So everytime you order a drink....

[lillygator]

they charge 15% gratuity? at dinner? in the lounge? by the pool?

 

[mmouse37]

Yep....it's automatically added in. If you want tip above that you can....but I would only do that if I had the same bartender serve me a few drinks in a row!!

MJ

 

[lillygator]

even at dinner? so you are paying $5 + a drink and they still get you for 15% more?
Oh well.....

 

[inkkognito]

I give an additional tip if they do something extra...like when I am sitting way down the beach and they bring the drink right to my chair or hammock. I've even seen them wade into the water to serve drinks!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by lillygator
they charge 15% gratuity? at dinner? in the lounge? by the pool?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

It's really very convenient. Just consider it part of the cost of the drink or the bottle of wine. You just sign for your drinks, and they're charged to your stateroom account. For exceptional service, there's a line to increase the tip.

And it's how the service employees earn a living.

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by lillygator
even at dinner? so you are paying $5 + a drink and they still get you for 15% more?
Oh well.....

it's only a few cents for the most part...and it goes to the server...wouldn't you tip if you went to a bar at home? Even if it's just a quarter for a beer?

I never tipped extra for drinks, but in general they were popping open a beer for me.

 

[crisi]

Yep, and it can be $5 for a drink - more in a souvienier glass.

I actually found the drinks to be fairly reasonable (not darn cheap, but considering you are a captive audience, it wasn't highway robbery - I've had more expensive drinks on land in bars).

We spent about $20 a day per person in drinks (2 adults - and the kids did have a smoothie or two included in that total). Not alot considering we spent 100x that to get on the boat in the first place.

No one makes you buy drinks (although they do make it darn convienient). They certainly aren't pushy about drinks and "no thank you" works fine if someone asks if you'd like something. And since DCL is so liberal on bringing along your own bottle, its hard to complain.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by crisi
I actually found the drinks to be fairly reasonable (not darn cheap, but considering you are a captive audience, it wasn't highway robbery - I've had more expensive drinks on land in bars).

I've found this to be true as well. As Walt Disney World Passholders, we're at Disney quite often and have experienced most of the dining locations on property. Drinks tend to be much more expensive at Disney than on the Disney Magic or Disney Wonder.

For instance, a Mimosa at Kona Cafe will run you $7.50! Compare that to $2.99 or $5.00 on the Magic and you're actually saving money by cruising! (Well, it's a good way to look at it!)

 

[inkkognito]

I'll give a warning about one thing. tho'...those darned smoothies are addictive, and they're not even alcoholic! Hubby and I tried them one in the Walt Disney Theater because they looked tempting, and now they have become a must-have tradition before the show. Chocolate or strawberry...make no difference to me. I'll tak either one!
And I'll echo the fact that the alcoholic beverages are pretty reasonable pricewise.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[tecdavidt]

I agree, drink prices are reasonable--even with the tip and I'll warn you, they are strong too! And those smoothies, yummy.

I still remember our first DCL cruise. My husband couldn't wait to get on the ship because the land portion at WDW is so expensive. Meals and drinks for our family of 6 at the World, one word OUCH. The Character breakfast with tip was over $100!!! That was breakfast . We told the teen boys to fill up because we weren't feeding them again until dinner!

We leave March 19 for the Magic. Kathy

 

[crisi]

Nope, not strong - umbrella drinks have way too much fruit juice in them to be called strong. At least not to me, but my idea of a drink is a Cosmopolitan. A little cranberry juice with your Vodka and Contrieau......for color. (The dining rooms and the Prominade Lounge make a good Cosmopolitan).

Takes three Bahama Mamas before you hit that alcohol content - and by then you are full from all the fruit juice.

 

[The4OfUs]

LOL! Funny story about the Cosmo...on the really rough night, the "boys" did not come to dinner with us (DS was seasick in a big way, DH stayed in the room with him). Because it was girls night out, our drink waiter David suggested a Cosmo, and I took him up on it.

But they served it in a small round glass!!

I was surprised, as every Cosmo I've had in the Boston area is in a martini glass.

I commented...he said something, next thing i knew, the guy in charge bought me the next one!

...

it came in the same glass, but... *grin*

David said he was surprised too, as in Australia they also serve it in a martini glass, but as he had been on board 3 weeks, he wasn't sure if this is how they did it "here"...I assured him it was not how we do it "in Boston"!

 

[crisi]

They served me all six Cosmos I drank in a martini glass.

They also make a vodka and Chambord martini - very good. None of that pesky fruit juice at all.

 

[tecdavidt]

I drink Bombay Sapphire gin & tonic and they were strong. Now the fruit type drinks, can't comment on those because I don't drink them. If you order the non-fruity watch out plus Bombay Sapphire is so smooth and at 90 proof, it willl hit you hard. You can drink that stuff straight and not know it. Kathy