Looks like drink vouchers are here to stay

[peteukmcr]

It amazes that folks are not satisfied with THREE drinks during the cocktail hours. Not really asking, but how long do folks sit in the CL or DL and drink?

 

For those who need more than 3 drinks simply go to the lounge, drink up, and then go to a bar and have 3 more.

m

You'd be amazed how long some sit there. First hand experience of people looking down their nose at me at 4:45pm when I dared go into the CL in shorts and T shirt for a coffee whilst they were there looking at their watches waiting for 5pm so they can get a free drink (dress code for CL doesn't start until 5pm) and then being so intoxicated by 7pm when we finally try and get into the CL they can't speak coherently! Oh and we couldn't get in as it was standing room only and yet we were suite guests and they weren't. Give me 3 vouchers so I don't have to sit anywhere near these types. Edited June 12, 2014 by peteukmcr

[peteukmcr]

I was thinking the same thing. If it is for a limited time - 3 is probably more than I will consume otherwise I'll never make it to dinner.

Totally agree, 3 is more than generous IMHO. Then again I'll probably get lambasted for my opinion again too.

[cruisegirl1]

 

We have taken to tipping as we go in the lounges because then we're square without having to try to remember how much we consumed every night. We may tip a nominal amount extra on the last night, but for the most part we feel that tipping as we go takes care of everybody fairly. .

 

Same here. It also works for us in case we don't make it to the lounge on the last evening.

 

M

[cruisegirl1]

You'd be amazed how long some sit there. First hand experience of people looking down their nose at me at 4:45pm when I dared go into the CL in shorts and T shirt for a coffee whilst they were there looking at their watches waiting for 5pm so they can get a free drink (dress code for CL doesn't start until 5pm) and then being so intoxicated by 7pm when we finally try and get into the CL they can't speak coherently! Oh and we couldn't get in as it was standing room only and yet we were suite guests and they weren't. Give me 3 vouchers so I don't have to sit anywhere near these types.

 

Pardon my asking, but how can you tell if a passenger is a suite guest, or not?

 

M

Edited June 12, 2014 by cruisegirl1

[karena1]

Do you think top tier (or others) all routinely carry around small bill each day? If so, why? Who are they tipping on a daily basis?:confused: Tips for paid drinks are automatic. Regular gratuities are largely prepaid or added automatically to the on board account. Plenty of people wait until the last night to tip for the entire cruise in the CL or DL. Same for (additional) tips for others...last night is common practice.

 

Lots of people seem to carry little or no money aboard on past cruises. That's what people like about the sea pass, isn't it? Now, they may be more inclined to plan to carry bills for small cash tips.

 

We always take a stack of $1's with us on a cruise as we tip in the DL or CL for every round of drinks we order. If we have the Bev Pkg, same thing, every time they bring us a drink we tip. After a couple of rounds, they know our names and never have to ask for another drink, it just shows up.

[momzcruzing]

I've experienced the vouchers on both Celebrity and Oasis.

 

On Celebrity we could go to any bar and order pretty much anything they had, they were ALL friendly and more than accomodating.

 

On Oasis in April, in all fairness they were just trying out the voucher system, I believe it was their second week. There were several different copies of the "available drinks" card, all different. At one bar I could get Pinot Grigio another bar I was snarled at, "I only have Chardonay for the vouchers, take it or leave it." One bartender would make rum punch another would only mix rum with Coke. By the end of the week, I felt like a stalker searching out certain bartenders... all were tipped well! I sincerely hope the Royal Caribbean has had a meeting of the barstaff and standardized their offerings.

 

I've enjoyed meeting wonderful people in the CL for a decade but this will be a fabulous perk when the bartenders are all on the same page, as frequently bring new cruisers with me.

[peteukmcr]

Pardon my asking, but how can you tell if a passenger is a suite guest, or not?

 

M

By overhearing their loud conversation (hard to avoid) of what level of C&A membership they were, how many points they had and that they were now D+ in a non suite stateroom. Edited June 13, 2014 by peteukmcr

[sr4mjc]

I don't drink (anymore), can I get a San Pellegrino as one of my free drinks?

[Clarea]

I don't drink (anymore), can I get a San Pellegrino as one of my free drinks?

It may vary by ship, but I was able to get a Pellegrino on Enchantment in the CL.

[postmeome]

Many top tier do not drink outside of the CL/DL so they would have no reason to carry small bills with them if they tip the CL/DL servers at the end of a cruise with a larger denomination.

 

We have taken to tipping as we go in the lounges because then we're square without having to try to remember how much we consumed every night. We may tip a nominal amount extra on the last night, but for the most part we feel that tipping as we go takes care of everybody fairly. So we carry singles, which are easy to obtain from Guest Services or the casino cashier when we run out.

 

Why do you think many top tier guests only drink in the overcrowded CL/DL lounges and why would they need large denomination bills with them ?:)

[Royal Caribbean International]

We are happy to see everyone so excited about this change! To provide a recap for those who don't have all of the details yet, we are introducing an expanded Crown & Anchor Society benefit that will be taking place fleetwide by Fall of 2014. In addition to the nightly receptions at the Diamond Lounge and the Concierge Lounge (for our Diamond Plus and Pinnacle guests), you now have the flexibility to enjoy happy hour at a wide selection of bars onboard. Your SeaPass Card will be pre-loaded with vouchers for up to three complimentary beverages during nightly lounge hours, so you can toast your way around the ship! The SeaPass card of each eligible Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club member will be loaded with three (3) drink vouchers for each night of the sailing. Kindly note drinks vouchers are not valid in the main dining room, the Windjammer Café or in our specialty restaurants and expire daily. We look forward to seeing you onboard!

[LMaxwell]

We are happy to see everyone so excited about this change! To provide a recap for those who don't have all of the details yet, we are introducing an expanded Crown & Anchor Society benefit that will be taking place fleetwide by Fall of 2014. In addition to the nightly receptions at the Diamond Lounge and the Concierge Lounge (for our Diamond Plus and Pinnacle guests), you now have the flexibility to enjoy happy hour at a wide selection of bars onboard. Your SeaPass Card will be pre-loaded with vouchers for up to three complimentary beverages during nightly lounge hours, so you can toast your way around the ship! The SeaPass card of each eligible Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club member will be loaded with three (3) drink vouchers for each night of the sailing. Kindly note drinks vouchers are not valid in the main dining room, the Windjammer Café or in our specialty restaurants and expire daily. We look forward to seeing you onboard!

 

Does this also include ships without a Diamond Lounge that currently have the Diamond Event? Thanks

[PCWalton1]

We are happy to see everyone so excited about this change! To provide a recap for those who don't have all of the details yet, we are introducing an expanded Crown & Anchor Society benefit that will be taking place fleetwide by Fall of 2014. In addition to the nightly receptions at the Diamond Lounge and the Concierge Lounge (for our Diamond Plus and Pinnacle guests), you now have the flexibility to enjoy happy hour at a wide selection of bars onboard. Your SeaPass Card will be pre-loaded with vouchers for up to three complimentary beverages during nightly lounge hours, so you can toast your way around the ship! The SeaPass card of each eligible Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club member will be loaded with three (3) drink vouchers for each night of the sailing. Kindly note drinks vouchers are not valid in the main dining room, the Windjammer Café or in our specialty restaurants and expire daily. We look forward to seeing you onboard!

 

Thank you so much. What I have not seen asked, can I use it when in the theater or would I need to step out to a lounge?

thanks :)

[orville99]

Does this also include ships without a Diamond Lounge that currently have the Diamond Event? Thanks

 

Someone already mentioned that they were doing this on Explorer, and someone else mentioned that they had set up a Diamond lounge on Jewel, so that only leaves three ships unaccounted for (by my count): Voyager, Adventure, and Majesty. My presumption is that since the notice stated fleetwide, these three would also be included.

[CP3o]

Does this also include ships without a Diamond Lounge that currently have the Diamond Event? Thanks

 

I choose to interpret "fleetwide by Fall of 2014" as every ship will have it by Sept 22, 2014.

 

Hopefully they will print out menus of acceptable drinks that bars will set out during the hours vouchers offered so pax know what they are allowed to order.

 

And the printout will give room, a blank line, for a tip so servers aren't surly about having to give out "free" drinks. Many more will tip if it's easy to add to card than will if have to think about carrying cash.

 

Is it normally a 2.5 or 3 hour window? 5:30-8:30 or varies by ship?

[gregorykicks]

Someone already mentioned that they were doing this on Explorer, and someone else mentioned that they had set up a Diamond lounge on Jewel, so that only leaves three ships unaccounted for (by my count): Voyager, Adventure, and Majesty. My presumption is that since the notice stated fleetwide, these three would also be included.

Adventure got a diamond lounge during the dry dock in April.

 

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[Iluvcruising2]

Adventure got a diamond lounge during the dry dock in April.

 

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Yups, we just got off the adventure (may 30 2014 sailing) and really enjoyed the Diamond lounge. So glad to hear of this expanded perk!

[LMaxwell]

I choose to interpret "fleetwide by Fall of 2014" as every ship will have it by Sept 22, 2014.

 

 

I know, I agree with your interpretation. It is just the line about "In additional to DL and CL...". Well, what if the ship doesn't have that to begin with? I think you're probably right.

 

I was asking because Majesty is a great weekend HoHo for us and even though I like the Diamond Event...in fact I love the big, spacious VCL without restaurants and lounges stuffed in, I would like to be in different places to mix it up more.

 

I see this voucher program as a big overall positive and look forward to it on my Freedom cruise in October; that way the entire family can spend time together with those that have earned free cocktail rewards being able to enjoy that benefit and not be separated.

[Starry Eyes]

Why do you think many top tier guests only drink in the overcrowded CL/DL lounges and why would they need large denomination bills with them ?:)

Why do you feel the need to continually question other people's styles and habits? :)

[jmrothermel]

I spoke with C&A this afternoon, to see what they said about children being included. Here's what they said.....

 

Since they are diamond they would be eligible and will automatically receive the vouchers on their sea pass, however since "soda" or a "Shirley temple" isn't listed on the "approved beverages list" they wouldn't actually be allowed to redeem them towards those beverages. He told me it's intended for alcoholic beverages only, which of course they can't order.

 

Ummmmmmmm? O.o

 

 

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[cruisegirl1]

I choose to interpret "fleetwide by Fall of 2014" as every ship will have it by Sept 22, 2014.

 

Hopefully they will print out menus of acceptable drinks that bars will set out during the hours vouchers offered so pax know what they are allowed to order.

 

And the printout will give room, a blank line, for a tip so servers aren't surly about having to give out "free" drinks. Many more will tip if it's easy to add to card than will if have to think about carrying cash.

 

Is it normally a 2.5 or 3 hour window? 5:30-8:30 or varies by ship?

 

I hope you are kidding about the "Fall" date. I can't imagine that really meant the actual first day of Fall, but rather meant the fall season.

 

I imagine there will be the similar type of menus they have in the DL/CL noting what is offered, and with the notation that other drinks can be purchased. That will help the servers for those who want something special.

 

The normal cocktail hours are around 5:30-8:30 but there can be variances (If I recall - The freedom is a bit earlier). Cocktail times will be noted in the welcome sheet that is in the cabin.

 

I too prefer some sort of easy way to add a gratuity to the seapass. We are however used to carrying smaller bills as we tip the CL servers nightly and often add a few to the Schooner Bar piano player's tip jar.

 

enjoy

M

 

enjoy

[Host Dan]

It amazes that folks are not satisfied with THREE drinks during the cocktail hours. Not really asking, but how long do folks sit in the CL or DL and drink?

 

For those who need more than 3 drinks simply go to the lounge, drink up, and then go to a bar and have 3 more.

m

Is there a limit as to how many drinks one can have in the DL? Occasionally we have had more than3 with no questions asked.

[cruisegirl1]

Thank you RCCL for posting. I’ve seen the “official” Celebrity comments on that board and am glad RCCL offers an “official” word too.

 

m

[cruisegirl1]

Is there a limit as to how many drinks one can have in the DL? Occasionally we have had more than3 with no questions asked.

 

Than I guess you have answered your own question. :)

 

My comment was in reference to those who commented that three drinks each evening per the vouchers was not enough.

 

 

enjoy

M

Edited June 13, 2014 by cruisegirl1

[steveru621]

I spoke with C&A this afternoon, to see what they said about children being included. Here's what they said.....

 

Since they are diamond they would be eligible and will automatically receive the vouchers on their sea pass, however since "soda" or a "Shirley temple" isn't listed on the "approved beverages list" they wouldn't actually be allowed to redeem them towards those beverages. He told me it's intended for alcoholic beverages only, which of course they can't order.

 

Ummmmmmmm? O.o

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

The agent doesn't really know what actually happens in the real world. Soda is available in the clubs. If you order any of the normal soda mixers (virgin) without alcohol, you will get served in the bars. For kids, I can't specifically say it's true, but when we had vouchers on the Explorer my wife could always get soda, and often they would bring a can.

 

Hopefully RCI gets this worked out in training.