D+ Free Cocktail hour(s)

[cpa2be]

Hi all,

 

Last Oct on the Allure we had many issues receiving our complimentary drinks during the cocktail hour in the various venues around the ship. We were charged for drinks and disliked having to correct the bar staff and explain that we were permitted 3 free drinks during the posted hours. It seems there was a lot of confusion about this last year.

 

On our Liberty cruise in Feb we stuck to the Diamond Lounge to avoid the issue (also because we enjoyed the overflow area in the Viking Crown Lounge :D).

 

We will be on the Oasis soon and wondering what the experience has been like for recent cruisers?

[Clarea]

Hi all,

 

Last Oct on the Allure we had many issues receiving our complimentary drinks during the cocktail hour in the various venues around the ship. We were charged for drinks and disliked having to correct the bar staff and explain that we were permitted 3 free drinks during the posted hours. It seems there was a lot of confusion about this last year.

 

On our Liberty cruise in Feb we stuck to the Diamond Lounge to avoid the issue (also because we enjoyed the overflow area in the Viking Crown Lounge :D).

 

We will be on the Oasis soon and wondering what the experience has been like for recent cruisers?

I won't know about Oasis for a couple of weeks.

 

However, whenever we order a drink where we expect to use our vouchers, we make it clear to the bar server that it should be a free drink. We've never had a problem when we confirm up front.

[Janet524]

We have never had any problem with getting our comp DPlus drinks at any Allure bar. Never had to tell the servers about DPlus.

[beachnative]

We were on the Oasis in July and had absolutely no problem using the electronic vouchers at bars.

Edited August 31, 2015 by beachnative

[tropiclvrs]

We were on Oasis 2 weeks ago and had absolutely no problems. I did mention to the bartender each time that I was using my Diamond voucher. Also, even though the menu doesn't show it as an option, everyday I used at leat 1-2 of my vouchers for champagne/sparkling wine from any of the bars that had it.

Edited August 31, 2015 by tropiclvrs

[njmomof2]

Just got off Freedom and while I didn't have issues using the coupons (meaning being charged for a drink that should have come off the coupon) what I did have was a lot of inconsistency with what was allowed and what was not.

 

I always order a margarita on the rocks in the DL. This cruise, the DL was FULL. So we went out to the VCL and ordered the same exact drink. Server tells me that I can't have it, it's not on the "list" and brings me a laminated card with all of the approved liquor (you all have seen it), which is now at all the bars.

 

So I look and it's got a list of various liquors (gin, vodka, tequila, rum, etc.) with brands. I have no issue with the well brand, so I say so. Server tries to tell me that "this" list is all I can have. I'm sitting there looking at him saying "so you want me to do shots of tequila, but you won't add it to a mixer for me?" He eventually got me the drink, and then tells me that he charged it as a shot of tequila but that he's not supposed to give me the drink I wanted with the coupons.

 

Another night I go to a different bar (champagne bar on deck 5) and ask for a cosmo. She tells me the same thing, shows me the same list. I'm just looking at her and keep saying that I simply don't understand the issue, how is the mixer the problem if the alcohol is included? She too gives me the drink, but puts it through as a vodka shot.

 

I eventually gave up and insisted to my mom that we were going to the D lounge and that was it. Told Bertie about the issue and he also was shocked. Said that he's sent memo after memo on this and it seems that the actual bars are having a real issue with this.

 

Not sure if any of you have experienced this on other ships, but on Freedom it's definitely a problem.

[cruisegirl1]

Just got off Freedom and while I didn't have issues using the coupons (meaning being charged for a drink that should have come off the coupon) what I did have was a lot of inconsistency with what was allowed and what was not.

 

I always order a margarita on the rocks in the DL. This cruise, the DL was FULL. So we went out to the VCL and ordered the same exact drink. Server tells me that I can't have it, it's not on the "list" and brings me a laminated card with all of the approved liquor (you all have seen it), which is now at all the bars.

 

So I look and it's got a list of various liquors (gin, vodka, tequila, rum, etc.) with brands. I have no issue with the well brand, so I say so. Server tries to tell me that "this" list is all I can have. I'm sitting there looking at him saying "so you want me to do shots of tequila, but you won't add it to a mixer for me?" He eventually got me the drink, and then tells me that he charged it as a shot of tequila but that he's not supposed to give me the drink I wanted with the coupons.

 

Another night I go to a different bar (champagne bar on deck 5) and ask for a cosmo. She tells me the same thing, shows me the same list. I'm just looking at her and keep saying that I simply don't understand the issue, how is the mixer the problem if the alcohol is included? She too gives me the drink, but puts it through as a vodka shot.

 

I eventually gave up and insisted to my mom that we were going to the D lounge and that was it. Told Bertie about the issue and he also was shocked. Said that he's sent memo after memo on this and it seems that the actual bars are having a real issue with this.

 

Not sure if any of you have experienced this on other ships, but on Freedom it's definitely a problem.

 

No a problem for us. Used the coupons in various bars on the Freedom last week. ( only went to the D lounge and C lounge once during the week) and was able to get the same drink at every venue. Husband had a beer or a Bloody Mary , I had a vodka/soda or a lemon drop.

 

Used vouchers at R Bar ( old champagne bar), Boleros, Theater, Casino bar, Pub on promenade (whatever it is called) and Schooner Bar. No problem. The only place we did not use was the VCL or at any pool bars.

 

Often the drink did not match what was on the bar ticket but that was not an issue as the drink was complimentary. We saw many who seemed to be using the D/D+/P drinks at bars and there did not seem to be any issue. Passenger ordered the drink, bartender made the drink. Done!

 

Sorry you had a problem

 

M

Edited August 31, 2015 by cruisegirl1

[steveru621]

The problem that they have at the bars is they have been told one liquor and one mixer. A cosmopolitan, or informally a cosmo, is a cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice. The classic Margarita cocktail recipe requires only three ingredients (tequila, triple sec, and lime) and is easier to make than you may think. But again it is more than two Ingredients. At the bars they are also reluctant to give you any mixer not in the 'soda gun'.

 

The DLs on a lot of ships have access to a full bar, and bar service are able to make these drinks on their own. Sometimes they will say I have to clear it with my supervisor. When they break the rules, well you can imagine what happens.

 

I know, every bar, and every lounge, on every ship is different. Posters will say I got a cosmo. No doubt... YMMV.

[Clarea]

...I know, every bar, and every lounge, on every ship is different. Posters will say I got a cosmo. No doubt... YMMV.

We've had a similar experience - ok to get a Cosmo in the lounge, but not at one of the bars.

[orville99]

Hi all,

 

Last Oct on the Allure we had many issues receiving our complimentary drinks during the cocktail hour in the various venues around the ship. We were charged for drinks and disliked having to correct the bar staff and explain that we were permitted 3 free drinks during the posted hours. It seems there was a lot of confusion about this last year.

 

On our Liberty cruise in Feb we stuck to the Diamond Lounge to avoid the issue (also because we enjoyed the overflow area in the Viking Crown Lounge :D).

 

We will be on the Oasis soon and wondering what the experience has been like for recent cruisers?

 

The program was rolled out last fall, and there were a lot of issues early on getting everyone up to speed on how it worked. We also had difficulty last October on Enchantment, so it wasn't just an Allure issue. Haven't had any problems since that cruise. It works very well now.

[njmomof2]

The problem that they have at the bars is they have been told one liquor and one mixer. A cosmopolitan, or informally a cosmo, is a cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice. The classic Margarita cocktail recipe requires only three ingredients (tequila, triple sec, and lime) and is easier to make than you may think. But again it is more than two Ingredients. At the bars they are also reluctant to give you any mixer not in the 'soda gun'.

 

The DLs on a lot of ships have access to a full bar, and bar service are able to make these drinks on their own. Sometimes they will say I have to clear it with my supervisor. When they break the rules, well you can imagine what happens.

 

I know, every bar, and every lounge, on every ship is different. Posters will say I got a cosmo. No doubt... YMMV.

 

This is exactly the issue. It was all about more than one mixer. And Bertie told me that they have been instructed to make the drinks. What was really interesting was that after mentioning to Bertie that I thought we were able to get any drink available in the D lounge, he told me that with the coupons, we even can get some drinks that they can't make, like a frozen drink. Funny thing is...the server in the R Bar told me that if I wanted a frozen drink, while they didn't have the blender, if I went to a bar that did, they would charge me for the non alcoholic drink, then the shot was free!

 

A definite miscommunication going on. And to hear that others on our trip didn't have a single issue is upsetting to me. It would have been so much easier to use one of the bars then to go up to the D lounge each night and hope for a seat. All because I wanted a margarita on the rocks.

 

ETA: I was at the R Bar and asked if I could have a vodka, cranberry and pineapple (Baybreeze, I think?) and was told no, because of the second juice mixer.

Edited August 31, 2015 by njmomof2

[Tagsalong]

We are now on the Oasis. On Saturday evening, before going to 150 CP, I ordered a Jack Daniels on the rocks at the Trellis Bar in Central Park while waiting for DW. Gave the bar tender my Gold Pinnacle card which he kept for a while while making drinks for others. He then rang up my drink order and presented me with a bill to sign for $9.65. I then said this should have been applied to my voucher. He called up his supervisor and I overheard him say he had a Platinum passenger who was demanding a free drink. I don't think he knew anything about the Pinnacle level. It was all straighten out when the supervisor got there. DW arrived and got her Gin & Tonic without a problem but Simon got a little teasing from the other bar tenders.

 

PS, no hassle with the Tonic mixer in DWs drink, nor the ice for mine!

Edited August 31, 2015 by Tagsalong

[Paul65]

So I look and it's got a list of various liquors (gin, vodka, tequila, rum, etc.) with brands. I have no issue with the well brand, so I say so. Server tries to tell me that "this" list is all I can have. I'm sitting there looking at him saying "so you want me to do shots of tequila, but you won't add it to a mixer for me?" He eventually got me the drink, and then tells me that he charged it as a shot of tequila but that he's not supposed to give me the drink I wanted with the coupons.

 

Another night I go to a different bar (champagne bar on deck 5) and ask for a cosmo. She tells me the same thing, shows me the same list. I'm just looking at her and keep saying that I simply don't understand the issue, how is the mixer the problem if the alcohol is included? She too gives me the drink, but puts it through as a vodka shot.

 

A margarita is not just tequila with a mixer, and a cosmo is not just vodka with a mixer. Both contain another form of alcohol. In the diamond lounge, they probably have a bottle of cheap triple sec liqueur, even though it's not on "the list." A more top shelf margarita or cosmo would use something like Cointreau or Grand Marnier.

Edited August 31, 2015 by Paul65

[Poohb]

We always have Black Russians in the CL (we are D+). I am guessing this may be an issue if we go to other bars. Should I 'gear up' to do battle?

[bmac1]

Will they give you a dirty martini since it is only one alcohol ( vodka ) and one mixer ( olive juice ) ?

[Scoobydobe7]

Just got off Freedom and while I didn't have issues using the coupons (meaning being charged for a drink that should have come off the coupon) what I did have was a lot of inconsistency with what was allowed and what was not.

 

I always order a margarita on the rocks in the DL. This cruise, the DL was FULL. So we went out to the VCL and ordered the same exact drink. Server tells me that I can't have it, it's not on the "list" and brings me a laminated card with all of the approved liquor (you all have seen it), which is now at all the bars.

 

So I look and it's got a list of various liquors (gin, vodka, tequila, rum, etc.) with brands. I have no issue with the well brand, so I say so. Server tries to tell me that "this" list is all I can have. I'm sitting there looking at him saying "so you want me to do shots of tequila, but you won't add it to a mixer for me?" He eventually got me the drink, and then tells me that he charged it as a shot of tequila but that he's not supposed to give me the drink I wanted with the coupons.

 

Another night I go to a different bar (champagne bar on deck 5) and ask for a cosmo. She tells me the same thing, shows me the same list. I'm just looking at her and keep saying that I simply don't understand the issue, how is the mixer the problem if the alcohol is included? She too gives me the drink, but puts it through as a vodka shot.

 

I eventually gave up and insisted to my mom that we were going to the D lounge and that was it. Told Bertie about the issue and he also was shocked. Said that he's sent memo after memo on this and it seems that the actual bars are having a real issue with this.

 

Not sure if any of you have experienced this on other ships, but on Freedom it's definitely a problem.

 

 

Your problem was that a margarita and Cosmo have TWO liquors in it - TEQUILA AND TRIPLE SEC for the Margarita and VODKA and Triple Sec for the Cosmo -- Never mind the Vodka in the Cosmo is twice the amount of a regular drink

[Scoobydobe7]

Will they give you a dirty martini since it is only one alcohol ( vodka ) and one mixer ( olive juice ) ?

 

Probably NOT because a standard martini is TWO parts alcohol and 1 part dry vermouth - a dirty martini has a splash of olive juice

[cpa2be]

Thank you for all the responses. It sounds like things run smoother now, which is good to hear.

 

Since we are in a GS, we plan to enjoy the Suite Lounge quite a bit, but want to enjoy other venues, too. As Bob suggested, I will make sure the bar staff knows I am using a free drink voucher.

 

One thing remains constant - what is allowed in one bar may not be allowed in another. :rolleyes: I'm OK with that.

[Merion_Mom]

We always have Black Russians in the CL (we are D+). I am guessing this may be an issue if we go to other bars. Should I 'gear up' to do battle?

 

No, do not. Just go to the CL and don't, in the words of my (and probably everyone else's) mother, DON'T BORROW TROUBLE.

 

:)

[Merion_Mom]

Here is my opinion on this topic.

 

YMMV, but I am right far more often than I am wrong.

 

:D

 

Royal Caribbean has recently disciplined some staff for giving booze to passengers that they weren't supposed to.

 

Staff may be erring on the side of caution, rather than running afoul of their supervisors and risking their jobs.

 

If you KNOW that you can get something in the CL/DL, but are told "no" in a bar.......just stick to the Lounge and enjoy your perk.

 

If C&A members start making too much trouble on board with these perks, they CAN be withdrawn.

 

Just something to think about.

 

:)

[Big_G]

We always have Black Russians in the CL (we are D+). I am guessing this may be an issue if we go to other bars. Should I 'gear up' to do battle?

 

If they know you tip well, sometimes they'll make your drink of choice no questions asked.

[FLACRUISER99]

Here is my opinion on this topic.

 

 

 

YMMV, but I am right far more often than I am wrong.

 

 

 

:D

 

 

 

Royal Caribbean has recently disciplined some staff for giving booze to passengers that they weren't supposed to.

 

 

 

Staff may be erring on the side of caution, rather than running afoul of their supervisors and risking their jobs.

 

 

 

If you KNOW that you can get something in the CL/DL, but are told "no" in a bar.......just stick to the Lounge and enjoy your perk.

 

 

 

If C&A members start making too much trouble on board with these perks, they CAN be withdrawn.

 

 

 

Just something to think about.

 

 

 

:)

 

 

You took the words right of my mouth. If folks keep whining the perk will surely go poof!

[cruisegirl1]

Here is my opinion on this topic.

 

YMMV, but I am right far more often than I am wrong.

 

:D

 

Royal Caribbean has recently disciplined some staff for giving booze to passengers that they weren't supposed to.

 

Staff may be erring on the side of caution, rather than running afoul of their supervisors and risking their jobs.

 

If you KNOW that you can get something in the CL/DL, but are told "no" in a bar.......just stick to the Lounge and enjoy your perk.

 

If C&A members start making too much trouble on board with these perks, they CAN be withdrawn.

 

Just something to think about.

 

:)

 

I certainly agree. Anyone remember all the compliant about the welcome back gift.

 

Marci

[Firefighterhoop]

What I have noticed is a lot of people trying to get things they aren't supposed to.. Like ordering a Grey Goose/Tonic Vs. a smirnoff tonic and then complaining when they are charged.

 

To be safe I ask for the liquor specified or just ask for the Crown and Anchor whatever I am drinking.

 

 

I agree with others, If people try this too much or complain that they don't get "their" preferred brand, this perk can be taken away.

Edited August 31, 2015 by Firefighterhoop

[Guest maddycat]

If they know you tip well, sometimes they'll make your drink of choice no questions asked.

 

We've found that to be the case.