chalky2012 Posted February 1, 2016 #1 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Hi we have never cruised on RCL before but we are going on Navigator of the seas in June. We have been pushed towards the all inclusive deal and don't get me wrong it does look value but reading through the forums it seems that sometimes 18% is pre added to drinks packages with RCL for bartender gratuities. Is this the case with A.I or should we tip seperately. We have already paid other gratuities up front. Thanks for your advice in advance:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfcathorse Posted February 1, 2016 #2 Share Posted February 1, 2016 (edited) yes, the gratuity will be added when you buy the drink package, it'll show up when you check out. So there's no need to tip extra, unless you find a bartender you adore. Then feel free to be generous with him or her towards the end of your cruise (like an extra $10 in cash personally delivered). Those of us with 3 free drinks loaded onto our Seapass cards (Diamond Plus and above), we tip $1 for each as the crew does not get a gratuity off those drinks. Edited February 1, 2016 by wolfcathorse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BekkaW Posted February 1, 2016 #3 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Hi we have never cruised on RCL before but we are going on Navigator of the seas in June. We have been pushed towards the all inclusive deal and don't get me wrong it does look value but reading through the forums it seems that sometimes 18% is pre added to drinks packages with RCL for bartender gratuities. Is this the case with A.I or should we tip seperately. We have already paid other gratuities up front. Thanks for your advice in advance:) The gratuity is always added to drinks packages. No requirement to tip separately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 1, 2016 #4 Share Posted February 1, 2016 The only exception I can think of is if the drink ordered is more than is allowed by the package. Then the 18% gratuity will be applied to the difference in price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thom524 Posted February 2, 2016 #5 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Before a cruise my DW saves singles and I always have several in my pocket. Even with the package I tip waiter or bartender an extra dollar and while I can't swear that it makes any difference I usually can easily find a waiter and my drinks always taste good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casinostreer Posted February 2, 2016 #6 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) Before a cruise my DW saves singles and I always have several in my pocket. Even with the package I tip waiter or bartender an extra dollar and while I can't swear that it makes any difference I usually can easily find a waiter and my drinks always taste good. We found it makes a difference. In the casino (where we admittedly spend a lot of time) there would be 4 or 5 people would be waiting and the bartender would make our drinks while making others and hand them to us. 1) she knew we had the Ultimate package and 2) we tipped about $5 for 3 drinks every other round or so. It's totally up to you. If you don't frequent a certain bar - don't worry about it! If you meet a bartender you like - give them an extra buck or two! Edited February 2, 2016 by casinostreer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin Dave Posted February 2, 2016 #7 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Yes, but if you find one that you like you can always tip extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystereohasmono Posted February 2, 2016 #8 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) Just to be clear because some of the wording here is confusing: If I go on a 5-night cruise, and get the ultimate package, it would cost $295 (59*5). At the end of the cruise do I only pay $295, or will I have an extra balance to still pay because gratuities have been adding up that I didn't pay yet? Edited February 2, 2016 by mystereohasmono Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 2, 2016 #9 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Just to be clear because some of the wording here is confusing: If I go on a 5-night cruise, and get the ultimate package, it would cost $295. At the end of the cruise do I only pay $295, or will I have an extra balance to still pay because gratuities have been adding up that I didn't pay yet? Your cost for the Ultimate package will be $295 plus 18% = $348.10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casinostreer Posted February 2, 2016 #10 Share Posted February 2, 2016 You have to pre-purchase the drink packages. When you check out online - that's when they will add the 18% gratuity. There will be a sticker on your seapass card - which you will give to the bartender. At the end of the cruise - you won't owe anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted February 2, 2016 #11 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Hi we have never cruised on RCL before but we are going on Navigator of the seas in June. We have been pushed towards the all inclusive deal and don't get me wrong it does look value but reading through the forums it seems that sometimes 18% is pre added to drinks packages with RCL for bartender gratuities. Is this the case with A.I or should we tip seperately. We have already paid other gratuities up front. Thanks for your advice in advance:) I sure would thing so. 18% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molsonschooner Posted February 2, 2016 #12 Share Posted February 2, 2016 You have to pre-purchase the drink packages. When you check out online - that's when they will add the 18% gratuity. There will be a sticker on your seapass card - which you will give to the bartender. At the end of the cruise - you won't owe anything else. you can wait until you are on the ship to purchase your drink package Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrmende63 Posted February 2, 2016 #13 Share Posted February 2, 2016 you can wait until you are on the ship to purchase your drink package This is good because I want to use our OBC for my drink package :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casinostreer Posted February 2, 2016 #14 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) you can wait until you are on the ship to purchase your drink package Yes - true. But you must get the package at the start of the cruise (or with at least a certain amount of time left of the cruise.) They put the gratuities on your account at that time. Then they give you the wonderful "UP" sticker for your seapass. That's how the bartenders know - and it's in the computer - but the sticker is the most fun! :P Edited February 2, 2016 by casinostreer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chalky2012 Posted February 2, 2016 Author #15 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Thanks for your advice and help we don't mind tipping a little extra if someone is looking after us but don't want to tip everyone twice! We just were not sure if the tips were included as we had gone all inclusive and all previous threads seemed to be about seperately purchased drinks packages. Thanks again☺ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoverOfMutts Posted February 2, 2016 #16 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I have no problem tipping a buck each drink so that someone is around to notice my drink is almost empty, no different than when I'm at the casino on a land vacation. But, last time (my first cruise), I got the RR package and was signing 0.00 receipts the entire trip. What gives? I thought having a package allowed you to avoid that irritation? I have the RR package again for the upcoming cruise, but I'm not looking fwd to signing anything except the orders I get for non-included items. Hoping this is true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 2, 2016 #17 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I have no problem tipping a buck each drink so that someone is around to notice my drink is almost empty, no different than when I'm at the casino on a land vacation. But, last time (my first cruise), I got the RR package and was signing 0.00 receipts the entire trip. What gives? I thought having a package allowed you to avoid that irritation? I have the RR package again for the upcoming cruise, but I'm not looking fwd to signing anything except the orders I get for non-included items. Hoping this is true. Sometimes you will get receipts to sign, sometimes you won't. That's just the way it works with Royal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkie Posted February 2, 2016 #18 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) Forgive me if I'm wrong here :D But an all inclusive deal is not the same as having a drinks package? Here in the UK, the AL is a deal you get at times when you book a cruse and the drinks package is something you add or you are given as a sweetener. My in-laws where on a recent NCL all inclusive package where they could drink what they wanted, but come the end they had a bill for the tips on the drinks they had drank:( So just make sure you know what you have? Edited February 2, 2016 by tonkie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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