All-Inclusive Drink Packages and Service ??

[Laney219]

Has anyone experienced issues with obtaining drinks from a roaming bar-server (pool/show) and/or at a bar because they paid for an unlimited drink package?
(Why serve someone on the unlimited package vs. someone who isn't so I get can get the auto gratuity type of mentality)

Does anyone know how the 15% added to the package is divided?

Is there a sticker for the sea pass or does it get swiped each time a drink is ordered?

I tried a search for the first question above and was unsuccessful. If this was previously asked and answered, my apologies.

[wrcjr98]

My husband had the drink package last month. He did have a "sticker" indicating he had purchased the premium package on his sea pass card. He never experienced a problem getting drinks anywhere on the ship. He obtained drinks poolside, at shows, at bars, at dinner (MDR), and at the casino all from the "wandering" servers. I don't know how the 15% gratuities are split though. I know that he normally tipped them $1 per drink, and on the last night tipped additional to our bar server at dinner, and at a bar that he felt he received exceptional service. He purchased the drink package on board as soon as we got on the ship, and I did not have to purchase the package. However my stepdaughter purchased the package online, and everyone on her stateroom had to purchase the package. Hope this helps!


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[Laney219]

[quote name='wrcjr98']My husband had the drink package last month. He did have a "sticker" indicating he had purchased the premium package on his sea pass card. He never experienced a problem getting drinks anywhere on the ship. He obtained drinks poolside, at shows, at bars, at dinner (MDR), and at the casino all from the "wandering" servers. I don't know how the 15% gratuities are split though. I know that he normally tipped them $1 per drink, and on the last night tipped additional to our bar server at dinner, and at a bar that he felt he received exceptional service. He purchased the drink package on board as soon as we got on the ship, and I did not have to purchase the package. However my stepdaughter purchased the package online, and everyone on her stateroom had to purchase the package. Hope this helps!


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Thanks WRCJR!! Very helpful!!!
WAYYYYYY back in 2007, my family has issues obtaining drinks included in the soda package from servers. This was pre-freestyle machines and all-inclusive packages though.

[SilverDollarDoll]

[quote name='wrcjr98'] However my stepdaughter purchased the package online, and everyone on her stateroom had to purchase the package.

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I'm sure you've heard by now that RC changed their policy on everyone in the room buying the same package. I bet they lost a bunch of bucks enforcing that rule. They also changed the pool towels having to be checked out and hit with a fine if not returned. Now that really was a silly rule.

[bchalker]

[quote name='SilverDollarDoll']I'm sure you've heard by now that RC changed their policy on everyone in the room buying the same package. I bet they lost a bunch of bucks enforcing that rule. They also changed the pool towels having to be checked out and hit with a fine if not returned. Now that really was a silly rule.[/QUOTE]

Not so sure they "lost alot of bucks". They prob also gained alot of bucks from cruisers like us where one person doesn't drink.

[SilverDollarDoll]

[quote name='bchalker']Not so sure they "lost alot of bucks". They prob also gained alot of bucks from cruisers like us where one person doesn't drink.[/quote]

Losing money was for before the rule change.....people who wouldn't buy the package because spouse, roommates etc. also had to buy and if they didn't drink they sure wouldn't be putting out that much money so the person wanting it could get the package. Does that make sense? I don't think it had anything to do buying it on the ship vs. internet sales. The only savings now for buying on the ship is you don't have to pay sales tax. As it is, I'm glad you got what you wanted. I also believe RC was the only line that had such a rule. I'm sure they were trying to prevent the "sharing" of one card on drinks thus losing money....but they came to their senses and realized they were losing sales with that rule.

[Laney219]

[quote name='SilverDollarDoll']Losing money was for before the rule change.....people who wouldn't buy the package because spouse, roommates etc. also had to buy and if they didn't drink they sure wouldn't be putting out that much money so the person wanting it could get the package. Does that make sense? I don't think it had anything to do buying it on the ship vs. internet sales. [COLOR="Red"]The only savings now for buying on the ship is you don't have to pay sales tax.[/COLOR] As it is, I'm glad you got what you wanted. I also believe RC was the only line that had such a rule. I'm sure they were trying to prevent the "sharing" of one card on drinks thus losing money....but they came to their senses and realized they were losing sales with that rule.[/QUOTE]

When I looked to purchase the drink package online, there was no sales tax added. Is that state/country specific?! Edited January 5, 2014 by Laney219

[Clarea]

[quote name='Laney219']When I looked to purchase the drink package online, there was no sales tax added. Is that state/country specific?![/quote]
I believe there is no tax added to drink packages purchased on board or online. The confusion comes from the fact that single drinks purchased while in a US port usually have sales tax added. However, for whatever reason, drink packages don't have sales tax added.

[Laney219]

[quote name='clarea']I believe there is no tax added to drink packages purchased on board or online. The confusion comes from the fact that single drinks purchased while in a US port usually have sales tax added. However, for whatever reason, drink packages don't have sales tax added.[/QUOTE]

Just to clarify for myself, I order a drink 5 seconds after I embark (happy vacation!) in Bayonne. My $10 drink will be $10.70 (10 +7% NJ sales tax) and 15% gratuity?

[Clarea]

[quote name='Laney219']Just to clarify for myself, I order a drink 5 seconds after I embark (happy vacation!) in Bayonne. My $10 drink will be $10.70 (10 +7% NJ sales tax) and 15% gratuity?[/quote]
Yes, you will be charged state sales tax in port.

It's worse in Texas. Not only do you get charged tax, but they must use alcohol with a Texas stamp on it, and they only have a limited amount of that. So if your departure is delayed, maybe because of fog in Galveston (happened to us once), they start to run out of various types of alcohol.

[Five5]

So now everyone in the room doesn't need to get the package? Awesome!

Is there a link somewhere for that?

And for anyone who knows, I'm heading out for a three night cruise and it says the packages aren't available. Any chance there may be on board?

[LovesCruising]

[quote name='Laney219']Just to clarify for myself, I order a drink 5 seconds after I embark (happy vacation!) in Bayonne. My $10 drink will be $10.70 (10 +7% NJ sales tax) and 15% gratuity?[/QUOTE]

As another poster answered - this is correct and it will also apply to ANY us port you are in - we just departed from Bayonne with a stop in Port Canaveral - taxed in both ports

[Clarea]

[quote name='Five5']So now everyone in the room doesn't need to get the package? Awesome!

[COLOR=Red]Is there a link somewhere for that?[/COLOR]

And for anyone who knows, I'm heading out for a three night cruise and it says the packages aren't available. Any chance there may be on board?[/quote]
Here's the link:

[URL]http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/_images/Royal%20Alcohol%20Beverage%20FAQ%20All%20Ships%20Web%20Nov%2013_tcm16-27947.pdf[/URL]

The packages have not been available on cruises less than 4 days. Edited January 6, 2014 by clarea

[Five5]

Thank you very much for the link! That definitely makes sense. I love great drinks while my wife is happy on just 1 or 2 per day, so it never made sense to pay twice before for basically one.

[zombiehunter]

Great info here! I had no idea that they changed the policy on cabinmates! Hopefully this will make it easier to get people to come if only one drinks etc. I know I got a good value with my last cruise getting the Premium Package.

[Wheeling_family_of_3]

We never had a problem getting the attention of a roving bar waiter at entertainment venues, the pools, or other areas. And that was before they knew I would give them $1 cash tip per drink once they brought it back to me.

And as others have said, there is a sticker on your card *and* they swipe your card but you do not have to sign anything.

We bought the package for the 3 adults in our stateroom and it was worth it for 2 of us for sure, and was borderline for the 3rd person, but was worth it so that we weren't always adding up in our minds how much a drink was, etc etc. Just one less thing to worry about and that way it was a set cost in my budget before the cruise.

Also, even though they aren't supposed to, we often got free virgin drinks for my son from bartenders who didn't ask to swipe his card when they would take our 3 orders of alcohol drinks. In total we paid for 2 virgin drinks the whole time we were onboard (7 nights) and he had 1-2 every day.

[JohnSnowGOT]

[quote name='clarea']Yes, you will be charged state sales tax in port.

It's worse in Texas. Not only do you get charged tax, but they must use alcohol with a Texas stamp on it, and they only have a limited amount of that. So if your departure is delayed, maybe because of fog in Galveston (happened to us once), they start to run out of various types of alcohol.[/QUOTE]

Man ! Texas is out of control

[Laney219]

[quote name='Wheeling_family_of_3']

And as others have said, there is a sticker on your card *and* they swipe your card but you do not have to sign anything.

[/QUOTE]


Is there a time-out period between drinks?! Limit on drinks/day? From what I can tell 'no', but didn't know if anyone has had different experience.

[bchalker]

[quote name='Five5']So now everyone in the room doesn't need to get the package? Awesome!

Is there a link somewhere for that?

And for anyone who knows, I'm heading out for a three night cruise and it says the packages aren't available. Any chance there may be on board?[/QUOTE]

no. only 4 nights or more.

[Tony O]

Bought drink package in Bayonne for New Year's Eve cruise NO tax just price and 15% gratuity

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Tony O]

[quote name='LovesCruising']As another poster answered - this is correct and it will also apply to ANY us port you are in - we just departed from Bayonne with a stop in Port Canaveral - taxed in both ports[/QUOTE]







[quote name='Tony O']Bought drink package on ship in Bayonne for New Year's Eve cruise NO tax just price and 15% gratuity

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]



Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[tigers317]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I had the drink package last month on the enchantment and we had great service. I had the package and my wife did not. We gave a cash tip the first day at the pool bar and in the Viking crown lounge. From that point on I just walked up to the bar and the bartender just made my drink without even asking me what I wanted. Our bartender from dinner was one of the roaming servers at the pool and he made sure my drink was always full. He even brought them to the hot tub several times. My wife would have a drink before dinner and I would just tell them to charge it to my card since she wasn’t on the package, but I wasn’t charged for any of her drinks. Didn’t realize this till the last morning when we got our bill. From talking one of the bartenders, he said that the gratuities added into the package goes into a pool and is shared between all the bartenders and servers. He said if you add the additional tip they get that along with any cash they receive. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[newlu]

HI,
Am thinking of taking the premium package, big question.. does it cover martinis? we love a martini before diner, it says $10 drinks... Really need to know.. Will try to find the bar menu online..

thanks!
newlu

[DrD]

[quote name='Laney219']Just to clarify for myself, I order a drink 5 seconds after I embark (happy vacation!) in Bayonne. My $10 drink will be $10.70 (10 +7% NJ sales tax) and 15% gratuity?[/QUOTE]

That's about 4 seconds too slow.

[Clarea]

[quote name='newlu']HI,
Am thinking of taking the premium package, big question.. does it cover martinis? we love a martini before diner, it says $10 drinks... Really need to know.. Will try to find the bar menu online..

thanks!
newlu[/quote]
Yes, it covers martinis. If there's some sort of super duper martini that exceeds $10, then just tell them "house martini".