Premium Drink Package - gratuities

[Cruising89143]

How are the gratuities handled for guests with the Premium drink package when ordering drinks? Do they bring you a receipt where you can write in an additional gratuity if desired.

[isdoo]

No slip - you pay the 15% gratuity when you purchase the package.

[Wylie Coyote]

How are the gratuities handled for guests with the Premium drink package when ordering drinks? Do they bring you a receipt where you can write in an additional gratuity if desired.

 

The times I used the Premium Drink Packages, there were no receipts. I did not have to sign for anything.....my sea pass card had my package printed on it. All I had to do was show it to the bartender/waiter.

 

The only way I was able to tip above the 15% gratuity that was added to the package cost when purchased, was in cash.

 

Add, the bartenders/waiters really appreciated a dollar or two in cash now and again.

[Cruising89143]

Thanks. Was hoping that they had a receipt where you could add the extra gratuity in placing of having to deal with cash.:)

[MicCanberra]

Thanks. Was hoping that they had a receipt where you could add the extra gratuity in placing of having to deal with cash.:)

I am sure you could by visiting the front desk and having them organise for an extra charge to your account.:D

[Wylie Coyote]

I am not sure I would stand in line at the desk to organize a tip for a special waiter(s)/bartender(s) to be charged to my account. But, I bet you are right. I cannot imagine Celebrity not taking any money offered!

 

 

quote=MicCanberra;36301857]I am sure you could by visiting the front desk and having them organise for an extra charge to your account.:D

[MicCanberra]

I am not sure I would stand in line at the desk to organize a tip for a special waiter(s)/bartender(s) to be charged to my account. But, I bet you are right. I cannot imagine Celebrity not taking any money offered!

 

 

quote=MicCanberra;36301857]I am sure you could by visiting the front desk and having them organise for an extra charge to your account.:D

I would use the cash option to tip extra.:D

[swigso]

The slips do get printed its just once they get to know you

They don't bother with them, you can ask to sign and put a tip

On the bottom.

Have done this and also given cash .

They will take your tip any way you like,

The bar staff do appreciate the extra tips

[Cruising89143]

The slips do get printed its just once they get to know you

They don't bother with them, you can ask to sign and put a tip

On the bottom.

Have done this and also given cash .

They will take your tip any way you like,

The bar staff do appreciate the extra tips

 

Thanks for the info. That sounds good.

[Aussie Claire]

If and when you purchase a drinks package, is the 15% already included in the printed price or does it come up after you select which package you want?

 

Is there any advantage of purchasing a drinks package online, or can it be purchased onboard on the first or second day?

[MicCanberra]

If and when you purchase a drinks package, is the 15% already included in the printed price or does it come up after you select which package you want?

 

Is there any advantage of purchasing a drinks package online, or can it be purchased onboard on the first or second day?

 

The 15% is added to the daily rate advertised, however, the full cruise price has the 15% added already though.

The advantage of preipaying is mainly for budget reasons, that it is it is paid for in advance of the holiday. Sometimes they have sales so a 10% discount can alos be gained. Some people prfer to see whta the spending pattern is on board for as day or so and then see which package, if any, suit.:D

[Wylie Coyote]

The slips do get printed its just once they get to know you

They don't bother with them, you can ask to sign and put a tip

On the bottom.

Have done this and also given cash .

They will take your tip any way you like,

The bar staff do appreciate the extra tips

 

That was surely not my experience last December on the Summit. I did not have any cash on me at the time (all in the safe), and they had no slip for me to add a gratuity. In fact, they were not even ringing the drinks into a machine at two of the bars visited, rather the bartender was writing down my sea pass number on a form next to the register.

 

I do remember that they now can remember us after a few drinks and it was not needed to even show the card after that point.

 

Maybe something is different now. It could have very well been a problem with the ship's point of sale system back on the Summit. I now always carry cash for tips.

 

When the packages were first offered and we were on an Alaskan sailing on the Infinity, I remember having to sign a slip with each and every drink. There was an opportunity then to add an extra tip.

 

Back then, if you purchased a drink outside of the package specifications, you had to pay for the entire drink and not the difference between your package rate and the actual drink price.

 

Either way, I like how it works now where I am not required to sign for drinks...if I order something over the $12.50 premium package limit, I only pay the difference in price...and I do not have to provide them a card for each drink once they remember me.

 

Celebrity's drink package is one of my favorite things they offer.... and for me.... I save a ton of money.... specialty water, tea, coffee, sodas, beers, cocktails, martinis and specialty drinks. It adds up quickly.

[swigso]

When you buy the package the price per day

Does not include the 15% gratuity this is added

at checkout.

The advantage for me in buying pre cruise is that

Celebrity's exchange rate is very good, and I

Also take advantage of the 10% off promotion.

They last did this in June/July and may or

may not repeat it in January.

I sail in Feb so didn't take the chance and purchased

when the Promotion was on.

[SeaCBear]

The beverage packages were available at 10% off again a few weeks ago, in late November I think it was.

 

 

When you buy the package the price per day

Does not include the 15% gratuity this is added

at checkout.

The advantage for me in buying pre cruise is that

Celebrity's exchange rate is very good, and I

Also take advantage of the 10% off promotion.

They last did this in June/July and may or

may not repeat it in January.

I sail in Feb so didn't take the chance and purchased

when the Promotion was on.

 

 

 

 

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[A Sixth?]

The slips do get printed its just once they get to know you

They don't bother with them, you can ask to sign and put a tip

On the bottom.

Have done this and also given cash .

They will take your tip any way you like,

The bar staff do appreciate the extra tips

 

If you ask for the slip as swigso says, you can add a tip

 

I personally would hate to see the bar serviced go the way of land based all inclusives. Where "Cash" is the tip waved all around for service.

[Wylie Coyote]

If you ask for the slip as swigso says, you can add a tip

 

I personally would hate to see the bar serviced go the way of land based all inclusives. Where "Cash" is the tip waved all around for service.

 

I would not worry too much about that. Not many people tip additional above the 15% added from a package purchase...or the amount automatically added if it is just a single drink purchase. At least that is my observation and from what I hear from our favorite bartender with Celebrity. Not many tip with cash, as well. Maybe more so in the casino where more people are carrying cash.

[Chigirlcruzin]

I used the same guy all week. I just gave him a cash tip on the last night. He seemed somewhat surprised, but he was fantastic.

[A Sixth?]

I would not worry too much about that. Not many people tip additional above the 15% added from a package purchase...or the amount automatically added if it is just a single drink purchase. At least that is my observation and from what I hear from our favorite bartender with Celebrity. Not many tip with cash, as well. Maybe more so in the casino where more people are carrying cash.

 

I often wrote in an extra "tip" when i wanted to... and have used cash VERY discretely at private free functions... just hate to see cash creep into the day-to-day cruse ship experience.

[MrsCorL]

thinking about rebooking to the summit for next october...are the packages on all ships and how much? when i tried to click on the link on celebrites website, it wont open...thanks!!!

[Big_G]

I used the same guy all week. I just gave him a cash tip on the last night. He seemed somewhat surprised, but he was fantastic.

 

Same here but I also carry some cash in case we run into exceptional service elsewhere.

[Gordoncruickshank]

One thing I discovered on our recent cruise is the fact that while we pay 15% upfront as part of the beverage package, this does not all get passed on to the member of staff who served me, unlike what happens if you are not on a beverage package.

 

I could not find out exact how much gets paid to the server but it is nothing like the 15% fromt he discussions I had with various members of staff.

 

We liked the beverage package but we had a couple of issues in Blu where one somnellier was great whether you had a package or not and the other was only interested in those who purchase botlles of wine - thereby giving him the full 15% on those bottles. We had one evening when the individual brought our wine glasses and no wine for 20 minutes. Then he stood at the next table, who had purchased a bottle of wine, leaving our glasses which had been emptied by that time, empty for a furhter 15 minutes.

 

After discussing this with the Maitre, he didn't do it again but we did ask to be seated after that with the other somnellier who was excellent throughout the cruise.

[Chirpbird]

Agree with the other posters; the variety is part of your package price. However, I also added an extra tip at my favorite bar (martini bar), to show my appreciation of their service and showmanship. Just asked them to ring up a blank slip or ordered a drink over 12 bucks, so I could add in the extra amount. (I don't carry cash onboard.)

 

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