Tip your bar servers!!!!!!!

[rubrrick]

OK, so RCI is spending money to convert revenue-producing areas into CLs and DLs but is simultaneously planning to get rid of them in order to conver them back to revenue-producing areas.

 

The sad part is that I can see that.:eek:

 

Now, it would be much healthier for me if the lounges didn't exist. It's too easy to park my butt in there for an hour or two and let somebody refill my glass 5 times without my asking. So I might actually be ok with the lounges going away. I must be getting old.

 

As far as the concierges, I would imagine that they could go to Guest Services, whence most of them came. But RCI would have to provide some personalized perks for the full suite passengers - other than the CL, all they get is more square footage and a coffeemaker (OK, I know it's more than that, but not enough to justify the enormous price difference between a full suite and the other accomodations).

 

 

I also see the handwriting on the wall, and will say that it was a good, no........great program while it lasted. It's not over yet, but who knows what happens come next January, when another WOW program will be introduced that takes away more perks!!:D

 

As a suite guest (mostly sailing in full suites) I would hope that Royal can continue to justify what they are charging for suites.

 

We both have been sailing Princess more, and you know their program as well as I do, and they have certain perks that Royal does not and visa versa.

 

With all that is going on at RCL headquarters, I keep looking at other lines, because we are really starting to cruise more for the itinerary, than for the cruise.

 

Good call, Jean!!:)

 

Rick

Edited April 6, 2014 by rubrrick

[Merion_Mom]

OK, so RCI is spending money to convert revenue-producing areas into CLs and DLs but is simultaneously planning to get rid of them in order to conver them back to revenue-producing areas.

 

The sad part is that I can see that.:eek:

 

Now, it would be much healthier for me if the lounges didn't exist. It's too easy to park my butt in there for an hour or two and let somebody refill my glass 5 times without my asking. So I might actually be ok with the lounges going away. I must be getting old.

 

As far as the concierges, I would imagine that they could go to Guest Services, whence most of them came. But RCI would have to provide some personalized perks for the full suite passengers - other than the CL, all they get is more square footage and a coffeemaker (OK, I know it's more than that, but not enough to justify the enormous price difference between a full suite and the other accomodations).

 

Could be interesting.........

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

So, If you are using the beverage package don't the servers get a prepaid

gratuity? I have heard comments from others that the service seems slower

when they used the beverage package. Does anyone know how the servers get

the tips?

 

The service is absolutely not slower. Have used it twice on two different ships, Navigator and Liberty. Service was great!

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Could be interesting.........

 

Maybe they plan on using these private venues (DL's) for private groups, private parties. We had several areas on recent cruises blocked off for private parties. For instance the Olive & Twist was used several nights on one cruise. Not fun if you go up there only to find out you have to go to another bar or the DL/CL instead, even with the drink package.

 

I am sure there is money to be made by having groups with private events. There are a lot of big groups that cruise now. If they used the DL's they would be private and not taking bars away from all other guests. JMO

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

The first is my business and not yours. The second is your business and not mine.

 

The point of my post was that you posted incorrect information. Why not simply own up to it.

 

Own up to it? How would I possibly think that MANDATORY daily gratuities could be easily removed for every day? You must know something I don't know. I would never have gratuities removed. Obviously you have experience and know that gratuities can be removed for all days.

 

So yes, if you say it is true through first hand knowledge of having tips removed then yes, I will say it can be done based on your example. So yes, apparently I posted incorrect information and tips are not mandatory. You just have to go down to guest services and have them removed based on Ocean Boys account and experience.

 

Hope most people don't follow your lead. How devastating for the employees affected.

[Merion_Mom]

Own up to it? How would I possibly think that MANDATORY daily gratuities could be easily removed for every day? You must know something I don't know. I would never have gratuities removed. Obviously you have experience and know that gratuities can be removed for all days.

 

So yes, if you say it is true through first hand knowledge of having tips removed then yes, I will say it can be done based on your example. So yes, apparently I posted incorrect information and tips are not mandatory. You just have to go down to guest services and have them removed based on Ocean Boys account and experience.

 

Hope most people don't follow your lead. How devastating for the employees affected.

 

I agree that it is not good, but you CAN just go to Guest Services, fill out a form, and a daily charge for gratuities will no longer appear on your SeaPass account.

 

:(

[Folk Singer]

I agree that it is not good, but you CAN just go to Guest Services, fill out a form, and a daily charge for gratuities will no longer appear on your SeaPass account.

 

:(

 

 

it is so easy to do. See you on the IOS.

[Ocean Boy]

Own up to it? How would I possibly think that MANDATORY daily gratuities could be easily removed for every day? You must know something I don't know. I would never have gratuities removed. Obviously you have experience and know that gratuities can be removed for all days.

 

So yes, if you say it is true through first hand knowledge of having tips removed then yes, I will say it can be done based on your example. So yes, apparently I posted incorrect information and tips are not mandatory. You just have to go down to guest services and have them removed based on Ocean Boys account and experience.

 

Hope most people don't follow your lead. How devastating for the employees affected.

 

I don't know, the ones that I hand envelopes to seem to be anything but devastated. But I'm still not going to get pulled into this debate.

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

I don't know, the ones that I hand envelopes to seem to be anything but devastated. But I'm still not going to get pulled into this debate.

 

Yes, that is wonderful that you tip other people that give you service . I do as well. But the employees who are SUPPOSED to get tips from you and don't must certainly be devastated.

 

Actually this is no debate. You either abide by the tipping rules set up by the cruise line to adequately compensate the employees or you make up your own rules. No debate. And considering how often you post here....I don't think anyone has to pull you into anything, you are already there.

[kahliasmom]

" I am always concerned that our attempts to save a few dollars here and there on our expensive vacations are not at the expense of the hard working people whose jobs are to make those vacations such a pleasure."

 

@Empressofpurple I agree.

 

I was just on the March 29 sailing. Seeing that the balance was zero I realized I should and did tip my bar server for each free drink. I tipped the waiters at the diamond breakfast as well, at the end of the week. They provided such excellent service and working morning, noon and night makes for quite the long day. If one can afford to go on vacation, one must tip those who make that vacation so memorable.

Edited April 7, 2014 by kahliasmom

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

I agree that it is not good, but you CAN just go to Guest Services, fill out a form, and a daily charge for gratuities will no longer appear on your SeaPass account.

 

:(

 

That is very sad to hear. How unfortunate for the employees that get stiffed by this policy.

[LMaxwell]

You either abide by the tipping rules set up by the cruise line to adequately compensate the employees or you make up your own rules.

 

Aww what the heck, I'll bite.

 

The cruise line offers options you can exercise in tipping. Choosing one option versus another is not making up ones own rules. That's the objective facts of the matter.

 

And just to throw this out there, do you remember when RCI ships were registered in Oslo and not in the Bahamas?

[LMaxwell]

That is very sad to hear. How unfortunate for the employees that get stiffed by this policy.

 

How would you feel if a guest removed their auto gratuities but then tipped in cash 20% MORE than is asked for? Why the automatic assumption that the removal of an automatic gratuity means no gratuity given at all? Does it happen in some cases, yes. Are there cases where guests just have a personal preference to hand cash? Yes. Are some of those tippers over and above the minimum amounts? Probably.

 

How would you feel about person A that removes their automatic charges and tips 20% additional all in cash versus person B that leaves automatic charges on and elects not to hand out more cash?

 

I hope this in part illustrates why it is a fallacy to instantly negatively judge someone who does remove their automatic charges; neither I nor you know how they are going to "handle their business" in the end, and so it is patently unfair, rude, and quite a bit shameful to preach down as if you are on higher ground.

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Aww what the heck, I'll bite.

 

The cruise line offers options you can exercise in tipping. Choosing one option versus another is not making up ones own rules. That's the objective facts of the matter.

 

And just to throw this out there, do you remember when RCI ships were registered in Oslo and not in the Bahamas?

 

Interesting, where are these options listed? All I know about is prepaying (required for MTD), paying per day automatically on your sea pass card and paying extra in ADDITION to the daily gratuities. These are the options the cruise line sets out as far as I have ever seen. Any deviation to this would be making up one's own rules.

 

Oh and the new option I found out about, having your tips removed.

 

What other options has Royal Caribbean set out for tipping?

[LMaxwell]

where are these options listed?

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/subject.do?faqSubjectName=Gratuities&faqSubjectId=415&faqType=faq

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

How would you feel if a guest removed their auto gratuities but then tipped in cash 20% MORE than is asked for? Why the automatic assumption that the removal of an automatic gratuity means no gratuity given at all? Does it happen in some cases, yes. Are there cases where guests just have a personal preference to hand cash? Yes. Are some of those tippers over and above the minimum amounts? Probably.

 

How would you feel about person A that removes their automatic charges and tips 20% additional all in cash versus person B that leaves automatic charges on and elects not to hand out more cash?

 

I hope this in part illustrates why it is a fallacy to instantly negatively judge someone who does remove their automatic charges; neither I nor you know how they are going to "handle their business" in the end, and so it is patently unfair, rude, and quite a bit shameful to preach down as if you are on higher ground.

 

I am not preaching. I also am not assuming EVERYONE who has their tips removed is not tipping in any form or even not tipping more. Never, ever said that. I was specifically referring to someone who is on record here at CC as saying they tip only those that serve them, i.e. only eat in the WJ for instance. Those that were SUPPOSED to get their tips, (the waiters and assistant waiters in the MDR) receive nothing if the seats remain empty.

 

But yes, offering customers the option to remove all of their tips is definitely opening up the very real possibility that employees are getting stiffed.

 

If you read my posts I NEVER said everyone who removed tips wasn't tipping, in fact I acknowledged that the poster (OB) was tipping well to others. So in my opinion, it is patently unfair, rude and quite a bit shameful of you to accuse me of such.

[LMaxwell]

I am not preaching.

 

Well, then let's get a synonym for it...

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/subject.do?faqSubjectName=Gratuities&faqSubjectId=415&faqType=faq

 

Thank you for the link. Other then the option to remove tips for UNSATISFACTORY service they offer no new options that I didn't know about.

[m*u*g*]

Hmmm...will decide for myself.

 

Service is key. Have received crappy service from bar staff before.

Edited April 7, 2014 by m*u*g*

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Well, then let's get a synonym for it...

 

One synonym for preaching is teaching. But like I said I wasn't preaching. You said I was preaching (teaching).

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Hmmm...will decide for myself.

 

Service is key. Have received crappy service from bar staff before.

 

I have never heard of anyone being able to remove the automatic 15% from a bar tab? Is this possible too?

[LMaxwell]

Thank you for the link. Other then the option to remove tips for UNSATISFACTORY service they offer no new options that I didn't know about.

 

Unsatisfactory is up to the guest, not up to your personal values or my own, except in regards to ourselves. There are endless reasons someone can be unsatisfied while you or I may think the same service is excellent.

 

Maybe they hit a windfall in the casino and they would prefer to go nuts tipping with abundant cash and not have it applied to their account. Who knows? It doesn't really matter. The point is to not judge others because you don't know all the details. Worry about yourself. If you do what you feel is within the rules and what your moral compass says is right that is about all you can do.

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Unsatisfactory is up to the guest, not up to your personal values or my own, except in regards to ourselves. There are endless reasons someone can be unsatisfied while you or I may think the same service is excellent.

 

Maybe they hit a windfall in the casino and they would prefer to go nuts tipping with abundant cash and not have it applied to their account. Who knows? It doesn't really matter. The point is to not judge others because you don't know all the details. Worry about yourself. If you do what you feel is within the rules and what your moral compass says is right that is about all you can do.

 

You have made your point about harassing me about "judging others" even though I don't believe I have.

 

Your comments a couple days ago in post #4 to the OP on the thread "Royal Caribbean Gratuity Question" is interesting in light of the fact that you are accusing me of preaching and judging others.

[LMaxwell]

You have made your point about harassing me about "judging others" even though I don't believe I have.

 

Your comments a couple days ago in post #4 to the OP on the thread "Royal Caribbean Gratuity Question" is interesting in light of the fact that you are accusing me of preaching and judging others.

 

 

Here is my statement there

 

"Reducing the gratuity is an option to consider if you receive subpar service and management does not correct it. It's not meant so that you can drink more at the cost of crew earnings. I can't imagine a souvenir worth owning that I would be willing to take away from a hard worker to own.

 

This is a case of yes you can, no you shouldn't. "

 

 

That was in regards to OP there saying that they wanted to take off the tips so they had more spending money. It had nothing to do with being unsatisfied as they had not set foot onboard yet. Also, from what they described it was pretty plain to see that they did not intend to supplement with cash, but rather pocket the difference.

 

I do have a negative view towards those who openly claim that they can barely afford the vacation and that if they pay for services rendered that they can't drink/gamble/party/spend as much. My opinion in that situation is vastly different than casting judgment over all of those who use mechanisms put in place by the cruise line to adjust up or down or eliminate their tips. BIG difference.

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Here is my statement there

 

"Reducing the gratuity is an option to consider if you receive subpar service and management does not correct it. It's not meant so that you can drink more at the cost of crew earnings. I can't imagine a souvenir worth owning that I would be willing to take away from a hard worker to own.

 

This is a case of yes you can, no you shouldn't. "

 

 

That was in regards to OP there saying that they wanted to take off the tips so they had more spending money. It had nothing to do with being unsatisfied as they had not set foot onboard yet. Also, from what they described it was pretty plain to see that they did not intend to supplement with cash, but rather pocket the difference.

 

I do have a negative view towards those who openly claim that they can barely afford the vacation and that if they pay for services rendered that they can't drink/gamble/party/spend as much. My opinion in that situation is vastly different than casting judgment over all of those who use mechanisms put in place by the cruise line to adjust up or down or eliminate their tips. BIG difference.

 

I did not cast judgement over all.....etc.

 

Please quit saying that when it is not true.

 

You can split hairs all you want but my posts were no different than yours.