Are drink coupons a good idea?

[KGBLUE301]

Hello i just brought 4 coupons for 23$ wondering if that is a good idea to do we only drink beer. Thought i would buy 2 sets every 2 weeks till cruise. We leave Nov 4th from maimi on the valor. Thanks for any help.

[Bunkie103]

I bought them a few times and we kept forgetting to take them with us when we left our room.:rolleyes:

[KGBLUE301]

Wow that would stink. I will put my husband in charge of them.

[doconner]

I have found the drink coupons provided me a cost savings over the course of the cruise, but I have used them for cocktails.

 

If you are buying just beer, it could actually be slightly more expensive to buy the coupons, or be a complete wash. It depends on which beers you drink.

 

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/Carnival-Bar-Menu/2012bar/Bar_menu.pdf

 

The beer list is at that link. If your beer is $4.95, then you will 'overpay' 6¢ each time you use a coupon. If you drink any of the other beers you will save 86¢ per drink.

 

Hope that helps.

[Naomigruis]

There are lots do threads re this subject.

 

I think the math works out that you will save about 86c per drink as you do not pay tip on top of the value of the drink.

 

For me it's been more about pre- paying our drinks so as to keep the sail and sign card cost down. We are coming to the US for five weeks and I have wanted to pre pay as much as possible

 

So like you I have purchased the coupons each fortnight as I get paid and now have about 40 drinks paid for so bill should look good at the end of the cruise

 

I now it still cost the same it's just easier for me to budget I'm more of a prepay person as I'm not a great saver :eek:

[KGBLUE301]

Hey thanks for the link, that helps.

[Hammer-STT]

Question same subject.. If you buy the drink coupons and use them for the DOD or other mix drinks, do you have to pay the diff.

[runner15km]

Question same subject.. If you buy the drink coupons and use them for the DOD or other mix drinks, do you have to pay the diff.

 

Yes, you pay the difference.

[ready2cruzagain]

Question same subject.. If you buy the drink coupons and use them for the DOD or other mix drinks, do you have to pay the diff.

 

Some people say they haven't had to pay the difference but I have always been charged the extra. I usually buy Fosters and it is $6.75...I am charged $1.15 on my S & S card (the $1.00 more than the actual coupon price plus 15 cents for the tip on the extra dollar).

[doconner]

Question same subject.. If you buy the drink coupons and use them for the DOD or other mix drinks, do you have to pay the diff.

 

Yes, you pay the difference. Some have claimed that if the balance is minimal that the server won't charge you, however this is rare and something you shouldn't expect.

 

I typically order a classic cocktail which is $8.75 on the menu. I hand the server a drink coupon and my sign & sail card. The waiter returns with a receipt for $3.45 for me to sign.

[lissa42886]

I have found the drink coupons provided me a cost savings over the course of the cruise, but I have used them for cocktails.

 

If you are buying just beer, it could actually be slightly more expensive to buy the coupons, or be a complete wash. It depends on which beers you drink.

 

[url]http://www.zydecocruiser.net/Carnival-Bar-Menu/2012bar/Bar_menu.pdf[/url]

 

The beer list is at that link. If your beer is $4.95, then you will 'overpay' 6¢ each time you use a coupon. If you drink any of the other beers you will save 86¢ per drink.

 

Hope that helps.

 

OMG this is zydocruiser!! i kept seeing everyone post on various boards about the info this person provides and could NEVER find them!! aaa thanks :)

[zenful6219]

Yes, you pay the difference.

 

The tip you pay is calculated on the difference. That's how you are able to save money on cocktails and higher priced beers.

[camper49]

Hello i just brought 4 coupons for 23$ wondering if that is a good idea to do we only drink beer. Thought i would buy 2 sets every 2 weeks till cruise. We leave Nov 4th from maimi on the valor. Thanks for any help.

I have bought them once. I now just call and have Fun Ship $$$ put

on our account. Then all i have to do is remember my S&S card. Tended to forget to carry the coupons with me..:):)

[daijayx2]

Yes, you pay the difference. Some have claimed that if the balance is minimal that the server won't charge you, however this is rare and something you shouldn't expect.

 

I typically order a classic cocktail which is $8.75 on the menu. I hand the server a drink coupon and my sign & sail card. The waiter returns with a receipt for $3.45 for me to sign.

 

I order the same then take the receipt to the cashier in the casino and get a 5 dollar match play coupon* to be used at any table game :)

 

*only offered with purchase of Classic Cocktails.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[doconner]

I order the same then take the receipt to the cashier in the casino and get a 5 dollar match play coupon* to be used at any table game :)

 

*only offered with purchase of Classic Cocktails.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

That was a nice surprise on the last cruise that I wasn't aware of. I was the only one in my group to really play in the casino, so everyone gave me their match plays to play for them. I think I sat down at the Blackjack Table one evening with over $100 in match play coupons.

 

I must have had a rookie dealer because he'd forget to take the match play coupon on several hands. I reminded him twice, but just let it go after that. Eventually his supervisor came over and informed him to take them, and that's when a good thing ended. :)

[golfadj]

If you want to prepay for stuff so you have a smaller bill at the end of the cruise I think it is worth doing.

 

Otherwise what is the point?

[daijayx2]

That was a nice surprise on the last cruise that I wasn't aware of. I was the only one in my group to really play in the casino, so everyone gave me their match plays to play for them. I think I sat down at the Blackjack Table one evening with over $100 in match play coupons.

 

I must have had a rookie dealer because he'd forget to take the match play coupon on several hands. I reminded him twice, but just let it go after that. Eventually his supervisor came over and informed him to take them, and that's when a good thing ended. :)

 

I also am the only who gambles when I travel so I do the same with whoever my travel companion is for that trip :)

 

I use them at the craps table. I usually do pretty well. So far craps has been my fave casino game, over slots, black jack or roulette.

 

I sure wish thy would forget mine a few times ;)

 

 

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[SueG]

I also forget them while I am roaming the ship. I still purchase them to use in the MDR when I drink my wine with dinner. I have yet to forget them when I go there.

 

I would really check out the prices of the beer you normally drink. Add the 15% to that drink price and see if you will be saving any money.

[beckymomof2]

I have found the drink coupons provided me a cost savings over the course of the cruise, but I have used them for cocktails.

 

If you are buying just beer, it could actually be slightly more expensive to buy the coupons, or be a complete wash. It depends on which beers you drink.

 

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/Carnival-Bar-Menu/2012bar/Bar_menu.pdf

 

The beer list is at that link. If your beer is $4.95, then you will 'overpay' 6¢ each time you use a coupon. If you drink any of the other beers you will save 86¢ per drink.

 

Hope that helps.

 

This scenario makes sense. I think I will go ahead and buy some because it doesn't look like I'm going to lose much either way. I won't be drinking beer. My husband might but I could use a couple of the coupons here and there throughout the week.

 

Thanks everyone for all the comments.

[LauraKRN]

I order the same then take the receipt to the cashier in the casino and get a 5 dollar match play coupon* to be used at any table game :)

 

*only offered with purchase of Classic Cocktails.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Please explain the match play as this is the first I've ever heard of it. I love craps, does this work there as well? Also, for any classic cocktail or only the classic cocktail purchased with a drink coupon?

[hondo1975]

Is there a list of the DOD's and which day they happen??

[doconner]

Please explain the match play as this is the first I've ever heard of it. I love craps, does this work there as well? Also, for any classic cocktail or only the classic cocktail purchased with a drink coupon?

 

There are two things to know about the match play coupons, how you get them and how you use them.

 

How you get them:

 

You are entitled to a match play coupon for every "Classic Cocktail" you buy, regardless of if you use a drink coupon or not. The "Classic Cocktails" are a specific set of 6 cocktails that have their own page on the bar menu. You keep your receipt showing you purchased the classic cocktail, and you take it to the cashier in the casino to exchange it for the match play coupon. We saved up our receipts for a few days and traded in several at once. The person who paid for the drink will need to be present at the cashier to exchange it in for the coupon.

 

How you use them:

 

They basically work the same as a $5 chip, except you have to put up at least $5 of your own money, and it is only good for a single bet (it's taken after the bet regardless of the outcome).

 

I play mostly blackjack, and it'd work like this: I'd place a bet of $5 of my own money, and place the match play coupon with the bet. This effectively made my bet $10. If I lose the hand, all of it gets taken away (as you'd expect). If I win the hand, I'm paid out as if my bet was $10. So on a standard non blackjack win, I'd get $10 of winning, retain my $5 original bet, and the match play coupon is taken.

 

I imagine they are valid on the craps table as well, but certainly with some restrictions on which bets they can be used with.

 

I know for certain they can be used on the roulette table, but only on even odds bets (black/red, even/odd, 1-18/19-36).

 

 

I hope this helps

[Lola1210]

We used them on our last cruise and they were okay. The only problem is that you have to watch your drink receipts. Twice, I got charged for the full price of the drink even though I used coupons. Once, it was picked up by the server and later corrected, but when I got my bill on the last night I noticed that it happened again. I had to go and have it corrected. The only problem was that it never appeared on my credit card. I had to contact Carnival and it was eventually corrected. Not sure, if I will use them again.

[daijayx2]

Please explain the match play as this is the first I've ever heard of it. I love craps, does this work there as well? Also, for any classic cocktail or only the classic cocktail purchased with a drink coupon?

 

 

Yes the match play coupon works at the craps table. That's the only game I play in the casino.

 

The way this works is you purchase a classic cocktail, any drink listed as a classic cocktail on the menu. They are the 8.75 drinks.

• Sex on the beach

• Long island ice tea

• Cruiser

• Ultimate Margarita

• Mojito

• Mai Tai

 

Order any of the drinks listed above. Save your receipt, take it to the cashier in the casino along with your s&s card and she/he will give you a card, small about business card sized that says 5$ match play on it.

 

Place it on the pass line along with another 5$ chip (makes a 10$ bet). Wherever you use the coupon at you have to add another 5$ chip with it. Because they are "matching" your 5$ bet with the coupon.

 

Wait for 7,11 <~~(first roll of coarse) or the point and collect earnings.

 

(Well of coarse as you know if 7 is rolled after the point is established you lose.)

 

The dealer will take the match play coupon and replace it with a 5$ chip if you win.

 

Also on some ships if you make a purchase at the comedy show for over 15.00 in alcoholic beverages you can also take that receipt to the cashier for a match play coupon.

 

I have done this on my last 3 cruises and love it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[waldocruiser1]

Yes, you pay the difference.

 

sometimes yes sometimes no, it depends on the waiter/bartender.

 

we buy the coupons from time to time to adjust the on ship spending, lets you prepay for drinks.

 

I like the idea to limit the amount of drinks I am drinking (mostly soda) and reduce on ship expenses. It is not really about actually saving money, to me.