Diamond Level Free Drinks

[taglovestocruise]

1 hour ago, Mikamarii said:

Ya that is what I figured....There are 4 of us that will hit diamond for the 2nd cruise.....4 drinks a day x 4 people x 16 days is a lot to the point I would feel awful if they got nothing from those drinks haha. 

I guess everyone believes what they believe. I was told by the Concierge in the Diamond Lounge last year on Quantum that the drinks through the voucher system have nothing in the way of tips going to the server or bartender.  I also asked about room service and he said most room service runners do it voluntarily as a way to get extra cash tips. If the delivery is free there is no tip to anyone, if the service fee applies then there is a small amount that goes into the ship pool.

[Wineaux007]

3 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I'm not interested in getting too heavily involved in the tip discussion, but...

 

Someone who claimed to have previously worked as a bartender on Oasis recently did an AMA on Reddit and claimed they they did indeed receive a tip when you use a voucher. The math was a bit convoluted but basically he said he received a little over $1 per drink from RC.

 

Believe it, don't believe it, just sharing.

I believe it.  That's why they go out of their way to ring up a bottle or two of water when you cash out your vouchers at the end of the evening.

[cruiseguy1016]

14 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

I have one in my hand within 90 seconds of getting on board 😉 

 

Impressive. I don't think I have ever hit the 90 second mark but it's usually soon after embarking. For some reason I always get my first one from the Pool Bar so it takes a little time to get up there.

[cruiseguy1016]

13 hours ago, Wineaux007 said:

I believe it.  That's why they go out of their way to ring up a bottle or two of water when you cash out your vouchers at the end of the evening.

 

In the past, I very seldom (10% of the time?) received a receipt for a Diamond drink. I just got off Jewel last week and I received a receipt for almost every Diamond Drink. Interestingly, toward the end of the cruise when the bartender knew he was going to get a cash tip from me, I received fewer receipts to sign.

[OCSC Mike]

25 minutes ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

In the past, I very seldom (10% of the time?) received a receipt for a Diamond drink. I just got off Jewel last week and I received a receipt for almost every Diamond Drink.

 

Same experience on Wonder last week.

[big al]

So guys & gals Diamond+ here...question: On cruises I only will drink 4 types of drinks: beer, apple martinis ( at dinner..), Sprite Zero AND a B-52 shot..in case you don't know, a B-52 is made of Kahlua, Grand Marnier and Bailey's ( FYI to remember what this , just think of the Russian intelligence group, the KGB to know what's in it...)..it's sweet & yummy..it's kinda like 1/3 shots of each liquor..I ALWAYS drink these on cruises.. so, do you think this will count as one drink or 3? The beers in the Diamond or now the "Crown" lounge stinks, so I get my beers at either the British Pub or Playmakers ( I like draft beers mostly..) Thanks!

 

Big Al

[Biker19]

2 minutes ago, big al said:

so, do you think this will count as one drink or 3?

Should be one.

[big al]

8 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Should be one.

 I love your answer, lol!

[erinsmom03]

Can the vouchers be used at the Vitality Cafe?

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, erinsmom03 said:

Can the vouchers be used at the Vitality Cafe?

 

Yes, but certain add-ins (like protein powder I guess, I don't know much about that stuff) may cost extra. I do know I took my niece to get a basic smoothie there before and she used a voucher.

[erinsmom03]

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

Yes, but certain add-ins (like protein powder I guess, I don't know much about that stuff) may cost extra. I do know I took my niece to get a basic smoothie there before and she used a voucher.

Thanks! We will definitely use some vouchers there this summer.

[SRF]

On 3/27/2024 at 3:22 PM, firefly333 said:

It does not include a gratuity. Some bring dollar bills to give to the bartender, some add a tip they write in. The cash tip I think they keep so I'm betting they prefer cash. 

It  depends.  I have seen several bars where the tips are put in a bucket, so shared by the whole bar staff.  Not sure if the share on for the staff of that bar or all the bars are also pooled.

[Angelp51]

Each day of the cruise, Diamond members receive four (4) complimentary drink vouchers, Diamond Plus members receive five (5) complimentary drink vouchers, and Pinnacle Club members receive six (6) complimentary vouchers up to $14 in value ($13 on Singapore sailings and $15 on Australia sailings). These vouchers can be used at any time and at any bar onboard or onshore at our private destinations. Drink vouchers may also be used toward a discount off the purchase of any bottle of wine — 20% off bottles over $100 and 40% off bottles under $100. Every time a drink voucher is redeemed, a zero-dollar ($0) receipt will be provided and must be signed. Youth members will receive the same daily allotment of complimentary vouchers as their parents of the same tier and may be used toward the purchase of non-alcoholic beverages (including mocktails). All drink vouchers reset daily at 5:00am and are redeemable until 4:59am the next day. Excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted Milkshake Bar.

7_Diamond Plus members receive 30% off and Pinnacle Club members receive 40% off the purchase of a Deluxe Beverage Package made onboard. May be redeemed at any bar or lounge. Prices subject to change without notice, gratuities may be added based on itinerary. Packages cannot be shared and are not transferable. All guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom and under the same stateroom booking number are required to purchase the same alcoholic beverage package. The minimum age for a guest to drink or possess alcoholic beverages on ships sailing from the U.S., Canada or the United Arab Emirates, and at our private destinations, is 21. The minimum age for a guest to drink or possess alcoholic beverages on ships sailing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is 18. In all other cases, the drinking age is between 18 and 21, depending on the cruise’s home port, scheduled itinerary and applicable local laws. Beverage Package refund requests must be submitted within 48 hours of purchase to be considered. Your check may reflect an additional tax for certain ports or itineraries. When ordering a beverage selection onboard, you must present your SeaPass card to your server. Package does not include mini bar items and souvenir glassware, specialty beers as listed on bar menus, or super premium category beverages above. All Beverage Packages and the Café Select Coffee Card exclude any beverages served inside licensed Starbucks® stores and or cafes. All Beverage Packages are subject to the terms of Royal Caribbean International’s Alcohol Policy. No cancellation after 48 hours from purchase.

[firefly333]

On 3/29/2024 at 9:53 AM, erinsmom03 said:

Can the vouchers be used at the Vitality Cafe?

They are the only place who has vitamin water, orange flavour only. Unless you happen to see a blue cart full of ice, before a port day, I've seen them on one ship in the ice. 

 

Or smoothies or specialty coffee, they have a blender.

[BirdTravels]

3 hours ago, Angelp51 said:

Each day of the cruise, Diamond members receive four (4) complimentary drink vouchers, Diamond Plus members receive five (5) complimentary drink vouchers, and Pinnacle Club members receive six (6) complimentary vouchers up to $14 in value ($13 on Singapore sailings and $15 on Australia sailings). These vouchers can be used at any time and at any bar onboard or onshore at our private destinations. Drink vouchers may also be used toward a discount off the purchase of any bottle of wine — 20% off bottles over $100 and 40% off bottles under $100. Every time a drink voucher is redeemed, a zero-dollar ($0) receipt will be provided and must be signed. Youth members will receive the same daily allotment of complimentary vouchers as their parents of the same tier and may be used toward the purchase of non-alcoholic beverages (including mocktails). All drink vouchers reset daily at 5:00am and are redeemable until 4:59am the next day. Excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted Milkshake Bar.

7_Diamond Plus members receive 30% off and Pinnacle Club members receive 40% off the purchase of a Deluxe Beverage Package made onboard. May be redeemed at any bar or lounge. Prices subject to change without notice, gratuities may be added based on itinerary. Packages cannot be shared and are not transferable. All guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom and under the same stateroom booking number are required to purchase the same alcoholic beverage package. The minimum age for a guest to drink or possess alcoholic beverages on ships sailing from the U.S., Canada or the United Arab Emirates, and at our private destinations, is 21. The minimum age for a guest to drink or possess alcoholic beverages on ships sailing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is 18. In all other cases, the drinking age is between 18 and 21, depending on the cruise’s home port, scheduled itinerary and applicable local laws. Beverage Package refund requests must be submitted within 48 hours of purchase to be considered. Your check may reflect an additional tax for certain ports or itineraries. When ordering a beverage selection onboard, you must present your SeaPass card to your server. Package does not include mini bar items and souvenir glassware, specialty beers as listed on bar menus, or super premium category beverages above. All Beverage Packages and the Café Select Coffee Card exclude any beverages served inside licensed Starbucks® stores and or cafes. All Beverage Packages are subject to the terms of Royal Caribbean International’s Alcohol Policy. No cancellation after 48 hours from purchase.

Hi! Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

You should try and use the default fonts and not change them. Your post is unreadable. 

[PhillyFan33579]

On 3/27/2024 at 6:54 PM, taglovestocruise said:

I guess everyone believes what they believe. I was told by the Concierge in the Diamond Lounge last year on Quantum that the drinks through the voucher system have nothing in the way of tips going to the server or bartender.  I also asked about room service and he said most room service runners do it voluntarily as a way to get extra cash tips. If the delivery is free there is no tip to anyone, if the service fee applies then there is a small amount that goes into the ship pool.

I am “friends” with a lot of bartenders who work for RCI. They do not get anything monetarily for free drinks for Diamonds and above. Along the same lines, bartenders don’t get anything for free drinks in the casino for Prime members and above. 

[PhillyFan33579]

5 hours ago, Angelp51 said:

Each day of the cruise, Diamond members receive four (4) complimentary drink vouchers, Diamond Plus members receive five (5) complimentary drink vouchers, and Pinnacle Club members receive six (6) complimentary vouchers up to $14 in value ($13 on Singapore sailings and $15 on Australia sailings). These vouchers can be used at any time and at any bar onboard or onshore at our private destinations. Drink vouchers may also be used toward a discount off the purchase of any bottle of wine — 20% off bottles over $100 and 40% off bottles under $100. Every time a drink voucher is redeemed, a zero-dollar ($0) receipt will be provided and must be signed. Youth members will receive the same daily allotment of complimentary vouchers as their parents of the same tier and may be used toward the purchase of non-alcoholic beverages (including mocktails). All drink vouchers reset daily at 5:00am and are redeemable until 4:59am the next day. Excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted Milkshake Bar.

7_Diamond Plus members receive 30% off and Pinnacle Club members receive 40% off the purchase of a Deluxe Beverage Package made onboard. May be redeemed at any bar or lounge. Prices subject to change without notice, gratuities may be added based on itinerary. Packages cannot be shared and are not transferable. All guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom and under the same stateroom booking number are required to purchase the same alcoholic beverage package. The minimum age for a guest to drink or possess alcoholic beverages on ships sailing from the U.S., Canada or the United Arab Emirates, and at our private destinations, is 21. The minimum age for a guest to drink or possess alcoholic beverages on ships sailing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is 18. In all other cases, the drinking age is between 18 and 21, depending on the cruise’s home port, scheduled itinerary and applicable local laws. Beverage Package refund requests must be submitted within 48 hours of purchase to be considered. Your check may reflect an additional tax for certain ports or itineraries. When ordering a beverage selection onboard, you must present your SeaPass card to your server. Package does not include mini bar items and souvenir glassware, specialty beers as listed on bar menus, or super premium category beverages above. All Beverage Packages and the Café Select Coffee Card exclude any beverages served inside licensed Starbucks® stores and or cafes. All Beverage Packages are subject to the terms of Royal Caribbean International’s Alcohol Policy. No cancellation after 48 hours from purchase.

I would have liked to read your comment, but your font makes it unreadable on my iPhone. 

[smokeybandit]

That is just a copy/paste from the C&A benefits sheet.

[not-enough-cruising]

On 3/27/2024 at 5:54 PM, taglovestocruise said:

I guess everyone believes what they believe. I was told by the Concierge in the Diamond Lounge last year on Quantum that the drinks through the voucher system have nothing in the way of tips going to the server or bartender.  I also asked about room service and he said most room service runners do it voluntarily as a way to get extra cash tips. If the delivery is free there is no tip to anyone, if the service fee applies then there is a small amount that goes into the ship pool.

This line alone completely shoots down the validity of the entirety of the information you were given.

 

Bar staff DO receive gratuity on C&A Voucher drinks

[smokeybandit]

21 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Bar staff DO receive gratuity on C&A Voucher drinks

I've heard this but I haven't heard a good explanation of what pool of money would be used to tip out of.

[not-enough-cruising]

3 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I've heard this but I haven't heard a good explanation of what pool of money would be used to tip out of.

Yes, I do not have that information either

[OCSC Mike]

19 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I've heard this but I haven't heard a good explanation of what pool of money would be used to tip out of.

 

Wasn't that something the bartender who did the Reddit AMA mentioned or am I misremembering?

[TeeRick]

When we use our D+ vouchers I carry a bit of cash for the bar staff/servers.  Just me.  They work hard.  And they appreciate it.  I know others view tipping differently so not a problem.

[OCSC Mike]

16 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

When we use our D+ vouchers I carry a bit of cash for the bar staff/servers.

 

Same here. My trip to the bank for a large stack of singles specifically for voucher drinks has become a nice pre-cruise tradition and lets me know it's getting close.

 

On family cruises, my young nieces love carrying a few bucks around to tip on their own (virgin) voucher drinks for whatever reason since they like ordering the drinks themselves.

[smokeybandit]

40 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

Wasn't that something the bartender who did the Reddit AMA mentioned or am I misremembering?

Yes, though it was kind of answered in passing.