Bartender/Server Tipping - Cash vs Card?

[Barry ATL]

I started the thread just to find out about sharing.  As an earlier poster said, this is getting the adrenaline going.  May chair hogs is the next topic.  😀

[Pinboy]

On 9/29/2020 at 10:27 AM, Pinboy said:

Next--- Any thought about  Slobs at the Buffet , Lounge chair hogs, Tank tops in Specialty restaurants --- or even Who's on board ????

 

 

Anybody interested in something else other than Covid testing, cruise cancellations, or what someone you don't know is doing other than cruising.  Come on, let's get 'er going to stir a little " emotion " . 

[dkjretired]

On 9/29/2020 at 10:34 AM, LGW59 said:

Good intel!  Don’t even get me going on the buffet veterans.  I never eat at the buffet but can be the best spot on board to “observe “ the buffet mentality, i.e.how much food can I fit on my plate that I will never eat.  Oh the good ole days...bring them back!!

 

Buffet attendees on cruise are polite and neat compared to those in land based casino buffets.  I've been to many mostly in AC and also Vegas, unreal behavior. 

Edited October 7, 2020 by dkjretired

[LGW59]

On 10/7/2020 at 10:05 AM, dkjretired said:

 

Buffet attendees on cruise are polite and neat compared to those in land based casino buffets.  I've been to many mostly in AC and also Vegas, unreal behavior. 

I feel like once crusing resumes, all of the crew is going to be working harder than they even do for a normal cruise.  I think if you have a balcony or in a suite that has a butler, they will especially be over the top working.  I imigaine folks will take more meals in their rooms, on balcony etc, to help with social distancing.  So bring more cash....they are sure going to earn it!

[terrydtx]

How about those of us on a drinks package, how are the BTs or servers compensated since the drinks package includes the gratuities?

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

How about those of us on a drinks package, how are the BTs or servers compensated since the drinks package includes the gratuities?

even with the drinks package, Celebrity still adds 18% additional gratuity to each drink ordered.  Cash tip to BT is optional.

[Wine-O]

55 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

even with the drinks package, Celebrity still adds 18% additional gratuity to each drink ordered.  Cash tip to BT is optional.

 

That's not my understand.  With the drink package, the 18% or 20% (whatever the percentage) is added at the time the package is purchased.  If it is given to you as a Perk, the gratuity is included, and cash tip in addition is optional.  All the gratuities on the drink package are pooled.  Any additional one gives goes to the person it is given to.  🍷

[terrydtx]

51 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

even with the drinks package, Celebrity still adds 18% additional gratuity to each drink ordered.  Cash tip to BT is optional.

Are you sure? My understanding is that the drinks packages include gratuities  except for any portion of the cost that is above the maximum  $9 (Classic) or $15 (Premium) drinks cost. For example, if I you order a $9 drink there is no extra charge for any gratuity.  Or a  $10 drink on the classic would be charged the $1 plus 20% ($.20) gratuity or $1.20.  

 

My question above is more about how the BT or server is compensated for drinks served to someone with either of the drinks packages. Our cruises for next year both have drinks packages included from booking promos, the first time we have ever used any drinks package on a cruise. I also believe the gratuity for drinks is 20% not 18% on Celebrity.

[mikkelhansen]

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

even with the drinks package, Celebrity still adds 18% additional gratuity to each drink ordered.  Cash tip to BT is optional.

That is ABSOLUTELY not true. Beverage packages, be it a perk or purchased in the cruise planner or onboard, do NOT incur any additional fees/charges when using it. They are paid in full with the initial purchase, and the perk package has gratuities included in the perk value.

 

5 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

My question above is more about how the BT or server is compensated for drinks served to someone with either of the drinks packages. Our cruises for next year both have drinks packages included from booking promos, the first time we have ever used any drinks package on a cruise. I also believe the gratuity for drinks is 20% not 18% on Celebrity.

I believe someone wrote in another thread that the bartenders are still compensated a fixed amount/percentage of the beverage value when they swipe your card. As an example, they may receive 0.5% of the beverage value or perhaps $0.07 per order (these are fictitious numbers)  as a "built-in" gratuity payment. Of course you can still give an actual upfront tip on top of this, but they are probably compensated automatically, based on amount of orders processed.

[Wine-O]

30 minutes ago, mikkelhansen said:

 

I believe someone wrote in another thread that the bartenders are still compensated a fixed amount/percentage of the beverage value when they swipe your card. As an example, they may receive 0.5% of the beverage value or perhaps $0.07 per order (these are fictitious numbers)  as a "built-in" gratuity payment. Of course you can still give an actual upfront tip on top of this, but they are probably compensated automatically, based on amount of orders processed.

I am under the impression that gratuities on the packages are pooled.  If you purchase an upgrade from the classic to the premium, the bartender/server who signs you up gets to keep that portion of the gratuity.  That's why I always upgrade with my Sommelier, as they normally take good care of you. 

 

After the regular bartenders at the Martini Bar or Sunset Bar get to know you and what you drink, many many times they do not swipe my card.  If they were compensated by the number of swipes, they would certainly take my card every time I ordered a drink.  🍷

[jagoffee]

17 minutes ago, Wine-O said:

I am under the impression that gratuities on the packages are pooled.  If you purchase an upgrade from the classic to the premium, the bartender/server who signs you up gets to keep that portion of the gratuity.  That's why I always upgrade with my Sommelier, as they normally take good care of you. 

 

After the regular bartenders at the Martini Bar or Sunset Bar get to know you and what you drink, many many times they do not swipe my card.  If they were compensated by the number of swipes, they would certainly take my card every time I ordered a drink.  🍷

I hope that you are hanging in there.  I suspect you are playing a lot of golf this year.  I am headed towards 90 rounds this year, partially because  I am staying home.

 

You might be right about the swipes, but I have always thought that the server/BT do not need your card if they remember your name/number.  They “punch in “ the drink on the system and I think they can also call up your account without swiping.  My memory is a little foggy.

 

Hit it straight and not too often.  

[jelayne]

7 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

 

You might be right about the swipes, but I have always thought that the server/BT do not need your card if they remember your name/number.  They “punch in “ the drink on the system and I think they can also call up your account without swiping.  My memory is a little foggy.

 

Agree, if they know your name they can and do ring up your drink without your card.
 

[mikkelhansen]

2 hours ago, Wine-O said:

After the regular bartenders at the Martini Bar or Sunset Bar get to know you and what you drink, many many times they do not swipe my card.  If they were compensated by the number of swipes, they would certainly take my card every time I ordered a drink.  🍷

That may be correct, but I'll correct myself then; the bartender may receive a percentage/flat gratuity for every order he makes, regardless if a card is swiped or not.

[Jim_Iain]

I've been told by the Hotel Director that if you give a tip at the end of the cruise in an envelope with the persons name on it, it does not have to be shared.      I always tip at the end of each cruise even if a B2B.   I have special Thank you cards that I personalize and thank the serer for their exceptional service.

 

Those that just provide lack luster service, I do not feel compelled to over tip.

[Wine-O]

6 hours ago, jelayne said:

Agree, if they know your name they can and do ring up your drink without your card.
 

In that case, what's to prevent them from ringing up extra drinks if they get paid for each drink/swipe?  🍷

[Wine-O]

6 hours ago, jagoffee said:

I hope that you are hanging in there.  I suspect you are playing a lot of golf this year.  I am headed towards 90 rounds this year, partially because  I am staying home.

 

Hit it straight and not too often.  

Hi Jim, Not playing a lot of golf -- too hot.  We are an open state, so spending a lot of my time at happy  hour.  😁 🍷

[jelayne]

13 minutes ago, Wine-O said:

In that case, what's to prevent them from ringing up extra drinks if they get paid for each drink/swipe?  🍷

The cameras and the assistant bar managers that watch the bars and the other bartenders who are working at the same bar would be a deterrent.  I think they also inventory the liquor and the liquor used should come close to the amount of drinks that are swiped.
 

It would take lots and lots of swipes to make it worth losing their job and paying their own way home.  

[Wine-O]

35 minutes ago, jelayne said:

The cameras and the assistant bar managers that watch the bars and the other bartenders who are working at the same bar would be a deterrent.  I think they also inventory the liquor and the liquor used should come close to the amount of drinks that are swiped.
 

It would take lots and lots of swipes to make it worth losing their job and paying their own way home.  

I can tell you from experience, their inventory control is not that great.  I've seen many drinks given away.

 

BTW, I personally could care less how they do their tips, whether they ring it up or not, yada, yada, yada.  I just do  what I think is right with regard to gratuities.  🍷

 

[LGW59]

2 minutes ago, Wine-O said:

I can tell you from experience, their inventory control is not that great.  I've seen many drinks given away.

 

BTW, I personally could care less how they do their tips, whether they ring it up or not, yada, yada, yada.  I just do  what I think is right with regard to gratuities.  🍷

 

I just want a darn drink at the Garden Grill bar!

[Wine-O]

24 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

I just want a darn drink at the Garden Grill bar!

There you go!    🍷

[jelayne]

53 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

I just want a darn drink at the Garden Grill bar!

Do you mean the Sunset Bar?    When we were on the Edge there wasn’t a bar in the Rooftop Grill area, drinks all came from the Sunset Bar which could be slow.

[LGW59]

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

Do you mean the Sunset Bar?    When we were on the Edge there wasn’t a bar in the Rooftop Grill area, drinks all came from the Sunset Bar which could be slow.

No, I meant the Garden Grill but should not have called it a "bar", just one of my fav outdoor places on board, we always order a bottle of wine with dinner and just totally chill.  Love Sunset as well...

[jelayne]

2 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

No, I meant the Garden Grill but should not have called it a "bar", just one of my fav outdoor places on board, we always order a bottle of wine with dinner and just totally chill.  Love Sunset as well...

We love that place also, particularly on a late port night.

[LGW59]

55 minutes ago, jelayne said:

We love that place also, particularly on a late port night.

Yes indeed!  When I cruise, I prefer to spend as much time as I possibly can on an open deck.  So if there is food available and I can eat outdoors, I am there, same for a good drink spot.  I also eat on my balcony very frequently, i.e breakfast almost every day (do not like buffets, not a Celebrity thing, it is a ME thing) I usually also have 3-4 dinners on the balcony as well.  The thing about Edge, and looks like for Apex as well, that amazing multi level wall of windows, with table and chairs is such a relaxing place to sit and watch the ocean.  I know it is not outdoors, but as I said, being on and able to see the ocean as much as possible, is cruising to me!  Enjoy your next cruise