How's the drink service?

[GoAndHaveFun]

Spend one ten hour shift as a bartender and then you can understand the dynamics.

 

I love those people who havent spent one minute of their lives in a service position moaning about the "poor service" they receive.

 

Those of us dedicated to the service industry can spot you a mile away... and we respond accordingly.

 

What dynamics? See customer, acknowledge them, take their order, and then make drink? What's so tough about any of those steps when the bar is pretty empty? Do I need to flag you down and get your attention when the bar is pretty empty? lol

 

And oh yea, I have worked in the service industry and I still do in some ways as I do interact with customers. I don't get tipped as tipping would come off as very strange in like every case but yet I still provide great service. No need to try to sound all snobbish by thinking you are the messiah of the service industry and I am some random schmo who has never worked in the service industry. I like to think that great service is something written in the SOPs but it's something else to really provide great service in the flesh..especially for service jobs that don't involve tipping.

 

Being ignored by a bartender at a mostly empty bar isn't good service. Are you one of those bartenders that feels entitled to big tips for just showing up, or do you recognize that you are in hospitality and have to take care of the guest?

 

Thanks for having my back brother (sister?)! And interesting thing is...I still tip the bartenders onboard.

[PATRLR]

Yes you have paid a gratuity on the package but so has everyone else. No need to flash cash but a couple dollars every round goes a long way and the waiters/bartenders etc. will get to know you and continue to come around and ask if you need anything.

 

My experience suggests this is a very true statement. A buck or two per round goes a long way. That and just being friendly and treating the servers with respect and dignity.

[mitsugirly]

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.

 

We were on the Dawn in June (and didn't have the UBP, but did have the soda package) and found it VERY hard to get drinks with long lines to wait at the bars for one. It almost wasn't worth buying the soda package this time around (and have never had problems in the past). Thank goodness we had also brought our own soda with us this time around (as we always do).

 

However, this time around we have the UBP and will be on the Breakaway. I have heard both sides...hard to get drinks and not a problem. I'm really hoping that we are pleasantly surprised when we get on. :)

[GoAndHaveFun]

We were on the Dawn in June (and didn't have the UBP, but did have the soda package) and found it VERY hard to get drinks with long lines to wait at the bars for one. It almost wasn't worth buying the soda package this time around (and have never had problems in the past). Thank goodness we had also brought our own soda with us this time around (as we always do).

 

However, this time around we have the UBP and will be on the Breakaway. I have heard both sides...hard to get drinks and not a problem. I'm really hoping that we are pleasantly surprised when we get on. :)

 

I was on Breakaway a month ago and although there would be a lot of people at the bar at any given time, I would get my drink order in relatively quick. I think only time one would get super fast service is if you are either in the Haven and getting your drink at the Haven Bar or you are a CAS Golden or VIP playing at the tables (Pit Supervisor def don't wanna risk upsetting a Golden or VIP player)

[hawkeyetlse]

I don't care so much when they do frozen drinks but for others I prefer if they are properly balanced and the bartender even tastes it to ensure he delivers good quality.

Never seen a bartender on NCL (or any other cruise line) taste a drink. Would they even be allowed to, I wonder.

[mitsugirly]

I was on Breakaway a month ago and although there would be a lot of people at the bar at any given time, I would get my drink order in relatively quick. I think only time one would get super fast service is if you are either in the Haven and getting your drink at the Haven Bar or you are a CAS Golden or VIP playing at the tables (Pit Supervisor def don't wanna risk upsetting a Golden or VIP player)

 

We have always had good service (even at the pool and casino bar) to the point that they know exactly what we are ordering (with our soda package) when they see my hubby walking up...1 diet, 1 mt dew and they would even be making them already sometimes. They always amazed me and got to know us pretty well. The last several cruises, not so much. They were so slammed, you were lucky if they took your order because it was so hard to keep up with who was next in line and you would constantly get passed up. I really hope for a better experience this time. I will attempt to seek out different areas of the ship and see how it goes.

 

and the bartender even tastes it to ensure he delivers good quality.

 

:eek: Eeeek. Can you imagine if a bar tender tasted every drink to make sure that it was perfect (and perfect to one person isn't always perfect to another) how drunk they would be before long? LOL Yea, I don't see that happening...you would end up with no drinks and a bartender laying on the floor. :p

[cliffd64]

Never seen a bartender on NCL (or any other cruise line) taste a drink. Would they even be allowed to, I wonder.

 

If a bartender isn't sure of the quality of his drinks then he won't be working at any cruiseline...

[aubreyc1988]

For a moment I was believing I had some pretty weird bartenders that tried to get drunk during work on my expenses. But a quick google search reveals that it is a not so uncommon quality control procedure.

 

 

Sorry if I saw a bartender take a sip out of my glass I would not drink it

 

 

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[aubreyc1988]

Of course they are not using the glass or sip but use a fresh straw and a finger to stop the flow when taking the straw out.

 

 

Still. I would not. I find that so strange and I agree with the other poster about how they should be pretty good at making drinks if they are a bartender on a cruise line

 

In fact you would think they would be among the best, with the sheer number of drinks they make

 

I've always had great tasting drinks, and ones I didn't like were always due to personal preference

 

 

 

 

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[GoAndHaveFun]

We have always had good service (even at the pool and casino bar) to the point that they know exactly what we are ordering (with our soda package) when they see my hubby walking up...1 diet, 1 mt dew and they would even be making them already sometimes. They always amazed me and got to know us pretty well. The last several cruises, not so much. They were so slammed, you were lucky if they took your order because it was so hard to keep up with who was next in line and you would constantly get passed up. I really hope for a better experience this time. I will attempt to seek out different areas of the ship and see how it goes.

 

 

This has also been my experience too in which I had the soda package and when I frequented a certain bar enough times (also helps that I tip :)), they would remember my order.

[Moby0215]

Still. I would not. I find that so strange and I agree with the other poster about how they should be pretty good at making drinks if they are a bartender on a cruise line

 

In fact you would think they would be among the best, with the sheer number of drinks they make

 

I've always had great tasting drinks, and ones I didn't like were always due to personal preference

 

 

 

 

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I'm guessing you haven't been to many bars then. This is a very common practice. Maybe not for your standard drinks like vodka soda/juice or whiskey soda etc. but for drinks that are made much less often it is very common for a bartender to stick a straw in like the last poster said and have a taste.

 

 

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[hawkeyetlse]

For a moment I was believing I had some pretty weird bartenders that tried to get drunk during work on my expenses. But a quick google search reveals that it is a not so uncommon quality control procedure.

It is not uncommon in "craft cocktail" bars but in my opinion it is as much for show as for quality control. Unless they are using highly variable ingredients (like fresh herbs, fresh berries), there is no reason for them to taste your cocktail. They should be able to follow a standard recipe and make the cocktail taste the same every time. In my opinion, again, I think they are trying to be like wine stewards in fancy restaurants, who will not hesitate to help themselves to a glass of your wine if you make the mistake of asking them the simplest question about it :D

 

I'm waiting for the day when hipster baristas start tasting my espresso before I am allowed to drink it.

[aubreyc1988]

I guess I don't go to classy bars because it's never been done for me. Anyhow, I'll report back here after my cruise to tell how my drink service was

 

 

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[thatjoeguy]

:eek: Eeeek. Can you imagine if a bar tender tasted every drink to make sure that it was perfect (and perfect to one person isn't always perfect to another) how drunk they would be before long? LOL Yea, I don't see that happening...you would end up with no drinks and a bartender laying on the floor. :p

 

That must be the reason that some people are reporting slow bar service!!

[hawkeyetlse]

And such bars are on NCL ships

I don't know their entire drink book, but if there are any very subtle/difficult recipes that are impossible to get right just by measuring and mixing correctly, a case could be made for tasting. Although I still don't think it would be allowed (and I think probably some of the bartenders would be unable to do it, for religious reasons). Anyway, the frozen drinks are anything but subtle or difficult, and those are the ones you suggested that they should taste when you first brought up this topic.

[cliffd64]

I'm guessing you haven't been to many bars then. This is a very common practice. Maybe not for your standard drinks like vodka soda/juice or whiskey soda etc. but for drinks that are made much less often it is very common for a bartender to stick a straw in like the last poster said and have a taste.

 

 

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It's not common when you have experienced and confident bartenders. In a fast paced environment they should not be taste testing drinks... It's not professional.

[Moby0215]

It's not common when you have experienced and confident bartenders. In a fast paced environment they should not be taste testing drinks... It's not professional.

 

 

Did you not read my comment where i said it's mostly common for NON Standard drinks?

 

 

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[detroitlions]

Still. I would not. I find that so strange and I agree with the other poster about how they should be pretty good at making drinks if they are a bartender on a cruise line

 

In fact you would think they would be among the best, with the sheer number of drinks they make

 

I've always had great tasting drinks, and ones I didn't like were always due to personal preference

 

 

 

 

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I have seen many bar tenders on cruise ships most of them look like they are still learning. You do occasionally see a few that stand out on every cruise. If you have been to a good bar or night club in the US you will see some really good bartenders. I did this when I was in College, I am thinking these folks learned on the ship some crash course.

[LMaxwell]

I don't order many exotic drinks or drinks that require a book to make or special procedures or tasting. I just want to get service in a reasonable timeframe. It appears this will be hit or miss but that I have a better chance staying away from the pool bar.

[detroitlions]

I was on Breakaway a month ago and although there would be a lot of people at the bar at any given time, I would get my drink order in relatively quick. I think only time one would get super fast service is if you are either in the Haven and getting your drink at the Haven Bar or you are a CAS Golden or VIP playing at the tables (Pit Supervisor def don't wanna risk upsetting a Golden or VIP player)

So they must be super excited to serve you faster if they feel you paid more for your cruise or are gambling more? They do not care. You may have cared but they don't. Should I change my signature to not Platinum yet? The point here is the slowest bars tend to be the crowded one I don't care if your in the haven or at the well fare line in the bowels of the ship. Go to another bar if the line is long they are every were on the ship. Or you can drop a $5000 bet in the VIP area in the casino to get a $10 drink fast. Oh man toooo much.