Service with beverage package

[saphir]

I would like to know how you found the service when you have a beverage package. I read that the servers gave a less good service when they see that you had a package. How is the service in MDR ? Thank you.

[Tampa Jim]

No problems whatsoever.

 

I whipped up five packages of purchases and NEVER had one server give me any reason to doubt that I was anything other than the finest passenger onboard. This was the case in ALL the venues - I tried them all, most of them more than once.

 

Each evening the sommelier matched wines to the various courses. Of course, a grateful attitude and pleasant disposition help relationship prosper.

 

I actually think that most of the servers appreciated the lack of paperwork, I know that I sure did.

[miched]

Service is fantastic. I asked a server what they felt about the bev pack and was told that they love it because they are paid the gratuity on the cost of every drink served, and passengers with the package drink more so they earn more in tips.

 

At one bar and I got special treatment because I was told that I was a "good" customer.

 

Never had a empty glass of wine during dinner and always got a special coffee and after dinner liquor. The servers at dinner would always make sure that I had a drink, they even tried to get me special water but I insisted that ship's water was fine. One night they insisted that I try the Perrier (sp), I tried it to make them happy and didn't like it. The server than suggested a shot of booze or lemon in it. They never avoided me as others have mentioned because of the package.

 

It is a great experience but I don't think that I would pay for it. Over drank and after a few days don't really think that I drank enough to justify the cost. Found most of the time that I would try a drink, take a few sips and ended up dumping or leaving it because I didn't like it. Basically you could say that I ended up chasing the drinks to justify the cost and get my monies worth. I upgraded to the premium and I would recommend that just to be able to try everything but you will find that they look good on paper but nothing beats the standards.

 

Enjoy it.

 

 

.

[wallie5446]

Another twist to consider, the Servers do not have to 'hawk' drinks, like we are used to them doing, when they know quite a few pax have a drink pkg! It helps keep the 'help' happy by earning $$ with out having to be pushie like they are selling a frige or freezer, or insurance plan! :eek:

 

This has to be making some marketing or HR person a bonus for fuller Ships and less employe turn over. Just a thought*****

[saphir]

Thank you.

[CaroleSS]

I guess I'm the only one that has had troubles with the package! We upgraded to premium before boarding.

 

I had told our sommelier I wanted to do a wine pairing with dinner. Guess either she didn't know what that was or I don't. I told her what I wanted for dinner and she said "ok, what wine would you like?" I thought that when I told her my choices (and based upon me telling her my preferences with wines) that she would make me some recommendations....and even give me different wines with each course.....nope! I had to pick out my wine, even had to hail her down when I wanted another glass! This was the case for our entire cruise!

 

Next case: DH gave a bartender near the theater a big (BIG) tip, smiled and said Thank you. Later went back (still during the same show) for another drink. He waited for about 15 minutes and finally asked "what about me?". Her comment was "just cuz you gave me a big tip doesn't mean I'll wait on your any faster". He went to the casino bar and had no wait whatsoever.

 

Next case: the ONLY good service we got was from the Martini Bar. those guys were great. the pool bar only had 2 bartenders for the bazillions of folk around the pool. I kinda thought that was poor planning!

 

Yes, it was nice to not have to worry about signing, keeping receipts, tallying, etc......but did we get "better" service, absolutely not! In fact, I think we had poorer service. The waitstaff around the pool were slow and difficult to find.....maybe because they didn't have to 'hustle'????

 

We certainly didn't get the outstanding service we've come to expect on other sailings (with other lines). :(

[AlbertaCruisers]

I guess I'm the only one that has had troubles with the package! We upgraded to premium before boarding.

 

I had told our sommelier I wanted to do a wine pairing with dinner. Guess either she didn't know what that was or I don't. I told her what I wanted for dinner and she said "ok, what wine would you like?" I thought that when I told her my choices (and based upon me telling her my preferences with wines) that she would make me some recommendations....and even give me different wines with each course.....nope! I had to pick out my wine, even had to hail her down when I wanted another glass! This was the case for our entire cruise!

 

Next case: DH gave a bartender near the theater a big (BIG) tip, smiled and said Thank you. Later went back (still during the same show) for another drink. He waited for about 15 minutes and finally asked "what about me?". Her comment was "just cuz you gave me a big tip doesn't mean I'll wait on your any faster". He went to the casino bar and had no wait whatsoever.

 

Next case: the ONLY good service we got was from the Martini Bar. those guys were great. the pool bar only had 2 bartenders for the bazillions of folk around the pool. I kinda thought that was poor planning!

 

Yes, it was nice to not have to worry about signing, keeping receipts, tallying, etc......but did we get "better" service, absolutely not! In fact, I think we had poorer service. The waitstaff around the pool were slow and difficult to find.....maybe because they didn't have to 'hustle'????

 

We certainly didn't get the outstanding service we've come to expect on other sailings (with other lines). :(

 

I'm not sure your points have anything to do with the drink package though, they just seem like service issue, with or without a package.

 

In the first instant with the wine pairing that is unfortunate, but did you get the sense that was because you had the package? If you were paying by the drink and had asked for the wine pairing do you think they would have known what you meant and that you would have gotten better service?

 

As for the big tip thing, again I don't think that has to do with the package. I think the answer would have been the same either way. Seems like she was trying to serve people in the order they came, so with or without package, had you tipped her big, it appears the answer would have been the same.

 

Same issue with the pool bar, if there is too much demand and not enough servers, unless the person beside you is getting served faster because they pay by the drink, I don't think it is the fault of having the package.

 

It seems they are just service issues.

 

As an FYI, we also often tip extra when we get good service, but I wouldn't expect preferential service for that in a crowd. People will be upset if the server is serving everyone in the order they came and you walk up and get served first since you had tipped the person previously, but if you felt ignored and people came after you and got served first, that is different.

[red-rose]

^^ Maybe the tip was SO big that the server was almost a bit offended? Like, exactly what she said, like she thought she was being "bought." Give a little extra tip, and maybe they'll notice you more, but I can see a huge tip backfiring.

[CaroleSS]

I am not sure if our service issues had anything to do with the package, I was just relating our experience with the package as that is what the OP asked about.

 

a) I doubt it had anything to do with us having the package.....I just remember others saying that they had done the same thing and the sommelier was over frequently refilling their wine glass. We never got that - and as I stated, had to nearly chase her down. Typical or package?

 

b) I doubt the server felt "bought", she may have been new and still learning the drinks, we did notice she was not as 'quick' in making simple drinks. DH is a beer drinker - nothing hard about mixing up a bottle and a glass, tho. She acknowledged us when we arrived with a nod, we expected a wait as it was busy, but when she served someone who arrived AFTER us, that's when DH said, "what about us"? So there was no preferential treatment offered (nor expected....was happy about the nod....what we'd expected). We aren't those types that expect everyone to fawn upon us......are more than willing to wait our turn. We would have liked her to remember what we were drinking after a few nights, but nothing more (the Martini Guys certainly did it!) Typical or package?

 

I do believe that the high incidence of drink packages may have played a factor in the service. Too many customers and not enough servers to meet the demand. Celebrity certainly knew the 123Go promotion would increase demand....why they didn't staff accordingly is the unknown. BUT what it did do was to leave a bit of a sour taste for Celebrity. We're accustomed to a better level of service (no we're not Elite and no we don't cruise anything other than "mass" lines). We're plain ole folk who just like cruising....no butlers, no demands, this was just something we noticed as it was our first sailing with Celebrity.

 

Is this typical for Celebrity or is it because of the package???? Dunno!!!

[AlbertaCruisers]

I think I misunderstood your post, I think your saying that you are wondering if too many people with drink packages is putting a stain on the servers, i.e. worse service.

 

I thought you were saying you got treated badly because you had the package. On our Carnival cruise in Jan, the drink packages were new, and servers somewhat treated us like we had plague once they found out we had the package. I questioned a few people on that and the servers said it was because they didn't know what it meant for tips. They knew if you paid for a drink they got whatever share of the 15%, but they didn't understand what the package would mean to me. I'm really hoping that Celebrity isn't like that (and it appears not to be) as that was a terrible experience.

[hughdm]

Log us in as another good experience. Our sommelier also was quick to keep my glass filled. I was not looking for a lot of pairing suggestions. I like to experiment on my own in that regard, so I can't speak to that. DW loved being able to walk up and get a bottle of water any time she wanted as well as when we were debarking for a tour. We were very satisfied and have another premium package lined up for our next cruise.

[SusieV]

We did have issues on Reflection but it had nothing to do with the package. The bartenders and waitstaff were not discriminating against package holders; they were providing slow service to everyone. Tipping didn't help in our case either.

[firemanbobswife]

The next paragraph is most of what I posted in another thread. We had the soda package. It was me, DH, and 2 boys. Needless to say, he got a huge tip from us in the dining room, at the pool, the Passport Bar, and when he would wait on us in the theatre. Ricardo was totally awesome! Even hooked us up when getting off the ship in St Maarten.

 

Our drink waiter in the MDR was excellent. He would bring us 2 at a time and a couple to go. We always got weird looks leaving the dining room with 2 cans each.

 

Had the room steward take all the stuff out of our fridges and had them stacked up on their sides into pyramids! We even had some left over at the end of the cruise. Packed them up in our suitcases and drank them that night at the hotel!

[CruisingTheWaves]

no problems whatsoever...our first cruise with the drink package was when they first rolled it out a few years ago. because it was still new the staff wasn't 100% sure what was included and what wasn't, and we still needed to sign for each beverage. we did get charged for a few things but when explained, it was quickly rectified. on our cruise two weeks ago, no problems at all. and after a while, the guys at the martini bar just stopped asking for our cards all together because they knew we had the package. always yummy drinks. if it was slow at times, that was the general consensus over the whole ship and it may have been because a large amount of people decided to book during the 123go promo. More people with drink packages naturally means the servers are definitely going to be busier.

[dennbr9]

Have had the Premium Package on three cruises, all 14 day, and have had no issues with poor service.

 

Waiters seem to be fine with it and the wine steward in MDR and BLU were all as attentive as in the past. Perhaps a Wine Pairing is a bit difficult for them to manage when they have quite a number of tables to cover.

 

I also find a friendly smile and a respectful tone goes a long way toward good service in any situation, but especially on a Ship where some treat the waiters and room attendants like serfs.

 

MHO of course;-)

[Ando]

We had the Premium package on Solstice. Overall the service was excellent. One wine waiter in the MDR (Maria) was outstanding - she was always making recommendations and giving us wines that were not even on the "by the glass" menu. Our glasses were never empty and she was passionate about all things wine and our enjoyment of it.

 

However the other wine waiter we had on several nights was, well, diabolical by comparison :eek: No, initiative, inattentive and virtually no idea about wines. One night DW asked for his recommendation for a whine to match a particular course and he literally answered "I don't know". We mentioned to Maria our concerns with her colleague and even if she wasn't serving our table she would make a point of stopping by to take care of us. Amazing service from her!

 

The sommelier in Cellarmasters was also excellent. We visited nearly every night, and ffter the first few nights she knew us by name, as well as our folio number, so we never had to present our card again. As soon as we entered and sat down she was there to take our orders and make recommendations of some really nice wines that we would not normally try.

 

I did find the service a bit slow at the Sunset Bar, Martini Bar & Pool Bar, but this was due to generally only 2 staff serving everyone at that location. There was definitely no service discrimination due to being on a package. I too think the staff appreciated no paperwork in the busy times.

 

My next cruise was booked on the 123 promo, and we upgraded again to the premium package, and will also purchase it for our May 14 cruise too.

 

Cheers

Ando

[CaroleSS]

Maybe part of the issue we had was because we aren't 'pushy' people?

 

It never dawned on me to ask our sommelier to keep my glass filled.....we just enjoyed our dinner and went on with our vacation. My sister, who was in our party, had to ask our water person, for more tea nearly every night. We never got the "it was there waiting for us", or "they were always refilling my glass". I guess I'm just a tad bit disappointed as we had read so many glowing reviews - then got the relatively poor service that we did.

 

I will say that the service we got from everyone else was great.....just not enough staffing in some areas. Maybe it's a sign of the times rather than a sign of the package. Ah well.......time to start planning our next cruise!

[wallie5446]

Celebrity certainly knew the 123Go promotion would increase demand....why they didn't staff accordingly is the unknown.

 

Staffing a cruise Ship is a tad different than staffing a fast food joint in the States, dont ya think? Even tho they knew what was coming, if they started hiring right then and there, no way could they get the extra staff set up in time.

[rwdnj]

I guess I'm the only one that has had troubles with the package! We upgraded to premium before boarding.

 

I had told our sommelier I wanted to do a wine pairing with dinner. Guess either she didn't know what that was or I don't. I told her what I wanted for dinner and she said "ok, what wine would you like?" I thought that when I told her my choices (and based upon me telling her my preferences with wines) that she would make me some recommendations....and even give me different wines with each course.....nope! I had to pick out my wine, even had to hail her down when I wanted another glass! This was the case for our entire cruise!

 

Next case: DH gave a bartender near the theater a big (BIG) tip, smiled and said Thank you. Later went back (still during the same show) for another drink. He waited for about 15 minutes and finally asked "what about me?". Her comment was "just cuz you gave me a big tip doesn't mean I'll wait on your any faster". He went to the casino bar and had no wait whatsoever.

 

Next case: the ONLY good service we got was from the Martini Bar. those guys were great. the pool bar only had 2 bartenders for the bazillions of folk around the pool. I kinda thought that was poor planning!

 

Yes, it was nice to not have to worry about signing, keeping receipts, tallying, etc......but did we get "better" service, absolutely not! In fact, I think we had poorer service. The waitstaff around the pool were slow and difficult to find.....maybe because they didn't have to 'hustle'????

 

We certainly didn't get the outstanding service we've come to expect on other sailings (with other lines). :(

 

We did have issues on Reflection but it had nothing to do with the package. The bartenders and waitstaff were not discriminating against package holders; they were providing slow service to everyone. Tipping didn't help in our case either.

 

Couldn't agree more on both. We also upgraded to the premium package but i dont think that was the issue. With the exception of our room steward and the gals at the Molecular Bar, service was just slow at best. I'd give it a 2 on the 1-5 scale.:( Loyal Celebrity cruisers we talked to also agreed about the service on the ship. As one couple said, maybe its just a Reflection issue, but I can't attest to that statement since it was my first Celibrity cruise.

Never had a problem with RC so go figure.

[Swampduck]

We travelled last year on the Solstice and had the premium package, it worked really well for us. We found the bar staff very attentive. The bars staff were friendly, and knew our drinks. We never had to wait on a drink or feel like we were being over looked.

We never tip until our last night of the holiday, as an appreciation gesture, not to try and gain favours.

 

We have always found... on holidays as in life, if you treat everyone as you would like to be treated and be friendly, this is what you will get in return...

 

I would highly recommend taking the package... along with a smile for the staff...;)

[sears181301]

Do you still need to tip if you prepaid the gratuity?

 

I need the proper tipping etiquette info, so I can be a good guest.