Siganture Beverage Package - Tipping

I received the HAL Signature Beverage Package included in my cruise cost as part of the Explorer4 package. It states the SBP is free. Does this mean the 15% gratuity has been also included or should I expect to see this charge on my room charges? Thanks for any assistance.

The 15% gratuity is included for all your drinks.

Nothing will be added onto your shipboard account for that gratuity.

The package includes your gratuity. Some people choose to tip over and above this, but that's entirely optional.

I always tip a buck a drink so the bartender or waiter remembers me. It can add up but so what, we are on a cruise and they can use the money.

If not on the SBP we would normally add a dollar a drink or so onto each ticket, but when on the package, there isn't even a ticket to write on, is there?

If not on the SBP we would normally add a dollar a drink or so onto each ticket, but when on the package, there isn't even a ticket to write on, is there?

You can't add a tip to a purchase slip even if you use your cabin card. You have to use cash if you want to give an extra tip.

There are always 3-5 servers we have the most contact with and we tip them at the end of the cruise.

You can't add a tip to a purchase slip even if you use your cabin card. You have to use cash if you want to give an extra tip.

I'm sure we have always written extra tips on the slip. There may not have been a line but we always added more.

Thanks to all for responding to my question regarding whether gratuities are also included when the SBP is given as a promo under the Explore4 package.

Some people choose to tip over and above this

Can work out very well if server (especially in MDR if same person each night) gets to know preferences. Good extra tips can also stiffen up the pour - but on SigBevPack I won't worry about that as 15 drinks a day is already overkill (brain cells that is ;) ).

There are always 3-5 servers we have the most contact with and we tip them at the end of the cruise.

We also give the tip at end of the cruise.

It states the SBP is free.

Believe me the SBP is not free - you're paying for it. Price the cruise without the Explore 4 package.

Believe me the SBP is not free - you're paying for it. Price the cruise without the Explore 4 package.

The difference in price, for me, is only $50, (with the Explore4), so I took the Explore4! :p

you don't sign the bar receipt so no way to add a tip. I just keep a lot of$1 available for bars as well as room service. Most times the front desk will only give you 10 ata time so I bring a bunch with us.

Believe me the SBP is not free - you're paying for it. Price the cruise without the Explore 4 package.

Always price it out. For us, the cruise price was the same either way. With the Explore 4, we got the Signature Beverage Package, dinner in the Pinnacle, dinner in Canaletto, and $300 per person OBC. We'd be silly to give those perks up for zero savings. Final payment is next week and there's been no movement in the fares whatsoever.

I'm sure we have always written extra tips on the slip. There may not have been a line but we always added more.

Are you sure it was on HAL? I have seen it on other cruise lines where you can add a tip but never on HAL.

What's the Signature Beverage Package that you mention it was included in your cruise? Was it a perk and you didn't have to pay for it? If not, how much is it? Thank you.

What's the Explorer 4 package? Is that only for the Konisdam because it's a new ship? Can we still get it?

What's the Explorer 4 package? Is that only for the Konisdam because it's a new ship? Can we still get it?

Its good for a number of 2017 and 2018 cruises. Check this out:

http://www.hollandamerica.com/pageByName/Resp.action?requestPage=Explore4

We asked a crew member what tip amount they received when a passenger has a SBP and were shocked to find out it was only $1 per cruise for each person on the ship who had an SBP. We were on a 50 day cruise at the time. After that, we brought a few dollars with us each time we visited the bar for tipping. That was in 2015.

Hopefully that compensation has changed. I don't think it's fair for the crew

You should know you cannot ask a "tipped" employee how much of the tip they get! Jeez!

If you do a package, the tip is added to the price. No worries!

Because 15% is added for each drink served, that's no indication that the server gets 15% for each drink he/she serves. That money goes to HAL and is distributed however they see fit. We were told by a reliable source that they get 30 CENTS per drink served.

That money goes to HAL and is distributed however they see fit.

More accurately, "they" and the union agreement that both sides signed.

The Signature Beverage Package (SBP) includes the 15% service charge if you get the package as part of the Explore-3 promotion or is you purchase it at $51.70 per person/per day. The $51.70 includes the 15% service charge, so it is already paid.

And remember, the break-even point is only 6 .5 drinks per day. So, anything above that, you are drinking free.

We asked a crew member what tip amount they received when a passenger has a SBP and were shocked to find out it was only $1 per cruise for each person on the ship who had an SBP. We were on a 50 day cruise at the time. After that, we brought a few dollars with us each time we visited the bar for tipping. That was in 2015.

 

Hopefully that compensation has changed. I don't think it's fair for the crew

LOL..You asked this question & you believed the crew member? :rolleyes:

I have a great new Bridge for sale & I can sell it too you at a BIG discount! ;)

Because 15% is added for each drink served, that's no indication that the server gets 15% for each drink he/she serves. That money goes to HAL and is distributed however they see fit. We were told by a reliable source that they get 30 CENTS per drink served.

We are discussing only the explore 4 package, not individual drinks..I bolded part of your post as HAL does not determine what they will give the employee..The 15% is not added on the Explore 4 Package as it is already factored in the original charge..

Ruth was correct - it is a union contract between the crew member & HAL.. IMO it's really none of our business & I would never have the audacity to ask an employee a question like this..