Dining Package

[CruisingMarch2016]

Background: Was on the Oasis of the Seas in March 2017. Our group all purchased the 3 night dining package which was great food. We paid around $ 85 per person.

 

Questions:

 

1. Does this include Tips?

 

2. Do most of you Tip more?

 

3. How much?

 

We ended up tipping at every restaurant which probably took our total to well over $ 100 per person.

 

This ended up making this a ok deal in my mind.

 

Just curious what others do or thoughts you might have??

[Clarea]

The package includes tips, but you can add more if you like. Totally up to you.

[Steelers0854]

We are on the Oasis in April and I just purchased the same 3 night package. Which venues did you choose? Did you have a hard time making reservations for the locations/days/times you wanted?

 

Glad to hear you enjoyed the food.

[dplusd]

Our group all purchased the 3 night dining package which was great food. We paid around $ 85 per person.

Questions:

1. Does this include Tips?

2. Do most of you Tip more?

3. How much?

We ended up tipping at every restaurant which probably took our total to well over $ 100 per person.

 

A portion of the fee is supposed to go to the wait staff. We almost always have excellent service and tip more, usually $20 in cash for the 2 of us. When we save a bit by taking advantage of a dining package discount, we feel the additional tip is even more important. That is just us...

[cb at sea]

The "fee" you pay to dine in the specialty restaurants INCLUDES the tip. If you feel the need to tip more, $5 should be fine. Remember, you've paid the fee and tip...and a tip on any alcohol is totally separate and apart from the restaurant charges. Do not feel the need to "go overboard" with tips!

[Ozzie26]

We had the same package on the oasis in May. We tipped at Chops where we went 2 of the 3 nights. Our server was excellent but because the tip is included in price we only gave $5.00 each night. The other night we ate at Giovanni's and this service was horrible so no extra from us that night

 

 

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[Travelmoon]

The tip is included in the package. You pay additional tip when you order drink if no drink package.

 

We brought our own wine and there's the corkage fee plus 18% tip on the corkage fee.

 

 

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[Clarea]

The tip is included in the package. You pay additional tip when you order drink if no drink package.

 

We brought our own wine and there's the corkage fee plus 18% tip on the corkage fee.

I know I should not be surprised, but it's hard to believe they add a service charge to a service charge.:rolleyes:

[Esmerelda]

We always bring our own corkscrew and just carry a glass with us to the main dining room for dinner. We have never paid a corkage fee. We did receive a bottle of champagne a few cruises back from guest services (no clue why) and they were going to charge us to open it. Thankfully, I also had the note from GS showing they had sent it. I told the wait staff I was not paying for them to open it, I would take it back to the room and open it myself later. SMH... They didn't charge us.

[slyster]

the rule changed again not too long ago. They were not charging a corkage fee for a while and now they are charging again. Folks have reported they have filled up their wine glasses and then brought their own wine in a glass with no problem at all. I don't believe you can go in with your own bottle and not pay the corkage fee.

[kimala]

The "fee" you pay to dine in the specialty restaurants INCLUDES the tip. If you feel the need to tip more, $5 should be fine. Remember, you've paid the fee and tip...and a tip on any alcohol is totally separate and apart from the restaurant charges. Do not feel the need to "go overboard" with tips!

 

Thanks..this was my thought as well and it is basically what Ive done when we have eaten in a specialty restaurant. This is the same thing I do with a little extra tip for the room steward and waiters..besides the automatic gratuity I will give them an extra $10 or $20 at the end of the week..its like a "bonus"

[CruisingMarch2016]

Giovanni's was our favorite. A couple of us had the steak which is also served at Chops so we didn't have to go to Chops.

Izumi was NOT worth it in my opinion.

Sabor was fabulous with the Guacamole being the highlight!!

Making reservations was easy and no problem.

[ptf2009]

Thanks for the info! We are looking forward to our 5 night specialty dining package. We'll probably eat at the Solarium one night and at MDR for the formal "lobster night."

 

Also thanks for the info about Izumi...I don't like that kind of food anyway, so I'd rather try Sabor instead.

 

6 1/2 more weeks to go!

 

Happy Cruising!

[cbelc]

On the ship, tips are included in the price of drinks and specialty dining.

 

 

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[lazydayz]

Unless you have a drink package or free drinks (due to diamond or above status, through the casino, etc.), your total is the drink price plus a service charge. With the drink package, you pay the service charge when you purchase the package.

 

Specialty dining charges do include the tip.

 

Unreal they are charging a tip to open your bottle, after a corkage fee.

[Travelmoon]

I know I should not be surprised, but it's hard to believe they add a service charge to a service charge.:rolleyes:

 

 

 

We maybe right... now I am not sure if that extra charge was tip or tax....

 

 

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[Merion_Mom]

I know I should not be surprised, but it's hard to believe they add a service charge to a service charge.:rolleyes:

 

[Merion_Mom]

We maybe right... now I am not sure if that extra charge was tip or tax....

 

 

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There is no tax. (unless you are in Europe and VAT applies)

[DazyMae]

Pardon my stupidity but I thought tip and gratuity were the same thing. Duh!

Seriously, $28 to open a bottle? But I suppose their pouring it makes it all worth while. Labor intensive and all.

[Clarea]

Pardon my stupidity but I thought tip and gratuity were the same thing. Duh!

Seriously, $28 to open a bottle? But I suppose their pouring it makes it all worth while. Labor intensive and all.

Add me to the stupid list (here's one for you Ellen:halo:), I don't get it either.

[cbelc]

If you take your own bottle to the dining room to be consumed there, whether or not they open it for you, you are charged the corking fee. That even applies to screw type lids! So enjoy your wine in the room.

 

 

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