Tipping Bartenders and Beverage Package

We will be cruising on Royal Caribbean for the first time in Feb. We have only cruised NCL in the past. We always buy the beverage package but also like to give certain bartenders an extra tip from time to time if we get exceptional service. Does RC have you sign for every drink when you have the beverage package so you can add an extra tip for the bartender? Or do we need to bring cash for tips?

I don't want to get into a debate over whether tipping is necessary. We like to do it because we feel we get better service and get to know the bartenders better that way. Just looking for info on how things work on RC with the beverage package.

Whether or not you get a receipt to sign seems to be hit or miss but you can certainly ask for one. Bartenders are not going to refuse when they know an extra tip is coming.

We will be cruising on Royal Caribbean for the first time in Feb. We have only cruised NCL in the past. We always buy the beverage package but also like to give certain bartenders an extra tip from time to time if we get exceptional service. Does RC have you sign for every drink when you have the beverage package so you can add an extra tip for the bartender? Or do we need to bring cash for tips?

 

I don't want to get into a debate over whether tipping is necessary. We like to do it because we feel we get better service and get to know the bartenders better that way. Just looking for info on how things work on RC with the beverage package.

When we were on Adventure of the Seas last year we bought the beverage package. Some bartenders had us sign and some didn't. I don't know if that was the way it was supposed to be, but that's the way it was when we sailed. This was the first time we bought a beverage package. DH and I will get beverage packages again when we cruise in April! We're using our OBC and RCL cc points so the package will be more than 1/2 price for us :p

We will be cruising on Royal Caribbean for the first time in Feb. We have only cruised NCL in the past. We always buy the beverage package but also like to give certain bartenders an extra tip from time to time if we get exceptional service. Does RC have you sign for every drink when you have the beverage package so you can add an extra tip for the bartender? Or do we need to bring cash for tips?

 

I don't want to get into a debate over whether tipping is necessary. We like to do it because we feel we get better service and get to know the bartenders better that way. Just looking for info on how things work on RC with the beverage package.

I'd tip cash, much easier for all involved.

I'd tip cash, much easier for all involved.

I second that! They really appreciate cash - no hassle, they have immediate access to the tip. I know they always appreciate an extra $. :)

I also tip in cash. Earlier this year I was able to get a pack (100) of 2 dollar bills. The bar tenders like getting this tip, and many of them have never seen a $2 bill. Running low on them now, so hoping to get some more of them on my next trip to the bank.

The first round usually (in our experience on FOS and BOS) comes with a receipt. After tipping in cash, never saw another one from the tipped server/bartender.

With the 3 free drink on our sail pass card no matter what bar I go to there is ALWAYS $2 on top of the card, I think it lets the bartender know we like the way & service he gives.

george35

I bring a stack of $1 bill and use them to tip bartenders.

Whether or not I got a receipt with the drink package varied from bar to bar. Personally, when I tip onboard I prefer to do it in cash, however, if you prefer to add on a receipt just ask them for one very easy.

I bring at least 50 in singles for bar tips, but do add tip to check when it is over the 12 dollar limit, so if wine is 15 , I will add dollar or two to bill

We, also, use cash. Then, it's their choice what is done with it: shared or pocketed. On a receipt, I believe it is shared in some way--but I don't know that to be a fact. For us, it's important that the person who actually earned the tip be the one who receives it.

I also tip in cash. Earlier this year I was able to get a pack (100) of 2 dollar bills. The bar tenders like getting this tip, and many of them have never seen a $2 bill. Running low on them now, so hoping to get some more of them on my next trip to the bank.

$2 bills have been discussed on CC. Most people recommend not using them. They are so unusual that staff have a hard time spending - often are mistaken for play-type money. Many stores in the US don't take or give you a difficult time. Stick with $1 bills and give two of them if that's what you want to do.

$2 bills have been discussed on CC. Most people recommend not using them. They are so unusual that staff have a hard time spending - often are mistaken for play-type money. Many stores in the US don't take or give you a difficult time. Stick with $1 bills and give two of them if that's what you want to do.

That has not been my experience. The bar tenders love to get a $2 bill as a tip, and most preferred the $2 bill over two $1 bills.

That has not been my experience. The bar tenders love to get a $2 bill as a tip, and most preferred the $2 bill over two $1 bills.

Do you think they are going to tell you if they don't like your $2 bills?!?!?!

We always tip extra,,

Can't go wrong with cash. Always get the drink package - if I have to sign the slip I still perfer to tip in cash.

Do you think they are going to tell you if they don't like your $2 bills?!?!?!

No.

Never had a store refuse a $2. It is legal tender. As far as receipts, it varies ship to ship, bar to bar, even bartenders. Last cruise, even though we tipped on the receipt, half the time the same bartenders didn't scan our cards when ordering. We tipped them well in cash at the end.

When they first came out with the drink package, on Brilliance, we never got a receipt. Later at the Centrum bar, I mentioned it was a shame we didn't get a receipt so we could tip. The bartender said we could and after that always gave us a receipt. Fast forward three years later. I sort of recognized him but he lost his blond hair and now had glasses. He asked me what ships we had been on. I started out and when I got to Brilliance he stopped me and said, "April 2013 before she went to Europe." I couldn't believe it. Thousands of faces over the years and he could remember which ship, month, and year!

However, after reading this I think I will get a wad of bills for cash tips.

We only got a receipt to sign on Freedom when the bill was over the $12 limit.

I always take a wad of $1 notes and if i run short i go to GS and exchange a higher dollar bill.

They exchange notes no problem especially when i tell them it is for extra tips for the crew

If I go to a bar, the first drink has a receipt. I just hand the receipt back with a $1 bill. I don't get receipts after that, but I do tip $1 a drink.

The same applies to a drink in the casino. I seem to see the same waiter in the casino nightly and I just order, he knows my folio number after the first night and I tip him $1 a drink also. I guess I don't need to feel the bartender/waiter did anything special for me to give them a buck.

The alcohol package that I am getting at $43 a day doesn't even allow for a dollar a drink tip if I ordered 10 drinks in a day. I don't normally do that, usually average about 6-7, but I like to have Pina Colada type drinks and wine with dinner, so I feel I need to tip the extra per drink.

Our last few cruises have been on NCL and with a majority of people having the drink package I feel that the service has gone way down (long lines/wait times, less bar staff, quality of the drinks, etc). We are going on Allure soon and bought the drink package, but I'm hoping to get much better service. What do you typically do as far as tipping extra to get that great service? How often are you tipping extra? How much? Do you notice that much of a difference? Etc.

If I go to a bar, the first drink has a receipt. I just hand the receipt back with a $1 bill. I don't get receipts after that, but I do tip $1 a drink.

 

The same applies to a drink in the casino. I seem to see the same waiter in the casino nightly and I just order, he knows my folio number after the first night and I tip him $1 a drink also. I guess I don't need to feel the bartender/waiter did anything special for me to give them a buck.

 

The alcohol package that I am getting at $43 a day doesn't even allow for a dollar a drink tip if I ordered 10 drinks in a day. I don't normally do that, usually average about 6-7, but I like to have Pina Colada type drinks and wine with dinner, so I feel I need to tip the extra per drink.

RCI charges an 18% "gratuities" charge upfront when you buy the package so 18% of $43 is basically $1/drink for 7-8 drinks so if you typically only drink 7-8 drinks & are tipping an extra buck, you are actually tipping $2/drink if you do the math..

A 18% gratuity charge will be added to each package price listed above. Please note: Orders cannot be modified once they're added to your shopping cart. To change an order, you'll need to first cancel the order, and then make your purchase(s) again.

Do you think they are going to tell you if they don't like your $2 bills?!?!?!

No. It's the same as when the question arises about giving gifts to crew. There are always those who swear "the crew always love getting the whatchamacallits that I give them," without ever considering that maybe (probably) they are just being polite.

Years ago, before online bill paying became popular, I would go to the post office to buy books of stamps for mailing bills. The postal machines gave $1 coins as change. Legal tender, just like a $2 bill, but I often had stores question them. I would imagine there are plenty of clerks who have never seen a $2 bill, especially in foreign countries that also accept US dollars in tourist areas, making it much less convenient for crew to spend them.

RCI charges an 18% "gratuities" charge upfront when you buy the package so 18% of $43 is basically $1/drink for 7-8 drinks so if you typically only drink 7-8 drinks & are tipping an extra buck, you are actually tipping $2/drink if you do the math..

.

I think most people know the package already includes the 18% gratuity, but also know that it is split amongst all food and beverage staff. Yet pax often find that some of the staff really get to know them and what they like to drink, do an exceptional job, and want to tip extra, especially in hopes that a cash tip will go straight into that particular person's pocket. That's how we look at it, so we, and I think most others, are well aware that in the end we are actually tipping $2/drink.

If I order a drink and it includes 18% I do not tip extra. If i go to the casino and do not pay for drinks I tip 2.00 for a drink and 1.00 if they hand me a beer at the bar. As for the Diamond club we get one to two drinks and leave between 1.00 and 2.00 a drink. We pay all cash and if you run out of ones go to guest services and they will exchange up to 20.00 for you. I also tip the luggage handlers, taxis, tour operators, massage and waiters depending on service depends on tip anywhere between 1.00 to 100.00 a person if they stay with us all day then the least i can do is give them 100.00. That being said bring lots of money you will need it unless you dont drink or leave the ship.