CruiseGus Posted November 29, 2022 Report Share Posted November 29, 2022 At Playmakers on Oasis it actually printed out on both the copy i signed and duplicate that was provided to me. Signing was a little hit or miss, but none of the other bars I signed at, Boleros; Schooner: Spotlight, had a count on the receipt like the one below has CruisingOz, KristiZ, DJsMrs and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted November 29, 2022 Report Share Posted November 29, 2022 They probably had to update their POS software to get that to show. Of course, the fact it doesn't say "Voucher Use" means it'll probably get overlooked by a lot of people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobroo Posted November 29, 2022 Report Share Posted November 29, 2022 Currently on Enchantment for the past 11 nights…….Zero Diamond and above members have received a drink count quantity on their diamond drink receipts. Zero, and I mean ZERO; Diamond and above have received ANY receipt for ANY diamond drink. Our receipts are all “Duplicate Receipt” and taken away because they are Royal’s receipt. So, the story that Diamond and above members have said they have had trouble tracking their free drinks was all BS. This diamond drink receipt after every drink has been about trying to get diamond and above to sign for more Royal communal tips all along. Don’t lie to us Royal! Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 29, 2022 Report Share Posted November 29, 2022 22 minutes ago, bobroo said: Currently on Enchantment for the past 11 nights…….Zero Diamond and above members have received a drink count quantity on their diamond drink receipts. Zero, and I mean ZERO; Diamond and above have received ANY receipt for ANY diamond drink. Our receipts are all “Duplicate Receipt” and taken away because they are Royal’s receipt. So, the story that Diamond and above members have said they have had trouble tracking their free drinks was all BS. This diamond drink receipt after every drink has been about trying to get diamond and above to sign for more Royal communal tips all along. Don’t lie to us Royal! Yet if you read the receipts it states gratuity has been included. At least mine did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted November 29, 2022 Report Share Posted November 29, 2022 19 minutes ago, twangster said: Yet if you read the receipts it states gratuity has been included. At least mine did. I'm guessing that's boilerplate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 29, 2022 Report Share Posted November 29, 2022 12 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: I'm guessing that's boilerplate Agreed, but if the point was to try to motivate people to leave tips perhaps they should have considered that. I tip cash every drink regardless so for me it's moot. Recently the bar staff who had been around before didn't give me paper once they saw cash, but newer bar staff clearly had been told to print and they followed those instructions more consistently. Dlove707, AlmondFarmer, CruiseGus and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 It's hard to say what the fair thing to do is. I always tip on these drinks. If you give cash to the waiter, is that fair to the bartender and other support staff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrznTxn Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 We found talking to the poolside waiters that they are the ones who actually make the drinks in the back room from the bar. We always tip them and the wife makes it a point to read their name badges and call them by name when they serve us later. Much easier to get a little stronger drink when she is around. We also see waiters from other ships and it absolutely floors them when she calls them by name ( a big gift she has, a fantastic memory). Either way, the tip goes a long way in getting superb service. Swar and FireFishII 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 48 minutes ago, CrznTxn said: We found talking to the poolside waiters that they are the ones who actually make the drinks in the back room from the bar. We always tip them and the wife makes it a point to read their name badges and call them by name when they serve us later. Much easier to get a little stronger drink when she is around. We also see waiters from other ships and it absolutely floors them when she calls them by name ( a big gift she has, a fantastic memory). Either way, the tip goes a long way in getting superb service. Name recognition is a big thing. I always try to read name badges and use names. FireFishII, asquared17 and Dlove707 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 Considering how much it takes to get to diamond level and such, whatever you decide to tip is appropriate. On my last cruise we saw plenty of people who had status with Royal and/or the casino, and also a drink package who did not tip. I found it easier to get drinks during busy times because I did, I know that tipping equals a little bit better service. Sometimes none of my vouchers were used. My brother had a drink package and used his vouchers to get my mother and BFFs mother an occasional drink, never got a receipt. FireFishII and asquared17 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGus Posted November 30, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 3 hours ago, BB1 said: It's hard to say what the fair thing to do is. I always tip on these drinks. If you give cash to the waiter, is that fair to the bartender and other support staff? Unlike most land based bars, where the wait staff just delivers your drink and the bar tender makes them, This is not the way Royal does it. The waiters go behind the bar or in the back and make the drinks themselves. I have never witnessed a RCCL waiter have the bar tender make a drink for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mturk Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 A couple of weekends ago when my wife and I sailed on Liberty, not once did we have to sign for or get a receipt for our Diamond drinks. The only receipt we did get was on our last night when we were charged for a drink even though we were pretty sure we still had one leftover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temeculaguy Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 I have a question about diamond drinks as my upcoming cruise is my first as diamond. If I'm in a suite that has access to the suite lounge and now have access to the diamond lounge do drinks ordered in the lounges count against the 5 daily diamond drinks? Are the two lounges treated differently? Also If I'm prime for the casino and would normally get free drinks do drinks there count as well against my 5? Or are the diamond drinks deducted from those places where you would normally pay for drinks? Also if I order a soda, do they deduct a drink from my 5, I'd rather pay for my soda and use my credits for alcohol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 1 hour ago, Temeculaguy said: I have a question about diamond drinks as my upcoming cruise is my first as diamond. If I'm in a suite that has access to the suite lounge and now have access to the diamond lounge do drinks ordered in the lounges count against the 5 daily diamond drinks? Are the two lounges treated differently? Also If I'm prime for the casino and would normally get free drinks do drinks there count as well against my 5? Or are the diamond drinks deducted from those places where you would normally pay for drinks? Also if I order a soda, do they deduct a drink from my 5, I'd rather pay for my soda and use my credits for alcohol. If you order drinks that are included in the Suite Lounge for staying in a suite, those won't be count against vouchers. The Diamond Lounge drinks will use your vouchers. Casino drinks while the casino is open (machines must be open for play) will not use vouchers. If the bar is open but the casino isn't open yet, drinks are not free. If you want to pay for a soda, tell them you want to pay and not to use a voucher. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelp1446 Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 3 hours ago, Temeculaguy said: I have a question about diamond drinks as my upcoming cruise is my first as diamond. If I'm in a suite that has access to the suite lounge and now have access to the diamond lounge do drinks ordered in the lounges count against the 5 daily diamond drinks Are you Diamond or Diamond plus? Diamond = 4 drinks and DiamondPlus = 5 Drinks. as @AshleyDillosaid drinks in the Suite lounge won't be counted against your vouchers. AshleyDillo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Done Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 15 hours ago, BB1 said: It's hard to say what the fair thing to do is. I always tip on these drinks. If you give cash to the waiter, is that fair to the bartender and other support staff? I'm not sure about the servers but if I tip a bartender they all put the cash in a common bucket and I make the assumption it is shared by all the bartenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swar Posted November 30, 2022 Report Share Posted November 30, 2022 I always tip for any drink, soda or water. Sometimes I'll identify a favorite waiter, in a place I will come to often, and give them a $20 on the first day of a cruise. One of the waiters invited me to his wedding in India after I tipped him well and bought him a pair of tennis shoes (he couldn't get off the ship). He kept on my left shoulder the entire trip while in the casino. bobroo, asquared17, WAAAYTOOO and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted December 1, 2022 Report Share Posted December 1, 2022 20 hours ago, AshleyDillo said: If you order drinks that are included in the Suite Lounge for staying in a suite, those won't be count against vouchers. The Diamond Lounge drinks will use your vouchers. I have a cruise coming up in March and will be Diamond for the first time. Can I clarify this above please. My understanding was that wine/beer/sodas were FREE in the DL from 5pm to 8pm at night. So why would they be using our Diamond Vouchers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireclan Posted December 1, 2022 Report Share Posted December 1, 2022 No more "free" drinks in the Diamond Lounge. You will get 4 drink vouchers a day (at diamond level) to use wherever you want including the DL. Swar, Neesa and WAAAYTOOO 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted December 1, 2022 Report Share Posted December 1, 2022 Be great if a Diamond Member who uses the Diamond lounge could comment on the current process regarding the nightly 'happy hour'. fireclan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted December 1, 2022 Report Share Posted December 1, 2022 21 minutes ago, SteveK said: Be great if a Diamond Member who actually uses the lounge could confirm what's what. The drinks are no longer free during happy hour. You will get 4 free drinks per day a a Diamond member regardless of when/where you order them. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted December 1, 2022 Report Share Posted December 1, 2022 56 minutes ago, wordell1 said: The drinks are no longer free during happy hour. You will get 4 free drinks per day a a Diamond member regardless of when/where you order them. Well that's a real disappointment. I will email CAS and ask them to update their benefits statement then, which is clearly misrepresenting the benefits. Daily Happy Hour in the Diamond Lounge with light h'ordeuvres and drinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 1, 2022 Report Share Posted December 1, 2022 11 hours ago, SteveK said: Well that's a real disappointment. I will email CAS and ask them to update their benefits statement then, which is clearly misrepresenting the benefits. Daily Happy Hour in the Diamond Lounge with light h'ordeuvres and drinks Diamond drinks are free, there is just a limit to the number of free drinks. No where has it ever been stated that Diamond happy hour was endless free drinks even if that is how it was once implemented. Plenty of bars on land offer happy hours. Happy hour as a concept does not equate to open bar with free unlimited drinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted December 1, 2022 Report Share Posted December 1, 2022 7 hours ago, SteveK said: Well that's a real disappointment. I will email CAS and ask them to update their benefits statement then, which is clearly misrepresenting the benefits. Daily Happy Hour in the Diamond Lounge with light h'ordeuvres and drinks It doesn't say free drinks. Just that drinks are available during the happy hour. Though the rather ugly misspelling of hors d'oeuvres is funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted December 1, 2022 Report Share Posted December 1, 2022 18 hours ago, SteveK said: My understanding was that wine/beer/sodas were FREE in the DL from 5pm to 8pm at night. So why would they be using our Diamond Vouchers? They WERE at once unlimited free drinks in the Diamond Lounge during Happy Hour. Then they moved to a limited drink menu. Then they added you could get 3 free drinks from the Diamond Drink menu anywhere on the ship during Happy Hour as well as unlimited in the Diamond Lounge. Then they changed to giving all Diamond members 4 vouchers to use nearly anywhere daily. There is still a Happy Hour in the Diamond Lourge but it really means that's the only time there's servers in the lounge to take drink orders. You either pay or use your vouchers now even in the Diamond Lounge. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted December 2, 2022 Report Share Posted December 2, 2022 Ok thanks everybody for the responses, I am clear now how it works. Disappointed, but clear. (I still think CAS could make things clearer on their webpage) Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB1 Posted December 2, 2022 Report Share Posted December 2, 2022 Now that there aren't unlimited free drinks in the lounge it has become a very relaxed and quiet venue. It used to be very chaotic. There have been very few people in the lounges on my last few cruises. I would not be surprised if they get rid of them in the future. Just a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temeculaguy Posted December 2, 2022 Report Share Posted December 2, 2022 I was wrong, 4 free drinks, I am a recent regular diamond member. I've always gotten the drink package and always stayed in a Grand Suite or above so I've never really paid any attention to it and we mostly just drink wine and water. But our next cruise in May is a transatlantic so I was thinking of not getting the package, bout two cases of bottled water to be delivered to the room (super low price on black friday) and we have the dining package. I'm thinking even if we buy 1-2 bottles of wine at dinner ($30-40 ea with the 40% discount, 15 bottles for 11 days is less than $600 combined) and 4 drinks wherever else for diamond there's no real good justification for $1500 for us as couple to get the drink package. Hopefully the suite lounge doesn't take vouchers but if it does, it still won't pencil out. Thus far I think the package has been about a wash for us, diamond makes it less so, dining package for the first time even less so because dinner is where we drink half our wine for the day. Thanks for the info! Worst case scenario, I'll learn my lessona nd just get the package every time moving forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 2, 2022 Report Share Posted December 2, 2022 5 hours ago, Temeculaguy said: I was wrong, 4 free drinks, I am a recent regular diamond member. I've always gotten the drink package and always stayed in a Grand Suite or above so I've never really paid any attention to it and we mostly just drink wine and water. But our next cruise in May is a transatlantic so I was thinking of not getting the package, bout two cases of bottled water to be delivered to the room (super low price on black friday) and we have the dining package. I'm thinking even if we buy 1-2 bottles of wine at dinner ($30-40 ea with the 40% discount, 15 bottles for 11 days is less than $600 combined) and 4 drinks wherever else for diamond there's no real good justification for $1500 for us as couple to get the drink package. Hopefully the suite lounge doesn't take vouchers but if it does, it still won't pencil out. Thus far I think the package has been about a wash for us, diamond makes it less so, dining package for the first time even less so because dinner is where we drink half our wine for the day. Thanks for the info! Worst case scenario, I'll learn my lessona nd just get the package every time moving forward. If you are booked in a full suite then the Suite Lounge should not use your Diamond vouchers. If they do talk to the concierge and/or the loyalty ambassador about it. The wait staff that do SL service are regular bar staff from around the ship. They can make mistakes when it comes to SL drinks and diamond vouchers so if that occurs make an inquiry to get it fixed. Swar and Temeculaguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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