crusinpeg

What time of day was this.?

During happy hour?

On the silhouette right now and can no longer get cash in casino...only casino credit

Tipping is such a personal thing. Some people tip at the beginning hoping to get better service/drinks/etc. Others tip midway. Others tip at the end. Unfortunately some not at all.

 

Every cruise we "opt out" of the automated gratuities and get the "envelopes" instead. The automatic tips include an "other" category which includes many back of house functions. The cruise line should reward those staff members directly in their pay. It should not be the onus of the passenger. I would think a cabin steward (who knows tips are part of their compensation) should earn a lower hourly rate than the person below decks washing and drying sheets and towels.

 

We usually tip above the suggested amount for everyone. The only exception is that we rarely tip the Maitr D unless he/she has actually done something during the cruise [Our past experience has been the only time you'd see them was on the last night of the cruise (tip night)]. If it is true that X takes the cash away from the recipient we will have to re-think our tipping strategy. Keeping the automatic tips then giving additional money to select staff (which is only going into the tip pool any way) seems like a penalty to the staff member.

I too..did not see any reason to tip the maitre'd unless he did something special for me, but it was brought to my attention that if everything is running smoothly in the dining room it is part due to his effort and just because he is not always visible does not mean he isn't doing his job well and making sure everything is as it should be.

Very well said!!!

When in traditional dining, those tips are added to your shipboard account every day. You don't make the decision to add a tip at every meal. In fact, you have to talk to someone to have the auto tips removed from your account. The only decision you may have to make is to include an additional tip at the end of the cruise. There is no good reason I've ever heard as to why the exact same system couldn't work in Select dining.

I agree...I believe thats the way Princess does it!

Well it looks like an OBC thread has turned into that ongoing tipping thread. Will people ever realize that the tip doesn't just cover the staff that puts a plate in front of you but also the buffet staff, etc!!?

Just because you don't "bond" with your waiter you're going to stiff him out of a tip?

Semantics.

 

We all know what it is. Tip, Gratuity, service fee, staff fee, staff wage, call it what you will, it's all the same.

 

How would it work, your invoice would look like this (as it already does for anyone who elects prepayment or anyone in Select Dining)

 

$2000 Cruise Fare

$130 Taxes and Fees

$150 Tip, Gratuity, service fee, staff fee, staff wage or whatever term we call it

------

$2270 total

($450) Deposit paid at booking

------

$1820 Balance Due

Spot on again!! No matter what you call it the majority of the people consider it a "fee" and one of the costs of cruising ...the term "gratuity" is so yesterday in the cruising industry IMO

I'd just like X to get to the point where they just require prepayment of gratuities from everyone at final payment, and not do the daily thing on board.

 

Would simplify a lot of things for a lot of people. Especially the onboard accounting staff, and would drive more revenue and profits to the bottom line. "Pay me now or Pay me later", it still needs paid, so zero effect on the bottom line.

 

It has to be coming soon. The intent of OBC is to get people to spend on board, not provide a discount to some. Since they have closed the Casino Loophole, it's time to close the gratuity loophole too.

WELL PUT!! thats exactly where I was coming from! Makes it more fair for everyone paying tips.And does not give an advantage to Traditional diners.

This policy has been in place since Celebrity introduced Select Dining. The pre-paid gratuities assure the waitstaff that they will be compensated for their work.

 

IMHO I find it very fair...or maybe I'm use to the policy.[emoji6]

You miss my point..I think the policy is extremely fair the part that is unfair is that OBC can't somehow be used for tips.

I just think its very unfair that people with Select Dining don't have the option to use OBC to pay their tips like Traditional diners do since their tips have to be paid upfront.

Feel this should be addressed but from what I've been reading Celebrity isn't known for always being "fair."

Why so many posts on cashing out OBC? Enjoy your vacation; buy something special, have a good bottle of wine, have a nice dinner.

Just FYI...maybe some don't need "something special",don't drink wine,and already have a dinner perk and just want to reduce the cost of their cruise.

Has anyone had a problem paying the 5% at the casino to get any of this credit back in cash?

Somewhere I read that Celebrity was no longer allowing this but I have not seen anything definite posted.

Have not cruised with Celebrity for some time..can someone please explain the cocktail vouchers? I am familar with RCL where the Diamond Lounge is open in the evening for free cocktails as well as being given 3 vouchers for drinks in other lounges. How does Celebrity handle it?

great review so far..we are going on the Vision in a few more weeks so I am soaking up all the info I can get. Good to know that you have to check rolling carry-ons in London..was not aware of that.

Unfortunately from what has been posted already the new itinerary does not have the same ports. Totally different. Princess is offering a similar cruise in April of 2016 that has most of the original ports.

Only problem the April cruise being that much closer is more expensive than the one originally booked for Oct.

Very disappointed..was really looking forward to this itinerary

Loving your review! We are on the Sept 13th sailing and although we'll be having a new cruise director and possibly different entertainment... I would love if you could email me a copy of the compasses as well.... eplarue2@verizon.net

I was surprised by another review stating the limited hours of food service..is the Park Cafe only open til 9:00 for breakfast and then not again until late in the evening?

Breakfast only til 10:30 in the WJ?

Also have this cruise coming up in Sept and looking forward to your review and pics!!

lock tight or superglue..can't

Believe that wasn't mentioned

Since I will lose OBC with the cruise reduction I guess I will just go for using it as an OBC on the cruise and then just cash out at end of cruise...I'm assuming it's 100 percent refundable?

I have been saving points for quite awhile now and was planning on getting a free 4 day cruise. If I am reading these posts correctly am I right in assuming that due to new changes this is no longer the best way to maximize points?

I was told by my TA that if you use the 500.00 to reduce the cost of your cruise it also reduces the amount of OBC you would receive.

Also respectfully :)....Regardless of how RCI makes their baked goods...they now have little to no taste, with very few exceptions.

 

I complain about this fact often...whenever given the chance. I think the WJ managers hate to see me come onboard :eek:

 

Too many geletin bases and more emphasis put on how they look as opposed to how they taste.

 

RCI many years ago had some wonderful desserts but sadly no longer.

 

They would do well to employ some good southern bakers to give them some much needed lessons.

 

Just the opinion of one dessert lover ;)

Agree completely...I stay away from any dessert that "giggles and wiggles"

We purchase one photo of the both of us (usually the Welcome Aboard one) that has all the ship info and have them all framed on a wall.