spotter27 Posted March 9, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 9, 2017 I went on a cruise Last April and we purchased the Cheers Pkg. and We couldnt get a drink, When I tell u we waited 15-20 minutes on Carnival Ecstasy . It was terrible. I am booked on the Vista in May and I read tons of posts same thing not enough bar help. I think when the Cheers program came out, They reduced there bar staff. I think Carnival needs more Bar help. I used to sit by the pool and people would bug me every 5 minutes Can I get u a drink. Now days not one time the whole cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamecock_Cruiser Posted March 9, 2017 #2 Share Posted March 9, 2017 We had no issue at the casino bar on the Ecstasy. We also had our one bartender that we would always chat with and give a $1 per drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruizergal70 Posted March 9, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 9, 2017 On the Conquest, there was bar staff walking around everywhere... and I don't even drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted March 9, 2017 #4 Share Posted March 9, 2017 On the OUTSIDE Decks ... seems to be getting worse... not enough servers coming around. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted March 10, 2017 #5 Share Posted March 10, 2017 We had no problem getting drinks at the bars or from the or servers on the decks were plentiful. We also tip cash which definitely helps your cause Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cccer Posted March 10, 2017 #6 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I always tipped a dollar or two for each drink and went to the same couple of bars. I never waited more than two minutes for a drink. Even if there were people waiting at the bar, I usually would get served when I walked up. It does pay to tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted March 10, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 10, 2017 They HAVE reduced the bar staff...keeps the "packages" from getting out of hand, profit-wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerman2 Posted March 10, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 10, 2017 They HAVE reduced the bar staff...keeps the "packages" from getting out of hand, profit-wise. Just curious you know for a FACT they have reduced the staff? My guess would be the ratio of staff /pax has changed due to larger capacity on ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E&B Posted March 10, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 10, 2017 We were on the Magic in August and had Cheers. Never had an issue. We usually tipped extra, 50c or $1, and went to the bar ourselves, never waited for service. Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdGuyMG Posted March 10, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 10, 2017 We were on the Vista in January and had prompt service at the Tides Pool Bar, Red Frog Rum Bar, Havana Bar, Sports Bar, Alchemy Bar and the best service of all at the Casino Bar. There were also regular servers coming around up on deck 11 mid and aft from the Deck 10 bars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted March 10, 2017 #11 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Bar staff are motivated to look for and serve guests who hands them tip. Can't blame them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPWhittingham Posted March 10, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I went on a cruise Last April and we purchased the Cheers Pkg. and We couldnt get a drink, When I tell u we waited 15-20 minutes on Carnival Ecstasy . It was terrible. I am booked on the Vista in May and I read tons of posts same thing not enough bar help. I think when the Cheers program came out, They reduced there bar staff. I think Carnival needs more Bar help. I used to sit by the pool and people would bug me every 5 minutes Can I get u a drink. Now days not one time the whole cruise. You went on a cruise last April and it's taken you almost a year to post this? Me thinks this is not valid - We have been on many Carnival cruises and NEVER had a problem getting a drink Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.S.Oceanlover Posted March 10, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 10, 2017 They HAVE reduced the bar staff...keeps the "packages" from getting out of hand, profit-wise. How does it get out of hand when there is a 15 drink limit? Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusBeachn Posted March 10, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 10, 2017 We didn't have an issue by the pool on our Liberty cruise. Service came by about every 10 minutes or so. The bar, well that's a different situation. It would take about 25 minutes to get a drink there. If staff needs to be upgraded, it would be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted March 10, 2017 #15 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I went on a cruise Last April and we purchased the Cheers Pkg. and We couldnt get a drink, When I tell u we waited 15-20 minutes on Carnival Ecstasy . It was terrible. I am booked on the Vista in May and I read tons of posts same thing not enough bar help. I think when the Cheers program came out, They reduced there bar staff. I think Carnival needs more Bar help. I used to sit by the pool and people would bug me every 5 minutes Can I get u a drink. Now days not one time the whole cruise. Same on RCCL and P&O.Their quoted staff level stays fairly constant so maybe they are redeployed elsewhere on the ship. love sailing with RCCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheels87 Posted March 10, 2017 #16 Share Posted March 10, 2017 There is no doubt that they have reduced the number of staff who walk around and take drink orders. It used to be that you frequently had to turn them down when they came by. Now, I often find myself searching around for someone. I noticed this about 2 years ago. Cheers! Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StolidCruiser Posted March 10, 2017 #17 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I went on a cruise Last April and we purchased the Cheers Pkg. and We couldnt get a drink, When I tell u we waited 15-20 minutes on Carnival Ecstasy . It was terrible. I am booked on the Vista in May and I read tons of posts same thing not enough bar help. I think when the Cheers program came out, They reduced there bar staff. I think Carnival needs more Bar help. I used to sit by the pool and people would bug me every 5 minutes Can I get u a drink. Now days not one time the whole cruise. I have not experienced any inconveniences in getting a beverage when I wanted one. There's a big difference between not being able to getting a drink and having to wait "15-20 minutes". Clearly, to you, both scenarios are terrible. Having read tons of posts about there not being enough bar help, I am sure you can draw the conclusion that Carnival is not the cruise line for you since you feel the service isn't prompt enough. I hope you find a line that caters to you more efficiently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seannyice81 Posted March 10, 2017 #18 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I have noticed less servers on the open decks, even on a Journeys cruise. I just got up and went to the closest bar though with minimal wait for a drink. The bars seem staffed as well as they always have to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted March 10, 2017 #19 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I have not experienced any inconveniences in getting a beverage when I wanted one. There's a big difference between not being able to getting a drink and having to wait "15-20 minutes". Clearly, to you, both scenarios are terrible. Having read tons of posts about there not being enough bar help, I am sure you can draw the conclusion that Carnival is not the cruise line for you since you feel the service isn't prompt enough. I hope you find a line that caters to you more efficiently. Increasingly I find most bars are crowded with people getting their own drinks which is okay if you are not charged 18% gratuity on your drinks but as you are charged gratuitys its a much paying several dollars tip for doing their job for them. love sailing with RCCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDTeam Posted March 10, 2017 #20 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I think it is just luck to be honest. We found this to be an issue at times on Vista, but not at other times. The same is true with Sunshine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autofan Posted March 10, 2017 #21 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Just off the Breeze and my impression was that not only bar staff was less but overall staff seems to be less than several years ago. Why do I think this? I was only hit up twice to see if I wished to purchase a drink. I also noticed a large number of cruisers heading up to the bar itself to get service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted March 10, 2017 #22 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I think it is just luck to be honest. We found this to be an issue at times on Vista, but not at other times. The same is true with Sunshine. TBH to be charged 18% gratuity on top of inflated drinks prices to get your own drinks is taking the Mick.If they can't supply waiter service they should take the gratuity off. love sailing with RCCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemanbobswife Posted March 10, 2017 #23 Share Posted March 10, 2017 TBH to be charged 18% gratuity on top of inflated drinks prices to get your own drinks is taking the Mick.If they can't supply waiter service they should take the gratuity off. love sailing with RCCL It's only 15% on Carnival, but I see your point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamecock_Cruiser Posted March 10, 2017 #24 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Maybe it is the fact of more people taking advantage in cheers, meaning the servers are busier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwellen Posted March 10, 2017 #25 Share Posted March 10, 2017 We were on the Breeze a couple weeks ago and it was VERY noticeable to my wife and I how few servers there were walking around. I think we were only asked twice the entire cruise if we wanted anything. The bars seemed very crowded also with people waiting to get drinks. We only had four drinks among the two of us all week and some of it was that it just didn't seem worth the hassle. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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