Can someone explain why?

[julia]

Ok, before this goes off the rails, please let me preface my question.  We are experienced cruisers. We are generous spenders, and treat all crew (and service staff in general) with respect and monetary thanks for a job well done.  SO.....

 

When pre-booking the Sea Thermal Suite on Beyond (aka Persian Gardens on S and M class), and not in an Aqua category cabin, there is an 18% "service charge" included on my one week pass.  Why, I ask??

I'm confused, as there are NO "services" being provided to me by the spa staff...  I'm not having a mani, or pedi, or massage, or facial, or anything.  I'm paying to use the loungers, steam rooms, etc, which require a simple check in.  So, why the "service charge?"

[Alakegirl]

Good question but that seems to be the way they do it.  No good reason for it.

[steamboats]

Someone has to clean the Thermal Suite, provide the infused water in the Relaxation Lounge, clean the changing rooms, provide you with towels and robes...

 

steamboats

[lv2cruisgrl]

They seem to be trying to make more $$ where ever they can. People pay it so it will continue.  I guess it's called "doing business". 

 

[PSU]

Anything with the spa includes an automatic gratuity. The spa is run by an outside company not Celebrity.

[DirtyDawg]

8 hours ago, julia said:

I'm confused, as there are NO "services" being provided to me by the spa staff...  I'm not having a mani, or pedi, or massage, or facial, or anything. 

But you are. 

Booking the Sea Thermal Suite on Beyond automatically gets you a very special massage where Celebrity deep massages your wallet and with your wallet being sooo relaxed afterwards, it gladly gives up 18%.  ☺️

[aimee0715]

10 hours ago, julia said:

Ok, before this goes off the rails, please let me preface my question.  We are experienced cruisers. We are generous spenders, and treat all crew (and service staff in general) with respect and monetary thanks for a job well done.  SO.....

 

When pre-booking the Sea Thermal Suite on Beyond (aka Persian Gardens on S and M class), and not in an Aqua category cabin, there is an 18% "service charge" included on my one week pass.  Why, I ask??

I'm confused, as there are NO "services" being provided to me by the spa staff...  I'm not having a mani, or pedi, or massage, or facial, or anything.  I'm paying to use the loungers, steam rooms, etc, which require a simple check in.  So, why the "service charge?"

I saw someone else mention a gratuity charge on a spa pass earlier this week and I was really surprised by it.  I have purchased spa passes on Princess, NCL, and Disney and never paid a gratuity on that.  We will be on Beyond in November but we're in Aquaclass so I didn't know Celebrity charges a gratuity for the thermal suite.

 

[ISABELLA]

14 hours ago, julia said:

Ok, before this goes off the rails, please let me preface my question.  We are experienced cruisers. We are generous spenders, and treat all crew (and service staff in general) with respect and monetary thanks for a job well done.  SO.....

 

When pre-booking the Sea Thermal Suite on Beyond (aka Persian Gardens on S and M class), and not in an Aqua category cabin, there is an 18% "service charge" included on my one week pass.  Why, I ask??

I'm confused, as there are NO "services" being provided to me by the spa staff...  I'm not having a mani, or pedi, or massage, or facial, or anything.  I'm paying to use the loungers, steam rooms, etc, which require a simple check in.  So, why the "service charge?"

I think you can object gratuity at guest relations on board. Gratuity is "monetary Thank you" for services provided. The argument that someone cleans, brings towels and water leads to a gratuity to be paid to someone who clean elevators, vacuum public areas, public bathooms, etc..???

[postnobills]

13 hours ago, steamboats said:

Someone has to clean the Thermal Suite, provide the infused water in the Relaxation Lounge, clean the changing rooms, provide you with towels and robes...

 

steamboats

These are overhead costs associated with providing this feature.  Insulting to think they then expect customers to essentially reimburse them for these costs.

[davekathy]

Don't use the service. Include your complaint about the gratuities in your PCS. 

Edited July 29, 2022 by davekathy

[Hlitner]

And so LLP continues her "death by a thousand cut-backs" campaign.  When they cannot cut back they find a way to nickel and dime.  Such is life on many mass market cruise lines these days.

 

Hank

[D. B.]

Spas like Casinos on Cruise Ships are operated by Outside vendors and the Cruise line geta a percentage of the take. Oh sorry that sounds like Las Vegas speak.

 Like you I also would object to these Tips.

[Orator]

They do it because enough are willing to pay. Travel is hot now and all vendors have added debt which they must pay off as soon as possible, They will continue to add to prices so long as there is no significant resistance that negatively affects profits. Market demands dictate prices!

[Bo1953]

58 minutes ago, postnobills said:

These are overhead costs associated with providing this feature.  Insulting to think they then expect customers to essentially reimburse them for these costs.

I charge my clients accordingly for my increased costs...

 

It matters not, to me, if it is either a flat increase or a % added on i.e. service charge.

 

I have absorbed enough of the increases passed on to me and it is time to pass it on to the clients and I do.

 

bon voyage

[LGW59]

52 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

And so LLP continues her "death by a thousand cut-backs" campaign.  When they cannot cut back they find a way to nickel and dime.  Such is life on many mass market cruise lines these days.

 

Hank

And don’t forget Kelly, after all she is responsible for the Hoppinization of the spa and me thinks she needs some of the blame.  

[DCPIV]

At the risk of sounding facetious, that's the price. Whether it's broken down as a gratuity, a fee, or what have you, there it is. No sense going off the rails.

[jelayne]

59 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

And so LLP continues her "death by a thousand cut-backs" campaign.  When they cannot cut back they find a way to nickel and dime.  Such is life on many mass market cruise lines these days.

 

Hank

This is not a new charge, we have been cruising for about 18 years 4 different lines and while not a frequent spa user I have always had a gratuity added to the charge.  

[julia]

Well, I will still book the thermal suite, with the additional 18%.  I'm well aware that the spa is a separate entity, and that all spa "services" require gratuities.  Having previously used the Persian Gardens as AQ pax, I hadn't encountered this before, and just found it rather odd.

[Oceangoer2]

20 minutes ago, jelayne said:

This is not a new charge, we have been cruising for about 18 years 4 different lines and while not a frequent spa user I have always had a gratuity added to the charge.  

Used the spa just once....tipped generously not realizing the gratuity was already on the bill....not everyone knows how this is set up.

[mchell810]

1 hour ago, DCPIV said:

At the risk of sounding facetious, that's the price. Whether it's broken down as a gratuity, a fee, or what have you, there it is. No sense going off the rails.

 

Then the full price should be listed as that and not some false "gratuity."

[jelayne]

1 hour ago, mchell810 said:

 

Then the full price should be listed as that and not some false "gratuity."

In a few countries  that is required and in those places the cruise lines price that way.  

[davekathy]

4 hours ago, D. B. said:

Spas like Casinos on Cruise Ships are operated by Outside vendors and the Cruise line geta a percentage of the take. Oh sorry that sounds like Las Vegas speak.

 Like you I also would object to these Tips.

Along with those working in the onboard shops and the so called amateur photographers walking around with expensive cameras. 

[mchell810]

46 minutes ago, jelayne said:

In a few countries  that is required and in those places the cruise lines price that way.  

 

Yes, and I really wish it worked that way in the US; not just regarding cruises but restaurants, everything.

[manmachine]

5 important reasons:

 

M. O. N. E. Y.

[ISABELLA]

21 hours ago, DCPIV said:

At the risk of sounding facetious, that's the price. Whether it's broken down as a gratuity, a fee, or what have you, there it is. No sense going off the rails.

They should just increase the price. Gratuity for nothing provided just leave a bad impression.