cruisingaussies Posted October 7, 2023 #1 Share Posted October 7, 2023 Our TA has forwarded our final invoice for our December cruise, due for payment on Wednesday. We booked Always Included when it really was ALL included, ie with tips. Now this has popped up on the final invoice under Deposit and Final Payment Schedule: "To facilitate the crew recognition process, a $16.00 USD gratuity ($18.50 USD for Suite guests) is added to each guest’s SeaPass account daily. This gratuity is shared amongst the dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants and other hotel services teams." I'd feel more comfortable having them remove this paragraph but does it really matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retird Posted October 7, 2023 #2 Share Posted October 7, 2023 (edited) If your original reservation documents show tips included in the always included that you purchased, you should definitely call your TA and verify that the tips are still included. Is that paragraph on a Celebrity document or on a TA document? I believe the removal of tips in the AI was only for bookings made after October 4th 2023 Edited October 7, 2023 by retird 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare keesar Posted October 7, 2023 #3 Share Posted October 7, 2023 38 minutes ago, cruisingaussies said: Our TA has forwarded our final invoice for our December cruise, due for payment on Wednesday. We booked Always Included when it really was ALL included, ie with tips. Now this has popped up on the final invoice under Deposit and Final Payment Schedule: "To facilitate the crew recognition process, a $16.00 USD gratuity ($18.50 USD for Suite guests) is added to each guest’s SeaPass account daily. This gratuity is shared amongst the dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants and other hotel services teams." I'd feel more comfortable having them remove this paragraph but does it really matter? I have seen that statement in my docs. The key item is whether the tips are included in the itemized bill. There is usually the cost of the tips and below it, there is a credit for that amount. If you see the credit, it does not matter in my opinion. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingaussies Posted October 7, 2023 Author #4 Share Posted October 7, 2023 Booked a year ago with AI. It's issued by Celebrity. I don't see where tips are or are not shown. The document, upon further inspection, is full of anomalies. Under Cruise Fare and outside of the box is written that "a service charge for your dining and stateroom attendant are included." Then "If you have booked an 'All Included' promotion...you will receive a further invoice from us". Huh? Then the paragraph in my original post about grats being added to our SeaPass account daily. Finally, they sent an email about 10 days ago changing the itinerary but this document still shows the old one. X in too much of a hurry to get in the new NOT 'All Included' on the final invoice I think. I'll call my TA tomorrow, I think this needs to be corrected and re-issued. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted October 7, 2023 #5 Share Posted October 7, 2023 (edited) 12 minutes ago, cruisingaussies said: Booked a year ago with AI. It's issued by Celebrity. I don't see where tips are or are not shown. The document, upon further inspection, is full of anomalies. Under Cruise Fare and outside of the box is written that "a service charge for your dining and stateroom attendant are included." Then "If you have booked an 'All Included' promotion...you will receive a further invoice from us". Huh? Then the paragraph in my original post about grats being added to our SeaPass account daily. Finally, they sent an email about 10 days ago changing the itinerary but this document still shows the old one. X in too much of a hurry to get in the new NOT 'All Included' on the final invoice I think. I'll call my TA tomorrow, I think this needs to be corrected and re-issued. It worries me too. I'd certainly object to paying any further tips. It should be fine, booking made prior to the change but agree I don't like to see it there. By Aussie law if the tips are in the original purchase price then they cannot be added later. I've just looked at my original invoice. At the end of page 1, last line there's a statement saying that tips are included in the price package for stateroom and dining, purchases made onboard will incur an adiitional service charge. Edited October 7, 2023 by Pushka 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSBC Posted October 8, 2023 #6 Share Posted October 8, 2023 From the Celebrity e-document (about one month prior to on board the cruise ship): (1) how can you tell whether the All Included (drinks, Wi-Fi and gratitude) or not? (2) how can you tell the OBC (offered by Celebrity) is included or not? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted October 8, 2023 #7 Share Posted October 8, 2023 The paragraph is old as the daily gratuities of $16 and$18.50 have been upped twice since those amounts. To insure you have prepaid gratuities you need a copy of the most current Celebrity Booking Confirmation - Guest Copy for your reservation. That contains line by line what you are paying and what promotion you booked with. If your booking confirmation shows ALLINC with the rate info, then that is what is in the system. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingaussies Posted October 9, 2023 Author #8 Share Posted October 9, 2023 TA has issued a corrected invoice so I'm happy to pay the final balance now. I always insist on 100% correct paperwork before I pay anything. Once most companies have your money you go to the bottom of the heap if you try and sort out anything that isn't right. 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted October 9, 2023 #9 Share Posted October 9, 2023 4 hours ago, cruisingaussies said: TA has issued a corrected invoice so I'm happy to pay the final balance now. I always insist on 100% correct paperwork before I pay anything. Once most companies have your money you go to the bottom of the heap if you try and sort out anything that isn't right. Us too. I also take paper copies on board of the correct final invoice and copies of any bookings, pre purchases etc. We did some years ago pre order and pay for an in room bar set up which they had no record of…Simply getting out our printed sheet saved a lot of conversation… 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingaussies Posted October 9, 2023 Author #10 Share Posted October 9, 2023 14 minutes ago, chemmo said: Us too. I also take paper copies on board of the correct final invoice and copies of any bookings, pre purchases etc. We did some years ago pre order and pay for an in room bar set up which they had no record of…Simply getting out our printed sheet saved a lot of conversation… Absolutely. Since Covid we’ve been having 10 week trips to Europe to catch up the two years we were locked into Australia. I take paper copies of everything, as well as having copies on my phone/iPad. Makes for a lot of paperwork but I shed as we go. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chemmo Posted October 9, 2023 #11 Share Posted October 9, 2023 50 minutes ago, cruisingaussies said: Absolutely. Since Covid we’ve been having 10 week trips to Europe to catch up the two years we were locked into Australia. I take paper copies of everything, as well as having copies on my phone/iPad. Makes for a lot of paperwork but I shed as we go. Whilst we usually get rid of stuff as we go sometimes our travel wallet has arrived home intact and been left for a while…When sorting out a few weeks ago it was lovely to find our TP cruise wallet from 2014 complete with cruise documents, hotel bookings, Pearl Harbour trip booking and our Australian hotel bookings and even details on our restaurant bookings and a bus timetable on how to get to Bondi Beach! Brought back some happy memories… 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare zgscl Posted October 9, 2023 #12 Share Posted October 9, 2023 It should show up in your charges as both a positive and negative number in the mess of promos that are as clear as mud to read. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingaussies Posted October 9, 2023 Author #13 Share Posted October 9, 2023 11 hours ago, zgscl said: It should show up in your charges as both a positive and negative number in the mess of promos that are as clear as mud to read. Our codes are completely different! Some codes are easy to work out but others give no clue at all. As you say, clear as mud. I don’t know why they can’t just spell it out so we understand. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted October 9, 2023 #14 Share Posted October 9, 2023 1 hour ago, cruisingaussies said: Our codes are completely different! Some codes are easy to work out but others give no clue at all. As you say, clear as mud. I don’t know why they can’t just spell it out so we understand. I have tried googling some of the codes and can't find anything. And Yes, our invoices look nothing like this, that one is almost understandable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare zgscl Posted October 10, 2023 #15 Share Posted October 10, 2023 6 hours ago, cruisingaussies said: Our codes are completely different! Some codes are easy to work out but others give no clue at all. As you say, clear as mud. I don’t know why they can’t just spell it out so we understand. Celebrity/Royal Caribbean's booking invoice is about the least helpful of all the ones I have seen in terms of figuring out what is or is not included. A lot of the perks don't appear on your booking until later either. Can you share the charges section of your invoice? Curious what it is showing. Props to Holland America - they actually use plain English to tell you what you have included. Wish X/Royal/NCL would do something similar. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare zgscl Posted October 10, 2023 #16 Share Posted October 10, 2023 5 hours ago, Pushka said: I have tried googling some of the codes and can't find anything. And Yes, our invoices look nothing like this, that one is almost understandable. Can you share the charges section of your invoice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted October 10, 2023 #17 Share Posted October 10, 2023 (edited) 39 minutes ago, zgscl said: Can you share the charges section of your invoice? Sure. I did find NRD is non refundable deposit. Edited October 10, 2023 by Pushka 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare zgscl Posted October 10, 2023 #18 Share Posted October 10, 2023 18 minutes ago, Pushka said: Sure. I did find NRD is non refundable deposit. So funny how different they look. At least on yours it specifies the the service charge is included. I do know the All Inc with BOGO 75% NRD was their promo from a while back where you got the always included and 75% off the 2nd guest which tracks with the discount on guest 2. I guess the difference may be due to having an Australian confirmation? I think there are some different legal requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted October 10, 2023 #19 Share Posted October 10, 2023 15 minutes ago, zgscl said: So funny how different they look. At least on yours it specifies the the service charge is included. I do know the All Inc with BOGO 75% NRD was their promo from a while back where you got the always included and 75% off the 2nd guest which tracks with the discount on guest 2. I guess the difference may be due to having an Australian confirmation? I think there are some different legal requirements. I haven't been faithful to Celebrity 😂 but have taken two cruises on Viking. Their invoice is clear and precise. Because they never do any deals. 🤣 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingaussies Posted October 11, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted October 11, 2023 23 hours ago, zgscl said: Can you share the charges section of your invoice? Here we are. Most are understandable but I wish they'd just list what is included without the debit then credit nonsense. I wonder what the All Included code will be now, that it all isn't! All Incl perk w BOGO75 PCT NRD AUS OBC up to 200 per person NRD AUS TDQ5-PROMO2C 13N TDQ6-BEVCLINGRA13 TDY5-Basic Wi-Fi TDY6-Basic Wi-Fi Taxes, fees, and port expense 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingaussies Posted October 11, 2023 Author #21 Share Posted October 11, 2023 On 10/9/2023 at 5:35 PM, chemmo said: Whilst we usually get rid of stuff as we go sometimes our travel wallet has arrived home intact and been left for a while…When sorting out a few weeks ago it was lovely to find our TP cruise wallet from 2014 complete with cruise documents, hotel bookings, Pearl Harbour trip booking and our Australian hotel bookings and even details on our restaurant bookings and a bus timetable on how to get to Bondi Beach! Brought back some happy memories… Isn't wonderful and fun to find things like that. I like the bus timetable for Bondi Beach! I just dug out my travel diary from 1988, a road trip through France, which we're doing again next year. I, like you, had airline tickets, entry tickets to some chateaux (useful as I want to re-visit one or two next year) etc. I'd also noted most of the meals we had, mostly in the country and delicous. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare zgscl Posted October 11, 2023 #22 Share Posted October 11, 2023 3 hours ago, cruisingaussies said: Here we are. Most are understandable but I wish they'd just list what is included without the debit then credit nonsense. I wonder what the All Included code will be now, that it all isn't! All Incl perk w BOGO75 PCT NRD AUS OBC up to 200 per person NRD AUS TDQ5-PROMO2C 13N TDQ6-BEVCLINGRA13 TDY5-Basic Wi-Fi TDY6-Basic Wi-Fi Taxes, fees, and port expense Interesting, from this nothing would suggest gratuities other than the All Inc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted October 11, 2023 #23 Share Posted October 11, 2023 On 10/9/2023 at 2:00 AM, zgscl said: It should show up in your charges as both a positive and negative number in the mess of promos that are as clear as mud to read. I'll take a stab a the translationg Retreat Second Passenger 75% Discount with Non-Refundable Credit Save on Best Offer - $200 discount Bonus On Board Credit - No Charge Retreat Discount $148 Discount The next 5 are debits and credits showing Free Gratuities, Freee Premium Beverage Package and Free Premium Wifi Taxes and Fees As for you other question - If you log onto your Booking - choose Manage Booking -Click on anything like Shore Excursions etc - Your NR OBC will show in top Right. If you want to see what you have booked - click on initial in round circle and choose Order History - If you see an item with Status Booked and Total Paid Zero that will be your Internet and Drink Package 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Wildcat Posted October 11, 2023 #24 Share Posted October 11, 2023 On 10/7/2023 at 3:34 PM, cruisingaussies said: Our TA has forwarded our final invoice for our December cruise, due for payment on Wednesday. We booked Always Included when it really was ALL included, ie with tips. Now this has popped up on the final invoice under Deposit and Final Payment Schedule: "To facilitate the crew recognition process, a $16.00 USD gratuity ($18.50 USD for Suite guests) is added to each guest’s SeaPass account daily. This gratuity is shared amongst the dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants and other hotel services teams." I'd feel more comfortable having them remove this paragraph but does it really matter? You don't need to do anything. Your booking papers will show AI. Gratuities are charged to your folio each day. If you have AI they will then be reversed (credited). Makes total sense. That is necessary to move the gratuity money into the account that goes to the workers. The charge and the credit result in a net ZERO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingaussies Posted October 13, 2023 Author #25 Share Posted October 13, 2023 On 10/11/2023 at 5:50 PM, zgscl said: Interesting, from this nothing would suggest gratuities other than the All Inc. Actually I did note this in my first post, sorry I didn't repeat it. Outside the payment box is stated: "a service charge for your dining and stateroom attendant are included." We just received confirmation for a Princess cruise and it couldn't have been stated more simply: "As you have booked Princess Plus you will receive the following: *Plus Beverage Package inclusive of bar service charge. For all guests under the drinking age, the Plus Coffee & Soda Package will be provided as an alternative. *Unlimited Wi-Fi for all guests in the cabin who have booked Princess Plus, one device per guest *Pre-Paid Crew Appreciation for all guests in the cabin who have booked Princess Plus *Premium Desserts (2 per day) *Fitness Classes (2 classes)" Seems that Celebrity prefer the smoke and mirrors approach. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now