Tipping Question - AGAIN!!

[TandK0826]

I know this has probably been asked a gazillon times already and Im sorry but I do have a question about the tipping. How exactly does this work? This will be the first time that I am not doing the my time dining and prepaid gratuities. At the end, how do you pay? Do they leave envelopes and you can put cash in them? I know with prepaid they give you envelopes at the end if you want to leave extra. Do they charge it to your account? Im hoping you can do the envelope method because then I can just distribute and leave what I want. Thanks in advance for the answers!!! I appreciate it.

[molly361]

If you are not in a suite they will add $12 per person per day on a daily basis to your Sea Pass. You can tip extra if you like I don't know the amount for suite passengers

Edited June 13, 2014 by molly361

[leaveitallbehind]

If you are not in a suite they will add $12 per person per day on a daily basis to your Sea Pass. You can tip extra if you like I don't know the amount for suite passengers

 

Suite passengers is $14.25 pp / day as mentioned charged daily to your SeaPass account. (The additional amount is allocated to the suite attendant).

Edited June 13, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[TandK0826]

Do you have to have it charged to your seapass account? You can't do it any other way? I just think being charged $12.00 a day for the little ones is a bit much. Im not trying to be cheap by any means and I am good tipper but $12.00 a day for the babies is pricey to me.

[NorbertsNiece]

It's the recommended amount per person. And yes this has been covered many many many times. You can ask for gratuities to be removed when you are on board.

[Clarea]

Do you have to have it charged to your seapass account? You can't do it any other way? I just think being charged $12.00 a day for the little ones is a bit much. Im not trying to be cheap by any means and I am good tipper but $12.00 a day for the babies is pricey to me.

You can go to Guest Services once you are on board and remove automatic gratuities.

[TandK0826]

You can go to Guest Services once you are on board and remove automatic gratuities.

 

Clarea - I knew I would get a response from you!! I just wanted to say that I think you are so sweet. You are always posting answers to everyones questions and sending links to direct people to the answers. You definately know about your cruises!!! Thanks for all of your quick responses!!! We at cruise critic appreciate them!

 

I do have one more question. So, if you have the tips removed at guest services, how does that work then? How do I give the tips at this point?

[leaveitallbehind]

As mentioned there no discretionary gratuity pricing based on the passengers age. It is the same per person regardless. Just part of the cost of cruising with a family. However, stateroom rates for children as additional passengers in a stateroom frequently are less per person than the first two.

Edited June 13, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[Clarea]

Clarea - I knew I would get a response from you!! I just wanted to say that I think you are so sweet. You are always posting answers to everyones questions and sending links to direct people to the answers. You definately know about your cruises!!! Thanks for all of your quick responses!!! We at cruise critic appreciate them!

 

I do have one more question. So, if you have the tips removed at guest services, how does that work then? How do I give the tips at this point?

You will be given envelopes on the last day so you can give cash tips. If you need more envelopes, Guest Services has them.

[Langley Cruisers]

Do you have to have it charged to your seapass account? You can't do it any other way? I just think being charged $12.00 a day for the little ones is a bit much. Im not trying to be cheap by any means and I am good tipper but $12.00 a day for the babies is pricey to me.

 

This has been discussed here many times and it is a sensitive subject for sure. I will try to say this gently and politely and hope you understand my heart in this - sometimes, it's the "babies" who make the biggest messes. ;):) I know you will find the staff and crew will go out of their way to make your cruise wonderful and that includes paying special attention to the children. The wait team in the dining room will absolutely cater to the little ones and after that will absolutely clean up their mess behind you. Right? If you are talking baby-babies, their diapers go in the trash like anyone else's trash... the cabin attendant cleans up after passengers of all ages. Children of any age are considered passengers, thus they are charged the auto-gratuities as such.

 

Having said this, yes you can remove the auto-tips and do as you please. Remember that the tips the crew make are considered to be a part of their wages. If you left everything "in place", not only would you not have to worry about it, but everyone who is supposed to be tipped, is tipped. You can always leave more in an envelope if you feel you received outstanding service above and beyond.

 

Have fun. :)

 

.

[killtheump]

This has been discussed here many times and it is a sensitive subject for sure. I will try to say this gently and politely and hope you understand my heart in this - sometimes, it's the "babies" who make the biggest messes. ;):) I know you will find the staff and crew will go out of their way to make your cruise wonderful and that includes paying special attention to the children. The wait team in the dining room will absolutely cater to the little ones and after that will absolutely clean up their mess behind you. Right? If you are talking baby-babies, their diapers go in the trash like anyone else's trash... the cabin attendant cleans up after passengers of all ages. Children of any age are considered passengers, thus they are charged the auto-gratuities as such.

 

Having said this, yes you can remove the auto-tips and do as you please. Remember that the tips the crew make are considered to be a part of their wages. If you left everything "in place", not only would you not have to worry about it, but everyone who is supposed to be tipped, is tipped. You can always leave more in an envelope if you feel you received outstanding service above and beyond.

 

Have fun. :)

 

.

 

Perfect answer!

[TandK0826]

This has been discussed here many times and it is a sensitive subject for sure. I will try to say this gently and politely and hope you understand my heart in this - sometimes, it's the "babies" who make the biggest messes. ;):) I know you will find the staff and crew will go out of their way to make your cruise wonderful and that includes paying special attention to the children. The wait team in the dining room will absolutely cater to the little ones and after that will absolutely clean up their mess behind you. Right? If you are talking baby-babies, their diapers go in the trash like anyone else's trash... the cabin attendant cleans up after passengers of all ages. Children of any age are considered passengers, thus they are charged the auto-gratuities as such.

 

Having said this, yes you can remove the auto-tips and do as you please. Remember that the tips the crew make are considered to be a part of their wages. If you left everything "in place", not only would you not have to worry about it, but everyone who is supposed to be tipped, is tipped. You can always leave more in an envelope if you feel you received outstanding service above and beyond.

 

Have fun. :)

 

.

 

Langley Cruisers - I appreciate your response and did not get offended in anyway. Actually, I think you made me see things alittle differently now and maybe the $12.00 per day is not that bad all in all for the little ones. That is why I come to cruise critic!! Thanks again! And thanks for everyone for your quick response! I appreciate it!!

[killtheump]

Langley Cruisers - I appreciate your response and did not get offended in anyway. Actually, I think you made me see things alittle differently now and maybe the $12.00 per day is not that bad all in all for the little ones. That is why I come to cruise critic!! Thanks again! And thanks for everyone for your quick response! I appreciate it!!

 

Good choice and have a great cruise!:)

[caribbean sailor]

Do you have to have it charged to your seapass account? You can't do it any other way? I just think being charged $12.00 a day for the little ones is a bit much. Im not trying to be cheap by any means and I am good tipper but $12.00 a day for the babies is pricey to me.

 

I agree with you it is a lot for a kid.You can have it removed for the little one,or you can have it all removed.And tip in cash.Just go to guess relations if you feel the need to have it removed.Royal Caribbean allows you to do this.Tip don't worry about what the tip Police have to say.It is your money spend it as you want.Have a great cruise.:)

Edited June 13, 2014 by caribbean sailor

[2specialkidsforme]

Langley Cruisers - I appreciate your response and did not get offended in anyway. Actually, I think you made me see things alittle differently now and maybe the $12.00 per day is not that bad all in all for the little ones. That is why I come to cruise critic!! Thanks again! And thanks for everyone for your quick response! I appreciate it!!

 

 

Just a friendly reminder - if you and your child participate in any of the parent and baby activities offered on board, the youth staff are not part of the auto gratuity. So tipping them for services rendered is certainly appreciated.

[4CruisingBadgers]

We are leaving for our 2nd family cruise in 2 weeks. I believe that many of the thoughtful comments posted here are great. I would just like to add a quick story. First cruise with the kids DS was about 9, DD was 4. The wait staff in the MDR in particular went way beyond anything I could have asked and today if you ask my 13 yr old DD what she remembers about that cruise....Simon the Head Waiter...he was her personal escort to the table each night and stopped by to make sure that she was treated like a Princess. He called her Princess Susie (she wouldn't tell him her real name for shyness - crawled under the table to hide from him one night) and to this day, the family calls her Princess Susie. Our experience on 4 cruises were that they all deserve every dime they get - whatever it is you can afford. As a working Mom, there is nothing like having the whole family catered to and cleaned up after and having a great time....together. Can't wait for Jewel on 6/28!

[skohrs]

:):):)I have to commend everyone on this thread for the most civil (and helpful) tip discussion I have ever read on CC. :):):)

[BARNET]

I know this has probably been asked a gazillon times already and Im sorry but I do have a question about the tipping. How exactly does this work? This will be the first time that I am not doing the my time dining and prepaid gratuities. At the end, how do you pay? Do they leave envelopes and you can put cash in them? I know with prepaid they give you envelopes at the end if you want to leave extra. Do they charge it to your account? Im hoping you can do the envelope method because then I can just distribute and leave what I want. Thanks in advance for the answers!!! I appreciate it.

You could call your TA and have them added to the cost of the cruise before you go i.e prepay, we have always done this and take it as part of the holiday. You have some very good advice enjoy your cruise.

[marci22]

Does anyone have the current breakdown, I cannot find it anywhere on Royals website? They just say, " if you are unhappy with the service, you may have the tips removed." I don't like that wording at all. For me, I always liked handing the person something. I'm happy to increase it by 10 or 20 dollars from what they suggest, but now I feel so cheap when I just hand over a 10. I would rather do it the old fashioned way. Royal took all the joy out of tipping.

 

Don't feel bad. The workers are getting their expected tips. They know what you are paying them. Why make it harder? If you want to give extra, go up to them, hand them $10 and say, 'this is extra because you were so helpful. Thanks.'

 

They used to break it down by housekeeping, asst waiter, waiter and headwaiter, but I don't see it any longer. I have asked waiters if they prefer auto tip or cash and one said auto tip the other said "either one". I was surprised they didn't say cash.

Edited June 14, 2014 by marci22

[Langley Cruisers]

Don't feel bad. The workers are getting their expected tips. They know what you are paying them...

 

Agree with you, marci22. I personally feel the breakdown is absolutely none of our business. Do people ask me about my pay check? They better not. ;) If my employer is paying me what he should be, that's cool with me. No one needs to know how much I am getting paid, or my co-worker, or my supervisor.

 

I think the auto-tip/service charge/call it what you want is just the way it is now. Cruising changes, evolves, and so does the way of doing business.

[Havingfun2010]

A simple way to look at this. A waiter is responsible for 25 chairs. Each chair represents a piece of their paycheck. If by chance they get "families", and the "families" don't tip the per chair price, because maybe, their kids are young, and they are used to tipping a percent based on food consumption, which is low priced for a toddler. However, the chair is occupied, and the tip is not based on the dollar amount, but a flat rate per space. The same goes for the others that get tipped on the ship. Tips should not be looked at in the same way as in a land based, USA, restaurant, but based on the international standard that is on the ship.

 

So yes, although it seems like you are tipping for an infant, but that infant is taking up a space, and income space, that would be impossible to replace, because other "customers" can't make up for it!!!!!

 

It's part of cruising, and if you look at it as part of the cost of the trip, than pay it, and don't think about it.

[Ourusualbeach]

A simple way to look at this. A waiter is responsible for 25 chairs. Each chair represents a piece of their paycheck. If by chance they get "families", and the "families" don't tip the per chair price, because maybe, their kids are young, and they are used to tipping a percent based on food consumption, which is low priced for a toddler. However, the chair is occupied, and the tip is not based on the dollar amount, but a flat rate per space. The same goes for the others that get tipped on the ship. Tips should not be looked at in the same way as in a land based, USA, restaurant, but based on the international standard that is on the ship.

 

So yes, although it seems like you are tipping for an infant, but that infant is taking up a space, and income space, that would be impossible to replace, because other "customers" can't make up for it!!!!!

 

It's part of cruising, and if you look at it as part of the cost of the trip, than pay it, and don't think about it.

 

Well said.

[TandK0826]

I just read on here a post about having the tips removed and paying at the end may cause not so great of service by the steward. Really??? Has anyone actually experienced that? I would feel to be the opposite honestly. Do a great job and get a wonderful tip at the end. If they do a not so great job then I would think people would try to stiff them. Im wondering if anyone has actually experienced this??

[cjdixon4]

This has been discussed here many times and it is a sensitive subject for sure. I will try to say this gently and politely and hope you understand my heart in this - sometimes, it's the "babies" who make the biggest messes. ;):) I know you will find the staff and crew will go out of their way to make your cruise wonderful and that includes paying special attention to the children. The wait team in the dining room will absolutely cater to the little ones and after that will absolutely clean up their mess behind you. Right? If you are talking baby-babies, their diapers go in the trash like anyone else's trash... the cabin attendant cleans up after passengers of all ages. Children of any age are considered passengers, thus they are charged the auto-gratuities as such.

 

Having said this, yes you can remove the auto-tips and do as you please. Remember that the tips the crew make are considered to be a part of their wages. If you left everything "in place", not only would you not have to worry about it, but everyone who is supposed to be tipped, is tipped. You can always leave more in an envelope if you feel you received outstanding service above and beyond.

 

Have fun. :)

 

.

 

 

Great, intelligent response!

[ptf2009]

We reserved a cruise 7 months in advance and were told that since early and late dining were not available, we would have to take MTD and therefore HAVE to pre-pay the gratuities. I told the TA to put us on a waitlist for early dining, but was told we still had to pre-pay. What a coincidence...a few months later, our waitlist status was lifted.

 

We have always tipped at least the minimum amount suggested, but I still didn't appreciate having to pre-pay. I would rather use my OBC for the gratuities. Have others experienced this with RCCL or other cruise lines?