RCCL Drink Package Thumbs Down

[carpediem10]

First, let me start out with I love RCCL! This was our 14th cruise with RCCL and it pains me to write a negative review!

 

I was so excited for the drink package!!! Within 5 minutes of walking on the ship we tested the cards and for our first drink. It was easy and worked!!! This was a great start. By the end of day one we realized many of the bar tenders did not like waiting on us. I went to guest services to find out how the tipping goes as we knew our service had to do something with this. Guest services informed us that with the package gratuities are included and shared amongst all of the bar tenders.

 

So basically they don't even get a half of a percent of the $55.00/day that we paid. Of corse you could leave extra tips for great service the problem was getting the service.

 

Day 2 we found our spot to get the best service with the drink package-- centrium bar. Worst place is any of the pool bars. The servers that walk around looked the other way once they found out we had the premium package. I tried to order one drink from a server walking around he seen I had the sticker he shook his head and walked away. From that day on I fetched my own drinks from the pool bar. It got to be a chore for the bartender to wait on us even at the bar by the pools. He would wait on others before even looking at me to get me a drink. We learned early on if you tipped extra every single time they would treat you like those with no drink package. I refused to tip the pool bar bar as they were rude and made me feel bad for ordering this package.

 

We had a positive experience in the theater getting drinks for the bar not the servers that walk around. Like I said we loved the bartenders in Centrium. Actually we tipped them every single night as they treated us with care, humor, and a smile.

As for the package itself totally worth it. We averaged 6-8 drinks a day. Even with all of ports )port intensive trip) and not on being on the ship on port days we still felt it was worth it.

 

We tried so many new drinks which was fun!!! Yes we had to sign the slip but we didn't care it was fun trying new things!!! Also it was nice to drink and not have to worry about the bar bill. Would I get it again? Debatable. The value for us was great but the service with the package would make us think twice. We ended up and spent $75.00 additional money on tips (centrum bar guys) and dinner bartender. That was the most we ever drank, but it was fun. It did deter us from drinking in the ports when shopping which saved us money as well. Hopfully RCCL takes note of feedback if this has happened to other cruisers. To spend that kind of money and to be treated like we were was disappointing.

[BobbyD]

Thanks for the post. Very interesting. For the first time we have the Beverage package on Celebrity in March and are considering it for the Allure in June. I think that we'll wait until we see if the March cruise is worth it (I know that it is a bit different from RCI's). I hope that your case isn't the norm because I don't want to feel that I am held hostage and have to tip extra to get a drink throughout the day.

[Langley Cruisers]

...By the end of day one we realized many of the bar tenders did not like waiting on us.... The servers that walk around looked the other way once they found out we had the premium package. I tried to order one drink from a server walking around he seen I had the sticker he shook his head and walked away. .... Hopfully RCCL takes note of feedback if this has happened to other cruisers. To spend that kind of money and to be treated like we were was disappointing.

 

Thank you for this report. We don't drink but I can absolutely understand why you felt frustrated - makes sense. Sorry you had this negative experience and I agree that RCI needs to look at this aspect of it.

[Merion_Mom]

First, let me start out with I love RCCL! This was our 14th cruise with RCCL and it pains me to write a negative review!

 

I was so excited for the drink package!!! Within 5 minutes of walking on the ship we tested the cards and for our first drink. It was easy and worked!!! This was a great start. By the end of day one we realized many of the bar tenders did not like waiting on us. I went to guest services to find out how the tipping goes as we knew our service had to do something with this. Guest services informed us that with the package gratuities are included and shared amongst all of the bar tenders.

 

So basically they don't even get a half of a percent of the $55.00/day that we paid. Of corse you could leave extra tips for great service the problem was getting the service.

 

Day 2 we found our spot to get the best service with the drink package-- centrium bar. Worst place is any of the pool bars. The servers that walk around looked the other way once they found out we had the premium package. I tried to order one drink from a server walking around he seen I had the sticker he shook his head and walked away. From that day on I fetched my own drinks from the pool bar. It got to be a chore for the bartender to wait on us even at the bar by the pools. He would wait on others before even looking at me to get me a drink. We learned early on if you tipped extra every single time they would treat you like those with no drink package. I refused to tip the pool bar bar as they were rude and made me feel bad for ordering this package.

 

We had a positive experience in the theater getting drinks for the bar not the servers that walk around. Like I said we loved the bartenders in Centrium. Actually we tipped them every single night as they treated us with care, humor, and a smile.

As for the package itself totally worth it. We averaged 6-8 drinks a day. Even with all of ports )port intensive trip) and not on being on the ship on port days we still felt it was worth it.

 

We tried so many new drinks which was fun!!! Yes we had to sign the slip but we didn't care it was fun trying new things!!! Also it was nice to drink and not have to worry about the bar bill. Would I get it again? Debatable. The value for us was great but the service with the package would make us think twice. We ended up and spent $75.00 additional money on tips (centrum bar guys) and dinner bartender. That was the most we ever drank, but it was fun. It did deter us from drinking in the ports when shopping which saved us money as well. Hopfully RCCL takes note of feedback if this has happened to other cruisers. To spend that kind of money and to be treated like we were was disappointing.

 

Was this the September 28, 2013 sailing of the Jewel out of San Juan?

 

It helps to know what ship you are describing.

 

:)

[roquejo]

I don't usually get a drink package, for me, it is very expensive and you got to deal with those servers and bar tenders.

 

I only get a drink package if there are coke freestyle machines on the ship and I just get the soda package and it is worth it for the money.

 

Side from it is dirt cheap at only around $50 for a 7 day sailing, which is less than the $60 tip you paid, you get a nice souvenir cup which you can reuse when you go back home.

 

And aside from the usual servers and bars, you get to use those coke freestyle machines to completely bypass those servers wanting some tips, on top of getting around 130 different coke products from soft drinks to juice to water variants all cruise long. The powerade are also provides value while working out in the gym or when playing in the sports deck.

Edited November 2, 2013 by roquejo

[gnocchi_mommy]

Thats a bummer- we were part of the pilot program on the Indy in March 2011 and the servers were great! We WILL be purchasing it on our next cruise (we also purchased the Carnival version on our last 2 cruises- theirs is similarly prices but capped at 15 drinks) Its a GREAT deal for us, as we tend to start with bloody marys and end with cocktails in the casino, thats just part of our vacation expectation- so we end up saving a lot of money with this. I also like not worrying about what the end bar tab will be, just pay it and be done. I will hope we get better service than the original poster though!! We tend to hit bars directly, rather than using servers so hopefully that helps!

Edited November 2, 2013 by gnocchi_mommy

[mariapd719]

We were very lucky on our Liberty Cruise in Feb. We loved it and had great service. We also did throw the bartenders some money here and there.

[Miryam1234]

We had the package on our Navigator Eastern Med cruise in Oct and we did not face any of these problems. We did not have to sign a slip, in fact the only time we were presented a slip was when a bartender had not noticed that we had the package. That was quicky refunded, though. Anyways, maybe it is different on European cruises as tipping is not standard here.

Service was excellent, we enjoyed our cruise very much and the package was superb for us. Would do it again, especially if we were cruising as a couple. Having our daughter with us would be different scenario, though.

[Paulxyz2004]

First I have to say I have no experience with any of the drink packages, as they are certainly not something I would even remotely think about.

 

Now I´ve seen the OP´s complaint occasionally on the boards related to the fountain Soda package. It always seemed though that for one poster with a negative experience there were many others without Problems. This leads me to the conclusion that I would think it depends on the individual Servers / individual crew onboard a sailing. This doesn´t make it right, but if not a General issue quite hardly to resolve.

 

As the OP said the Centrum Bar was fine and got tipped well extra, the question arises what´s first chicken or egg? Or in this case were they great anyway, or did they adjust after seeing there´s some extra cash flowing towards them.

 

In General I can see there´s less incentive with the packages for the crew to give great Service, as they make more extra with the individual payer.

[Paulxyz2004]

Another aspect just came to my mind. I don´t know if this is valid for RCI though and regardless it again shouldn´t be an excuse.

 

On many ships the Servers have to meet certain sale goals to make their salary and part of the tip pool. These goals are set by the ships Management, so it´s not fleet wide and might not even be the same from sailing to sailing.

 

Now if there is a high Goal for them to meet, every drink from a package served will take their time from selling an individual drink.

[WWbytheSEA]

What ship were you on.? What dates? Did you have a conversation with the head food and beverage manager? Did you come across others that had the premium drink package on your cruise that experienced the same issues. The issues you described are very overt and obvious so I have to assume that anyone that had the drink package was treated the same way. I am interested in whom you brought your issues up to and how they were resolved while you were still on-board.

Edited November 2, 2013 by WWbytheSEA

[sheilb4]

I have had the drinks package twice on Enchantment and cannot speak highly enough for the excellent bar serve at every venue I visited as well as all the bar staff....sorry to hear of posters negative experice.

I also tipped the staff at the most frequented bar I attended (pool bar) but not until end of cruise. Service was superb there!

[Cruisegirl6]

If you tip the server even a dollar more you be sure they remember you and always be available to you. Now some of you may say the tip is included which it is, but we are good tippers and feel that the 15% is not enough just by giving them a dollar or two an extra trip will go a long way. :D

[Rockfordcruiser]

The drink pkg has not gone over well for the bar staff. I have spoken with many on past cruises and also via FB. Tips in cash is best for them. Most will divide between other bar tenders and servers at bar they work for that day. Tips that are added to bill is divided amongst all bar staff working the day.

[Cruisegirl6]

Exactly!

[sweettara]

thanks for the report we are going on liberty end of this month for thanksgiving and we are thinking abot getting the drink package hope the service is good

[Loyal2RCCL]

I've purchased the drink package on 3 different ships and never had any issues described by the OP. The pool servers actually gave us the souvenier glasses, even thought they aren't included in the package.

 

On my most recent cruise on Splendour, the pool bartenders actually filled up water glasses with Crown Royal for us to take to our cabin and mix our own drinks on the balcony.

 

We did not tip for each drink purchased, however at the end of the cruise we did give extra tips to those bartenders we most frequented during the week.

[funNJfamily]

Thank you for this post. We sail on Grandeur in December and have the drink package too. We'll see how it goes.

[thefog]

Is there a limit of drinks a day for the drink package?

[Debde]

Tips in cash is best for them.

 

and everyone wonders why some of us hate this whole tips added to the sea pass bill everyday. Tips, for me, is something given at the end of said services!!

[Big_G]

Yes we had to sign the slip but we didn't care it was fun trying new things!!!

 

Slips? You still have to sign slips? :confused:

[wolfcathorse]

Slips? You still have to sign slips? :confused:

 

On Majesty I had to sign a slip for every drink. It read zeroes. The slip signing policy seems to depend on the ship and how the Food and Beverage manager wants to keep track of it.

[Big_G]

On Majesty I had to sign a slip for every drink. It read zeroes. The slip signing policy seems to depend on the ship and how the Food and Beverage manager wants to keep track of it.

 

I've only done the package on Celebrity and didn't have to sign slips so I thought it was the same.

 

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[travelplus]

This is unacceptable and I would ask for a partial refund because you paid dearly for the package and could not enjoy drinks in areas such as the pool. Since tips are included in the package that should not be the case that they would skip you over for not tipping. If I was in your situation I would have asked for the name of the server or their supervisor and told them they are avoiding a customer with a drink package.

 

I would feel quite upset after buying a premium drink package if I am skipped over. Was there something else that would cause them to skip you? I hope it wasn't a racial profiling incident which is a serious offense.

 

When I was on my cruises I was never bypassed and always got good service from all the bars. In fact at one bar the bartender asked me to try the drink before taking it and she made it extra strong. Wow it was great and of course I added more to the included 15 percent gratuity. But do not feel obligated to pay more than the service charge.

 

I hope you will report this to the corporate office. Guess its not worth buying the package if you can't use it. Sorry you had a bad experience with the package.

Edited November 2, 2013 by travelplus

[Big_G]

This is unacceptable and I would ask for a partial refund because you paid dearly for the package and could not enjoy drinks in areas such as the pool. Since tips are included in the package that should not be the case that they would skip you over for not tipping. If I was in your situation I would have asked for the name of the server or their supervisor and told them they are avoiding a customer with a drink package.

 

I would feel quite upset after buying a premium drink package if I am skipped over. Was there something else that would cause them to skip you? I hope it wasn't a racial profiling incident which is a serious offense.

 

When I was on my cruises I was never bypassed and always got good service from all the bars. In fact at one bar the bartender asked me to try the drink before taking it and she made it extra strong. Wow it was great and of course I added more to the included 15 percent gratuity. But do not feel obligated to pay more than the service charge.

 

I hope you will report this to the corporate office. Guess its not worth buying the package if you can't use it. Sorry you had a bad experience with the package.

 

Racial profiling? Aren't we being just a little dramatic?

 

 

 

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