Neosophy Posted March 24 #1 Share Posted March 24 I know the math. And I get the value of being able to try things and if you dont like it, you don't feel forced to finish it. But if you have the drink package, is service any different? Is it faster/easier to get service? Do waiter tend to serve those without faster than those with? I.e., cost aside, is the drink package worth it? We figure we will have coffee or two in the morning, fresh juice with breakfast, 2-3 bottles of water, and then cocktails in the afternoon/evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo&fran Posted March 24 #2 Share Posted March 24 20 minutes ago, Neosophy said: I know the math. And I get the value of being able to try things and if you dont like it, you don't feel forced to finish it. But if you have the drink package, is service any different? Is it faster/easier to get service? Do waiter tend to serve those without faster than those with? I.e., cost aside, is the drink package worth it? We figure we will have coffee or two in the morning, fresh juice with breakfast, 2-3 bottles of water, and then cocktails in the afternoon/evening. I doubt that they care. Tipping probably counts more. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted March 24 #3 Share Posted March 24 How would a waiter know if you had the pkg or not and were going to tip extra or not unless they served you before. I dont get why service would be different waiting in line for a drink. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted March 24 #4 Share Posted March 24 Only you can decide if it's worth it. Bartenders aren't treating people any different based on how people pay for their drinks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neosophy Posted March 24 Author #5 Share Posted March 24 Just now, firefly333 said: How would a waiter know if you had the pkg or not and were going to tip extra or not unless they served you before. I dont get why service would be different waiting in line for a drink. Could be that the drink package charge "process" faster due to the wait staff knowing its just a sign off on a 0.00 charge vice waiting for a signed voucher with price and checking. We coulda sworn a while back (our last cruise was years ago) if felt like package folks got served faster, but could be fuzzy memory and anecdotal experience 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted March 24 #6 Share Posted March 24 9 minutes ago, Neosophy said: Could be that the drink package charge "process" faster due to the wait staff knowing its just a sign off on a 0.00 charge vice waiting for a signed voucher with price and checking. We coulda sworn a while back (our last cruise was years ago) if felt like package folks got served faster, but could be fuzzy memory and anecdotal experience 🙂 Doesnt make sense. I have 5 free vouchers a day. I'm always yes use my voucher. It takes just as much for the printer to type 0.00 or 5.25 for juice ..and I either add a tip,or I dont. Same time to print it out and to sign. For a while after covid rcl didnt make you sign for a $0 drink, and maybe you remember this... I think they went back to signing to encourage tipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardener5b Posted March 24 #7 Share Posted March 24 I don't think we ever got a receipt to sign our our last cruise in February, unless we weren't using our vouchers. But service was the same either way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelblu Posted March 24 #8 Share Posted March 24 1 hour ago, Neosophy said: I know the math. And I get the value of being able to try things and if you dont like it, you don't feel forced to finish it. But if you have the drink package, is service any different? Is it faster/easier to get service? Do waiter tend to serve those without faster than those with? I.e., cost aside, is the drink package worth it? We figure we will have coffee or two in the morning, fresh juice with breakfast, 2-3 bottles of water, and then cocktails in the afternoon/evening. Not different at all, based on my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpoole3 Posted March 24 #9 Share Posted March 24 I prepaid my tips with my drink package online, that way I don’t have to tip $18/day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not-enough-cruising Posted March 25 #10 Share Posted March 25 1 hour ago, mpoole3 said: I prepaid my tips with my drink package online, that way I don’t have to tip $18/day. Your drink package tips and your $18 daily service charge are independent of one another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolkmit Posted March 25 #11 Share Posted March 25 3 hours ago, mpoole3 said: I prepaid my tips with my drink package online, that way I don’t have to tip $18/day. Yeah, that's not how that works. Separate charges, and they go to separate things. Tips on drinks go to the bartenders; daily tips go to the cabin stewards, waiters, laundry people, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolkmit Posted March 25 #12 Share Posted March 25 For the most part, no. If you are a "regular" somewhere, for instance if you spend a couple hours at Schooner every night; AND tip a little extra with each drink, the people going around taking drink orders are probably going to glance your way a little more. But it's about tips, not anything else. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted March 25 #13 Share Posted March 25 The best thing about the package is, not having to wait to get and sign the slip. Order, get drink, walk away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillyFan33579 Posted March 25 #14 Share Posted March 25 14 hours ago, Tolkmit said: For the most part, no. If you are a "regular" somewhere, for instance if you spend a couple hours at Schooner every night; AND tip a little extra with each drink, the people going around taking drink orders are probably going to glance your way a little more. But it's about tips, not anything else. I agree with you 100 percent about tips. I always tip a minimum of $1 cash per drink. I do that no matter how I am “buying drinks” that cruise. On larger ships I usually buy the deluxe drink package, while on other ships I will stick to using D+ drinks and free drinks in the casino. After a day or two, the bartenders at the bars I frequent the most are usually very good about getting me a drink quickly no matter how crowded the bar is at the moment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilkySal Posted March 25 #15 Share Posted March 25 21 hours ago, Neosophy said: I.e., cost aside, is the drink package worth it? We figure we will have coffee or two in the morning, fresh juice with breakfast, 2-3 bottles of water, and then cocktails in the afternoon/evening. Remember, if you want specialty vs regular coffee, "fresh" (fresh-squeezed OJ), and/or bottled waters, you will need to purchase the Refreshment package if not the Dx drinks package. Unless you already know this. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LittleMissMagic Posted March 25 #16 Share Posted March 25 No, I wouldn't say that I've experienced better bar service with or without the drink package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseboy89130 Posted March 25 #17 Share Posted March 25 21 hours ago, firefly333 said: I think they went back to signing to encourage tipping. VERY rarely do I get a 0$ to sign......maybe 5 out of 100 drinks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngrund Posted March 26 #18 Share Posted March 26 I only have the one Royal cruise to go by, but on Oasis last year-siting at the bar, after the first couple of evenings, yes it seemed easier with the drink package. We were staying put at the bar, refills just took a nod or thumbs up when the bar got busy and they were still able to serve others and card was swiped when the bartenders got around to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OCSC Mike Posted March 27 #19 Share Posted March 27 On 3/25/2024 at 3:46 PM, cruiseboy89130 said: VERY rarely do I get a 0$ to sign......maybe 5 out of 100 drinks... FWIW, I had to sign for D drinks far more often than I have in the past on Wonder last week. I didn't keep track but I'd say it was 75% or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morecruisesplz Posted March 28 #20 Share Posted March 28 On 3/24/2024 at 4:40 PM, mo&fran said: I doubt that they care. Tipping probably counts more. Exactly. Lead with your dollar bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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