Long drink lines on ships

[haply]

I am worried about the recent reviews regarding long lines and slow service at the Norwegian bars. I do not want to spend my vacation waiting in long lines every time that I want a drink. What are your thoughts on the bar service since Norwegian started offering the beverage package special? This may be a deal-breaker for us. Thank you in advance.

[24kirouac]

We got off the breakaway 2 weeks ago and we never waited more then 3 minute for a drink. We visited a lot of bars. No worries. The Pool bar is the worse so we just went to another bar. Try the Mango Meltdown....

Edited June 18, 2015 by 24kirouac

[KurtMo]

Worst case was about 10 minutes at pool bar on a sea day last week on Breakaway. Usually just a few minutes.

[luv2cruisecats]

6/6/15 to 6/13/15 cruise with many on board having the UBP. I can believe that maybe the pool area bar gets backed up but it always does even with multiple bartenders and pre-UBP. Who started this rumor anyway?

[Tiggertastic]

We never had to wait more than a couple of minutes and many bars served immediately. Which ship you doing

[roger001]

Never have seen it on any cruise. Maybe two ahead of me at a pool deck bar, but even then servers hurrying about trying to take up the slack. Who starts such stuff?

[JimS4210]

Same here. Just got off the Star a few weeks ago and never waited more than a minute or two...

 

Jim

[StolidCruiser]

Never have seen it on any cruise. Maybe two ahead of me at a pool deck bar, but even then servers hurrying about trying to take up the slack. Who starts such stuff?

 

The better question is... why do people believe it??

[JPRLHR]

Just off Jade last week and never waited more than a few minutes even with seemingly everyone having the UBP.

[Sand and Seas]

Have been on two cruises this year with the UBP and no problems getting a drink. There are plenty of bars onboard and some great bartenders:D

[ndabunka]

I am worried about the recent reviews regarding long lines and slow service at the Norwegian bars. I do not want to spend my vacation waiting in long lines every time that I want a drink. What are your thoughts on the bar service since Norwegian started offering the beverage package special? This may be a deal-breaker for us. Thank you in advance.

 

Please do not start this false rumor. There are SO MANY bars on EVERY ship it's almost scary. Never waited more than 2 minutes at ANY bar on ANY ship even when the top deck was packed for parties.

[Chuck2810]

I hope this holds up. I remember having to wait 10 minutes or more (without a stopwatch) during sail-away a year ago. And that I understand. I expect to be able to use the 'package' to get a drink when I need one and not have to wait more than that. I'd rather pay for the few I get. I prefer bottle service and wines anyway.

[Cruisercl]

I have never really waited very long for drink service on any NCL cruise; the longest was probably 4-5 minutes because the bar was swamped at sail away or some type of function, but that was a one time issue and maybe once a cruise (if that). Certainly nothing to 'worry' about; certainly have waited longer at a bar on land. ;) I have cruised recently (Oct, Jan & Apr) and the service was great!

 

The bar staff on all of the NCL ships I have been on (5 ships so far) have been fantastic. :D

 

They will do everything in their power to wait on you in a timely manner; have a great time!!!

Edited June 19, 2015 by Cruisercl

[BamaVol]

Never a problem in 4 days on the Sky. Pool bar was busiest but had 3-4 bartenders working hard. Maybe a 3-4 minute wait at its worst.

[rvsullivan]

I am worried about the recent reviews regarding long lines and slow service at the Norwegian bars. I do not want to spend my vacation waiting in long lines every time that I want a drink. What are your thoughts on the bar service since Norwegian started offering the beverage package special? This may be a deal-breaker for us. Thank you in advance.

 

OK OP, where are these reports? Like to check them out. I've not heard these reports.

I now see from your other post that you are basing this on Mitsugirly's review complaining about the wait for soft drinks?

Edited June 19, 2015 by rvsullivan

[carol54]

I am worried about the recent reviews regarding long lines and slow service at the Norwegian bars. I do not want to spend my vacation waiting in long lines every time that I want a drink. What are your thoughts on the bar service since Norwegian started offering the beverage package special? This may be a deal-breaker for us. Thank you in advance.

 

Never had a problem. 5 minutes at most.

[perditax]

I've read the same thing in reviews. I have not cruised NCL, but I will be on the Getaway on Saturday. That said, I also don't drink. So yeah, pretty neutral. Have definitely read it in posted reviews. Dig through some of the one star ones here on CC.

 

Edit: more to the point, I feel like I've read the same complaint but also that once the bartenders know you have a package they give you terrible/slow service and that it's hard to get even a soda. There may be some spillover in my memory from similar RCCL reviews. But either way, I assure you I have no reason to invent this. Someone is writing those reviews. Cross-line sabotage maybe?

Edited June 19, 2015 by perditax

[Casino Comp Chick]

 

Edit: more to the point, I feel like I've read the same complaint but also that once the bartenders know you have a package they give you terrible/slow service and that it's hard to get even a soda. There may be some spillover in my memory from similar RCCL reviews. But either way, I assure you I have no reason to invent this. Someone is writing those reviews. Cross-line sabotage maybe?

 

 

I have been getting free drinks via CAS for years, I have also had the UBP on multiple cruises, I always tip the servers and I can tell you that by the time I am 1/2 way through my drink they either just bring me a new one or stop by to see if I am ready for one. I have seen quite a few reviews over the years that certain people in the casino get passed by by the servers, those are the same people that never tip so yes they will make them wait when they know someone like me will toss them a few bucks.

I think it will get worse since the automatic 18% being added to the free UBP as people will feel they already tipped and will not add an extra buck and they will be the people waiting an extra few minutes for their drink.

[zqvol]

I've never seen a long line at a bar on an NCL ship, unless you consider 2 or 3 people a long line. This is certainly not something to be concerned about.

[bobg529]

I have been getting free drinks via CAS for years, I have also had the UBP on multiple cruises, I always tip the servers and I can tell you that by the time I am 1/2 way through my drink they either just bring me a new one or stop by to see if I am ready for one. I have seen quite a few reviews over the years that certain people in the casino get passed by by the servers, those are the same people that never tip so yes they will make them wait when they know someone like me will toss them a few bucks.

I think it will get worse since the automatic 18% being added to the free UBP as people will feel they already tipped and will not add an extra buck and they will be the people waiting an extra few minutes for their drink.

 

 

I'm with you on this friend. I get UBP on a 7 day, always give the server a buck tip, so basically I'm paying a buck a drink. I ALWAYS get excellent service. Once the servers start to know you, they get friendly and take good care of you. The waits are minimal, even for table service at a club. OK, it's almost 8 AM, gotta go to work and pay for the next cruise. :D

[insanemagnet]

Off Epic a few weeks ago, and found the bar service generally poor.

 

Ordering from waiters was a waste of time, as they were disinterested in their job and couldn't be bothered to push the understaffed bars to make the drinks.

 

The bars were understaffed and so there were queues to get drinks.

 

The barstaff also had the rude habit of taking one order, and then instead of fulfilling that order, asking other people who were queuing behind what they wanted, and if it was an easier order serving them first.

 

From the comments above, it seems that you only get decent service if you bribe the staff.

[neptune18]

On Getaway with UBP about a month ago. Bartenders worked hard but no question that bars were under staffed. Worst was the mojito bar. No excuse for having one bartender working a bar where most people order mojitos and each one takes 3-4 minutes to make. The trick is to find a less crowded bar, even if it involves a little walking. There are so many it's never really a problem.

[cantthinkofanythingfun]

I think drink service always takes longer on cruise ships, regardless of the UBP promotion. The main reason is that people are more likely to order complicated drinks on cruise ships, as well as frozen drinks. To me it's really not a big deal, but even with that, I rarely wait more than a couple minutes. I also always tip the bartenders a little extra, typically in cash. The last time I was on the Breakaway, as soon as I walked in Maltings I had a drink before even ordering it. Call it a bribe if you want. I generally tip more than 18% and the 18% is on the package price and not the actual price for the drinks.

[Sand and Seas]

We have had the CAS free drinks in casino card for our last dozen or so NCL cruises. We have tipped the servers, but they sometimes seemed surprised to get a tip and we have to run after them to give it to them;)

If a server doesn't come by, always easy to walk up to the casino bar and the bartender waits on us right away.

[Sand and Seas]

Forgot to add, last few cruises we have had the promo UBP. Again, servers all over the ship (including waiters in restaurants) don't seem to expect an additional tip and are happy to serve you....but I'm sure those added tips are appreciated:D