Jump to content

Anyone else encountered bar drinks that are suspiciously weak tasting?


nissin

Recommended Posts

Not much of a drinker or a bar person outside of holidays, so I wasn't sure if it was just me, but I received a suspiciously weak ice-blended Mojito from the Sky Bar (outdoor main pool) of Quantum. 
To be fair, the bartender did agree to replace the drink, even though I had already drunk like 60% of it, I asked him not to blend the ice this time, I tasted it immediately but it still tasted distinctly weak, I told him, and he said ah that's just the soda on top and stirred the drink with a spoon.  It didn't taste any stronger after the stirring, and I sort of let him know, but left with the replaced drink.

I described the incident in my post-cruise online survey.

Anyone else ever encounter this?  Was it just me?

Wouldn't it be a serious violation of bartender code of ethics or something?
 Season 2 Shrug GIF by The Office

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, nissin said:

Not much of a drinker or a bar person outside of holidays, so I wasn't sure if it was just me, but I received a suspiciously weak ice-blended Mojito from the Sky Bar (outdoor main pool) of Quantum. 
To be fair, the bartender did agree to replace the drink, even though I had already drunk like 60% of it, I asked him not to blend the ice this time, I tasted it immediately but it still tasted distinctly weak, I told him, and he said ah that's just the soda on top and stirred the drink with a spoon.  It didn't taste any stronger after the stirring, and I sort of let him know, but left with the replaced drink.

I described the incident in my post-cruise online survey.

Anyone else ever encounter this?  Was it just me?

Wouldn't it be a serious violation of bartender code of ethics or something?
 Season 2 Shrug GIF by The Office

Were you tipping extra? I promise the problem will go away if you start. Hand him an extra buck or 2 and tell him you like it strong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've really only heard of this happening at the Bionic Bar where the programming controls the pour. (The robots know they're not gonna get a tip so they don't care! 😆)

I've seen every drink that I've been served at an RC bar prepared right in front of my eyes. The bartenders typically pour the jigger full and continue to pour liquor into the glass as they dump the filled jigger into the glass. (Possibly the bartender did not do that?)

The only similar experience I've had is being given the wrong drink in the MDR. I could distinctly tell that the drink served to me had spiced rum instead of the whiskey I ordered. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

We're you tipping extra? I promise the problem will go away if you start. Hand him an extra buck or 2 and tell him you like it strong.

I did not tip beyond the automatic 18% at any of the bars I got cocktails at. 
Out of ~6 drinks, during a 4N nowhere cruise, only this one was suspicious.

7 minutes ago, SPS said:

I've really only heard of this happening at the Bionic Bar where the programming controls the pour. (The robots know they're not gonna get a tip so they don't care! 😆)

I've seen every drink that I've been served at an RC bar prepared right in front of my eyes. The bartenders typically pour the jigger full and continue to pour liquor into the glass as they dump the filled jigger into the glass. (Possibly the bartender did not do that?)

The only similar experience I've had is being given the wrong drink in the MDR. I could distinctly tell that the drink served to me had spiced rum instead of the whiskey I ordered. 

That's the thing... some drinks I ordered from a waiter from a deck chair or table, and never had a problem. Others from a bar (poured in front of me) were also fine.

It was just this one drink from Sky Bar, that was a problem.
I watched him pour from the rum bottle into the jigger, full + overflowing, more generous looking than some others that turned out fine.
So I don't know if he was dishonest, or if someone else had diluted that bottle and he was unaware.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In order to save time, I know that the bars on the ships are heavy users of Monin-brand flavored syrups (and yes, they do have a mojito flavor as well). As a former bartender, I can tell you that stuff is EXTREMELY sweet and has a tendency to overpower most cocktails. You may have received a mojito that contained a little too much syrup, thus overwhelming the white rum flavor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had that happen on Oasis last month. My first drink.  It was weak.  The waiter came by snd I told him there seemed to be no tequila, he took it back, next drink was fine.  I wasn’t going to say anything but I didn’t have the drink package, I was using one of 4 Diamond drinks and I wasn’t about to waste it on a weak drink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 hours ago, JimnKathy said:

In order to save time, I know that the bars on the ships are heavy users of Monin-brand flavored syrups (and yes, they do have a mojito flavor as well). As a former bartender, I can tell you that stuff is EXTREMELY sweet and has a tendency to overpower most cocktails. You may have received a mojito that contained a little too much syrup, thus overwhelming the white rum flavor.

OP here.  In my case, the mojito wasn't unusually sweet.  
Just to clarify, I did watch the suspect bartender do the generous-looking pour BOTH times.  When he first made it, and when he made the replacement.
But it tasted weak both times.
So I suspect the rum bottle contained greatly diluted rum, and he could make a big show of being generous with the jigger-ing, and still use hardly any real rum.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I too noticed it on Oasis last month.  I ordered an amaretto sour that was so off tasting that I mixed it with lemonade to make it taste right.  Then I ordered a bloody mary, granted I asked for a bit spicy but all I could taste was the spice. One was ordered in MDR the other in Solarium pool area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I found the same thing. I drink Gin & Tonic or Vodka Soda and at first felt they were weak. I normally just order Vodka or Gin...on our last cruises in September we were ordering Grey Goose and Bombay and in both cases they are much smoother than the well swill. I was getting just as drunk as before but no hangover in the morning.(this was a nice change) So I think it's just that the better quality of the alcohol made it less apparent in the drink.

Not 100% sure but I liked it! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Palates change.  Sometimes they're more receptive of tastes than other times.  The same drink, different times of day, tastes different.  Sometimes the alcohol remains hidden, and other times it may seem strong.

 

I wasn't there, so I can only speculate.  I'd move ahead and hope the next drink is more enjoyable.

 

There have been times over the years, I suggested to my Wife that my drink has little or no alcohol.  I've asked her to sample it, and every time she responds with a grimace that it is in fact quite saturated with alcohol.

 

I'll also say, if you asked, you'd get credit for any unsatisfactory drink. 

 

My personal answer is, I've found my drinks on any ship to be pleasantly strong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...

I was on Oasis APR2022, for a 4 day.

the weak drink issue was a talking point among a party of 8   I find it to be a huge issue considering the drink package price and it’s built in 18% tip

very disappointing.  Don’t know what recourse we have besides the survey and social media 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/25/2021 at 10:20 PM, nissin said: So I suspect the rum bottle contained greatly diluted rum, and he could make a big show of being generous with the jigger-ing, and still use hardly any real rum.

———
Nope, ours are fine (if not too strong for me 50% of the time), twice I asked for more of the mixer! I don’t tend to drink much at home, so those taste very strong to me. If you drink often off a cruise, I would assume the opposite could happen? You are truly suggesting they are watering down liquor?? Because there is 0 chance the latter is happening, alcohol is a huge money maker for all cruise lines, they would *never* risk that from either a marketing or ethical position. 
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, ScottyO said:

I was on Oasis APR2022, for a 4 day.

the weak drink issue was a talking point among a party of 8   I find it to be a huge issue considering the drink package price and it’s built in 18% tip

very disappointing.  Don’t know what recourse we have besides the survey and social media 

I wonder if those with a drink package can just order a shot on the side and then mix it in. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, mk-ultra said:

No bartender or FoH management is going to dick around diluting alcohol.  You'll get a 2oz jigger-measured pour, which may seem light compared to some bars that have a heavier hand.

Tip: use the same bar and bartenders and tip.  They may accidentally begin to overfill that jigger.

I had an amazing bartender making some pretty darn good (strong) drinks in a casino bar.  The other bar tender in the casino measured in the jigger to the  drop-definitely no overpour.-he was also the slowest bartender ever, leading to lines when he was alone as the bartender.  The bartender who made those "good drinks" was very quick, took multiple orders and could really get those drinks out quickly so understandably  there was no "measured pour".
I've watched bartenders reach for the "cheap stuff" and other bartenders reach for "the good stuff".  I've learned over this year to be specific in the brand of alcohol and to pay attention to the bartenders, choosing the ones who will make me my "better drink".  Tipping always occurs, regardless, the "better the drink" the better the tip. My Diamond drinks are free, so I can't "afford to waste them".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It all depends on your taste...We like our drinks strong, and we make them that way at home.  When we get on a ship and order a drink...They are not normally as strong as we like or just plain weak.  We've watched them make the drink and some pour just the correct amount, and some will over pour.  We have learned once we find a bartender, we like...We always keep going back.  As we get to know our bartenders, they get to know us and our preferences for our drinks.  It's not long till the drinks start tasting like home.  Sometimes we do have to ask them to make it a little stronger or as Psycho says...I like to taste my Crown Royal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, AlohaLivin said:

On 10/25/2021 at 10:20 PM, nissin said: So I suspect the rum bottle contained greatly diluted rum, and he could make a big show of being generous with the jigger-ing, and still use hardly any real rum.

———
Nope, ours are fine (if not too strong for me 50% of the time), twice I asked for more of the mixer! I don’t tend to drink much at home, so those taste very strong to me. If you drink often off a cruise, I would assume the opposite could happen? You are truly suggesting they are watering down liquor?? Because there is 0 chance the latter is happening, alcohol is a huge money maker for all cruise lines, they would *never* risk that from either a marketing or ethical position. 

This. Why risk bad blood being cheap when the profit margin is probably around $10 per cocktail? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, WAYNO said:

I'm lucky to have never had a weak drink on-board.  In fact, I've experienced the bartenders to pour very freely.  But, I also tip freely.🤑

Hate to admit it but I once had to ask the bartender in the Diamond Club to please add some more coke to my Crown and Coke.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Weak drinks for sure. I don't drink often or a lot so for me, a couple mixed drinks or beers close together and I'm "feeling" it. Wife and I got Deluxe package thinking we'll treat ourselves. Wasn't my intent to "feel it" but mixed drink after drink and I'm nowhere near a buzz. That's odd.... Watching I felt pours were generous but I got to wondering. Is the metal shot they're using even a full shot? Remove the ice from a fruity drink and there's maybe 8 oz of liquid there, or less! Anyway, several days into the cruise and many drinks later thinking, I guess I can hold my own not with alcohol, that evening I order a Heineken on tap. Two beers in I'm full on buzzing. Hmmmmmm..... Yep, weak drinks, they couldn't taint the tap. Done with deluxe beverage package. What a scam.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Drinks that have “punch” to them

Goombay Smash, (served at the pool bars) and the Boston iced Tea…served at the Pub.    this was on both the Oasis and Anthem.  Adventure also had the Boston tea at the pub, quite strong-when  you read the ingredients you know why!

casino bar I watch them measure, hardly an over pour, depending on the bartender.  Both were tipped every time and had different drink experiences. 
 

my son befriended a bartender on Adventure the first night and  when I went to buy him a drink on my voucher the Bartender  was so nice and I watched a triple shot go in his rum and coke,  it was our last night and I emptied my purse to tip well due to the generous pour. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...
On 6/10/2022 at 2:11 AM, Drew1267 said:

Weak drinks for sure. I don't drink often or a lot so for me, a couple mixed drinks or beers close together and I'm "feeling" it. Wife and I got Deluxe package thinking we'll treat ourselves. Wasn't my intent to "feel it" but mixed drink after drink and I'm nowhere near a buzz. That's odd.... Watching I felt pours were generous but I got to wondering. Is the metal shot they're using even a full shot? Remove the ice from a fruity drink and there's maybe 8 oz of liquid there, or less! Anyway, several days into the cruise and many drinks later thinking, I guess I can hold my own not with alcohol, that evening I order a Heineken on tap. Two beers in I'm full on buzzing. Hmmmmmm..... Yep, weak drinks, they couldn't taint the tap. Done with deluxe beverage package. What a scam.

had the same experience with wine.  Was drinking a lot of gin and tonics and whiskey tonics and feeling normal.  Had two glasses of wine the next night and whoa!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/30/2022 at 11:47 AM, mk-ultra said:

No bartender or FoH management on a ship is going to mess around diluting alcohol.  You'll get a 2oz jigger-measured pour, which may seem light compared to non-ship bars that have a heavier hand.

Tip: use the same bar and bartenders and tip.  They may accidentally begin to overfill that jigger.

A standard jigger is only 1.5oz.  I stated in an earlier post that all of the drinks we had on a recent Voyager sailing were extremely weak. The bartenders poured to the jigger and not a drop more. I looked at the metal jiggers they were using, and they were the same size on both ends and appeared to be the smaller 1.0oz.  I ordered a double whiskey on the rocks and the glass was barely half full.  

Mrs Fan, who weighs about a "buck fifteen" and gets tipsy on a glass of wine, had a DOD and said that she tasted no booze and felt nothing. She only ordered wine from then on.

From Bar and Bartender dot com

"Jigger Size – How Many Ounces in a Jigger?

A jigger of alcohol refers to 1.5 ounces (approximately 44 ml) and the bar jigger was named after the measurement. The standard jigger measures 1.5 ounces on one side of the hourglass and 1 ounce on the other side."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, it depended from Bar to bar and bartender to bartender. My favorite drink Ice ice baby, Goombay smash, Passion Fruit spritz and Boston Ice Tea Party. On the past Anthem trip the best place to get the drink for me was 270 bar and The Pub.  Other places was hit or miss. Either I not had a luck at the indoor pool bar or they was really not good, my drink came from there is not feel right.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...