Tipping extra for drinks with a package

[mtm103]

Hi all

I was reading a few reviews that said that the barmen were not so keen on people with drink packages as they don't get the tips. So I wondered how many people with drink packages tip the bar staff more? and if so, how much?

 

Thanks

[Big_G]

We've only bought the plan on Celebrity but we did tip extra especially when the bartenders were getting crushed. They do tend to remember you.

[Lionesss]

DH was my waiter for all drinks:eek:

 

I never once went to the bar.

 

He would take both our sea passes with the drink package sticker and get our two drinks that at first they measured after the first day all "free pour".

He mostly dealt with the sky bar for pre-dinner drinks and brought back to cabin while we got ready for dinner.

 

The first couple days he tipped on the dotted line $1-2. And met all the bartenders here.

 

After that no tips and all our drinks continued to be "free pour" by all the staff.

 

Let me tell you that Captain and diet coke, mmmmmmmmm potent:D

 

I was very "happy" on the Oasis.

 

Sea Ya

Edited September 6, 2015 by Lionesss

[setsail]

A tip is placed on the package price which goes in a pool for the bartenders, so yes, they do get their tips. Extra is always accepted

[grandgeezer]

Their tip is included in the price. But, if you exceed the cost of the package, by getting more drinks, you should tip extra after that point. If not, they are waiting on you for free.

[Sherri914]

Their tip is included in the price. But, if you exceed the cost of the package, by getting more drinks, you should tip extra after that point. If not, they are waiting on you for free.

 

 

If you exceed the cost of the package by getting more drinks? There is no daily drink limit on RC drink packages. Not quantity anyway. However if you purchase drinks not covered by the package, you'll be charged 18% automatically on all purchases. You do not have to tip above and beyond the auto gratuity.

[casinostreer]

An extra tip is never REQUIRED. But from personal experience, a little extra goes a long way. We had such a wonderful experience with all of the bartenders on FOS last year. We tipped MAYBE a dollar extra per drink - or 5 dollars for every other round of drinks. They would go and get Starbucks espresso to make our espresso martinis, and a whole host of "over and above" things. Not just one bartender - but all of them that we encountered.

 

But don't ever feel like you have to. It is completely optional.

[Merion_Mom]

An extra tip is never REQUIRED. But from personal experience, a little extra goes a long way. We had such a wonderful experience with all of the bartenders on FOS last year. We tipped MAYBE a dollar extra per drink - or 5 dollars for every other round of drinks. They would go and get Starbucks espresso to make our espresso martinis, and a whole host of "over and above" things. Not just one bartender - but all of them that we encountered.

 

But don't ever feel like you have to. It is completely optional.

 

This post expresses the situation well.

 

The tip is included when you purchase the package, but no worker is EVER going to turn down a tip.

 

Don't feel pressured to tip, but if you want to tip, go right ahead.

 

:D

[klepton]

I agree with the others, an extra tip is never required and shouldn't be expected. However, tipping extra will make you some new friends at the bars who will likely go above and beyond for you when needed. The bartenders definitely remember you.

[hansolosmom]

We usually find a bar we like and get to know the staff. At the end of the night we usually tip an extra $10 or so, which is probably $1 a drink. When we'd walk in we could sit down and have a drink appear without even having to order first. I'm never sure if that's scary or not that they know us that well :)

[grandgeezer]

If you exceed the cost of the package by getting more drinks? There is no daily drink limit on RC drink packages. Not quantity anyway. However if you purchase drinks not covered by the package, you'll be charged 18% automatically on all purchases. You do not have to tip above and beyond the auto gratuity.

 

What I should have said is that if the value of the drinks exceeds the daily cost of the drink package, as set by RCL, say $55 a day, the server is working for nothing. There tips are based on the $55 number. If the $55 per day equates to 5 drinks and you had 10, the server served five drinks he got absolutely nothing for. No you don't have to, but common decency says you should.

[casinostreer]

What I should have said is that if the value of the drinks exceeds the daily cost of the drink package, as set by RCL, say $55 a day, the server is working for nothing. There tips are based on the $55 number. If the $55 per day equates to 5 drinks and you had 10, the server served five drinks he got absolutely nothing for. No you don't have to, but common decency says you should.

 

I've honestly never thought about it that way. (Maybe I should.) But I think of the package as being unlimited - and since I don't get a refund on the gratuity on days that I didn't exceed the package - I think it all washes out in the end.

Edited September 6, 2015 by casinostreer

[cb at sea]

If we are at a bar for a long time, we won't necessarily tip extra with every drink...especially, if it's a beer that simply is opened for you....but we will tip something additional before leaving.

If it's just one drink, and gone...probably not tipping extra...

[LMaxwell]

What I should have said is that if the value of the drinks exceeds the daily cost of the drink package, as set by RCL, say $55 a day, the server is working for nothing. There tips are based on the $55 number. If the $55 per day equates to 5 drinks and you had 10, the server served five drinks he got absolutely nothing for. No you don't have to, but common decency says you should.

 

The tip is based on the cost of the package. it goes into a pool. They are not working for nothing, what on Earth gives you that idea.

[luvstocruzok]

I had the premium package. I tipped the MDR bartender the first night. After that, he brought me endless martinis through dinner and dessert. I did feel a little pressure to keep tipping $1 a drink, but those were some of the best drinks I had. In the bars, I only tipped when I received extra service. Some of the bartenders didn't charge for the virgin drink for my son. I never asked for a 'free" drink, but they just brought it. I tipped them $2 a drink. I was on the Oasis, so I moved around so much, I never really established a relationship with same bartender except for MDR. By the way, strongest drinks were in casino.

 

 

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[Havingfun2010]

Question? Do you tip an extra $30.00 per couple at dinner? At 30 - 40% tip for a drink I think it comes out to at least 30.00 at dinner? Why tip a bartender 40% to pour a drink? It seems tipping is going a little crazy

[grandgeezer]

The tip is based on the cost of the package. it goes into a pool. They are not working for nothing, what on Earth gives you that idea.

 

Simple math. Tip is based on $55 a day, say that's five drinks. You drink 10 drinks. There is no extra tip for the five extra drinks he served, hence that extra work was gratis.

[casinostreer]

Question? Do you tip an extra $30.00 per couple at dinner? At 30 - 40% tip for a drink I think it comes out to at least 30.00 at dinner? Why tip a bartender 40% to pour a drink? It seems tipping is going a little crazy

 

Eh . . . . REALLY depends on what you're drinking and the service you receive. AND - you don't have to tip AT ALL if you don't want to.

 

How are you arriving at 30-40% tip. Many of the drinks I drink are around $8 - $12 on which I tipped $1. That works out to 8.3 - 12.5%.

 

I tip because I spent many years in college as a bartender - and I know it makes ME feel better.

 

Tipping is a very personal thing. Do whatever you feel is appropriate for the service and product that you receive.

[Sitzmark]

Simple math. Tip is based on $55 a day, say that's five drinks. You drink 10 drinks. There is no extra tip for the five extra drinks he served, hence that extra work was gratis.

 

And on the days this limit is not reached, it's money for nothing?

[Leonardtaylor]

I always tipped a dollar on drinks with the premium package. Only three times I did not tip because the bartender seemed unfriendly (one bartender at the bull and bear pub walked around the bar towards the end of the night muttering to himself "time to go to bed people" many guests were asking each other "is that what he's saying??"..Yes he was saying that.) another time I asked a bartender at the schooner bar what game the guests were playing (trivia) she said "I don't know. Ask them" I found that you only need to order a drink once and tip them and they will remember you the rest of the cruise! I even saw a bartender in labadee on day three call me out by name and ask how I was! Very impressed in whatever system they are taught on remembering people's names. If you consistently tip them they will treat you very very well. On freedom of the seas I'd like to mention Elena in the casino royals and Alok at the R bar. I gave them 40$ the final night for their outstanding service. They'll make you a drink as you sit at the bar without you even asking, drop off a bottle of water with each drink if you drink water with your beverage, ask you if you want some water to take to your room at the end of the night, bartenders were by far my favorite employees on the boat by far! Treat them well and they will return the favor

[casinostreer]

I always tipped a dollar on drinks with the premium package. Only three times I did not tip because the bartender seemed unfriendly (one bartender at the bull and bear pub walked around the bar towards the end of the night muttering to himself "time to go to bed people" many guests were asking each other "is that what he's saying??"..Yes he was saying that.) another time I asked a bartender at the schooner bar what game the guests were playing (trivia) she said "I don't know. Ask them" I found that you only need to order a drink once and tip them and they will remember you the rest of the cruise! I even saw a bartender in labadee on day three call me out by name and ask how I was! Very impressed in whatever system they are taught on remembering people's names. If you consistently tip them they will treat you very very well. On freedom of the seas I'd like to mention Elena in the casino royals and Alok at the R bar. I gave them 40$ the final night for their outstanding service. They'll make you a drink as you sit at the bar without you even asking, drop off a bottle of water with each drink if you drink water with your beverage, ask you if you want some water to take to your room at the end of the night, bartenders were by far my favorite employees on the boat by far! Treat them well and they will return the favor

 

We loved Elena on Freedom!! She was awesome! And I couldn't agree more - the bartenders were awesome on FOS. We didn't encounter a single negative one. (We didn't really go to the Pub.)

 

I will say - that these bartenders were very nice - FIRST - before we tipped them. That's WHY we tipped them. They were wonderful and friendly bartenders who really seemed concerned for our happiness. (Doesn't matter if they really were or not - they made us feel that way. :-))

[SheehanDJ]

I always tip extra for drinks, not on the dotted line, in cash. The pre-paid tips and the auto 18% gets added to their checks on payday every two weeks. Cash they can use that evening when they want to have a drink to wind down from their day.

 

It's why I bring a wad of ones on every cruise. Someone brings me a drink they get a buck. Its not a lot of money, but they really appreciate it, and I appreciate the extra good service it brings.

 

Tip Your Wait Staff. They are the ones making your cruise great.

[iluvit!]

Simple math. Tip is based on $55 a day, say that's five drinks. You drink 10 drinks. There is no extra tip for the five extra drinks he served, hence that extra work was gratis.

 

 

Or maybe it means he made a 9 percent tip on each of the 10 drinks, rather than 18 percent on 5 and zero on the other 5.

[Leonardtaylor]

I always tip extra for drinks, not on the dotted line, in cash. The pre-paid tips and the auto 18% gets added to their checks on payday every two weeks. Cash they can use that evening when they want to have a drink to wind down from their day.

 

 

 

It's why I bring a wad of ones on every cruise. Someone brings me a drink they get a buck. Its not a lot of money, but they really appreciate it, and I appreciate the extra good service it brings.

 

 

 

Tip Your Wait Staff. They are the ones making your cruise great.

 

 

Didn't even think of that. Doing that next time. A lot of times I would order and dash and they wouldn't look at the book until was gone. Good idea.

[GUT2407]

Question? Do you tip an extra $30.00 per couple at dinner? At 30 - 40% tip for a drink I think it comes out to at least 30.00 at dinner? Why tip a bartender 40% to pour a drink? It seems tipping is going a little crazy

 

 

18% is, in my opinion crazy let alone, as you say 40%, just to hand you a can.