how do free drinks in bars and Diamond lounge work for Diamond members?

[steveweese]

I believe so, I've read of it working the other way. (I'm one of 10 million cruisers taking their first diamond cruise soon :) )

 

We are too. So with that list I can go to a bar and order a Mojito. Or not? The just have to use Bacardi rum. Is that correct?

[cruisinfanatic]

I forgot to mention that on the Freedom last week that the happy hour times were from 4:30 to 8 pm. Which was initially a little confusing because the sheet they have at all the bars listing the available beers and spirits says 5 to 8:30 pm. But, it was actually 4:30 pm to 8 pm for the entire cruise, as was stated on the letter delivered to our stateroom on the first day.

 

I should note that there is no wiggle room on the time at the bars onboard. Bartenders have to swipe your card to process the drink credit, and a receipt will print out that you must sign (and you can add a tip to it too). If you get to the bar at 8:02 pm, the free drink credit won't process and you are out of luck. You will have to pay.

 

As for getting a drink "to go" from the diamond lounge and taking it to dinner, the concierge gave me an honest assessment of the policy. The official policy is that you don't do it. But, when people do go ahead and do it, the concierge ends up in a catch 22 should he raise an issue about it. The guest either sits down, quickly chugs it and walks out miffed . . . or puts the full drink down and walks out miffed. Neither of which is an ideal result from his viewpoint. I don't blame him.

I think I've signed 2 receipts in the last 3 cruises total. I normally just leave the receipt and add tip to it.

[John&LaLa]

I think I've signed 2 receipts in the last 3 cruises total. I normally just leave the receipt and add tip to it.

 

I ended up with an extra $1 gratuity. It was from the last night and I wasn't going to stand in line for a dollar. That's what happens when you run out of singles. ;)

[Biker19]

I 'won' 3 shirts.

 

+1 last month - I thought those were just excess shirts they were trying to get rid of.:cool:

 

Now the lowest level "prize" is a friggin' RAFFLE TICKET and you have to be "present to win"!!!!

I planned to be there but no way was I staying up on the last of the cruise till the 11:15PM drawing when I have to be ready to get off the ship by 6:30AM the next day.

[cruisegirl1]

I sat down with 180 of them once.

 

Drove the casino staff crazy because a lot of them wouldn't register.

 

My current total is just under 50

 

Planning on tossing them in the surf on our beach.

 

Should drive metal detector guys crazy.

 

I've always felt that the actual coins are worth far more than any prize I'm likely to win.

 

Agreed. I save one coin every now and then, especially if it is a new batch and very shinny, and make a fridge magnet.

 

Marci

Edited April 5, 2016 by cruisegirl1

[cruisegirl1]

We are too. So with that list I can go to a bar and order a Mojito. Or not? The just have to use Bacardi rum. Is that correct?

 

Haven't been able to get a mojito. Not sure if others can offer more encouragement. Some bars will give me a lemon drop, others won't. Some will give a bloody Mary, some won't.

 

good luck

 

M

[John&LaLa]

Haven't been able to get a mojito. Not sure if others can offer more encouragement. Some bars will give me a lemon drop, others won't. Some will give a bloody Mary, some won't.

 

good luck

 

M

 

Laura got a frozen Midori lemonade in the theatre. ;)

 

And the waiter got a $4 tip. But he also brought me a Bailey's.

[molly361]

How can you overlook those extremely valuable free spins to win?:rolleyes:

 

Anybody want a keychain??:D:D

[Ocean Boy]

Haven't been able to get a mojito. Not sure if others can offer more encouragement. Some bars will give me a lemon drop, others won't. Some will give a bloody Mary, some won't.

 

good luck

 

M

 

Yeah, sometimes you just have to go bar shopping until you find the right bartender. This past cruise on Oasis I found one who was pretty willing to make me anything I wanted. He took care of me and I took quite good care of him.:)

[Nado44]

NEVER. Those refrigerators are NOT self-serve and they are NOT unlocked during non-cocktail hours.

 

What ship are you saying that you have experienced this?

 

Diamond Lounges on some ships have the lighted, see-through and well-stocked refrigerators that are situated right under the appetizer spread. It's easy to assume that they are self-serve given their location. I also remember asking a concierge if I could help myself to a can of soda and was told yes.

 

On our recent Freedom B2B, servers laid out a tray of glasses filled with wine and champagne during the busy cocktail hours. The tray would be replenished every 15 minutes or so. I imagine this alleviates stress on the part of servers.

 

I've also experienced the "honor bar" arrangement once. Can't recall which sailing but believe it was one where there were very few Diamonds on board.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Diamond Lounges on some ships have the lighted, see-through and well-stocked refrigerators that are situated right under the appetizer spread. It's easy to assume that they are self-serve given their location. I also remember asking a concierge if I could help myself to a can of soda and was told yes.

 

On our recent Freedom B2B, servers laid out a tray of glasses filled with wine and champagne during the busy cocktail hours. The tray would be replenished every 15 minutes or so. I imagine this alleviates stress on the part of servers.

 

I've also experienced the "honor bar" arrangement once. Can't recall which sailing but believe it was one where there were very few Diamonds on board.

 

I agree with Merion Mom. I have never seen those fridges open to help yourself, definitely not outside of the cocktail hour.

[cruisinfanatic]

Diamond Lounges on some ships have the lighted, see-through and well-stocked refrigerators that are situated right under the appetizer spread. It's easy to assume that they are self-serve given their location. I also remember asking a concierge if I could help myself to a can of soda and was told yes.

 

On our recent Freedom B2B, servers laid out a tray of glasses filled with wine and champagne during the busy cocktail hours. The tray would be replenished every 15 minutes or so. I imagine this alleviates stress on the part of servers.

 

I've also experienced the "honor bar" arrangement once. Can't recall which sailing but believe it was one where there were very few Diamonds on board.

where would the fridge be if it wasn't self serve?

[mek]

Can I use my card and DH's to get a beverage to take back to our cabin? He has mobility issues and it would be nice if I could run down without him to pick up a drink. Or if I just use my allocation up, can I then use his without him being there?

[cruisinfanatic]

Can I use my card and DH's to get a beverage to take back to our cabin? He has mobility issues and it would be nice if I could run down without him to pick up a drink. Or if I just use my allocation up, can I then use his without him being there?

I don't see why they would give you much of any grief about doing that. You could use his card to get the free drink too

[Grandma Dazzles]

where would the fridge be if it wasn't self serve?

 

Not sure. I have always thought for staff convenience and storage. On the independence last year I went to get coffee and it was really hot (just plain black coffee). I often drink coffee with milk/cream and I noticed cartons of milk in the fridge and figured I would get a carton of milk , but it had a lock on the door. I am sure with the number of people using the lounge they have to keep it locked. During the nightly cocktail hour they often store extra snacks and fruit there, so the doors are open, but I assume they lock them when cocktail time is finished.

[Nado44]

where would the fridge be if it wasn't self serve?

 

Perhaps in the fridges that are in the staff only areas behind the DL? Or right where they currently are but with appropriate "keep out" signage.

[squadron]

Haven't been able to get a mojito. Not sure if others can offer more encouragement. Some bars will give me a lemon drop, others won't. Some will give a bloody Mary, some won't.

 

good luck

 

M

 

Probably depends on how busy the bar tenders are. On the Serenade recently - lemon drops, long island iced teas were being made.

[AZAficionado]

Probably depends on how busy the bar tenders are. On the Serenade recently - lemon drops, long island iced teas were being made.

Busy makes a difference. As does tipping, or the lack of it. On my last cruise, a 15 night, by the end of the cruise, the bartenders were pretty strict with the Diamond folks when it came to mixed drinks that required extra work. I didn't see any tipping going on, so I don't blame them.

 

By contrast, on other cruises, I've seen bartenders making all kinds of fancy drinks with the listed liquors for Diamond folks. Those people were almost always tipping, and tipping well.

[Merion_Mom]

Anybody want a keychain??:D:D

 

Since they have stopped giving those out, they should become more valuable! ;) :D

[cruisinfanatic]

Busy makes a difference. As does tipping, or the lack of it. On my last cruise, a 15 night, by the end of the cruise, the bartenders were pretty strict with the Diamond folks when it came to mixed drinks that required extra work. I didn't see any tipping going on, so I don't blame them.

 

By contrast, on other cruises, I've seen bartenders making all kinds of fancy drinks with the listed liquors for Diamond folks. Those people were almost always tipping, and tipping well.

I always have at lease a couple bucks showing when I order

[Merion_Mom]

Diamond Lounges on some ships have the lighted, see-through and well-stocked refrigerators that are situated right under the appetizer spread. It's easy to assume that they are self-serve given their location. I also remember asking a concierge if I could help myself to a can of soda and was told yes.

 

On our recent Freedom B2B, servers laid out a tray of glasses filled with wine and champagne during the busy cocktail hours. The tray would be replenished every 15 minutes or so. I imagine this alleviates stress on the part of servers.

 

I've also experienced the "honor bar" arrangement once. Can't recall which sailing but believe it was one where there were very few Diamonds on board.

 

So you meant "during happy hour"?

 

I get what you said, then. The refrigerator is unlocked during the cocktail hours. The servers are supposed to get things out of it for you, but the concierge allowed you to get your own.

 

NOT during other times of day.

 

:)

[teecee46]

So... You can have 3 free drinks (from a list) at any of the bars - what drinks are available in the diamond lounge - only wine and sparkling wine or is the list on offer there too?

[Merion_Mom]

So... You can have 3 free drinks (from a list) at any of the bars - what drinks are available in the diamond lounge - only wine and sparkling wine or is the list on offer there too?

 

Have you read the posts in this thread?!?!?!?

[teecee46]

Yes

[maryann2]

So... You can have 3 free drinks (from a list) at any of the bars - what drinks are available in the diamond lounge - only wine and sparkling wine or is the list on offer there too?

 

See post 13:D

 

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