Gratuities Question

[ColoradoGurl]

At great risk of being royally flamed, I agree wholeheartedly. I get tired of "automatic tips mean bad service" b.s. Never had service so bad that I wouldn't tip. So why all the fear? Have the crew not lived up to expectations (other than on rare occasion)?

Seaborne and other luxury lines don't allow tipping, and their service is impeccable. So how does one explain that?

Get over it people. I agree about the 18% for specialty dining as supposedly the fee covered the tip. So not happy about that change. But, so be it.

As for those who don't use the MDR and don't want to tip, do you not eat breakfast and lunch on board? Do you not use the Park Cafe, Sorrento's, etc.? If you do, part of your tip to the wait staff goes to those workers too.

You are right Coloradogirl, it's part of the cruise cost. Only way to avoid it is to stop cruising. Switching cruiselines? Go for it. Cost is the same. And to the person who is going on NCL, enjoy the $7.95 charge for Room Service. Have fun on Disney with no casino (and MUCH more expensive cabins).

Before anyone goes into "attack mode," I am not happy with the changes either. I like the old Royal Caribbean. But that isn't an option anymore. When I no longer find cruising to be of value to me, I'll go elsewhere. But it won't be because of an increase in gratuities. Now $12 drinks.....THAT got my attention.

 

$12 drinks is what is going to start making people who used to purchase alcohol onboard start smuggling it on the ship. I've never been able to enjoy drinking alcohol on board because I'm always traveling with my child, but the price increase got my attention too, and I'm not even a big drinker! This next trip we'll have a couple more adults with us so I plan to do some drinking, but not enough to make buying a package worth the cost. But I can see myself declining to drink more than I would like on this trip strictly because I'll spend X amount on alcohol regardless of the price, it just means I'll be drinking about a third less of it than if the prices were a bit less. Luckily we have 5 port stops, where I plan to do some "day drinking" on the beach instead for a lot less money.

Edited May 16, 2015 by ColoradoGurl

[ColoradoGurl]

With our cruise in June I plan to remove the automatic daily gratuity charge as we are sailing with small children and will eat once or twice most in the main restaurant. The rest will be in windjammer etc

So will tip in cash at the end.

As we also have the drinks package though how does this work?

Do they add 18% on top of each bar visit on what the cost would have been even though there will be no cost as it's the package?

Would or could I remove the 18% automatic and tip in cash each bar visit??

 

When you purchase the drink package, the 18% is added to the cost before you pay for it. There's no way around that one unless you just don't buy the package.

[Jaimel134]

I didn't pay for drinks package

It was an offer. Didn't expect it but it was included.

So just want to know how the tips will work each time I visit a bar?

[ColoradoGurl]

On the Adventure they've started listing it as a Service Charge and always have a second line for "Additional Tip" if there's a receipt involved. I wouldn't be surprised if soon all "service charges", except for those actually incurred while on the ship, become prepaid.

 

Tom

 

They should have done it this way from the start. If Royal's goal was to increase tips to supplement worker salaries, calling it a service charge and giving people the option to tip extra probably would have resulted in extra tips at least 50% of the time. But because they started out by calling it a tip, I'd bet 90% never pay extra. Strictly from the viewpoint of what I assume Royal has been trying to do all along (ensure their lowest paid employees get supplemented with tips), they should have gone the "service charge" route a long time ago.

 

Some people would assume the "service charge" was a tip, but a lot would just treat it like "tax" and add extra. Either way, I prefer to see it called a service charge, since they're treating it as mandatory anyway, and it would quiet down most of the complaining on this board regarding "Why do I have to tip before I get the good service bla bla bla!"

 

I went to an All-Inclusive, no-tipping policy resort in Jamaica last year (couples swept away, negril) and the service was amazing. The caveat is that we paid a much higher price (almost 3 times what it costs to cruise) in order for them to cover both the free unlimited alcohol as well as worker salaries at a decent enough wage that they don't need tips. In fact, if we tried to tip, it was refused because they could lose their jobs for taking them. My advice to the people who hate being forced to tip or who don't like this tipping policy, is to seek out a land vacation such as this where tipping is actually forbidden and alcohol is included. Just be forewarned that in exchange for those perks, you will be paying 3 times more money, not just an extra $13 a day. It will be thousands more dollars by the end of your week. I still think cruising is an excellent budget vacation, including the tips (and frankly the alcohol, but I refuse to go overboard with it because I do agree the price per drink is awfully high. It won't stop me from drinking altogether though).

[ColoradoGurl]

I didn't pay for drinks package

It was an offer. Didn't expect it but it was included.

So just want to know how the tips will work each time I visit a bar?

 

Oh gotcha, the 18% would have also been included in that free package, probably paid for by a travel agent or waived by Royal or whoever gave it to you. I don't think they have any way of knowing who paid for the package and who received it for free to decipher who still owes the 18%. However, getting it for free probably makes it a lot easier on your budget to add a $1 tip to your drinks when you get them. Either way, they give you a receipt from what it sounds like, and it always gives you the option to add more tip but you're not required to do so.

[jamon]

Maybe I missed it, but is the new 18% added to speciality dining new or has this always been the case. I remember that the additional cost to go to speciality always inlcuded the gratutity in the overall cost. Does anyone know the answer to this???

[Paul65]

I'm not sure about the 18% for specialty dining being new or not. I always assumed everything purchased onboard had 18% added to it. I'm pretty sure that even if you buy alcohol or souvenirs on board from their store they add 18%. I could be wrong about that, but I thought that's been the case always, or at least for a few years anyway. Someone above mentioned being pressured by waiters to add even more than the 18% onto their tab when they got the check, so I don't think it's new.

 

I've never been charged an additional 18% (or 15%) on specialty dining or on purchases from the onboard shops. I have been charged the gratuity on top of beverage purchases at specialty dining restaurants, as with all other beverage purchases anywhere on the ship, but the cover charge for specialty dining has never had an additional percentage added onto it.

[ColoradoGurl]

I've never been charged an additional 18% (or 15%) on specialty dining or on purchases from the onboard shops. I have been charged the gratuity on top of beverage purchases at specialty dining restaurants, as with all other beverage purchases anywhere on the ship, but the cover charge for specialty dining has never had an additional percentage added onto it.

 

Oh ok, I thought it was. I found it easier in my brain to just assume every single thing you pay for onboard is an additional 18% than what it states. I don't pay for many onboard extras to have experienced it much myself.

Edited May 16, 2015 by ColoradoGurl

[cruisenfever]

Oh ok, I thought it was. I found it easier in my brain to just assume every single thing you pay for onboard is an additional 18% than what it states. I don't pay for many onboard extras to have experienced it much myself.

This link might explain it better [/url] WOW - bar drinks prices increased by up to 40%

[Overtyme]

There has been a flurry of postings regarding the new tip policy. I have no problem tipping, but I don't like having 18% gratuities added automatically. We never step foot in the MDR, but still pay tips there. We each in specialty restaurants and tip there. (Did not have auto tips when I cruised last and was only $20 pp. YIKES $35 pp now + 18%)

 

 

 

We would just like to have more freedom to reward those who provide good/great service on the cruise.

 

 

Well put! Amen!

[Overtyme]

At great risk of being royally flamed, I agree wholeheartedly. I get tired of "automatic tips mean bad service" b.s. Never had service so bad that I wouldn't tip. So why all the fear? Have the crew not lived up to expectations (other than on rare occasion)?

 

Seaborne and other luxury lines don't allow tipping, and their service is impeccable. So how does one explain that?

 

Get over it people. I agree about the 18% for specialty dining as supposedly the fee covered the tip. So not happy about that change. But, so be it.

 

As for those who don't use the MDR and don't want to tip, do you not eat breakfast and lunch on board? Do you not use the Park Cafe, Sorrento's, etc.? If you do, part of your tip to the wait staff goes to those workers too.

 

You are right Coloradogirl, it's part of the cruise cost. Only way to avoid it is to stop cruising. Switching cruiselines? Go for it. Cost is the same. And to the person who is going on NCL, enjoy the $7.95 charge for Room Service. Have fun on Disney with no casino (and MUCH more expensive cabins).

 

Before anyone goes into "attack mode," I am not happy with the changes either. I like the old Royal Caribbean. But that isn't an option anymore. When I no longer find cruising to be of value to me, I'll go elsewhere. But it won't be because of an increase in gratuities. Now $12 drinks.....THAT got my attention.

 

 

You do deserve to get flamed here, but I respect your opinion.

However, the concept of a tip is a reward for good service, and while there are customary percentages to tip, it's at the discretion of the guest.

While nobody is saying that there is bad service, should that happen, the guests should have the freedom and ability to give a smaller tip.

Also, they should just say that the fee for the restaurant is XXX and not even mention the 18%, just put it in the cost

Per person.

Alternatively, I would be okay with going to a no tips model, and including the 18%.

Just don't put a check in front of me with a pen and alone to add gratuity.

It creates an uncomfortable situation for the guests and those that don't put additional gratuities are seen as being cheap.

The staff pick up the check and see nothing and then, if you could climb into their heads, you'd hear the worlds "cheap bastard" muttered.

It doesn't make the staff feel good either.

[Royal2464]

I always prepay gratuities and see it as part of the cost of cruising. When I eat at specialty restaurants I tip extra.

 

I would never go to guest services to remove tips. When that day comes I will stay home and eat at McDonalds.

[Overtyme]

Royal2464, I agree about removing tips and they tips are just part of your vacation cost.

I'm not so sure on tipping extra.

Do you normally tip >18 - 20%?

20 is my norm. Just seems a bit gratuitous [emoji15]

[Royal2464]

I honestly have never bothered to figure out the percentage because I have no idea what portion of the bill the server receives as"gratuity included." I just leave an additional $6.00 per person regardless of whether it is Chops, Giovanni's or Sabor.

[papaflamingo]

You do deserve to get flamed here, but I respect your opinion.

However, the concept of a tip is a reward for good service, and while there are customary percentages to tip, it's at the discretion of the guest.

W

 

Thank you for respecting my opinion. That tends to be a bit unusual on CC. :) I agree with tips being for excellent service, but in the U.S. that really hasn't been the case for years. They are now "expected." But on the ship, at least up to now, you can have the automatic tips removed and tip in cash as you please. So they are still "optional." Maybe not for pre-paid, don't know. As for the 18% for drinks, well... that is what it is. And again, Specialty Restaurants never had tips added, it was part of the "fee." Don't know if that's changed or not.

My real objection is that many people here state that automatic tips lead to no incentive to perform for the crew. I just don't think that is real experience. Seems to be more of an "excuse" for not liking automatic tips. I have done over 20 cruises with RCCL and have always had great service. So no worries here. In fact it's one of the biggest reasons I cruise with them. Yes, the service has deteriorated, but that isn't the crew, but management cutting staff and asking more from the staff. But they always seem, in my experience, to bust their buttts trying to do a great job. So my point is that automatic tips haven't hurt service. Stupid management has.

 

$12 drinks is what is going to start making people who used to purchase alcohol onboard start smuggling it on the ship.

 

Just so you know, even though the menus at the bars only seem to list $12 drinks, there are still the "old standbys" available. Vanilla White Russian, for example, are still available for about $8.95. So ask for other drinks that you may like and don't simply bow to the expensive menu items. Royal Caribbean needs to change that too. How about a complete drink menu in each bar?

[Paul65]

Just so you know, even though the menus at the bars only seem to list $12 drinks, there are still the "old standbys" available. Vanilla White Russian, for example, are still available for about $8.95. So ask for other drinks that you may like and don't simply bow to the expensive menu items. Royal Caribbean needs to change that too. How about a complete drink menu in each bar?

 

I don't think I've ever seen a bar, anywhere, with a "complete" drink menu. Most list a selection of house specialties on a menu, but the bartenders will mix pretty much anything you request (provided they know the recipe and have the ingredients).

[susancruzs]

Talk about mixed messages! I emailed my TA today deciding to prepay and she sent me a guidelines thing RCI sent her. My first email had the 18% in it but this guidelines they sent talking about the $12.00 to $12.95 etc., had 15% still. My TA said this is all very confusing and seems to make more work for RCI trying to get it implemented.

[Overtyme]

Talk about mixed messages! I emailed my TA today deciding to prepay and she sent me a guidelines thing RCI sent her. My first email had the 18% in it but this guidelines they sent talking about the $12.00 to $12.95 etc., had 15% still. My TA said this is all very confusing and seems to make more work for RCI trying to get it implemented.

 

 

I'm guessing she has to call Royal?

The email said to login to the website to pre-pay.

I logged on, but there was no clear place to opt in or out.

It would be nice if their communications and marketing departments would get their heads out of their asses and learn to do what they get paid to do .... Communicate!

[mamboitaly]

http://www.cruiselawnews.com Edited May 17, 2015 by mamboitaly

[tapemann]

You can still pay what you want. $1,$10,$12 its a tip. You decide. Don't let the Cruise Line tell you what to tip. Just go to the desk and adjust the Daily charge to what you want! RCCL is only suggesting an amount.

 

If you want to pay before you cruise RCCL will charge what they want. Do it on the ship and tip what you want.

Edited May 17, 2015 by tapemann

[Paulette3028]

We have a trip booked for Summer 2016 on Anthem, and just received the following notification (hardly what I would consider my "upcoming" cruise :rolleyes:)

 

Dear Friend,

 

We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon for your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise vacation!

 

As you prepare to set sail, we wanted to notify you of an update to our daily service charges. As of June 1, 2015, Royal Caribbean will be adjusting the automatic daily service charge from $12.00 to $12.95 per day for regular staterooms and $14.25 to $15.95 per day for suite. This service charge is shared by dining & culinary services personnel, stateroom attendants and other housekeeping and guest services personnel.

 

We want to extend the opportunity to prepay your service charge now at the current rate, before it adjusts on June 1. After this date, any service charge applied will be at the new rate.

 

Other onboard gratuity policies remain the same: an 18% gratuity is automatically added to bar service beverages, specialty dining reservations, spa services and mini bar items, and will be itemized on your receipt.

 

Call 1-866-504-3941, log onto RoyalCaribbean.com or contact your travel agent by May 31, 2015, to prepay the daily service charge at the current rate.

 

Thank you for choosing to cruise with us.

 

Sincerely,

 

Royal Caribbean International®

 

 

SO.... here's my issue/question...

We understand that staff work extremely hard to make money, and a lot of them send money home to their families.

We tend to overtip when it comes to service, because we recognize that.

However, the idea that they are automatically going to tack 18% gratuity onto our meal bills and drinks, really ticks me off!

I have no problem tipping 20% on the bottom line, but I like to be able to tip less if I have lousy service (hasn't happened to us yet). But still, a tip is something that is a reward for good service, which as everyone who reads the board knows, is not always). What incentive is there for staff to provide exceptional service if they know that they get 18% regardless (Please don't get into the semantics of not all of that 18% goes to them).

I've heard from others that have been to the specialty restaurants that they're almost shamed into tipping more above the 18% by the staff, when they bring you the check.

 

Do you tip more than the 18% for specialty restaurants when they hand you the check or are you comfortable signing and leaving the restaurant? If so, do you do it out of pressure?

 

I don't have any issues with the increase for state rooms at all, but I do wish that we could just put cash in an envelope. We tend to leave them much more than what they were allocated, simply because they really do go above and beyond...

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

 

What disturbs me is the statement from the email "This service charge is shared by dining & culinary services personnel, stateroom attendants and other housekeeping and guest services personnel." I have never thought that guest services personnel were in the same type of positions like dining & culinary services, stateroom attendants and other housekeeping personnel and expected gratuities for their services. From my POV, they do very little (specifically for me and DH) on 99% of our cruises.....a fast question gets answered or they need to have the plumber come to cabin or they need to make a new sea pass card to replace my original one.

 

It disturbs me to read articles on FB and other social media sites that suggest Royal is redirecting some of the gratuity money to the "bottom line' -- the attorney who writes these articles needs to show proof before this cruiser will believe his speculation, since he makes a living throwing dirt at the cruise lines.

 

The $7 or $10 (if in a suite) pp for a 7 day cruise additional is not the point. What my question becomes is: how is the money being distributed equitably and to whom? Was the guest services personnel not included in the past and now is and therefore why?

 

The small additional cost to this cruiser will impact nothing. If I get the kind of service I have always gotten, I will still tip extra to my wait staff team and housekeeping team. I am sure others will not....they will feel they are tipping enough.

[cruisevv]

Soo....why are Junior Suites classified as 'suites' for the gratuities but not for the Suite Lounge/Club? >.>

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but do the JS's have to pay an extra $3 a day for service alongside the higher suites?

[Clarea]

Soo....why are Junior Suites classified as 'suites' for the gratuities but not for the Suite Lounge/Club? >.>

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but do the JS's have to pay an extra $3 a day for service alongside the higher suites?

JS staterooms do not pay full suite gratuities. They pay the lower gratuity amount.

[cruisevv]

JS staterooms do not pay full suite gratuities. They pay the lower gratuity amount.

 

*dances in the streets*

[Paulette3028]

JS staterooms do not pay full suite gratuities. They pay the lower gratuity amount.

 

Interesting....thanks for sharing!