going to bars & not drinking

[askimdog]

One should never feel compelled to order. I love the atmosphere of a piano bar, sports bar etc.. I drink, but bring my own, even to the point of bringing my BV bottle/ or carry-on wine with me if I know I am going to be there a while ( maybe a piano player I like). Most of the time I just fix a drink in my room and go in with it. Your cruise, do what you want. I never feel bad about my decisions, even if it does seem tacky, though frugal.

[BeachChik]

OK... What's next? You shouldn't have a lounge chair next to the pool if you don't go in the pool often enough? Or you shouldn't be allowed to have a balcony AND take a lounge chair on the Lido deck?

 

This exact same thread is going on the royal board. I am shocked by the few that say you must order a drink to sit in these areas. These are not land based bars. The same rules don't apply. IMO the "cover charge" if you will is built into my fare and everyone is free to sit where ever they like without spending any money. These places play music and alot of people just want to sit and listen. If you get a drink be it alcohol or water I believe you should tip but I am not obligated to purchase either.

[stormynow]

My feeling, the entertainment bars on cruise ships just that, entertainment bars for everyone drinking or not. Although you probably won't see me without a drink anywhere on the ship. Cruise to drink. For you non drinkers sit and enjoy anywhere u desire. IMO. Yes I know, can stay home and drink but alot more fun on cruiseships.

[OK Rancher]

If it concerns you at all, consider it payback for all the folks who put a towel down on every lounge chair by the pool so they can have "their space."

[Crusin6]

That would be a problem?;)

 

Only if you are shoeless and in your bathrobe.

[novinha]

You don't need to drink to enjoy the piano bar atmosphere :) I do tip the waiter to bring me ice water, though :D

I don't know about that. I've definitely been in bars where the music was much more enjoyable if I'd been drinking!

[bobsfamily]

The ONLY comment I would have is that sometimes people are kinda waiting for that primo seat......:D

 

Yeah, but there is no rule that says you have to drink if you are in the primo seats.

 

I paid for my cruise like everyone else. Where is it written that I must have a drink in my hand while sitting and listening and singing along to the piano player?

 

Agree with all, see the smile? I rarely sit in a bar without a drink BUT if I was watching someone play and like the song, you would be hard pressed to get me to leave with or without a drink in front of me.

Our "local" bar (a VFW) has about 5 stools that look out a window overlooking our oceanfront deck and the Atlantic ocean, those seats are primo, and you guard your seat carefully, when going to bathroom your SO better watch that seat!

[ccruisequeen]

RudeChuck - LOL!

 

thanks everyone for the feedback. Definitely won't feel bad about doing this then. What other bars are fun to sit & listen to music in? We'll be on the Fascination in 4 days(!!!). I keep reading about Karaoke - where's that take place (not one to do it but find it fun to listen to others).

Depends on the ship, but usually at a disco or lounge/theater (check your Funtimes for time and location). It's fun- everyone should try it at least once.

[mrpayroll]

Until they start having a " minimum " drink rule, feel free to sit in there as long as you like.

[Emperor Norton]

While the bars ate sea aren't quite like the bars on land one part definitely is. The staff. They work for and need tips. If you're taking a bar seat (assuming the bar is crowded/near capacity) sipping ice water and there's a drinker that would otherwise occupy that seat and order drinks and tip on them, you are in effect taking money out of the servers pocket.

[renee1222]

I just asked this exact same question on the Royal Caribbean thread a few days ago. I was actually amazed at the number of responses and the direction the thread went.

 

For the most part everyone agreed that you have already paid a "cover" for the entertainment (in your cruise fare), therefore you have a right to enjoy whatever venue on the cruise ship you want...pool, shows, disco, bars, etc.

 

Of course, there were also some pot-stirrers who had to bring up the bartenders'/servers' salaries and by not ordering drinks we were reducing their tips that they highly depend on, implying that we should leave a tip for no service because we were potentially taking away tip money from other patrons who could be sitting there and ordering drinks. However, the way I see it, every server on land or sea is going to have good nights and bad nights when it comes to tips. It is not my responsibility to compensate for "what could have been." My party of 2 will not be taking up so much space that the servers won't be able to make any tips all night.

 

Someone also compared it to sitting at the buffet for hours upon embarkation playing cards or talking (but not eating) while others who are trying to eat can't find a place to sit down.

 

And others suggested ordering a soda or water and leaving a small tip.

 

I agree with the majority and do not think it is a problem. There are PLENTY of cruise goers who will be supplementing the servers' salaries throughout the cruise. Of course, I would be respectful of others and not sit directly at the bar, leaving those seats for people who are actually drinking. I would actually prefer to sit at a table in the lounge rather than at a bar anyway. Also, if I noticed that it was extremely crowded and people were looking for seats, I would consider moving or getting up if I had already been there for awhile.

 

It's your vacation, you have paid for it and the entertainment on board is part of the package. Of course the cruise line is going to try to sell alcoholic beverages at EVERY venue on board, but that does not mean that you have to avoid those venues just because you prefer not to drink.

 

Enjoy your vacation!

[BeachChik]

While the bars ate sea aren't quite like the bars on land one part definitely is. The staff. They work for and need tips. If you're taking a bar seat (assuming the bar is crowded/near capacity) sipping ice water and there's a drinker that would otherwise occupy that seat and order drinks and tip on them, you are in effect taking money out of the servers pocket.

 

That is irrelevant. There is no charge or required drink purchase to sit in these places and as such non drinkers, alcohol or non, are allowed to sit in these spaces and should not feel guilty.

 

I don't understand why the staffs wages come into play on every thread. For some reason cruisers have an obsession about their wages. Yet I would venture a guess they aren't so concerned when on a land vacation or out and about where they live. These servers expect that not everyone is going to purchase a drink.

 

I liked the comment on the other thread that used the pool as an example. Should I not sit around the pool also because I don't buy a drink? They are pushing drinks everywhere, the pool, the theater, the casino and in the MDR. Am I screwing everyone because I don't buy a drink ever? Like the other poster said, these are not bars, the are entertainment venues that have a bar.

[mikel24m]

That is irrelevant. There is no charge or required drink purchase to sit in these places and as such non drinkers, alcohol or non, are allowed to sit in these spaces and should not feel guilty.

 

I don't understand why the staffs wages come into play on every thread. For some reason cruisers have an obsession about their wages. Yet I would venture a guess they aren't so concerned when on a land vacation or out and about where they live. These servers expect that not everyone is going to purchase a drink.

 

Do you think Carnival pays the Piano player for fun? No they pay him/her to bring people in to drink.That bar is open for revenue not for a sitting area/lounge and if people were coming in to drink and wanted that seat it would be expected that the person not drinking move.

[Folsom]

Well, I have fallen asleep in a prime spot at the theater. I am not sure if says something bad about me or the show.

 

Anyway, the only place that I would say you cannot just have a seat would be in the casino. Everywhere else is fair game.

 

Now it might not be the most polite thing, to sit at a table on the lido at lunch and play cards, while others cant find a spot to sit down. But it is their vacation too and if they got there first, it's their table.

 

I was just on the Freedom and I am amazed at how many people let other people ruin their day.

 

-F-

[BeachChik]

Do you think Carnival pays the Piano player for fun? No they pay him/her to bring people in to drink.That bar is open for revenue not for a sitting area/lounge and if people were coming in to drink and wanted that seat it would be expected that the person not drinking move.

 

Again irrelevant. By your logic I should tip the show performers as the cruise line pays them as well. And I disagree, they are most certainly a sitting area and lounge and no matter what anyone says drinks are not required to be able to sit in those areas.

 

Contact the cruise lines and ask them. I'm sure they will say anyone may sit in these areas for any length of time and are not required to purchase anything.

[golfadj]

Do you think Carnival pays the Piano player for fun? No they pay him/her to bring people in to drink.That bar is open for revenue not for a sitting area/lounge and if people were coming in to drink and wanted that seat it would be expected that the person not drinking move.

 

Sorry I disagree. One of the things that keeps us coming back to Carnival is the piano bar and as far as I am concered that is my cover and will stay in the piano bar as long as we want and if we want to drink we will and if not we will not.

[Room Service!]

Do you think Carnival pays the Piano player for fun? No they pay him/her to bring people in to drink.That bar is open for revenue not for a sitting area/lounge and if people were coming in to drink and wanted that seat it would be expected that the person not drinking move.

 

I would not expect someone to move in this case. Nor would I feel obligated to move.

The people who drink are going to drink, ... there or somewhere else.

[mikel24m]

Again irrelevant. By your logic I should tip the show performers as the cruise line pays them as well. And I disagree, they are most certainly a sitting area and lounge and no matter what anyone says drinks are not required to be able to sit in those areas.

 

the shows are shows not bars open for revenue.Thats like going to a bar to hear a band walking up to the bar and sitting down without ordering a drink and spend an hour taking up a seat that a customer may want.Ohh thats fair to the person who thinks because its a cruise I can do whatever I want being right or wrong.

[golfadj]

Again irrelevant. By your logic I should tip the show performers as the cruise line pays them as well. And I disagree, they are most certainly a sitting area and lounge and no matter what anyone says drinks are not required to be able to sit in those areas.

 

Contact the cruise lines and ask them. I'm sure they will say anyone may sit in these areas for any length of time and are not required to purchase anything.

 

BTW you are actually tipping the show performers now. They are part of the auto tips.

[BeachChik]

I guess people shouldn't sit in the buffet area either unless the are eating. Its eat and get out. Yet people use this area to socialize and play games. I have seen many people playing cards in the buffet area. They should be kicked out immediately after they are finished eating. :rolleyes:

[mikel24m]

I guess people shouldn't sit in the buffet area either unless the are eating. Its eat and get out. Yet people use this area to socialize and play games. I have seen many people playing cards in the buffet area. They should be kicked out immediately after they are finished eating. :rolleyes:

 

Again the buffet is not a revenue center for the cruiseline.Do you go to the little pool bar with 10 stools and just sit there while people who want drinks stand behind you

[BeachChik]

the shows are shows not bars open for revenue.Thats like going to a bar to hear a band walking up to the bar and sitting down without ordering a drink and spend an hour taking up a seat that a customer may want.Ohh thats fair to the person who thinks because its a cruise I can do whatever I want being right or wrong.

 

The difference being these aren't freestanding bars. They ARE lounges.

 

What about a restaurant. If I go to a restaurant an only order an appetizer that is half the cost of an entree am I screwing the server since 20% of $10 is less than 20% of $25? No because I have the right to spend my money how I see fit.

[mikel24m]

The difference being these aren't freestanding bars. They ARE lounges.

 

What about a restaurant. If I go to a restaurant an only order an appetizer that is half the cost of an entree am I screwing the server since 20% of $10 is less than 20% of $25? No because I have the right to spend my money how I see fit.

 

In the bar yes you are screwing the server they get $0.And by the way you arent spending money in the Piano bar thats my point;)

[renee1222]

So, I'm curious, Mike, what would you "expect" from a patron who chooses to sit in the piano bar area? 1 drink? 2 drinks? Get up and leave as soon as you've finished your last drink so the servers don't miss out on any possible tips? And what would you suggest for cruisers who don't drink to do on the ship after 8pm, as most evening activities involve alcohol sales in some capacity?

[mikel24m]

So, I'm curious, Mike, what would you "expect" from a patron who chooses to sit in the piano bar area? 1 drink? 2 drinks? Get up and leave as soon as you've finished your last drink so the servers don't miss out on any possible tips? And what would you suggest for cruisers who don't drink to do on the ship after 8pm, as most evening activities involve alcohol sales in some capacity?

 

I would suggest what your supposed to do at a bar .DRINK

 

As far as being a non drinker they have many many virgin drinks

 

After 8 you can go to the theater shows that are not bars

 

problems solved