Automatic Tipping

[Vale]

Are the tips automatically added to your account or do you tip individually with envelopes on the last night? Can you go to the purser's desk and ask them to add them to your account and can you tell them how much to add and for whom?

[PhoenixCruiser]

You can opt to do automaticaly tipping by filling out the forms, I'm not sure about setting certain amounts, I think they are set.

 

You can also just put cash in the envelopes they provide.

 

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[Happy ks]

You can adjust the amount if you want to, there are suggested amounts, but it is really up to the passenger. Gratuities should always be at the discretion of the giver. Service charges and auto tips, such as those for beverages, are not.

[QuitMyDayJob]

Do you/can you fill out the forms to auto-tip beforehand, or do you do it once you're on board?

[Merion_Mom]

You can arrange and charge these gratuities when you book or any time before you sail, with your TA (if you used one) or with RCCL (if you booked directly with them). You can also go to the Purser's Desk any time during your cruise up until the last day and put them on your account.

[Slam308]

My question would be what does the crew think about prepaid gratuities. How long does it take them to get the money? Would they rather have cash? Is there any penalty (taxes, etc.) they have to deal with.

I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that they somehow lose something with the prepaid, charged gratuities. I've always paid cash and will continue to do so unless I hear otherwise.

The crew deserve the most we can give them. They make our vacation.

[mimikens]

Unless they have changed recently (since June), you can only put the standard tip amount on your account. If I am going to tip more, I just add additional cash to the voucher. I was also told that if you don't give them the voucher, they don't get the money, but I'm not sure that that is true. My room stewards and waiters have told me they prefer cash as they have to wait for the money from the vouchers. If I have the cash at the end of the cruise, I give it to them in cash, otherwise I use the vouchers. Truthfully, I think the main thing is to tip them fairly in accordance to their hard work.

[Merion_Mom]

Here's the good news: If you prefer to tip in cash (I do, too, using the measurement of: What would *I* prefer?), and you don't have enough at the end of your cruise, just go into the casino, walk up to the cashier's cage, and ask for cash, as much as you want (up to $2000 a day, I think), and they'll hand it to you. No one needs to know (they don't ask) if you're actually going to gamble with it. :)

[Vale]

I can't believe that RCI still allows this! Most other lines do not, or charge a percentage for this perk, but it is an excellent idea! We usually spend way too much in the casino and wind up broke at the end. Would it be safe to just not take any extra money and just go to the casino and put it on your card (extra miles too!) If you can do this I would rather just tip in cash.

[PhoenixCruiser]

I can't believe that RCI still allows this! Most other lines do not, or charge a percentage for this perk, but it is an excellent idea! We usually spend way too much in the casino and wind up broke at the end. Would it be safe to just not take any extra money and just go to the casino and put it on your card (extra miles too!) If you can do this I would rather just tip in cash.

 

Yes, the extra points are very nice. However, don't give RCI any ideas about adding a charge :D ;)

 

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