Are the Bar Credits Worth Buying?

[Rowan555]

I was considering purchasing some bar credits for our upcoming Fantasy cruise, but I'm not sure if it's worth doing. Would we save money in using the credits versus purchasing drinks on board? I can't seem to recall what a frozen drink costs on the ship - but I'm sure it was more than $5. Can you use the credits for things like Pina Coladas and Strawberry Daquiris?

[Knights on the Beach]

Whether or not you save any money seems to depends on the bartender or waiter. Frozen drinks are now $5.25 plus 15% gratuity. You might want to check out these very recent threads about this subject:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=564376&highlight=%22drink+coupons%22

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=597123&highlight=%22drink+coupons%22

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=590486&highlight=%22drink+coupons%22

[BULLOCH12]

for me the extra 15-25 cents isn't worth having to keepup with those coupons....plus they can still ask for the remainder of what is owed on a drink

[Beth]

I thought they put less booze in when I used a coupon. Next cruise I will not use coupons.

[Rowan555]

Thanks. The search function timed out on me all morning and wouldn't give me any results, so I thought I'd post the question. I'll check out these threads. It's sounding like it's not worth the hassle of getting the credits, but I'll read the threads to be sure.

 

Whether or not you save any money seems to depends on the bartender or waiter. Frozen drinks are now $5.25 plus 15% gratuity. You might want to check out these very recent threads about this subject:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=564376&highlight=%22drink+coupons%22

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=597123&highlight=%22drink+coupons%22

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=590486&highlight=%22drink+coupons%22

[RatherBFishin]

for me the extra 15-25 cents isn't worth having to keepup with those coupons....plus they can still ask for the remainder of what is owed on a drink

 

Not to mention you can't turn the unused ones back in for cash. I think they really designed as a gift to give friends/relatives/honeymooners who are going on the cruise.

 

Too bad they don't have something like the Ocean Players Club for drinking, where you could earn "comp" points based on your bar bill! :) What would they call it though?

[Chan_T]

Instead of buying the bar credits, why not just purchase OBC...then you can use it for whatever you like and won't have to worry about having the coupons with you.

[Mama Cat]

I just returned from the Celebration yesterday and it was the first time I've used the drink coupons. I can't begin to tell you how convenient they were. Simply keep them with your Sail and Sign card so you always have them. No receipts and not much of a tab at the end of the cruise. Not once were we asked for 2 coupons or for our card to add an additional charge. The waiters didn't seem to mind accepting the coupons either. One in our group did not have drink coupons and it seemed like she was constantly signing a slip and then shoving it in her wallet. Sometimes she was charged one price for a drink at a bar and then charged a different amount at a different lounge. I felt my drinks were as "strong" as the ones I put on my Sign and Sail (the first day). Having the drink coupons was great!

[Travel Angel]

I just returned from the Celebration yesterday and it was the first time I've used the drink coupons. I can't begin to tell you how convenient they were. Simply keep them with your Sail and Sign card so you always have them. No receipts and not much of a tab at the end of the cruise. Not once were we asked for 2 coupons or for our card to add an additional charge. The waiters didn't seem to mind accepting the coupons either. One in our group did not have drink coupons and it seemed like she was constantly signing a slip and then shoving it in her wallet. Sometimes she was charged one price for a drink at a bar and then charged a different amount at a different lounge. I felt my drinks were as "strong" as the ones I put on my Sign and Sail (the first day). Having the drink coupons was great!

 

 

As another poster said, I think they are great if given as a gift... when I used them one cruise I vowed to never again use them as my experience was just the opposite of the above.....The bartenders would charge you the difference if there was one (so still siging a bar tab when necessary), had to worry about them getting wet....having to use them all before cruise is over as they are not refundable for $$$....and then carrying them around in pocket !

The only reason I can see to purchase them yourself is to reduce your total bill at end of the cruise. And for me, the minimal savings is not worth the hassle. Purchasing an On Board Credit makes much more sense in my eyes.

[weacat]

Have the design of the Bar Credits changed in the last few years? I have some back from 2002 - do you think they would still be valid?

[BULLOCH12]

Have the design of the Bar Credits changed in the last few years? I have some back from 2002 - do you think they would still be valid?

 

 

there is a picture of them on carnivals site under gifts.....but i think i've seen a better photo on webshots.com