Gratuities to be added to sea pass account daily.

[bloodymary]

Still no email, Tipping is a thank you for good service given after not before

Will tip how I have always tipped

If RCL want more money put up prices across the board.

[niko40]

Originally Posted by niko40

Everyone calm down if you still want to pay the old fashioned way good service good tip you can

 

 

 

 

Onboard Gratuities

 

How can I pay tips?For the convenience of guests, pre-paid tips may be arranged online or added to your booking by your travel agent or Personal Cruise Specialist, before your sailing date. If you have opted not to pre-pay your Service Charge before your cruise, then for all sailings that commence after 1st March 2013, for your convenience we will automatically add a $12.00 per guest per day* service charge to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. * For Grand Suites and above the daily charge will be $14.25c. Alternatively, you may pay in cash at the end of your cruise directly to the crew members you wish to recognise for their service (If you require an envelope for the crew member concerned, please see the Guest Relations Desk).

Please note, we no longer provide the pre-paid gratuity vouchers at the end of the cruise.

 

Please note gratuities are discretionary so in the unlikely event that a guest on board being charged the daily automatic gratuity does not receive satisfactory service, our guests may request to modify (increase, decrease or remove) the daily amount by visiting Guest Services during their cruise.

 

 

nico40

can I ask where you found this info.. I am locked out of the .com site and can't find this exact wording on the .co.uk site

 

thanks in advance

 

wendy

 

 

No this was on the uk web site under how can I pay for tips

[silvermcs]

We have a Med cruise in July and also received the e-mail. It is fine with me. As we usually do, we will give extra cash to the staff that gives us great service. We also start with a nice cash tip to our cabin person on the first day, just to set the right tone for the rest of the cruise.

[fishtaco]

Still no email, Tipping is a thank you for good service given after not before

Will tip how I have always tipped

If RCL want more money put up prices across the board.

 

Yes and Daily "Auto tips" are usually put on your bill when you are fast asleep:D

 

If you had bad service then call GS the next morning and remove the tip portion from that days bad service:)

 

It is all so simple!

 

If you always pay tips on a cruise equivalent to or above that recommended by the cruise line why shun this system:confused:

 

It is well known by most CC members and other cruisers that staff on board do a good enough job to receive a tip for the entire cruise, Bad service is a rare occurrence in cruise staff service so why now are so many quoting a wikki explanation of "Tip" as if it were for a first ever seating at a new restaurant:confused:

 

Are you really expecting service not worthy of tipping?

[purescottish]

nico40 I looked there and never saw it worded this way ?

 

oceanboy and debde, that's what I was wondering, the difference in wording

 

oceanboy I cannot get that link, it locks me out for some reason....whenever I try the .com site it automatically re-routes me to the .co.uk site..........weird

 

wendy

[beachdiamonds]

This makes no sense to me whatsoever?

 

Speciality restaurant tip included in the extra charge, got it!

 

Waiter waiting a table with specific places set out for "you" each night and available for dinning should you choose as after all it part of the cruise fare but you dont want to tip him so he looses out?

 

Auto tips share your tip around the staff who are in the tipping pool.

A Speciality Restaurants charge includes a tip for waiters that goes to the same tipping pool:p

 

RCI sets out this tipping pool with who gets what and are quite open with it!

 

If your thoughts are correct then those choosing MTD should claim back the dinner tip if they choose to dine in a speciality restaurant instead?

 

This was never a problem when MDR was the only option for dinner.

 

 

I really don't care if it makes sense to you as your logic makes absolutely none to me. It's what I plan to do. In fact I don't have a problem with releasing my MDR table so that someone else can have it. Will dine in all speciality restaraunts and will ensure that those servers get any extra tips that I provide.

[JanineM]

Not looking for sympathy. Its this exact sheeple attitude that perpetuates these practices. Pay more so that anyone can brag about how caring you are? Have the stones to stand up to someone whos taking $ from you like a gypsy preteen.

 

TIPS ARE EARNED, NOT AN ENTITLEMENT

 

I don't like any business that builds tips into service and acts like they are doing you a favor. You are being ripped of, you don't know it, and they are laughing all the way to the bank. I don't like it and I'm letting every know. I'm glad to see others have the testicular fortitude to do the same here. Man up.

 

I have no problem tipping and if anything, I over tip. I don't like being hoodwinked by RCL. I want to determine where my tip money goes. Sorry, its how we Americans Think.

 

Please don't speak for me - that's not how THIS American thinks.

 

To equate the people working on the ships with a "gypsy preteen" is absolutely degrading to people who work harder than most of us EVER have - so you can have a lovely vacation.

 

Just try to imagine to your average American working that hard for something - a tip - that isn't guaranteed. You get a sneer if you don't leave the overpaid "barista" extra cash for the coffee that they poured into a cup.

 

If it bothers you so much then just replace the word "auto tip" with "service charge" in your mind and be done with it. It's all semantics.

[Ocean Boy]

I really don't care if it makes sense to you as your logic makes absolutely none to me. It's what I plan to do. In fact I don't have a problem with releasing my MDR table so that someone else can have it. Will dine in all speciality restaraunts and will ensure that those servers get any extra tips that I provide.

 

I have learned over the years that on threads like this it is not worth going around in circles with someone when it comes to this issue. I know where I have eaten. I know who has taken care of me. RCI knows neither. As far as I am concerned, at the end of the day, or cruise, as long as I have taken care of the folks who have taken care of me then I can live with myself.

[Scrapnana]

Virtually every mainstream line now does it this way. It is what it is and none of you on this thread or the thousands of other tipping threads are making anything remotely like a new argument. See if I have missed any:

 

1. Should not have to tip for my kids (cuz apparently they do not eat, make messes or require any interaction with crew members, ever).

 

2. I don't come from a tipping culture(ever heard of "when in Rome'?).

 

3. I prefer to hand cash directly to those that serve me. (And screw those behind the scenes that also get part of the gratuities).

 

4. They should just call it a service charge (they can call it a "cheese danish", its the same dang thing!).

 

Climbing off my soap box. Go back to making the same tired old arguments that will change nothing.

 

Nicely put, cruzeluver!

[postmeome]

I will still pay mine with cash at the end of my cruise,gratuities are not compulsary

[marci22]

I believe eventually the language will be changed to calling them "service charges" and there will be no option to have them removed.

 

I hope that happens sooner rather than later.

[iambumbo]

It's probably just as much a stereotype, but everytime I hear someone say something like, "I don't want to be forced to tip, but I ALWAYS tip for excellent service," I just assume they then go out of their way to find some excuse for why service wasn't excellent so they don't have to tip. I'm sure there are plenty of people who actually do what they say in that regard, but it just sounds cheap.

 

The main dining room staff excuse ("If I don't go, why should I have to tip them?") is also ridiculously lame. Um, they need to be there because they have to assume you're coming, they don't know what your plans are. How would you feel if you showed up for main dining and they didn't have enough staff?

[caddie1]

nico40 I looked there and never saw it worded this way ?

 

oceanboy and debde, that's what I was wondering, the difference in wording

 

oceanboy I cannot get that link, it locks me out for some reason....whenever I try the .com site it automatically re-routes me to the .co.uk site..........weird

 

wendy

 

I do not think they want us on US site and vice versa. It will not allow me in either. Even tried AU site but still sends me to co.uk.

[beachdiamonds]

I have learned over the years that on threads like this it is not worth going around in circles with someone when it comes to this issue. I know where I have eaten. I know who has taken care of me. RCI knows neither. As far as I am concerned, at the end of the day, or cruise, as long as I have taken care of the folks who have taken care of me then I can live with myself.

 

You are so correct Ocean Boy. I have read your other posts and your logic is always on point. Against my better judgement I posted. Typically I stay away from these type of posts because at the end of the day everyone does exactly what they want to.

 

You are right as long as you take care of those that take care of YOU and your fine with it, then that's all that matters. As I said before all of my extra tips (which I always leave in addition to any upcharge) will go to those servers in the Speciality locations where I plan to frequent.

 

Will take your advice and leave this conversation.

 

.... Now exiting this mess and going back to some other threads.

[fishtaco]

I really don't care if it makes sense to you as your logic makes absolutely none to me. It's what I plan to do. In fact I don't have a problem with releasing my MDR table so that someone else can have it. Will dine in all speciality restaraunts and will ensure that those servers get any extra tips that I provide.

 

 

lol Your MDR table cannot be released to anyone else as there are a set number of passengers on a cruise so there is no one else to release it to lol

Dont feel angry and dont be Mad tipping is really a personal thing and nobody should feel the need to tip any more than they really want to:D So much talk about "Extra" tipping that really means "Less" Tipping than suggested :D But thats ok too because tipping is a personal thing after all:p

[ARCruisinNana]

Virtually every mainstream line now does it this way. It is what it is and none of you on this thread or the thousands of other tipping threads are making anything remotely like a new argument. See if I have missed any:

 

1. Should not have to tip for my kids (cuz apparently they do not eat, make messes or require any interaction with crew members, ever).

 

2. I don't come from a tipping culture(ever heard of "when in Rome'?).

 

3. I prefer to hand cash directly to those that serve me. (And screw those behind the scenes that also get part of the gratuities).

 

4. They should just call it a service charge (they can call it a "cheese danish", its the same dang thing!).

 

Climbing off my soap box. Go back to making the same tired old arguments that will change nothing.

 

Exactly! It's because of people with this mentality ripping off the crew that RCI has gone to automatically charging the tips. It's about time. I'm SOOO tired of those that say they never eat in the MDR so they shouldn't have to tip:rolleyes:

[niko40]

nico40 I looked there and never saw it worded this way ?

 

oceanboy and debde, that's what I was wondering, the difference in wording

 

oceanboy I cannot get that link, it locks me out for some reason....whenever I try the .com site it automatically re-routes me to the .co.uk site..........weird

 

wendy

 

look on uk web site on how I pay its there it was copied exactly how they worded it

[purescottish]

Would find it interesting though if someone were to post the wording from the .com site......just for caomparison reasons you understand ;)

 

wendy

[beachdiamonds]

lol Your MDR table cannot be released to anyone else as there are a set number of passengers on a cruise so there is no one else to release it to lol

Dont feel angry and dont be Mad tipping is really a personal thing and nobody should feel the need to tip any more than they really want to:D So much talk about "Extra" tipping that really means "Less" Tipping than suggested :D But thats ok too because tipping is a personal thing after all:p

 

Trust me on your best day you could never make me angry!....

 

...really exiting this time

[rpb718]

I posted a version of the following in a similar thread in another forum, but it applies here too:

 

I wouldn't mind if they also forced folks who wanted to remove or reduce the daily gratuity charge to do it on a daily basis. If there are no problems on day 1, day 2, etc. the full daily gratuity charge is charged to the account on those days. If someone is having an issue on a certain day - say day 4 - they can go down and reduce or remove the amount for that day only. They can't touch past days that have already been charged to their account, and they can't touch future days because they can't predict future problems with service, etc.

[Paulxyz2004]

:eek: I just received an email from RCCL indicating that they have just changed their tipping policy. Come on Royal Caribbean, quit insulting our intelligence. RCCL calls it a tip, this is a fee. Build it into your prices...Pay your staff...let us decide who gets a REAL TIP.

I quote:

:p "As of March 1, 2013, Royal Caribbean will add an automatic daily gratuity of $12.00 USD ($14.25 USD for Suite guests) to the onboard account of each guest to be shared by Dining Services Staff, Stateroom Attendants and Other Housekeeping Services Personnel that work to enhance your cruise. This gratuity replaces our previously recommended gratuity guidelines.

 

:p And so start adding an extra $24.00 to $28.50 per day for all your future trips. Thats an additional $168.00 to $200.00 more for a 7 Day cruise.

 

:confused: How is that for a Rip Off? So if you get lousy service, you are now forced to encourage it. Don't use the formal dining? Too bad, you tip anyway. Isn't it bad enough that they build tips into the over priced spa and ship shape services. So cruisers don't have a say in the service?

 

Here is a Tip Royal Caribbean.... Quit ripping us off. Put your prices up front and pay your staff. We'll decide how much to tip service staff. Princess Cruise Lines is really starting to look pretty good lately. ;) And I'm a Diamond Plus C & A Member.:rolleyes:

 

So far nobody ever held a gun to my head to make me book RCI, so not a rip off IMO.

 

You might be paying uo to $200 more for a 7 night cruise, my cruise price didn´t go up at all, as I had paid those Dollars in the past already.

I like the new policy and support it.

[maureencruiser]

I guess my issue with this is when traveling with your family. Why should I have to tip full price for my child that I am cleaning up after?

WOW! That is amazing - you bring your own vacuum cleaner on board so you can vacuum the room? Do you check it or do you carry it on? You carry on a washer and dryer so you can wash the sheets and towels yourself! You are Supermom! Now, here's the part I don't get, what kind of printing press do you carry on to print out the Kid's Compasses and how do you know what activities to print if your cabin steward doesn't leave you one? Do tell, do tell! I could go on and on, bottom line is putting your kids dirty undies in a suitcase is not "cleaning up"!

[Paulxyz2004]

I posted a version of the following in a similar thread in another forum, but it applies here too:

 

I wouldn't mind if they also forced folks who wanted to remove or reduce the daily gratuity charge to do it on a daily basis. If there are no problems on day 1, day 2, etc. the full daily gratuity charge is charged to the account on those days. If someone is having an issue on a certain day - say day 4 - they can go down and reduce or remove the amount for that day only. They can't touch past days that have already been charged to their account, and they can't touch future days because they can't predict future problems with service, etc.

 

I like your idea !!!

[MIcruiser99]

We use always have the gratuity added so this does not really matter to us. I have yet to have poor service where I would not feel the tip is not earned.

 

According to RCL website, you can request the tips deduction if you feel you did not receive good service and if you did receive excellent service, you can choose to give more to a specific person.

 

I personally like the idea as I have seen servers pander to a large table thinking they will get good tips and not spend as much time at our table. It was sad that the last night, not one person from the large table showed up for tip night. If the servers know that all the guests are prepaid, then there might be less preference shown to a larger group that appears to be big tippers.

 

(The large table's preferential treatment didn't mean we received poor service and did not affect our tipping but was just annoying!)

[pepsicruiser]

Let me first say after 35+ cruises I have never stiffed 1 person on a cruise. But after reading this thread I do think for the first time....Why do you have to tip room steward for 4 people who stay in a room rather than 2. This is "1"room and bath. How much more messy can "1"room get with 4 rather than 2 people. If it were a 2 bedroom suite I get it. BTW I've only traveled with 2 in a room but recently traveled with my son and his family (4) and although children can get messy the room still needs vacuuming, bath cleaning etc with 2 people and same for 4 people. I think the room steward should be given a standard tip regardless of 2 or 4 people. Other than that definitely the dining room staff caters to the children so they need to be tipped. Just my 2 cents lol.