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I think that the break-even would have to be about 4 sodas a day. While I personally like that challenge (I try and get my lift ticket down to less than a dollar a ride on the slopes!), for some people it may not be a good deal. I typically drink three sodas at dinner alone, so it doesn't take long! However, I will have to reiterate, after many cruises on all the cruise lines that offer "soda cards" (I have not yet been on HAL or Cunard), I have never had anyone shy away from bringing me the "free" soda because I didn't add an additional tip (save the experience 4 posts above). The 15% that goes on the bar tab on ANY drink is spilt up between the servers and barkeeps anyway, so the gratuity passed on thru the card is more of the same. Do you tip for great service above this? Of course! At the end of any cruise, I seek out my favorite bartenders or servers and slip them a ten or twenty for their attention. This, like "real," as opposed to "automatic," tipping is what forging a relationship between service people and clients is all about. It's a recognition for good service, not a bribe to just keep on keepin' on.
That's my 2 cents (plus 15%!).

<blockquote data-quote="randy" data-source="post: 701200">I think that the break-even would have to be about 4 sodas a day.&nbsp; While I personally like that challenge (I try and get my lift ticket down to less than a dollar a ride on the slopes!), for some people it may not be a good deal.&nbsp; I typically drink three sodas at dinner alone, so it doesn't take long!&nbsp; However, I will have to reiterate, after many cruises on all the cruise lines that offer &quot;soda cards&quot; (I have not yet been on HAL or Cunard), I have never had anyone shy away from bringing me the &quot;free&quot; soda because I didn't add an additional tip (save the experience 4 posts above).&nbsp; The 15% that goes on the bar tab on ANY drink is spilt up between the servers and barkeeps anyway, so the gratuity passed on thru the card is more of the same.&nbsp; Do you tip for great service above this?&nbsp; Of course!&nbsp; At the end of any cruise, I seek out my favorite bartenders or servers and slip them a ten or twenty for their attention.&nbsp; This, like &quot;real,&quot; as opposed to &quot;automatic,&quot; tipping is what forging a relationship between service people and clients is all about.&nbsp; It's a recognition for good service, not a bribe to just keep on keepin' on.That's my 2 cents (plus 15%!).</blockquote>

[QUOTE="randy, post: 701200"] I think that the break-even would have to be about 4 sodas a day. While I personally like that challenge (I try and get my lift ticket down to less than a dollar a ride on the slopes!), for some people it may not be a good deal. I typically drink three sodas at dinner alone, so it doesn't take long! However, I will have to reiterate, after many cruises on all the cruise lines that offer "soda cards" (I have not yet been on HAL or Cunard), I have never had anyone shy away from bringing me the "free" soda because I didn't add an additional tip (save the experience 4 posts above). The 15% that goes on the bar tab on ANY drink is spilt up between the servers and barkeeps anyway, so the gratuity passed on thru the card is more of the same. Do you tip for great service above this? Of course! At the end of any cruise, I seek out my favorite bartenders or servers and slip them a ten or twenty for their attention. This, like "real," as opposed to "automatic," tipping is what forging a relationship between service people and clients is all about. It's a recognition for good service, not a bribe to just keep on keepin' on. That's my 2 cents (plus 15%!). [/QUOTE]