Drink Package and Service question

[Youngercruisers]

Hi All,

 

I have two questions:

 

1) My wife and I both purchase Premium Bev package. We bring glass of wine to stateroom as we get ready, my beautiful wife finishes her but she is still not ready, can I take her card and my card and go to a bar and get two mroe drinks to bring back to cabin, or will she need to be with me. I like to get her drinks instead of slow the getting ready process by her going up getting one. haha She will kill me if you sees I posted this.

 

2) For those of you who purchased the Premium drink packages, how was service and attitude when you presented the card and did the waiters come back, smile or roll their eyes. For ex:at pool,MDR, Casino, etc...

 

Thank you, I just don't want to buy a package where I can't get service because I have a package. This HAS happened on RCCL ship previously...many years ago

[acumenhokie]

1) Yes, I quite often would take my wife's card up and get drinks for both of us.

 

2) Some people have said they've gotten an attitude but I didn't really notice any difference between how I was treated and those paying cash.

[bighairtexan]

There have been bars that have slower and less friendly service than others, but it didn't make any difference whether a package was involved or not. And I agree w/ pp, that we often took 2 cards to get beverages, w/o any problem. Not sure if I broke even or not, but it surely was convenient and I'll do it again.

[Gonzo70]

Don't the servers get their cut of the gratuities that are paid when people purchase drink packages from serving people drinks? I had thought that was why they take and swipe your card even if you have a package - so that the server and bartender get credit for the transaction. Unless I am mistaken about this, there would be no reason they would provide less enthusiastic service to someone with a drink package.

[VikingRob]

Hi All,

 

I have two questions:

 

1) My wife and I both purchase Premium Bev package. We bring glass of wine to stateroom as we get ready, my beautiful wife finishes her but she is still not ready, can I take her card and my card and go to a bar and get two mroe drinks to bring back to cabin, or will she need to be with me. I like to get her drinks instead of slow the getting ready process by her going up getting one. haha She will kill me if you sees I posted this.

 

2) For those of you who purchased the Premium drink packages, how was service and attitude when you presented the card and did the waiters come back, smile or roll their eyes. For ex:at pool,MDR, Casino, etc...

 

Thank you, I just don't want to buy a package where I can't get service because I have a package. This HAS happened on RCCL ship previously...many years ago

 

1. Dh and I got each other drinks all the time with no problem.

2. We received excellent service!

[Freecall]

No problem you collecting drinks with both cards - happens all the time.

 

In my experience the service is at least as good - remember that folks with the drinks package are highly likely to drink more than the average amount which ultimately means guaranteed above average tips for the bartender taking the order.

 

.

[MEcruzr]

How do the bartenders/waiters get tips from package purchases? Do they get "credit" for every drink we order?? If so, I would think they'd be bringing refill after refill after refill... and service would be better than without the package!

[Freecall]

How do the bartenders/waiters get tips from package purchases? Do they get "credit" for every drink we order?? If so, I would think they'd be bringing refill after refill after refill... and service would be better than without the package!

 

It is!

 

.

[bfork1]

1) Yes, I quite often would take my wife's card up and get drinks for both of us.

 

2) Some people have said they've gotten an attitude but I didn't really notice any difference between how I was treated and those paying cash.

 

Paying cash? I didnt know you could.

[yayvacation!]

Don't the servers get their cut of the gratuities that are paid when people purchase drink packages from serving people drinks? I had thought that was why they take and swipe your card even if you have a package - so that the server and bartender get credit for the transaction. Unless I am mistaken about this, there would be no reason they would provide less enthusiastic service to someone with a drink package.

 

The servers do not get any of the gratuity regardless of whether or not they swipe your card. When you have the drink package, the bartender/server/sommelier sees none of the gratuity you pre-paid. At least that is what we learned a couple weeks ago.

[MEcruzr]

The servers do not get any of the gratuity regardless of whether or not they swipe your card. When you have the drink package, the bartender/server/sommelier sees none of the gratuity you pre-paid. At least that is what we learned a couple weeks ago.

 

When I buy a drink and put it on my card, they add 15%... does THAT go to the waiter/bartender who serves me my drink?

 

Yay... if what you say is true, then the wait staff gets NO tip when serving passengers who buy a package. It's not like you're signing anything and can add a tip. This doesn't make sense at all. What is the 15% added to the package price for, then? Where did you learn this "a couple weeks ago"?

[Youngercruisers]

Thank you all for your reply. I hope service isnt any different because of the premium drink package. I am sure we will be fine.

 

Looking forward to meeting you.

 

Peter

[Bobby Dee]

Don't the servers get their cut of the gratuities that are paid when people purchase drink packages from serving people drinks? I had thought that was why they take and swipe your card even if you have a package - so that the server and bartender get credit for the transaction. Unless I am mistaken about this, there would be no reason they would provide less enthusiastic service to someone with a drink package.

 

From what they told me, yes, they get a portion everytime they swipe the card for a drink. Actually they share that portion with all the other bartenders.

I just came back today, and I had no problem with any server acting like they didn't want to serve the drinks package.

[SusieV]

When I buy a drink and put it on my card, they add 15%... does THAT go to the waiter/bartender who serves me my drink?

 

Yay... if what you say is true, then the wait staff gets NO tip when serving passengers who buy a package. It's not like you're signing anything and can add a tip. This doesn't make sense at all. What is the 15% added to the package price for, then? Where did you learn this "a couple weeks ago"?

 

Yes, this I'd love to hear more detail about. If the staff isn't getting the 15% on the packages, then who is? That doesn't make any sense.

[cb at sea]

The 15% is added to the purchase price of the package...it's THEIR rule...dont' worry about who gets the tip...they'll figure it out.

 

 

Order 2 drinks per person to take to the cabin....then, you won't have to worry about it!

[Elusive_Cruiser]

The 15% is added to the purchase price of the package...it's THEIR rule...dont' worry about who gets the tip...they'll figure it out.

 

 

Order 2 drinks per person to take to the cabin....then, you won't have to worry about it!

 

My understanding is that you can only get one drink at a time - am I misinformed? (I hope!!):D

[Gonzo70]

The 15% is added to the purchase price of the package...it's THEIR rule...dont' worry about who gets the tip...they'll figure it out.

 

 

Order 2 drinks per person to take to the cabin....then, you won't have to worry about it!

 

Have you ever even sailed on Celebrity before? You seem to provide incorrect information every time you answer a question on the Celebrity board. The drink packages are one drink at a time.

[Freecall]

From what they told me, yes, they get a portion everytime they swipe the card for a drink.

 

That's what our bartender told me as well.

 

.

[rj8768]

We just got back and we had the premium package with celebrity cruises. I would bring my wifes card with me and get two drinks, I could get as many as I wanted, as fast as I wanted, they just swiped the each card for each drink,But I could only order one ea.(2 total) at a time. And I never got attitude from anyone on the ship, a bad report could get them fired.

[rj8768]

Either way, package or not, they still swipe a card for EACH drink. Your card is connected to your credit card, it has a "ppg" emblem on it if you buy a package. The 15% is added on regardless, either at the purchase of the package or the purchase on the drink.

[MEcruzr]

Yes, this I'd love to hear more detail about. If the staff isn't getting the 15% on the packages, then who is? That doesn't make any sense.

 

I just got off the phone with X... the rep assured me that the 15% added to the cost of the packages IS THE TIP for the wait staff. No need to tip more unless you want to (cash).

[ReelG8r]

1. Dh and I got each other drinks all the time with no problem.

2. We received excellent service!

 

 

Same for us. We will get the premium package again.

[yayvacation!]

When I buy a drink and put it on my card, they add 15%... does THAT go to the waiter/bartender who serves me my drink?

 

Yay... if what you say is true, then the wait staff gets NO tip when serving passengers who buy a package. It's not like you're signing anything and can add a tip. This doesn't make sense at all. What is the 15% added to the package price for, then? Where did you learn this "a couple weeks ago"?

 

The individual drinks you buy with the card if you have no package go to the server.

 

I was on a ship from 1/2 - 1/9 DH and I frequently visited one bar in particular with a great server, we inquired with him as to whether he saw any of the 15% gratutity that was previously added and paid with my premium package. The answer was a NO.

 

Do you really think that if you pay $7.35 a day on a package for gratuity, but you drink enough that the total tips celebrity would have to pay out is $15.00 a day that they would actually pay the servers $15.00? Of course not, then they would be losing money on you everyday don't forget this is a revenue stream for them.

[yayvacation!]

I just got off the phone with X... the rep assured me that the 15% added to the cost of the packages IS THE TIP for the wait staff. No need to tip more unless you want to (cash).

 

Of course they told you that, no company ever wants to admit to a customer that they are stiffing their staff. Ever notice that even minimum wage employers claim a "competitive salary" ? :)

[MEcruzr]

Yes, this I'd love to hear more detail about. If the staff isn't getting the 15% on the packages, then who is? That doesn't make any sense.

 

So did you carry cash with you... and tip the bartender/waiter every time you ordered a drink? That certainly would increase the cost of my package if I needed to carry a stack of $1 bills with me for tipping!

 

Did you ever ask a waiter if they got a cut of the 15% paid on the packages? Maybe it was just the bartenders who didn't get any... I'm also wondering if your bartender said "no" so you would tip him extra. LOL Kidding, but it's still a possiblity.