lonerchick Posted May 14, 2023 Report Share Posted May 14, 2023 What is the expectation to tip when you have purchased a drink package? I was charged gratuity when I bought my package. I can't remember if that was the case in 2016 when I last went on a RC cruise. Back then I tipped for every alcohol beverage that I received. Is this necessary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wordell1 Posted May 14, 2023 Report Share Posted May 14, 2023 As you said, you paid the tip when you ordered the package, so I don't think there is a strong expectation that you tip again. Having said that, consider carrying some ones to tip individual servers as a way of getting better service. ChessE4 and Momof4crazytocruise 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted May 14, 2023 Report Share Posted May 14, 2023 No expectation to tip beyond the included 18% gratuity. It is however, appreciated when or if you do. CruiseGus and Momof4crazytocruise 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan79 Posted May 14, 2023 Report Share Posted May 14, 2023 Drink package or not, an 18% tip is ALREADY included in the price. If you want to tip beyond that, trust me no one is going to stop you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted May 14, 2023 Report Share Posted May 14, 2023 You're set on gratuity @lonerchick, but I do second the suggestion to carry a stack of small bills. I won't be surprised if you want to tip a little extra. There's no expectation though. FloatyBoaty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezer Of The Seas Posted May 14, 2023 Report Share Posted May 14, 2023 We did our drinking a la carte last trip; Deluxe Beverage Package just doesn't work for us, even factoring in non-alcoholic drinks (we did have the refreshment package). Confined our business to 2 bars and 3 specific bartenders between them, never ordered from the roving servers but 1 time. We always added a tip beyond the included tip when we signed the ticket. I will say we netted 4 'no additional cost' gin and tonics and a mojito over seven days. And the gin and tonics got decidedly stiffer. Our gesture was absolutely recognized. WAAAYTOOO and atxwino 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonerchick Posted May 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2023 Thank you for the info everyone. This helps me figure out how much tipping I will be doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Green Posted May 14, 2023 Report Share Posted May 14, 2023 Several Cruises ago I had the alcohol package and started throwing a couple dollars or so on the tray of the pool server. Lets just say I never had an empty drink next to me the entire day. I had to start telling him I was good. Kay45 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bean79 Posted May 15, 2023 Report Share Posted May 15, 2023 I always tip $1 per drink minimum, even if it is bottled water with my drink package. WAAAYTOOO, tingtang, ScottD and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macfoot Posted July 24, 2023 Report Share Posted July 24, 2023 hi so am i right we have paid a tipping weaver when we booked our cruise for this coming september .so do we not have to tip anyone if we dont want to ?thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted July 24, 2023 Report Share Posted July 24, 2023 The pre-paid gratuities are for the MDR and your room steward essentially, but when you buy drinks individually or a package, an 18% gratuity will be added, so there is no need to tip additionally. A lot of people do tip additional, but you would be completely covered if you chose not to. tingtang 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBC Posted July 24, 2023 Report Share Posted July 24, 2023 My rule of thumb is if someone is bringing me a drink, like a server, then I will throw them a buck each time. I'm talking about servers at the pool, servers in the theater, servers in Schooner, etc. If I walk up to a bar and get a drink myself then I won't tip anything additional. If I am sitting at a bar for a while and have multiple drinks, I will leave a couple bucks when I leave. In principle it bugs me since I already paid 18%, but at the end of the day, the dollars mean way more to them than they do to me. An extra $50-$100 over the course of a week vacation isn't an issue. I will say, in my observations, I feel like I am not the norm in this regard. I see a lot of people get drinks from servers and they just take their cards back and that is it. No tips. The servers don't seem bothered, honestly it happens constantly, so I think they are numb to it. I always do receive a thank you though. tingtang 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruin Steve Posted July 24, 2023 Report Share Posted July 24, 2023 I think a lot of folks just don't get it... You have already tipped. Cruises are supposed to be "cash-free". You don't have to carry your wallet around with you or deal with cash while onboard. Service is great whether you push around dollar bills every time you get a drink or not. I do NOT carry around a stack of dollars. My bar waiters always serve me very well anyway. I do bring larger bills with me for exceptional service...and, at the end of the cruise, if, for example, I've had my pre-dinner drinks in the Diamond Club and have received consistent exceptional service (which I typically have) from the same bar waiters/bartenders there every night, I will give them an envelope with a much larger gratuity--indicating my appreciation for the service, NOT as a "bribe" in an attempt to get future better service. And I have had bar waiters remember me on cruises as much as 4-5 years later!!! Folks, a cruise ship is not a "strip club"--where you come armed with singles to shove into the g-strings of the "employees". ckruetze, Carotthat, SweetPea and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockerDom31 Posted July 24, 2023 Report Share Posted July 24, 2023 Just out of curiosity...does anyone know how the servers "get" your gratuity that you prepaid with the DBP? We always get great service and constant refills and, admittedly, we don't give that extra $1 or 2. Everyone's 18% is different - we paid $64.99 pp/pd. But someone who bought it on board would have paid $99.99 pp/pd (I think) so 18% of that is different. Maybe this is just Royal Fuzzy Math that can never be explained? tingtang 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicB Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 Hello, My question is more on the drink package vs tipping. Does anyone have any experience with the refreshment package on a QC ship? I know you can get soda, mocktails, water at any of the bars, premium coffees at the cafes. But what about the freshly squeezed juices and milk shakes? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 30 minutes ago, VicB said: Hello, My question is more on the drink package vs tipping. Does anyone have any experience with the refreshment package on a QC ship? I know you can get soda, mocktails, water at any of the bars, premium coffees at the cafes. But what about the freshly squeezed juices and milk shakes? Thanks in advance Fresh squeezed juice will only be had in the MDR and the WJ, so you can get that no problem. If the Quantum class ship doesn't have a Johnny rockets, then milkshakes are a no. I don't think most of the Quantum class has Vitality cafes, so no smoothies can be had either. VicB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicB Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 Thanks for the reply. Might just have to upgrade to the deluxe drink package if that’s the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 The deluxe package won't change the availability of the drinks. The things you asked about are included if available. Anthem is the only Quantum Class ship that has a Johnny Rockets. Ampurp85 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carotthat Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 If you're dating on the cruise anyhow, always consider the tip https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/21/why-tipflation-might-ruin-your-chances-for-a-second-date.html Tipflation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.