Tip room service, or is that included in prepaid gratuities?

[Summerknight]

And as previously mentioned, you can your larger bills broken down at guest services or the casino. Usually a shorter line at the casino.

[PrimaCruiser]

Oops sorry just realised I don't say I'm from Australia. Sailing out of Sydney on Voyager next year. Thankyou, I wasn't sure if they would change any larger notes at guest services for me. Must have missed that post. :-) cheers all.

[Groucho]

It has always been my understanding that room service delivery is not included in the gratuity pool. I checked on Royal's website and it says:

 

To simplify the service recognition process, Royal Caribbean automatically adds a $12.00 USD gratuity ($14.25 USD for Suite Guests) to each guest’s SeaPass® account on a daily basis. This gratuity is shared by Dining Services Staff, Stateroom Attendants other Housekeeping Services Personnel that work to enhance your cruise.

 

'Dining Services Staff' is quite a different concept to your statement of the entire food and beverage department. Have you seen something else specific that is broader than what I posted?

 

The room service staff are part of the food and beverage dept and share in the tips. No matter to us though, we always tip extra for room service, dinning room staff, our cabin attendant and bar servers.

 

If you calculate the daily tip charge Royal charges the guests it is, in my opinion, an incredibly small amount the staff receives for their very hard work, which is why we always tip all of the staff extra.

[Groucho]

So now I'm a bit lost as to what I should do..First time cruiser with RCI... My original thoughts were to just have a larger cash amount with me on my VOS cruise next year. Usually I have cash to tip my room steward and table people like I have always done with previous sailings with P&O but how do I organise smaller US amounts if they are needed for things such as room service? I was planning on using room service in the mornings on all sea days as my children are early risers and will want something early. Excuse my being a newbie at this, any thoughts? Will the post office allow me to order small denominations amounts? Appreciate any ideas ...it's probably obvious I know...:-)

 

I would keep some small bills on hand for the room service staff. If you need change you can get it at Guest Services or the casino.

[bouhunter]

I have heard that some people think the $2 bills are not real and people have a hard time using them. Please don't complicate things for the crew.....just use $1 bills.

 

 

I agree. The 2$ bill thing is silly, hasn't come up here in quite some time. They're going to spend it anyway, why give them something strange that may be a problem to use. May as well also give them a prepaid calling card they may or may not be able to use and probably don't want either......

Edited May 25, 2015 by bouhunter

[BekkaW]

The room service staff are part of the food and beverage dept and share in the tips. No matter to us though, we always tip extra for room service, dinning room staff, our cabin attendant and bar servers.

 

If you calculate the daily tip charge Royal charges the guests it is, in my opinion, an incredibly small amount the staff receives for their very hard work, which is why we always tip all of the staff extra.

 

Royal does not say food and beverage department. You say that.

 

Royal says dining staff, which is the staff that serve in the MDR (and rotate through buffet etc at lunch and breakfast). Please dont spread the misinformation that room service is included in this, it is not. If guests utilize room service they should tip the server directly.

[BekkaW]

So now I'm a bit lost as to what I should do..First time cruiser with RCI... My original thoughts were to just have a larger cash amount with me on my VOS cruise next year. Usually I have cash to tip my room steward and table people like I have always done with previous sailings with P&O but how do I organise smaller US amounts if they are needed for things such as room service? I was planning on using room service in the mornings on all sea days as my children are early risers and will want something early. Excuse my being a newbie at this, any thoughts? Will the post office allow me to order small denominations amounts? Appreciate any ideas ...it's probably obvious I know...:-)

 

Your main tips for your cabin steward and dining team will be added to your account, no need to bring large amounts of cash for that.

 

If you want some cash for additional tips, when you order through the post office you can specify the bills you want (make sure to tell them, they might otherwise just assume large bills). They may not be able to give you $1 bills but get some $5 or $10s and as others have said you can change it into smaller notes at the casino.

[Groucho]

Royal does not say food and beverage department. You say that.

 

Royal says dining staff, which is the staff that serve in the MDR (and rotate through buffet etc at lunch and breakfast). Please dont spread the misinformation that room service is included in this, it is not. If guests utilize room service they should tip the server directly.

 

I'm not looking for an argument with you. As I said, we always tip the room service staff extra upon delivery.

 

I'm not spreading misinformation. Go bother someone else.

[cb at sea]

Your prepaid or added to your account tips cover: Cabin Attendant, Waiter, Ass't Waiter, Head waiter......that's is. Tip room service folks (kitchen staff) at time of delivery.

 

 

You do NOT need to bring wads of small bills...and PLEASE don't give out $2 bills...they suck!

Break down a $20 or $50 on the ship, as needed.

[Groucho]

From Royal's web page:

 

 

"Gratuities

 

 

Q: How is the automatic daily gratuity shared between members of the staff and crew?

 

A:

The automatic gratuity is $12.95 USD, or $15.95 USD for suite guests, applied to each guest's SeaPass® account on a daily basis. Here's how it is shared between your onboard service team:

Dining & Culinary Services: $7.75 USD

Stateroom Attendant: $3.85 USD OR Suite Attendant: $6.10 USD

Other Housekeeping Services: $1.35 USD OR Housekeeping and Suite Services: $2.10 USD"

 

I believe room service staff fall under "Culinary Services".

 

Again, still give the room service staff an extra tip.

[trev71]

Like some have posted I always tip between 2-5$

 

Depending on the order

 

 

They usually get 5$ if they set my breakfast on the Balcony for me :D

[Grandma Dazzles]

Error!

Edited May 25, 2015 by PMcC1998

[Groucho]

Like some have posted I always tip between 2-5$

 

Depending on the order

 

 

They usually get 5$ if they set my breakfast on the Balcony for me :D

 

I agree with you.