Gratuities on RCL

[katiel53]

If you eat in the specialty restaurant the cover charge is the tip so you're covered there.

 

You are so wrong about this. If you go to the website for Royal Caribbean, you will see it says the tip is included, it does NOT say that the surcharge is the tip. One poster has posted this wrong info a million times and too many people have believed her.

 

If the entire amount were the tip, why wouldn't the same quality food be served in the dining room? There is a huge difference in quality between the two and not to mention the service.

 

Many people tip extra in the specialty restaurants because of the superior service. Just search and you will see not everyone just leaves the included amount, whatever that is.

 

 

Livingstone,

I think there are a few reasons people pre-pay their tips. For some it is easier to pay the money up front than it is to have it added to their accounts at the end or to have to get cash to pay them.

 

Another reason, is that in some countries, UK was given as an example, (I don't know this as a fact myself) cruisers don't tip as much as the cruise lines expect them to, so they have to pre-pay the tips. I don't know that it is any different in Australia. The cruise lines want to be sure their employees get the tips they "should". I am NOT saying this is what should or should not be done. It is just the way the cruise lines pay their employees.

[Captaincruz]

It´s a hot discussed topic on the boards and you´ll get many different opinions on this. So here is mine.

With the tip on a cruise ship being the actual salary of the employee I have no problem with prepaying my tips. The recommended amount would be my base tip anyway. To reduce this tip it would have to be non-existant service. Good and excellent service is rewarded on top of the recommended amount by me. JMO, YMMV.

 

I beleive if everybody prepayed there tips, service would suffer, we have allways had good service and tipped accordinglly, but not until service is provided. There are plenty of travel agents online that will give you an inroom credit instead of prepayed tips! Lets keep the sevice at its highest possible level, thats what keeps employees motivated to provide good sevice.

[steponboard]

You are so wrong about this. If you go to the website for Royal Caribbean, you will see it says the tip is included, it does NOT say that the surcharge is the tip. One poster has posted this wrong info a million times and too many people have believed her.

 

 

.

It does not say a portion of the tip is included. There is no definitive answer and who really cares, the tip has been covered. In fact since I do not remove the daily amount from the dining room I have tipped twice (and didn't receive service in the dining room) which is quite generous.

[Captaincruz]

You are so wrong about this. If you go to the website for Royal Caribbean, you will see it says the tip is included, it does NOT say that the surcharge is the tip. One poster has posted this wrong info a million times and too many people have believed her.

 

If the entire amount were the tip, why wouldn't the same quality food be served in the dining room? There is a huge difference in quality between the two and not to mention the service.

 

Many people tip extra in the specialty restaurants because of the superior service. Just search and you will see not everyone just leaves the included amount, whatever that is.

 

 

Livingstone,

I think there are a few reasons people pre-pay their tips. For some it is easier to pay the money up front than it is to have it added to their accounts at the end or to have to get cash to pay them.

 

Another reason, is that in some countries, UK was given as an example, (I don't know this as a fact myself) cruisers don't tip as much as the cruise lines expect them to, so they have to pre-pay the tips. I don't know that it is any different in Australia. The cruise lines want to be sure their employees get the tips they "should". I am NOT saying this is what should or should not be done. It is just the way the cruise lines pay their employees.

 

With all do respect, how the cruise lines pay it employees is not our concern. Tips our earned!!

[Aquahound]

I beleive if everybody prepayed there tips, service would suffer, we have allways had good service and tipped accordinglly, but not until service is provided. There are plenty of travel agents online that will give you an inroom credit instead of prepayed tips! Lets keep the sevice at its highest possible level, thats what keeps employees motivated to provide good sevice.

 

I can not agree with your opinion. Celebrity went to 100% pre-paid tips a while ago. Actually, it's automatically added to your account daily while on board. You hand nothing over at the end of the cruise. Despite this, the service was still superior, and still one notch higher than RCI.

[steponboard]

I can not agree with your opinion. Celebrity went to 100% pre-paid tips a while ago. Actually, it's automatically added to your account daily while on board. You hand nothing over at the end of the cruise. Despite this, the service was still superior, and still one notch higher than RCI.

Same with Azamara and the service stank. Really really bad service especially in the dining room.

[madforcruising]

I beleive if everybody prepayed there tips, service would suffer, we have allways had good service and tipped accordinglly, but not until service is provided. There are plenty of travel agents online that will give you an inroom credit instead of prepayed tips! Lets keep the sevice at its highest possible level, thats what keeps employees motivated to provide good sevice.

 

Just out of curiousity, have you actually received lower level service pre-paying tips?

 

I respect your opinion, though I have to disagree with it based on my experience with different tipping concepts.

I´ve done it with tip in cash at the end, prepay tips before the cruise, have my tips charged towards the onboard account and have the cruiseline automatically put the tips towards the onboard account on a daily basis.

Of course I have had staff onboard serving me on different levels, but it never seemed to have anything to do with the tipping method, but more with the individual.

From my experience I just don´t buy into the idea of a decline in service level because of prepaid tips. While you and some others say there´s no incentive to earn the tip anymore I say someone who knows I tipped already might serve me better without having to think all the time if I´m going to pay him/her. It works both ways. To me there´s really no correlation between service level and tipping method.

 

There have been times I believed the crew might like cash better, but I think that might be some personal preference as well, which in these days means to me, I chose the tipping method most convenient for me.

[Jo and Rob]

I like the idea of awarding tips at the end of the cruise but I read here that my time dining has tips paid in advance. Is this always the case or the suggested option?

[steponboard]

Just out of curiousity, have you actually received lower level service pre-paying tips?

.

 

Absolutely, the worst service was on Azamara (an RCL) product and NCL'S Pride of Hawaii.

[madforcruising]

I like the idea of awarding tips at the end of the cruise but I read here that my time dining has tips paid in advance. Is this always the case or the suggested option?

 

 

With MTD it´s mandatory to prepay the tips.

[mondas42]

We are doing MTD in May and have therefore pre-paid the tips. Now I'm pretty clear about the other tips required, but one question still puzzles me. At the end of the week, we are given some evelopes with some slips of paper saying "pre-paided" right?. What do we do with those? What's the point in giving these out as all thats in there is a slip of paper?. Also if we do have to give them out, who do we give them to, as as I understand it, with MTD, you may have different severs every night. As a Brit, this whole tips thing is a bit confusing, and I really don't want to offend anyone on the cruise.

 

Also the 15% for drinks, this is automatically added, yes?

 

Martin

[madforcruising]

We are doing MTD in May and have therefore pre-paid the tips. Now I'm pretty clear about the other tips required, but one question still puzzles me. At the end of the week, we are given some evelopes with some slips of paper saying "pre-paided" right?. What do we do with those? What's the point in giving these out as all thats in there is a slip of paper?. Also if we do have to give them out, who do we give them to, as as I understand it, with MTD, you may hav different severs every night. As a Brit, this whole tips thing is a bit confusing, and I really don't want to offend anyone on the cruise.

 

Also the 15% for drinks, this is automatically added, yes?

 

Martin

 

 

The vouchers are mostly for those that have the same wait team, to have something in hand to give out the last night. It´s actually just a gesture and those that served you will get their tips regardless of the voucher. If you just toss them it won´t make a difference.

 

Yes the 15% are added automatically to your Bar bill.

[I'll give it a go]

Thanks again for all the advise.

I wonder whether knowing that all the "my time dinning" guests have already paid their tips, would staff be more or less attentive. Would they work harder to gain the tips they have not yet secured?

[constable145]

You people will probably want to tar and feather me for this but I have an issue with the automatic tipping for bar bills.

 

 

Before you judge me I am a generous tipper- but what if the service doesn't warrant a 15% tip? Then what?

 

I think tipping should be optional for bar bills. You would see service increase I guaruntee it.

[fmhealth]

We NEVER pp tips. Just came home from a seven-nighter on the MOS cruising Mexico. It was a SUPERB trip in just about every aspect.

 

We had most of our meals in the Windjammer. Food & selection was just what you'd expect. No problem. We tipped after each & every meal. Had two excellent dinners in the MDR. Although we didn't eat in that venue the last evening, we went back just to tip the staff the served us so well.

 

I guess I'm old fashioned, but I prefer to reward service after it's rendered. Seemed to work well for everyone involved.

[livingstone]

Now I am Australian, and all the guide books will tell you the amounts you should tip in Australia. Taxi, Resturant, etc. But I will tell you now as much as many people are trying to start a culture of tipping down under tips are not really expected. In Australia we have laws about award wages and people are usualy paid according to what the award states. if you want to earn more money one usually goes to uni to get a degree or becomes a tradesman doing jobs for home owners. I just had my ducted A/C repaired $ 275 AUD to tell me it would cost me $4000 AUD to fix. (I did not tip this guy, although he did do a great job)

My whole point is that many Australian just don't get this whole tipping thing, to be honest pre paid tips of $15 AUD a day for both adults and also for the kids seems a little pricey. I am not tight but i just struggle to understand the whole tipping culture.

I am a Registered Nurse working in a critical care are and my hourly rate is probably less than many who work in the service industry. I have to say that some days I extend myself above and beyond what I am paid to do. No one has ever tipped me, nor would I expect it. Do nurses in USA get tipped for extra service?

[techwatcher]

[quote name='livingstone']Now I am Australian, and all the guide books will tell you the amounts you should tip in Australia. Taxi, Resturant, etc. But I will tell you now as much as many people are trying to start a culture of tipping down under tips are not really expected. In Australia we have laws about award wages and people are usualy paid according to what the award states. if you want to earn more money one usually goes to uni to get a degree or becomes a tradesman doing jobs for home owners. I just had my ducted A/C repaired $ 275 AUD to tell me it would cost me $4000 AUD to fix. (I did not tip this guy, although he did do a great job)

My whole point is that many Australian just don't get this whole tipping thing, to be honest pre paid tips of $15 AUD a day for both adults and also for the kids seems a little pricey. I am not tight but i just struggle to understand the whole tipping culture.

I am a Registered Nurse working in a critical care are and my hourly rate is probably less than many who work in the service industry. I have to say that some days I extend myself above and beyond what I am paid to do. No one has ever tipped me, nor would I expect it. Do nurses in USA get tipped for extra service?[/QUOTE]

As I see it, the problem with tipping on cruises is largely one of naming; it isn't really a tip; the money essentially pays the crew wages; whether that's right or wrong is another discussion but that's the way it is. Our friends from the US are used to this concept. Their waiters get a low hourly rate which is expected to be supplemented with 'tips', hence the EXPECTATION that customers will add c.15% for adequate service and more for good service.

My view is that it would help if the cruise lines renamed 'gratuities' (which is some parts of the world implies 'optional') to 'service charge' and make it mandatory. Then we would all know where we stood.

[livingstone]

thanks for that. it explains it a little better

[Paul65]

[quote name='livingstone']thanks for that. it explains it a little better[/quote]

Yep. I was going to give a similar explanation, but pward summed it up pretty well. Of course, Americans have a hard time not going a little overboard with anything we do, so there are people you see on here who have gone overboard with the tipping culture and insist that one should tip all kinds of other folks who are not included in RCCL's tipping guidelines.

[Captaincruz]

[quote name='madforcruising']Just out of curiousity, have you actually received lower level service pre-paying tips?

I respect your opinion, though I have to disagree with it based on my experience with different tipping concepts.
I´ve done it with tip in cash at the end, prepay tips before the cruise, have my tips charged towards the onboard account and have the cruiseline automatically put the tips towards the onboard account on a daily basis.
Of course I have had staff onboard serving me on different levels, but it never seemed to have anything to do with the tipping method, but more with the individual.
From my experience I just don´t buy into the idea of a decline in service level because of prepaid tips. While you and some others say there´s no incentive to earn the tip anymore I say someone who knows I tipped already might serve me better without having to think all the time if I´m going to pay him/her. It works both ways. To me there´s really no correlation between service level and tipping method.

There have been times I believed the crew might like cash better, but I think that might be some personal preference as well, which in these days means to me, I chose the tipping method most convenient for me.[/QUOTE]

I have never prepayed tips, so I'm not sure if service would be lowered!Maybe service is the same now, but perhaps thats because most of the people tip at the end of the cruise!! I'm curious to know what percent of the people pay before vs after!!!

[lovemylab]

[quote name='madforcruising']
From my experience I just don´t buy into the idea of a decline in service level because of prepaid tips. While you and some others say there´s no incentive to earn the tip anymore I say someone who knows I tipped already might serve me better without having to think all the time if I´m going to pay him/her. It works both ways. To me there´s really no correlation between service level and tipping method.
[/quote]

I agree completely. I have always received fantastic service regardless of the method of tipping.

I had MTD on the Adventure this past December so the wait staff obviously knew we had prepaid the gratuities. Our dining room waiters gave us the best service we have ever received. Needless to say, we tipped them extra and made sure to mention them by name on the guest comment card.

[Rosiepuff86]

I'm going on a med cruise in may and just wondering should i tip in US dollars or euros? Do we need any dollars to spend onboard e.g casino? Thanks

[madforcruising]

[quote name='Rosiepuff86']I'm going on a med cruise in may and just wondering should i tip in US dollars or euros? Do we need any dollars to spend onboard e.g casino? Thanks[/quote]

Yes you would need USD for the casino. You can get USD at the Casino towards your SeaPass card, but there´s a 3% fee for that.

The tipping amounts are suggested in USD which I always use, but I´m sure the crew is fine with Euros as long it´s the same or higher value;)

[madforcruising]

[quote name='Captaincruz']I have never prepayed tips, so I'm not sure if service would be lowered!Maybe service is the same now, but perhaps thats because most of the people tip at the end of the cruise!! I'm curious to know what percent of the people pay before vs after!!![/quote]

I don´t know about the percentage, but I know when having prepayed the crew knew it and they still gave great service.
I also got great service on my last cruise (Princess) where they charge the tips to your account automatically on a daily basis. Actually I tipped a few people on top the last night with cash.

I share your cusriousity about the percentage. I think with MTD getting more popular the prepaying numbers have increased / will increase.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

[quote name='livingstone']I am just wondering why one can pre-pay tips in advance, for service you had not yet recieved. I was under the impression that in USA people were rewarded for the service they provided by tipping, and this is after the service had been provided not before. E.g leave some money on the table at a resturant. Where is the incentive to provide good service if you get the tip regardless. I am happy to tip at the going rate but only after a full assessment of the services provided and I will tip accordingly. hey maybe it is an Australian thing but I think great service = great tip, poor service = poor tip. is it just me or do others have a thought on this?[/QUOTE]

This is true in the USA. Not so much on cruises. I have never had bad service on a cruise. Their incentive is their job is their life. Without it, they can't provide adequately for their families back home. They can't just go to the next restaurant (ship) and get a job. They have to provide good service to get incentives too. Like those comment cards mean a lot to them too cuz it means special perks to them. They work hard and deserve it.

[quote name='madforcruising']It´s a hot discussed topic on the boards and you´ll get many different opinions on this. So here is mine.
With the tip on a cruise ship being the actual salary of the employee I have no problem with prepaying my tips. The recommended amount would be my base tip anyway. To reduce this tip it would have to be non-existant service. Good and excellent service is rewarded on top of the recommended amount by me. JMO, YMMV.[/QUOTE]

When service is adequate, I let the "service charge" remain. When service is exceptional which it always has been, they I tip extra. Extra $20 to my steward and extra $20 to my dining waiter and also to the key people that have made my time onboard enjoyable.

Cruiselines won't call it a service charge or add it to the cruise cost cuz that means extra money they have to pay to TA's. I wish they would then those not used to tipping won't question it.