tipping while on the Cheer's beverage package

[Pellaz]

Just off the Magic last week and we had Cheers.  We would tip $1.00 on the receipt for each alcoholic drink except in the (rare) cases where the bartender was abrupt.    I also had sodas at times (included with Cheers) and I'd tip 50 cents on those.  

 

There was NO question that in several cases, our extra tips garnered better and more personal service from our bartenders -- the aft pool bartender in particular, who would see me coming after the second day, greet me by name and prioritize my drink. 

 

Sure, we know we've already paid the 15%.  We simply choose to tip our servers directly since we know the money goes to them.  At the end of the day it doesn't cost us THAT much more and the smiles and nods we see from our servers and bartenders make it all worthwhile.  

 

[LMaxwell]

So you're giving extra not because the service warranted it (you specifically mention unfriendly service) but because you FEEL bad.   Here is an interesting article related to that phenomenon 

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-want-20-for-handing-me-a-muffin-the-awkward-etiquette-of-ipad-tipping-1539790018

[Lottacruises]

11 hours ago, coevan said:

of course you are only talking about Cheers?

 

As far as signing credit cards, we require it and the server checks the CC folder. There is generally a tip involved and my only protection from fraud is a signed CC card. If not signed the processor will not stand behind you. 

 

[LMaxwell]

I haven't read the whole thread, but have we hit the part where people that aren't giving an additional 15-30% on top of the 15% are being called cheap or other nonsense by financially illiterate guilt ridden anonymous keyboard warriors? 

[Lottacruises]

28 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

So you're giving extra not because the service warranted it (you specifically mention unfriendly service) but because you FEEL bad.   Here is an interesting article related to that phenomenon 

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/you-want-20-for-handing-me-a-muffin-the-awkward-etiquette-of-ipad-tipping-1539790018

 

Sorry, can't read the article. However, I have no issue in pressing no tip and not feel guilty about it.

[LMaxwell]

Just now, Lottacruises said:

 

Sorry, can't read the article. However, I have no issue in pressing no tip and not feel guilty about it.

I'll see if I can find an alternate link; it's a pretty interesting read.  One of the people interviewed can't shake their guilt. 

[Saint Greg]

10 hours ago, Purvis1231 said:

I never noticed anyone tipping the bartenders with cash in hand. 

 

I do it. I throw a dollar in the book. If there is no book I attach it to the receipt with the pen.

[Havingfun2010]

11 hours ago, coevan said:

of course you are only talking about Cheers?

 

As far as signing credit cards, we require it and the server checks the CC folder. There is generally a tip involved and my only protection from fraud is a signed CC card. If not signed the processor will not stand behind you. 

 

If you use a chip card reader, than you are protected against fraud.  I'm not telling you how to run a business, and that isn't really the question.  When the laws changed, those with chip card readers are protected, and those without, have to assume the risk.  You have chosen to accept the risk.  Getting back to the actual question.  When purchased a drink package, most purchase it pre-cruise.  At that time, is when the credit card is signed.  The in house receipt is still only a solicitation for a tip.  It is not a credit card receipt. 

[coevan]

you probably have never dealt with a CC company when someone questions a charge. We have to provide copies with signatures. Just because you have a chip reader does no mean you will win a fraud claim. 

[hbrote]

I also tip  an extra Dollar per drink but fold them into a ring.  Easy to  do and a great way for the bartenders to remember you in the crowd.

[nyo1011]

I do cheers as well and do not tip extra every drink...I do tip for the staff who go above and beyond the call of duty....The server on lido who takes your order and brings your drink to you then notices when its empty and brings you another....oh and he doesn't need your card again because he already knows the number....or the bartender in the casino who would wait for us on our way to dinner... take our cards...swipe them...make our Scooby snack shot ( that she had recommended on first night...yum!) then pour our moscato's for us to take to dinner and would also make virgin strawberry daiquiris for the three teenagers in our group but never took their cards....she also never gave us a receipt to sign.....I gave her $5 cash every evening and so did my SIL. The one's who make your cruise a special vacation deserve more than the standard tip.....the person on the lido deck bar that is pouring frozen drinks as fast as he can and handing them out without even looking at you is doing his job appropriately but doesn't get anything extra from me  

[Lottacruises]

5 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

I'll see if I can find an alternate link; it's a pretty interesting read.  One of the people interviewed can't shake their guilt. 

 

Lol, poor them. I think of my family that I would rather give the money to. I think of the work I do to earn that money, versus the work they have to do to earn it. Suppose it takes 30 seconds to assist me and the tip is $1.00. That's $2 per minute. If their whole job all day long consisted of doing this, that would be $120 per hour. If they work 40 hours per week, doing this one thing, and only earning the tip of $1.00, that's $250,000 per year. Is it worth that $1.00 tip? To me, no. 

[SNJCruisers]

6 hours ago, Lottacruises said:

 

Lol, poor them. I think of my family that I would rather give the money to. I think of the work I do to earn that money, versus the work they have to do to earn it. Suppose it takes 30 seconds to assist me and the tip is $1.00. That's $2 per minute. If their whole job all day long consisted of doing this, that would be $120 per hour. If they work 40 hours per week, doing this one thing, and only earning the tip of $1.00, that's $250,000 per year. Is it worth that $1.00 tip? To me, no. 

Talk about convoluted logic.  It's one thing if the bartender is opening a beer or pouring a shot, then the included tip from Cheers would be sufficient.  It's a whole other story if one of the mixologists from Alchemy is concocting a special drink for you.  Those are worthy of an extra 0.50-1.00.  Or do you still have alligator arms at that point?

[Lottacruises]

24 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

Talk about convoluted logic.  It's one thing if the bartender is opening a beer or pouring a shot, then the included tip from Cheers would be sufficient.  It's a whole other story if one of the mixologists from Alchemy is concocting a special drink for you.  Those are worthy of an extra 0.50-1.00.  Or do you still have alligator arms at that point?

 

 

50 cents???? Lol

[coevan]

I would never leave change for a tip. I tip a buck for a $3 cup of coffee at home.

[SNJCruisers]

26 minutes ago, Lottacruises said:

 

 

50 cents???? Lol

Leaving a dollar for every two drinks ends up giving the mixologists at Alchemy about an extra 40 bucks in tips over the course of the week.   Which is 40 bucks more than what comes out of your deep pockets from your short arms.

[Lottacruises]

23 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Leaving a dollar for every two drinks ends up giving the mixologists at Alchemy about an extra 40 bucks in tips over the course of the week.   Which is 40 bucks more than what comes out of your deep pockets from your short arms.

Good for you, I'm sure its aappreciated.

[katiel53]

We always tip $1 or $2 extra per drink.  Assuming the drink package is $55 per day plus gratuities, if you drink 10 drinks a day, you are tipping less than 83cents per drink.  If you are getting a drink that's $10 as an example, and you were paying for it without a package, you'd be charged $1.50 as a tip. 

 

I have seen people complain that they weren't getting good service when they have the drink package or even with a soda package, but I can see where a bartender will want to serve someone who is tipping more faster than the guy who is tipping less than a buck a drink.  

 

I can't imagine not tipping that small bit extra, but I realize that there are many who do not do so. 

[rwdtgb]

We have done cheers on the past few cruises. We find a couple of bars we like (bartenders) and tip $1.00 or $2.00 per drink. If we go to a bar and they only pour a shot per drink then no additional tip is added. Alchemy we always tip extra once the mixologists get to know us and our drinks of choice without having to ask.

[moondog73]

on our last cruise, my wife and I had Cheers.  We tipped an extra dollar in cash each time we got something.  We made sure to try to go to the same bartenders and it really helped.  No matter how many people were in line, the bartenders would come right to us and wait on us first.  My time is worth more than the dollar I tipped extra.  I was on my merry way in no time while all the cheap people stood there and waited.  I would do it again on the next cruise too!

[pacruise804]

On 10/24/2018 at 9:20 PM, SNJCruisers said:

Leaving a dollar for every two drinks ends up giving the mixologists at Alchemy about an extra 40 bucks in tips over the course of the week.   Which is 40 bucks more than what comes out of your deep pockets from your short arms.

80 Alchemy drinks per week (average 11-12 per day) 😮My liver and pancreas (insulin for all the sugar) would never forgive me!

[SNJCruisers]

11 minutes ago, pacruise804 said:

80 Alchemy drinks per week (average 11-12 per day) 😮My liver and pancreas (insulin for all the sugar) would never forgive me!

Those numbers are between 2 people.

[pacruise804]

2 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

Those numbers are between 2 people.

 nevermind (said in best Gilda Radner voice 😉)

[Joebucks]

On 10/24/2018 at 8:09 AM, Havingfun2010 said:

 

If you use a chip card reader, than you are protected against fraud.  I'm not telling you how to run a business, and that isn't really the question.  When the laws changed, those with chip card readers are protected, and those without, have to assume the risk.  You have chosen to accept the risk.  Getting back to the actual question.  When purchased a drink package, most purchase it pre-cruise.  At that time, is when the credit card is signed.  The in house receipt is still only a solicitation for a tip.  It is not a credit card receipt. 

 

There are many different types of CC fraud. The chip was designed to reduce fraud made possible by it becoming easier to replicate a magnetic strip. There you could make your own card with your name on it, and no retailer would know the difference. The chip delivers a unique code.

 

The biggest kind of CC fraud is "unauthorized purchases". This is basically claiming that the authorized user of the card did not authorize this charge. There's many tall tales about this topic. However, when you dispute it, there will be investigations depending on the size of it. The chip has nothing to do with someone leaving themself a tip on your s&s account.

[Nein2]

On 10/18/2018 at 7:04 PM, kaseyj79 said:

My husband and I just got back from our first cruise on the Horizon and tipping left us fairly confused. Even though we pay 15% on top when we buy the package we felt very uncomfortable not tipping when we would our receipts w/ $0 on them. We ended up adding $1-$5 on each drink and that added up on top of already spending $719 for just the drink package. I have to ask how everyone else handles this situation? Do you add more or leave it blank?

 

Another thing that bugged me about the drink package was the bartenders always seemed so unhappy like they absolutely hate their jobs. It was quite annoying at times. Did anyone else notice this on their cruises? Its like they knew people pre-paid their tips so why bother? 

Never tip.  You already are at 15% that is too much already.