quote:

Originally posted by rmonturi:

quote:

Originally posted by isujim:
Ok we've never been to Europe......

Can you ASK for ice.....or will you get "the look"......I want to be politically correct as well.

Jim,
SEE THE THIRD PARAGRAPH

BOB

Guess that answers that! OK......a new experience

quote:

Originally posted by tony54 and me:
We had the opposite issue in the US- ie being served drinks that were virtually all ice with a few tablespoons of drink sloshed around the edges. We got used to asking for half ice - or even no ice- and yes sometimes we did get the look. Then we realised we were in a foreign country and maybe we should not be so pendantic and just have things as they were served. We are all very fond of certain things being done in the way we are used to though.

It is very common, and quite accepable, to ask for "no ice." Also, do you know that in "fast food" places, refills are free.


Bob

quote:

Originally posted by tony54 and me:
We had the opposite issue in the US- ie being served drinks that were virtually all ice with a few tablespoons of drink sloshed around the edges. We got used to asking for half ice - or even no ice- and yes sometimes we did get the look.

Heh! We're starting to catch on to the ice ploy here in North America. The more ice they can pack into a cup, the less pop they have to serve. I also ask for no ice.

In Europe, if I'm drinking bottled water because of the condition of the local water, I would not want ice cubes.

In Western Europe the tap water is fine, same as ice cubes. The "ice age" ice on the Third Paragraph, reminded me of how good it tasted during a Patagonian cruise, the crew and guides will chop up millenarian ice from the glaciers, serve it with the drinks on the excursions and take the rest back to the ship. No need for ice makers.

RE ICE; if you want ice in your room for the most part you have to go to the hotel bar and they will give you a glass full (at no cost in most cases). As for an ordered drink at a bar or restaurant I really don't know as I have never ordered a mixed drink in any of these establishments. Purvis

quote:

Originally posted by Dimpz:
Speaking of optionals, we had an odd occurrence on our recent Spain TT. On 3 of the dinner optionals we were told that drinks were included, & so the wine & beer flowed. However, as a non-alcohol drinker, when I went to order my 2nd glass of soft drink I was told that I was only entitled to one glass & then I would have to pay for any extra.

Hi Dimpz

I know this is a bit different to your situation of included drinks –v– you having to pay for the non alcoholic drinks but it reminded me of our first Trafalgar Tour of Europe in 1989 when, at all of our dinners, I could purchase a small bottle of wine with dinner for far less than what my wife had to pay for a small coca cola. It always struck us as extremely odd at the time and in fact still does.

quote:

Originally posted by dragons:

Hi Dimpz

I know this is a bit different to your situation of included drinks –v– you having to pay for the non alcoholic drinks but it reminded me of our first Trafalgar Tour of Europe in 1989 when, at all of our dinners, I could purchase a small bottle of wine with dinner for far less than what my wife had to pay for a small coca cola. It always struck us as extremely odd at the time and in fact still does.

Puff ~ LOL We have had the same thing happen a number of times when DH orders a beer & it is 2-3 times the size of my coke & about half the cost. Crazy!

After the 1st contretemps over paying for the 2nd glass of soft drink (or water) we then checked with the TD about each dinner optional & were told that most certainly my drinks would be unlimited. Nup! Each time he had to step in & sort it out.

To be honest I would prefer that no drinks were included. It would lower the cost of the optional & each person would pay for what they actually consume. We had an optional meal at a seaside restaurant in (lovely) Torremolinos, we shared a table with another couple & the wife drank water & both men drank beer. When the other lady asked for more (bottled) water she was asked to pay for it & yet the table beside us drank 6 bottles of wine which was all inclusive.

to be honest if the drinks were not included we would have opted out of most of the meals, while they were good it was the unlimited booze that made the deal for us.

oh and Purv, I'd love to join you for an evening cocktail anytime, I like Cherry Coke with my Crown Royal

You are singing my song Dimpz! I am a very moderate drinker, one glass of wine is enough, and my partner does not drink much more. I have on several optionals had to pay extra for an orange juice or soft drink whilst the alcohol flows freely. I love the optional dinners for the fun and company but find them over priced and on future trips will be very selective about which ones I choose. We have had much nicer, and better value, meals when O/S by finding our own places to eat.

We may need to consider whether or not to take the optional dinners. It sounds as though they are a nice way to ge to know your travel mates, but if you don't drink, they may not be worth the cost.

Optional dinner drinks: Even though I don't drink beer or wine which seems to be the only choices at optional dinners I wouldn't have missed all that I have taken over the past 8 tours. I also rarely eat the dinner but then that is my choice as most of the others seem to like the food. I'm sure you're wondering why I sign up for them.? Well it is for the fun and on several occasions for the entertainment. Sure beats staying in my hotel room alone. Oh by the way I always travel solo as I like my privacy. Along with coke in Crown Royal I really do like eating at McD's/ On my last tour of Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg it became a bus joke to spot McDonald's for me. Funny how so many others turned up at the same place when we stopped for lunch. Purvis

quote:

Originally posted by tony54 and me:
You are singing my song Dimpz! I am a very moderate drinker, one glass of wine is enough, and my partner does not drink much more. I have on several optionals had to pay extra for an orange juice or soft drink whilst the alcohol flows freely. I love the optional dinners for the fun and company but find them over priced and on future trips will be very selective about which ones I choose. We have had much nicer, and better value, meals when O/S by finding our own places to eat.

Yes, we are also going to be far more selective - which is a shame because like you we enjoy the optional dinners.

I only want the same number of glasses, actually far less, than others, usually I may drink 2 x cokes & perhaps one water. At one optional dinner, where I had to pay for my 2nd glass of soft drink, 2 women walked out with a bottle of wine each .

There is no such thing as a free lunch & the non-drinkers are supplementing those that drink.

I'm glad I asked the question about the optional dinners........heck I'm beginning to think they are an optional way to get "sloshed" LOL!!

I've about decided to skip the optional dinners. As I've said I don't like entertainment while I'm trying to eat and carry on a conversation with new friends........and I don't drink beer or wine (although my wife does )

We may not skip them all but will be selective. Here's hoping we have a great TD that will describe each one honestly as to what to expect.

I too do not drink alcohol at all, however I did try a sip of white wine at our optional lunch in Burano and it was very sweet and quite nice !!

I choose to go on optional dinners mainly if I like the company I am with, as it is a very nice way to spend an evening in preference to your own company as a single.

quote:

Originally posted by Dimpz:

Yes, we are also going to be far more selective - which is a shame because like you we enjoy the optional dinners.

I only want the same number of glasses, actually far less, than others, usually I may drink 2 x cokes & perhaps one water. At one optional dinner, where I had to pay for my 2nd glass of soft drink, 2 women walked out with a bottle of wine each .

There is no such thing as a free lunch & the non-drinkers are supplementing those that drink.

I wonder why it seems this is the way it is? 2 women walking out with a bottle of wine each while we can't get a coke refill (WITH NO ICE NO LESS!) This makes no economic sense..but then again no one said it had to make economic sense.