Gratuity on beverages

[TheCalicoCat]

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

[DaveOKC]

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.

[TheCalicoCat]

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.

[rkorchid]

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.

[dakrewser]

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??

[OceanTraveller4ever]

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 :)

[dogo88]

We have used the SBP on the past few cruises and the gratuity is included. We do not tip extra.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We rarely have the same bar server any more -- thus we don't tip extra.

[catl331]

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!"

[Randyk47]

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.

[RuthC]

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

[qsuzi]

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

[TheCalicoCat]

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!

[Lizzie68]

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.

[CowPrincess]

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! :)

[RuthC]

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

[kazu]

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

[rkorchid]

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.

[cb at sea]

Tipping on the last night is how tips are done on cruises...

[OceanTraveller4ever]

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

[Lizzie68]

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".

[OceanTraveller4ever]

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

[Lizzie68]

Good for you. Now lets come down to earth :)

 

My earth is exactly as stated.:D

[dakrewser]

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.

[OceanTraveller4ever]

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