How's the drink service?

[LMaxwell]

Now that many people have gotten UBP, how is the actual drink service? Enough roaming wait staff in lounges and theaters? in MDR do we order from regular servers or is there a bar server?

 

I've read some reviews that say getting a drink is impossible. I've read some saying no problem at all. Not sure what is fact or fiction.

[Moby0215]

I haven't been on a ship since they started the promos but I can't imagine it would change the service much. And I've never had a problem getting drinks.

 

 

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[ljrfrm]

We were worried after having read about so many problems and slow service with the free UBP, but we were pleasantly surprised. On our recent Dawn cruise to Bermuda, we had great service throughout the week. There were wait staff roaming the pool decks (we were on deck 13 above the pool deck), all the bars and at Spinnaker. We were able to get drinks pretty easily the whole week other than a few times when Spinnaker was completely packed. The only night we completely gave up on ordering a drink was before a show one night, when the wait staff never made it to our area. All in all, we were very pleased with the service. That said, I know others didn't have the same experience we had - I guess it's hit or miss at times. We ordered our drinks through our dining room waiter each night and it was very quick and easy - and we had no problems with refills. That said, in the main dining room on the last night, our waiter told us we had to order from the bar service staff - and that took a bit longer and was more of a pain. But that was only the last night. I have no idea why that night was any different.

[bbryan5]

No problems at all getting a drink. My last 2 cruises (breakaway and dawn) the UBP existed, and no problems.

[Sand and Seas]

We have had the UBP on 4 cruises in the last 12 months and have no problems. If we haven't seen a roaming wait person, one of us goes up to the bar and gets drinks for both of us. And in the restaurants, both specialty and regular, our waiter has been able to get drinks for us easily.

[spidybabe]

No problems on the BA in August.

Safe sailing

[MCAT48]

Sailed on the gem last week

 

I never had a problem getting myself drinks at the bars. But I did notice a difference since the last time I was on the gem with servers especially during shows in the spinnaker or servers in the theater before shows. There was maybe a handful not even.

[SuiteCruiser]

I noticed far less waiters around the pool, where they used to be annoying they tried so hard to flog their drinks, now it was very rare you would see one. We wound up at the bar more often than not, and had to wait there too. Had a couple of drinks served to us over the cruise, but mostly got our own. In the casino, it wasn't an issue at all, great service. Usually got through our starters before our wine came to the table at all dinners, all were in specialties.

[LMaxwell]

Looks like I should grab a drink before going into a show, otherwise should not be much of an issue.

[KateQ22003]

Just back from the Dawn; bar service was terrible. Too few bartenders, pool service next to non-existent, and people getting pissy about waiting so long for a drink. We were told that 92% of the people on our sailing had the drink package. It was ridiculous. The bartenders were overworked and very surly. This cruise felt so different from the previous ones, and not in a good way.

[LMaxwell]

Just back from the Dawn; bar service was terrible. Too few bartenders, pool service next to non-existent, and people getting pissy about waiting so long for a drink. We were told that 92% of the people on our sailing had the drink package. It was ridiculous. The bartenders were overworked and very surly. This cruise felt so different from the previous ones, and not in a good way.

 

Yeah that's MORE like the recent reviews I have been reading. Not looking forward to long bar lines.

[detroitlions]

On the epic in April UBP was in full force. The bad. I only witnessed 1 waiter on the pool deck on each side and he was slowwww bringing drinks back or he just walked passed you until he was flagged down. At the waves bar by the pool there was always a backed up line to get a drink and those bartenders were not happy. The rest of the ship was about average. In the sports bar and infront of the cigar bar service was good. some of the casino was good and other parts even with no one in line they kind of ignore you unless you yell for them which I did.At dinner in all the restaurants was slow but it always was.I left dinner a few times to grab a drink and always brought one in. In general it seems childish if you act like I am getting paid weather I work hard or not which seems to be the case sometimes. I did notice that when you wave a couple dollars they come running but that seems to add to the problems. They literally would ignore everyone in front of me when I did this so I did not do it often. HEre and there

[aubreyc1988]

on the Jewel I thought service was good - certain bars can be more popular than others and this can attribute to a longer wait time, but most of the time service is great

 

I would definitely agree with everyone who said get your drink before going into show venues - not only is the service slower, but it can be kind of crazy if you are sitting in the middle.

[nolatravelgirl]

Just got off the Spirit and didn't have problems getting a drink with the UBP. I did think getting a drink at dinner (multiple venues) the waiters were slow so I solved that by stopping by one of the slower bars before heading to the restaurant.

 

We did have a problem one afternoon flagging down a pool waiter because he seemed to be constantly running between this one large group and the bar. Once he finally realized we were over in the corner and we were tipping he started swinging by our area.

[LMaxwell]

I believe in giving cash after good service, not cash to get on the radar. I know that's how it is these days unfortunately. Whoever flashes a few bucks can jump the queue.

[spidybabe]

No problems on the BA in August.

Safe sailing

 

I need to add that we were never at the pools, so there it may be majorly different, and at the shows we got our own drinks at the bar inside the theater. We mostly used the bar at O'Sheehans and maltings-by the cigar bar (great service at bar and tables)

[MOFamilyof4]

We where on the Sky a couple of weeks ago and never had a problem getting drinks. The service was great even at the shows and poolside.

[HabsFan23]

My experience on the Getaway from 10 minutes ago: walked over to the bar, waited only 3 minutes, got a chin jut, asked for a shirley temple, got it without a word, called him back asking for cherrirs as there were none. He gave the index finger of hold your horses rolled his eyes at me to other customers and then got me the cherries.

[cruiseelady]

Just of the Gem, there is no pool service at all, non. You have to go get your own drink at the pool bar. If you are at sea, then you will wait a long long time to be your turn to order a drink. If you are in port , most people are out, so there is no lines, and you can get your drink right away.

 

In MDR, it takes forever for them to take your drink order, and then it takes another forever for them to bring it. And then get this, it takes another 20 minutes for them to bring the check, which was ridiculous, why they didn't bring my check along with my drink.

 

I have been getting the exact same drink, everywhere, by the pool, in the NCLs private Island and in MDR, and have noticed a difference in all, on how its made. And what I don't appreciate is the lies. The specifically say that Toasted Almond is done with ice cream, I know for a fact not all that I bought has been done with ice cream. There is a huge difference in taste.

 

PS: I didn't have UBP.

Edited September 14, 2015 by cruiseelady

[dna529]

Some of these stories are totally unacceptable. If we don't get good service in November on the Star, I will be changing my UBP for the Escape in January. :(

[Moby0215]

I believe in giving cash after good service, not cash to get on the radar. I know that's how it is these days unfortunately. Whoever flashes a few bucks can jump the queue.

 

 

It's not about jumping the queue but if the waiter knows they will be getting a tip from you then they are more likely to keep checking on you.

 

 

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[cliffd64]

I believe in giving cash after good service, not cash to get on the radar. I know that's how it is these days unfortunately. Whoever flashes a few bucks can jump the queue.

 

Well, while you keep wishing that things will be fair, those people who make arrangements to obtain a "personal bar server" will continue to get drinks faster I guess. It's not line jumping, it's more like making yourself be a priority to the particular server.

[hawkeyetlse]

In MDR, it takes forever for them to take your drink order, and then it takes another forever for them to bring it. And then get this, it takes another 20 minutes for them to bring the check, which was ridiculous, why they didn't bring my check along with my drink.

The server is leaving your bar ticket open in case you want to order more drinks during the meal, as many people do. And most people are in no rush to sign for their drinks in the middle of the meal. If you know you won't be wanting anything else and you would prefer to sign the check right away, just tell them so. They can't read your mind to know that the standard procedure that works for most people is ridiculous to you and that they should do things differently in your case.

And what I don't appreciate is the lies. The specifically say that Toasted Almond is done with ice cream, I know for a fact not all that I bought has been done with ice cream. There is a huge difference in taste.

I have never seen any of these ice cream drinks made with scoops of actual ice cream. It is liquid ice cream mix from a carton, blended with ice. And probably like 500 calories per serving. If this is the most serious thing that NCL has "lied" to you about, I'd say you are doing better than most of us on this board… :p

[LMaxwell]

Well, while you keep wishing that things will be fair, those people who make arrangements to obtain a "personal bar server" will continue to get drinks faster I guess. It's not line jumping, it's more like making yourself be a priority to the particular server.

 

I've already paid a gratuity for the package. If a bartender or server is very friendly, or checks on us often, keeps us stocked up, etc., I'm happy to hand out more cash. I won't flash cash just to get their attention in the first place. So while they take $2 from someone else, they could be losing $5 from me. I'm not into rewarding lazy or surly servers, though in 25 years of cruising that has been very few and far between thankfully.

 

I like the idea of seeking out the less busy bars. That way I'm not having to get lost in a crowd to get service.

 

This thread reads like the reviews I have read; some have no problem at all, others report terrible service. I guess I will have to wait and see how it is for us.

[PATRLR]

On the Dawn, a couple weeks back, no problem.

 

You have to be smart about it. On sea days, the pool bar is going to be crowded, and it will take some time to get a drink. The servers will be busy and it might take some time before they get to you. So, go up to the Bimini, or go into the station in the Garden Buffet. Not a big deal.

 

We also added tip (just $1 for a couple drinks) *and* engaged the servers with friendly conversation. They eventually knew us and what we liked. That helped I am sure.

 

MDR we ordered with our server immediately when we they greeted us and I never recall a significant delay getting drinks.