Do you think Bar Service Has Suffered Since Beverage Packages rolled out?

[nealstuber]

Just Back from our 2nd consecutive Thanksgiving Cruise on the Navigator. With an Oasis cruise in June, we feel like we have three successive data points (all with the wine and beer package) that indicate service is waning as these packages become more common place. Almost seems like they are trying to control cost by limiting service. Your thoughts?

Edited December 2, 2014 by nealstuber

[mikevet]

Wife had RR package. If she asked for a frapachino, it was obvious they didn't want to make it if she showed them the card. If they didn't know she had package, it came out fine. If they saw her card first, it was never blended well.

 

 

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[Sumisid]

In my opinion, it totally depends on the bar and the bartenders. On three cruises we had the Select-Package (wine and beer, twice Oasis, once Allure). There was good and bad bar-service on all three cruises. Our last cruise was the TA westbound on Oasis and the absolutely worst bar-service of all our cruises we've ever been on was at the Schooner Bar. Ignorance, slow service, no smiles, never asked for a second round and so on. After the third night, we never went back. Boleros was good, Champagne Bar was a bit slow but friendly, Casino-Bar was excellent, Pool-Bar was excellent, Solarium-Bar was ok.

Honestly, I don't think it has anything to do with the packages. If there is a nice and friendly bartender, we always give additional tips (cash) and they usually like that a lot. Some appreciate it, some not. Some did get more visits from our group, some not :D.

[mpoole3]

I was on the Liberty a few weeks ago, went down to the pub every night. I'd grab a table sitting outside the pub and not once did someone ask if I wanted a drink. And they would even walk by me as if I wasn't even there. Funny thing is I have rule: If they bring me a drink I tip $2 cash, if I go get the drink no tip. Oh well, they missed out.

 

I probably saved $20 in tips by going to get my own drinks the whole cruise.

 

Before the drink package, they would never leave the table-side, what can I get you next?

[leisuretraveler223]

I don't think it has slipped because of the beverage packages.

 

I think the amount it has slipped is pretty much commensurate with the amount pretty much every other service on board (food, entertainment, housekeeping) has slipped.

 

The steady decline to discount mass-market vacations catering to the lowest common denominator continues....

[Aquahound]

I am confident that bar service has declined from the packages, especially around the pools and at the Sky and Pool bars. I've noticed this on a couple different cruise lines. You don't see the wandering servers anymore and lines at the bars are longer and longer.

[ksuds]

I don't think I could really say there is a decline in service because of the beverage package. When I am up at the bar, everything seems to be the same. Where I do see a difference is when I am not at a bar.

 

They don't seem to have hardly any staff walking around the pool to serve you. This could be two fold. One, they are cutting back on staff. Two, if they don't have staff walking around serviing you, they are saving on costs because you probably aren't getting as many drinks on your package.

[krisko]

I just got off Liberty and pretty much every bar was overrun at all times it seemed. I didn't have a drink package, but I had a hard time getting a drink or my daughter getting a Coke.

 

It was often so difficult that the prospect of waiting in line made me not want that drink after all, so I saved money in that respect.

[marci22]

We stopped getting the soda package for the kids (now young adults). When the bartenders saw them, they'd pretty much ignore them for other guests. Also, the last time we got the package, the soda machines were constantly out of product. You'd get a glass of seltzer. Way too much trouble for a paid package.

[Clarea]

We noticed a lack of bar service in the Solarium on Enchantment last month. We had no bar servers come by during the 2 hour period we were in the lounge chairs.

[monctonguy]

They have made their money, why are they going to pay "extra" to have people come serve you for something you have already paid for, whether they come around or not.

 

Doesn't surprise me at all. But I won't complain, as that was one of the main reasons I never cruised before beverage packages....I didn't want to walk off the ship with a $1000 bar bill.

[slyster]

I didn't notice any difference on our Jewel cruise a few weeks ago. I felt as though they served us the same as any other cruise.

[rusty nut]

I'd say the bar service (and many other services) have declined over time but I don't believe it's because of the drink packages. Why would it be? The bartenders are getting their tip either way. It shouldn't make any difference. As a matter of fact, since Royal's policy on mandatory tipping I'd say that the entire crew is making more money than they ever have.

[LMaxwell]

I'd say the bar service (and many other services) have declined over time but I don't believe it's because of the drink packages. Why would it be? The bartenders are getting their tip either way. It shouldn't make any difference. As a matter of fact, since Royal's policy on mandatory tipping I'd say that the entire crew is making more money than they ever have.

 

Less servers = less drinks served = less money Royal spends on buying liquor.

 

Could not get a drink for sailaway on Majesty of the Seas to save my life at the pool bar. Gave up.

[SilkySal]

We noticed a difference on the Freedom last Halloween. DH and I normally have breakfast at the WJ bar every morning, so I can have Bailey's in my coffee and a mimosa with breakfast (I usually get the premium package). On the cruise before this one, we could always get these drinks when the buffet first opened, around 7-8am but, on this last cruise, the bar did not open until after 9am, so our breakfast was over by then. I think RCI has decreased its open bar hours, especially on port days, some of them not opening until afternoon. We have also noticed not as many servers strolling the masses to get drinks and, when you do get a server, they take forever to return with your drink and your card!:mad: Ended up getting our own drinks most of the time.

 

However, on one good note - While on the beach at Labadee, I tipped the bartender for a Labadoozie and then asked him to let my DH retrieve more of them for me, as I liked to spend most of my time in the water. I told DH to make sure to tip the bartender (Rocky) for allowing him to use my card for my drinks and not having to trek up to the bar myself. DH tipped him the first time but when he offered a tip for the 2nd time, the bartender declined the tip, and said it was not needed from us anymore and he had gotten enough tips from us!!!:eek: What?!!! First time we ever had a bartender decline a tip!! Kudos to Rocky!!:cool:

[nednrom]

We've had the Premium package twice -- once on the Allure and the second time on the Independence. We had no trouble getting drinks at the Aquatheatre bar, Solarium/pool bars and the Champagne bars. The service was excellent. If we receive good service to start with, we will tip them a one time only $5-$10. I have had one bartender go down to the stock area to get bloody mary mix, find me at the aquatheater and ask me if I still wanted the Bloody Mary. It really doesn't take much -- if you're friendly, treat them nicely and give them a little extra, they do go above and beyond. Perhaps if they get to know you, they are more prone to stop by to check on you or bring you drinks. Now this has been for the alcohol package so I really can't speak for the soda packages.

[rusty nut]

Less servers = less drinks served = less money Royal spends on buying liquor.

 

Could not get a drink for sailaway on Majesty of the Seas to save my life at the pool bar. Gave up.

Less servers, same amount of people = more drinks served per bartender (on average). With tipping now mandatory, the ships are raking in cash like never before from tips. Sharing this massive increase in tip money with fewer crew means the crew is making money like never before. Unless, of course, RC is keeping most of it, which would be highly unethical.

[krisko]

Less servers = less drinks served = less money Royal spends on buying liquor.

 

But also less income. I probably didn't spend $100 on a 5 day cruise because I approached the bar and either the line was huge or I sat there for 5 minutes and gave up.

 

Now I'll just wait until the DL opens up because the drinks are free AND the sevice is excellent! People will have to revert to smuggling just because they can't get a drink otherwise.

[Aquahound]

I'd say the bar service (and many other services) have declined over time but I don't believe it's because of the drink packages. Why would it be? The bartenders are getting their tip either way. It shouldn't make any difference. As a matter of fact, since Royal's policy on mandatory tipping I'd say that the entire crew is making more money than they ever have.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with the bartenders making money. It's more to do with there being less bar servers, coupled with the fact there are more drink orders due to the packages.

[Dan-P]

I don't think it has slipped because of the beverage packages.

 

I think the amount it has slipped is pretty much commensurate with the amount pretty much every other service on board (food, entertainment, housekeeping) has slipped.

 

The steady decline to discount mass-market vacations catering to the lowest common denominator continues....

 

This is my take on the situation as well. I don't think the decline in service has anything to do with the drink packages themselves, but a general cutback in the quantity of staff, along with staff having more to do.

 

We have had the Premium Package on two different sailings. Once on Majesty in Feb 2013, shortly after the packages first came out, and again this year on Indy. Had a very similar experience with the package both times. However, we are not ones to really be "waited on." We tend to get up and go to the bars when we want a drink. Never had a problem or a long wait on either ship. The bartenders themselves seemed great and indifferent to whether a patron had the sticker on their Seapass card or not. Just my $.02.

 

Dan.

Edited December 2, 2014 by Dan-P

[holden0301]

I had the ultimate package on Majesty two weeks ago. My drinks were always nice and strong, but there as no smile, no friendly banter. Only one bartender at the pool bar was pleasant. Not sure if it's due to the packages, but very few bartenders seemed happy to be there.

[Big_G]

We saw a decline in service around the pool long before the packages came out. While we haven't seen another decline since, on Celebrity we noticed a substantial increase in consumption after they started their 123GO promotion. We sailed the same ship twice exactly a year apart with the same number of bartenders and the bars were slamming the second time around. It seemed like everyone had the packages. There was no time for friendly chat with bartenders like there is on Royal.

[rusty nut]

I don't think it has anything to do with the bartenders making money. It's more to do with there being less bar servers, coupled with the fact there are more drink orders due to the packages.

You bring up a good point. I, myself, would jump at the chance of being busier with more drink packages. After all, every drink I pour, the more money I make. I'm not a bartender, BTW. :)

Edited December 2, 2014 by rusty nut

[Big_G]

For what it's worth, we were told on one ship by a bartender, and I can't remember if it was Royal or Celebrity, that the tips from the drinks package were distributed by the number of card swipes. I don't necessarily take anything a bartender tells me as gospel but if in fact that were true, then there shouldn't be a decline in bar service unless of course it's because there are less servers.

Edited December 2, 2014 by Big_G

[ksuds]

I know the gratuity is already built into the drink package. I still tip a dollar per drink for their good service. Some of the better (smarter) bartenders see me coming and and begin yelling out my name asking if I am good. :D