Getting a drink question

[need2bespoiled]

A firm Handshake ??? LOL

 

People I know in the service business to a man (or woman) would prefer cash I believe --at least until the time comes that they can pay for groceries "...with a firm handshake"

 

I think you missed his point. The quotes mean, in the 'firm handshake' there is a little something extra. He WAS in agreement, that it is ok to give cash. Maybe you skimmed the posts that led to Wallie's.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

[wallie5446]

A firm Handshake ??? LOL

 

People I know in the service business to a man (or woman) would prefer cash I believe --at least until the time comes that they can pay for groceries "...with a firm handshake"

Bill, now I know you have never bussed nor waited tables, as you don't understand how we quietly show respect for each other.

 

Thank you Jenna, I commented before reading the other comments.

Edited September 14, 2014 by wallie5446

[cynbar]

If you want a drink in the MDR and no sommelier is around, just ask your waiter --- he will either take the order himself or send the sommelier right over. If service is slow, again speak to your regular waiter and he will take care of it. I do think that Celebrity has cut down on bar waiters all over their ships. On our Reflection cruise in May, we usually went to the bar ourselves (except in the Martini Bar which was usually fully staffed.) For the theater, there is a bar right outside the casino, before you enter the theater, that is a convenient stop. I must admit, sometimes in the past I found the bar waiters a little overbearing, so I don't mind the switch.

[Sloop-JohnB]

If you want a drink in the MDR and no sommelier is around, just ask your waiter --- he will either take the order himself or send the sommelier right over. If service is slow, again speak to your regular waiter and he will take care of it. I do think that Celebrity has cut down on bar waiters all over their ships. On our Reflection cruise in May, we usually went to the bar ourselves (except in the Martini Bar which was usually fully staffed.) For the theater, there is a bar right outside the casino, before you enter the theater, that is a convenient stop. I must admit, sometimes in the past I found the bar waiters a little overbearing, so I don't mind the switch.

 

On both our Celebrity Cruises... Solstice 2012 & Summit 2013, there were no "Drink Waiters" in the MDR. The Sommelier handled the wine... And the Asst Waiter handled all the other Bevvys including = Cocktails - Water - Soft Drinks - Tea & Coffee - After Dinner Drinks - and Specialty Coffees (drinks with booze in them... Like Irish Coffees). The Asst Waiter did this in addition to their other responsibilities of assisting the Head Waiter... And he did this for many tables... He was very busy

 

I take it from reading other posts on CC, that the alcohol related Bevvy responsibilities used to be handled by seperate staff known as Drink Waiters... Now the only remnants of that group in the MDR are the actual Bartenders that man that central location and make the drinks that the Asst Waiters request.

 

I could see where this difference has been a cost cutting measure that longtime Celebrity Cruisers notice / feel

 

For us newbies though it is just something we accept and work with. In our case we worked out a routine with our Asst Waiter as to what we desired / expected to keep us happy... So quickly we got into a routine... Bottled water showed up when we arrived. Then towards the end of the meal, he came by and got our requests for Hot Beevys & After Dinner Drinks. He was intuitive and figured out who preferred what items, and how to get them to us in what appeared pretty seamless (ie all 6 of us at the same time).

 

We appreciated it. We struck up a nice relationship / friendship with all our MDR Staff on both ships... And we also extra tipped them at the end of our last night.

 

Cheers!

[cynbar]

I agree, there are no designated "drink waiters" in the MDR on Celebrity anymore. My only point was that if you aren't getting the drink service you want, talk to your waiter. In my experience, he will find a way to get it done. Sommeliers have brought us cocktails before, but this may vary from ship to ship. No need to sit through the dinner without drinks, or have delayed drinks, or whatever the issue is. Just speak up. Your waiter's job is to make sure you are satisfied with your dining experience.

Edited September 15, 2014 by cynbar

[wander]

Gut2407,

Just to reinforce what at least one other poster said - on HAL I go directly to the bar on many occasions - no problem at all!!! None! I do not understand the person who mentioned a problem.

 

I sail on numerous cruise lines, but in the past year I sailed 95 days on HAL, drinks almost every day. Go to the bar or sit and wait - either work just fine, and going yourself may speed getting your drink. Sometimes I do like just sitting and being served.

[kqcallahan]

Gut2407,

Just to reinforce what at least one other poster said - on HAL I go directly to the bar on many occasions - no problem at all!!! None! I do not understand the person who mentioned a problem.

 

I sail on numerous cruise lines, but in the past year I sailed 95 days on HAL, drinks almost every day. Go to the bar or sit and wait - either work just fine, and going yourself may speed getting your drink. Sometimes I do like just sitting and being served.

 

I can only speak for the one I was on. If I went to the bar I had to wait for one of the servers and he would take my card, ask where I was and said they would bring it to me. That's how it was for 14 days, understand it or not!

[GUT2407]

Gut2407,

Just to reinforce what at least one other poster said - on HAL I go directly to the bar on many occasions - no problem at all!!! None! I do not understand the person who mentioned a problem.

 

I sail on numerous cruise lines, but in the past year I sailed 95 days on HAL, drinks almost every day. Go to the bar or sit and wait - either work just fine, and going yourself may speed getting your drink. Sometimes I do like just sitting and being served.

 

 

Thanks for that, I actually don't drink alcohol but a LOT of soda and mocktails, if I found a bar that frowned on me going to the bar he would get something and it wouldn't be a tip. I probably have two or more drinks to every one by those drinking alcohol so go to the bar often, actually don't like servers attending to me, just not me.

[clr315]

Sooooo how much of a firm handshake are you talking about?

[CruisingChick]

On both our Celebrity Cruises... Solstice 2012 & Summit 2013, there were no "Drink Waiters" in the MDR. The Sommelier handled the wine... And the Asst Waiter handled all the other Bevvys including = Cocktails - Water - Soft Drinks - Tea & Coffee - After Dinner Drinks - and Specialty Coffees (drinks with booze in them... Like Irish Coffees). The Asst Waiter did this in addition to their other responsibilities of assisting the Head Waiter... And he did this for many tables... He was very busy!

 

One of the downsides of all the "free" drink packages. (Yes, I know they are not really free you are paying for them in the inflated cruise price, but do you really think all these people would purchase drink packages if not for PYP or 123GO?)

Edited September 16, 2014 by CruisingChick

[Barwick Cruiser]

Not sure if it's changed or was just our experience but on the Silhouette in June we ate in Select Dining and had no problems with Sommelier attention or Bar Service. We would let our server know right away that I'd be drinking wine and that my husband would like a bar drink. We were attended to quite quickly by the Sommelier, who, even though not the same each evening kept my glass full at all times as well as the bar server (wasn't our asst waiter) who attended to my DH promptly. Maybe we were just lucky but over 12 nights we had no complaints. Also, around the pool we saw several bar servers making the rounds...I think once you order something they keep an eye and return more often? We both had the classic package and were quite happy with the options available.

[cruisecriticmember]

One of the downsides of all the "free" drink packages. (Yes, I know they are not really free you are paying for them in the inflated cruise price, but do you really think all these people would purchase drink packages if not for PYP or 123GO?)

 

On past cruises when I had to pay I bought the soda package only and my wife had no drinks package. Next cruise we both have the basic alcohol package as a perk. We will both be ordering a Lot more drinks both with and without ethanol. So count us among those increasing the wait times and load on the waiters and bartenders.

[Sloop-JohnB]

One of the downsides of all the "free" drink packages. (Yes, I know they are not really free you are paying for them in the inflated cruise price, but do you really think all these people would purchase drink packages if not for PYP or 123GO?)

 

Agree.

 

And both our cruises, Solstice in 2012, and Summit in 2013 (booked while on the Solstice) were before the 123Go / PYP Packages became an "ongoing promo". We sailed both times drinking on our own dime... And still Bartenders & Drink / Wait Staff were busy (although in 2013 the 123Go Promo had started... We just had bought ahead of it)

 

I would imagine the Staff is even far more busy now... With soooo many Pax opting for the Classic Alcohol Pkg from these aforementioned promos.

 

Will report back after our Constellation Cruise on our findings.

 

Lol, all the more reason to become a "regular" at one Favourite bar, and strike up a friendship with a bartender

 

Cheers!

Edited September 16, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB