Tips

[css]

This is our first Celebrity Cruise. Are tips automaticly added to your onboard account or is the policy-cash in envelopes on the last night? We are leaving Friday and I need to know if I need extra cash, or it will be on my credit card! Thanks.

[tbelian]

Tips are not automatically added in.

You can sharge them to your ship board account, or, do the 'cash in envelopes' route at the end.

[css]

If I go the "charge route", do you go to the purser early in the cruise, or do they have a special set up for paying by credit card at the end? Thanks again!

[Luckyroot]

[size=3][color=seagreen]There will be a card in your stateroom that you use to charge the tips. It must be turned in before the end of the week (our cruise sailed on Saturday, and the form was required by Thursday morning).[/color][/size]
[size=3][color=seagreen][/color][/size]
[size=3][color=seagreen]Have fun on your cruise![/color][/size]

[ballows]

[quote name='css']This is our first Celebrity Cruise. Are tips automaticly added to your onboard account or is the policy-cash in envelopes on the last night? We are leaving Friday and I need to know if I need extra cash, or it will be on my credit card! Thanks.[/QUOTE]
I just came back and all of my spa threatments, bar purchases, and cafe purchases included an automatic tip. Also, during the cruise an option to have the tip added to your shipboard account was offered or one could tip in cash the old fashion way. Can't wait to read other replies about how "they tip.":p

[tuggers]

Be aware that the crew really prefers the cash and envelope method as it sometimes takes them 2 weeks to get the money when you charge it. I have asked crew members on every cruise and they have always told me that they so much appreciate the cash as opposed to the vouchers they get with the charging. The vouchers they have to take to their banking officer, stand in line and then get cash. I figure these people work very hard for long hours and I don't want to be the cause of them having to stand in line to get my tip. You can go to the casino and get cash off your sea pass card and not have to take the extra cash with you. The envelopes are easy to figure out with the tip calculator that you can find on here.:D

[doree]

As other's said, you can do either. If you charge to your shipboard acct.....EVERYONE gets tipped at the "going tip rate" whether you use their services or not...at least that is how it was last Jan '04. I could stand to be corrected. We like to give our waiter and asst and cabin stewards extra b/c they are the BEST! Tips are included in drink prices, so that takes care of that. We rarely use the semollier -- and the maitre'd.....well....just schmoozes IMHO.

[tuggers]

Actually the matre'd is responsible for making sure everything is running smoothly, your service is good and your food is right. I've had him come over and take a plate from in front of me and say this isn't right, return with a much nicer plate. He is also the one who handles your special requests, like extra escargot or creme' brulee. And he can make things appear that are not on the menu any night. I used to feel as you do, but I've learned to appreciate the great service they give (and to use it!). So there is always a tip for the matre'd from me.:)

[doree]

I agree Tuggers ....... we have had really GREAT M'ds and a few bad ones on our X cruises and we are exclusive Xers. We tip them accordingly.

[css]

Thank you for the helpful information. I will take plenty of cash, but it is good to know that the credit card option is there in case I spend all my money onshore!

[bwolfe8140]

We always pay in cash.

Just figure out how much cash you need per suggested guidelines for each person and put that amount (plus a little extra in case you want to give extra) in a sealed envelope and lock in your cabin safe until you get the envelopes.

No trouble - just one more item on your packing list

Betty :D

[StephenJohnson]

[quote name='css']Thank you for the helpful information. I will take plenty of cash, but it is good to know that the credit card option is there in case I spend all my money onshore![/QUOTE]

The Casino will give you all the cash you want (well, actually up to USD1500/day, I think), conveniently charged to your Credit card - without having to pack cash down to the boat.