Just off Allure and 1st Royal cruise. Bar question on other ships.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

Hey Everyone,

 

Just wrapped my first cruise on Royal Caribbean on Allure of the Seas. I must say these ships are amazing. While I prefer the smaller ships that feel more like cruise ships Allure has certainly been the most incredible ship I have sailed. The service was great, food was tasty and the entertainment was decent.

 

My only complaint comes with the bar department and I'd love to hear if its different on the non Oasis class ships.

 

Many of the bars felt short staffed with one person taking orders and making the drinks which resulted in long lines in just about every bar. Even at sea it could take a while to get a bottle of water for example. In several of the lounges they didn't have servers but everyone had to go to the bar to get their drinks.

 

Is this due to these ships having several smaller bars or is this normal for Royal Caribbean? I was surprised by the lack of cocktail menus around pool bars also. A gentlemen next to me asked for a menu and after about five minutes of searching they gave up.

 

I had a great time and will certainly do Royal again but was curious about this with the bars. Thanks!

[Clarea]

I have noticed on some (not all) ships that bar service has seemed to be slower since they started offering the unlimited drink packages.

[SConnolly]

Agree we have definitely seen a reduced # of staff in the lounges in the evenings and on sea days not enough bartenders on the outer deck areas. Waiting. 15/20 mins is not acceptable and I have personally had to do it several times.

 

I am guessing it's a conscious decision by the exec teams but if passengers provide enough negative feedback then maybe, just maybe they will address it.

 

Happy cruising.

[Lionesss]

When we were on the Allure this past August we found the Pool Bar to provide quick service, they had 2 bartenders.

 

Also in the evening, the Casino bartender was awesome, Free pouring to the max (hiccup) and I did not buy drink package, just got a drink from my diamond status.

 

But did find some not so motivated bartenders in the suite lounge, DH went to the bar to get our drinks.

 

They tried to be very attentive the last night, but it was too late to work on a tip.

 

And to think last year on Oasis in the Suite lounge we had our own private bartender that was great, and we tip great.

 

Later

Edited October 2, 2016 by Lionesss

[cb at sea]

They will make you any drink you ask for...whether it's on a menu, or not!

[molly361]

I have noticed that bar service and the number of servers on just about all ships we have been on in the past year or so has diminished. All over the ships including pool service

Edited October 2, 2016 by molly361

[MizDemeanor]

This is not welcome news...

[waterbug123]

It's really gotten ridiculous. 10 years ago you had to wave the servers off because they swarmed like flies. Now you're lucky if anyone comes by at all when you're in the casino, pool or solarium to take an order. Just off Allure today and every single night the champagne bar was packed and they never had more than 2 employees working. Line was 3 deep at the bar and it took upwards of 20 min to get a drink. I mean, hello? 7pm? That's prime happy hour time for late/specialty dining and one of the main bars off the popular promenade isn't adequately staffed? :rolleyes:

[helen haywood]

When I was last on Oasis I would often go to the Schooner Bar (closest to my cabin) to get a drink...during the posted hours that the Bar was open to find no one in the place. No bartender behind the bar nor a waitress. The Bar definitely was open as the cage was up over the bottles.... You'd think if the bartender needed something he could either call for it or call for someone to stand in for him.

[linedancer]

I was just on Allure 9/11-18. We were in the Diamond lounge every night and bartenders were wonderful. The bartenders in Dazzle were excellent and Casino bar and Viintages were great. Sorry can't tell you about pool bar. We did not have a drink package. Th diamond lounge and Dazzles were crowded every night and the bartenders did a fantastic job and always with a smile on their face. Enjoy.

[MizDemeanor]

We are Diamond....would you take the drinks package or just pay as you go if they are making it that difficult to get drinks?

[ohioNCLcruiser]

Glad it wasn't just me thinking this! Had a great cruise this was just the one thing I noticed really lacked compared to my Norwegian and Carnival cruises.

[SilkySal]

We are Diamond....would you take the drinks package or just pay as you go if they are making it that difficult to get drinks?

 

DH and I are also D. On our FOS in 3-weeks, DH elected to stay with his pre-purchased Select (beer/wine) package but I will upgrade my Select to the Deluxe, since it is only $10 + 18% grat per day!;) I like beer/wine but prefer martinis and a couple of frozen concoctions during the day, as well as a mimosa or 2 at breakfast, maybe some Bailey's in my coffee, and good ole spicy Bloody Mary now and then, so I believe I will get my money's worth!:p DH will have his bourbon in the DL during happy hours. So, personal preference applies!:D Decreased wait staff serving drinks is not a problem; they just won't get any extra tips from us!!:p

[setsail]

You were lucky, there is no bar service on the other ships

[BillOh]

Hey Everyone,

 

 

 

My only complaint comes with the bar department and I'd love to hear if its different on the non Oasis class ships.

 

!

 

 

I have not had this experience with 3 cruises on this class of ship, but I've learned not to doubt people as things can vary from week to week.

[TriCoachCruising]

DH and I are also D. On our FOS in 3-weeks, DH elected to stay with his pre-purchased Select (beer/wine) package but I will upgrade my Select to the Deluxe, since it is only $10 + 18% grat per day!;) I like beer/wine but prefer martinis and a couple of frozen concoctions during the day, as well as a mimosa or 2 at breakfast, maybe some Bailey's in my coffee, and good ole spicy Bloody Mary now and then, so I believe I will get my money's worth!:p DH will have his bourbon in the DL during happy hours. So, personal preference applies!:D Decreased wait staff serving drinks is not a problem; they just won't get any extra tips from us!!:p

 

Great info for us. We are sailing the Allure on October 23-30, 2016. Our first as Diamond and in a grand suite. I still purchased the deluxe drink package for me but not DW. I like the occasional frozen drinks in the theater and in dazzles and fresh squeezed OJ at breakfast so I think the package will work for me. Got the 25% off deal as well.

[jamesr3939]

We noticed it on our Carnival Magic cruise this last NYE. It was mostly at the comedy club venue and I directly relate it to drink packages. Make the servers scarce, limits the amount of drinks they can order, and keeps the profits up.

 

We didn't notice it on the Oasis two years ago and will see how it works on the Allure in 19 days.