at all and saving thousands. My original point was how PO'ed I was that my wife and I could not sit out on our private balcony and enjoy an alcoholic drink...without ringing room service every time and paying their prices. I don't have to do that anywhere in the world...why should have to do it because I am captive on a cruise ship? Thats my opinion, I'm entitled to it and so is everybody else. But opinions matter not to any of these companies. The almighty dollar does. So next, time my dollars will be going somewhere else.

 

(Not to worry though, this time around we still bought the Wine & Dine package, Spanish coffees most every night, drinks in the casino, drinks by the pool etc. We have just decided that their new zero tolerance drink policy does not work for us. Enjoy!)

[firefly333]

I don't think it's a big deal.

 

Do what you want.

 

It's not like other ppl don't break rules (bring alcohol on board) - not that it makes it right mind you. !

 

Just think how many are carrying on large amounts of soda and water. At least the OP is saying they will pay for one card, which is more than the majority do imo. I personally cant believe how many cokes and bottles of water folks carry on and think its ok....but this isnt ok??

[pumkinsmom]

rdloughy is correct, my point was tongue in cheek to show how silly the nickel and diming is...but how quickly those nickel and dimes add up.

 

pumkinsmom, if I really wanted to save money I would just not bother going at all and saving thousands. My original point was how PO'ed I was that my wife and I could not sit out on our private balcony and enjoy an alcoholic drink...without ringing room service every time and paying their prices. I don't have to do that anywhere in the world...why should have to do it because I am captive on a cruise ship? Thats my opinion, I'm entitled to it and so is everybody else. But opinions matter not to any of these companies. The almighty dollar does. So next, time my dollars will be going somewhere else.

 

(Not to worry though, this time around we still bought the Wine & Dine package, Spanish coffees most every night, drinks in the casino, drinks by the pool etc. We have just decided that their new zero tolerance drink policy does not work for us. Enjoy!)

 

No one forces you to spend your nickels and dimes. you are given many choices as how you spend your money. You are entitled to your opinion. Crying about it is another story. It is not like they have had these policies, or ways they make money since yesterday. No one is denying you the opportunity to sit on your balcony and enjoy a cocktail. A ship is not the same as a hotel. I guess your dollars will be better spent at the campground, or somewhere else in the world.

[aussiedisneyfan]

Oops, I had no idea cordial was alcohol in the States. It's not here.

[M&M]

No one forces you to spend your nickels and dimes. you are given many choices as how you spend your money. You are entitled to your opinion. Crying about it is another story. It is not like they have had these policies, or ways they make money since yesterday. No one is denying you the opportunity to sit on your balcony and enjoy a cocktail. A ship is not the same as a hotel. I guess your dollars will be better spent at the campground, or somewhere else in the world.

 

Not crying there pumkin...just informing the newbies. And yes, enforcement of the policies is new. Oops, shame on me for informing the naive again.

[JoKen1]

Why is it that everyone says they don't care what anyone does on a cruise because they are having so much fun on their own but yet there are so many people here who seem to get upset over what someone does or say they are going to do? I don't get it.:confused:

 

Oh btw DOES RC allow you to carry on water and cokes? If so, I'm going to do that. I'll still get the coke card though but I would love to have a coke when I wanted in my cabin without having to always buy one. I also would love to have water that I could bring on board so I can take one to the shows or even my shore excursions.

 

But if I have to try to sneak them in it's not worth it for me. I just want to follow the rules so can I LEGALLY bring water and/or cokes on board without trying to hide them?

 

Thanks to those of you who know.

 

Also, let's not forget that while it's sometimes easy to be "funny, silly or a down right jerk" on the Internet people that we are talking to here love to cruise and one day you may be on the same cruise as them. So please people be nice and don't say things you would regret later.......stepping down off my soap box now.:D

[Sugar*Magnolia]

btw, to the poster who asked about bringing water on board....

 

just tag a 24 pack with a luggage tag and the porter will take it with your luggage. We've never taken it with us but friends have and I was envious they always had a water bottle (smart planning friends!). This June we're definitely packing a 24 pk. I dont know about soda personally, Im sure others do though. :)

[beachchick]

Erm yes - he's 18!!!! In the UK it's legal :D Obviously he'll have his own glass though!

 

And in the UK, no problem. The thing is that the ship is not the UK (or the US either). Those who say that the drinking age is 21 on the ship because that's what the law is in the US (and the cruise lines have to follow that law) are wrong. The US can restrict drinking on the ships when the ships are in US ports and waters, but not elsewhere. The age restriction is set by the cruise line in all cases except when the "hosting" port has a tighter restriction. So, just because it's legal in the UK, doesn't mean that it's allowed on the ship. (Although, the drinking age for European/Med/South American cruises on RCI ships is 18 to accomodate most customary ages there.)

 

I guess you'd come to the US and allow your underage son to drink even though it's not just against "rules," but against the law here. IMO, that's disrespectful. If I visit the UK, I expect to abide by your laws. Would you have a problem doing the same here just because the drinking age in the UK is lower? Based on your posts, I'd say you would. I think that sets a lousy example: The laws don't apply if they're inconvenient or different from the laws at home.

 

Obviously, the cruise line won't "arrest" you for breaking the rules because it's rules, not laws. The cruise line can follow through on their stated policies regarding pax behavior. Will they? Highly unlikely unless you or your son cause some kind of problem. I still think using the rationalization of "Well, he can drink at home" is wrong. Just admit that you don't give a darn about what the cruise line rules are and are going to break them because you find them annoying or whatever.

 

beachchick

[coopster1974]

Beachchick - unfortunately you couldn't be more wrong.

 

When we first booked the cruise we were all under the impression that due to it being an American ship the drinking age was 21 and I and my son were fine with that.

 

When we read the fine detail and found out that if I sign a waiver he can drink the odd beer then its just a bonus, not as you assume, that I think its a god given right simply because it's legal in the UK.

 

I sit here eagerly awaiting your apology.

 

PS I went to the US when I was 20 - did I dare drink a beer? Hell no! You have policemen over there with guns!

[beachchick]

coopster1974: When I read your response, I said to myself, "Hm, when I scanned through all the little bantering posts, I obviously missed something important." So, I went back and found the one I missed where you mention that your cruise is to the Med. I do apologize for misunderstanding which cruise itinerary you are taking. I based my assumptions on that error and that you would be breaking the rules by allowing your son to drink. Shouldn't make those kinds of assumptions. Sorry about that.

 

One little thing though, I read all your posts. Bottom line is that is doesn't matter whether it's "ok" with any of us that you plan to buy two soda packages for four people to share. We can only tell you what we would do or what we think is right. Just don't expect most of us to encourage it. IMO, it's wrong. OTOH, while I'll give my opinion about that here, I don't spend even 1 second of my cruise watching people and wondering if they're sharing soda cards. Come to think of it, I don't spend any precious cruise time fretting over any of the issues we all debate here, as long as they don't negatively and directly affect my cruise.

 

In any case, I do apologize for my incorrect assumptions. I should have made sure I read all the posts thoroughly before responding.

 

I also hope you have a wonderful cruise.

 

beachchick

 

p.s., I do hope that you've got much better things to do than wait for my apology. I don't mind a bit admitting when I'm wrong, but don't want my error to keep you from more enjoyable activities.

[coopster1974]

And just to add, if we were sailing from the US, would he be drinking? Hell no. Not even sneakily (I hope!)

 

You know it seems as if a lot of people in the US are shocked that other countries have different rules/laws, especially the alcohol one. All i can say is c'est la vie :cool:

 

More enjoyable activities?? I'm at work for 12 hours on Easter Sunday!!! My forums are the only thing that keep me going!

[beachchick]

And just to add, if we were sailing from the US, would he be drinking? Hell no. Not even sneakily (I hope!)

 

You know it seems as if a lot of people in the US are shocked that other countries have different rules/laws, especially the alcohol one. All i can say is c'est la vie :cool:

 

Yes, it's true that many in the US can be narrowly focused in their thinking. I find it almost shocking that anyone would think that other countries are going to have laws or customs exactly like this one. The whole alcohol issue does seem to come up frequently, along with the "I can't believe they allow topless sunbathing" one. That one boggles my mind.

 

I think part of the "problem" with alcohol age restrictions is that our laws are not nearly harsh enough for DUI. When the age was lowered to 18, the DUI-related accidents, injuries, and deaths for that age group went up significantly. Well, what could we expect? At that age, most people feel invincible and when a 19-y/o knows that the law will simply give a DUI a slap on the wrist, he/she might just figure, "Who cares?"

 

When I was an 17-y/o exchange student living in Norway, I was able to drink beer and wine. (One thing I like is the lower alcohol level in so many European wines and the different ranges of alcohol percentage in beer. I could enjoy a couple of beers without getting drunk.) In Norway, none of my friends there would have even considered drinking and then driving. Partly because it simply wasn't socially acceptable and partly because the punishment for first-time offenders was harsh. For me it was not an issue anyway because my father, who enjoyed wine and scotch (separately, of course), never drove after drinking. My mom, who doesn't drink, would always drive them home from parties and other events. Unfortunately, not all people have such good examples to learn from.

 

I'd be fine with the drinking age being 18 here, if only we would strengthen and strictly enforce the DUI laws. And only if celebrities were never given a "pass" because of their "fame."

 

beachchick

[coopster1974]

Some good points there beachchick which I totally agree with. Kids these days, when they reach a certain age are in such a rush to try and achieve everything at once, it's almost certainly a disaster!

 

Topless sunbathing.........the reason sunglasses were invented :cool:

[pepsicruiser]

I just posted this on Lemonade board. For the kids who drink those powdered fruit drinks....it is so easy to pack those packets for the cruise. Then just buy an insulated cup as a souvenier and you are set and much cheaper than buying the soda card.