Gratuities Back On Celebrity Oz Cruises?

[springaussie]

It appears the added extra for auto daily gratuities has reappeared on Celebrity Cruises even booking in Australia.

Can someone please confirm this?

[MMDown Under]

1 hour ago, springaussie said:

It appears the added extra for auto daily gratuities has reappeared on Celebrity Cruises even booking in Australia.

Can someone please confirm this?

Gratuities must be included in fare in Aust when booked here!

[Chiliburn]

18 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

Gratuities must be included in fare in Aust when booked here!

That’s what I thought,the advertised price is all inclusive.

No GST,no Gratuity,no service fee .The price you see is the price you pay.

[Chiliburn]

3 hours ago, springaussie said:

It appears the added extra for auto daily gratuities has reappeared on Celebrity Cruises even booking in Australia.

Can someone please confirm this?

I checked a couple of booking sites and I can’t see anything.

From what I understand gratuity has to be included if booked in Australia.

 

https://www.accc.gov.au/business/pricing/price-displays

[Galesa]

Ok. So not Celebrity but HAL and as far as I can tell, "Crew Appreciation" is an added cost, which we've now pre-paid. 

 

Or is this something different.

[Chiliburn]

32 minutes ago, Galesa said:

Ok. So not Celebrity but HAL and as far as I can tell, "Crew Appreciation" is an added cost, which we've now pre-paid. 

 

Or is this something different.

That link I posted says it should be included in the advertised price.

[cheznandy]

5 hours ago, springaussie said:

It appears the added extra for auto daily gratuities has reappeared on Celebrity Cruises even booking in Australia.

Can someone please confirm this?

Hi there, I just booked a Celebrity cruise, booked in AUD direct with Celebrity.

My invoice states

"A service charge for your dining and stateroom attendant are included in your cruise fare. A service charge for additional onboard services purchased will be incurred and
reflect on your Onboard Expense Account."

Hope that answers your question.

 

They were fabulous to deal with, honoured a very old Next cruise deposit and included OBC.

 

[lyndarra]

8 hours ago, Galesa said:

Ok. So not Celebrity but HAL and as far as I can tell, "Crew Appreciation" is an added cost, which we've now pre-paid. 

 

Or is this something different.

You are correct.

[marinating]

I phoned Celebrity after receiving the email, they apologised and said it was sent in error to Australian cruisers, apparently they will be sending out an apology email. 

[springaussie]

2 hours ago, marinating said:

I phoned Celebrity after receiving the email, they apologised and said it was sent in error to Australian cruisers, apparently they will be sending out an apology email. 

Thanks for that!

This is the email I heard about also:

I did ring Celebrity Australia up  earlier to confirm what the situation was also.

I was told the same. Gratuities are included.

 Thanks to the previous replies.

While looking into this matter it was interesting to note that most travel agents on line advertising a Celebrity Cruise never mentioned tips included. But they did for other cruise companies.

[MMDown Under]

3 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Thanks for that!

This is the email I heard about also:

I did ring Celebrity Australia up  earlier to confirm what the situation was also.

I was told the same. Gratuities are included.

 Thanks to the previous replies.

While looking into this matter it was interesting to note that most travel agents on line advertising a Celebrity Cruise never mentioned tips included. But they did for other cruise companies.

That is an interesting observation.  Maybe they were testing the wind.  Someone should tell them Aussies hate the American tipping custom.  You don't need to tip to be a kind, generous people! 

 

[cheznandy]

5 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Thanks for that!

This is the email I heard about also:

I did ring Celebrity Australia up  earlier to confirm what the situation was also.

I was told the same. Gratuities are included.

 Thanks to the previous replies.

While looking into this matter it was interesting to note that most travel agents on line advertising a Celebrity Cruise never mentioned tips included. But they did for other cruise companies.

I am going to print out the booking info in my email where it states they are included as we board in Singapore.

Been caught out before with gratuities and OBC so always have that hard copy!

[MMDown Under]

3 minutes ago, cheznandy said:

I am going to print out the booking info in my email where it states they are included as we board in Singapore.

Been caught out before with gratuities and OBC so always have that hard copy!

Smart idea.  Suggest everyone does that who departs from an overseas port on a cruise bought in Australia. 

As I hate tipping with a passion, I paid my tip to the purser on a French ship on boarding.  I had trouble convincing a young girl that I had paid.  She had taken it upon herself to educate me on their tipping custom.  The girl, who was with her got the message quicker than she did, and discretely checked at the Pursers Office.  

[cowspanker]

3 hours ago, cheznandy said:

I am going to print out the booking info in my email where it states they are included as we board in Singapore.

Been caught out before with gratuities and OBC so always have that hard copy!

You don't need to do that. Gratuities are optional for everyone. You just go to guest services and ask for them to be removed.

[MicCanberra]

13 minutes ago, cowspanker said:

You don't need to do that. Gratuities are optional for everyone. You just go to guest services and ask for them to be removed.

Why would you do that if you have already paid them.