Who's getting stiffed on pre-purchased drink cards?

[Fat Boy]

You can order the Carnival drink cards at $21.00 for a 4-pack ($5.25/drink). You're basically just saving the 15% tip. When you redeem these, does Carnival contribute to the tip fund, or does the wait-staff just get stiffed? I'm all for saving money wherever I can, but if the wait-staff is getting stiffed by my thrifty nature, I'd rather not do it. I know they don't make much to begin with, and they do depend on these tips.

 

Thanks

[G'ma]

Nobody's getting stiffed. The coupon includes gratuities:

 

 

close

[Billfrompa]

One would hope that Carnival is still giving a 15% tip to the waitstaff when you use a coupon. If they include the tip in the coupon and still give a 15% tip to the waiter, your drink would be $4.57 plus tip to equal $5.25; if my math is correct. Probably no big deal to Carnival, as they are selling in volume and getting all their cash upfront. As the coupons are nonrefundable; if you never use all of them they hit the jackpot. They have your money for nothing in return. Pretty good marketing idea, as far as I can see. Now--- how about offering a pre-paid "drink bracelet" for the length of the cruise?:rolleyes: Happy cruisin'. Bill.

[oldmedic]

One would hope that Carnival is still giving a 15% tip to the waitstaff when you use a coupon. If they include the tip in the coupon and still give a 15% tip to the waiter, your drink would be $4.57 plus tip to equal $5.25; if my math is correct. Probably no big deal to Carnival, as they are selling in volume and getting all their cash upfront. As the coupons are nonrefundable; if you never use all of them they hit the jackpot. They have your money for nothing in return. Pretty good marketing idea, as far as I can see. Now--- how about offering a pre-paid "drink bracelet" for the length of the cruise?:rolleyes: Happy cruisin'. Bill.

 

we have used "unused" coupons from a previous cruise on our following cruise. as far as I know there is not an expiration date on them....btw... I still tip the waiters especially for good service...

[traci28]

this has probably been discussed before, but I see you can use all four coupons for a bottle of wine. Is there a price limit to that bottle of wine?

[Kurbanfan]

The tip is included just as it is when you buy the soda card.........no need to tip extra.......

[oldmedic]

The tip is included just as it is when you buy the soda card.........no need to tip extra.......

 

i know it is not mandatory, but if i recieve good service, i tip.... plus, you would be surprised how much better service you recieve when the waiter recognizes you later....

[beach410]

We are sometimes charged for the difference if we ordered drinks above that price.

[rubeus]

where and when do you purchase these cards.

[pnjkeith]

where and when do you purchase these cards.

 

 

Carnival.com

Gifts

[erinmarie424]

Bar Credit (4 Drink Cpns) Although your friends are going on a fabulous cruise "Without You!" you can still treat them to a drink. They'll definitely thank you for it!

 

 

 

I think the purpose of these cards is for family/friends to be able to purchase you "drinks" for the cruise - and this is the way they can do it.... not so much for cruisers to pre-buy their drinks at a discount.

 

Here's the link to the page on the Carnival website:

http://www.carnival.com/BonVoyage/Default.aspx?page=1

[Kurbanfan]

i know it is not mandatory, but if i recieve good service, i tip.... plus, you would be surprised how much better service you recieve when the waiter recognizes you later....

 

Really? lol! I guess we drink too much.......waiter always knows us, always have had great service and we never tip more then the 15%:p

[tnt091605]

this has probably been discussed before, but I see you can use all four coupons for a bottle of wine. Is there a price limit to that bottle of wine?

 

$22.00 the price value of the 4 coupons.

[Thirsty Cruiser]

this has probably been discussed before, but I see you can use all four coupons for a bottle of wine. Is there a price limit to that bottle of wine?

If the price of the wine exceeds $21, you will likely be charged the difference. If the price of the wine is less than $21, you will not receive the difference.

Skip the silly coupons, IMO, and prepay your OBC or buy funship dollarinis.

 

$22.00 the price value of the 4 coupons.

I thought the coupons were worth $5.25. Did this change?

[DJ Eddy]

One would hope that Carnival is still giving a 15% tip to the waitstaff when you use a coupon.

The tip is included just as it is when you buy the soda card.........no need to tip extra.......

 

The drinks coupons and soda cards say they include gratuity but carnival keep this and do not pay anything to the bar staff. It's the same with open bar functions, if a group has paid for 1-2 even 3 hour open bar, the bar staff get paid $5 for being there, regardless of how long the function is.

[G'ma]

Really? lol! I guess we drink too much.......waiter always knows us, always have had great service and we never tip more then the 15%:p

 

I always tip the bartender(s) at my favorite hangout...usually the casino bar. But, I tip bartenders anywhere....as well as others who give good service.

[Kurbanfan]

I always tip the bartender(s) at my favorite hangout...usually the casino bar. But' date=' I tip bartenders anywhere....as well as others who give good service.[/quote']

 

I do too........

[Kurbanfan]

The drinks coupons and soda cards say they include gratuity but carnival keep this and do not pay anything to the bar staff. It's the same with open bar functions, if a group has paid for 1-2 even 3 hour open bar, the bar staff get paid $5 for being there, regardless of how long the function is.

 

So you are saying Carnival is not being truthful about the tips.:confused: They are actually pocketing the servers tips:confused:

[ooulio]

I asked last month on Freedom. They told me I can use my coupons on my next cruise. He even called someone at the Pursers Desk. I always tip too if they are nice. They deserve. We had too many coupons so we still have a bunch left for next year on the Dream.

[rvrgirl]

The drinks coupons and soda cards say they include gratuity but carnival keep this and do not pay anything to the bar staff.

 

 

Wow! Sounds like deception to me........

[Ephraim]

Just so you understand for the company the profit is in the float and loss.

 

The float is the money that has been prepaid to them and that is supposed to be held in "escrow" until the coupon is used. That money is still there to earn interest or th "borrow" internal so that they don't have to pay interest on it.

 

The loss is the money that has been prepaid to them and they get to keep because the coupon is lost or destroyed. This can't be fully realized until these coupons are "expired" or the coupons series is replaced with a new series and essentially they are all considered redeemed.

 

In fact, most countries make money this way. Lost or burnt currency and of course, lending cash that others pay them interest on.

[G'ma]

Wow! Sounds like deception to me........

 

I wouldn't pay any attention to statements like those of the poster you quoted unless he/she is currently a bartender or waiter onboard a ship and is speaking from personal experience.

 

Dopes can say anything.....and usually do.:cool:

[Qtvagurl11]

Really? lol! I guess we drink too much.......waiter always knows us, always have had great service and we never tip more then the 15%:p

 

 

I tip extra and the net time the drink is double on the amount of liquor.

[jondirk]

Are these cards good for any of the DOD's? What kind of limitations on drinks are there when using the cards?

[oldmedic]

I tip extra and the net time the drink is double on the amount of liquor.

 

i agree, it never hurts to tip extra...