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Soda Cards on Cruise Ships: What You Need to Know
Cruise lines are still spreading the myth that everything is included in an "all inclusive" fare. First-time cruisers, however, are often shocked when they learn that soda is NOT included in the cost and must be purchased separately.
In general, sodas are sold individually (usually $2 to $4 per glass). Alternatively, you can purchase a soda card. Passengers purchasing a soda card receive unlimited amounts of soda for the duration of the cruise. At as much as $60 to $80 per card, though, the price tag could send you into sticker shock! How do these soda cards work -- and are they worth the hefty price?
In general, sodas are sold individually (usually $2 to $4 per glass). Alternatively, you can purchase a soda card. Passengers purchasing a soda card receive unlimited amounts of soda for the duration of the cruise. At as much as $60 to $80 per card, though, the price tag could send you into sticker shock! How do these soda cards work -- and are they worth the hefty price?
How does a soda card work?
Soda cards go on sale as soon as you board the ship and usually include a souvenir cup. Save some money and avoid paying sales tax just by waiting to purchase a card until the ship splashes into international waters (
Soda cards are sold per person and cannot be shared. Most cruise lines place the guest's name on the soda card when purchased. Sodas are available at the bars, and bartenders serve one soda per visit. (Pro tip: Of course, there's nothing stopping you from giving that soda to another family member to enjoy. Cruise lines don't have security officers patrolling the decks, looking for soda card abusers, so it's up to you on how ethically you use the card.)
Note that that $60 to $80 price tag doesn't buy you a very wide selection. Cruise lines offer a limited range of soda flavors. Check with your individual cruise line for details, but typically cruise lines only serve Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite, along with ginger ale, fruit juice, and club soda. If these options don't appeal to you, don't purchase the card.
What drinks are free?
Cruise lines offer unlimited amounts of lemonade, water, and iced tea. Free juice and coffee are only available at breakfast. Some people drink soda because they want something tasty and sweet, so if lemonade will do the job, don't bother with the card. Keep in mind that these free beverages are sweetened, so if you loathe syrupy drinks, water is your only free option.
How much do you need to drink to make the soda card worthwhile?
Unless you guzzle soda all day long, a soda card will not pay for itself. If you only plan on having an occasional soda, purchase it by the can.
Right. They want a new one.
Getting a soda can be a hassle.
Since soda is only served at the bars, you'll find yourself running around the ship, trying to find an open bar. Once you find a bar, you'll likely be waiting in a long line. Conversely, free drinks are self-serve and there's almost never a line.
Bring your own soda.
Cruise lines won't let you bring alcohol, but some do allow you to bring your own soda on board. If you have time before boarding the ship, stop at a grocery store and pick up a few cases of soda. Crystal Light individual drink mix packets are a great option if you don't like sugary beverages and need to pack light. Get a glass of ice (or ice water) from the bartender, and you're all set! [Ed's note: you may want to call the cruise line before trying this, as not all companies allow this.]
Soda cards on a cruise ship are expensive, but if you're a soda addict, it makes sense to purchase the card if you don't feel like schlepping soft drinks on board. For the occasional soda drinker, however, it's best to purchase soda by the glass. Or, if you don't really go nuts for soda anyway, skip all the paid beverages and rediscover your love for iced tea!
Cruise lines offer unlimited amounts of lemonade, water, and iced tea. Free juice and coffee are only available at breakfast. Some people drink soda because they want something tasty and sweet, so if lemonade will do the job, don't bother with the card. Keep in mind that these free beverages are sweetened, so if you loathe syrupy drinks, water is your only free option.How much do you need to drink to make the soda card worthwhile?
Unless you guzzle soda all day long, a soda card will not pay for itself. If you only plan on having an occasional soda, purchase it by the can.
There's nothing stopping you from giving that soda to a family member to enjoy. Cruise lines don't have security officers patrolling the decks, looking for soda card abusers, so it's up to you on how ethically you use the card.
If you are purchasing the soda card for a child, remember that children rarely finish an entire glass or can. Kids take a few gulps and put the soda down. By the time they want more, their sodas are warm and watered down -- and guess what? Right. They want a new one.
Getting a soda can be a hassle.
Since soda is only served at the bars, you'll find yourself running around the ship, trying to find an open bar. Once you find a bar, you'll likely be waiting in a long line. Conversely, free drinks are self-serve and there's almost never a line.
Bring your own soda.
Cruise lines won't let you bring alcohol, but some do allow you to bring your own soda on board. If you have time before boarding the ship, stop at a grocery store and pick up a few cases of soda. Crystal Light individual drink mix packets are a great option if you don't like sugary beverages and need to pack light. Get a glass of ice (or ice water) from the bartender, and you're all set! [Ed's note: you may want to call the cruise line before trying this, as not all companies allow this.]
Soda cards on a cruise ship are expensive, but if you're a soda addict, it makes sense to purchase the card if you don't feel like schlepping soft drinks on board. For the occasional soda drinker, however, it's best to purchase soda by the glass. Or, if you don't really go nuts for soda anyway, skip all the paid beverages and rediscover your love for iced tea!
Gallery: The newest innovations in cruise ship entertainment
Filed under: Budget Travel, Cruises
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave Jan 12th 2010 11:09AM
I believe Princess Cruise Lines price was $20-30 for unlimited soda. That was for a 7 day cruise.
Kris Jan 12th 2010 9:49PM
I hate to be critical, as a fellow journalist and travel professional alike; however, I am sitting here scratching my head as I wonder the source of this article and if it was edited??? And then it dawns on me, this is one of those places where people get absurd information about cruising, and then get mad!
I'm not sure where to begin with this one. Well I suppose I'll start with all the info a first time cruiser needs can be found on the specific cruise line's website or by simply calling them directly. There they will learn things like soda is not free.
Okay, with that said, international waters is at most 12 miles off the shore...unless that far enters the waters of another country...then it is less. By the by, waiting until this point will not get you out of sales tax necessarily, as those expenses are added to your onboard account, which is charged at the end of the cruise as you are coming back into port for disembarkation.
Next, the rest of this article is a gross over generalization and does not pertain to most modern cruise lines anyway! As most soda cards are good not only at bars, but also main dining rooms, snack carts, and just about anywhere else that has drinks onboard...with some lines restricting room service.
The last major point I need to draw your attention to here, is the horrible advice to BRING YOU OWN soda onboard. While one or two cruise lines might allow you to bring your own soda...many DO NOT. I have included here 2 links to very explicit guidelines outlining all prohibited items at embarkation...and you guessed it, SODA is high on the list.
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faqs/prohibited-items/food-storage-containers/
http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=FAQ#cantbring
While I appreciate the attempt to educate newbies on the art of cruising, anyone who has ever stepped foot on a commercial ship will tell you this article is a bunch of ill-researched rubbish. And these are the types of things that make my job much more difficult.
Kris Jan 15th 2010 8:02PM
Apologies: "BRING YOUR OWN"