Gratuities--Be Aware!

[Arubalisa]

Why is riskier to carry cash for tips from the casino back to your cabin than to have brought enough cash from home and have it with you during the entire vacation?

The risk was in the casino and cc company screwing up the cash advance and my husband worrying himself sick over interest charges.

 

I FULLY REALIZE that he will NOT BE MUGGED on a Celebrity cruise ship for $500 cash. If he did HAVE TO carry that much cash he'd get some traveler's checks (don't even know if anyone uses them anymore) and use the in-room safe which we do for my jewelry, watches, wallets, etc

 

We just do not travel with cash. Put everything on AMEX and take care of it upon returning home.

 

I put much faith in Earl's experience's and will go with our original plan of charging the gratuities to our shipboard account.

[Jimsgirl]

Going on Infinity on Saturday, I have already put aside the money for the staff, in envelopes. I have charged it at times, but the staff do prefer to get it in cash.

 

I wonder if the credit cards had daily limit . I know that on some ships and some cards this is so.

 

I always call my card in advance,(did so yesterday) to tell them when and where I will be travelling, that they could expect to find charges on my card for limo, hotel pre cruise, ship and shopping.

 

The person on the other end siad "thank you for calling, I will mark your card so that there will not be any holds placed on your card" I asked what he meant, and was told "For your protection we place a limit on unusual charges until we have confirmed that it is really you making the charge. This prevents theft"

 

Just a thought that this is what happened

[negc]

So does Celebrity allow one to charge to their shipboard account or not? Depends on the individual sailing or you MUST go through the casino?

If you read the posts carefully, it should be obvious that Celebrity does, as a matter of policy, allow passengers to charge gratuities to their shipboard accounts. There appears to have been one instance, on one Zenith cruise, where the option MAY NOT have been available. We have only the posters word for that fact. Unfortunately, it appears that, as with any problems mentioned on these boards, everyone immediately assumes that this is some sort of widespread problem and that they are doomed to experience the same problem. I wish I knew how many people posting that they were able to charge their tips to their shipboard account it takes to offset two individuals who claim that they weren't.:confused:

[slotaddict]

We were on Zenith both in June and Sept and were offered this choice. I am wondering if they are not offering this option on the short 4 and 5 day cruises Zenith is doing now?? Just a thought.

 

I think you may have hit the nail on the head. I think it may be to much paperwork for such a short cruise. I guess I will be prepared as my ship sails on 01/23/06. Woo Hoo:D

[scott in maine]

If you read the posts carefully, it should be obvious that Celebrity does, as a matter of policy, allow passengers to charge gratuities to their shipboard accounts. There appears to have been one instance, on one Zenith cruise, where the option MAY NOT have been available. We have only the posters word for that fact. Unfortunately, it appears that, as with any problems mentioned on these boards, everyone immediately assumes that this is some sort of widespread problem and that they are doomed to experience the same problem. I wish I knew how many people posting that they were able to charge their tips to their shipboard account it takes to offset two individuals who claim that they weren't.:confused:

 

 

THANK YOU. This is what I was attempting to communicate 12 posts ago! Folks would be wise to simply wait this one out to see if anyone else reports similar on future short length cruises. There is NO evidence that this marks a change in X's tradtional policies and may affect only one sailing. Let's move on.

[Schplinky]

I will if you will.

[Mysteryreader]

If you read the posts carefully, it should be obvious that Celebrity does, as a matter of policy, allow passengers to charge gratuities to their shipboard accounts. There appears to have been one instance, on one Zenith cruise, where the option MAY NOT have been available. We have only the posters word for that fact. Unfortunately, it appears that, as with any problems mentioned on these boards, everyone immediately assumes that this is some sort of widespread problem and that they are doomed to experience the same problem. I wish I knew how many people posting that they were able to charge their tips to their shipboard account it takes to offset two individuals who claim that they weren't.:confused:

 

I only posted b/c I thought others might appreciate the heads-up. (Note the title of my posting: Be Aware.) Charging gratuities to ship acct WAS NOT AVAILABLE on that cruise. No form to sign. No advance notice. Nada. Zip. And no explanation why this cruise had a different policy. Yes, it's possible that something went kerplooey for this one cruise and it will never never ever happen again in the history of the universe, but I thought CC-ers might want to "be aware" that this option was not available so that they could be sure to have adequate cash on hand in the event it happens again. I thought the purpose of this board was to be informed.

 

M/R

[Mysteryreader]

If you read the posts carefully, it should be obvious that Celebrity does, as a matter of policy, allow passengers to charge gratuities to their shipboard accounts. There appears to have been one instance, on one Zenith cruise, where the option MAY NOT have been available. We have only the posters word for that fact. Unfortunately, it appears that, as with any problems mentioned on these boards, everyone immediately assumes that this is some sort of widespread problem and that they are doomed to experience the same problem. I wish I knew how many people posting that they were able to charge their tips to their shipboard account it takes to offset two individuals who claim that they weren't.:confused:

 

I only posted b/c I thought others might appreciate the heads-up. (Note the title of my posting: Be Aware.) Charging gratuities to ship acct WAS NOT AVAILABLE on that cruise. No form to sign. No advance notice. Nada. Zip. And no explanation why this cruise had a different policy. Yes, it's possible that something went kerplooey for this one cruise and it will never never ever happen again in the history of the universe, but I thought CC-ers might want to "be aware" that this option was not available so that they could be sure to have adequate cash on hand in the event it happens again. I thought the purpose of this board was to be informed.

 

M/R

[newcruiserdave]

Thanks for the heads up,

As someone going on Zenith soon, I will be making sure before I go what happens on the next Zenith cruises. It certainly would be a hassle to have to get cash at the casino, and then make sure you had the appropiate bills to place in each envelope. It is so much easier to just tell them how much extra to tip each one and put it on your card.

[negc]

I only posted b/c I thought others might appreciate the heads-up. (Note the title of my posting: Be Aware.) Charging gratuities to ship acct WAS NOT AVAILABLE on that cruise. No form to sign. No advance notice. Nada. Zip. And no explanation why this cruise had a different policy. Yes, it's possible that something went kerplooey for this one cruise and it will never never ever happen again in the history of the universe, but I thought CC-ers might want to "be aware" that this option was not available so that they could be sure to have adequate cash on hand in the event it happens again. I thought the purpose of this board was to be informed.

 

M/R

My post wasn't aimed at yours, but at the reaction of others who immediately assumed that if it had happened to you, it would automatically happen to them. You were quite right to post your experience as were those whose experience differed. My point was that there seems to be a tendency on these boards to take negative information to heart while disregarding the positive. Had there been an outpouring of posts from folks who encountered the same situation that you did, we would all have a right to be concerned. There wasn't, so the fear expressed by others really wasn't justified.

[dkjretired]

I only posted b/c I thought others might appreciate the heads-up. (Note the title of my posting: Be Aware.) Charging gratuities to ship acct WAS NOT AVAILABLE on that cruise. No form to sign. No advance notice. Nada. Zip. And no explanation why this cruise had a different policy. Yes, it's possible that something went kerplooey for this one cruise and it will never never ever happen again in the history of the universe, but I thought CC-ers might want to "be aware" that this option was not available so that they could be sure to have adequate cash on hand in the event it happens again. I thought the purpose of this board was to be informed.

 

M/R

 

You posted because that is what these boards are supposed to be for. Thank you.

[Jantyk]

After reading all the disscussion on getting the money for tipping I had to double check my papers to be sure. But, yes I was remembering correctly. The gratuities were included in the cost of my cruise. Now maybe it is just the TA that I used, I really don't know. Everything was spelled our... cruise price taxes, port charges, insurance, prepaid gratuities One price, no surprises. I really like that! Now if DH did not realize that he might give me money to use for tipping and I could spend it for shopping!?:rolleyes:

[SS Cruise Lady]

After reading all the disscussion on getting the money for tipping I had to double check my papers to be sure. But, yes I was remembering correctly. The gratuities were included in the cost of my cruise. Now maybe it is just the TA that I used, I really don't know. Everything was spelled our... cruise price taxes, port charges, insurance, prepaid gratuities One price, no surprises. I really like that! Now if DH did not realize that he might give me money to use for tipping and I could spend it for shopping!?:rolleyes:

 

Are you traveling with a large group of people? I have never had tips included in my Celebrity Cruise Fare, so I am wondering if this is something new, or something that they only do for large parties traveling together.

[canderson]

Are you traveling with a large group of people? I have never had tips included in my Celebrity Cruise Fare, so I am wondering if this is something new, or something that they only do for large parties traveling together.

I'm not sure if Celebrity has followed suit, but I know that RCI will collect in advance for group bookings. If as an RCI company, Celebrity is doing this now, too, and this person bought a cabin from 'group space' or is with a group, it's possible. Of course, we don't even know for certain this person was cruising Celebrity when this happened.

 

NCL tried this and they found it to be a collosal failure. As I understand it, HAL and Windstar have retained this practice. Anyone know of any other lines that have tried it and either retained or abandoned it?

[Jantyk]

"Are you traveling with a large group of people? I have never had tips included in my Celebrity Cruise Fare, so I am wondering if this is something new, or something that they only do for large parties traveling together."

 

Yes, actually we are a group of 16 travelling together. I didn't even think of that possibility. And this has not been done on any of our cruises before, so I thought it interesting, but I still liked it. When we sailed Princess we had to go stand in line the day before disembarkment and get the charges put on our charge card. It was a real pain. But it did allow us to give exactly the amount we wanted to each person.

 

Yes this is Celebrity, Galaxy Dec 5th. Will see you there, Cris.:) We are driving, so we will be leaving in 15 days!!! Yeah!!

[mnmel]

I was on the Zenith sailing 11/5 and will confirm that the issue of tipping options was not well communicated, including the disembarkation lecture. There was not an option of charging tips to your Celebrity account. We utilized the 'free' casino cash withdrawal to pay for our tips and obtain the desired bills to tip appropriately although I doubt that many passengers were aware of this option. Note-There is an ATM right in front of the casino although I am sure that there is a charge for any withdrawals.

[rjg41]

Sure sounds like we have a communications problem here.

Maybe, just maybe, the problem was that the OP tried to specify the tips. To charge tips to your on your ship board account you MUST tip the suggested amount to each suggested staff. No exceptions. You cannot specify any suggested person not get a tip like the ass't housekeeper. You cannot specify a tip different than the suggested amount. You cannot tip more on your account than the recommended amount. If you want to do that you supplement it with cash.

[DaveFr]

[quote name='rjg41']Sure sounds like we have a communications problem here.

Maybe, just maybe, the problem was that the OP tried to specify the tips. To charge tips to your on your ship board account you MUST tip the suggested amount to each suggested staff. No exceptions. You cannot specify any suggested person not get a tip like the ass't housekeeper. You cannot specify a tip different than the suggested amount. You cannot tip more on your account than the recommended amount. If you want to do that you supplement it with cash.[/quote] The OP said that the option to charge tips was not offered. It appears to have been a one-time omission that did not reflect a change of Celebrity's tipping policy. On my cruise, it was clearly stated on the form to charge tips that you could not charge tips unless you were willing to give the recommended tip to each person listed. However, if you wanted to give someone an extra tip, there were boxes on the form for each person where you could write in the amount of the extra tip.

[newmexicoNita]

I think I am totally confused on this one: maybe it is best to just take the cash and set it aside. Of course I spend enough time in the casino to get money out for tips, but for many the best thing might be to keep $100 or so aside. Hopefully someone coming back this week or next will fill us in. NMNita

[nhoj]

We were surprised by this on our Nov 14th Zenith cruise. At first I thought we had missed the form but when I asked Guest Services they said "we do not offer that service on 4 and 5 day cruises". I'm sure some will dispute that but this is what we were told.

Fortunately we had enough cash but had to go the the bank for some smaller bills. He, (the bank) had the biggest box of money I'd ever seen.

JE

[BrooklynGirl2]

That was exactly what I had speculated. On the shorter cruises they do not offer this option to have your tips charged to your seapass card. I think this needs to be better communicated to travel agents and on the Celebrity website as well. It's a shame that the crew are probably the ones to suffer most from this change. Not everyone knows you can withdraw cash from the casino. I always plan to pay in cash ahead of time but some people are not prepared for this.