Originally Posted by
Dan Druff
Yes, the soda/water policy is a total nickel-and-dime attempt, but it's actually more than that.
I believe it's part of an ongoing attempt by the new CEO (who started in 2015) to push out the "value" cruiser.
The cruise industry has long tolerated the budget-conscious cruiser who doesn't make them any money. In some cases, they lose money overall on a budget cruiser, as the amount that person spends does not justify the room they take up and the resources they consume. This has always been tolerated as a necessarily evil of running a cruise line.
Like the casinos, the cruise industry is now trying to push out the least valuable customers. I believe that this and other nickel-and-dime policies are designed to push out anyone who attempts to be a do-it-yourselfer, and thus is much more likely to be an unprofitable customer.
I'm not sure you know this, but your free casino drink card entitles you to free bottled water at the casino bar. Not sure how many you're entitled to. I will try to get as many as I can. I refuse to pay $72 for a 24-pack of water on principle.