Diamond Drink Vouchers-Tipping

[reallyitsmema]

We are just off Serenade and did not have to sign anything for the voucher drinks, although the bartender did swipe our Seapasses. We didn't ask the bartender whether he got anything from RCI - we tipped a dollar a drink the same as we do in the CL or DL and that seemed to make him very happy. We were happy, too, so it was all good.

 

Just off the Brilliance and had to sign for voucher drinks in the Schooner bar every night.

[Big_G]

And that, right there, is why you get invited back to those bars. You tip!!! Some Ds are too cheap to tip on their free drinks.

 

Awww shucks. I thought you were gonna' tell me not to underestimate my charm and looks but it's just my money they want??? :confused: :D Truth be told, the offers were extended as soon as they first saw our sea pass. I have to admit, this was our first RC cruise since implementation so I have no other experience to compare.

[Big_G]

We are just off Serenade and did not have to sign anything for the voucher drinks, although the bartender did swipe our Seapasses. We didn't ask the bartender whether he got anything from RCI - we tipped a dollar a drink the same as we do in the CL or DL and that seemed to make him very happy. We were happy, too, so it was all good.

 

Just off the Brilliance and had to sign for voucher drinks in the Schooner bar every night.

 

On Freedom, we saw some people signing on the drink package and some not in the same bar depending on the bartender. Go figure. Consistently inconsistent.

[cruzincurt]

Just off the Freedom and each time I was given slips to sign even when the amount was zero. I scratched through the tip line and signed. Then left $$.

 

One night, at the casino I ordered whiskey for me and wine for the DW, handed over both cards, but the bartender did not charge for the wine. Seems to always be an exception in the data.

 

Only one data point but I didn't think he would miss out on RCCL paying him for a swipe. Then again, the new servers I ran into didn't know I had a voucher until they swiped the card.

 

I never had poor service.

[Aquahound]

Sure, but why is that to Orvilles discredit?

 

It's not. I never said Orville was wrong. The truth is, neither of us know for sure.

 

Consistently inconsistent.

 

Bingo. RCI is notorious for that, so I have no reason to believe they're being consistent with this.

Edited October 21, 2014 by Aquahound

[Fortypluscruiser]

It sounds like you have a lot of experience with these vouchers; what is the source of your information? A credit per swipe system makes a lot of sense to me actually. I'm now curious which is fact and which is fiction.

 

When you see 40,000 posts you can draw your conclusions based on that alone. RCCL has always compensated their staff for other free events (like pre inaugural cruises). And if their staff complains to passengers about how they are compensated, they won't have a job. So if you're looking for an excuse to be entitled and cheap, there it is.

[Starry Eyes]

Just off the Freedom and each time I was given slips to sign even when the amount was zero. I scratched through the tip line and signed. Then left $$.

 

One night, at the casino I ordered whiskey for me and wine for the DW, handed over both cards, but the bartender did not charge for the wine. Seems to always be an exception in the data.

 

Only one data point but I didn't think he would miss out on RCCL paying him for a swipe. Then again, the new servers I ran into didn't know I had a voucher until they swiped the card.

 

I never had poor service.

I can imagine an employee being willing to miss out on a swipe under certain circumstances. If he has a good, pleasant customer who is tipping in cash, he might want to be that guest's perferred bartender. If leaving a voucher swipe on a card (for another drink later) might make a customer happy (and if it does not upset the bosses), it might win over a guest.

[cruizers]

Yes, they are included.

[LoveyHowell]

When you see 40,000 posts you can draw your conclusions based on that alone.

 

I've come to the conclusion that I asked a question and it was not answered with any sort of proof. Not sure what the post count has to do with that; something either IS or IS NOT a fact. I deliberately left off the rest of your statement as it was non-sense and I couldn't make out what point you were driving at.

 

If anyone has the factual answer to the question at hand it would be appreciated. Some of just like to know the facts and don't need all the opinion.

Edited October 22, 2014 by LoveyHowell

[ccotting]

When we have spoken to staff in the Diamond lounge what we heard is that they are not provided tips by the corporation for that service. We usually tip on the last night for the lounge and we had one staff member on our last trip who was so thrilled she just couldn't do enough for us to our embarrassment. I would not assume that the corporation tips for any of the loyalty events.

 

On a recent cruise, with the drink chits added to the card, we found that when we used them in one locale (the theatre) we were given slips to sign but in other areas not. It was for inventory control we were told. In today's bar environment, there are computer systems which track sales against liquor stores to manage theft of liquor. We assumed this is the case for that situation and we tipped cash for our drinks. I wouldn't take too much about tips into the discussion of signature slips, it's good business to track usage against inventory. It keeps costs down and we pax want that!

[tahqa]

When you see 40,000 posts you can draw your conclusions based on that alone. RCCL has always compensated their staff for other free events (like pre inaugural cruises). And if their staff complains to passengers about how they are compensated, they won't have a job. So if you're looking for an excuse to be entitled and cheap, there it is.

 

The only conclusion that you can draw from 40,000 posts is that the person has a lot of free time on their hands. :rolleyes:

[cruzincurt]

I purposely used the vouchers at a bar when I could have just as easily gone to the DL or CL.

 

I assume RCCL is tracking their use and I want them to know I appreciate the new program. If RCCL is also tipping the server, good for them.

[Trekker954]

Just back from the Serenade. If we were left to the drink vouchers, someone would be missing out big time on tips. We are very generous tippers in the concierge lounge. Granted there were five of us drinking so would tip Chris the bartender at least $10 per night, $20 on three nights and $40 the last night. We attended the pub twice for the 5:15 trivia. I ordered a drink two of the nights and while he took my card (I guess to verify the coupon), he brought it back handed it to me with no slip at all. One night I ordered a drink a schooner and was given a zero out sales slip where I was able to place $1 tip on it. So for those that do not bring back a sales slip, get nothing from me. I do not ever carry cash around.

 

We prefer the lounge and actively use it. We rarely eat in MDR (either specialty or WJ). So we are rarely rushing off to dinner or plan most shows for 9ish. I believe the lounge crowds have subsided a bit due to the coupons, but yes, people should tip the staff even in the bars. Nothing is ever included.

[BARNET]

Does it effect any of us if RCI are tipping the staff serving the free drinks in the CL, DL or at the bars, we are not paying give the guy a tip. First night in the DL when our first drink arrives the guy or girl gets $10 and more as the cruise goes on, we never have a empty glass in front of us even when he or she is on a break as their ensure a friend looks after us.

O inde a few years ago one of the staff asked my wife if he could get her anything my wife asked if there where any strawberries about 5 mins late a plate full arrived, ever night when we arrived our drinks arrived and a plate of strawberries as well.

So I guess looking after the staff ensure we get looked after. That from a Brit who will always tip:).

[karena1]

There are many bartenders that know us and never ask for our card. We still tip per drink as we get $$ in 1's before we leave home.

 

But have found, especially the pool bars, once they know us, depending on the bartender, sometimes they swipe the card and other times they don't.

[EmpressofPurple]

While it is theoretically possible for RCI to pay the tips on the free Diamond drinks, in fact they do not.

 

How do I know this? The first time I used them, on Explorer this past March, I assumed that the tips WERE included -- and when I received the $0.0 receipt stating that the 15% gratuity was included, I thought that confirmed it. (Not that they were receiving 15% of $0.0, but 15% of the value of the drink provided.)

 

Why did I assume this? I once had a free dining plan from Disney World, and at that time tips were indeed included. The receipts showed $0.0, but the servers were tipped on the value of the meal ordered on the plan, even though it cost us nothing. (This changed in later years... they kept the price the same, but removed the appetizer from the sit-down meals... and the tips. I assure you, the people who got hurt were the servers, as most people did NOT tip on the value of their "free" meal.)

 

Anyway, clearly, it is possible for RCI to calculate the value of the free drinks on the swipe, and tip their staff accordingly -- BUT THEY DO NOT. And how do I know this? Because in that example given above, I had the TERRIBLE experience of being truly EMBARRASSED by the waiter in the Schooner Bar who served me. He handed me the $0.0 receipt (as had other bartenders without comment) and basically asked me for a tip. When I said that the tip was included, he said, nastily, "Oh yeah, I work for free."

 

My daughter overheard this, and was appalled at such poor customer service. Indeed, I was mortified to be called out like this -- and I checked with my (highly-cruised) friend who was on the same cruise with us, and from her I learned that no, tips are definitely NOT included in free Diamond drinks, whether served in the lounge or at the bars.

 

That is why there are so many threads about tipping, especially in the lounges and now on the "free" Diamond drinks in the bars and clubs -- because many of us don't know how the program/system works, and C&A and Guest Services do NOT inform us!! We really rely on the information from experienced cruisers to do it right. (I actually wrote on my comment card that this information should be provided by C&A or Guest Services, along with the information about the three free drinks.)

 

I am utterly mystified why any server would tell the earlier poster on this thread that tips were included on the voucher. Perhaps the bartender thought he was referring to the paid unlimited drinks packages, on which tips ARE included (in a very simple, overall method: the total 15% collected on all packages sold are shared amongst the bar staff... it is not done on the basis of 15% of the individual drinks ordered and served by the individual bartenders).

 

While I NEVER carried cash onboard before, I now do so since I qualify for these free drinks, and I don't want to stiff the servers. (If you prefer not to carry cash, you can write in a tip on the $0.0 slip provided to you.) It's not that hard to keep three $1 bills on me for happy hour!

Edited October 23, 2014 by EmpressofPurple

[LMaxwell]

In fairness, back in March it was a test program on a few ships/sailings. I don't think it is beyond reasonable thought that the crew addressed concerns with management and came to an amiable solution before rolling out the finalized program. Regardless you certainly don't deserve a staff member acting like that towards you!

[DesertCard]

Are the coupons good any time of the day or just the time that the CL or DL are open at other bars?

[Big_G]

Are the coupons good any time of the day or just the time that the CL or DL are open at other bars?

 

Only during the CL & DL cocktail hours usually from 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm. The hours may vary slightly from ship to ship.

[Big_G]

The only conclusion that you can draw from 40,000 posts is that the person has a lot of free time on their hands. :rolleyes:

 

By definition that would be an assumption not a 'conclusion' and if you paid attention to content instead of volume you'd 'conclude' that she is very helpful to others. Now that's a conclusion. ;)

[windjamming]

Slightly related question. Do people normally tip at the Top Tier event ?

 

At our last cruise (on the Explorer), we arrived a little late to the party, and after sitting down, a waiter showed up to take our orders. (He did not have a tray of drinks like we'd seen before.) We asked for what we thought were 'tray' drinks: white wine, champagne. When he came back with the drinks, he kind of hung around, as if he was waiting for a tip.

 

We were a bit mortified, as we hadn't even thought to bring cash. It had been a while since we went to a Top Tier event, so I'm not sure if things have changed? I can understand a tip if a waiter brought a specialty drink like a martini or perhaps a frozen drink, but I had understood that at least wine / champagne (sparkling wine) were 'included' in the party.

 

Please, no flaming. I don't want to stiff anyone, we just didn't know.

 

(And just to get back to the original topic: we do tip $1 for regular Diamond voucher drinks.)

Edited October 23, 2014 by windjamming

[Thetrail]

I understand that is your experience. I think you posted last week something similar. However, unless others also post that bartenders similarly told them that, I believe that NOBODY here on this website will believe you.

I don't believe him....:)

[Thetrail]

Yes actually, that seems to be the crux of this discussion. One member says they do get tipped. :confused: However, it won't stop us from tipping on "Diamond drinks".

My sentiments exactly, happy cruising...K.O.:)

[Thetrail]

The voucher system just went fleetwide in September, so I sincerely doubt someone at Pinnacle has any more insight on how it works than anyone else. In your other post you posited why someone would even ask the bartender. Simple, as a former bartender, I am always concerned when I her about people stiffing the staff,and wanted to make sure that the barenders were being kept whole. I only asked the question after I had to convince the bartender to give me the receipt so I could add the $1 I always tip/drink. He was honestly surprised that I asked and that's when he told me they were getting the normal tip even though I wasn't charged.

 

As for what happens in the DL or CL, don't know...we never went in. Much better being out and about than cooped up in a tiny little room.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Then why even ask and not just leave the tip??????

[Thetrail]

Here's another thing to consider. Your card is only swiped when using the vouchers at public bars. Your card is not swiped when drinking in the CL or DL, even when the event is held in a larger lounge using more bartenders. Why would tips be added to the pool by RCI for drinking in public bars, but not in the event lounges? Both are using ship's bartenders who receive their money from the tipping pool.

 

I also have no reason whatsoever to think RCI should be considered "anti-crew" if they don't add tips to the bartender pool from vouchers. Alot, if not most, people using the vouchers give cash tips. And, typically cash tips are higher than auto tips. When I used my vouchers on the Vision last month, I handed the bartender a $5 bill for every drink order my wife and I made. So, it's not like bartenders are losing money because of these vouchers.

 

To think 1k people on the Oasis this week would be using vouchers and not a single one of them would tip in ludicrous.

Some folks need to think before they type!....:rolleyes: