Poor service with beverage packages?

[marciab]

Anyone else have very poor service with drink pkg?

 

We just did a short(4 day) cruise on the Constellation with a group of extended family members. This was our 8th Celebrity cruise, but our first having the classic beverage package.

 

Let me preface by saying we aren't huge drinkers and we didn't only get the package for alcohol- my husband has a specialty coffee every morning, and I enjoy a diet coke at lunch.Our bar service in so many different areas of the ship was horrible. To our group it appears as though Celebrity has cut back their bar staff significantly. Coincidently or not,with so many passengers having drink packages.

 

The first night our group was going to meet in the martini bar for a drink before dinner. It was packed... Waited 10-15 minutes by the bar- no service, went to Michaels club- closed private event. Ended up in rendezvous , first night was empty, only took abt 10-15 min for service at our table.

 

In the MDR the first night, those who wanted wine had fairly decent service, but my husband wanted a beer(bar service). Took 3-4 request and 50 minutes to get one beer. We were all already served our entree. 2nd night was marginally better-35 min.

 

Other nights in Rendezvous we waited up to 30 min, having to go look for servers more than once.

 

I waited at a pool bar over 20 minutes for a can of diet coke, while I don't know how many ordered their fancy complicated drinks - used to be pool servers were passing us every 5 minutes!!! Now there are very few. Sat on deck 2 days for 2-3 hours never had anyone ask if I wanted anything.

 

We went to the show every night- never had any bar service. Saw one person serving in the theatre. Previously once we sat down we'd have service within 5 minutes.

 

We have an 11 night Northern Europe cruise booked on Infinity and also received the classic drink pkg as a perk. I am hoping not to waste an hour a day trying to get 2-3 drinks.

 

Has anyone else seen a decline in bar service since the drink pkgs have become so commonplace? Or was our experience an isolated instance? I would rather go back to paying for drinks and having good service!

[chicagopaul]

We haven't experienced bad service and we've always had a drink package (purchased and free) though I've only been on S Class ships. I have noticed that there are not many servers by the pool area, however, we've never had issues at the mast bar or pool bar. Never had an issue at the martini bar. Though I should preface that we are heavy drinkers and are typically on first name basis with the bartenders on the first day!

 

We have a 5 day cruise coming up in two weeks on the Connie. I hope that we don't have the same problems you did. However, I've noticed that cocktails or beer in MDR do take a while. We typically drink wine at dinner or bring in a martini and then switch to wine with the entree.

 

Anywho, I hope this is just an isolated incident and hopefully not the way celebrity is going with future cruises.

 

Cheers!

[MicCanberra]

Not on my last 4 cruises with X, I have had the package on all of them and on differing ships.:D

Edited January 13, 2014 by MicCanberra

[Azulann]

Was on the Constellation in November and will be on it again in one week.

Always had great service at Sunset bar, Mast Bar, and even around the pool deck. You do need to flag a server or catch their eye. You can always go to the portable bar to get your sodas, never a wait.

The martini bar is very crowded before the two different seating times for MDR, other times not so much and service is quicker.

You did not say how many people were in your group when you ordered drinks.

We were just two ordering drinks.

Sorry the service was so slow on your cruise.

[sawyer_boy]

Drink package would have nothing to do with poor service but should be the opposite as the bartenders get their tips from each sale they make.

[HappyTvlr]

Service at the pool does seem slow to me who gets a beer or something simple and has to wait for several mixed/frozen/blended drinks to be made, but hell I'm on a cruise and will have a frosty beverage in the near future so I can wait. The worst part of the bev packages promo on our last cruise was that they ran out of several kinds of beer and mixers at the Martini bar. That was unacceptable.

[SNJCruisers]

The worst part of the bev packages promo on our last cruise was that they ran out of several kinds of beer and mixers at the Martini bar. That was unacceptable.

If you're at the MARTINI Bar, then you should be drinking primarily martini's.....so you should not be too upset if a certain beer you want is not available. That's what Michael's Pub is for.

 

If you go to a seafood restaurant, don't be disappointed because you can't get a porterhouse steak. The same philosophy comes into play at the Martini bar or the Molecular bar. I would not expect to get a fancy martini at Michael's, so why should you expect a martini bar to have many different varieties of beer in large quantities?

[KaththeTaff]

Sorry to say thism, but service n the Eclipse last year was very hit and miss. In the Sky Lounge it was hopeless and DH decided he would go to the bar instead. On one occasion after having waited for about 20 mins to get served at all, the server brought my drink but not his, then disappeared.

 

The Martini Bar was pretty good overall, as was the Molecular Bar, while the Ensemble Lounge was either excellent or poor, and the bar in the atrium was consistently terrible. Al Bacio was pretty good, apart from one individual who was quite slow at taking orders and moving between tables. We thought she might have been new, though, so we cut her a bit of slack.

 

We thought that as a cool weather cruise there may hav ebeen some issues with rearranging the staffing roster. Some cold and wet sea days the outside bars seemed fully staffed but with no customers, while people were waiting ages inside. There seemed little point in opening something like the Mast Bar, and indeed, on some of the days it was closed, but on others open. It seemed illogical!

 

At the end of the cruise our conclusion was that the bar service was not as good as in the Med in 2012 on the Silhouette. And we had drinks packages on both, so I don't think it's anything to do with having a package or not.

[MicCanberra]

If you're at the MARTINI Bar, then you should be drinking primarily martini's.....so you should not be too upset if a certain beer you want is not available. That's what Michael's Pub is for.

 

If you go to a seafood restaurant, don't be disappointed because you can't get a porterhouse steak. The same philosophy comes into play at the Martini bar or the Molecular bar. I would not expect to get a fancy martini at Michael's, so why should you expect a martini bar to have many different varieties of beer in large quantities?

 

One issue with Michael's club is they are very often not open.:D

[CaroleSS]

We were on the Reflection this time last year and experienced long waits. I did find that the casino bar was not busy, so I'd swing my there to get my drinks if I was in the vicinity.

 

While I understand that the pool is busy, I'd also think that X should also know that and staff accordingly. Alas, that bar was the WORST! There were only two bartenders for all those people, so we finally gave up and used the bar in the buffet area.

 

I understand that the beverage package is a good product, but if you can't staff to accommodate all those on the package, it is rather frustrating. (or maybe THAT is how they make their money and keep you from drinking yourself silly!! :eek:)

[Hlitner]

We recently completed a 14 day Eclipse cruise and had no problem getting drinks. But one must keep in mind that there are only so many bar tenders and bar waiters, and if a huge crowd decides to cram into a single bar at the same time, there will be delays in getting a drink. If that happens you simply wait your turn or just walk over to a different bar where there is no crowd. We suspect this can be a worse situation on a very short cruise (less then a week) which often turn into "booze cruises" since they attract a high proportion of younger cruisers (who have less time to travel).

 

Hank

[JLSPOOL]

We were on the Reflection this time last year and experienced long waits. I did find that the casino bar was not busy, so I'd swing my there to get my drinks if I was in the vicinity.

 

While I understand that the pool is busy, I'd also think that X should also know that and staff accordingly. Alas, that bar was the WORST! There were only two bartenders for all those people, so we finally gave up and used the bar in the buffet area.

 

I understand that the beverage package is a good product, but if you can't staff to accommodate all those on the package, it is rather frustrating. (or maybe THAT is how they make their money and keep you from drinking yourself silly!! :eek:)

 

You can upgrade to the Premium drink pkg for less than 12 dollars pp per day and drink yourself silly. Are you likely to book another cruise. Yes.

 

jls

[dwhe]

If you're at the MARTINI Bar, then you should be drinking primarily martini's.....so you should not be too upset if a certain beer you want is not available. That's what Michael's Pub is for. .........

 

I'm sorry but that is quite a ridiculous assumption, a bar is a bar, even a Martini bar should carry a variety of drinks.

[CaroleSS]

You can upgrade to the Premium drink pkg for less than 12 dollars pp per day and drink yourself silly. Are you likely to book another cruise. Yes.

 

jls

 

We upgraded to the Premium package the last time and for our upcoming cruise. The Reflection was our first time with the package AND on a brand new ship. We were hoping it was just an issue with the newness of the Reflection and just not having all the kinks worked out yet.

 

I will mention that we also had troubles with our sommelier in the MDR. She was nice enough, but difficult to find when we wanted a refill. Again, hoping it was just a matter or working out the kinks. This go-round we are in Blu, so hoping for a more attentive sommelier.

 

I DO wonder if X tries to control how many drinks you have by reducing the number of bartenders. Harder to drink yourself silly if you have to walk from bar to bar!

[20pluscruises]

I'm sorry but that is quite a ridiculous assumption, a bar is a bar, even a Martini bar should carry a variety of drinks.

 

They can...there is an area behind the door (in the Martini Bar) where they can get anything you need. If they didn't get it for you...they are being lazy and not doing their job!

[20pluscruises]

We upgraded to the Premium package the last time and for our upcoming cruise. The Reflection was our first time with the package AND on a brand new ship. We were hoping it was just an issue with the newness of the Reflection and just not having all the kinks worked out yet.

 

I will mention that we also had troubles with our sommelier in the MDR. She was nice enough, but difficult to find when we wanted a refill. Again, hoping it was just a matter or working out the kinks. This go-round we are in Blu, so hoping for a more attentive sommelier.

 

I DO wonder if X tries to control how many drinks you have by reducing the number of bartenders. Harder to drink yourself silly if you have to walk from bar to bar!

 

I'm going to get beat up for this...but it's true...

 

I started ordering my martinis in the LARGE glass. Next time you're on the ship stick your finger in the small martini glass..you will notice how very thick the glass gets as you slide your finger down inside the glass.

[CaroleSS]

I'm going to get beat up for this...but it's true...

 

Won't get any beatings from me! I've noticed the same thing at restaurants....not only for drinks, but for desserts too! That glass only LOOKS big!

[20pluscruises]

Won't get any beatings from me! I've noticed the same thing at restaurants....not only for drinks, but for desserts too! That glass only LOOKS big!

 

:) ...and you know now I'm going to be checking out my next desert dish. :)

Edited January 13, 2014 by 20pluscruises

[Gracie115]

Anyone else have very poor service with drink pkg?

 

We just did a short(4 day) cruise on the Constellation with a group of extended family members. This was our 8th Celebrity cruise, but our first having the classic beverage package.

 

Let me preface by saying we aren't huge drinkers and we didn't only get the package for alcohol- my husband has a specialty coffee every morning, and I enjoy a diet coke at lunch.Our bar service in so many different areas of the ship was horrible. To our group it appears as though Celebrity has cut back their bar staff significantly. Coincidently or not,with so many passengers having drink packages.

 

The first night our group was going to meet in the martini bar for a drink before dinner. It was packed... Waited 10-15 minutes by the bar- no service, went to Michaels club- closed private event. Ended up in rendezvous , first night was empty, only took abt 10-15 min for service at our table.

 

In the MDR the first night, those who wanted wine had fairly decent service, but my husband wanted a beer(bar service). Took 3-4 request and 50 minutes to get one beer. We were all already served our entree. 2nd night was marginally better-35 min.

 

Other nights in Rendezvous we waited up to 30 min, having to go look for servers more than once.

 

I waited at a pool bar over 20 minutes for a can of diet coke, while I don't know how many ordered their fancy complicated drinks - used to be pool servers were passing us every 5 minutes!!! Now there are very few. Sat on deck 2 days for 2-3 hours never had anyone ask if I wanted anything.

 

We went to the show every night- never had any bar service. Saw one person serving in the theatre. Previously once we sat down we'd have service within 5 minutes.

 

We have an 11 night Northern Europe cruise booked on Infinity and also received the classic drink pkg as a perk. I am hoping not to waste an hour a day trying to get 2-3 drinks.

 

Has anyone else seen a decline in bar service since the drink pkgs have become so commonplace? Or was our experience an isolated instance? I would rather go back to paying for drinks and having good service!

 

WOW! We were on Connie in Dec. for a 5 night cruise and had the package and had the BEST service we've ever had. We purposely get "to know" a bartender or two at different locations and they were always responsive ... we love the package, no checks to sign, no bill at the end....and we thought great service too...sorry you had a different experience.

[vermonter16]

We've done two cruises and had the drink package and never a problem. As far as a beer being available at the Martini Bar - sure, they should carry a variety of beverages and they do - but you can't expect every single bar to have every single beverage.

[brickellcruiser]

I know this thread is regarding Celebrity, but on our last Royal Caribbean cruise we did the premium drink package and we noticed that the service was not very good. The tips are included,but they are shared among the crew members so the servers have no motivation to come over to you asking if you want more drinks. We definitely had to do a little more leg work to get a drink. Usually the bartenders/waiters are all over us. One server even had the audacity to say" Oh, I see you have the drink package, good for you, bad for us." I couldn't believe my ears! Suffice to say we will no longer be getting the package not only because of the subpar service but because we ended up forcing ourselves to drink even more than what we are used to and we like buying drinks for our friends.

[miched]

I found the service to be very good. Most times I wouldn't have finished my drink and they were ready to give me another.

 

 

.⛄💨🍻🍸

[Murray's Pop]

Have to agree with those that say the service was sporadic. We had the premium package on our Century cruise in October. For the most part service was good, however in some of the bars it was not - especially in the Sunset Bar. It was kind of obvious that those passengers who did not have the drink package were getting more "attentive" service from the bar/wait staff than those with the package.

 

Don't get me wrong, we loved the Premium Drink Package and if we ever sail again on Celebrity would definitely get it. I think that Celebrity has the best package of all cruise lines.

Edited January 13, 2014 by Murray's Pop

[Gig103]

I found that the only slow bar service was the dining room (we only saw the guy once a night) and the pool (one bartender is not enough by the pool!) I don't know if I'd attribute it to the drink package or not though, I don't have enough experience with Celebrity to compare the 'old days'

[webecruzin2]

Have to agree with those that say the service was sporadic. We had the premium package on our Century cruise in October. For the most part service was good' date=' however in some of the bars it was not - especially in the Sunset Bar. It was kind of obvious that those passengers who did not have the drink package were getting more "attentive" service from the bar/wait staff than those with the package.

 

Don't get me wrong, we loved the Premium Drink Package and if we ever sail again on Celebrity would definitely get it. I think that Celebrity has the best package of all cruise lines.[/quote']

 

 

We had the same experience on a 5 nighter on the Century last year. It took about 45 mins for a drink in the martini bar and even longer at the sunset bar.

They only had 1 or 2 servers at each bar.

One of the passengers at the martini bar complained loudly until finally an officer came to help.

I suspect this is how they're making up for the generous drink packages.

Recently on Azamara for the first time. Almost all drinks are included in the fare and we never had to wait for a drink. Of course the fares are triple what they are on X so this is apples to oranges. Still you would expect X to have excellent service as well.

Maybe they've improved but my guess is this is probably noticed by other X passengers that don't post here because almost everyone we spoke to on that ship had the same complaint. Other wise we thoroughly enjoyed our cruise.

Will be on the Silhouette next summer and hope this 123go deal isn't going to affect the service.

Just MHO.