Extra tip upon service with drink package.

[GottaLuvCruising]

I used to be a bartender so I know the value of tipping. a $1 tip goes a long way. I seriously doubt that their supervisor would do anything if they end up serving the person that tips first. I never consider a tip a bribe.

 

Another thing to note is depending on how many drinks you get when you have the drink package your tip percentage will change. Someone that has 5 beers a day will most likely be tippnig the 18%. Somone that has 10 mixed drinks per day would end up tipping like 5%.

 

Personally I prefer to tip because it is just what I do. Last time we were on the Allure I probably tipped the two bartenders in the Rising Tide bar over $50. We were there every day, they always made our drinks right away and we got to know them. They even gave us drinks as they were closing down one of the nights.

 

My favorite bar tender usually gets a thank you note and extra $20 on the last evening, as well as being mentioned on my survey.

[GottaLuvCruising]

We always tip bartenders we like when ordering the drinks and never get a receipt to sign when doing that, if I happen to not have any ones with me when ordering the receipt is always given to sign. Have had all but one bartender put it in the bucket to share and she slid it in her pocket. I always fold the bill and put it behind the card leaving it up to the bartender if they want to share it or just palm it and keep it but almost always they share it. Our service has always been superb where the bartenders know us by name, never make us wait and usually have the drink started before we get all the way to the bar. Both my husband and I worked in bars through school and both tip for great service above and beyond and find that $1 a round goes along way. We usually board with $100 in ones and leave with some. $100 for great bar service our entire vacation is well worth it. I have always considered the 18% a service charge and not a tip as it is considered part of their salary and the they get a lower base salary. Do whatever you are comfortable with but if you are going to tip per round I suggest handing the tip with your card and they will not bother handing you a receipt to sign.

 

 

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I like it! I like your perspective, your experience, your attitude and methodology. This will be our model. Thank you!

[George C]

Not regarding the tip: When your wine (or other drink) is more than $12, do you pay only the difference in cost? I didn't realize that might be an option.

 

Yes. most of the wine by glass we like is 2 or 3 dollars extra, so if wine is 15 dollars we get a bill for 3 dollars plus tip ( 18 percent) of the 3 dollars, also do this on a few scotches that are a couple of dollars over limit, but almost all drinks are covered

[George C]

My favorite bar tender usually gets a thank you note and extra $20 on the last evening, as well as being mentioned on my survey.

 

Great point we did same for the casino bartender on Brilliance on last cruise.

[BillDg]

Totally agree.

[BillDg]

Great point we did same for the casino bartender on Brilliance on last cruise.

 

I like it! I like your perspective, your experience, your attitude and methodology. This will be our model. Thank you!

 

 

Perfect......

[shipshape sam]

This will be our 44th cruise, but first time with RCI drink package. On Carnival (where we have purchased the drink package) my understanding is that if we put additional tip on the receipt, it is pooled among all servers. SO...we carry one dollar bills and tip our specific server (where on Carnival, I understand that the server gets to keep it.)

 

Is that the case on RCI? Since there are two of is, will we each get a separate receipt with each drink? Since we paid gratuity on package, we generally tip $1 each time both of us get a drink at the bar. If server brings a drink to us, we each tip $1. Doing so, on Carnival, server(s) watch for us - service is fantastic and personal.

 

What is the best strategy on RCI to ensure quick service, good drinks, our server gets his/her tips?

 

Anything above the required gratuity is, for us, in cash and HANDED TO THEM. I find that I get a 'thank you' and they tend to remember me! Does it get me anything better? I think it gets me, on repeat visits, acknowledged service vs zombie service.

[grapau27]

Several years ago we were in the night club on Oriana early when it was

 

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[grapau27]

Several years ago we sat in the night club on Oriana.The music was good but it was quite empty and they had 2 waiters on but we were not bothered about a drink but would have got one but for 1 hour neither of the waiters came over to see if we wanted anything.

 

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