Diddybubby

There is an implicit moral obligation to do things as the cruise lines have set it up when you choose to cruise. All your high handed declarations of how you know better and will deign to tip your way regardless of what is expected just makes you look and sound like a pretentious jerk

 

 

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:'):'):'):') Well at least I am honest about what I will do.. I wonder how many readers will actually have these removed too (even you).....more than you will think I would imagine.

I think everyone is missing the point here.

The OP was about having the choice to tip just like we do for hairdressers, taxis, restaurants, hotels etc..... you tip what YOU want to tip.

You should not be forced to tip. To have the poverty police then come on to try and make you feel guilty will not wash with me.

Fact is YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY.......so for those of you who don't want to then don't. I most certainly will be having these removed when I board IOTH in September!

Nope, not going to be made to feel guilty.

Bottom line is if I have booked a land holiday in a hotel or apartment I would not be expected to pay almost $500 in tips. Yes, I would tip waiters, doormen, room service, room cleaners etc.... but this would not go towards the behind the scenes staff.

I assume mjkacmom, nolesrules & cruisinfanatic when staying at a hotel that you all are quite generous and leave a massive tip to be shared to all the behind the scenes staff? Can you confirm that is the case?

The comment about not affording the cruise if you cannot afford to tip is daft. We as a family have saved for 3 years for this cruise. We are not well off by any means, and can afford to tip. As stated in the OP this should be down to choice.

Don't always assume that cruisers are very wealthy people and that all staff are paid an absolute pittance and/or are living in poverty.

WOW! The stereotyping poverty police are out to play.

You can bring the glass of wine anywhere, just not the bottle.

Thanks Biker19...that's really useful to know.:cool:

Thanks Kristal Blade

Thanks for your comment nolesrules.

I get what you are saying, however staff wages should not be my concern.....there I have said it! Many will feel the exact same I am sure, but will not be brave enough say.

Having spent thousands on this cruise I do not feel it that I should automatically be forced to cough up almost $500 dollars.

That being said I always tip those I have had direct contact with that have given excellent service. Those behind the scenes will be missed, and that is something I honestly never thought about. Maybe I will offer something at the end to be shared, but most certainly not what that intend on adding.:(

Thanks Bob, appreciate your help :)

Hi,

We are sailing from Southampton around Europe, however note that RC works in $(DOLLARS).

Should we pay everything onboard in $(DOLLARS) and let our bank convert to £(GBP)? I am pretty sure this was the advice given on some money programme, but thought someone on here would be able to help.

Thanks in advance.

Happy sailing :confused:

Hi All,

I just wanted to share something with new cruisers (and old if they do not know this).

As I am sure you are aware each cruiser will have gratuities & tips added to their SeaPass account every day (unless you have paid these in advance with your booking).

I don't actually agree with these automatic tips, as I feel that I should decide who has earned this & most importantly how much I wish to tip.

As a family of 5 travelling the cost per day @ $13.50 for 7 days will be quite considerable at $472.50! Now I can honestly say that I would never tip this much during a weeks land holiday so will certainly not be forced to pay this at sea.

Now for those of you not in the know, please take note. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY. That's right, there is not obligation on your part to pay. The booking information and website will not highlight this as RC want you to pay. When reading their information is does make you feel like this is obligatory, however if you read the very, very small print you will note this is not the case. All you need to do is go to reception on Day 1 and ask that these gratuities & tips are removed from your account....and voila!

You can then reward the staff members that you want to reward.

Happy cruising.

Hi, I had the very same question. As I do not drink very much I have not purchased the drinks package, so thought I would bring a couple of bottles of my favourite wine. I did email RC as the information displayed on their website changed. They have confirmed the following:

We can confirm that you can bring up to 2 bottles of wine per stateroom. The corkage fee is all the way around, if you consume this on public areas then you will need to pay a fee of USD$15.00 per bottle.

Guests wishing to bring personal wine and champagne onboard may do so only on boarding day, limited to two 750 mL bottles per stateroom. Additional bottles of wine beyond two bottles that are brought onboard or any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops during the cruise vacation will be stored onboard and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Wine brought onboard may not be shared for consumption in private group events, and/or in lounges made private for the exclusive use of a group.

Wine should be brought onboard via carry on if possible. Luggage containing wine will not be delivered to the stateroom and guests will need to retrieve their bag from security once the ship has set sail. Only staterooms with at least one (1) guest over 21 years old are eligible to bring bottles of wine or champagne onboard. Pier staff will inspect the bottles and if they appear to have been tampered with they will not be allowed to be brought onboard. Guests may request a corkscrew to use for opening bottles in their stateroom.

So, provided I drink this in my cabin, no corkage fee will apply.

Happy sailing.