How to cut your bar bill. (or how to be Miserable)

[Rick-cruiser]

Another thing I will do is this:

 

I will try to get an OBC for the cruise I am sailing on, mostly by contacting several online Travel Agents, tell them what the bottom price I can get on a particular sailing, and then ask them if they can beat that by giving me that same bottom price... WITH AN OBC OF $50 PER PERSON.

 

With that $50, I consider that "extra" money that I can use to buy drinks, pictures, gifts, whatever... so it's really like free money that you can use on the ship however you like - even if you just use it to buy drinks..

 

 

Another extra tip to lower your bar tab:

 

When you're at the bar when you order a drink, ask the bartender to make it "extra strong". Say that "the last few drinks I got were extremely weak...". What the bartender will then do, most of the time, is make the next few drinks for you VERY strong (he doesn't care... and he's more than happy to do it). This way, if you were planning on having, say, 4 drinks... you'll only have to order 2 - saving you HALF the cost... :)

 

- Rick

[cmhlifestylecpl]

I too cruise with the expectation of value for dollar spent or not spent on drinks. I do purchase drinks on board, however I do have a limit to what I spend onboard, call it a more relaxed view of of why rick does not buy. I do take measure to ensure I save where I can. I use the certificate in C and A booklet for 2 for 1 drinks, I use the one for a percentage off a bottle of wine for dinner, or buy the wine package if it is available on the first day. We do enjoy ourselves and spend minimally when we can. We dont lament and cry and complain on the last day about our bill because we are willing to spend some on drinks, but unlike some caught up in the excitement of a first cruise or hardcore drinkers....we dont go overboard.......Like Rick my relatives who are non drinkers wind up having a 20 bill at the end of a cruise because they played bingo....Also why the bucket of ice in the room if they dident want me to bring a bottle for a nightcap?????

[brown_eyedgal]

I too cruise with the expectation of value for dollar spent or not spent on drinks. I do purchase drinks on board, however I do have a limit to what I spend onboard, call it a more relaxed view of of why rick does not buy. I do take measure to ensure I save where I can. I use the certificate in C and A booklet for 2 for 1 drinks, I use the one for a percentage off a bottle of wine for dinner, or buy the wine package if it is available on the first day. We do enjoy ourselves and spend minimally when we can. We dont lament and cry and complain on the last day about our bill because we are willing to spend some on drinks, but unlike some caught up in the excitement of a first cruise or hardcore drinkers....we dont go overboard.......Like Rick my relatives who are non drinkers wind up having a 20 bill at the end of a cruise because they played bingo....Also why the bucket of ice in the room if they dident want me to bring a bottle for a nightcap?????

 

 

What is a C and A booklet. Sorry, new cruiser...

[cmhlifestylecpl]

Crown and Anchor (Royal Caribbean Loyalty program) Savings booklet. If you have cruised with them and sign up for the loyality program when you cruise next time they leave it in your room for your arrival. It has coupons for various things/activities on the ship. I regulary use the free internet, 2 for 1 drink, casino coupons. It can save you some bucks if you were going to do those activities anyway.

[brown_eyedgal]

Crown and Anchor (Royal Caribbean Loyalty program) Savings booklet. If you have cruised with them and sign up for the loyality program when you cruise next time they leave it in your room for your arrival. It has coupons for various things/activities on the ship. I regulary use the free internet, 2 for 1 drink, casino coupons. It can save you some bucks if you were going to do those activities anyway.

 

Nice. Wish Carnival had that...

[krisko]

Another reason why alcohol smugglers who think they are so cool affect those of us who abide by the rules........

 

Sorry, I don't see the corellation. If I didn't smuggle alcohol on board, I would not purchase it (much anyway) in the restaurants. I used to purchase drinks on board my cruises but (like the other guy) pricing exceeded a threshold that I was willing to pay.

 

I smuggle because I got spoiled by an all-inclusive in Cancun (Moon Palace). A fair price for my family of four for a week ($2400) and all the premium liquor I can drink included in that price. As far as the actual vacation, I prefer cruising so I've merged the two concepts. I cruise and BYOB, everybody's happy!

[Rick-cruiser]

Sorry, I don't see the corellation. If I didn't smuggle alcohol on board, I would not purchase it (much anyway) in the restaurants. I used to purchase drinks on board my cruises but (like the other guy) pricing exceeded a threshold that I was willing to pay.

 

I smuggle because I got spoiled by an all-inclusive in Cancun (Moon Palace). A fair price for my family of four for a week ($2400) and all the premium liquor I can drink included in that price. As far as the actual vacation, I prefer cruising so I've merged the two concepts. I cruise and BYOB, everybody's happy!

 

If prices of drinks onboard came down to more reasonable levels, I'm sure the smuggling would abate, people would buy MORE drinks at the bars and venues, and cruiselines would make just about the same money.... everyone wins

 

And, in this way, everyone would REALLY be happy.. :)

 

Rick

[rbclark]

:) Sure Glad my Rum-Runners came in the mail Monday for my cruise.

:eek::D;):eek:

[ikelmay]

If prices of drinks onboard came down to more reasonable levels, I'm sure the smuggling would abate, people would buy MORE drinks at the bars and venues, and cruiselines would make just about the same money.... everyone wins

 

And, in this way, everyone would REALLY be happy.. :)

 

Rick

 

Precisely. I took a recent Holland America cruise where the bar setup was reasonable - I was quite happy to use the service, and not smuggle alcohol on board. On our recent Celebrity cruise however, the on board prices were stratospheric. Result was they got a fraction of the potential revenue had they not abused their monopolistic position.

[BroncosFan2010]

If RCCL did not keep building GIANT floating cities, adding roller-coasters to their ports, and having to build huge docks to support their mammoth ships, I imagine they would not have to charge $7 for a beer. I am afraid that all this will do is drive customers to other lines. I am already looking at other lines, ones that will allow me to bring a few bottles of my favorite wine on board, provide better service, and a more luxury feeling cruising experience. It is sad, but I feel that ships like the Freedom class and soon to be Oasis are ruining the cruise experience. It is even more sad that they have to charge $7 a beer to pay for these monstrosities!

[cavmom]

Right on, Rick.Perhaps if bankers and auto companies had kept an eye on unnecessary expenses, our economy would not be in this shape.

Marianne

[CatherineL]

That is a lot for a bottle of beer. If they add tax on sailings that leave from Southampton it would be an extra 17.5%.

 

I don't like paying excessive prices for drinks. I mostly drink wine, so I guess the wine packages keep the costs down. Other than that, I don't have a preferred drink, so I would be inclined to ask for the cocktail of the day, or whatever deal was going. I'll remember that tip to ask for a stronger drink though.

[gtalum]

I wonder if the Feds ever see that 48 cents?

 

It's not the Feds, it's the state. And yes, you can bet they see every penny that they're due. If you screw with the state they yank your liquor license, meaning no booze sales until you're in international waters.

[TheVegasMan]

If RCCL did not keep building GIANT floating cities, adding roller-coasters to their ports, and having to build huge docks to support their mammoth ships, I imagine they would not have to charge $7 for a beer. I am afraid that all this will do is drive customers to other lines. I am already looking at other lines, ones that will allow me to bring a few bottles of my favorite wine on board, provide better service, and a more luxury feeling cruising experience. It is sad, but I feel that ships like the Freedom class and soon to be Oasis are ruining the cruise experience. It is even more sad that they have to charge $7 a beer to pay for these monstrosities!

Where are the RollerCoasters? I love them.

[relientKitten]

Related to the tax topic, do the ships still charge port-taxes to the accounts of those who are from states that have no sales tax? I know that I generally have issue with tax exemption anywhere outside of WA/OR/CA but having to claim the paid tax later on my tax returns is a pain.

[Rick-cruiser]

Right on, Rick.Perhaps if bankers and auto companies had kept an eye on unnecessary expenses, our economy would not be in this shape.

Marianne

 

Thank you, Marianne... :)

 

I always felt that if a person TRULY lived their life according to their convictions and principals... even if they aren't the most convenient, the world would be a much better place to live.... with higher standards and ethics.

 

People refusing to pay that $7.50 for ONE bottle of beer... forcing the cruiselines to reduce the price to a more reasonable level, would definitely be a place to start..... :)

 

- Rick

[Rick-cruiser]

Another tip for lowering your bar bill:

 

Some cruiselines are now offering specials such as, buy a "bucket" of 4 bottles of beer.... and the 5th beer is free.

 

Now, if each beer is $7.38, the bill will come to $29.52 which, divided by 5, would amount to about $6.00 per beer. Still very high in my opinion..... but better than $7.38.

 

And.... if you can rationalize that you've at least saved some money by getting a "deal", you can feel a lot better about it....

 

- Rick

[fsufancc]

Tax was the answer. We were still in US waters and so tax was applied.

So next time you are tempted to have a Bahamarama Mamatini Colada or whatever, wait until the sailaway party is over!

 

We did a family group family cruise in December out of Miami w/Carnival.

 

The ship was late leaving port and when it came time for dinner, the BIL ordered a bottle of wine. When the bill came....you guessed it, Tax as we were still in US waters.

 

BIL had a fit stating that if Carnival did not leave late, he would not have been charged the tax. Not sure how it ended up later, but at the time, the waiter stated, that he could do nothing.

[Andrio]

We were still in US waters and so tax was applied.

So next time you are tempted to have a Bahamarama Mamatini Colada or whatever, wait until the sailaway party is over!

 

This is an interesting thread - does anyone know if this "port tax" is added if you pre-purchase a wine package before you sail? I charge my sea pass card to my credit card anyway so if it saves money I may as well pay in advance with my CC.

[Guest TropicOne]

Collecting a required sales tax is not increasing onboard revenue.

[satxdiver]

<snip> I wonder if the Feds ever see that 48 cents?

 

In answer to your question, no, the Feds will never see the 48 cents because it is a Florida state tax and I am sure the Floridians thank you for your donation. Until the ship is out in International waters, they are subject to the laws of the state/province/etc. that includes the port you just departed. So far Texas has not found out about this "windfall" but given our not so intelligent legge, it may not be long.

 

Another poster mentioned that the price of beer included several items including the cost to actually put them together and make the brew. What they forgot was the Federal and State tax that is assessed against every bottle of alcohol. Don't forget our Uncle and governor's share!!

[john_l]

This is why I only cruise with Thomson in the UK. All inclusive drinks including beers, soda, coffees, wine, spirits and lovely cocktails including Champage cocktails all for free ;) and as much as you like to drink 8am till 2am

 

Not only that but the overall cruise price is lower than traditional ships. Typically £750 for 7 days which is about $1100. Ok the ships are smaller than todays floading cities but I would not want it any other way

[Midnight Writer]

this is what I do.... You can try this. If you want a scotch drink you tell the man that you want the scotch without any ice straight up. You go back to the room and get your scotch glass the empty one and fill it with the scotch drink... then you have 2 glasses and so on.

I went last year on the mariner and said I need three glasses of pure vodka, filled to the top No ice. he did it he still charged me for 3 full glasses I made 8 drinks with it. and put in my own mixers, the price was only 8.00 because I gave that bar tender a 5.00 tip... he made me alot more drinks, so if you tell your bar tender. listen I want full drinks no ice I will tip you big, you can get all the booze you want, they work for the tips not the alcohol.

[Sunshine required]

Hi there,

 

I struggle to believe that Royal Caribbean aren't making a profit from the £3000 (thats pounds not dollars) that I'm paying for my family's holiday in June (me, hubby and 9 yr old daughter, 14 nights in the Med), and also considering that the price doesn't even include tips and they expect me to subsidise the pathetic wages they pay their staff on top of that, think I need a drink just thinking about it!! Cap it all off with these over inflated drink prices and I'm starting to regret booking with them at all, I'm beginning to think that they're taking the mickey. I understand that a cruise should be more expensive than a normal holiday but with drinks prices increasing at the rate they are (and not just the alcoholic drinks), and the global economic turndown, I fear they will soon become unattainable to "normal" people like they used to be.:eek:

 

OMG!! We also feel the same as you, regetting to book now we have heard about the price of onboard purchases and just got a shock with the prices of the shore excursions. Although we are paying £2470.00 for 2 of us 7night med cruise and still need to find accomodation for our overnight stay before boarding :eek:, think you may have gotten a better deal...

x x

[Rick-cruiser]

this is what I do.... You can try this. If you want a scotch drink you tell the man that you want the scotch without any ice straight up. You go back to the room and get your scotch glass the empty one and fill it with the scotch drink... then you have 2 glasses and so on.

 

I went last year on the mariner and said I need three glasses of pure vodka, filled to the top No ice. he did it he still charged me for 3 full glasses I made 8 drinks with it. and put in my own mixers, the price was only 8.00 because I gave that bar tender a 5.00 tip... he made me alot more drinks, so if you tell your bar tender. listen I want full drinks no ice I will tip you big, you can get all the booze you want, they work for the tips not the alcohol.

 

I think that's a really great tip. Yes, you can always ask for drinks straight up (with no ice) and the bartenders will charge you the same amount for that drink. Ice can take up more than HALF THE SPACE in a glass, and you'd be getting a LOT less liquor in that drink. It's been a trick of bar owners (who tell their bartenders what to do) for years and years... If the customer doesn't request anything specific, they're told to fill the glass completely with ice first, THEN pour the liquor. "looks" like a full drink... right?...... it actually contains very little of the drink itself, if you were to take out all the ice.

 

As far as getting the drink and then going back to your room to add mixers, split into several glasses, etc.. i don't know if we'd do that...as most of the time we like to enjoy the drinks right there at the bar, or proceed to a show or another venue on the ship....

 

- Rick