TheCalicoCat Posted January 22, 2016 #1 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Is SBP inclusive of the gratuities? I ask because the fare is exclusive of the daily hotel service charge & port taxes & because from what I read on the HAL website (quoted below) it is unclear. Our Signature Beverage Package* offers the convenience and value of paying one price per day for beverages enjoyed during the course of your cruise. A variety of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails (including non-alcoholic) from our many lounges, bars and restaurants After-dinner coffee drinks from the Explorer’s Lounge; made-to-order espresso drinks from the Explorations Café Refreshing sodas and beverages poolside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted January 23, 2016 #2 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Is SBP inclusive of the gratuities? I ask because the fare is exclusive of the daily hotel service charge & port taxes & because from what I read on the HAL website (quoted below) it is unclear. Our Signature Beverage Package* offers the convenience and value of paying one price per day for beverages enjoyed during the course of your cruise. A variety of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails (including non-alcoholic) from our many lounges, bars and restaurants After-dinner coffee drinks from the Explorer’s Lounge; made-to-order espresso drinks from the Explorations Café Refreshing sodas and beverages poolside Gratuities are included in the SBP. However, I do like to slip my regular servers a dollar or two now and again - they really appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCalicoCat Posted January 23, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Gratuities are included in the SBP. However, I do like to slip my regular servers a dollar or two now and again - they really appreciate it. We do too & the room service waiters & I slip the room stewards a couple twenties too. (Just need to know whether or not the $700+ is a base rate or inclusive) thanks for the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkorchid Posted January 23, 2016 #4 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I know this is a controversial topic. But we tip $1 a drink pp. We also tip the room stewards and the dining room stewards. $15 every two days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dakrewser Posted January 23, 2016 #5 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I know this is a controversial topic. But we tip $1 a drink pp. We also tip the room stewards and the dining room stewards. $15 every two days. Why every two days? Are you expecting them to go someplace else?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanTraveller4ever Posted January 23, 2016 #6 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Why every two days? Are you expecting them to go someplace else?? I guess they are expecting them to stay well put, and be happy :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare dogo88 Posted January 23, 2016 #7 Share Posted January 23, 2016 We have used the SBP on the past few cruises and the gratuity is included. We do not tip extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted January 23, 2016 #8 Share Posted January 23, 2016 We rarely have the same bar server any more -- thus we don't tip extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted January 23, 2016 #9 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I have often wondered if there is a computer based record of frequent passengers. It would rate your personality (grouch?), cleanliness(slob), great tipper (miser)? It seems sometimes that the room stewards are familiar with us. (Oh forgot this category "oh no! I can't believe I got that couple again!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyk47 Posted January 23, 2016 #10 Share Posted January 23, 2016 We rarely have the same bar server any more -- thus we don't tip extra. That's been our experience. Our favorite spot is the Crow's Nest and it used to be a server would focus in on us for pretty much the whole cruise and we would tip them at the end of the cruise. I hesitate to exactly make a direct cause and effect link but about the time HAL went to the beverage surcharge, and it seemed to concurrently reduced the wait staff, we noticed a drop off in service and rarely establish that one-on-one relationship with a server. Bottom line is we rarely tip a bar wait staff extra now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted January 23, 2016 #11 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I have often wondered if there is a computer based record of frequent passengers. It would rate your personality (grouch?), cleanliness(slob), great tipper (miser)? It seems sometimes that the room stewards are familiar with us. (Oh forgot this category "oh no! I can't believe I got that couple again!" I wouldn't know whether or not there's a formal system for reviewing the passengers, but I am -dam ;) sure there's a bush system going on. I have boarded a ship, and gone for service somewhere, and been treated like a queen right off the bat. Other stewards have seen it, and been right there for me, too. Love it. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qsuzi Posted January 23, 2016 #12 Share Posted January 23, 2016 (edited) I wouldn't know whether or not there's a formal system for reviewing the passengers, but I am -dam ;) sure there's a bush system going on. I have boarded a ship, and gone for service somewhere, and been treated like a queen right off the bat. Other stewards have seen it, and been right there for me, too. Love it. :D Deleted Edited January 23, 2016 by qsuzi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCalicoCat Posted January 23, 2016 Author #13 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I have often wondered if there is a computer based record of frequent passengers. It would rate your personality (grouch?), cleanliness(slob), great tipper (miser)? It seems sometimes that the room stewards are familiar with us. (Oh forgot this category "oh no! I can't believe I got that couple again!" I only wish I could cruise that often! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted January 23, 2016 #14 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I have often wondered if there is a computer based record of frequent passengers. It would rate your personality (grouch?), cleanliness(slob), great tipper (miser)? It seems sometimes that the room stewards are familiar with us. (Oh forgot this category "oh no! I can't believe I got that couple again!" I don't know if they do or not, but I am astounded when I encounter a steward or server that I have cruised with before and they remember my name - in a nice way, LOL!:) One example - last year I went to the aft Lido for sailaway and heard a server calling me from across the deck. He had been our server the year before. Just one example. I swear they have special talents to remember all those names and faces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowPrincess Posted January 23, 2016 #15 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I wouldn't know whether or not there's a formal system for reviewing the passengers, but I am -dam ;) sure there's a bush system going on. >SNIP< I absolutely agree that informal "intel" on passengers is shared among the crew. And if anyone deserves to be treated like royalty, RuthC, I am sure it is you! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted January 23, 2016 #16 Share Posted January 23, 2016 And if anyone deserves to be treated like royalty, RuthC, I am sure it is you! :) Aw, shucks. That is so sweet of you to say. :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted January 23, 2016 #17 Share Posted January 23, 2016 That's been our experience. Our favorite spot is the Crow's Nest and it used to be a server would focus in on us for pretty much the whole cruise and we would tip them at the end of the cruise. I hesitate to exactly make a direct cause and effect link but about the time HAL went to the beverage surcharge, and it seemed to concurrently reduced the wait staff, we noticed a drop off in service and rarely establish that one-on-one relationship with a server. Bottom line is we rarely tip a bar wait staff extra now. Interesting, I have found the opposite on the Prinsendan and even the Westerdam last year. Hope it's the same in a couple of months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkorchid Posted January 23, 2016 #18 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Why every two days? Are you expecting them to go someplace else?? This is on a 35-day cruise. I don't like to wait until the last night to tip. The two-day interval works well for me to tip the main attendant and his assistant in even numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted January 24, 2016 #19 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Tipping on the last night is how tips are done on cruises... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanTraveller4ever Posted January 24, 2016 #20 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Tipping on the last night is how tips are done on cruises... Agreed for room and MDR staff, but the discussion here is about drink serving staff. If you frequent the same bar, at the same time, its a good idea to tip a friendly barman to get decent drinks, as opposed to minimum weak mixes. A tenner at the beginning, and a tenner near the end will mean that the drinks ordered are more equitable ;). The savings accumulate according to the frequency of ordering (with a 21 day cruise in mind). JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted January 24, 2016 #21 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Agreed for room and MDR staff, but the discussion here is about drink serving staff. If you frequent the same bar, at the same time, its a good idea to tip a friendly barman to get decent drinks, as opposed to minimum weak mixes. A tenner at the beginning, and a tenner near the end will mean that the drinks ordered are more equitable ;). The savings accumulate according to the frequency of ordering (with a 21 day cruise in mind). JMO I have never done that - we tip our stewards and servers at the end of the cruise - and all our drinks have been the proper measures. We typically do 21 day cruises. I believe Hal servers are professional and do their job properly regardless of "bribery". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanTraveller4ever Posted January 24, 2016 #22 Share Posted January 24, 2016 (edited) I have never done that - we tip our stewards and servers at the end of the cruise - and all our drinks have been the proper measures. We typically do 21 day cruises. I believe Hal servers are professional and do their job properly regardless of "bribery". Good for you. Now lets come down to earth :) Edited January 24, 2016 by jpelleti007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted January 24, 2016 #23 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Good for you. Now lets come down to earth :) My earth is exactly as stated.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dakrewser Posted January 24, 2016 #24 Share Posted January 24, 2016 Good for you. Now lets come down to earth :) WE'are, you're the one with the weird outlook. While I won't deny that there are places where the staff always has their hand out (Vegas comes to mind), a HAL ship isn't one of them. Now, you'll probably say that the good service you get is proof that your bribe pays off. We'll counter that the good service we get shows it isn't necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanTraveller4ever Posted January 24, 2016 #25 Share Posted January 24, 2016 (edited) OK, have it your way. Tip at the end of the cruise only, and do not dare tip the drink serving staff. Please do it your way, I will do it mine. Comprende? Edited January 24, 2016 by jpelleti007 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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