Gratuities and Service Charge

[Anne001]

Can I please ask about gratuities and service charge? 
A service charge is applied when you purchase drinks. Yes?
The gratuity is charged per person per day. Yes?
So effectively you are tipping twice for the same service?
Do we have to pay both?
We aren’t trying to get out of tipping but have been told so many different things eg you don’t have to pay service if you are paying gratuity; you don’t have to pay gratuity; you only have to tip your cabin person. We just want to know what we are supposed to be doing! 

[Host Hattie]

The 15% on drinks goes to Bar staff, the daily service charge to cabin stewards and restaurant staff.

You can adjust the daily service charge but not the 15% but the simplest thing is to leave it in place. 

 

[bluemarble]

4 minutes ago, Anne001 said:

Can I please ask about gratuities and service charge? 
A service charge is applied when you purchase drinks. Yes?
The gratuity is charged per person per day. Yes?
So effectively you are tipping twice for the same service?
Do we have to pay both?
We aren’t trying to get out of tipping but have been told so many different things eg you don’t have to pay service if you are paying gratuity; you don’t have to pay gratuity; you only have to tip your cabin person. We just want to know what we are supposed to be doing! 

 

First off a bit of terminology which might help clarify things a bit. The gratuities are no longer called that. They are now also a service charge; the "Hotel and Dining Service Charge". That daily service charge added to your on board account is said to go to "waiters and stateroom stewards" and "the many more people supporting behind the scenes."

 

The service charge automatically applied to drinks is said to be "shared amongst the beverage staff."

 

So no, according to Cunard's statements, you are not tipping twice for the same service. The beverage staff who benefit from the service charge on drinks apparently do not benefit from the daily hotel and dining service charge.

[Anne001]

Thank you Hattie and bluemarble for your clear explanations.