Soda card

[twocats]

Our purchase was a couple of years ago. As I remember it we purchased two soda cards, and for $6.00 extra they offered us a small mug marked with the Coke logo. We thought it would be convenient, were definitely encouraged to use it and as mentioned were told to plan on reusing it in the future with the purchase of a new card. I didn't always have it with me and did receive a small sized glass of soda when I asked. Never thought to ask for a bigger glass or of getting anything free. But if I needed to have a "Coke" mug on the next cruise I would bring it along rather than put out another $6 for a mug I didn't really want.

So I guess through this discussion I will leave ithe mug home, relying on a newly purchased card and ask for a larger glass. :)

[Toto2Kansas]

Our purchase was a couple of years ago. As I remember it we purchased two soda cards, and for $6.00 extra they offered us a small mug marked with the Coke logo. We thought it would be convenient, were definitely encouraged to use it and as mentioned were told to plan on reusing it in the future with the purchase of a new card. I didn't always have it with me and did receive a small sized glass of soda when I asked. Never thought to ask for a bigger glass or of getting anything free. But if I needed to have a "Coke" mug on the next cruise I would bring it along rather than put out another $6 for a mug I didn't really want.

So I guess through this discussion I will leave ithe mug home, relying on a newly purchased card and ask for a larger glass. :)

 

Yep, exactly! But I have never heard of having to pay extra for the coke cup on Princess, it comes along with the soda sticker. :confused:

[RickEk]

Our purchase was a couple of years ago. As I remember it we purchased two soda cards, and for $6.00 extra they offered us a small mug marked with the Coke logo. We thought it would be convenient, were definitely encouraged to use it and as mentioned were told to plan on reusing it in the future with the purchase of a new card. I didn't always have it with me and did receive a small sized glass of soda when I asked. Never thought to ask for a bigger glass or of getting anything free. But if I needed to have a "Coke" mug on the next cruise I would bring it along rather than put out another $6 for a mug I didn't really want.

So I guess through this discussion I will leave ithe mug home, relying on a newly purchased card and ask for a larger glass. :)

 

Hmmm... well, the coke "mug" we receive everytime we buy the coke sticker is a metal cylinder with a plastic sippy cap. And it came with the cost of the sticker. We never had to pay anything extra. I've never seen a ceramic? mug offered for extra money. Was that the case?

[ShipShapeinFL]

How much do you have to pay for a soda card?

[Pia1913]

How much do you have to pay for a soda card?

 

$4.25/per day + 15% gratuity x number of days of your cruise. Seven day cruise would be $34.23.

[weirdo0521]

$4.25/per day + 15% gratuity x number of days of your cruise. Seven day cruise would be $34.23.

 

Does anyone know if this price is up to date?

[Pia1913]

Does anyone know if this price is up to date?

 

As up to date as Thanksgiving week on the Ruby. :D

[serene56]

Does anyone know if this price is up to date?

 

 

we are sailing the Crown in February- I can let you know how much we paid because I am curious to know if there is a tax if you buy in while still in port.

Last year we got them as soon as we boarded and there was no tax on the receipt

[BlueCat1105]

So they don't make you use the funky metal cup they give you? I didn't like that idea and was hoping we could just get fountain sodas by showing our card, but when they gave us the cup we thought we had to only get them filled.

 

BC

[love2bonboard]

To the OP, I totally understand what you were asking....I don't think you were trying to rob Princess, just trying to figure out if you should bring the coke bottle back with you....recycle, reuse, reduce. Some people on these boards are just easily excitable and looking for things to scream about...release their anger.

 

Anyway, I heard that you can now use the coke card for use in the dinning room...does anyone know if it is true?

[Pia1913]

we are sailing the Crown in February- I can let you know how much we paid because I am curious to know if there is a tax if you buy in while still in port.

Last year we got them as soon as we boarded and there was no tax on the receipt

 

There is never a tax, no matter where/when you bought it. What there is, is a 15% service/gratuity charge and that doesn't change no matter when you buy it.

[Pia1913]

To the OP, I totally understand what you were asking....I don't think you were trying to rob Princess, just trying to figure out if you should bring the coke bottle back with you....recycle, reuse, reduce. Some people on these boards are just easily excitable and looking for things to scream about...release their anger.

 

Anyway, I heard that you can now use the coke card for use in the dinning room...does anyone know if it is true?

 

Yes and AFAIK, you could have always used it. I don't think this is something new.

[love2bonboard]

Yes and AFAIK, you could have always used it. I don't think this is something new.

 

Great. I don't know I never bought the coke card; but I just don't remember people bringing in their big coke mugs into the dinning room. I'm assuming you just ask the waiter and he brings you coke in a glass. Thanks for the reply, I think I will splurge and get one this time.

[chrysalis]

Yes and AFAIK, you could have always used it. I don't think this is something new.

 

right...that is nothing new.

[PescadoAmarillo]

They change the sticker from cruise to cruise (we do a lot of B2B cruises). One cruise it might be a red Coke, then a red Diet Coke, then a Green Sprite, or a White Sprite. You never know. I suppose you could peel off all your stickers and take them aboard until you get a good peek at what they're using, but the chances of success are pretty slim.

 

Also, we take longer cruises and my stickers are really worn out by the end of the cruise. Wouldn't take too many smarts for a bartender to figure out that it is being re-used.

 

As for the Coke cups...they're pretty useless. By the time you get ice in them, they hold almost nothing. Plus, we don't want to carry anything around with us. Part of the joy of the soda sticker is that we get a fresh glass wherever we go, drink what we want and leave the rest when we move on. We have a basement full of those Coke cups still in their wrappers and don't even get them anymore. I've heard of them being "optional" from a price perspective, but I've never seen proof of that. The sticker has always been the same price with or without the cup.

 

PLEASE NOTE: All comments about the possibility of re-using soda stickers are based on observations, NOT personal experience. We from the "one for each person, each and every cruise" school of thought. Can't imagine trying to cheat on soda stickers!!

[love2bonboard]

They change the sticker from cruise to cruise (we do a lot of B2B cruises). One cruise it might be a red Coke, then a red Diet Coke, then a Green Sprite, or a White Sprite. You never know. I suppose you could peel off all your stickers and take them aboard until you get a good peek at what they're using, but the chances of success are pretty slim.

 

Also, we take longer cruises and my stickers are really worn out by the end of the cruise. Wouldn't take too many smarts for a bartender to figure out that it is being re-used.

 

As for the Coke cups...they're pretty useless. By the time you get ice in them, they hold almost nothing. Plus, we don't want to carry anything around with us. Part of the joy of the soda sticker is that we get a fresh glass wherever we go, drink what we want and leave the rest when we move on. We have a basement full of those Coke cups still in their wrappers and don't even get them anymore. I've heard of them being "optional" from a price perspective, but I've never seen proof of that. The sticker has always been the same price with or without the cup.

 

PLEASE NOTE: All comments about the possibility of re-using soda stickers are based on observations, NOT personal experience. We from the "one for each person, each and every cruise" school of thought. Can't imagine trying to cheat on soda stickers!!

 

 

Smart move with the disclaimer.....you would have been BBQ'd on this site had you not:D:D:D

[weirdo0521]

we are sailing the Crown in February- I can let you know how much we paid because I am curious to know if there is a tax if you buy in while still in port.

Last year we got them as soon as we boarded and there was no tax on the receipt

 

 

Did you purchase the soda card on your recent voyage?

[serene56]

Did you purchase the soda card on your recent voyage?

 

 

I did. I was not charged any tax-- and the hotel manager said theperson is never charged for a tax. EVERYone is charged the 15% for gratitities- depends on how the person rings it up though.

We paid $64.00 for two cards. Be aware that you could not use a soda card on the day we were getting off-- you are paying for a 7 day card with the day getting on counts as day one.

 

This is something I have not read anything at all about the soda card

[Pia1913]

I did. I was not charged any tax-- and the hotel manager said theperson is never charged for a tax. EVERYone is charged the 15% for gratitities- depends on how the person rings it up though.

We paid $64.00 for two cards. Be aware that you could not use a soda card on the day we were getting off-- you are paying for a 7 day card with the day getting on counts as day one.

 

This is something I have not read anything at all about the soda card

 

The actual price for a 7 day soda card should be $34.21, so if you paid $64 for two.........you got a bargain! ;):D

[weirdo0521]

I did. I was not charged any tax-- and the hotel manager said theperson is never charged for a tax. EVERYone is charged the 15% for gratitities- depends on how the person rings it up though.

We paid $64.00 for two cards. Be aware that you could not use a soda card on the day we were getting off-- you are paying for a 7 day card with the day getting on counts as day one.

 

This is something I have not read anything at all about the soda card

 

Thanks for the update. Just trying to get a better grasp on the budget for our trip.

[serene56]

The actual price for a 7 day soda card should be $34.21, so if you paid $64 for two.........you got a bargain! ;):D

 

sorry-- it was 68.00 and this was for two cards- carnival charges almost 55 for one card (I budgeted 70 bucks for the soda card- since people posted they were charged tax)

 

Soda cards for us was very handy. We did not use the cup that came with it-- because like it is posted the cup hardly holds buy a sip. You can ask for a larger cup at the bars and in the buffet area--not so with the waiters taking orders in the show room. (sorry I dont know about the dining rooms as we only ate at the buffet and crown grill- cards are good in there too and again we were given the bigger cups. (16oz)

[PescadoAmarillo]

Be aware that you could not use a soda card on the day we were getting off-- you are paying for a 7 day card with the day getting on counts as day one.

I think you can use your card on the final day, just not while you're on Princess Cays or for room service. I've always used mine for club soda with breakfast in the dining room on the final day, and then sometimes from the International Cafe or Patisserie while we're waiting to disembark.

 

Granted, it's just for those couple of (too short) hours on the final day, but I've used it several times.

[nutzinurface]

LOL, I am already smiling, knowing the responses I'm going to get from this reply.

 

I just returned from the Feb. 18th Golden Princess Hawaii cruise so I have the up to date facts on the soda/coffee cards. WARNING: Could get VERY LONG!

 

First of all, the coffee card. This will be short. I did not purchase one. Would go to the various spots aboard ship to purchse the brewed coffee. Here is what is odd. Except for the Players bar located by the casino, everyone disappears behind the door to retrieve your coffee. Guess what is even more strange, it doesnt taste all that better than the syrup coffee you get at the Horizon Court or with room service. Makes me wonder if its brewed at all. Just go the the Players bar and get a cup for a dollar and enjoy yourself. Hardly anyone in there but casino employees taking their smoke breaks. Unless you drink the specialty drinks, not worth it at all. Room service coffee is the syrup also but always tasted better than the coffee at Horizon Court.

 

Soda card is another thing. I drink alot of soda during the day. The other 3 in my party do not. Still, bought 4 on Day One of the cruise and spent 260 or so on soft drinks. Seems pretty high for soft drinks. Even for 2 weeks. Im in no way cheap. I just fill Princess' mission statement reads "To nickel and dime them to death" The soda has to cost them mere cents for each drink. Its not going to break them for a party of 2 to share a drink card. That has to be a highly profitable product for them that is somewher around 400% profit. Dont feel bad or cheap, I know I want if i ever decide to cruise again and in the very slight chance that it would be on Princess!!!!

 

Anyone going to Hawaii on the Golden that is under the age 60 is in for a real treat. Get ready to be surrouned by the rudest group of people on the earth. You will be contstantly run over by scooters, pushed aside, poked and jabbed at in the buffet line by those in their "Golden" years. It was unbelivable. Others I had talked to were in agreement. It wasnt all, but alot and enough to notice. Actually, Im going to use this as my report card and get it over with. I told Princess I would do this and I am going to. Im going to start from Day one and try to think of everything I can.

 

Embarkation: quick and painless for the most part. This is were i first realized the number of wheelcharis on the cruise. Was king of disheartening.

 

Room: Bigger than I thought it would be. No complaints other than the mattress. Are they joking? I could see deep body impressions the second I walked in the room. By the time I asked for egg crate, the were out? Totally unacceptable by any standards. Prisoners in Gitmo have better mattress'.

 

Room Steward: Awesome, couldnt have asked for a better guy.

 

Horizon Court: Gross!!! Before I left, i had read about the trouble finding a table and by the time you did, your food would be cold. HA, let me tell you, the food that is supposed to be warm is cold the second you scoop it on your plate. Not all of it, but enough. Here is what to expect. Anything that should be warm or hot, will be cold. And anything that should be cold, will be warm. The hand sanitizing??? Not required I found out. My SO saw 7 or 8 ppl walk to the buffett line and didnt sanitize hands. When we asked the "manager" we were told that it isnt required, just requested and that they are told, by the elderly, his words not mine, that they are allergic to it. That may be true, and if so, then you dont eat at the buffett. That's probably why he had the Noro outbreak towards the end. Then we got to have the luxury of the staff serving out food to us at the buffet. I sensed the hated doing this and it showed in their attitudes. Again I will say it, GROSS!!!

 

Pools: Fun and comfortable

 

Hot Tubs: Hardly any jets and not ones they have, not very powerful. Water is only lukewarm.

 

Entertainment:Very little of it. CD is only ok, his assistant, Anna? Annoying and incompetent. Both need to be either re-trained or transfered. The poolside band. Elua? LOL, only know about 10 songs. Always played in the same order. Like listening to a CD. Seeing how most of the passengers on this ship are in bed by 8, you pretty much have the ship to yourself after 9 pm.

 

Casino: Nice size and some decent variety. The casino host. Gillian? Rudest crewmember on the ship. Should be fired tonight if possible. No manners at all.

 

Ports: Easy to disembark. Only went to 3 islands. "Too rough" for one island. Princess was gracious to credit every cabin a whopping $5.64. LOL what a joke. They probably made 25k in alcohol sales that day when they otherwise wouldnt have.

 

Dining: Was OK, not great but not bad either.

 

 

Misc: Had no problems with saving of deck chairs. Always ample space and chairs available. Pool days were all good days and the staff was excellent. The pizza and hamburger stands are always clean and the food is pretty good for what it is. Very few kids on the cruise. Which at the beginning is what I wanted, but actually would have been nice to hear the constant "Marco Polo" in the pools just to know that ppl were alive. Im serious, it was Gods waiting room on this cruise. It was seriously like a floating Nursing Home. For the most part, the ship LOOKED clean, carpets could be cleaned/replaced tho. FYI, bring your own sanitizer and use it often. Buy a couple of the travel ones and big one to fill those up and keep them on you. I guess the Norovirus got bad. On our deck, whole rooms were being put in red biohazard bags and hauled away for cleaning. Not a good feeling at all. Nobody in my party got the noro, but 2 contacted a nasty dry cough that we found out on the last day, had been pretty common on the ship. The ships dr. even has special robitusin for dry cough on hand for 12.50 a bottle. LOL.

 

Disembarkation: All in all, not bad once we got out of the Vista lounge. Almost 1/2 hour late getting out of there and we had arranged for groud transportation to meet us at 9 am. But once out of the lounge, breezed thru and got home fine. First vacation I have ever had were I was actually glad to get home. To me, that says something.

 

 

Overall: I probably wouldnt reccomend this cruise or cruise line to anyone. Between the types of passengers this cruiseline and ship attracts, the lack of cleanliness and the cheapness of Princess, its not a good sailing experience. I actually feel bad for the people sailing on it now. The last day at breakfast, they allowed people to get their own food and drinks again. These are the same people that were sick with Noro the day before. UNREAL. I believe Princess cancels their port days too quickly, knowing that alcohol and casino revenue skyrocket on those days. Just my belief, I have no facts to back that up, but seems very odd to me to cancel them so early. You WILL get nickel and dime to death on this cruise. Its a shame too, I thought I was going to like cruising until I cruised w/ Princess on the Golden.

[kooljamming]

I thought I was going to like cruising until I cruised w/ Princess on the Golden.

 

Don't give up on cruising quite yet. The reputation of Princess being for the old and cold kept me away for years. I gave it a try after I figured old meant me, but I am not cold:D It was a fantastic trip with nice and friendly passengers. A great vacation can be about timing. We will be on the Golden, in August, heading to Alaska. I have also tried RCCL and Carnival. So many ships, so little vacation time.