Have you ever....?

[cod]

There is a (blasting) review of the Spirit in the review section. Writer mentions 'horrible service and crew' and cites that when he was by the pool or in the jaccuzzi he couldn't even get a waiter to bring him a glass of water or tea..he was told he would have to get those himself.

 

Dah. (I never say that but I'm at a loss for words). I've never asked or expected a waiter to bring me either. He indicated other cruiselines will which I very much doubt. Can you imagine if they were running water and iced tea to everyone on deck?

 

I'm curious as to how many really think this is a service they should be getting or have gotten on any cruise!

[discjoker]

There is a (blasting) review of the Spirit in the review section. Writer mentions 'horrible service and crew' and cites that when he was by the pool or in the jaccuzzi he couldn't even get a waiter to bring him a glass of water or tea..he was told he would have to get those himself.

 

Dah. (I never say that but I'm at a loss for words). I've never asked or expected a waiter to bring me either. He indicated other cruiselines will which I very much doubt. Can you imagine if they were running water and iced tea to everyone on deck?

 

I'm curious as to how many really think this is a service they should be getting or have gotten on any cruise!

 

I have asked and received water from pool waiters. However, this was in addition to another beverage. I would not ask just for water or any other "free" beverage from a pool-side watier. Especially when the pools are usually located so close to self-service drink stations. Also, I don't believe they have iced tea at the bars. I asked for an iced tea at a bar once and was told they didn't have that...I would have to go to a restaurant or to the buffet.

[pixiedustdawn]

I have to say I did see them bringing water to people sitting by the pool on both ships, Dawn and Spirit. I felt bad because most people did not tip or even say a simple thank you afterward.

I witnessed one family ask for a glass of water one at a time. Every time the "waiter" came back with one, they asked for another. After three times, he pointed to where the water is. They got annoyed with him and verbally (loud) let him know they weren't happy with his service.

I saw getting up to get my glass of water as a bit of exercise that is well needed after eating so much on my cruises.

[Addictedtwo]

I have to say I did see them bringing water to people sitting by the pool on both ships, Dawn and Spirit. I felt bad because most people did not tip or even say a simple thank you afterward.

 

I witnessed one family ask for a glass of water one at a time. Every time the "waiter" came back with one, they asked for another. After three times, he pointed to where the water is. They got annoyed with him and verbally (loud) let him know they weren't happy with his service.

 

I saw getting up to get my glass of water as a bit of exercise that is well needed after eating so much on my cruises.

 

We too would not waste a waiters time to get us water unless we were willing to tip them. I think it's just sheer laziness or the " I'm entitled to you serving me" attitude. These guy

s and gals work their butts off for the tips as they don't make much in salary.

Plus like the op stated exercise!

[MNFreeze]

Like someone else above said we asked for water too but along with some other adult beverages and it was no problem. On the Jewel we either did the short walk over to the Garden Cafe for water or tea or just go to the bar and as for a glass of water.

 

Some people feel they need to be waited on hand and foot when they go on a cruise. My wife and I get a good laugh out of these folks.

[jt1120]

As much as they hound you for regular drinks, no, they shouldn't have to bring me ice water just because I ask for it on the pool deck. That's lame. Also, for the record, we sailed on the Spirit a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the ship, service and all.

[Boat_Drinks]

I would never expect a waiter to bring me "tap water" at the pool! If I were placing an order for other beverages and someone wanted "tap water" that would be different, and I expect the waiter wouldn't object to bringing it. Likewise, if you are ordering bottled water (for a fee) I'm sure they'd bring that, and you should tip him for doing so.

 

Expecting a waiter to bring "tap water" to you is pretty ridiculous. You'd get the same response at a beach resort if you asked the beach wait-staff to bring you free "tap water". :rolleyes:

[Funatabi]

I'm curious as to how many really think this is a service they should be getting or have gotten on any cruise!

 

Well, yes, in fact, there are lines that do provide exactly this service and Regent is one of them. The wait staff will get you water and about anything else you want to drink since no matter what you order you won't be billed an extra penny once on board, and that includes your tips too. You simply don't pay for another thing. It's nice to experience, even for the short one week of a cruise, the true joy of "ask and you shall receive" (and not have to think, "How much is this going to cost me?")

 

"Yes, but Regent is expensive", everone will scream. Cruising for me isn't always the of the pinching pennies, as in finding the cheapest deal around and then have to feel the whole week like I am getting nickled and dimed to death for even real capucino coffee or sodas or even 100% fresh squeezed juice, beside for the booze. For me, it's the total experience to know what it's like to be treated like Royalty, like it's finally my turn to get a little pampered for a week, and not have to bring out the calculator at the end to see how much I did or did enjoy my cruise because of the added expenses that I now need to figure in when disembarking.

 

That said, even on Regent with the very attentive staff around, I enjoyed getting up and going to the bar myself and getting whatever. But sometimes, when I wanted to be lazy, I really liked the option of asking for something without feeling guilty, or cheap, or like I am bothering somebody unless I give them a tip. Now, that is the ideal way of cruising, for me at least.

[newmexicoNita]

If I were paying $5,000 per person for a cruise (1 week) maybe I would expect such service, but it is beyond my wildest imagination to expect the wait staff to bring me a glass or water or ice tea when I am in the hot tub or anyplace else except in the dining room. Asking for water along with a drink would be different. The guy sounds like a first rate jerk, I can't wait to read his review. these are the types of reviews that get attention, not because people listen, but because they like to have some humor in their lives.

 

Nita

[Toyz711]

saw this many times: people with their little coolers and bottles of water sitting on ice. when they ran out, they got up and went to the water station and refilled it. (don't put it under the spout, use a glass to pour the water into your bottle:D )

i was one of these people, no way would i waste the time of a server.

on the spirit, the buffet area is right through the doors...very close. if you are in the aft pool, the drinks stations (ice tea and water) is outside next to the bar.

[weltek]

I don't think it's THAT wild of an expectation. I'd ask a bartender or waiter at a regular bar for it. If it wasn't a saavy cruiser of the lower and mid tier cruise lines, I can see where they'd expect it. They might assume the bartender has iced tea and water in a gun behind the bar (and I'm sure he/she does have water there).

 

However, I'd tip for it also. It wouldn't occur to me to ask without tipping. THAT expectation would be wild.

[Boat_Drinks]

The guy sounds like a first rate jerk

 

Maybe he just didn't know any better, and maybe he was afraid to ask more experienced cruisers (or TA's!) for fear of being called a "first rate jerk"..... :(

[newmexicoNita]

Maybe he just didn't know any better, and maybe he was afraid to ask more experienced cruisers (or TA's!) for fear of being called a "first rate jerk"..... :(

He still is one in my opinion. Just thinking he could ask for something like that shows me he is either a jerk or a spoiled brat used to demanding people wait on him.....again, my opinion. I see nothing wrong with asking a wait person to get you water if there are several of you ordering at once and everyone else is getting a drink, but to sit in the hot tub and ask the wait people to bring you ice water, wow? I have a mental picture of him, wonder if I should copy it our of my pea brain and post it....????

[terrymtex01]

I am sure I will get flamed for this.. so bring it on.. LOL.. but.. personally.. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for water at the pool. However, I would be MORTIFIED to ask for it and not tip the waiter. If I had no cash on me to tip, I would not order anything, unless it is a "pay for" drink so I would be able to give a tip.

[DMH15]

Agree with Terry.

[WonderMan3]

I don't think it's THAT wild of an expectation. I'd ask a bartender or waiter at a regular bar for it. If it wasn't a saavy cruiser of the lower and mid tier cruise lines, I can see where they'd expect it. They might assume the bartender has iced tea and water in a gun behind the bar (and I'm sure he/she does have water there).

 

However, I'd tip for it also. It wouldn't occur to me to ask without tipping. THAT expectation would be wild.

 

I agree. The server's job is to SERVE whether the item the person wants is free or costs money. But if the item being served is free then you should definitely tip. And if the server is getting a tip I'm sure he could care less if the item is free or costs. Of course then you get into the issue of the person having cash on them or not. I don't know if the server would write up a whole room charge just for a tip.

 

And what about the casino? What if you wanted a coffee or an iced tea (free items) served to you? Are you supposed to deny yourself because it's not an item you have to pay for? I mean it's essentially the same thing.

 

I guarantee you that if management was to hear a server tell a guest to get water or iced tea themselves that server would be reprimanded. The example that was given about the multiple ongoing requests for water was excessive, but again the server's proper response would be to indicate where the guests could get water themselves if they would like but if not then he would continue to get it for them. Having worked in customer service related positions most of my life, you get used to putting up with the occasional outrageous demands from customers; that's just the nature of the business.

[Warm Breezes]

That's what I have kids for;) ... Seriously though - I manage to lose weight on cruises by getting up and walking around the ship - including getting my own water or tea. I would never even think of asking the waiter for an item that wasn't chargable.

[JIM1857]

He still is one in my opinion. Just thinking he could ask for something like that shows me he is either a jerk or a spoiled brat used to demanding people wait on him.....again, my opinion. I see nothing wrong with asking a wait person to get you water if there are several of you ordering at once and everyone else is getting a drink, but to sit in the hot tub and ask the wait people to bring you ice water, wow? I have a mental picture of him, wonder if I should copy it our of my pea brain and post it....????

 

 

I just told my wife not to expect me to get off my lounge chair while I'm at the pool just to get her a glass of water. I said to her, "Do you think I'm a first rate jerk?" (After all, I'm a member of Cruise Critic and I read about these things).

 

I continued, "If you want to act like a spoiled brat and need all of that attention, then go and get the water yourself." So there.....

 

And a thank you goes out to newmexicoNina......

[Evilmille]

I never would think of asking for water or tea at the pool. I got up and got it myself. That's why the drink stations are so close. If I wanted a charged drink that would be different.

 

Reminds me of one OP who asked if it was ok to have the butler go to their room and fetch sunscreen and bring it down to them at the pool.

 

Not sure what people are thinking.

[terrymtex01]

I never would think of asking for water or tea at the pool. I got up and got it myself. That's why the drink stations are so close. If I wanted a charged drink that would be different.

 

Reminds me of one OP who asked if it was ok to have the butler go to their room and fetch sunscreen and bring it down to them at the pool.

 

Not sure what people are thinking.

 

Here is where I am getting confused. So in your opinion, its better to take money out of the wait persons hands and get the water/tea whatever? I don't understand that. As long as he/she is getting a tip, am I not doing something good for them? The dollar tip I give the wait person is one heck of a lot more than he/she would get for bringing me a soda @ a 15% tip. Do you think when they look at the dollar tip they say "OH DARN IT.. here is yet another dollar from someone who wanted just water".

[cod]

Before I say the following, I grew up in Bronx. But the person whose review I quoted is obviously from NJ so believe me when I say I an not flaming 'yankees' because the majority of us do not act or say such inane things as we're discussing!

 

 

It reminds my though of Paris 6 years ago...some tourists came up to the outdoor cafe portion of a "restaurant" we were eating at and pulled a few tables together. They then spread out their purchases of bread, cold cuts, drinks, etc and proceeded to have a 'picnic'. I watched it but couldn't believe my eyes. Having grown up where I did, I definitely recognized the accent. Oh, well, as they say, it takes all kinds!

[Boat_Drinks]

Here is where I am getting confused. So in your opinion, its better to take money out of the waiter persons hands and get the water/tea whatever? I don't understand that. As long as he/she is getting a tip, am I not doing something good for them? Do you think when they look at the dollar tip they same "OH DARN IT.. here is yet another dollar from someone who wanted just water".

 

I think the difference is free items (like tap water) vs. paid items where tipping is not only implied, but guaranteed since there is a room charge involved.

 

As others have said, if you only wanted tap water but tipped the waiter a buck every time he brought you one, I'm sure he'd be glad to do it. :)

[terrymtex01]

I think the difference is free items (like tap water) vs. paid items where tipping is not only implied, but guaranteed since there is a room charge involved.

 

As others have said, if you only wanted tap water but tipped the waiter a buck every time he brought you one, I'm sure he'd be glad to do it. :)

 

Thanks Boat... I agree I would be mortified for someone to do that and NOT tip.

[Scoop_MSU]

"For me, it's the total experience to know what it's like to be treated like Royalty"

 

Guess my expectations are a little lower than this - everyday I wake up above ground breathing is a good day for me! I feel regal just being able to GO on a cruise.

 

yikes.gif

[DAGVBSB]

Here is where I am getting confused. So in your opinion, its better to take money out of the wait persons hands and get the water/tea whatever? I don't understand that. As long as he/she is getting a tip, am I not doing something good for them? The dollar tip I give the wait person is one heck of a lot more than he/she would get for bringing me a soda @ a 15% tip. Do you think when they look at the dollar tip they say "OH DARN IT.. here is yet another dollar from someone who wanted just water".

 

But Terry, that is the problem... most people who want something free, want it COMPLETELY free and therefore won't tip.

 

At first, I was of the opinion, if it's free, get it yourself, but the more I think about it, IF the person is willing to give a REAL tip for the waiters time, then I don't see the problem. The waiter is not losing money...only the ship is.

 

BUT, it is the poor slobs who won't tip and think the waiters are there as their servants/slaves are the ones who are wrong. In my opinion, waiters are not a lower life form as some choose to believe... they are equal to everyone else and should be treated with respect.

 

The fat slob however who wrote that Spirit review is not equal to the rest of us. He is below us and does not deserve any respect. A trained chimpanze is a higher life form than that guy...lol.

 

Good thing I wasn't around when those people that Pixiedustdaw saw berating the waiter in public.... I DO speak up when injustice toward workers like that occurs. I have told off a few fellow patrons in restaurants who are jerks to the employees. (and have been applauded for it by others...)