£1,000 in gratuities??

[Debde]

Also, think of it as a "resort" fee, instead of gratuities; it may be easier to swallow.

 

Although they are two very different vacations, I've always said cruising is not a cheap vacation compared to an AI which has an urban legend they are more expensive!!;)

 

Cruising not only does not include tips in your base fee, they are adding many thing that are a pay for fee.

Heck-for those of us who fly to the port-AI's are even having great air fare deals.

[spookwife]

This is the information provided by RCI when I logged in to my cruise account today;

 

I am more than happy to pay gratuities and support the payment of them for good service. What I would query is that a 5yr old child pays the same as an adult – if that was the case then a 5yr old child should pay the same fare as an adult – same heads on beds scenario, food if you include all the extras they have as in ice creams, cakes, slices of pizza etc throughout the day.

 

.

 

Okay but the fee for the 3rd person in a cabin is NOT based on age.. only the fact they are the 3rd( and 4th if applicable) so your 15 year old would be paying the same rate as the 5 year old as the 2 year old if each were the 3rd person in a cabin. or a third adult.

 

and many people argue that children are WORSE when it comes to requiring extra work out of the cabin attendants.. leaving toys everywhere, (diapers and other baby things if applicable) plus as has been stated numerous times, Kids get spoiled rotten by the crew, esp severs who are more than happy to bring stuff to keep Junior occupied at the table while waiting for dinner.

[Elizanessie]

"tipping guidelines" = suggested not complusory rule.

 

And I am sorry to see that once again our "friends" across the pond come on here and have a go at UK Cruisers.:(

 

Different cultures,different rules, please cut folks from other countries some slack.

[richstowe]

I really do not understand why people have a problem tipping for children. Limit the amount of children you take and your cruise tips will be less. :).

Are you joking or serious? Hoping for the former. Really hoping.

 

What a silly comment, are you suggesting the OP leaves some of his family behind?

I don't think anyone really has a problem with tipping for children after all when on an American ship do as the Americans do but you can't expect this to be universally known and I have never had a T/A point it out to me either.

Everyone makes their own choices. If kids are in their own cabin, I don't believe thre is any excuse to not pay the full amount.

If 4 to a cabin you may justify less. Not sure.:confused:

[ALGOR]

That reflects poorly upon your travel agents, doesn't it? An agent should prepare you for cultural difference and clearly disclose the costs before booking the trip. Do your agents lack knowledge? Or do they fail to communicate the salient information? Or are you an experienced traveler and they know that you know about tips?

 

Ha Ha Ha, sorry that really made me laugh, there are clearly some differences between T/A's on your side of the pond and ours. I guess if you book through a cruise specialist then they will make sure you have the relevant information however, the majority of T/A's here are simply High street stores and the agent just wants to make a sale.

[stormyitaly]

This is the information provided by RCI when I logged in to my cruise account today;

*

$18.90 a day x 6 people = $113.40 a day x 14 nights = $1587.60 which equates to roughly £1,000

Suite attendant USD 7.25 a day per guest

Stateroom attendant USD 5.00 a day per guest

Dining Room Waiter USD 3.75 a day per guest

Assistant Waiter USD 2.15 a day per guest

Head Waiter USD 0.75 a day per guest

Note: These gratuities apply to guests of all ages. A 15% gratuity will automatically be added ro your bar or wine bill when you are served.

*

I am more than happy to pay gratuities and support the payment of them for good service. What I would query is that a 5yr old child pays the same as an adult – if that was the case then a 5yr old child should pay the same fare as an adult – same heads on beds scenario, food if you include all the extras they have as in ice creams, cakes, slices of pizza etc throughout the day.

 

We have cruised on this ship before and certainly don't remember the gratuities being so high.

*

I would gladly limit the amount of children I take – maybe leave two at home with 14 pizzas and 14 bowls of cereal?!!

*

The point I was making was that when you add it up, £1,000 is a lot of money to add on to a cruise cost – if I get the service which I don’t doubt I will for one moment then I will happily tip but it’ll have to be 100% first class service to get an additional £1,000.

 

People can be so brave from the safety of a computer. Your question was reasonable. It is alot of money and not everyone has a zillion cruises under their belt, and thus, the knowledge. Oh, to be so full of wisdom! Have a great cruise! I like to pay the tips ahead and for some strange reason, that makes me feel better about it. The funny part is that we always end up loving our helpers and tip more in the end.

[MOSusan]

[quote=Host Elizanessie;33696794

And I am sorry to see that once again our "friends" across the pond come on here and have a go at UK Cruisers.:(

 

quote]

 

Really? I saw people trying to educate someone who was calculating things incorrectly.

 

The sterotyping goes both ways on this board.

[nelly55]

You shouldn't be paying for suite attendant AND stateroom attendant, just one or the other depending what grade of cabin you are in.

[Starry Eyes]

Ha Ha Ha, sorry that really made me laugh, there are clearly some differences between T/A's on your side of the pond and ours. I guess if you book through a cruise specialist then they will make sure you have the relevant information however, the majority of T/A's here are simply High street stores and the agent just wants to make a sale.

 

Hee, Hee...so, that does indeed reflect poorly upon your travel agents. Little reason to use an agent who punches a few buttons, provides no useful information and yet collects a commission, IMHO. I am not sure I'd get much better from many agents here in the states, as many "just want to make a sale". Others do have a good command of cruises. In the Internet age where we can do our own bookings easily, should not T/A's provide so extra measure of service to justify their use? If I were to desire a trip outside my knowledge base, say an African safari, I would want an agent who could really provide helpful info on costs, customs, safety, reputation, etc. if I have to discover all that for myself, I might as well book directly.

[postmeome]

do you see what i mean,can't win.

if you dont agree with 99% of them you will be accused of ,"stiffing staff" or you should not be cruising because you cannot afford it,take no notice of them enjoy your cruise:D

[Starry Eyes]

"tipping guidelines" = suggested not complusory rule.

 

And I am sorry to see that once again our "friends" across the pond come on here and have a go at UK Cruisers.:(

 

Different cultures,different rules, please cut folks from other countries some slack.

Liz, many of us are trying to help....trying hard to help. Recheck the OP's calculations compared to the tipping guidelines...I think the OP is double paying one category (suite v stateroom attendant), thereby miscalculating, thereby thinking they are seeing higher tip guidelines than in the past, and causing the upset. IF the OP will read the posts, the OP may recalculate and feel better.

 

I believe the way Royal Caribbean lists the tipping guidelines creates the misunderstanding and sticker shock. If they would insert an " or" between stateroom and suite it might help. Even better if they would make a list for suite guests and a separate one for the rest of us, it would be more clear.

 

Tipping for kids is a separate point. Kids really do get a lot of service and attention on ships...maybe more than adults, as I think the crew bends over backward for young guests. And rightly so. i hope the OP and family have a great time and feel every cent was earned.

[ALGOR]

Hee, Hee...so, that does indeed reflect poorly upon your travel agents. Little reason to use an agent who punches a few buttons, provides no useful information and yet collects a commission, IMHO. I am not sure I'd get much better from many agents here in the states, as many "just want to make a sale". Others do have a good command of cruises. In the Internet age where we can do our own bookings easily, should not T/A's provide so extra measure of service to justify their use? If I were to desire a trip outside my knowledge base, say an African safari, I would want an agent who could really provide helpful info on costs, customs, safety, reputation, etc. if I have to discover all that for myself, I might as well book directly.

 

Agreed. The thing is though that the High Street T/A's are much cheaper than booking direct or through a cruise specialist. For example my family of 3 are going on the Indy for 14 days next month and the T/A was approx $600.00 cheaper than booking direct, which was handy because the difference paid for my tips:D

[FLACRUISER99]

If you stay in a

Suite the gratuities are approximately 725£

Stateroom the gratuities are approximately 600£

Not 1000£

[milliemine]

[quote=Host Elizanessie;33696794

And I am sorry to see that once again our "friends" across the pond come on here and have a go at UK Cruisers.:(

 

quote]

 

Really? I saw people trying to educate someone who was calculating things incorrectly.

 

The sterotyping goes both ways on this board.

 

 

Really? Well, let's educate you then: Tipping is just an excuse to keep wages low, and the sooner Americans realise this, the better it will be, especially for those who work in the service industry.

[Elizanessie]

Liz, many of us are trying to help....trying hard to help. Recheck the OP's calculations compared to the tipping guidelines...I think the OP is double paying one category (suite v stateroom attendant), thereby miscalculating, thereby thinking they are seeing higher tip guidelines than in the past, and causing the upset. IF the OP will read the posts, the OP may recalculate and feel better

 

Yes I see those posts which are helpful and that is great to read and I thank those of you who are trying to help :D

 

But there are some uncalled for comments and those make me sad :(

[Jumbiecruiser]

This is the information provided by RCI when I logged in to my cruise account today;

*

$18.90 a day x 6 people = $113.40 a day x 14 nights = $1587.60 which equates to roughly £1,000

Suite attendant USD 7.25 a day per guest

Stateroom attendant USD 5.00 a day per guest

Dining Room Waiter USD 3.75 a day per guest

Assistant Waiter USD 2.15 a day per guest

Head Waiter USD 0.75 a day per guest

Note: These gratuities apply to guests of all ages. A 15% gratuity will automatically be added ro your bar or wine bill when you are served.

*

I am more than happy to pay gratuities and support the payment of them for good service. What I would query is that a 5yr old child pays the same as an adult – if that was the case then a 5yr old child should pay the same fare as an adult – same heads on beds scenario, food if you include all the extras they have as in ice creams, cakes, slices of pizza etc throughout the day.

 

We have cruised on this ship before and certainly don't remember the gratuities being so high.

*

I would gladly limit the amount of children I take – maybe leave two at home with 14 pizzas and 14 bowls of cereal?!!

*

The point I was making was that when you add it up, £1,000 is a lot of money to add on to a cruise cost – if I get the service which I don’t doubt I will for one moment then I will happily tip but it’ll have to be 100% first class service to get an additional £1,000.

 

If you're in a suite, you don't pay for the stateroom attendant. The suite attendant covers that. Also the head waiter is someone I only tip if they do something special. There are some that only come around on the last evening. They get nothing. Take care of your suite attendant and dining room wait staff as a priority.

[Jetdriver787]

I thought I had explained it reasonably well in post #5?

Oh well!

 

It is $11.65 per person (UNITED STATES DOLLARS) for a room up to and including a Junior suite.

 

It is $13.90 per person for a grand suite and above.

 

The exchange rate is roughly £1 = US$ 1.60

 

For 6 persons that is a grand total of either £612 or £730 for a 14 day cruise.

[Jumbiecruiser]

 

 

Really? Well, let's educate you then: Tipping is just an excuse to keep wages low, and the sooner Americans realise this, the better it will be, especially for those who work in the service industry.

 

Americans are not the ones that need to learn to tip. Worry about your own side of the pond. :rolleyes: Seems that you have enough issues over there.

[DebJ14]

Suites have higher pp pd tip guidelines than do basic cabins....and the tips cover not only the room/suite attendant, but the waiter, ass't. waiter and head waiter.

 

This is why research BEFORE you book ANY vacation is a good thing.....so you'll know all of the 'hidden' costs...and while gratuities aren't a "secret"...they aren't include in the base price....but they do need to be paid!

 

And if they use the CL they will need to tip the Concierge and CL bar waiter as well. They are not in the suite tip pool.

[Elizanessie]

Looking at the OP's posts it would appear they are in a Family Suite..(not RFS)...so this may be what is causing confusion :confused:

[samiii]

Personally when travelling with our Grand kids I only pay for children over 7 years old. I go to the ront desk and ask them to make adjustments. Never had a problem. By the way, I always give additional when service warrants. samiii

[Maxiecat3]

Personally when travelling with our Grand kids I only pay for children over 7 years old. I go to the ront desk and ask them to make adjustments. Never had a problem. By the way, I always give additional when service warrants. samiii

 

OMG:eek:.

 

Gregg

[marci22]

Personally when travelling with our Grand kids I only pay for children over 7 years old. I go to the ront desk and ask them to make adjustments. Never had a problem. By the way, I always give additional when service warrants. samiii

 

The under-7s probably make the biggest mess.

[BND]

Personally when travelling with our Grand kids I only pay for children over 7 years old. I go to the ront desk and ask them to make adjustments. Never had a problem. By the way, I always give additional when service warrants. samiii

 

How the heck did you come up with that arbitrary age? A child under 7 also uses towels, eats, sleeps in the bed, etc. There's just as much work involved for everyone with a 6 year old as there is witha 7 year old. That is so random:confused:

[ALGOR]

Personally when travelling with our Grand kids I only pay for children over 7 years old. I go to the ront desk and ask them to make adjustments. Never had a problem. By the way, I always give additional when service warrants. samiii

 

I'll get the popcorn on!