So I decided to tip bartenders and this is my conclusion

[Morganno]

Just take some $1 or exchange them.

This was my 7th RC cruise and for most I've had the DDP. I know grats are already added but I decided after reading facebook and blogs like RCBlog to tip a few bucks when getting drinks.

This was helped by winning $20 with my free slot rolls  

I have to say while you don't need to tip it really made a difference. 

I get beer mostly so it didn't impact the alcohol level but the friendliness of the staff (they were always friendly before but the level of friendliness increased) and the speed at getting served was improved.

Perhaps not noticeable if you haven't tipped before but I definitely noticed it when the pool bars got busy.

I will definitely be tipping bar staff in the future.  

 

 

 

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

I always tip the bartenders…they work hard for their money!  

[Psycho and Barb]

Go to your local bank and get you some $2 dollar bills to take with ya...We have found the bartenders really like the $2 bills for some reason.

[ScottD]

We bring about 100 bucks in 1's just to tip bartenders and drink runners on the decks or wherever. If we decide right away that we are probably gonna be at the same bar most of the week (this past cruise we made a nightly stop at the upstairs bar of Music hall) we leave them a 20 the first night and man are they happy to see us for the rest of the week, I don't drink alcohol, and once they knew that- every time I'd step foot in that room, they'd start making me a different virgin drink every time. It absolutely helps. Also, my wife was a bartender for 25 years, she would feel so weird if she wasn't leaving a cash tip on the bar. 

[JimnKathy]

Having been a bartender back in my younger years, I always add extra $$ to RCL's amazing bartenders...it makes a HUGE difference in service quality.  

[ScottD]

1 minute ago, Psycho and Barb said:

Go to your local bank and get you some $2 dollar bills to take with ya...We have found the bartenders really like the $2 bills for some reason.

I wonder about that. It's hard for them to spend, so maybe thats why they like it- they can save a bunch and cash them in somewhere. 

[Gilley]

Do they have to split the tips you hand them or do they get to keep them.

[Psycho and Barb]

Depends.  We have had bartenders put the tip in their pockets and others that put them in a tip jar to be split.

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

I’ve seen some places with glasses or jars on the counter for tips.  But there are also bars without those so perhaps those tips can be pocketed?  I do hand my tip directly to the bartender waiting on me.

[tonyfsu21]

Yes, being a generous tipper to the bartenders is not only the right thing to do but also can garner some nice perks. I could stand 4 deep at the casino bar and it’s guaranteed my red stripe beer is going to be handed to me first.

[Xaa]

I wouldn't do the 2 dollar bill thing because they may be difficult for them to spend, but I am a proponent of about $100 in ones and $200 in fives for spontaneous tipping.  Definitely greases the wheels a bit.  My son could be ignored all day trying to get a virgin Miami Vice, but after they see that he tips each time, he's the king of town at the bar to place his order.

[Zacharius]

59 minutes ago, Psycho and Barb said:

Go to your local bank and get you some $2 dollar bills to take with ya...We have found the bartenders really like the $2 bills for some reason.

I really dislike this idea myself. As someone who spends their life and career bouncing around the world, I can assure you that the $2 bill is very much unknown outside of the US (and even inside the US by a shockingly high number of people). It can be exceedingly difficult to convert $2 bills outside of the US. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

Regarding whether or not a staff member actually keeps the cash tips or puts them into a combined fund...I have finally decided that it isn't my business and I don't really worry about it.  I leave the tip I'm going to leave and what happens to it after it leaves my hand is irrelevant to me.  Sure, I would rather have the person who provided me the service get the money, but the tip sharing policy is not something that I have any control over.  The only thing I can control is whether or not I leave a tip, so I do.

I follow this "rule" whether it's a bartender or a meal server.  I tip at every meal whether I eat at a specialty restaurant or the Windjammer.  99% of the time I leave my tip on the table and depart the pattern.  What happens to that money after I leave is, and will always remain, a mystery.  It's simply none of my business.

[dr martini]

great advice and I agree, have definitely found tipping to guarantee that certain bartenders will remember me, my drink preferences and get me great service.  along with $1 bills I will also use up my smaller 50 cent and $1 and $5 blackjack table chips this way, there is a wink and a nod, the crew must have some way of being able to exchange them.

[HeWhoWaits]

Every drink gets a cash tip. Ordering two? Double tip.

[smokeybandit]

2 hours ago, Psycho and Barb said:

Go to your local bank and get you some $2 dollar bills to take with ya...We have found the bartenders really like the $2 bills for some reason.

My experience has been they do not like $2 bills at all, especially those from Asian countries.

[ScottD]

10 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

My experience has been they do not like $2 bills at all, especially those from Asian countries.

Yeah, I really think they are just being nice when the say they appreciate these. Most places outside the states, hell, a lot of places IN the states, don't even know what these are and won't accept them. 

[tonyfsu21]

2 hours ago, Zacharius said:

I really dislike this idea myself. As someone who spends their life and career bouncing around the world, I can assure you that the $2 bill is very much unknown outside of the US (and even inside the US by a shockingly high number of people). It can be exceedingly difficult to convert $2 bills outside of the US. 

I agree. I think a $2 bill is annoying and quirky personally. It’s probably just more of a hassle then anyone (especially a crew member with limited free time) wants to deal with when they go to spend it. 

[Ray]

2 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Yes, being a generous tipper to the bartenders is not only the right thing to do but also can garner some nice perks. I could stand 4 deep at the casino bar and it’s guaranteed my red stripe beer is going to be handed to me first.

Wouldn't work in Europe as we don't toletate Q Jumpers 

 

In fact wouldn't matter where it was if i was waiting and someone got served before me i would say something 

[tonyfsu21]

1 minute ago, Ray said:

Wouldn't work in Europe as we don't toletate Q Jumpers 

I bet it would. It wouldn’t matter if it was in Europe or Pakistan because the universal line jumper is always money. 

[JimnKathy]

$2 bills are a pain in the backside for retail establishments...no place to put them in the cash drawer. 

[Ray]

7 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

I bet it would. It wouldn’t matter if it was in Europe or Pakistan because the universal line jumper is always money. 

If it did ( which it has before ) i would say something! Cant be done with bribery because at the end of the day thats what it is. 

[tonyfsu21]

10 minutes ago, Ray said:

Wouldn't work in Europe as we don't toletate Q Jumpers 

 

In fact wouldn't matter where it was if i was waiting and someone got served before me i would say something 

What would you say? No need to speak, just reach into your pocket because the universal language heard throughout the world is “money”. Cheers and good luck. 

[tonyfsu21]

Just now, Ray said:

If it did ( which it has before ) i would say something! Cant be done with bribery because at the end of the day thats what it is. 

It’s a tip, not bribery. In America we tip. When Americans are not in America we still tip like we are in this wonderful country. 

[tonyfsu21]

3 minutes ago, Ray said:

If it did ( which it has before ) i would say something! Cant be done with bribery because at the end of the day thats what it is. 

I will be on Freedom this weekend if you want me to give you a lesson. Meet me at the casino bar and I will buy you a red stripe. 

[ScottD]

18 minutes ago, Ray said:

Wouldn't work in Europe as we don't toletate Q Jumpers 

 

In fact wouldn't matter where it was if i was waiting and someone got served before me i would say something 

It's not a line jumper if the bartender serves you next. People at busy bars basically jockey for position and try to get the bartenders attention to get a drink. If you take care of a bartender anywhere, you better believe they're going to "notice" you much quicker than the person who hasn't left a dime the last few rounds. 

[tonyfsu21]

2 minutes ago, ScottD said:

It's not a line jumper if the bartender serves you next. People at busy bars basically jockey for position and try to get the bartenders attention to get a drink. If you take care of a bartender anywhere, you better believe they're going to "notice" you much quicker than the person who hasn't left a dime the last few rounds. 

Exactly. The bartender isn’t working behind the bar for the exercise, they are working for money! It would make sense to take care of the people who are paying you the most money. It’s just good business sense. 

[VillainsGin]

4 hours ago, Morganno said:

Just take some $1 or exchange them.

This was my 7th RC cruise and for most I've had the DDP. I know grats are already added but I decided after reading facebook and blogs like RCBlog to tip a few bucks when getting drinks.

This was helped by winning $20 with my free slot rolls  

I have to say while you don't need to tip it really made a difference. 

I get beer mostly so it didn't impact the alcohol level but the friendliness of the staff (they were always friendly before but the level of friendliness increased) and the speed at getting served was improved.

Perhaps not noticeable if you haven't tipped before but I definitely noticed it when the pool bars got busy.

I will definitely be tipping bar staff in the future.  

 

 

 

I personally tip on top of prepaid gratuity and it makes a HUGE difference especially for my needs!

Although their service is already amazing and friendly they do go out of their way for you more than most if you tip a few dollars.

I bring a few hundred dollars in 1's and 5's for tipping and port shopping.

Examples of when tipping made a huge difference:

• When I'm gambling at the casino and the runner makes his way around the tables to take drink orders, I always start of the initial tip with $5 and the rest of the night every time I get my drinks I give $1. the drink runner would come to me first and check on my drink to see where i'm at and would ask if i'm doing good before moving on, even if I didn't notice him or was busy gambling. This was important to me because I do forget to order more drinks when I get caught up gambling.
• When I'm in the pool or hot tub and I definitely start off the initial first order with a $5 tip which is EXTREMELY convenient. The runner would ALWAYS swing by frequently to make sure I have a drink or would keep tabs on when I would need one. This is really important because it saves me the hassle and time of getting out of the hot tub or pool potentially losing my spot and walking over the the bars on deck! [also its cold coming out the pool/hot tub]
• When I meet my cabin attendant on day 1 I initially give him $10 and he goes above and beyond his above and beyond. He takes effort in remembering our names and if he doesn't know he will look on his roster of the assigned area and greet us by name every time. Puts extra gifts when we come back along with tower animals and small treats like cookies/fruits. I even had a bucket of ice in the cooler and never requested it. He noticed I used the cruise soap bar a lot so he had 2 extra bars by the sink. Took note I sit on the balcony a lot so he deep cleaned the chairs and tables, etc.

These are just some of the example but there a lot more!

[Fuzzywuzzy]

I have always, and always will, tip my bartender or drink server. And yes, it does pay off in the long run.

[Va4fam]

3 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

  The only thing I can control is whether or not I leave a tip, so I do.

I follow this "rule" whether it's a bartender or a meal server.  I tip at every meal whether I eat at a specialty restaurant or the Windjammer.  99% of the time I leave my tip on the table and depart the pattern.  What happens to that money after I leave is, and will always remain, a mystery.  It's simply none of my business.

@WAAAYTOOO.....I agree with everything you said...but slightly confused about tipping at WJ?   For meals or drinks?   I don't think we have tipped in WJ or Sorrentos except for drinks and now starting to feel bad.  

[WAAAYTOOO]

18 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

@WAAAYTOOO.....I agree with everything you said...but slightly confused about tipping at WJ?   For meals or drinks?   I don't think we have tipped in WJ or Sorrentos except for drinks and now starting to feel bad.  

Both although I rarely, if ever, get any ordered drinks in the WJ.  So mostly service in the WJ just relates to food. I’m always grateful for the staff who clean up after us and keep our table clean.

[Neesa]

22 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Both although I rarely, if ever, get any ordered drinks in the WJ.  So mostly service in the WJ just relates to food. I’m always grateful for the staff who clean up after us and keep our table clean.

This!

When we are on a class other then O or Q I believe it was the Mariner we visited the WJ and left a few dollars on the table after breakfast. The next time we visited we were walked to a table and my hot tea was delivered to me, what a nice surprise. Sometimes especially in the WJ the small gesture make a big difference!

[Xaa]

I only go to WJ for breakfast, but always tip the person at the omlette station and the person that comes by and refills the coffee and juice etc

[Pattycruise]

4 hours ago, Xaa said:

I wouldn't do the 2 dollar bill thing because they may be difficult for them to spend, but I am a proponent of about $100 in ones and $200 in fives for spontaneous tipping.  Definitely greases the wheels a bit.  My son could be ignored all day trying to get a virgin Miami Vice, but after they see that he tips each time, he's the king of town at the bar to place his order.

I agree on the $2 bill.  I watched a bartender excitedly take one as a tip and after the tipper walked away another cruiser asked if he could buy it.  The bartender happily exchanged for 2 singles.  I’ve read where the $2 bill is not recognized when they do their currency exchange or wire (not sure which) and is thought to be fake in their home country. 

[Va4fam]

We have heard similar feedback about $2 bills.

[VillainsGin]

2 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

I agree on the $2 bill.  I watched a bartender excitedly take one as a tip and after the tipper walked away another cruiser asked if he could buy it.  The bartender happily exchanged for 2 singles.  I’ve read where the $2 bill is not recognized when they do their currency exchange or wire (not sure which) and is thought to be fake in their home country. 

I recently needed $2 bills for a themed event and it was extremely difficult to even get from the bank. They had limited amount of $2 bills and some didn't have any at all. I had to visit almost 4-5 banks to get 100x$2 bills.

I'm not sure if its similar to a shortage or they just don't print that many of those specific bills, this happened a month ago in california area.

[smokeybandit]

5 minutes ago, VillainsGin said:

I recently needed $2 bills for a themed event and it was extremely difficult to even get from the bank. They had limited amount of $2 bills and some didn't have any at all. I had to visit almost 4-5 banks to get 100x$2 bills.

I'm not sure if its similar to a shortage or they just don't print that many of those specific bills, this happened a month ago in california area.

They just aren't popular so no need for banks to keep any supply of them.

[teddy]

When we were on Anthem last February, we were finally Diamond and had vouchers.  We each tipped cash for each drink we got using them.  After the first night in the Music Hall, the waiter would "forget" to use my voucher...granted, I don't drink alcohol, so it was for a Coke or Sprite, but he appreciated the cash tip.

[Ampurp85]

@WAAAYTOOO I thought I was the only one who tips at the WJ. I mean I rarely eat there but I always leave a few bucks on the table, I don't care who takes it, but it makes me feel better for wasting food. 

[CruiseGus]

Interesting comments,  12+ cruises this year and my take is it depends, I tip two dollars every drink, but find that it more depends on the individual bar tender than on the tip. Yes some hit you up,  but I have cruised all week at $2 a drink at a specific bar and seen absolutely no return from my tips, no better service when crowded, no strong pours.  Definatly newer bar tenders recently are more on the exact jigger than during "come back"