Gourmet Cooks Posted April 28, 2015 #1 Share Posted April 28, 2015 DW and I just returned from a cruise on the Navigator. Overall it was a good cruise and we had a good time. We were shocked that none of the bars had any nuts/snacks available. The one exception was the Vintages wine bar that did have some cheese, olives and prosciutto. Furthermore, we were shocked that to get a drink we had to go directly to the bar itself rather than have someone come to our seats in the bar/lounge area and wait on us. (Again, Vintages was the one exception) Then we had to carry our drinks back to our seats. What is the 18% service charge for anyway? I certainly did not receive any outstanding bar service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dplusd Posted April 28, 2015 #2 Share Posted April 28, 2015 The increase in Gratuity from 15% to 18% at the same time bar service is declining makes it difficult to understand/justify. I don't mind the gratuity when a server takes my order and delivers the drink. But that is not the norm on Royal ships today. I would think that with the increased drink prices AND higher gratuity Royal could hire enough staff to make ordering a cocktail an enjoyable experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryano Posted April 28, 2015 #3 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I certainly did not receive any outstanding bar service. Im not sure that exists anymore unless you tip heavily up front for it on TOP of the 18% :rolleyes: The Bull and Bear pub on Freedom had a "party mix" available on Freedom. I dont guess Navigator has that pub though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m*u*g* Posted April 28, 2015 #4 Share Posted April 28, 2015 There are always nuts in the bars on our cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39august Posted April 28, 2015 #5 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Yes, there is a pub on NOS. Usually if you ask for the party mix it is available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyD Posted April 28, 2015 #6 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I understand your feelings. But, if I was at a bar at home and went to the bartender myself to get a drink, I would still tip him/her. Wouldn't you? Understandably, maybe not as much if a server brought it to my table, but I would still tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted April 28, 2015 #7 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I understand your feelings. But, if I was at a bar at home and went to the bartender myself to get a drink, I would still tip him/her. Wouldn't you? Understandably, maybe not as much if a server brought it to my table, but I would still tip. Tip yes, tip "full value" no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sitzmark Posted April 28, 2015 #8 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I understand your feelings. But, if I was at a bar at home and went to the bartender myself to get a drink, I would still tip him/her. Wouldn't you? Understandably, maybe not as much if a server brought it to my table, but I would still tip. Odd, at home I prefer to either sit at the bar or go to the bar and get a drink myself rather than wait for a server. Much faster and better odds it's right the first time. That said I would assume that the bars would have some kind of salty snack food, most bars do if only to increase drink sales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug S Posted April 28, 2015 #9 Share Posted April 28, 2015 (edited) Just putting out shared bowls of bar snacks is a great way for one infected person to share their NORO bug with the ship. Kinda gross if you think about it. That is one concern that may be keeping the snacks off the bar-top and available to individuals on request. Edited April 28, 2015 by Doug S typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sitzmark Posted April 28, 2015 #10 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Just putting out shared bowls of bar snacks is a great way for one infected person to share their NORO bug with the ship. Kinda gross if you think about it. That is one concern that may be keeping the snacks off the bar-top and available to individuals on request. I've never been in one where everyone stuck their hands in it, I can say I'd abstain. The standard practice I always see is you ask and they give you a bowl. Perhaps in other bars in other towns they do something more "rustic" but I'll pass on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted April 28, 2015 #11 Share Posted April 28, 2015 There are always nuts in the bars on our cruises. I don't think the poster meant the "edible" kind! Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linedancer Posted April 28, 2015 #12 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I am just off the Liberty and we did have service at the tables in Olive and Twist and also in the pub. In Vintages we sat at the bar. In Olive and Twist one night we did get the nuts and in Vintages one night we did get cheese. I think it is hit or miss with the snacks, but even by the pool there was bar service. Liberty was wonderful and we were very happy with our service. Irene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidrow1950 Posted April 28, 2015 #13 Share Posted April 28, 2015 We had great service in the Schooner Bar from Ayu and Alex...never even had to ask for anything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missus Makkem Posted April 28, 2015 #14 Share Posted April 28, 2015 When we have been given nuts or snacks in bars they come in a tallish glass jar with a neck so you have to shake them out onto your hand, you cannot put your hand or fingers into the container so no contamination, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tserface Posted April 28, 2015 #15 Share Posted April 28, 2015 On Princess ships they have crunchies in a carafe looking thing that you can't get your hand into. That doesn't keep it from spreading germs, but it minimizes it some. I think they also refill them in between uses. On RCI ships we can get crunchies most of the time, but we've had to ask for them. Once the server remembers that we like them they often bring them automatically. We have our next cruise in a couple of weeks. I'll be curious to see how things have changed since the same time last year. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
depplep Posted April 28, 2015 #16 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Gone are the good old days of sitting in the Champagne Bar and being served, at your table, hot hors-d'oeuvres and caviar. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookwife Posted April 28, 2015 #17 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Odd, at home I prefer to either sit at the bar or go to the bar and get a drink myself rather than wait for a server. Much faster and better odds it's right the first time. That said I would assume that the bars would have some kind of salty snack food, most bars do if only to increase drink sales. NONE of my favorite bars do this any more. far too much of an expense for little to no profit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted April 28, 2015 #18 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Odd, at home I prefer to either sit at the bar or go to the bar and get a drink myself rather than wait for a server. Much faster and better odds it's right the first time. That said I would assume that the bars would have some kind of salty snack food, most bars do if only to increase drink sales. There you hit it on the head. With the explosion of drink packages, they aren't looking to increase sales, so salty snacks go west. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
link99 Posted April 29, 2015 #19 Share Posted April 29, 2015 DW and I just returned from a cruise on the Navigator. Overall it was a good cruise and we had a good time. We were shocked that none of the bars had any nuts/snacks available. The one exception was the Vintages wine bar that did have some cheese, olives and prosciutto. Furthermore, we were shocked that to get a drink we had to go directly to the bar itself rather than have someone come to our seats in the bar/lounge area and wait on us. (Again, Vintages was the one exception) Then we had to carry our drinks back to our seats. What is the 18% service charge for anyway? I certainly did not receive any outstanding bar service. Welcome to the WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vizeman Posted April 29, 2015 #20 Share Posted April 29, 2015 On 13 July 2005, while a guest on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Johnny Depp stated that a study done on bar peanuts revealed the presence of 27 different types of urine.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P&O Lynn Knickers Posted April 29, 2015 #21 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) We were shocked that none of the bars had any nuts/snacks available. Furthermore, we were shocked that to get a drink we had to go directly to the bar itself rather than have someone come to our seats in the bar/lounge area and wait on us. . Shocked ? A slight OTT remark dont ya think. I was shocked when I read this ! No, I was concerned to read that someone was "Shocked" to see no complimentary nuts in a bar. That is awful, a truly awful experience for you. Have you recovered, you poor poor thing. Shocked indeed. . Edited April 29, 2015 by P&O Lynn Knickers GO LYNN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SpainAlien Posted April 29, 2015 #22 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I would be shocked to see nuts in a bowl on a bar, these were pretty much banned in UK years ago given the number of germs typically found in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P&O Lynn Knickers Posted April 29, 2015 #23 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I would be shocked to see nuts in a bowl on a bar, these were pretty much banned in UK years ago given the number of germs typically found in them. agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rala Posted April 29, 2015 #24 Share Posted April 29, 2015 There are always nuts in the bars on our cruises. LOL...I don't think that is the kind of nuts the OP was looking for !!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P&O Lynn Knickers Posted April 29, 2015 #25 Share Posted April 29, 2015 LOL...I don't think that is the kind of nuts the OP was looking for !!!:D I missed that one..... Ha ha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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