I AM THINKING ABOUT BUYING THE BAR CREDIT: 4 DRINKS FOR 19.50. ALL CARNIVAL CAN TELL ME IS THAT IT IS GOOD FOR MIXED DRINKS UP TO 4.75. I'M ASSUMING THAT IT MEANS MARGARITAS, PINA COLODAS, ETC. MY PREFERENCE IS COSMOPOLITAN OR APPLE MARTINIS. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE PURCHASED THE BAR CREDIT BEFORE AND WHAT KIND OF DRINKS DID THEY BUY. I THINK THE BAR CREDIT IS REALLY CONVENIENT AND WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE IT ONLY IF I KNOW THAT THE DRINKS I WANT IS COVERED. THANKS FOR ANY INPUT.

What am I missing here? If my math is correct, the bar credit costs at least 50 cents more than purchasing the drinks. 4 x 4.75 = 19 What is the advantage to a bar credit card?

Convenience of not carrying cash around so it doesn't get stolen???

I have never sailed on Carnival. You have to establish credit on board ship and they give you a little card you use for all onboard purchases, drinks, etc. Then charge it to your credit card. I didn't realize Carnival used cash!

<BR>What we are discussing here Dee is not the sial-and-sign card but a separate card that is used for alcohol. <BR><BR>Passengers that purchase this card are usually the ones that choose the drinks in the sovenier glasses and the exotic premium drinks. There is no restriction on this card. Unlike the RCCL card which states no premium liquor.<BR><BR>One should understand that this card can not be purchased on the ship but must be purchased before you sail from the bon-voyage gift department by credit card. You will find info in your final document package.<BR><BR>Also, if you purchase the $4.75 drinks you (if you were buying them without the card) would end up paying $5.46 with the gratuity. So you save yourself a couple bucks if you buy the card and drink the more reasonable drinks. Save more with premium drinks.<BR><BR>Just think of the savings if you buy 40 books. That's 160 drinks. You can save more than $80.<BR><BR>Drink up.<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>

Thanks for the information Paul.

THANK YOU PAUL. BY PURCHASING THE BAR CREDIT, YOU SAVE THE 15% TAX THAT IS ADDED TO YOUR BILL EACH TIME YOU PURCHASE A DRINK. I STILL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU THINK MY DRINK PREFERENCE WOULD COST 4.75 OR MORE.

So that means you're recommending that you don't tip the bartender/waiter when you use the card?

are you saying that I can buy my Johnny Walker Black with the drink coupons

I have sailed with Carnival 3 times and I am unaware that they offer a bar credit card other then the sign and sail card. They do have a soft drink card that is $29.95 for seven day sailings that offers unlimited soft drinks for that fee. Any futher information on the bard credit would be of interest to me. I sail on the Elation June 30!

Lorraine, if you read my post above you will know about the card and how to purchase it.<BR><BR>I do not know about Johnny Walker Black since I do not drink liquor but Carnival states premium liquor. I know they have quite a stock of extremely expensive fine wines so I presume they also have quite an assortment of liquor.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul, not everyone is as smart as you.

A word to the wise.... Carnival considers Coke and other soft drinks as a bar drink. Anything that has to be served from that spigot will cost $4.75. Beware!!!! Only tea and juice from the cafe and restaurants are free.

I drank Martinis and Appleton Rum and diet coke on the Victory last Fall. The cost was $4.54 including the tip.

<BR>Hi Carnival lover,<BR><BR>I do not drink. I was just referring to the above poster as to price. So liquor is not $4.75 plus tip it is $3.95 plus tip. Certainly not cost effective to purchase the coupon book. I just checked one of my recent sail & sign card receipts and did find my wife's charge for wine at dinner was $3.50 plus tip. <BR><BR>Apparently the Bon Voyage Gift Department is making quite a nice profit on these cards. I presume they are taking their handling charge for processing your card and getting the coupon book to you. Same as one buys a gift for a passenger in advance of sailing. <BR><BR>$3.95 for a drink. That is probably less than a drink at dinner in the states, right?<BR><BR>Thanks for the important info Carnival lover.<BR><BR>Paul

So Paul, do you think your "oversight" makes Dee or Erika feel any better. They both thanked you for your information on the "savings" by purchasing the card - as you recommended and stated "as fact"!

<BR>No habla Espanol.