Drink cards

[StarryEyes]

Has anyone used the drink cards? I see they are offered at $21.95 for 4 drinks. Does this cover any drink or would some drinks use 2 punches? And what about the soft drink cards? Good or bad deal?

 

Thanks!

[firefly333]

The drink cards have a face value of $5.75 and it covers the tip of 15% and drinks up to $5.75. . if your drink is extra, you may be charged the difference. Good to get one DOD and then save $2 on each one and order a refill in the same glass, then they should cover them.

 

There are morning specials and port specials cheaper than $5.75 and no change is given.

 

People say its a toss up if they are worth fooling with.

 

soda card at $6 per person per day is only a good deal if you drink at least 3 sodas a day.

[Mrs Nickle]

I was getting ready to post the EXACT SAME question! I scrolled down just a little, and you had already asked! I am looking forward to seeing the answers. My husband and I are definitely looking forward to having a few drinks on the boat. It seems to me like we would save money by going this route, unless there are only certain drinks you can get or some drinks are double punched like you mentioned. Thanks for asking!

[Carolin]

It's pretty much a toss up if it saves you any money or not. You are basically pre-paying for your drinks that are 5.75. If a drink is more expensive, they can and do charge the overage to your sign and sail card. I've heard if you get friendly with the bar staff that they might not charge you the overage. Hope this helps clear things up. :)

[StarryEyes]

Thank you all. That does help!

[RDP3181]

I used bar coupons on my first cruise and will probably not use them again. They were a pain to keep track of and carry around. I got the feeling the bar staff hated dealing with them, and so did I by the end of the week. The last night of the cruise, I gave one to a server in the casino, received my drink, signed the receipt, and when I reviewed the receipt the next day, I saw they never applied the coupon (partially my fault for not reviewing what I was signing). I later found out from these forums that while the coupons say "gratuity included", the bar staff receive a smaller gratuity from drinks purchased with a coupon compared to a drink purchased without a coupon. On your receipt, Carnival will calculate gratuity on the total after the coupon is applied. Carnival will compensate the bar staff for the coupon by giving them a small amount of gratuity from the coupon, but the total gratuity the bar staff receives does not equate to 15% of the drink cost.

 

Only way I would use them again is if I tipped a dollar a drink to make up for the smaller gratuity, but at that point, any savings from the coupons are gone. I have four books left from the previous cruise that I think I might just put up on eBay. For the next cruise, I will just take the money I would have spent on coupons and add it to on-board credit before sailing. That way, I do not have to worry about coupons or the hard working bar staff not receiving the proper gratuity.

[firefly333]

The only savings is on the 15% tip.

[gargoyle999]

The only savings is on the 15% tip.

 

You also save $1.75 because you pay $21.25 but they are worth $5.75x4 or $23.00.

 

Between the tip being included and the small discount on purchase you save $1.30 per drink when using the coupon.

[Mel1322]

So the actual value of each is 5.75? The web site shows them as being a value of 5.25. Maybe an old photo?? I bought them not as a savings, but as a way to combat the "sticker shock" when our final bill comes at the end of the cruise.:eek: