Choice of Drink Vouchers or Elite Lounge Happy Hour

[Lsimon]

Personally, we just buy a martini at the martini bar. I don't drink a lot and for what I do drink I prefer the top shelf spirits which are not included with the vouchers.

[MicCanberra]

I personally do not think the voucher system for Elites is that bad, I prefer to drink in the Ensemble bar or the Passport bar.

BTW, they may go to the vouchers for Elites permanently, especially if they are going to have a higher level using the lounge in the future.:D

Edited November 17, 2013 by MicCanberra

[TroubleT]

No, but I've seen people use a coupon or two for glasses of wine that they'd then carry to dinner. This isn't allowed when they have the regular Social Hour in a lounge as no drinks can be taken out. But I don't think it is an issue when the coupons are good all over.

 

Right on the money! I like HH and I don't have a problem with voucher system. But it would be great if Celebrity allowed to use coupons in MDR. As Crazy Cruizer mentioned: people carry the glasses with wine to MDR creating a hassle and the staff has to help them to bring those glasses to their tables. So what is the difference: to order the same cheap glass of wine in MDR using the coupon and save my dress from being ruined by someone with shaky hands or try to sneak that glass of wine in MDR from "allowed bar"?

[Christine Frances]

A lot of the Late Seating people have a few drinks from 5-7 and then go to the show before dinner. The HH times are actually set up quite good for late diners - early seating not so much:(

 

Sorry. Meant to quote Tnt10.

Edited November 17, 2013 by Christine Frances

[cruisegirl1]

Just curious: How does one handle this with late seating in the MDR?

Order all 3 of drinks at 6:55, and drink them until 8:30 or 8:45 dinner time?

Just asking...

Thanks,

tnt

 

Same as a 5-7 cocktail hour. If one had late dinner, and wanted a free drink it had to be ordered at the cocktail hour prior to 7 PM. Then at 7, you ordered a drink and paid, or left the lounge and enjoyed the ship activities ( dinner, show, casino, etc, ) There is no difference with the vouchers.

 

On our last cruise, we went to the lounge about 6:30 each night ( we had late dinner and often returned to the ship after 5) and had time for one drink. Some nights we never made it at all. If we have vouchers, we will likely go to a bar at 6:30 and have one drink.

 

 

One does not HAVE to drink three drinks each night. We usually drank one, maybe 2 ( and the second was generally soda) when they were unlimited, so I imagine we'll drink one, maybe 2 when we get three. I certainly don't care if a voucher goes unused as we never tried to drink unlimited in the cocktail hour.

 

I guess with the vouchers we can stop by a bar just after 5 and take a free drink with us to the cabin. Then shower/dress and return to the bar later ( but before 7) for a more relaxed drink with friends.

 

 

 

enjoy

M

Edited November 17, 2013 by cruisegirl1

[phoenix_dream]

Had vouchers for the first time on our last cruise and I am now a big fan. No complaints, but if I could manage it the way I wanted to I would make a couple changes. First, I would honor it anywhere liquor is sold. As long as you stay within the dollar amounts why not. As long as the waiters or sommeliers keep the coupons and turn them in and get their 15% gratuity (I presume they still do??) then what is the difference. Second, I would eliminate the time constraint. What difference does it make if they are used at 7:30 versus 6:30? If they think this would increase the usage too much I would (gasp:eek:) go to two coupons instead of three. The flexibility would be worth it to me. On our cruise the bars were absolutely jammed from 5-7 - sometimes nearing standing room only.

 

My opinion only. Once again, not complaining, just explaining how I would tweak it if I was in charge:)

[Cruise Raider]

Everyone has their preference of vouchers or HH lounge.

 

Do you think that it would be better and help if on every cruise you were given drink vouchers and you then have the choice of using them or going to the HH lounge? If you choose the lounge you would give all of your vouchers to the host when you entered. You could change your use every day. The vouchers would still have the restrictions of being used during the same times with the same drink menu.

 

I haven't been on a cruise that used vouchers. If you are Elite with the drink package do you still receive vouchers if that cruise is using the voucher system?

 

 

.:D

 

That is the best option yet!! I have read that the Elite members love the lounge -- and just how many drinks can you down in 2 hours anyway? Well, that is probably up to the population.

Anyhow, I think that would alleviate the 'lounge issue' of being overcrowded with the growing number of Elite passengers. Our friend, who is also elite, had to make sure he got 'dressed' to go into the lounge for the Elite cocktail hour. He was wearing a nice pair of Khaki shorts but made to go change if he wanted to enter the lounge. We could have just met him down in the martini bar instead. This idea gives people the ultimate option.....when it is full, it is full and then you can use your vouchers elsewhere if skunked out from getting into the lounge.

[4774Papa]

What bars can we use the vouchers?

[vivi9909]

We reached the Elite status during our last cruise in september. We will then enjoy the benefits of it for the first during our TA next April.

 

We always took the Premium beverage package and we don't understand all these discussions about the coupons. What's the value of them if you have a beverage package? Should I understand that the experienced Elite don't purchase the beverage package to use your 5-7 coupons? What about your other drinks (sangria or beer with lunch, afternoon cocktail by the pool, wine with dinner, late night Molecular Bar cocktail)? Isn't the beverage package still valuable?

 

I've also read somewhere that these coupons have some value for the staff. Can you use them as a valuable tip when ordering drinks during the day?

[4774Papa]

We reached the Elite status during our last cruise in september. We will then enjoy the benefits of it for the first during our TA next April.

 

We always took the Premium beverage package and we don't understand all these discussions about the coupons. What's the value of them if you have a beverage package? Should I understand that the experienced Elite don't purchase the beverage package to use your 5-7 coupons? What about your other drinks (sangria or beer with lunch, afternoon cocktail by the pool, wine with dinner, late night Molecular Bar cocktail)? Isn't the beverage package still valuable?

 

I've also read somewhere that these coupons have some value for the staff. Can you use them as a valuable tip when ordering drinks during the day?

We never purchase a beverage package. We don't buy bottled water, specialty coffee, cokes, etc. Also, we could never drink enough alcohol to justify paying $55 per day per person.

[tnt10]

Had vouchers for the first time on our last cruise and I am now a big fan. No complaints, but if I could manage it the way I wanted to I would make a couple changes. First, I would honor it anywhere liquor is sold. As long as you stay within the dollar amounts why not. As long as the waiters or sommeliers keep the coupons and turn them in and get their 15% gratuity (I presume they still do??) then what is the difference. Second, I would eliminate the time constraint. What difference does it make if they are used at 7:30 versus 6:30? If they think this would increase the usage too much I would (gasp:eek:) go to two coupons instead of three. The flexibility would be worth it to me. On our cruise the bars were absolutely jammed from 5-7 - sometimes nearing standing room only.

 

My opinion only. Once again, not complaining, just explaining how I would tweak it if I was in charge:)

 

Agree!

Happy Cruising,

tnt

[MicCanberra]

We reached the Elite status during our last cruise in september. We will then enjoy the benefits of it for the first during our TA next April.

 

We always took the Premium beverage package and we don't understand all these discussions about the coupons. What's the value of them if you have a beverage package? Should I understand that the experienced Elite don't purchase the beverage package to use your 5-7 coupons? What about your other drinks (sangria or beer with lunch, afternoon cocktail by the pool, wine with dinner, late night Molecular Bar cocktail)? Isn't the beverage package still valuable?

 

I've also read somewhere that these coupons have some value for the staff. Can you use them as a valuable tip when ordering drinks during the day?

 

I suppose it is the meet up rather than the drinks that some people will be missing. But I agree, if you have a package the coupons are nothing.:D

[Andre1960]

I'm leaving in April on the Regal Princess I just turn Platinum and I would like to know if there is a special bar where you can get your drink.

[az_tchr]

Wrong board - you are asking a question about Princess.

[woody14h]

Royal Caribbean does it so much better for their Diamond/Elite passengers. 3 drinks are embedded in your sea pass for use from 5-7. In addition, Diamond lounge is open for unlimited at the same time.

[CruisingChick]

Royal Caribbean does it so much better for their Diamond/Elite passengers. 3 drinks are embedded in your sea pass for use from 5-7. In addition, Diamond lounge is open for unlimited at the same time.

 

Actually Diamond Lounge drink hours and 3 drinks on your card are 5 PM - 8:30 PM on RCCL ships.

[helen haywood]

This thread is three years old....