Cost aside: Is service easier/different if you have the drink package?

[Neosophy]

I know the math.

And I get the value of being able to try things and if you dont like it, you don't feel forced to finish it.

But if you have the drink package, is service any different? Is it faster/easier to get service? Do waiter tend to serve those without faster than those with?

 

I.e., cost aside, is the drink package worth it?

 

We figure we will have coffee or two in the morning, fresh juice with breakfast, 2-3 bottles of water, and then cocktails in the afternoon/evening.

 

[mo&fran]

20 minutes ago, Neosophy said:

I know the math.

And I get the value of being able to try things and if you dont like it, you don't feel forced to finish it.

But if you have the drink package, is service any different? Is it faster/easier to get service? Do waiter tend to serve those without faster than those with?

 

I.e., cost aside, is the drink package worth it?

 

We figure we will have coffee or two in the morning, fresh juice with breakfast, 2-3 bottles of water, and then cocktails in the afternoon/evening.

 

I doubt that they care.  Tipping probably counts more. 

[firefly333]

How would a waiter know if you had the pkg or not and were going to tip extra or not unless they served you before. I dont get why service would be different waiting in line for a drink. 

[smokeybandit]

Only you can decide if it's worth it. Bartenders aren't treating people any different based on how people pay for their drinks

[Neosophy]

Just now, firefly333 said:

How would a waiter know if you had the pkg or not and were going to tip extra or not unless they served you before. I dont get why service would be different waiting in line for a drink. 

 Could be that the drink package charge "process" faster due to the wait staff knowing its just a sign off on a 0.00 charge vice waiting for a signed voucher with price and checking.

 

We coulda sworn a while back (our last cruise was years ago) if felt like package folks got served faster, but could be fuzzy memory and anecdotal experience 🙂

[firefly333]

9 minutes ago, Neosophy said:

 Could be that the drink package charge "process" faster due to the wait staff knowing its just a sign off on a 0.00 charge vice waiting for a signed voucher with price and checking.

 

We coulda sworn a while back (our last cruise was years ago) if felt like package folks got served faster, but could be fuzzy memory and anecdotal experience 🙂

Doesnt make sense. I have 5 free vouchers a day. I'm always yes use my voucher. It takes just as much for the printer to type 0.00 or 5.25 for juice ..and I either add a tip,or I dont. Same time to print it out and to sign. For a while after covid rcl didnt make you sign for a $0 drink, and maybe you remember this... I think they went back to signing to encourage tipping. 

[Gardener5b]

I don't think we ever got a receipt to sign our our last cruise in February, unless we weren't using our vouchers.   But service was the same either way.

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, Neosophy said:

I know the math.

And I get the value of being able to try things and if you dont like it, you don't feel forced to finish it.

But if you have the drink package, is service any different? Is it faster/easier to get service? Do waiter tend to serve those without faster than those with?

 

I.e., cost aside, is the drink package worth it?

 

We figure we will have coffee or two in the morning, fresh juice with breakfast, 2-3 bottles of water, and then cocktails in the afternoon/evening.

 

Not different at all, based on my experience. 

[mpoole3]

I prepaid my tips with my drink package online, that way I don’t have to tip $18/day. 

[not-enough-cruising]

1 hour ago, mpoole3 said:

I prepaid my tips with my drink package online, that way I don’t have to tip $18/day. 

Your drink package tips and your $18 daily service charge are independent of one another. 

[Tolkmit]

3 hours ago, mpoole3 said:

I prepaid my tips with my drink package online, that way I don’t have to tip $18/day. 

 

Yeah, that's not how that works. Separate charges, and they go to separate things. Tips on drinks go to the bartenders; daily tips go to the cabin stewards, waiters, laundry people, etc.

[Tolkmit]

For the most part, no. If you are a "regular" somewhere, for instance if you spend a couple hours at Schooner every night; AND tip a little extra with each drink, the people going around taking drink orders are probably going to glance your way a little more. But it's about tips, not anything else.

[SRF]

The best thing about the package is, not having to wait to get and sign the slip.  Order, get drink, walk away

[PhillyFan33579]

14 hours ago, Tolkmit said:

For the most part, no. If you are a "regular" somewhere, for instance if you spend a couple hours at Schooner every night; AND tip a little extra with each drink, the people going around taking drink orders are probably going to glance your way a little more. But it's about tips, not anything else.

I agree with you 100 percent about tips.  I always tip a minimum of $1 cash per drink. I do that no matter how I am “buying drinks” that cruise. On larger ships I usually buy the deluxe drink package, while on other ships I will stick to using D+ drinks and free drinks in the casino.  After a day or two, the bartenders at the bars I frequent the most are usually very good about getting me a drink quickly no matter how crowded the bar is at the moment. 

[SilkySal]

21 hours ago, Neosophy said:

I.e., cost aside, is the drink package worth it?

We figure we will have coffee or two in the morning, fresh juice with breakfast, 2-3 bottles of water, and then cocktails in the afternoon/evening.

Remember, if you want specialty vs regular coffee, "fresh" (fresh-squeezed OJ), and/or bottled waters, you will need to purchase the Refreshment package if not the Dx drinks package. Unless you already know this. Cheers!

[LittleMissMagic]

No, I wouldn't say that I've experienced better bar service with or without the drink package.

[cruiseboy89130]

21 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I think they went back to signing to encourage tipping. 

VERY rarely do I get a 0$ to sign......maybe 5 out of 100 drinks...

[ngrund]

I only have the one Royal cruise to go by, but on Oasis last year-siting at the bar, after the first couple of evenings, yes it seemed easier with the drink package.

 

We were staying put at the bar, refills just took a nod or thumbs up when the bar got busy and they were still able to serve others and card was swiped when the bartenders got around to it

[OCSC Mike]

On 3/25/2024 at 3:46 PM, cruiseboy89130 said:

VERY rarely do I get a 0$ to sign......maybe 5 out of 100 drinks...

 

FWIW, I had to sign for D drinks far more often than I have in the past on Wonder last week. I didn't keep track but I'd say it was 75% or so.

[Morecruisesplz]

On 3/24/2024 at 4:40 PM, mo&fran said:

I doubt that they care.  Tipping probably counts more. 

Exactly. Lead with your dollar bills.