What's the Carnival bartender's expectation?

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

 

The server gets the same share of every Cheers purchaser onboard, so yes their percentage of gratuity from you personally is quite small - but they're well taken care of by the gratuity system.

You have never worked in a tipped position if you think that is the same.  

[mz-s]

11 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

You have never worked in a tipped position if you think that is the same.  

 

I didn't say it was the same. I just explained how the pooled gratuity system works.

[Elaine5715]

3 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

I didn't say it was the same. I just explained how the pooled gratuity system works.

So you understand there is no incentive for a server to return to you for a second drink if there isn't a little something extra for them?  

[mz-s]

Just now, Elaine5715 said:

So you understand there is no incentive for a server to return to you for a second drink if there isn't a little something extra for them?  

 

Other than the fact that it's their job? I am not getting into a tipping debate here. You can tip if you want, that is your business. But if the servers don't want to serve people who don't tip extra then they need to be sent home at the next stop. Guests shouldn't need to tip extra just to get the basic service we used to be able to expect on Carnival. I know that Carnival is basically a floating Red Roof Inn/Burger King these days, but come on.

[ninjacat123]

I think it depends on the server. DH and I had a server on Magic's Serenity that was always looking out for us, and that Serenity was busy.  Then we had a mixologist at Magic's Alchemy that basically ignored us for over 20 minutes and we always tip on top of the total. It can be a crap shoot.

[Mike45LC]

I am usually on a Drinks On Us package.  I also don't drink any booze.  So I rarely interact much with any bartenders.

 

I tip a $ or two (cash) for every soft drink I request to improve the service.  It can take a long time for a Cocktail Waiter to show up in the casino, but after I've tipped about $5 for a couple of cans of soda on the first night in the casino, I find that the CWs check up on me frequently.  

[buckeyefrank]

On 4/29/2024 at 3:32 PM, mfs2k said:

 

I have read many posts about passenger expectations and practices regarding bar tipping, but:

 

I'm curious what the expectation is from the bartender's perspective:

 

They expect an additional tip because most people leave something extra.

or

They are pleasantly surprised if they get an additional tip because it's unusual.

or

They're too busy to think about tips. 

 

What do you think? 

Am I the only one who doesn't really care what the bartender thinks of me?  I generally don't tip extra, but I think the standard tip which ends up being about $2 a drink is more than enough. 

[StephPS79]

11 minutes ago, buckeyefrank said:

Am I the only one who doesn't really care what the bartender thinks of me? 

 

Sorry, that sounds a bit entitled.  They are people, providing a service.  This isn't about boosting image.

[buckeyefrank]

25 minutes ago, StephPS79 said:

 

Sorry, that sounds a bit entitled.  They are people, providing a service.  This isn't about boosting image.

It's not entitled at all.  I am by all accounts a very nice guy and I treat everyone very well, including bartenders, servers, housekeeping, etc.  I don't look down on anyone for what they do.  However, I don't feel the need to bribe another person to do a job they agreed to do for a price they agreed upon.  I also don't feel the need to make friends with every worker I run across.  Let's be honest.... most people on here espousing tipping additional amounts, are only doing it to make themselves feel better and to gain benefits like faster service or longer pours.  It is not an altriustic gesture.  it sounds more entitled to me to be flashing money around to gain favors over other passengers.

 

[Hoosierpop]

The time I tip extra, because there is always a tip included, is if they are bringing me a drink. Like in the casino. But I’ve never had an issue getting a drink timely at the bars without tipping. Maybe I’m just lucky. Just never had to grease the skids to get quick drinks. If there is a particular server I like, I’ll also tip extra. Usually when I’ve had a few to drink.

[n6uqqq]

On 4/30/2024 at 10:57 AM, StephPS79 said:

 

The only place in the beverage policy that specifies 15 drinks is under the Cheers Program Restrictions.  The assumption is it is 15 drinks regardless, but I haven't been able to find confirmation of this, other than word of mouth, including the mouth of the brand ambassador.  He says a lot of things though.

That is correct at this time it seems. Carnival had specific wording in the cruise contract as of Feb of 2023 but has since removed the section that dealt with the 15 max for everyone. It was Paragraph 9 letter F of the contract but it is now gone. 

[mfs2k]

14 hours ago, buckeyefrank said:

I don't feel the need to bribe another person to do a job they agreed to do for a price they agreed upon. Most people on here espousing tipping additional amounts, are only doing it to make themselves feel better and to gain benefits like faster service or longer pours.

 

I had to check to see if you lived in the United States or a country where tipping isn't the norm.

Nope. Ohio.  

 

You are absolutely right I, and many others, tip additional amounts to gain benefits like faster service or longer pours. I'm not ashamed to acknowledge this. 

 

On a cruise ship (or even an open bar at a catered event), a noticable tip is definitely a bribe for the next drink.  The $20-$40 I give the cabin steward on enbarkation day, is intended to be remembered. 

Whereas, when I go to a regular restaurant bar, or even a frequently visited coffee shop, a larger than 20% tip is both a thank you for those extra long pours, or friendly service in the past, and also for my next visit.  I like being treated above and beyond. You treat me above and beyond, and I will treat you above and beyond right back. 

 

It's an "I scratch your back, you scratch mine" tipping culture I live in. As long as I live where tipping is presumed to be acceptable, I will do it willingly. 

 

If you're ok with being treated average and unrecognized, then by all means, the included tip on your cruise is fine. 

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

The culture is the culture.  Those that follow it are ok, the ones that do not, they will make any and all arguments with rationale to justify their unwillingness to follow.  

[mfs2k]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

enbarkation day

oops  inadvertent typo

[buckeyefrank]

9 hours ago, mfs2k said:

If you're ok with being treated average and unrecognized, then by all means, the included tip on your cruise is fine. 

 

 

As long as anyone I'm interacting with treats me with respect, I'm fine.  I have no need to be "recognized" by the staff.  The tipping culture in this country is just getting out of control.

[Mike45LC]

I tip the cocktail servers for two reasons:  (1) because I find the beverage service to be underwhelming and I am bribing for better service.  (2) because my drinks are usually free on the casino's Drinks On Us programs and I am afraid that there is no gratuity for the staff if I don't give one.  

 

As a Vegas local, I am used to tipping the cocktail staff, and I just keep my usual practices in place on board.

 

[tonit964]

On 5/2/2024 at 1:35 PM, Cricket551 said:

We get cheers and get most of our drinks at lido (Red Frog), some at Red Frog Pub (if ship has it) and some at the atrium bar.  We decided a $1 per drink, even if its a water.  We just add it to the receipt, never have cash on board. 

Ive never seen anyone even look at the receipts, they just leave them laying on the bar.  I decided this past trip to look over the print out copy and realized there was a couple of the drinks with no tip line. Now I'm wondering if we should use cash, but I really don't want to have to carry cash around. IDK anyone else notice this? I do not plan to stop leaving the tip, just curious.

When I was on the Panorama last year, had Cheers and I did carry some $1 bills with me and tipped for each drink. One time I forgot to grab them from the room and at the Havana bar, wrote in the tip on the slip, I asked the bartender there if it's better for them to get cash or on the slip is fine and he said cash is always better for them.

[jimbo5544]

11 hours ago, tonit964 said:

When I was on the Panorama last year, had Cheers and I did carry some $1 bills with me and tipped for each drink. One time I forgot to grab them from the room and at the Havana bar, wrote in the tip on the slip, I asked the bartender there if it's better for them to get cash or on the slip is fine and he said cash is always better for them.

Dead presidents always rule the day

[ChutChut]

Am I missing something here? Aren't we already paying for tips in the package? If yes, then I understand extra tipping for amazing service, etc., but if I'm already tipping 18% why would bartenders expect more (unless they are truly exceptional, etc.)? 

[jimbo5544]

49 minutes ago, ChutChut said:

Am I missing something here? Aren't we already paying for tips in the package? If yes, then I understand extra tipping for amazing service, etc., but if I'm already tipping 18% why would bartenders expect more (unless they are truly exceptional, etc.)? 

You hold the decision as to what to do, need not be more complex than that.

[tonit964]

46 minutes ago, ChutChut said:

Am I missing something here? Aren't we already paying for tips in the package? If yes, then I understand extra tipping for amazing service, etc., but if I'm already tipping 18% why would bartenders expect more (unless they are truly exceptional, etc.)? 

You’re not missing anything and yes, you’ve already paid the gratuity with the package. Some like to tip additional, some don’t.
I do it because I’m fortunate enough to be able to cruise so giving the bartenders an extra buck for my drinks won’t break my bank. Thats my reason and there’s no right or wrong.

You do you and enjoy your cruise.😊