Not enough Bar Staff

[Sitzmark]

They HAVE reduced the bar staff...keeps the "packages" from getting out of hand, profit-wise.

 

That might make sense except that they have a 15 drink cap that prevents the packages from getting out of hand.

 

 

There are also a lot of people who state that they don't buy the packages but still drink, it seems that reducing staff to slow the service would cut into the profit received from these purchases.

[Cinders411]

I went on a cruise Last April and we purchased the Cheers Pkg. and We couldnt get a drink, When I tell u we waited 15-20 minutes on Carnival Ecstasy . It was terrible. I am booked on the Vista in May and I read tons of posts same thing not enough bar help. I think when the Cheers program came out, They reduced there bar staff. I think Carnival needs more Bar help. I used to sit by the pool and people would bug me every 5 minutes Can I get u a drink. Now days not one time the whole cruise.

 

While on the Vista we encountered similar difficulties in getting served on the deck and at the bars. Prior to the drink packages, the lido deck had plenty of servers. I remember ordering a drink and having a different waiter ask if I wanted a drink, before it arrived. Those days are gone.

[BlazinSunsets]

The casino bar is awful for getting drinks it is by far the worst one. I waited forever one time and the bartender kept taking women's orders (who just got there) over mine. Eventually I had to shout at him that I was there way before these two women were and he made my drink. Luckily the sportsbar was nearby the casino on the Glory so I just used that often empty bar to get drinks afterwards. Same on deck, I would get a drink from the aft bar by the pool, nobody would be there most the time. Other than those few spots I never had a problem getting a drink and even on deck I would get one it would just be a little bit longer wait.

[hotsauce126]

Increasingly I find most bars are crowded with people getting their own drinks which is okay if you are not charged 18% gratuity on your drinks but as you are charged gratuitys its a much paying several dollars tip for doing their job for them.

 

love sailing with RCCL

 

What do you mean "getting their own drinks"? Like pouring their own drinks?

[13cheermom]

On the Magic last November at the Alchemy Bar got waited on quickly each and every time we sat down. Now we don't do the Cheers plan or tip anything above normal 15% added to bill. We did notice some beside us with Cheers kinda got skipped over at times when trying to obtain another drink. This was just our observations on that cruise.

 

 

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[beerman2]

TBH to be charged 18% gratuity on top of inflated drinks prices to get your own drinks is taking the Mick.If they can't supply waiter service they should take the gratuity off.

 

love sailing with RCCL

Maybe the pax are proactive and willing to get up and get their own. I for one don't NEED to be waited on if I want a drink.

 

Plus if you actually give a couple of dollars extra you DO get better service.

 

How that saying go

 

Money talks , BS walks.

[hotsauce126]

TBH to be charged 18% gratuity on top of inflated drinks prices to get your own drinks is taking the Mick.If they can't supply waiter service they should take the gratuity off.

 

love sailing with RCCL

 

Oh wait you're talking about tipping the bartenders? Do you not tip at bars on land if you order at the bar?

[KPfromCT]

So, we took a hiatus from Carnival last year, and cruised on Oasis (bucket list) lol......

However, prior to that, our last 2 cruises on the Breeze, there were TONS of servers coming around on both Lido and Panorama deck to see if we wanted drinks.

I am hoping that's the case on the Magic in June!!!!

It won't ruin the cruise if we have to go down and get our own, but if that's the case, it's definitely a cutback, which would shock me, because drinks are probably their biggest money maker........

[riclop]

That is good for me , we don't like being asked every couple of minutes.

[grapau27]

What do you mean "getting their own drinks"? Like pouring their own drinks?

 

 

love sailing with RCCL

[grapau27]

love sailing with RCCL

If I poured my own drinks I would be stealing and thrown off the ship.!!!!!!!

I have no problem with the 18% service charge if I am getting service like a waiter bringing our drinks to the table but what service is standing at a bar among many others being harassed trying to get served then having to carry several drinks back to the table without spilling them.

 

love sailing with RCCL

[grapau27]

Oh wait you're talking about tipping the bartenders? Do you not tip at bars on land if you order at the bar?

We are from England and yes I might leave the change but if we need several drinks on a ship I don't expect to pay $10+ service charge after waiting several minutes to be served then risk spilling our overpriced drinks coming back.

We have been coming to Florida for 25 years and never have to go to the bar in Longhorns or Denny's and we have been on 43 cruises so I am not new to cruising.

 

love sailing with RCCL

[grapau27]

What do you mean "getting their own drinks"? Like pouring their own drinks?

Are you for real?

 

love sailing with RCCL

[grapau27]

Maybe the pax are proactive and willing to get up and get their own. I for one don't NEED to be waited on if I want a drink.

 

Plus if you actually give a couple of dollars extra you DO get better service.

 

How that saying go

 

Money talks , BS walks.

Some of us 60 year olds have arthritis or might be disabled.

I am not desperate for a drink that I have to pay several dollars service charge and another several dollars to get favour at the bar.What happens when everyone goes to the bar throwing money around to be served first?

 

love sailing with RCCL

[StolidCruiser]

Some of us 60 year olds have arthritis or might be disabled.

I am not desperate for a drink that I have to pay several dollars service charge and another several dollars to get favour at the bar.What happens when everyone goes to the bar throwing money around to be served first?

 

love sailing with RCCL

 

The one who throws the most money gets served first.

 

Keep those several dollars you think you need to shell out for service. You'll continue getting the service you have gotten.

 

Your position (and demeanor) guarantees it.

[Bases5]

Maybe it is the fact of more people taking advantage in cheers, meaning the servers are busier.

THIS is what I think

[grapau27]

We are both part retired and go away every 6 weeks be it Spain England,Florida or 4 cruises a year.As my wife always tells me I leave too many tips which I don't mind if we are getting a modicum of service but to push myself in at a bar to get served (I go to the gym so if necessary I can) after already paying an 18% drinks service charge no im sorry but after 43 cruises when I haven't had to I don't expect to now.

 

love sailing with RCCL

[Briitini]

We dropped large ($10-$20) tips at bars we would be staying for a long time and had no issues with having drinks never be emptied. I am leaving the Vista today. I can see your point.. if we did not do this it could have been an issue.

 

I did notice WAY less servers. The comedy club had 2 each time I was there. None on the Havana pool area (bar is super close, but still).

 

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[grapau27]

The one who throws the most money gets served first.

 

Keep those several dollars you think you need to shell out for service. You'll continue getting the service you have gotten.

 

Your position (and demeanor) guarantees it.

What demeanour do you mean?I go to the gym and been an amateur boxer in my time so if I need a drink I will get one without having to throw a heap of money at the bar tender.

 

love sailing with RCCL

[grapau27]

The one who throws the most money gets served first.

 

Keep those several dollars you think you need to shell out for service. You'll continue getting the service you have gotten.

 

Your position (and demeanor) guarantees it.

I have replied to this post once but if I am waiting to be served at the bar and someone then comes and trys to get served before me it ain't going to happen full stop.The person will know and so will the bartender that isn't going to happen so you keep your money you think you need to shell out.

 

love sailing with RCCL

[wenny101]

I've never had a hard time getting a drink but I always give a little extra in cash per drink... it helps for better service.

[grapau27]

I've never had a hard time getting a drink but I always give a little extra in cash per drink... it helps for better service.

TBH when I have gone to the bar neither have i,it was just the arrogant obnoxious reply I got off a previous poster who was derogatory to me that needed to be told if you are waiting to be served just because he has given money previously to the bartender it doesn't give him preference just like if someone was AI front of me I would wait my turn and tell the barman the other person was here before me.

 

love sailing with RCCL

[firemanbobswife]

Automatic gratuity for bar purchases on Carnival is 15%, not 18%.

[grapau27]

So I understand. We have never sailed on a Carnival ship so my comments are for RCCL.

 

love sailing with RCCL

[grapau27]

Never had a problem on Carnival owned ships P&O,Princess etc which we have been on though.

 

love sailing with RCCL