Cruisers - Is that bottle of water on the dresser complimentary?

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CRUISE TIPS:

Is That Bottle of Bottled Water on the Dresser/Counter Complimentary?  How about the items in the wet bar?  How nice of them.  Right?

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When you walk into your stateroom you will notice a one-liter bottle of water on your dresser or counter.  Sometimes it will have a couple of drinking glasses beside it.  Also when you look into your wet bar, you will see snacks, soft drinks, small bottles of drinking water, and some adult beverages/mixers.  Are these compliments of the cruise line or your travel agent.

No.  They are not, with the exception of some cruise lines.  In most cases they are strategically placed there to entice you to open the bottle and to take a drink.  Somehow this bottle gets replaced when empty with another.  So you keep on drinking it.  Sure, its free, why not?

Surprise.  At the end of the cruise when you receive your folio or stateroom charge statement you will see a mysterious charge made to your account from the food and beverages department.  You were being charged for each bottle you drank, and you have no recourse because you drank it.

The same is true with the well stocked wet bar.  You will be charged for each item you consume.  Sometimes it is clear that you will be charged because their is a menu with pricing posted in or on your wet bar.  Or a charge form is attached to that one-liter bottle of water.

In any event, if you are uncertain as to whether something is complimentary or not, ask your room steward or place a call to the purser's deck.  They will be glad to help you.