Please NO.. these are time wasting machines. Some folks just need a refill of cola, but now you have

Soda junkies take note. Whether you re a fan of obscure Coca-Cola products like Fanta Zero and Mellow Yellow or you love funky flavored drinks like orange Coke, grape Sprite or cherry-vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper, Royal Caribbean may soon be the cruise line for you.
As of June, these flavors and more are available on Majesty of the Seas , care of the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine, a touch-screen unit that dispenses 125 flavors of Coke products. By 2013, all Royal Caribbean ships will have the machine, versions of which have been appearing on land since 2009.
The machines allow passengers new york city student tour with RFID-chipped cups the souvenir recepticles handed out to those who purchase unlimited soda packages to taste test their way through the 125 combinations of sodas, juices and flavored waters.
According to Royal Caribbean President and CEO Adam Goldstein, the current pricing of the soda package which typically runs in the $6.50 per day range will not be increased due to the rollout of the machines.
Bob Midyette, Royal Caribbean s director of fleet beverage operations, describes the machine as sexy and uber cool. Using medical micro dosing technology flavor cartridges just slightly larger than those of the standard ink jet printer opened a world of flavors never available before, he wrote on Goldstein s blog .
But if the response from the message boards is any indication, Royal fans and soda-nistas are definitely pleased with the arrival of Freestyle. The only disappointment is the time it s taken to add them especially as they were first trialed so long ago. Apparently, it s taken a couple of years to find a way to customize the machines so that they meet marine health codes. Secondly, the machines also had to be refitted with RFID (radio frequency identification) capability so that purchasers of the soda packages can use them.
Goldstein offered a rough schedule for the 2012 rollout, though he added, due to possible unforeseen delays, this date may shift. The current schedule is as follows: Explorer of the Seas (August), Freedom of the Seas (September), Oasis of the Seas (October), Allure of the Seas (November) and Enchantment new york city student tour of the Seas (December). The number of machines on any given ship will depend on ship size, but Goldstein said, The initial deployment schedule will target new york city student tour high-volume areas and select common areas inside. We may add more, or move locations once we see the realities of traffic flow and guest use.
Please NO.. these are time wasting machines. Some folks just need a refill of cola, but now you have to wait 5 minutes while a kid figures out a new designer flavor for the day. These machines have been taken out of many fast food restaurants because it holds up the service line.
Sounds like a good idea to this soda drinker (at a minimum worth the trial). AMC Theatres uses this technology, and the drinks are fine in all respects (mixing proper concentrate with carbonated water, same flavor). I would reasonably hope that the machines will lighten the load on bartenders whose time is more valuable mixing alcoholic drinks, new york city student tour speeding things up for everyone.
I have to laugh at the line from your article: 125 combinations. Yes, being guilty of mixing lemonade and ice tea myself at one of those machines, you seem to over look the kids. My son s favorite flavor is suicide which is the combination of multiple favors: Coke, root beer, orange, etc. I am sure there will be at least one kid trying to get all those sodas, juices, flavored waters as well as the add-on flavors (vanilla, lemon, etc)in that cup. I am sure the lines will back-up behind that kid.
For the price you pay for a cruise especially if you are a whole family going I think it would be nice if the soda was free. After all .it does not cost that much for it to begin with(made from syrup and carbonated water)! I have been on 17 cruises. Almost all of them, have been specials, that I can afford. Worrying about what you may have to pay extra for, on a ship is a real downer. And for families w/two or three kids, it can be very expensive!
Looking forward to utilizing one on the Explorer of the Seas in about 5 weeks. Fanta Zero with Fruit Punch or with Lime reminds me of Canada Dry s Tahitian Treat or Island Lime that I grew up with as a kid, only in an adult diet version. Coke Zero with raspberry is also delicious.
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