No gratuity, really?

[TheLizardHouse]

Apologies, as this has likely been covered . . . I’m already reading up on the Celebrity Edge, which I’m doing with friends out of AKL in Feb 2024. The cruise critic overview for inclusions, states:  

 

Gratuities, but only for those booked in Australia or New Zealand and paid in AU and NZ dollars.

 

Were there some changes with legislation? I’ve got a vague memory of hearing something ages ago. This would be great if so! We have $800 OBC, but the specialty restaurant prices are really hefty, so it’s mostly gone already. 😬

[Chiliburn]

35 minutes ago, TheLizardHouse said:

Apologies, as this has likely been covered . . . I’m already reading up on the Celebrity Edge, which I’m doing with friends out of AKL in Feb 2024. The cruise critic overview for inclusions, states:  

 

Gratuities, but only for those booked in Australia or New Zealand and paid in AU and NZ dollars.

 

Were there some changes with legislation? I’ve got a vague memory of hearing something ages ago. This would be great if so! We have $800 OBC, but the specialty restaurant prices are really hefty, so it’s mostly gone already. 😬

Gratuity and taxes are included for us ,there’s also talk of the the British getting the same deal.

[Ozwoody]

Yep Gratuity is included in Aust & NZ cruise prices booked in Aust & NZ.

The American way of paying wages through tips sucks!

[Hammer61]

9 hours ago, TheLizardHouse said:

Gratuities, but only for those booked in Australia or New Zealand and paid in AU and NZ dollars.

I could be wrong? but i think it's also only for cruises departing/arriving in Aus/NZ including the trans Pacific's and repositioning cruises as they either arrive/depart, so if you took an Alaska cruise for example, even though you book and pay in $A, the gratuity will be added each day.

 

We had a Norway cruise from Copenhagen with RCI a couple of years ago and that was the case with that cruise, but things may have changed.

 

Most of the luxury brands include the Gratuity these days no matter the cruise or location, would make sense if they all did IMO, better for everyone all round, staff on board, passenger's and less admin for the cruise lines, then your choice to tip extra for over and beyond etc.

[Gwendy]

Sydney down under you are correct.  Sailing the Med in April this year and we are requested to pay gratuities.

[AZjohn]

7 hours ago, Ozwoody said:

Yep Gratuity is included in Aust & NZ cruise prices booked in Aust & NZ.

The American way of paying wages through tips sucks!

I am sorry to post on your site but I could not help myself to say you are 100% correct!

Its so out of control here and sadly polluting the rest of the world. I’m ashamed and hope your two countries never buy into it.

 

OK, I’m done venting and thanks for letting me share 🙂 

[Ozwoody]

40 minutes ago, AZjohn said:

I am sorry to post on your site but I could not help myself to say you are 100% correct!

Its so out of control here and sadly polluting the rest of the world. I’m ashamed and hope your two countries never buy into it.

 

OK, I’m done venting and thanks for letting me share 🙂 

The threads may be about NZ & Aust cruises, but not only for us to comment on. If you have something to contribute, jump on in, everyone is welcome here.😀

[AZjohn]

14 minutes ago, Ozwoody said:

The threads may be about NZ & Aust cruises, but not only for us to comment on. If you have something to contribute, jump on in, everyone is welcome here.😀

Thank you, everyone seems so nice here 🙂 

 

We have been planning our once in a lifetime visit to both of your Countries next month and have been reading this board for 2+ years to try and learn as much as I can for our visit (and cruise).

 

Look forward to just having a coffee and chat with as many as I can while there 🙂 

 

Cheers,

John

[GUT2407]

23 minutes ago, Ozwoody said:

The threads may be about NZ & Aust cruises, but not only for us to comment on. If you have something to contribute, jump on in, everyone is welcome here.😀

Ohh and don’t be surprised if after the issues are dealt with the thread wanders all over the place. And don’t mistake insults (seemingly) as people not liking each other.

[Docker123]

7 minutes ago, AZjohn said:

Thank you, everyone seems so nice here 🙂 

 

We have been planning our once in a lifetime visit to both of your Countries next month and have been reading this board for 2+ years to try and learn as much as I can for our visit (and cruise).

 

Look forward to just having a coffee and chat with as many as I can while there 🙂 

 

Cheers,

John

Coming this way next month?

 

Hopefully you have the visa waiver process in hand.

 

[AZjohn]

52 minutes ago, Docker123 said:

Coming this way next month?

 

Hopefully you have the visa waiver process in hand.

 

Oh yes!

@possum52 was kind enough to explain several months ago the requirement for both the Australia and New Zealand visas (or ETA’s) with links to the apps. Super easy and wife and I were approved for both within hours.

I wish things were that simple and civilized over here in the US (lol).

Cheers

[MicCanberra]

Sometimes they are, sometimes not. Consistently inconsistent 

[ozcruizier]

On 1/7/2023 at 2:17 PM, Gwendy said:

Sydney down under you are correct.  Sailing the Med in April this year and we are requested to pay gratuities.

 

Can you clarify please? 
I understand that you're from Australia, and were requested to pay gratuity??? 

 

[Aus Traveller]

10 minutes ago, ozcruizier said:

 

Can you clarify please? 
I understand that you're from Australia, and were requested to pay gratuity??? 

 

The reason we don't have to pay gratuities separately (with some cruise lines) is not because we are Australians. They would have to pay the gratuities because the cruise in not an Australian-based one where gratuities are included.

Edited January 12, 2023 by Aus Traveller

[lucymorgan]

A little bit of trivia - I was comped a cruise through royal caribbean casino royale and even it included taxes and gratuities for stateroom attendant and dining!  Check your  invoice/cruise confirmation carefully to confirm the situation for your cruise.    

 

[MicCanberra]

Australians are still paying the gratuities  when booking cruises, the big difference is for the cruises out of australian waters booked have them included in the price while those abroad may not.

[Gwendy]

8 hours ago, ozcruizier said:

 

Can you clarify please? 
I understand that you're from Australia, and were requested to pay gratuity??? 

 

Gratuities are generally only included when ship sails from Australia.  In this case we sail from Barcelona to Athens,  so gratuities need to be paid separately (or not if you choose to remove them from your account).

[sayaguru]

It's cruises in Australia IF you book in Australia. People booking cruises in Australia from overseas still have the gratuities added. You of course still have the option to change or remove as normal.

 

It's because Australia prefers WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) type buying.

Overseas companies can be very confusing because prices quoted often don't include taxes and Govt charges.