Off Brilliance today

[easyboy]

Thanks I said that too; that over the years there have been voyages that were better than others but we've always had fun and looked forward to the next one. He said the thing that bothered him was that it seemed almost systemic. The good thing is he's been working 70 hour weeks so he likely could have enjoyed life in a paper bag as long as he was on vacation :) but still. I wonder if it has something to do with all the drink packages being sold. Is there less bar staff which therefore cuts down on the amount of prepaid drinks that can be served? Just thinking out loud. Doesn't really make sense but who knows. Will test out the theory on Friday.

Or, same bar staff but can not cope up with increased demand out of drinks package. But whichever, they should have addressed the situation.

[Clarea]

This is the second less than stellar thread that I have read in the past week or so regarding the BR. Final payment for our Feb cruise is in less than 2 weeks. Thinking about perhaps cancelling.

You should be OK, Johan (HD) will be back by then.

[SPacificbound]

IMHO the ending of good bar service came with the beginning of the drink packages.

[mxylpic]

I've noticed the lack of wandering bar servers (outside of the casino). For example, really miss servers pitching the DOD as soon as you board.

 

I think it's a function of the drink packages meaning no extra tip for people working the passenger areas.

[troykahack]

I've noticed the lack of wandering bar servers (outside of the casino). For example, really miss servers pitching the DOD as soon as you board.

 

I think it's a function of the drink packages meaning no extra tip for people working the passenger areas.

 

Not sure that should be an expectation any longer.... haven't seen them on our last 4 cruises over the last 6 months.. but it is ok, I can walk to the bar for DOD

Edited December 8, 2016 by troykahack

[Justmekaren918]

I was on Brilliance for 14 days, and the kid there back than it was hard to read him, and he came off cold, but man did they not have enough help in the Solarium or even the pool bar. People were having to wait long times to get drinks. The Schooner bartenders were beyond fabulous. I am sure most those people are gone, different ship, or off duty, or quit.

 

I think they are worked way to hard for so little.

 

When I was on Adventure up at Crown Vik, when humming. The crew was using small flashlight for the under cabinets refrigerator beer cases finding beers. Are you kidding me you didn't put lights in them.

 

The service anywhere for the most part has declined.

 

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[bigtechcoach]

I hate that they had a bad experience!

 

We sail on Brillance next week; Was this the Tampa->Key West->Cozumel trip? If so, any chance the kept the Cruise Compass? We are traveling with a 15yo and 10yo twins and I'd really like to do some advance planning but cannot find any recent Cruise Compass' posted online for this trip.

[bluecookies]

I have to agree with those who think bar service went downhill since the drink packages were introduced. I noticed it. I've noticed less servers which means people who have prepaid drink less. I've also noticed when servers find out I have a drink package, they seem less enthusiastic and it's just a job. They take my order, deliver it, and that's it. No talking, not even a smile.

[Ontario Cruiser]

$40 tip and both are doctors???

Ontrio Cruiser

[Justmekaren918]

I have to agree with those who think bar service went downhill since the drink packages were introduced. I noticed it. I've noticed less servers which means people who have prepaid drink less. I've also noticed when servers find out I have a drink package, they seem less enthusiastic and it's just a job. They take my order, deliver it, and that's it. No talking, not even a smile.

I know that the Brilliance & Majesty Schooner crews were absolutely amazing vs Adventure schooner crew sucked big time. The Adventure Crown Vik crew was awesome and made my week.

 

Being pleasant and tipping something upfront at the bar that you may spend a ton of time at, goes a long way. Tends to get you a happier more attentive bartender.

 

Sometimes you have to seek and find the good ones. Brilliance crew; past March in Schooner was exceptional, and I didn't realize how much so til I was on Adventure.

 

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Edited December 11, 2016 by Justmekaren918

[goodml]

$40 tip and both are doctors???

Ontrio Cruiser

 

Lol newly graduated in April. Don't judge till you see their debt load and the govt regulated first year resident salary. And that was for the room steward which is more than she would have made from them on a 5 night cruise.

[troykahack]

Lol newly graduated in April. Don't judge till you see their debt load and the govt regulated first year resident salary. And that was for the room steward which is more than she would have made from them on a 5 night cruise.

 

Did they happen to tip the bar staff above and beyond the built in tip. Sometimes that turns grumpy bartenders into happy bartenders.

Edited December 11, 2016 by troykahack

[goodml]

We're on Navigator 9 night right now. I've discovered it's the new normal at the pool bars at least. There's barely any wandering servers anymore and there's not much effort to be friendly. Great service in Bolero and the Viking Crown though.

[mxylpic]

We got off Freedom yesterday and they had the worst Bar Service we have ever seen. While the first day my DW and I joked that they were saving us money in the casino because we had to quit gambling and go to the bar and wait for service. However that was short lived, on the second day I was playing a machine wanted a drink so i took my money out and went to the bar, after waiting quite a while to get served went back to my machine, someone had taken it over and hit a good one. Regretfully when I let the machine, no one was around to hold it for me so I could have left my money in it.

 

A lot of people were complaining about the service, hopefully they all put it in the survey.

 

Huh. I've found bar service in casinos universally great, servers always around. And if not, I ask the dealer and they call for one who shows up pretty quickly.

[goodml]

Did they happen to tip the bar staff above and beyond the built in tip. Sometimes that turns grumpy bartenders into happy bartenders.

 

Yes troyka...

[runningmoms2girls]

I just got off the Brillance this morning and had a great time. Great service.

[roswellcruiser]

I just got off the Brillance this morning and had a great time. Great service.

 

I am sailing B2B on Brilliance in January. Does the Kronos band happen to be playing on board now?

[mxylpic]

I just got off the Brillance this morning and had a great time. Great service.

 

Just curious if you recall if there were any hourly Internet packs? I don't need to be connected the entire trip but need to be able to check into my flight on the last day.

 

TIA,

Ed

[Clarea]

Just curious if you recall if there were any hourly Internet packs? I don't need to be connected the entire trip but need to be able to check into my flight on the last day.

 

TIA,

Ed

Least amount of time they sell is one 24-hour period.

[runningmoms2girls]

I am sailing B2B on Brilliance in January. Does the Kronos band happen to be playing on board now?

 

Not that I can recall. I kept all my compasses. As soon as I get a moment I am going to post a review and answer any questions. I'll try to look tomorrow after work.

[bigtechcoach]

Not that I can recall. I kept all my compasses. As soon as I get a moment I am going to post a review and answer any questions. I'll try to look tomorrow after work.

 

Looking forward to you CC posting!

[lazydayz]

Just curious if you recall if there were any hourly Internet packs? I don't need to be connected the entire trip but need to be able to check into my flight on the last day.

 

TIA,

Ed

 

Just off Brillance today. On the last sea day, there was a 60 minute package for about $10. I think it was a continuous 60 minutes but not certain. We did the daily package instead.

 

P.S. we loved this ship and the crew is friendly and personable. Agreed there were no roaming servers, but for the most part, there were plenty of bartenders and it was easy to get a drink.

[frank808]

Lol newly graduated in April. Don't judge till you see their debt load and the govt regulated first year resident salary. And that was for the room steward which is more than she would have made from them on a 5 night cruise.

True, $40 was more than cabin steward would have gotten with standard gratuities.

 

The cabin steward got $1.50 more for making all those cool towel animals.

 

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Edited December 13, 2016 by frank808

[sellwingri]

Brilliance is my favorite ship and I'm sailing on her in January. I'm confident that it will be a wonderful cruise. I just got off Liberty on Sunday and the bar service at the tables in the casino was outstanding. There was always a server available. I'm confident that it'll be the same on Brilliance.

[troykahack]

Just off Brillance today. On the last sea day, there was a 60 minute package for about $10. I think it was a continuous 60 minutes but not certain. We did the daily package instead.

 

P.S. we loved this ship and the crew is friendly and personable. Agreed there were no roaming servers, but for the most part, there were plenty of bartenders and it was easy to get a drink.

 

We personally don't recall seeing roaming servers in the pool area for at least the last 3 years. I think this is something of the past and for us, doesn't take away from the experience. We need the exercise anyway.