Bartenders---Sign on dotted line or................

[joe6666]

That is one way of doing the math on it. I could also calculate it this way...

On at least one occasion, my after dinner drink was much closer to a double than a single. I paid $7.90 ($6 for drink, .90 for auto tip, and $1 added tip), instead of $13.80. Later in the week at a restaurant I asked for the same after dinner drink, and the pour was no where near as generous.

How do you feel about being part of a little scam where you give money and the bartender over pours his bosses liquor?

When you are in the grocery store do you encourage the cashier to not ring up all your purchases?

How about giving the bartender $50 and he slips you a bottle of rum that you can take up to your cabin....?

[Mach1]

We usually do buckets of beer while at the pool, after we find our bartender/server we tip them well and magically an extra bottle starts to appear in our bucket. I’ve even had them find me and ask if we are ready for our bucket.

An extra tip can go a long way…. ;)

 

Enjoy :)

[bouhunter]

it's been posted before that the Seapass tip is pooled for the whole staff (which may or may not be a part of the staff at the time...), and it would make sense that extra charged tip goes to the pool of tips.

 

. :)

 

I don't know about the bars, but a couple years ago I specifically asked our drink waiter at the MDR, "if I put an extra tip on the seapass receipt, can I be sure it's going to YOU only?". His answer was YES.

[poncho1973]

An extra tip can go a long way…. ;)

 

And that theft just made my drink price go up.

[Mapleleafforever]

I used to tip an extra buck until a nice person pointed out to me that a 15% gratuity is already automatically on the bill. Where I come from 15% is an acceptable tip on its own.

[Cigar King]

 

How do you feel about being part of a little scam where you give money and the bartender over pours his bosses liquor?

 

When you are in the grocery store do you encourage the cashier to not ring up all your purchases?

 

How about giving the bartender $50 and he slips you a bottle of rum that you can take up to your cabin....?

 

Joe - We know you think tipping is extortion. We hear you. OTOH, you don't seem to hear everyone else, who is saying they like tipping. You also ignore the fact that management surely has a policy for dispensing free drinks. When I was a bartender, many moons ago, we did. Why do you insist on turning tipping into some sort of crime? You don't like it, fine, but don't you have another record...the current one is getting tiresome.

[Mach1]

And that theft just made my drink price go up.

 

 

Huh? :confused:

[mjm325]

if it's a sea day, I give the server walking around $5 with the first drink order and ask him to keep an eye on me for refills ;) They have always been very attentive and it works well for us.

[Verfai]

I am surprised nobody tells the story of "selling the glass" (2.75$charge I belive) without the poor poor bartender telling you!?...

 

I am sorry, but I see people constantly being ripped off like this, especially by pool bar tenders, selling them the glass, not telling the people, and then seeing the bartender clean up the glass as soon as the people leave, get in the pool or out for a bite to eat…So the extra 2.75 goas straight in his or her pocket.

I have seen this happen on all my three cruses, I have warned people plenty of times, but still…And yes people should read the bill, be honest first time cruisers, non CC members or nonnative English speakers don’t really do this...Does not change that it is a real rip off.

 

After seeing unacceptable behavior like this the automatic gratuity is more than enough as a tip, unless you have a waiter that goas out of there way or does something special imo.

[BillOh]

They work in vending machines in the crew areas .

 

That's good to know, I was imagining crew members have limited storage space and limited shore opportunities, but having something they could actually use seems worthwhile.

[joe6666]

Joe - We know you think tipping is extortion. We hear you. OTOH, you don't seem to hear everyone else, who is saying they like tipping. You also ignore the fact that management surely has a policy for dispensing free drinks. When I was a bartender, many moons ago, we did. Why do you insist on turning tipping into some sort of crime? You don't like it, fine, but don't you have another record...the current one is getting tiresome.

 

So you think an extra bottle of beer in the bucket or a noticeable over pour or a drink that never gets recorded, is perfectly ok with the cruise line?

You think the cruise line is ok with a bartender who encourages customers to hand over cash, by handing out free stuff?

I think the cruise line looks at this as “merchandise shrinkage”, a form of theft.

And if you as a customer knowingly take part in it, then you are guilty of theft.

Tiresome? Why don't you put me on your "ignore list"?

[poncho1973]

Huh? :confused:

 

It's pretty much the same thing the Joe person is saying.

 

 

You *WINK WINK* give him an extra tip and he *WINK WINK* gives you free drinks.

 

The Cigar guy says that bartenders have some magic list of free drinks. I don't know if that is true or false on cruise ships. My brother has been a bartender for 16 years and says that's never happened anywhere he's worked except for super high $$$ client parties. My co-worker's husband has been a bartender for 25 years and agrees with my brother.

 

So... if this magic list isn't reality... you tip him, he steals a drink and gives it to you for free.

 

That stolen drink is paid for when RCI covers their alcohol losses by raising drink prices that I have to pay.

 

SO THANKS.

[mommabean]

How do you feel about being part of a little scam where you give money and the bartender over pours his bosses liquor?

When you are in the grocery store do you encourage the cashier to not ring up all your purchases?

How about giving the bartender $50 and he slips you a bottle of rum that you can take up to your cabin....?

 

In the states and on the ships, alcohol is not measured like it is in Australia and Canada. The alcohol is much, much cheaper because it isn't priced full of outrageous government taxes. There is no set punt of drinks that must come out of a cheap bottle.

 

There is also something in the hospitality industry that is called, on the ship, "guest satisfaction". This gives them the ability and permission to do that little "extra" to keep the guest happy. It happens all the time - extra Internet minutes, laundry vouchers, a meal in a specialty restaurant , and yes...a more generous pour...for whatever reason.

 

And many Americans like handing out dollar bills. It's just not the same when it's 15% on paper.

 

John Travolta handed my daughter a $10 bill for serving him a glass of wine at the Ritz Carlton. The cheapskate! ;)

[BillOh]

if it's a sea day, I give the server walking around $5 with the first drink order and ask him to keep an eye on me for refills ;) They have always been very attentive and it works well for us.

 

I usually have the problem of them asking me for bar service every 5 minutes. At least now they stopped waking me up to ask.

[joe6666]

In the states and on the ships, alcohol is not measured like it is in Australia and Canada. The alcohol is much, much cheaper because it isn't priced full of outrageous government taxes. There is no set punt of drinks that must come out of a cheap bottle.

 

There is also something in the hospitality industry that is called, on the ship, "guest satisfaction". This gives them the ability and permission to do that little "extra" to keep the guest happy. It happens all the time - extra Internet minutes, laundry vouchers, a meal in a specialty restaurant , and yes...a more generous pour...for whatever reason.

 

And many Americans like handing out dollar bills. It's just not the same when it's 15% on paper.

 

John Travolta handed my daughter a $10 bill for serving him a glass of wine at the Ritz Carlton. The cheapskate! ;)

 

So just to make sure everyone knew what I was expecting…. I could ask the bartender if he would make my drinks stronger or give me an extra bottle of beer in my bucket, if I would give him a big tip.

I mean it’s all on the up and up….. Right?

Would it be ok to ask one of the officers in charge of the bars?

Would it be ok to ask about that at one of those “Meet the Captain” sessions?

“Captain, I have a question, I’ve noticed that if I leave a bigger tip, the bartender seems to pour more rum in my drink. Someone told me this was a “customer satisfaction” policy. Is that true?”

[bouhunter]

I am surprised nobody tells the story of "selling the glass" (2.75$charge I belive) without the poor poor bartender telling you!?...

 

I am sorry, but I see people constantly being ripped off like this, especially by pool bar tenders, selling them the glass, not telling the people, and then seeing the bartender clean up the glass as soon as the people leave, get in the pool or out for a bite to eat…So the extra 2.75 goas straight in his or her pocket.

I have seen this happen on all my three cruses, I have warned people plenty of times, but still…And yes people should read the bill, be honest first time cruisers, non CC members or nonnative English speakers don’t really do this...Does not change that it is a real rip off.

 

After seeing unacceptable behavior like this the automatic gratuity is more than enough as a tip, unless you have a waiter that goas out of there way or does something special imo.

 

If you're suggesting that the server can take those "purchased" glasses back to the bar and get the 2.75 for himself, I highly doubt it:rolleyes:

[storm1of4]

If all they do is open a beer, 15% is ample! As is pouring a glass of wine, or a basic mixed drink. I don't tip additionally for those things. 15% is more than I'd tip in a bar! I usually give $1 per ORDER...not "per drink" at most bars.

 

There is a line to add more money if you see fit....fill it in or cross it out...up to you!

 

 

I might add, if we frequent one particular bar/bartender then entire cruise, we will generally give their additional tip at the end.. on the last night....if we find a bartender that warrants extra.

 

 

I agree with you.

However, if you frequent the same bar and bartender.. tip him/her extra the first night and every time you use them. Then they'll take care of you better.

[joe6666]

[/color]

 

 

I agree with you.

However, if you frequent the same bar and bartender.. tip him/her extra the first night and every time you use them. Then they'll take care of you better.

And if you don’t tip them the first and last night and every time you are in he bar…they won’t take care of you better?

Is that what you mean?

And if they “take care of you better” will that mean that people who only tip the included 15% are not getting “taken care of better”?

[mommabean]

So just to make sure everyone knew what I was expecting…. I could ask the bartender if he would make my drinks stronger or give me an extra bottle of beer in my bucket, if I would give him a big tip.

I mean it’s all on the up and up….. Right?

Would it be ok to ask one of the officers in charge of the bars?

Would it be ok to ask about that at one of those “Meet the Captain” sessions?

“Captain, I have a question, I’ve noticed that if I leave a bigger tip, the bartender seems to pour more rum in my drink. Someone told me this was a “customer satisfaction” policy. Is that true?”

 

Yes, at the suite reception with the captain recently, someone did offer the server a couple of dollars to go get a little glass of straight something to top off the drink. This was all done openly and very acceptable.

 

I think it would be silly to ask the captain that question. I would never request "customer satisfaction". I don't know how they are trained to handle it, I just know it happens across the entire hospitality industry, cruising included. And I also know we don't measure alcohol in drinks in the states so it's a professionally calculated pour from a way cheaper bottle than found in other countries. Better tips get better pours. Although some of us request lighter pours. :p

 

Gina

[CFIGuy]

Nice response Gina.

 

The bar I go to on Sunday afternoon (my Friday, as I have Monday/Tuesday off) generally pours me one free drink per visit, all while the manager is watching and smiling. It is a general thing for regulars, and no one ever asks for it, and there are visits when you don't get anything extra as well. Do the bartenders get great tips, yes. Does the bar do great business on a Sunday afternoon (a slow time), yes. So, it is a win/win. It is also very nice to have my beer already poured for me (before I speak a word) when I walk in. The tip also helps to guarantee that.

[lampskies]

Hand them the cash. I take a lot of one dollar bills on the cruise for room service and bartenders. If I'm going to be in a bar for a while I give a big tip right away. The barman or waiter will be very attentive for my entire stay.

 

We have sailed about 20 times.....DCL, RCCL and Carnival.....most recent RCCL at least 4 times a year each of the last 3 years. I always tipped on every ticket. My eldest daughter (22 and a bartender) went on a siling in March on RCCL for her bday. She made friends with a bartender who told her that all tips on shipboard account get "split" among all servers at the end of the sailing, so tipping on large on the house account is a nice jesture but really does nothing for them personally. Mt DW and myself sailed RCCL in April, I figured which bar we would most frequent (usually sky deck) found the "bar mgr." tipped him 20 and said is there a way that I could run a tab? Just drinking some miller lites and hate waiting for the newbies trying to figure out which drink of the day they want....he said "no problem". I never waited again, he took my room card and said "Ill start a tab". It was a day at sea and 11 in the morning. Every time I walked close to the bar he pushed a lite out. It started raining about 230 and my DW was going to the spa and I decided to head to the casino for an hour to play some backjack till the sun came back out. I asked for my tab and card and the bartender (who I will remain nameless) asked "where re you going the sun will be back in an hour"? I said I'm gonna play blackjack" He asked "which table?" I said "the cheapest". He said "the 6 dollar table is by the roulette table, heres 2 lites and I'll send someone down every 25 minutes with two more and keep your tab here". Off I went.....I got back at around 4 sun was out and had a few beers. The bartender said "bar closes at 6, I'll be in the cigar bar after late dinner, would you like a bucket for your room? I said "sure". He gave me a bucket of 6 and my tab......$9.49! I signed gave him another 20 and he said "same place tomorrow?" Ya, cash is better......cheapest bar bill we ever had

[Cigar King]

So just to make sure everyone knew what I was expecting…. I could ask the bartender if he would make my drinks stronger or give me an extra bottle of beer in my bucket, if I would give him a big tip.

I mean it’s all on the up and up….. Right?

 

Would it be ok to ask one of the officers in charge of the bars?

 

Would it be ok to ask about that at one of those “Meet the Captain” sessions?

 

“Captain, I have a question, I’ve noticed that if I leave a bigger tip, the bartender seems to pour more rum in my drink. Someone told me this was a “customer satisfaction” policy. Is that true?”

 

Yes, Joe, you can do all of these things. You make this seem like a eureka moment...like nobody has thought of this. It's not. You can bet that the officer in charge of the bars knows exactly how much profit they have per drink, and they also know how much more then tend to make by keeping the guests happy. BTW, when I was a bartender, we gave free drinks, even if you didn't tip. You would have loved the place.

[Cigar King]

So you think an extra bottle of beer in the bucket or a noticeable over pour or a drink that never gets recorded, is perfectly ok with the cruise line?

 

You think the cruise line is ok with a bartender who encourages customers to hand over cash, by handing out free stuff?

 

I think the cruise line looks at this as “merchandise shrinkage”, a form of theft.

And if you as a customer knowingly take part in it, then you are guilty of theft.

 

Tiresome? Why don't you put me on your "ignore list"?

 

Joe - if you really believe this is theft, then it's your duty to point it out to the proper authorities. You're failure to do so makes you a willing accomplice.

 

BTW - Yes, I think the cruise line if fine with giving that free drink, or bottle of beer. You don't think their computer knows exactly how many bottles they sold, and have in stock?

[joe6666]

Joe - if you really believe this is theft, then it's your duty to point it out to the proper authorities. You're failure to do so makes you a willing accomplice.

 

BTW - Yes, I think the cruise line if fine with giving that free drink, or bottle of beer. You don't think their computer knows exactly how many bottles they sold, and have in stock?

 

Things may not be the way you would like them to be.

Look at the guy above..."He gave me a bucket of 6 and my tab......$9.49!"

 

Think the bar manager knew about that one?

[bouhunter]

Things may not be the way you would like them to be.

Look at the guy above..."He gave me a bucket of 6 and my tab......$9.49!"

 

Think the bar manager knew about that one?

 

Actually if you read his post carefully he implied it went on for 5 hours and he got 15-20+ beers for 9.49 and had many delivered to the casino from a different bar two at a time. Right. I highly doubt it:rolleyes: No way a server from a different bar on the ship is carrying beers into the casino even once, let alone multiple times "every 25 minutes". A free drink here and there is one thing, but way too much in that story to believe.