What can I use my 4 Diamond drink vouchers for if I have the Deluxe Beverage Package?

[SilkySal]

2 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Are you sure the vouchers don’t include gratuities, because last year a bar server told us how much he gets per drink. And we were using our D+ drinks….we always tip for the drinks too.

If you read all of the above posts, you will see that the comment is based on one's experiences on the ships, not actual facts. So, it's anyone's guess and we will probably never know for sure. I'll just continue to do what I always do. Cheers!

[rolloman]

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I am curious as to why you see those two programs differently and tip one but not the other.  They are both "earned" benefits one is just limited to a set number per day but they are both perks of achieving a certain loyalty status.

Not that I owe you (and your history of snarky responses) an explanation, but as a courtesy I will answer your question. Typically, while playing in the casino I order from a waiter who brings me a drink therefore I am tipping for the delivery. The vouchers, I walk up to a bar or a beverage cart and receive my "free" drink. Secondly as another poster mentioned, I have been told by staff the tip is included. The casino drinks are a different story.

[rolloman]

8 minutes ago, SilkySal said:

If you read all of the above posts, you will see that the comment is based on one's experiences on the ships, not actual facts. So, it's anyone's guess and we will probably never know for sure. I'll just continue to do what I always do. Cheers!

Perfect...now all you have to do is quit telling people to tip. 

 

Edited August 22, 2023 by rolloman

[loug1601]

@Ourusualbeach,

 

I rarely post on these boards, but do enjoy reading about Royal Caribbean all things cruising. 
 

I would like to thank you for your always kind and informative responses. Always kind. Always informative. 
 

Thank you,

Pat

[2wheelin]

They tell you tip included because you are not charged the auto tip. Whether the bar staff get that credit or not  is another question. If I get a free drink the least I can do is tip the person making it.

[h18furball]

Maybe this will clear things up.  At the bottom of a free drink voucher it clearly states a service charge (tip) is included for the server,  Fell free to leave an additional tip on the additional tip line.

[shellunderwater]

Well....

 

Well....

 

 

I always tip the mostest.  No backsies.

[rolloman]

20 minutes ago, h18furball said:

Maybe this will clear things up.  At the bottom of a free drink voucher it clearly states a service charge (tip) is included for the server,  Fell free to leave an additional tip on the additional tip line.

Perfect, thank you...I know I wasn't going crazy, I had seen this before just couldn't remember. 

[crzndeb]

And kudos to those that read the fine print…🤣🤣

Edited August 22, 2023 by crzndeb

[rolloman]

1 hour ago, 2wheelin said:

They tell you tip included because you are not charged the auto tip. Whether the bar staff get that credit or not  is another question. If I get a free drink the least I can do is tip the person making it.

Tip issue has been resolved thanks to evidence from H18furball.  Like I said in the beginning they have told me in the past because tips are included for vouchers. My drinks are made from the manufacturer and served in a can or bottle. If I ordered some 10 ingredient mix drink with accessories during rush hour I would for sure tip extra. 

[coops]

We always get the drink package and then use our 4 daily drinks to stock up on beer to put in our cabin so if we want to hang out on the balcony then we are all set. 

[Goodtime Cruizin]

On 8/21/2023 at 1:47 PM, SilkySal said:

You can give anyone of legal drinking age a drink with your vouchers but I would ask them to be sure to tip the waiter/bartender since the vouchers do not add gratuity. Just my opinion on tips. Cheers!

 

Actually, I don't believe one has to be of legal drinking age as they can be used for Virgin drinks, fresh squeezed OJ, and specialty coffee (prepared by RCL)  are just a few examples.  

[nferr]

 I took two RCL cruises last year, the first one I had the drink package. I turned Diamond after that one so the second cruise I used the four daily vouchers and bought anything over that. I pretty much almost always tipped an additional two dollars if they handed me a receipt to sign. A lot of times they didn't, and I don't carry cash around the ship. 

 

Prices have really have gone up on the package. In February last year I paid $62 a day for the UDP and Voom and Stream together. For my cruise this October they want $73 for the UDP when on sale and an additional $19 for internet. The February cruise was 11 nights and I paid $207 for unlimited dining.  Now it's at $338 (I think $279 when on sale) for seven nights.

[Another_Critic]

1 hour ago, nferr said:

 I took two RCL cruises last year, the first one I had the drink package. I turned Diamond after that one so the second cruise I used the four daily vouchers and bought anything over that. I pretty much almost always tipped an additional two dollars if they handed me a receipt to sign. A lot of times they didn't, and I don't carry cash around the ship. 

 

Prices have really have gone up on the package. In February last year I paid $62 a day for the UDP and Voom and Stream together. For my cruise this October they want $73 for the UDP when on sale and an additional $19 for internet. The February cruise was 11 nights and I paid $207 for unlimited dining.  Now it's at $338 (I think $279 when on sale) for seven nights.

I know what you meant, but a CC acronym FYI ...

 

UDP = Unlimited Dining Package

DBP = Deluxe Beverage Package.

[OCVTSGIRL]

Just curious because I have never done it...how does the bartender know you are using your free drink voucher or your drink package?  I am cruising in November with my daughter and her family.  I have the drink package and I am Diamond.  If I'm allowed to use my free drink vouchers to get her a drink, how do I do that if I'm also getting myself a drink using my drink package?

[Another_Critic]

4 minutes ago, OCVTSGIRL said:

Just curious because I have never done it...how does the bartender know you are using your free drink voucher or your drink package?  I am cruising in November with my daughter and her family.  I have the drink package and I am Diamond.  If I'm allowed to use my free drink vouchers to get her a drink, how do I do that if I'm also getting myself a drink using my drink package?

Default will be drink package (assuming the drink is included in the package).  Tell the bartender you want to use a voucher for another drink.

[taglovestocruise]

Take it for what is is worth. I was told by the DL Concierge on Quantum of the seas last Oct. that there is NO tip allocated to a server serving a voucher drink.  In the Diamond lounge the servers are volunteers that work for extra tips, just the same a the early morning runners delivering room service at no charge.  

[Another_Critic]

5 hours ago, h18furball said:

Maybe this will clear things up.  At the bottom of a free drink voucher it clearly states a service charge (tip) is included for the server,  Fell free to leave an additional tip on the additional tip line.

 

It says "A service charge is included in your bill."  There should be a line item for the service charge ... what is the amount?  $0.00?

[nferr]

5 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

I know what you meant, but a CC acronym FYI ...

 

UDP = Unlimited Dining Package

DBP = Deluxe Beverage Package.

 You're right of course! 😊

 

Edited August 23, 2023 by nferr

[twangster]

I've asked a number of bar staff about gratuity with the new CAS voucher system.  I've consistently heard that when Royal implemented the 4/5/6 vouchers they included gratuity. 

 

Previously the 3 CAS vouchers for the limited selection menu prior to the shutdown did not include anything for the bar staff, it was expected as part of their duty.

 

Old CAS vouchers = nothing for bar staff unless cash tip offered by guest.

New CAS vouchers = gratuity works the same as drink package where bar staff earn something with each card swipe.  More swipes, more earned.  

 

However understand that not 100% of the 18% gratuity for beverages is awarded to the crew member doing the card swiping.  This is the case with pay as you go drinks or beverage packages.  They get a portion of the 18% with some money going to other purposes at the company's discretion.  

[Ocean Boy]

15 hours ago, h18furball said:

Maybe this will clear things up.  At the bottom of a free drink voucher it clearly states a service charge (tip) is included for the server,  Fell free to leave an additional tip on the additional tip line.

That is not a drink voucher. That is the same receipt that is used for any bar sale. Do you see an amount on their that went to the server? It is hard to read but all I see are zeroes. Unless you write in an amount nothing gets charged to your account and, I suspect, nothing goes to the server.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 They get a portion of the 18% with some money going to other purposes at the company's discretion.  

Wow, what does than mean? And I wonder if the cabin autogratuities are handled exactly the same way.

[lovesthebeach2]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

I've asked a number of bar staff about gratuity with the new CAS voucher system.  I've consistently heard that when Royal implemented the 4/5/6 vouchers they included gratuity. 

 

Previously the 3 CAS vouchers for the limited selection menu prior to the shutdown did not include anything for the bar staff, it was expected as part of their duty.

 

Old CAS vouchers = nothing for bar staff unless cash tip offered by guest.

New CAS vouchers = gratuity works the same as drink package where bar staff earn something with each card swipe.  More swipes, more earned.  

 

However understand that not 100% of the 18% gratuity for beverages is awarded to the crew member doing the card swiping.  This is the case with pay as you go drinks or beverage packages.  They get a portion of the 18% with some money going to other purposes at the company's discretion.  

That’s exactly what a server told us, they get a specific amount of money (gratuity) for every swipe of a card. The amount that we were told wasn’t 18% of the cost of the drink though. Not sure if that’s because they get a % of all the swipes. 

We always tip extra, but have noticed on the past couple of cruises that not many we’re giving extra tips. We hardly have received paper to sign, we always give cash.

[lovesthebeach2]

2 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Wow, what does than mean? And I wonder if the cabin autogratuities are handled exactly the same way.

See my response above.

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

We hardly have received paper to sign, we always give cash.

 

Zero receipts to be found on Wonder in June; also tip in cash.