Freebies people tend not to think about on RCI? Room service?

[mikeerdas]

Is room service free on Royal? e.g. for small breakfasts, etc.

 

Also, are there other freebies that are part of the cost of a cruise that many people overlook? Again, I wouldn't expect room service would be included. Especially with rising fuel prices and lines encouraging additional purchases.

[funfamilyfun]

Yes, room service IS included in the price of your cruise. A tip is always a nice thing to do. Enjoy!

[Travel Angel]

On My last RCI cruise when atempting to hand the staff a tip for delivering room service they commented "that is not necessary" which came as a shock to me.... I still provided a tip and the room service seemd to improve from that person in other deliveries afterwards......go figure !

[JRsMom]

Our TA told us that you are not suppose to tip room service. She said if you get room service they automatically charge you tip. But you can go through the TV, and change the amount if you feel the need. But I guess if you give them their $ in hand, they may be happier (then you just have to go in and change the amount.

[cruisefeen2304]

I never knew you were suppose to tip room service until came on here. I guess if i tip the pizza and Chinese Delivery man at home you supposed to do it on the ship too.

[uksimonusa]

Our TA told us that you are not suppose to tip room service. She said if you get room service they automatically charge you tip. But you can go through the TV, and change the amount if you feel the need. But I guess if you give them their $ in hand, they may be happier (then you just have to go in and change the amount.

 

Don't know where your TA got that information, there is not a charge for room service, and no TIP is added to your account. The TV is not interactive, in the billing section, you can only use it to review your bill, not make any changes, any errors have to be addressed with the guest Services staff

[Travel Angel]

Our TA told us that you are not suppose to tip room service. She said if you get room service they automatically charge you tip. But you can go through the TV, and change the amount if you feel the need. But I guess if you give them their $ in hand, they may be happier (then you just have to go in and change the amount.

 

Unless something has changed recently, I believe your TA is incorrect.... There has never been an auto tip on room service UNLESS an alcoholic drink or soft drink was delivered to the stateroom... perhaps that is what he or she meant ? As for removing a tip (or anything for that fact) thru the interactive TV, that is totaly incorrect for certain, as it has to be done at the pursers desk for issues regarding questionable charges on your portfolio.

[mikeerdas]

Sounds great. Thanks for the info.

 

I've also heard some cruise lines will give you a free cake on a birthday or anniversary. On our next (2nd ever) cruise, it will be our 2nd wedding anniversary. And I believe we were asked when purchasing the cruise if there were any special occasions taking place during the cruise. Makes sense that they would do a little something extra, having asked the question.

 

So, what other freebies might there be? Seems the thread has drifted to tipping. :-) Trying to bring it back on course so to speak.

[joanne59]

...I'd suggest signing up with Crown & Anchor if you have not done so already. From your second cruise on, at each level, you get a coupon book in your cabin that starts out with discounts, then some actual freebies (pictures, drinks, ice cream pops, casino spins etc) when you become platinum and diamond. Other than that, I have not found many free (at no additional cost) items on the ship other than the obvious, ie food (and let's face, that is not free, we most certainly pay for it).

 

Getting back to room service, what some people don't know is that you can order almost anything on the dinner menu for in-cabin delivery that same evening (there are a few exceptions-lobster being one of them) Great way to enjoy a quiet evening on your balcony without missing your dining room favorites.

[LAKaye]

Sounds great. Thanks for the info.

 

I've also heard some cruise lines will give you a free cake on a birthday or anniversary. On our next (2nd ever) cruise, it will be our 2nd wedding anniversary. And I believe we were asked when purchasing the cruise if there were any special occasions taking place during the cruise. Makes sense that they would do a little something extra, having asked the question.

 

So, what other freebies might there be? Seems the thread has drifted to tipping. :-) Trying to bring it back on course so to speak.

 

I am going to guess that you are new to cruising because of your use of the word freebie. Looking to the history of traveling by ship and pleasure cruising, food has always been included in one's fare. This is a part of it all. Only recently has it become a part of the grand scheme to charge passengers for special food, whether it's a Ben and Jerry's ice cream pop or a dinner in a better-food restaurant.

 

So your question might be "What is included today on Royal Caribbean when I pay my cruise fare?"

 

"Accommodations, Ocean transportation, most meals, nonalcoholic beverages and most entertainment aboard the ship. The fare does not include air transportation, transfers, optional shore and land excursions, certain beverages, casino gaming, photographs, gratuities, telephone calls, specialty restaurants, purchases from the ship stores or items of a personal nature, such as medical services, laundry, massages and spa services."

 

Bon Voyage~~

 

Leslie

[PantherFan]

Sounds great. Thanks for the info.

 

I've also heard some cruise lines will give you a free cake on a birthday or anniversary. On our next (2nd ever) cruise, it will be our 2nd wedding anniversary. And I believe we were asked when purchasing the cruise if there were any special occasions taking place during the cruise. Makes sense that they would do a little something extra, having asked the question.

 

So, what other freebies might there be? Seems the thread has drifted to tipping. :-) Trying to bring it back on course so to speak.

 

Way back when.....they used to allow you to request a birthday or anniversary cake (I think it was like 9 * 9 sheet cake hardly decorated) for the special ocassion. I remember almost every night there would be dozens of waiters singing "Happy Birthday" infact, I have done it for my mom & hubby in the past. I have not seen them doing it lately so I am not sure if you have to pay now or not.

 

We always cruise around special ocassions and tell them but they have never done anything special for us unless we asked for something.

[kingsgirl]

Someone posted that they use the showers by the gym instead of trying to work in 4 ppl to use one shower in their stateroom.

 

As many showers as you want = freebie? lol

[digital_curator]

There is now a charge for a whole cake but they will bring you a piece with happy birthday written on the plate.

 

Cheers,

[dixieva]

Yes, there is now a charge for a birthday or anniversary cake. My daughter did it for my birthday on our last cruise and there was a charge. I think it was $5 or $6 but am not sure. They had her sign for it and it went on her Sea Pass card. It was a very small cake.

[PhoenixCruiser]

Sounds great. Thanks for the info.

 

I've also heard some cruise lines will give you a free cake on a birthday or anniversary. On our next (2nd ever) cruise, it will be our 2nd wedding anniversary. And I believe we were asked when purchasing the cruise if there were any special occasions taking place during the cruise. Makes sense that they would do a little something extra, having asked the question.

 

So, what other freebies might there be? Seems the thread has drifted to tipping. :-) Trying to bring it back on course so to speak.

 

They used to offer free birthday and anniversary cakes, now you have to purchase them.

 

###

[FloridaFan]

If you go to the Captain's reception, you'll probably get a free drink as part of the program.

 

Also, you'll get free champagne at the art auctions, but be careful not to get carried away with the bidding, or your champagne might not be free after all.

[BopRN]

A year ago the cost of the cake was $6.95...dinky little cake....probably plus tax and gratuity. We opted not to get one.

[cruiseguy1016]

ALL of your meals are free if you want them to be. Some people choose to pay money to eat at one of the specialty restaurants. If you don't want to pay the money, you can have every meal for free. Yes, room service is included in the cruise fare. On most ships there are other places to get other food during the day. For example the Café Promenade has pizza, small sandwiches, cookies plus other morsels. There is usually free soft serve ice cream on the ship somewhere. On Voyager and Freedom class, there is free ice skating. There is a free Broadway style show every night. The ships with a skating rink have a free ice show (don't miss it if you are on a ship that has it). There is a library on board. There is a game room on some ships. Depending on the ship, there is basketball, mini golf, ping pong, shuffle board, all for free. There is a spa and gym with all kinds of fitness equipment. I'm sure ther is more. Others will add as they come up. Enjoy your cruise!

[Happy ks]

Way back when.....they used to allow you to request a birthday or anniversary cake (I think it was like 9 * 9 sheet cake hardly decorated) for the special ocassion. I remember almost every night there would be dozens of waiters singing "Happy Birthday" infact, I have done it for my mom & hubby in the past. I have not seen them doing it lately so I am not sure if you have to pay now or not.

 

We always cruise around special ocassions and tell them but they have never done anything special for us unless we asked for something.

 

Many people used to say it was their birthday or anniversary to get that cake :rolleyes: I could never understand why, with all the other desserts that are available, that a person would want cake??? I suppose it's all subjective, some people want dry cake with thick sickly sweet icing (can you tell I'm not a cake lover :p ).

 

A few too many people ordered the cake, so to cut back to people who really wanted that celebration, they started charging for the cakes. People still order them, the ones who really need that cake don't blink at the additional cost.

 

There are a lot of lovely desserts they can stick a candle in. The table can have all the desserts they want off of the menu, no real need for a cake.

 

Give me Tiramisu any day over birthday cake :)

[GrannyLala]

If you are a C&A member, they have a "Welcome Back" party one night, and the drinks are free there, although a little weak compared to the ones you buy in the bar.:)

[Happy ks]

ALL of your meals are free if you want them to be. Some people choose to pay money to eat at one of the specialty restaurants. If you don't want to pay the money, you can have every meal for free. Yes, room service is included in the cruise fare. On most ships there are other places to get other food during the day. For example the Café Promenade has pizza, small sandwiches, cookies plus other morsels. There is usually free soft serve ice cream on the ship somewhere. On Voyager and Freedom class, there is free ice skating. There is a free Broadway style show every night. The ships with a skating rink have a free ice show (don't miss it if you are on a ship that has it). There is a library on board. There is a game room on some ships. Depending on the ship, there is basketball, mini golf, ping pong, shuffle board, all for free. There is a spa and gym with all kinds of fitness equipment. I'm sure ther is more. Others will add as they come up. Enjoy your cruise!

 

 

Replace the word "free" with "included", absolutely nothing is free on a cruise, you have paid for it in your fare.

[cb at sea]

Actually, NOTHING is "free" on a cruise--you paid a fare and that INCLUDES your food and room!

Room service delivery folks are not part of the "tipped" staff-they are kitchen workers. Tip them!

B-day cakes aren't included anymore!

All of the shows are included.

You certainly CAN cruise without spending any more than tips! (Of course, if you drink alcohol,....)

[mikeerdas]

Thanks for all the responses. Yes, "included" is what I intended--of course nothing is free. I'm looking to get as much of what is included, within reason, as I can. "Best bang for the buck(s) I've already spent"

 

What is the price of mixed drinks on an RCI cruise?

 

And what is ship policy for bringing one's own alcohol on-board? Can't imagine it's formally allowed, but will they confiscate nips? Me and my wife are light drinkers. Wouldn't mind spending money in the wine bar, but don't think I'm prepared to pay $10 per mixed drink.

[cruiseguy1016]

And what is ship policy for bringing one's own alcohol on-board? Can't imagine it's formally allowed, but will they confiscate nips? Me and my wife are light drinkers. Wouldn't mind spending money in the wine bar, but don't think I'm prepared to pay $10 per mixed drink.

 

RCI's policy is you are not allowed to bring alcohol on board. If you are caught, it will be confiscated. Mixed drinks are roughly $5.95 and IMHO are worth it. They do not spare the alcohol.

[Merion_Mom]

If you are a C&A member, they have a "Welcome Back" party one night, and the drinks are free there, although a little weak compared to the ones you buy in the bar.:)

 

Mine have NEVER been weak! :eek: :D