suometar Posted February 9, 2023 #1 Share Posted February 9, 2023 First time on RCL. Originally booked the Sky Loft suite but switched to Grand Loft suite because of all the extras included in the star class (including the Genie). We usually sail NCL in the Haven which includes a butler and concierge whom we tip using OBC. Can we do that on RCL? We prefer not to carry a lot of cash around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 9, 2023 #2 Share Posted February 9, 2023 (edited) 42 minutes ago, suometar said: First time on RCL. Originally booked the Sky Loft suite but switched to Grand Loft suite because of all the extras included in the star class (including the Genie). We usually sail NCL in the Haven which includes a butler and concierge whom we tip using OBC. Can we do that on RCL? We prefer not to carry a lot of cash around. The only way that I know that you may be able to possibly use your OBC to tip say a genie or conceirge would be going to the casino...go to one of the slot machines...do a room charge for whatever amount you want...hit cash out.....and then take the ticket to the window and cash it out....you will then have cash in hand to tip whoever you like. Your account should use up the OBC on it before using the credit card on file. Edited February 9, 2023 by bajathree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted February 10, 2023 #3 Share Posted February 10, 2023 4 hours ago, suometar said: First time on RCL. Originally booked the Sky Loft suite but switched to Grand Loft suite because of all the extras included in the star class (including the Genie). We usually sail NCL in the Haven which includes a butler and concierge whom we tip using OBC. Can we do that on RCL? We prefer not to carry a lot of cash around. Go to the suite Concierge and request an additional gratuities form. Fill out this form naming the specific person and their position or a venue on the ship. Turn this back in to the Concierge or to Guest Services. The total amount of gratuities will be charged to your onboard account, which goes again any OBC with remainder going against your credit card or cash account. This is what I did on Quantum of the Seas on our last cruise to tip the sushi chef and our stateroom attendant. . 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAT GIRL Posted February 10, 2023 #4 Share Posted February 10, 2023 DaKahuna has it correct. Very easy to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 10, 2023 #5 Share Posted February 10, 2023 I am betting that they would much prefer cash in hand...just saying. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suometar Posted February 10, 2023 Author #6 Share Posted February 10, 2023 12 hours ago, DaKahuna said: Go to the suite Concierge and request an additional gratuities form. Fill out this form naming the specific person and their position or a venue on the ship. Turn this back in to the Concierge or to Guest Services. The total amount of gratuities will be charged to your onboard account, which goes again any OBC with remainder going against your credit card or cash account. This is what I did on Quantum of the Seas on our last cruise to tip the sushi chef and our stateroom attendant. . Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suometar Posted February 10, 2023 Author #7 Share Posted February 10, 2023 1 hour ago, bajathree said: I am betting that they would much prefer cash in hand...just saying. We do leave cash tips for waiters and bartenders, but I suspect the genie expects a little more than one or five dollar bills 😄 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted February 10, 2023 #8 Share Posted February 10, 2023 1 hour ago, bajathree said: I am betting that they would much prefer cash in hand...just saying. Actually, from what I understand, it goes directly into their paycheck.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 10, 2023 #9 Share Posted February 10, 2023 22 minutes ago, suometar said: We do leave cash tips for waiters and bartenders, but I suspect the genie expects a little more than one or five dollar bills 😄 I am sure you are correct...lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djsmrs Posted February 10, 2023 #10 Share Posted February 10, 2023 We've used OBC twice to add to our genie's tip - easy to do and saves having to bring so much cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RobInMN Posted February 10, 2023 #11 Share Posted February 10, 2023 ok, stupid question tie in. We will be in our first Star class next Fall. With or without OBC, can you simply charge the Genie tip to your on board account and have it charged to your CC at the end with all your other on board charges? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted February 10, 2023 #12 Share Posted February 10, 2023 (edited) 49 minutes ago, RobInMN said: ok, stupid question tie in. We will be in our first Star class next Fall. With or without OBC, can you simply charge the Genie tip to your on board account and have it charged to your CC at the end with all your other on board charges? I would assume that you could using the additional gratuities form, or speaking with the Suite Concierge or Guest Services. I know we have done it for stateroom attendants. We've never had a Genie. Edited February 10, 2023 by DaKahuna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted February 10, 2023 #13 Share Posted February 10, 2023 49 minutes ago, RobInMN said: ok, stupid question tie in. We will be in our first Star class next Fall. With or without OBC, can you simply charge the Genie tip to your on board account and have it charged to your CC at the end with all your other on board charges? Only way is to fill out form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare little britain Posted February 10, 2023 #14 Share Posted February 10, 2023 If you have not prepaid your gratuities then they are automatically added on board; and yes, you can use obc to offset against the gratuities payments. There is no need for any forms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted February 10, 2023 #15 Share Posted February 10, 2023 13 minutes ago, little britain said: If you have not prepaid your gratuities then they are automatically added on board; and yes, you can use obc to offset against the gratuities payments. There is no need for any forms. I believe we are discussing tips over and above onboard gratuities. Are Genies even in the automatic tipping pool? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare little britain Posted February 10, 2023 #16 Share Posted February 10, 2023 34 minutes ago, DaKahuna said: Are Genies even in the automatic tipping pool? If I prepay my tips I assume it goes towards those that serve me, including my 🧞♀️ Genies. I have never heard otherwise. If the prepaid tips don’t go to the Genies 🧞♀️ then where do they go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrinkm Posted February 10, 2023 #17 Share Posted February 10, 2023 6 hours ago, DaKahuna said: Actually, from what I understand, it goes directly into their paycheck.. I wish there was a way to confirm this for sure. We had an unexpected situation during one of our port stops on our last cruise and ended up spending a lot of our extra cash that we had with us and didn't have what we wanted at the end of the cruise to do all the extra tipping we wanted to do. I didn't know about the casino hack for cash, so I filled out one of those forms and used our OBC to tip our cabin attendant. I left a note for him the last night saying we had given him some extra through the form and when we saw him again later and I asked if he had gotten the message, he said yes but seemed disappointed. I might have been reading too much into it, or it could have been about something else, but I've wondered since then if the staff does not prefer to receive tips that way. Maybe they get taxed on it if it goes into their paychecks? For our next cruise, we'll bring extra, EXTRA cash along with us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RobInMN Posted February 11, 2023 #18 Share Posted February 11, 2023 3 hours ago, little britain said: If I prepay my tips I assume it goes towards those that serve me, including my 🧞♀️ Genies. I have never heard otherwise. If the prepaid tips don’t go to the Genies 🧞♀️ then where do they go? This is actually incorrect. In the Star class, you get the Genie, and gratuities are complimentary (not "pre-paid" - although included in your cabin cost). "Complimentary Gratuities benefit applies only to onboard staff who provide standard dining and culinary services, stateroom and general housekeeping services. Star guests may tip their Royal Genie and Concierge separately, at their own discretion." https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-royal-suite-class 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not-enough-cruising Posted February 11, 2023 #19 Share Posted February 11, 2023 (edited) 7 hours ago, little britain said: If you have not prepaid your gratuities then they are automatically added on board; and yes, you can use obc to offset against the gratuities payments. There is no need for any forms. 6 hours ago, little britain said: If I prepay my tips I assume it goes towards those that serve me, including my 🧞♀️ Genies. I have never heard otherwise. If the prepaid tips don’t go to the Genies 🧞♀️ then where do they go? Genies don't work for pooled tips Edited February 11, 2023 by not-enough-cruising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajathree Posted February 11, 2023 #20 Share Posted February 11, 2023 14 hours ago, jbrinkm said: I wish there was a way to confirm this for sure. We had an unexpected situation during one of our port stops on our last cruise and ended up spending a lot of our extra cash that we had with us and didn't have what we wanted at the end of the cruise to do all the extra tipping we wanted to do. I didn't know about the casino hack for cash, so I filled out one of those forms and used our OBC to tip our cabin attendant. I left a note for him the last night saying we had given him some extra through the form and when we saw him again later and I asked if he had gotten the message, he said yes but seemed disappointed. I might have been reading too much into it, or it could have been about something else, but I've wondered since then if the staff does not prefer to receive tips that way. Maybe they get taxed on it if it goes into their paychecks? For our next cruise, we'll bring extra, EXTRA cash along with us! Like I said in my prior post...I am sure they prefer cash....everyone prefers cash. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeck Posted February 11, 2023 #21 Share Posted February 11, 2023 12 hours ago, RobInMN said: This is actually incorrect. In the Star class, you get the Genie, and gratuities are complimentary (not "pre-paid" - although included in your cabin cost). "Complimentary Gratuities benefit applies only to onboard staff who provide standard dining and culinary services, stateroom and general housekeeping services. Star guests may tip their Royal Genie and Concierge separately, at their own discretion." https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-royal-suite-class So the Genie gets a decent wage from Royal like the Concierge. Tips are an extra bonus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoWanchuk Posted February 11, 2023 #22 Share Posted February 11, 2023 (edited) We always have make sure we have cash for the Genie. Having worked in a service role in school and not knowing how long disbursement takes from RCCL on the back end, cash is always best and appreciated IME. We also throw the cabin attendant some extra cash as well. The wages paid and standard gratuities are small and even a healthy tip to these folks is still a very small percentage of what the trip costs. Edited February 11, 2023 by MoWanchuk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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