Do Royal Caribbean add an automatic additional charge when you buy a drink?

[ddvgww]

Have a friend coming on a NZ cruise with us soon on Ovation  We won't have a drinks bill as we get 4 free daily drinks  being Diamond members.  Our friend is trying to work out whether or not to buy the drinks package.   I know cocktails are around $15 each USD.  Do you pay an additional 18% on every drink you order or is that only applied if sailing from America?  Thanks to anyone who can clarify.

[ddvgww]

Forgot to mention tat our friend is not a Diamond member

[arxcards]

3 minutes ago, ddvgww said:

Have a friend coming on a NZ cruise with us soon on Ovation  We won't have a drinks bill as we get 4 free daily drinks  being Diamond members.  Our friend is trying to work out whether or not to buy the drinks package.   I know cocktails are around $15 each USD.  Do you pay an additional 18% on every drink you order or is that only applied if sailing from America?  Thanks to anyone who can clarify.

It doesn't just apply to sailing from America - but, the drink prices when sailing from Australia do include the gratuity in the menu price.. i.e. the $15ish cocktails has the 18% included. For comparison, the drinks package also has the 18% included.

[springaussie]

11 minutes ago, ddvgww said:

Have a friend coming on a NZ cruise with us soon on Ovation  We won't have a drinks bill as we get 4 free daily drinks  being Diamond members.  Our friend is trying to work out whether or not to buy the drinks package.   I know cocktails are around $15 each USD.  Do you pay an additional 18% on every drink you order or is that only applied if sailing from America?  Thanks to anyone who can clarify.

No you don’t have to pay the gratuities for drinks on cruises from Australia on Royal. 

The only exception maybe Serenade on her World Cruise

[MicCanberra]

The gratuities will already be included in the price for your cruise.