Most cruisers walk up to the bar assuming the answer is going to be “sorry, we can’t do that.” So they order the same safe drink, skip the small asks, and never find out what bartenders will actually do for a smile and a little patience. Here’s the twist: a surprising number of “special requests” get an automatic yes, every single sailing, on almost every ship.
Bar staff aren’t secretly hoarding perks for VIPs only. Some of the easiest wins on a cruise are hiding in plain sight, and most passengers never bother to ask. Here’s what actual bartenders and cruise regulars say really happens when you make these 21 requests.
#21 – Ask for Extra Garnish and It Almost Never Gets Denied
An extra lime wedge, a second orange slice, or a few more olives costs the bar pennies, so staff almost always toss them in without a fuss. It’s one of the lowest-friction requests on the entire ship.
Bartenders would rather hand over a free garnish than negotiate over it during a rush. Ask nicely, and it becomes a habit they remember for the rest of your cruise.
#20 – Request a Lidded To-Go Cup and Watch the Rules Bend
Heading to the pool deck or your balcony? Most bar staff will happily pour your drink into a plastic to-go cup instead of glass, especially near the pool where glass isn’t allowed anyway.
It saves them a broken-glass cleanup later, so it’s really a win-win. Just ask before they hand you the drink, not after.
#19 – Order the Virgin Version of Any Specialty Cocktail
Every cruise ship bar menu can be made alcohol-free on request, even the elaborate specialty cocktails with syrups and multiple garnishes. Staff build these constantly for kids, designated drivers, and anyone taking a night off.
There’s no eye-roll involved. It’s one of the most common substitutions bartenders make in a single shift, and it’s approved instantly.
Fast Facts
- Royal Caribbean expanded its zero-proof and low-alcohol drink menu across its entire fleet in August 2025.
- Icon of the Seas launched in 2024 with the line’s first dedicated zero-proof cocktail menu, built from original recipes instead of just alcohol-free versions of existing drinks.
- Carnival now offers a Cheers Zero Proof beverage package built entirely around non-alcoholic cocktails, coffees, and smoothies.
- Norwegian added more mocktails, zero-proof beers, and energy drinks to its beverage lineup as part of its 2025 package refresh.
#18 – Ask for a Recommendation Based on What You Already Like
Instead of saying “surprise me,” tell the bartender your usual order and ask what’s similar on their menu. That small detail changes everything about how they respond.
A bartender going viral online recently admitted that when guests just tell him to make them something, he goes with whatever the drink of the day happens to be, which isn’t always what you’d actually enjoy. Giving a real starting point almost guarantees a drink you’ll love.
#17 – Request Extra Ice or No Ice at All
Ice adjustments are one of the easiest yeses at any bar, ship included. Whether you want a glass packed to the rim or none at all, staff will make the swap without a second thought.
Just don’t expect it to change your pour size. Bartenders know the “light ice means more alcohol” trick, and it doesn’t work here either.
#16 – Ask for the Mixer Served on the Side
If you like to control how strong your drink tastes sip by sip, ask for the soda, tonic, or juice poured into a separate small cup. Most bar staff will do this without hesitation.
It’s a small production change, but it makes a real difference for guests who are pacing themselves across a long sea day. Staff see it as thoughtful, not difficult.
#15 – Request a Twist on the Drink of the Day
The daily featured cocktail is designed to move fast, but that doesn’t mean it’s fixed in stone. Ask to swap the rum for tequila, or dial back the sweetness, and most bartenders will adjust it on the spot.
It’s still built from ingredients already sitting at the station, so the request barely slows them down. The tweak is nearly always approved because it doesn’t require anything new.
#14 – Ask for a Free Mocktail for Kids or Teens
Family bars on cruise ships almost always keep a rotating list of free, elaborate mocktails for younger guests, often served with the same flair as the adult versions, sparklers and all.
Parents rarely realize this is available beyond the kids’ club menu. Asking at the pool bar or main lounge usually gets an immediate, cheerful yes.
#13 – Ask Staff to Remember Your Usual Order
Tell a bartender your go-to drink on night one, and there’s a real chance they’ll have it half-built before you finish sitting down on night three. Crew turnover is high, but memory for regulars runs surprisingly deep.
One veteran cruiser described watching a bartender enthusiastically greet a guest by name whom they hadn’t seen in nearly 18 months. That kind of recall is common, not rare, once you’ve made an impression.
#12 – Request a Top-Shelf Swap for a Small Upcharge
Most specialty cocktails are built around a house-pour spirit, but bar staff will almost always let you upgrade to a premium brand for a few extra dollars. It’s an easy add-on sale for the bar, so there’s rarely pushback.
This is one of the few requests where money changes hands, but it’s still approved far more often than passengers expect. Just ask before the drink is poured.
#11 – Ask for a Birthday or Anniversary Flourish
You don’t need to pre-order a cake package to get a little celebration at the bar. A sparkler in the glass, a handwritten “Happy Birthday” on a cocktail napkin, or a small toast from the staff is a common, low-cost gesture.
Bartenders like marking the occasion because it usually earns goodwill both ways. Mention it when you order, and the moment tends to take care of itself.
Worth Knowing
- A free sparkler in the glass is one of the most common no-cost celebration touches bartenders offer.
- A quick handwritten note on a cocktail napkin costs nothing and takes seconds.
- Some bars will do a short toast or clink of glasses with the table if asked.
- Mentioning the occasion when you order almost always works better than expecting staff to guess.
#10 – Ask for a Quiet Remake if a Drink Misses the Mark
If a cocktail doesn’t taste right, most bar staff would rather fix it than argue about it. One bartender explained on video that when a guest complains a drink isn’t strong enough, the guest often just wants to be heard, so staff will switch the glass and let them believe it’s been improved.
Whether the fix is real or psychological, the remake almost always happens without a fight. Staff genuinely prefer a quiet redo over a bad review at the end of the cruise.
#9 – Ask for Extra Napkins, Coasters, or a Second Straw
These tiny requests are basically free for the bar to grant, and staff rarely think twice before handing them over. It’s one of the most reliably approved asks on any ship.
Nobody remembers saying no to a napkin. It’s a small courtesy that keeps the whole interaction moving smoothly.
#8 – Ask to Open a Tab Before Your Drink Package Technically Starts
If your package activates the next morning but you want a nightcap tonight, most bartenders will let you run a card on file rather than turn you away. It’s a simple workaround they use constantly.
Cruise lines have reduced cash tips for some staff because gratuities are often added in advance through drink packages, so bar staff are generally accommodating about timing quirks. A polite ask usually solves it fast.
#7 – Request the Same Seat or Section Every Night
Loyal guests who sit in the same spot each evening often find that spot unofficially “held” for them once staff notice the pattern. It’s not written policy, but it happens constantly on longer sailings.
Bartenders like predictability as much as passengers do. A familiar face in a familiar seat makes the whole shift easier to manage.
At a Glance
- Regulars often find their favorite stool treated as “theirs” after just two or three nights in a row.
- Repeat visits usually mean faster service, since staff already know the order.
- On longer sailings, some bartenders start a familiar guest’s drink before they even sit down.
- The habit tends to build rapport that can carry small perks later in the cruise.
#6 – Ask for an Early Coffee or Espresso Before the Bar Officially Opens
Early risers heading to a shore excursion often assume the bar is closed and skip caffeine entirely. In reality, many bartenders prepping for the day will pour a quick coffee or espresso shot if asked directly.
It costs them almost nothing in time or product. Most say yes simply because it’s an easy, low-effort favor before the real rush begins.
#5 – Ask for the Recipe Behind a Cocktail You Loved
Bartenders are generally proud of their menu and happy to walk you through the ingredient list of a favorite drink, ratios included. It’s one of the more flattering requests they get all week.
Some will even write it down on a napkin so you can recreate it at home. This is one of the rare requests that almost always gets more enthusiasm than expected.
#4 – Ask for a Lighter Pour When You’re Driving or Rushing to an Excursion
Say you’re heading straight into a shore excursion or you’re the designated adult watching the kids, and most bartenders will happily ease back the alcohol without judgment. Cutting a pour down is far easier for them than making it stronger.
It’s framed as responsible, not picky, so it’s approved without hesitation. Staff would rather you enjoy the moment safely than skip the bar altogether.
#3 – Ask for a Little Extra Grace at Last Call
If you’re clearly finishing up respectfully rather than trying to order one more round, most bar staff will let you settle your tab at your own pace instead of rushing you off the stool. Politeness buys real time here.
It’s a small courtesy that costs the bar nothing and builds goodwill for the rest of the cruise. Guests who are calm and clear about closing out are almost never denied that extra minute.
#2 – Ask for a “Surprise Me” Drink Built From Your Real Preferences
The blind “surprise me” order is famous for backfiring, but a guided version works far better. Tell the bartender your preferred spirit, how sweet or dry you like things, and let them build from there.
Bartenders will almost always say yes to this version because it removes the guesswork that makes the blind request risky in the first place. It’s the difference between a mystery pour and a genuinely great new favorite.
#1 – Order an Angel Shot and Watch the Response Change Instantly
Few passengers know this code exists, but it’s one of the most consistently honored requests on any ship. An Angel Shot is safety lingo that helps keep guests safe, a discreet way to signal you need help getting away from an uncomfortable situation, an unwanted companion, or a date gone wrong.
Bar staff across the cruise industry are trained to react immediately, no questions asked, and often without other guests even noticing. It’s quietly become one of the most important requests a bartender will ever approve, and it’s approved every single time.
Fast Facts
- “Angel shot neat” or “straight up” signals that staff should walk you to your car or cabin.
- “Angel shot on the rocks” is code to call a taxi, rideshare, or ship escort to get you somewhere safe.
- “Angel shot with a lime” or “with a twist” is the most urgent version, signaling immediate danger that needs security or authorities involved.
- The code grew out of the UK’s “Ask for Angela” safety campaign and spread to bars and ships across the world within a few years.
Most of these requests aren’t secret perks reserved for big tippers or seasoned cruisers. They’re small, reasonable asks that bar staff are trained, and usually happy, to say yes to, if passengers just speak up.
The real surprise isn’t that these requests work. It’s how many people sail an entire week without ever trying.
