canned soda, express coffee cards in MDR

[whynotnow50]

I've read conflicting opinions on this, so, can you use the canned soda cards and the coffee cards in the main dining room for canned soda and brewed coffee?

 

Also, if you buy a gift card ahead of time, do you just put that toward your total bill on the cruise, or can you use it in some way during the cruise? My daughter is thinking of doing this as a way of having to come up with less all at once in August.

[Pam in CA]

I've read conflicting opinions on this, so, can you use the canned soda cards and the coffee cards in the main dining room for canned soda and brewed coffee?

 

Also, if you buy a gift card ahead of time, do you just put that toward your total bill on the cruise, or can you use it in some way during the cruise? My daughter is thinking of doing this as a way of having to come up with less all at once in August.

I think you're confusing a couple of packages. One is a canned soda package. The cans are delivered to your cabin. The soda "card" is a sticker that goes on the cruise card of the person for whom it's purchased. The sticker is good for an unlimited number of any bar-dispensed soft drink. Not cans.

 

If you want a soda, you can purchase it by the can anywhere. If you get the soda card, you can use it in the lounges, buffet, dining rooms, specialty restaurants, etc. You can't use it for room service or your mini-bar.

 

Here's a link to the packages and what's included. Scroll to the bottom. http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/gifts_services/cellars_culinarydelights/princess_cellars/index.jsp

 

The coffee card can be used for specialty coffee in the dining room. I've never gotten one so I don't know about the brewed coffee.

 

If you send yourself a "gift" of OBC, it will be applied to your folio when you board. Your folio will start with a credit so that anything charged to your folio will be deducted from the credit. So, yes, it's a good way to pre-pay a portion of your onboard expenses. Casino and Future Cruise Credits purchased are not included. If you send yourself a credit, it's refundable if any is unused at the end of the cruise.

 

Don't use the "pre-pay" tips option. All you're doing is sending yourself OBC in the amount of the hotel service charge. You'll have the credit and will still be charged the auto-tip which will be deducted. In other words, you're sending yourself OBC, not really pre-paying tips.

[whynotnow50]

Thank you for your answer.

 

I did realize there are two different packages. It's my understanding that the only soda available in the dining rooms is canned soda, so that is why DD was interested in the soda can package. But you're saying the soda can package delivers all six cans of soda to your cabin? Can you then take them into the dining room for meals?

 

So, you buy a gift card online before boarding, and what's involved is that it becomes part of your record and comes off the final bill for whatever expense you've occurred? If that's true, then I guess it works for what my daughter wanted it for.

 

Also, does anyone know if the coffee card can be used for brewed coffee in the dining room?

[Treven]

Specifically to the pre-payment, I usually send myself $500-750 between making my final payment and boarding. I simply email my TA and tell her to take $xxx from my credit card and send it to Princess for Booking #. As I see it, it's a good way to lessen the sticker shock at the end of a cruise. At the end of one recent cruise, my credit card was charged $9.50 due to my beginning with a sizable credit.

 

As Pam mentioned, your folio begins with a credit (positive) amount, then as you charge things during your cruise those amounts are deducted from your credit amount until that positive amount is eaten up. Then at the end of your cruise, you pay whatever is left.

[beg3yrs]

Thank you for your answer.

 

I did realize there are two different packages. It's my understanding that the only soda available in the dining rooms is canned soda, so that is why DD was interested in the soda can package. But you're saying the soda can package delivers all six cans of soda to your cabin? Can you then take them into the dining room for meals?

 

 

I can't recall seeing canned soda being served in the dining rooms. Seems to me the waiters get it from the bar and it is fountain dispensed. That's where a soda card comes in handy unless DD will only drink the canned stuff. That said, I don't see why the staff would have an issue with DD bringing in her own can of soda.

 

Now, there is absolutely no restriction on bringing your own soda on board yourself. Have your steward empty your refrigerator of the supplied sodas and keep your own in there. That's a lot less expensive. Buy a case and slap a luggage tag on it. They'll deliver it for you, no problem.

[Pam in CA]

I don't see why you couldn't bring a can of soda to the dining room. You've paid for it. You can carry a drink from a bar.

 

As for the "gift" OBC, let's say you send yourself $250 as a gift. And, let's say your TA gives you $100 and you also booked using an FCC (Future Cruise Credit) which adds another $100 OBC. When you check in and board the ship, your folio will start with a $450 credit. The credits will be itemized but can be combined. If you buy a T-shirt, book a tour, get a drink, etc., these charges as well as the nightly "auto-tip" will be deducted from the $450 until you have a balance due. In other words, you start off with the credit. It's not taken off your final bill at the end of the cruise. You can think of it as a gift card but it's more than that. Princess allows OBC from any source to be combined.

[Julia’s Journey’s]

If you order a soda in the MDR without a soda sticker you will get a can of soda and pay as you go for each one ordered.

With a soda sticker you will get a soda from the soda fountain brought to your table.

[Pia1913]

 

 

Also, does anyone know if the coffee card can be used for brewed coffee in the dining room?

 

No brewed coffee in the DR. However, you can get specialties using your coffee card.

[Deely]

Sorry to jump in, but if we decide to buy the soda plus package, do we have to do it at a specific time, like before we sail, at check in or as soon as we board the ship? Apologies if this info is somewhere obvious, didn't see it. Many thanks in advance. Dee

[pablo222]

Sorry to jump in, but if we decide to buy the soda plus package, do we have to do it at a specific time, like before we sail, at check in or as soon as we board the ship? Apologies if this info is somewhere obvious, didn't see it. Many thanks in advance. Dee

 

As soon as you board the ship you will encounter bar and dining

staff selling the soda stickers and the UKP stickers. There will

also be someone in the lido are selling them. And, you can buy

them at any bar. No matter when you buy them during the cruise

they are the same price. (priced by day for the full cruise)

 

So, if you don't buy right away, you don't get the full value.

[Deely]

Thanks for your very prompt and informative reply, will make a note to buy ASAP!

[OceanNerd]

Thank you for your answer.

 

I did realize there are two different packages. It's my understanding that the only soda available in the dining rooms is canned soda, so that is why DD was interested in the soda can package. But you're saying the soda can package delivers all six cans of soda to your cabin? Can you then take them into the dining room for meals?

 

So, you buy a gift card online before boarding, and what's involved is that it becomes part of your record and comes off the final bill for whatever expense you've occurred? If that's true, then I guess it works for what my daughter wanted it for.

 

Also, does anyone know if the coffee card can be used for brewed coffee in the dining room?

 

 

Canned soda is NOT served in the dining rooms, only the fountain sodas dispensed from the bar area. Your servers will get them for you and serve just like at any regular restaurant. If you drink much more than one 12 oz soda per day, the soda card/sticker as mentioned in Pam's post above is really the way to go. Unless however, you don't like fountain drinks, in which case, best to bring your own if that is possible with your travel arrangements.

 

For pre-paying, go to the Princess website under "Gifts and Services" and you can purchase onboard gift cards for yourself or DD. These funds are the first applied to all onboard purchases: soda cards, coffee cards, excursions, boutique purchases, etc. thus lessening the amount you have to pay out of pocket at the end of your cruise.

 

You can also call Princess directly and they will help you add money to your onboard account and explain how everything is credited and debited much more clearly than I am doing here. ;) They can also answer questions in real time, which is a benefit if anything is confusing.

 

Regardless.... Happy Cruising!!

[DrivesLikeMario]

Canned soda is NOT served in the dining rooms, only the fountain sodas dispensed from the bar area. Your servers will get them for you and serve just like at any regular restaurant. If you drink much more than one 12 oz soda per day, the soda card/sticker as mentioned in Pam's post above is really the way to go. Unless however, you don't like fountain drinks, in which case, best to bring your own if that is possible with your travel arrangements.

 

For pre-paying, go to the Princess website under "Gifts and Services" and you can purchase onboard gift cards for yourself or DD. These funds are the first applied to all onboard purchases: soda cards, coffee cards, excursions, boutique purchases, etc. thus lessening the amount you have to pay out of pocket at the end of your cruise.

 

You can also call Princess directly and they will help you add money to your onboard account and explain how everything is credited and debited much more clearly than I am doing here. ;) They can also answer questions in real time, which is a benefit if anything is confusing.

 

Regardless.... Happy Cruising!!

 

Can I clarify your statement? Anyone who is willing to pay for a can of soda can get it in the dining room. It is only the people that have soda stickers that get a drink dispensed from a machine, usually in a small glass.

[Pam in CA]

Canned soda is NOT served in the dining rooms, only the fountain sodas dispensed from the bar area.

Sure you can! All you have to do is order a soda and they'll bring a can. Doesn't matter whether it's the dining room, buffet, etc.

[pablo222]

As Pam mentioned, your folio begins with a credit (positive) amount, then as you charge things during your cruise those amounts are deducted from your credit amount until that positive amount is eaten up. Then at the end of your cruise, you pay whatever is left.

 

 

My folio never works the way you describe.

 

If you have no shipboard credit, your folio starts at zero.

As you charge things, your folio increases to some positive number.

At the end of the cruise, that positive number is the amount you pay.

 

If you start the cruise with a shipboard credit, your folio starts

at a negative number equal to the shipboard credit.

 

As you charge, your folio works its way up to zero, and then on to positive numbers as above.

[Pam in CA]

My folio never works the way you describe.

 

If you have no shipboard credit, your folio starts at zero. As you charge things, your folio increases to some positive number. At the end of the cruise, that positive number is the amount you pay.

 

If you start the cruise with a shipboard credit, your folio starts at a negative number equal to the shipboard credit.

 

As you charge, your folio works its way up to zero, and then on to positive numbers as above.

You are right but it's easier for someone to understand the concept of credit/debit on your folio to say that you start with a credit. Most would assume that's a "plus" whereas you're right, it starts with a minus if you have OBC. The result is the same. You use up the credit until there's a balance due. :)

[Red Hat Cruise Cat]

If you want a canned soda in the dining room, tell your waiter that you want a can of ________ (fill in the blank).

 

You can also bring your own soda onboard and take it to the dining room. Your waiter will bring you a glass of ice for your soda. I only drink caffeine free diet soda which is not always available onboard, so I bring my own.

[Holomoku]

If you want a canned soda in the dining room, tell your waiter that you want a can of ________ (fill in the blank).

 

I don't drink Alcohol so whenever I have ordered a soda in the MDR with my UKP sticker I have never specified can or no can and have had the sodas served both ways. It makes no difference to me just so I have something besides coffee, teas, fluffy drinks or water to sip on during the meal.:)

[Pam in CA]

I don't drink Alcohol so whenever I have ordered a soda in the MDR with my UKP sticker I have never specified can or no can and have had the sodas served both ways. It makes no difference to me just so I have something besides coffee, teas, fluffy drinks or water to sip on during the meal.:)

If you have the Ultimate soda sticker and order a soda, you'll get the bar-dispensed, not canned. Sometimes, they'll bring you canned, depending on which dining room and how busy they are but it's not usual nor is it automatic with either soda card.

[jean s]

I've tried unsuccessfully to order brewed coffee in the dining room using my coffee card. Now I just pick up a large brewed coffee on the way and bring it into the dining room. It's really not a problem and the coffee is so much better.

[Loritd]

As a diet coke drinker with breakfast I have brought my own can and ordered a can. Sometimes asking someone to bring you a can soda at breakfast can be slow and a pain for them. They have to go to a bar which depending on the time of day can be far away. Just save them the hassle and bring your own.:)

[DrivesLikeMario]

As a diet coke drinker with breakfast I have brought my own can and ordered a can. Sometimes asking someone to bring you a can soda at breakfast can be slow and a pain for them. They have to go to a bar which depending on the time of day can be far away. Just save them the hassle and bring your own.:)

 

Isn't that the truth!! I love Diet Coke for breakfast too and I've learned the hard way that it's best to:

a.) bring one of my own that I've brought onboard or

b.) bring one from my mini-bar set up or

c.) bring one that I've picked up at a bar on the way to breakfast. :cool:

[pablo222]

Isn't that the truth!! I love Diet Coke for breakfast too and I've learned the hard way that it's best to:

a.) bring one of my own that I've brought onboard or

b.) bring one from my mini-bar set up or

c.) bring one that I've picked up at a bar on the way to breakfast. :cool:

 

I like to go to an on-deck bar, and get a large cup using the

sticker, and then bring that to the dining room.

 

I am on a personal mission to make princess lose money

selling me the sticker.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I like to go to an on-deck bar, and get a large cup using the

sticker, and then bring that to the dining room.

 

I am on a personal mission to make princess lose money

selling me the sticker.

 

I don't like having the sticker. I'd rather pay for each can. After years of using the soda sticker, we got tired of feeling like second class citizens while waiting at the bars for assistance. I've noticed this not only on Princess but on Celebrity also. I'm sure not everyone feels that way, it's just our experience over years of buying 4 of them, (1 for each family member) on many cruises. :cool: