Drink Coupons? Are they really worth it?

[TX-JennSalos]

We bought drink coupons on our last cruise in 06. I remember using them, but I also seem to remember having to ALSO use my sign and sail card too becuse the coupons didnt cover the full cost of the DOD. Can someone refresh my memory on this please? I also noticed the price went up on then from 4 coupons for $20 to 4 coupons for $22 now or something close to that.

 

Thanks :)

[VentureMan_2000]

Issues with drink coupons are:

 

1) Remembering to bring them along.

 

2) No refund in difference if drinks or beer valued less that the stated drink coupon value.

 

3) Made of paper, so easy to wreck if they get wet... have to keep them dry.

 

4) You lose them, they are not replaceable.

 

5) If you don't use all by end of cruise, they are not refundable.

 

6) You pay additional amount over the coupon drink price.

 

 

Issues with using Sail & Sign card:

 

None.

 

 

Benefits of using Sail & Sign card:

 

1) Lose your card and it's easily replaced.

 

2) You can swim with it, or get wet with it.

 

3) Lower priced drinks are charged at the lower price.

 

4) No "Left over" coupons.

 

5) Your S&S card is your cabin key, so you always have it available to you.

 

6) You can view every purchase, listed by date and time, on your cabin TV.

 

 

I've done the paper drink coupons, and in hind sight saw less value to them compared to just using your S&S card.

 

The reason drink coupons are offered is to allow your family and friends to purchase you a couple drinks on your cruise as a gift, even though they will not be cruising with you.

[falkcor]

here's a thread i started about this topic a little while back. some good responses here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=848041

[TX-JennSalos]

That helped a ton, thanks for posting the link. :)

 

 

here's a thread i started about this topic a little while back. some good responses here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=848041

[falkcor]

That helped a ton, thanks for posting the link. :)

 

no problem. for the record, i didn't end up going with them, because frankly it seemed like a hassle, and without the promise that the balance wouldn't even be charged. i don't regret it. it's not much of a savings anyway.

 

here's a few tips i did pick up though

 

1) those hurricane glasses - i don't think they distinguish color by cruise. i saw clear, pink and yellow - and often at least 2 at any given bar

 

2) shop around - all bartenders are not created equal, and some yield stronger drinks :)

 

3) pick a bartender / bar waitress and stick with them - tip a few dollars through the night (i typically fork over at least 1-2 dollars every round), and you'll find they're on top of your every whim

 

4) ask for 'the big glass' - those cocktails come in tiny glasses, and ordering multiple refills can get old, especially if you're spending all night in the same place (mine was the piano bar). the 'big glass' is a glass tumbler / big glass that is exactly twice the size of the small cocktail glasses. many won't serve your drink in it (why, i don't know, though some would) - so order 2 cocktails and 'the big glass' - they'll know what you're talking about

 

5) tip your bartender! - a few dollars goes a long way, i promise. expect better drinks for the rest of the night.

 

6) if the bar at your lounge of choice isn't open, the one across the hall might be! - i'd often go between the piano bar and the disco across the hall

 

7) the bar open latest (at least on the destiny, and i assume similar ships) seemed to be the bar by the lido deck pool - casino staff told me it's typically open until 4am

 

8) put your s&s on a credit card, and when you get the final bill before debarkation, don't look, pack it, and worry about it later - what a bad note to end a vacation on lol. a few friends i made on the boat & hung out with every night put it well - 'we don't like to talk about how much we spent'. my sentiment, exactly.

[Guest JJWW]

Number eight say's it all !:D .

 

Good Post , my wife and I received the coupons as a wedding gift years back. Seems the wait staff didn't like dealing with them.

We were over charged on our S&S for a few days and then on the last day of our cruise the over charge disappeared.:eek: