Soda package worth it on Vision of the Seas since they don't have the Freestyle machines?

[Nautical Wheeler A1A]

I know the Vison of the Seas does not have the Freestyle machines. I'm wondering how long the lines are at the bars to get soda and if people doing that are ignored in favor of the drinkers. Also, I can only drink sugar and caffeine free soda, which I think limits me to the soda water. I have the package for two upcoming cruises out of Baltimore but I'm seriously thinking about cancelling it because I don't know that it'll be worth it. Would really like to hear what others who have been on the ship think. Thanks. 

[The Fun Researcher]

I wouldn't personally base the decision on Freestyle machines or not.  Soda's are quick and easy to get at bars and lounges and in the MDR.

 

The big question is your limitation of choices.  Can you have caffeine free diet sodas?  If so, I'm not sure what Royal offers.  Maybe others can answer that.  We drink diet, but it's always been caffeinated on our cruises, (freestyle machines or not)

[Nautical Wheeler A1A]

3 minutes ago, The Fun Researcher said:

I wouldn't personally base the decision on Freestyle machines or not.  Soda's are quick and easy to get at bars and lounges and in the MDR.

 

The big question is your limitation of choices.  Can you have caffeine free diet sodas?  If so, I'm not sure what Royal offers.  Maybe others can answer that.  We drink diet, but it's always been caffeinated on our cruises, (freestyle machines or not)

Thanks for the reply, appreciate it. Yes, I can and do drink a lot of caffeine free diet/sugar free sodas. I can't tell if they're available on the ship or not. I was also thinking about getting the soda water and bringing a bunch of drink mixes with me. I just wanted to make sure that was easy to do with having to go to the bars. 

[lchvatal]

Ok, so if they do not have freestyle machines and you have a 13 and 15 year old, how do they get sodas at night? They can't go into the casinos or bars..... Can't remember what time the pool bar closes. We sail in August and did not realize when we booked that Vision does not have freestyle machines. 

[firefly333]

13 minutes ago, lchvatal said:

Ok, so if they do not have freestyle machines and you have a 13 and 15 year old, how do they get sodas at night? They can't go into the casinos or bars..... Can't remember what time the pool bar closes. We sail in August and did not realize when we booked that Vision does not have freestyle machines. 

There are bars they can access. Centrum has a bar, it doesnt close to kids. A couple decks up I seem to remember another bar. There are places they can get soda. Just might have to walk further.

[fpcruiser]

On 1/5/2023 at 10:46 AM, Nautical Wheeler A1A said:

Thanks for the reply, appreciate it. Yes, I can and do drink a lot of caffeine free diet/sugar free sodas. I can't tell if they're available on the ship or not. I was also thinking about getting the soda water and bringing a bunch of drink mixes with me. I just wanted to make sure that was easy to do with having to go to the bars. 

The only Diet caffeine free is Sprite Zero. I cancelled my package.

[SilkySal]

We are just back from Serenade of the Seas, which also does not have soda machines. On boarding day, the bars are jammed with those wanting their "deserved packages drinks", so we observed that those only wanting sodas, especially young ones, found it extremely hard to be recognized by the bartenders; this was also true on most sea days when the pool deck was very crowded. We usually buy the refreshment package, which allows for all drinks excluding alcohol so we can enjoy the frozen mocktails on hot days and fresh squeezed OJ for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

You might consider taking the allowed 12 bottles of water and add some sort of flavored powder to them if desired, or carry on 12 cans of your choice of soda. Tap water (jug) may be at some bars. You can get a cup of water and/or lemonade from the WJ at meal times, as well.

 

Good luck and happy cruising! Cheers!

 

[HappyTexan44]

I think the lack of the Freestyle machine might make me more likely to bring soda on board. Well that and being ignored by bartenders, which I don't blame them.  At the moment I have a soda package just on the faint hope that they'll get the freestyle machine before I board.  

We have two rooms and was going to bring a 12-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper for DH and nothing else.  Maybe I'll bring something on for me.  

[Nautical Wheeler A1A]

I'm really glad to see the additional discussion about this, thanks. I'm going to check to see how much just the streaming internet is on it's own and switch to that from the combination soda package. I kinda figured the bartenders really wouldn't care about the people with just the soda package and spending the whole cruise having to fight to get soda just isn't worth it. 

[Engineroom Snipe]

40 minutes ago, Nautical Wheeler A1A said:

I'm really glad to see the additional discussion about this, thanks. I'm going to check to see how much just the streaming internet is on it's own and switch to that from the combination soda package. I kinda figured the bartenders really wouldn't care about the people with just the soda package and spending the whole cruise having to fight to get soda just isn't worth it. 

 

Most people would not think about children and soda package availability. A very good question and some great answers. Even with the drink dispensers, lines can form. I like the dispensers because I can get ice for free that has gone through an additional water filter without having to find my cabin steward. I do not get beverage packages. Each cabin can bring up to 12 500ml bottles of sodas or non-alcoholic beverages. My wife and I treat ourselves on sea days. 

 

Again, your question will help me think about the soda packages if I ever bring the grandchild onboard someday.