Tipping with Cheers?

[RjayB]

Not trying to start another tipping thread...but this is a serious question.  We have done "pay as you go" for 18 years, but might try Cheers for the first time later this year.

We usually tip above the 15% already added to the bill, $1 or $2 per drink, depending on service.  {Off topic, but YES this can lead to future drinks from the same bartender/server being exceptionally strong}.

 

For those who have used Cheers, is the "standard" 15% already included?  If not (or even if so), do you add additional?

 

Thanks!

[PhillyFan33579]

You pay 18% (recently increased from 15%) on the Cheers package up front when you buy the package. 

 

We always get Cheers and still tip from $1 - $2  per drink. Like you mentioned, when you take care of the bartenders, they take care of you. 

[momof3cruisers]

Depends on the bar tender for us. We had one guy we started tipping early on but he was always grouchy so we stopped. He was at the rum bar on the pool deck which has our favorite drinks so we couldn’t avoid him. We didn’t tip extra in the comedy club because service was soooo slow. Sometimes yes at Alchemy. Usually at the lobby bar where we often spend a lot of time if they hold trivia etc there.

[coevan]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

You pay 18% (recently increased from 15%) on the Cheers package up front when you buy the package. 

 

We always get Cheers and still tip from $1 - $2  per drink. Like you mentioned, when you take care of the bartenders, they take care of you. 

 

This and a few bucks to the server around the pool and deck will get you noticed.

[watermelonqueen99]

We always get Cheers, and we also tip early and often. 95% of the time, it makes a huge difference. Also, engaging your bartenders and becoming genuine friends with them helps too. 😉

[Joe817]

I don't think it should be an issue "if I have cheers", as gratuity is already included. IMO, the issue is, "should we tip extra, if gratuity is already included as a 'tip'. Short answer: yes, absolutely, for reasons stated above. To get on the good side of the bartender, or if he/she is showing you excellent service, however you define 'excellent'. Just my opinion.

[Irene225]

4 hours ago, RjayB said:

Not trying to start another tipping thread...but this is a serious question.  We have done "pay as you go" for 18 years, but might try Cheers for the first time later this year.

We usually tip above the 15% already added to the bill, $1 or $2 per drink, depending on service.  {Off topic, but YES this can lead to future drinks from the same bartender/server being exceptionally strong}.

 

For those who have used Cheers, is the "standard" 15% already included?  If not (or even if so), do you add additional?

 

Thanks!

 

To quote Cardi B on Ellen this week, “I enjoy the checks”. 

 

No, tipping isn’t required. 

Yes, you did pay a service charge.

 

However, the infinite degrees of separation between the service charge you pay to a corporation and the individual bringing your drinks are vast. 

 

If you want above and beyond service, money talks.  

 

Edited October 6, 2019 by ashirene225
Grammar

[Joe817]

15 minutes ago, ashirene225 said:

 

To quote Cardi B on Ellen this week, “I enjoy the checks”. 

 

No, tipping isn’t required. 

Yes, you did pay a service charge.

 

However, the infinite degrees of separation between the service charge you pay to a corporation and the individual bringing your drinks are vast. 

 

If you want above and beyond service, money talks.  

 

^^^^ This.

[CruizCuz]

I usually tip above and beyond the already charged gratuity.  Many times at the end of a cruise, I will seek out a particular server or bartender and give an extra "gift".  I have posted this before, but this is also how I work CHEERS: I divvy out 15 $1's each am.  When I order a drink, I usually tip an extra dollar.  If it's not a "good" server or bartender, I don't.  I will then tip the next one 2 one dollar bills.  I do this to count my drinks.  YES, I KNOW that they will tell you anytime you ask.  This works best for me to help me keep track and ration.  Often I don't drink all 15 drinks, but I have reached that limit as a result of not finishing a hot beer, not enjoying a particular drink, or not finishing wine with dinner.  

[ray98]

I have got great service with nothing more than the included tip.  I have also got great service after adding $1 or so per drink.  I have also got mediocre service using both tactics.

[havanadaydreaming]

My wife and i always tip $1 per round.  Most folks don't seem to tip above the cheers SC, in our experience. 

[outdoors27]

My wife and always tip an extra $1.00 per drink with cheers which always seems to get us that extra attention on those busy sea days a a few extra strong drinks. A little extra cash to our favorite bartender mid week also helps..

[auntibe49]

When I have the Cheers program or free drinks in the casino, I always tip $1-$2 dollars. I don't know if they receive a tip if the charge is $0, so I always tip on those programs.

[jdemps]

The tip amount on a 7 night cruise is $130.91 currently.  My husband and I don't feel like that is adequate gratuity for the great service we always receive so we give an extra buck at least on every drink we order.

[Joebucks]

I just came back from a cruise with Cheers, without extra gratuity. I don't remember at anytime thinking I needed more alcohol or faster service for more money (or thinking that these things are guaranteed)

[pacruise804]

10 hours ago, auntibe49 said:

When I have the Cheers program or free drinks in the casino, I always tip $1-$2 dollars. I don't know if they receive a tip if the charge is $0, so I always tip on those programs.

 

I don't know how DOU works for gratuity, but a gratuity was applied to the cost of Cheers (and presumably passed on to all the servers).  It is still generous to reward your specific server, but at least with Cheers bar staff should have received something.

[pacruise804]

11 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

I just came back from a cruise with Cheers, without extra gratuity. I don't remember at anytime thinking I needed more alcohol or faster service for more money (or thinking that these things are guaranteed)

 

OT - sorry, there's no way to direct message

 

I thought you generally don't get Cheers - what did you think of it?  I can't see it working for my husband and I unless it was a very short cruise, but we are splurging on a Viking Ocean cruise next year and plan to try their beverage program since it is on $20 pp/pd and seems worth it to try.

[Joe817]

1 minute ago, pacruise804 said:

 

OT - sorry, there's no way to direct message

 

I thought you generally don't get Cheers - what did you think of it?  I can't see it working for my husband and I unless it was a very short cruise, but we are splurging on a Viking Ocean cruise next year and plan to try their beverage program since it is only $20 pp/pd and seems worth it to try.

Am I understanding this correctly? On Viking Ocean cruises, their drink plan is $20.00 per person, per day? Is that like Carnival's Bottomless Bubbles, or is it comparable to the Cheer's package? If it's comparable to Cheer's I'd be all over that like a frog on a june bug! 

[pacruise804]

It is comparable to Cheers, but as a premium line vs. mass market the initial cruise fare is much higher too 😉 

 

Their minimum cabin is a balcony and is larger than Carnival's balcony.  They include one excursion (generally a bus or walking tour) at each port; beer, wine, or soft drink with lunch and dinner (house wine, others are extra) but charged at other times. Specialty coffee (without alcohol) is included at all times. They are smaller ships (~950 pax) and don't have casinos, karaoke, or children (no guests under 18).  Viking is also generally port intensive cruises (although we will have at least 4 sea days on our 12 Day)

 

Their Silver Spirit package covers all single drinks up to $15 and a discount on bottles of wine.  While it seems like a great deal compared to Cheers, there are many on the Viking boards who can't imagine drinking enough to make it worth the extra cost - especially since we are paying so much extra for the base fare.

[GinaDucey]

I still tipped $1 per drink with our Cheers package.  Now I will admit if I had a bartender that was dry, I did noy add the extra.

[Joebucks]

On 10/10/2019 at 9:37 AM, pacruise804 said:

 

OT - sorry, there's no way to direct message

 

I thought you generally don't get Cheers - what did you think of it?  I can't see it working for my husband and I unless it was a very short cruise, but we are splurging on a Viking Ocean cruise next year and plan to try their beverage program since it is on $20 pp/pd and seems worth it to try.

 

This was the second time this year I got Cheers, and I'm honestly over it.