We've just come off Rhapsody b2b2b. During the first cruise, prices were standard & we were advised that the gratuities were going up from 15% to 18%. No biggie, shouldn't be much difference.
Yeah right. Those $9.50 drinks went up to $14!! We didn't drink much to start with, but it was even less after the increase.
I agree that with the packages the waiters aren't as attentive as they used to be. I also noticed that between 5-8:30pm when the Diamond drinks are available, the waiters played David Copperfield & disappeared.