classic drinks package how does this work?

[Baxterbunnymom]

I'm trying to plan for our (me, aunt and parents) upcoming (I hope!)Alaskan Cruise in May 21 on the Solstice .

the more I read the more confused I get! and of course I'm the one  that is supposed to have all the answers (have they even met me?).

 

we have balcony cabins and booked directly with Celebrity. as "perks" we got gratuities, on board credit and classic drinks package.

the question that I can't seem to find a straight answer on is..

do we still have to tip

in the fine print it says 20% gratuities will be added...but since that's also covered, we are simply confused!! who do we tip, when, how..

 

first time cruise for aunt and me, Mom and Dad took a short Bahamas cruise last winter and hated every second of it. (not warm weather people, nor are they party people)

[jelayne]

The beverage package includes the 20% gratuity on all beverages covered by the package.  The package has limit of $9, so if you want a glass of wine or cocktail that costs $11,  you would be charged the extra $2 plus 20% for a total of $2.40

This is a listing of what Is included in the various packages.  The Classic is the one
that is the booking perk.

The prepaid gratutity perk covers the daily gratuity for your cabin attendant and dining staff, as well as housekeeping staff you don’t see.  
 

So unless you purchase a spa service, fitness class, wine tasting, bottle of wine  your basic tips are covered.  If your Cabin attendant, a waiter, sommelier,  bartender provides excellent service or does something extra you may choose to give them a extra tip but it not required. 
Enjoy your cruise.

 

[Northern Aurora]

Welcome to Cruise Critic, and I also hope I can welcome you to a visit next May in my home state of Alaska.

 

With any of the Celebrity beverage packages you will simply give your sea pass card to the beverage server when you order.  The package level will be indicated on the card.  There will be nothing to sign and no additional tip will be expected.  If you develop a special relationship with a particular server an additional tip would be appreciated by that particular server.  But that decision is up to you. 

 

And your gratuities perk also includes your stateroom attendant and dining room staff.  But again, if you are very pleased with the service from these departments an additional tip to your particular stateroom attendant or dining room staff would be appreciated, but is not expected nor mandatory.   While tipping is a very personal issue I will add that through the years we have generally been very pleased with our stateroom attendants and dining room staff so generally do provide an additional cash tip at the end of the cruise.

 

 

[chemmo]

I think the answers you already have are very comprehensive!

 

Just to add if any member of your party is unhappy with the classic selection they can upgrade to a premium package (see pricing on line). They can do this pre cruise or on board. They can try the classic for a day or two then upgrade if necessary. Other party members can stay on classic.

 

It sounds like the Alaska cruise may suit your family better. The cruise is more about the sights than a Caribbean cruise. I don’t know what cruise line your parents tried but Celebrity is more about stylish rest, relaxation and good food rather than partying. 

 

Make sure you take decent binoculars with you. Some rooms on board have binoculars provided but they are not very good.

 

Sincere best wishes for a fantastic cruise!

[dkjretired]

Just one other item, the drink package does not cover drinks ordered from room service or the in room refrigerator, those you will be charged.  

[drsel]

You will find the bartenders are really eager to serve you and they keep coming around every 30 minutes to ask you if you would like another drink.

the service is excellent on Celebrity.

 

For each and every drink you order the bartender gets his service charge automatically from Celebrity., If you have the classic drink package.

So the more drinks they serve you, the more they earn in service charges.

it is symbiotic and a win win situation.

 

 

[cruisestitch]

Keep in mind that this is how it is done on Celebrity. If you cruise on a different cruise line later on, you may find different procedures there.

[davekathy]

Also you cannot get drinks at the World Class Bar (Deck 5) with the CBP. 

[George C]

We like tipping extra which is not necessary, so we bring lots of singles for bartenders and waiters , totally up to you. Agree need to look at liquor that is included so if you prefer higher end liquor you may want to upgrade package to premium. Enjoy your cruise on the beautiful Solstice.

[drsel]

Also you cannot get drinks at the World Class Bar (Deck 5) with the CBP. 

Was that formerly called the Martini bar, because I did manage to get drinks there with the classic beverage package

[drsel]

The Martini bar was always rocking and very crowded so although I managed to get drinks there, was a lot of rush.
So sometimes, I went to the nearby casino bar and got my drink. Surprisingly, the casino bar was usually empty

[drsel]

You would find the most interesting people on the cruise at the Martini bar

[jelayne]

12 minutes ago, drsel said:

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

Also you cannot get drinks at the World Class Bar (Deck 5) with the CBP. 

Was that formerly called the Martini bar, because I did manage to get drinks there with the classic beverage package

No, the Martini Bar has always been the Martini.  The World Class Bar did have another name & drink menu previously.  For the life of me I can’t recall the previous name.

[sanger727]

1 hour ago, davekathy said:

Also you cannot get drinks at the World Class Bar (Deck 5) with the CBP. 

 

You should be able to get them by paying the upcharge? That's what we ran into at the martini bar. Initially they said they didn't have anything with out package but once we made it clear that we were fine with the upcharge we got served without issues. 

[davekathy]

3 hours ago, drsel said:

4 hours ago, davekathy said:

Also you cannot get drinks at the World Class Bar (Deck 5) with the CBP. 

Was that formerly called the Martini bar, because I did manage to get drinks there with the classic beverage package

Nope. On the Solstice there is a WCB (deck 5), Martini Bar, Crush and Cellar Masters (deck 4).  Two different venues. Only the S class ships have the WCB. Agree you can get a drink at the Martini Bar (as we have also) with the CBP no matter the class ship. 

Edited August 25, 2020 by davekathy

[RICCruisers]

The previous name of The World Class Bar was The Molecular Bar. 

[ipeeinthepool]

20 hours ago, drsel said:

You would find the most interesting people on the cruise at the Martini bar

 

I'm not so sure about that.  You can often find me at the Sunset Bar. 😉

[drsel]

 
I'm not so sure about that.  You can often find me at the Sunset Bar. [emoji6]

But how would I recognise you

[drsel]

Surely I can't go around the sunset bar shouting

" who pees in the pool?".[emoji6]

Sorry, I couldn't resist.[emoji23]

 

 

[phoenix_dream]

On 8/25/2020 at 10:09 AM, sanger727 said:

 

You should be able to get them by paying the upcharge? That's what we ran into at the martini bar. Initially they said they didn't have anything with out package but once we made it clear that we were fine with the upcharge we got served without issues. 

Yes, you can get the drinks there and just pay the upcharge

[George C]

Even with premium package some of the wine by the glass and higher end scotch requires up charge .

[ipeeinthepool]

15 hours ago, drsel said:

Surely I can't go around the sunset bar shouting

" who pees in the pool?".

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

 

 

I'm just like anyone else, I'll respond if someone calls my name.  All you have to do is stand by the Sunset Bar and call out  "Pee, Pee"  or perhaps "Ipee, Ipee".  Just try it. 😉

[drsel]

Maybe I should call out your full name " I pee in the pool" loud and clear.
They may be a stampede of people trying to avoid me![emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

[Baxterbunnymom]

Thanks everyone! that makes it much easier.  we're mainly soft drink people so we should be fine, although..I suppose if you want to try something, the cruise would  be the time! (within reason!)

 

crossing fingers, toes, eyes, and anything else that will cross that we'll actually  be able to go, surely they can't keep them grounded for years, at some point ya gotta get this mess figured out!

[drsel]

Yes, cruising has already started in Europe