Royal Carribbean basically "forced me" to tip waiters I never met!

[teajak]

Totally agree. Anyone who has ever worked in a service industry that pools tips knows it doesn't work and makes for terrible relations among the workers.:(

 

Someone knows. I know about other cruise lines but not about Royal Caribbean. The ones with auto tips pool. Before they did auto tips they obfuscated what happened behind the scenes. Turned out they pooled before the auto tips. But we just don't know with Royal. Even the inside scoop might not be reliable ...

 

With all the options now on Royal ships and people not always using the MDR I think they should have auto tips and they should pool the tips.

You have obviously never worked as a waiter.:p

[grammax3]

I have no problem with the pre paying. Infact I like it, one less thing to be concerned about on my vacation:D

 

Including this "service charge" in the price of the cruise may sound like a good idea.

 

However I can assure you at some point the fact that it is included will be forgotten and you will be expected to "TIP" .

 

 

Reader

 

I definitely agree with this post. We prepay our tips, just less cash we have to carry with us.

 

Original poster - Do you tip when you go to a restaurant? Do you "know" your server? If you eat at the buffet...how do the tables get cleaned? Who sets up the buffet? These people deserve a tip, they work long hours. Would you work 10 or 12 hours a day with minimal compensation? Just wondering.

[kenevenpar]

I was always under the impresson that the tips are pooled. We have always eaten in the MDR and prepaid tips. This past cruise, we prepaid tips but never went to the MDR. I went to the desk and asked, and was told they do NOT pool the tips, that the prepaid tip you give to "Head Waiter", "Waiter", and "Assistant Waiter" go to the MDR staff only. I had been under the impression that the tips also went to breakfast and lunch staff. Now, maybe they pool amongst the MDR people, I don't know; all I know is, the worker at the desk basically told me, "If you didn't go to the MDR, you shouldn't tip them." So I had the prepaid tips put back on my credit card (they can't give you a refund right there).

 

Just a reminder, the breakfast and lunch staff are the same people who work the dinner shift. I can't comment on the part I put in bold because I was not there, except to say that the staff member was way off base.

[Charles4515]

You have obviously never worked as a waiter.:p

 

Nope. But a cruise is different than a restaurant. Theses days with multiple dining options and passengers not carrying cash or paying for each meal separately, without auto tips and pooling tips some crew will get stiffed. And not stiffed on purpose. You can tell that from the confusion of people posting here about cruise tipping.

[tigger-ttfn]

Whilst the "Tip" structure is indicated as being for the Table Waiter and the Assistant, as well as the Headwaiter, you must also realise these are the same people that provide service in other areas around the ship. The waiters also work in the Buffett area for breakfast and lunch service. and are supervised by Head waiters. So the tipping is not solely for the evening service. As stated you did have the option to not pre-pay, and therefore tip in cash if you wanted too or not, so nobody actually forced you do to anything.

Sure I hear what you said abot not having cash, but all ships have ATMs and cash can be got from the Casino, and yes you might have been charged a small percentage for getting cash, but only similar to charges made at any foreign exchange.

However as you state that this was not your first cruise, you certainly would have been aware of the tipping policy ( which is similar on most cruise lines ) and therefore you could have prepared yourselves for tipping in cash, if that would be your preference.

Even those that have pre-paid can have those tips removed from their bill, if they feel the service did not deserve the amount spent. Sorry if you felt this policy did not suit you, but I think there were ways that would have enabled you to avoid the situation.

Well said

[Haydrew]

Hi all, this will be our first time on RC, we have prepaid our tips with the understanding ALL the staff get a cut of it and once paid no more 'gratuitys' will have to be paid? Is this correct or will we have to pay more once on board??

 

Thanks :)

[mommabean]

Hi all, this will be our first time on RC, we have prepaid our tips with the understanding ALL the staff get a cut of it and once paid no more 'gratuitys' will have to be paid? Is this correct or will we have to pay more once on board??

 

Thanks :)

 

This is correct. And you don't even have to hand out the vouchers and envelopes you will receive. To tip anything extra is at your discretion. Many of us do tip extra but it certainly isn't required.

 

Gina

[wolfganghowell]

Haydrew -there is a service charge aka tip added to every drink order. Goes on your seapass account.

[Haydrew]

This is correct. And you don't even have to hand out the vouchers and envelopes you will receive. To tip anything extra is at your discretion. Many of us do tip extra but it certainly isn't required.

 

Gina

 

 

Cool, thats what I wanted to clear up as it's been confusing me for a while, one person says one thing, one person says another. We prepaid so that there was it no stressing who we have to pay at the end. Thanks Mommabean :)

[Haydrew]

Haydrew -there is a service charge aka tip added to every drink order. Goes on your seapass account.

 

So what's the point in prepaid tips then?

 

We've got the soda package, do we have to pay service charge for being served soft drinks from the bar??

 

Thanks

[mommabean]

So what's the point in prepaid tips then?

 

We've got the soda package, do we have to pay service charge for being served soft drinks from the bar??

 

Thanks

 

No you don't need to tip when you buy the soda package. The tip is already included.

 

The prepaid tips are for those who everyone uses on board - stateroom attendant and waiter, asst. waiter and headwaiter. Not everyone buys a drink of any type. That's why the tip is added on to each drink. And again, some people tip the server or bartender extra. But it is never required or even expected.

 

In Australia, the bar bill never had the tip added extra - it was built into the price of the drink because of the aversion Aussies have to tipping. Many of us noticed the base cost of the drinks was higher in Australia than when the ship is in Alaska. I'm assuming that in Alaska the price went back down and the 15% was again added to the cost of the drink.

 

Either way, you do not need to tip anyone else after you have prepaid your tips.

 

Gina

[MiamiSky66]

for all the passengers that say they never eat in the dining room. Just remember your 2 chairs are there and that deprived the waiter from getting tips from someone else.

[Retired traveler]

We also would get upset about tipping the head waiter when we never saw him. We put the tips in envelopes before we leave for the cruise. We also learned that if you do not eat in the MDR, give up your table so it does not affect the waiter. Give the tip to the

Windjammer staff at dinner. They do a fantastic service for dinner.

[Grammylinda]

We also do not like to eat dinner in the main dining room. For our past 4 cruises, we have been fortunate enought to eat dinner each night in specialty dining. So we just go to Customer Service and tell them we will handle our own tips. We also plan to have enough cash on hand to give any additional tips to waiters in those specialty restaurants. We also notify the maitre'd that he can reassign our assigned main dining room seats.

 

However, if you are eating in the buffet every night, there are waiters there who also deserve a tip. If you do not plan on eating in the main dining room, free up your seats and then your automatic tips can be shared amongst the many working in the buffet, etc.

 

You. An also adopt a "tip as you go" policy if you tend to have assistance from the same wait staff members frequently.

[crusinpeg]

We also do not like to eat dinner in the main dining room. For our past 4 cruises, we have been fortunate enought to eat dinner each night in specialty dining. So we just go to Customer Service and tell them we will handle our own tips. We also plan to have enough cash on hand to give any additional tips to waiters in those specialty restaurants. We also notify the maitre'd that he can reassign our assigned main dining room seats.

 

However, if you are eating in the buffet every night, there are waiters there who also deserve a tip. If you do not plan on eating in the main dining room, free up your seats and then your automatic tips can be shared amongst the many working in the buffet, etc.

 

You. An also adopt a "tip as you go" policy if you tend to have assistance from the same wait staff members frequently.

 

Wow..you're really lucky to eat in the specialty restaurants every night but it just seems that an extra $300.00 to $400.00 a week to eat is alot of extra money...I guess to each his own.

 

Just curious where do you eat breakfast and lunch?

[joe6666]

for all the passengers that say they never eat in the dining room. Just remember your 2 chairs are there and that deprived the waiter from getting tips from someone else.

Just because the cruise line set up a ridiculous system for tipping doesn't mean that you should be expected to fix it.

If you never eat in the MDR… Not breakfast, lunch or dinner, you don’t owe any of those people anything.

However, you are eating somewhere… Make sure you tip the people who work there.

[joe6666]

We also do not like to eat dinner in the main dining room. For our past 4 cruises, we have been fortunate enought to eat dinner each night in specialty dining. So we just go to Customer Service and tell them we will handle our own tips. We also plan to have enough cash on hand to give any additional tips to waiters in those specialty restaurants. We also notify the maitre'd that he can reassign our assigned main dining room seats.

 

However, if you are eating in the buffet every night, there are waiters there who also deserve a tip. If you do not plan on eating in the main dining room, free up your seats and then your automatic tips can be shared amongst the many working in the buffet, etc.

 

You. An also adopt a "tip as you go" policy if you tend to have assistance from the same wait staff members frequently.

 

“If you do not plan on eating in the main dining room, free up your seats”.

I’m on vacation. Why should I have to help manage the MDR? I shouldn’t have to decide where I’m going to eat until it’s time to eat.

I already paid pre paid gratuities, and they don’t have to wait on me in the MDR if I’m not there, and I’m supposed to help manage the MDR tables in order to help keep the tipping program operating properly?

[joe6666]

for all the passengers that say they never eat in the dining room. Just remember your 2 chairs are there and that deprived the waiter from getting tips from someone else.

 

I think you should make it up to the wait staff.

If you don't show up to eat in the MDR, and you have pre paid gratuities.

I think you should slip the wait staff an extra $20 each for not having to wait on you.:)

[jimpop]

heydrew....no tips on soda with the package so long as you show your soda package icon...if you are at a venue and order a canned soda, you will be charged and the tip will be added...club soda and the like will be charged to your account...just so you are aware...We always do pre paid, our preference...we tip extra for excellent service and I am not shy about speaking up to the proper people when I get shoddy service and have had tips removed from those automatic tips by going to supervisors...and yes, I received credit when it was due...we also do not tip at buffets...at home or on the ship...If I have to get the food myself...no tip...just me and you are free to do as you please...Jim

[BrianAlt]

....no tips on soda with the package so long as you show your soda package icon...

 

You pay the gratuity when you buy the soda package.

[crusinpeg]

Don't flame me...this is just my opinion...why doesn't RCCl make everyone (not just MTD) prepay their tips? That way no waitstaff will get stiffed and if anyone has exceptional service and wants to tip extra...no problem, just give it to your server.

 

Just because one does not eat dinner in the MDR does not mean that they are not getting service elsewhere (WJ) and at other times(breakfast, lunch)

 

As far as specialty dining...I thought the tip was included.

 

If everyone was required to pay a MINIMUM tip wouldn't this solve the problem?

[fireofficer5]

Perpay the tip, when you book your cruise.

This was the first time I did it.

The only way to go.

[wolfganghowell]

Sorry should have clarified that the service charge is for alcohol, juices or sodas bought individually.

[yogimax]

Don't flame me...this is just my opinion...why doesn't RCCl make everyone (not just MTD) prepay their tips? That way no waitstaff will get stiffed and if anyone has exceptional service and wants to tip extra...no problem, just give it to your server.

 

 

Flame? No way!

 

I agree 100%

[BBT]

I dunno, tipping for service I did not actually get does not seem right.

 

I tip MDR staff for every night I actually eat there. I tip the server in Chops when I eat there. Seems to me whoever is serving me is being tipped for the incidence of service rendered.

 

The bar guys are getting tipped. It's shown right there as 15%. I will tip on top of that. So they're covered.

 

My cabin steward is covered, no problem there. Last cruise he got a gift and extra $. Real good guy.

 

I mean, I was once very regular at a local bar. I always tipped & tipped well. But the nights I don't show up I am expected to tip them? Nuh-uh.

 

Just my take on it. Was wondering if was being a cheapskate, but I don't think so. I think I have it covered.

 

Smooth cruising to all.