RoyalC

Royal Caribbean offer 4 free drinks for Diamond, 5 for Diamond Plus (me), and 6 per day for Pinnacle. It resets at midnight everyday.

The Crown lounge is for Diamond and above, unless stated otherwise (if there are too many Diamonds, then they are cut out). Drinks in the lounge go against the limit.

They also offer free internet (amount depends on level), a free 8 x 10 photo, discounts on other photos ($10 per photo on my last cruise), a repeater party with alcohol. Also included are near daily hor'devres in Cabin, 4 bottles of water, bottle of.wine or gift (Diamond Plus) and extra beverage. There are many other benefits too. Wish Carnival did similar but I'm sailing on Carnival soon. Looking forward to see how the food offerings compare.

Thank you both for your replies 

Got an offer and sailing next month on a 16 day cruise as a result (because of Caesar's status being Diamond).

In order to get another offer (free cruise/pay taxes type) sometime after the cruise, how many points should I rack up generally speaking?

3 hours ago, poohdreaming said:

It is best to give Carnival a call. If they have a Casino department, then call the Casino department to ask. All I know is that non-refundable deposits cannot be refunded. Did you already paid the cruise in full? You can call to ask and to switch it to a new cruise date. Probably would have to pay a penalty fee. As for offers showing up in your account, I am not so sure. Have you sailed with Carnival before? It really depends on how much you play on the cruise. You said the got one casino offer and this is from a land casino.

It's paid in full. $100 deposit per person given back in OBC. Sailed Carnival 2X long time ago- they don't have any record of it. Yes, offer came from submitting Caesar's info to Carnival. No new offers exist but may call Carnival one more time to see what happens if I cancel (if the offer would come back).

Got a casino offer via match from Caesar's Diamond and booked a cruise

that is 2 months out now.

So if we cancel, I am guessing you cannot rebook another offer since it is done and no new offers

show up currently?

Would Carnival replace it with another offer possibly if it is cancelled? 

It's a long cruise (!6 days) and would like something shorter due to cruise mates work.

Thanks

1 hour ago, basenji56 said:

You probably need an IQ of 160 plus to count that many cards enough to make a difference.

That's not how card counting works

So with the half off they are offering I booked the Fire Line and am interested in the Coaster/Aqua park combo too.

The first zip line is offered at 8:00. I chose 9:00. The other excursion offers times. I assume you can do the coaster at

any time and the time is for the aqua park? I also want to get chairs at Columbus Cove. Should I head over there before 9:00 and come back for the 

zip line or book a different time for the zip line? Both excursions are half off so interested in both.

9 minutes ago, tottenhamfc said:

Ah but that is to direct face to face people. What about the ones behind the scenes that may work much harder than the ones you see. Dishwashers, washroom attendants, cooks, etc etc. Those are who the grats are intended for. That is why I suggested a split model

of half for all and half your choice

Those people should be paid regular salary. Otherwise why don't we pay for the cruise director, pursers, casino staff, engine room people who make the ship go forward, captain, Jason Liberty, etc.

3 minutes ago, Cigar King said:

Honestly, the 28 (for 2) bucks extra a week makes no difference to me at all considering the overall cost of a cruise.  I really do wish Royal would just bundle this into the price of the cruise and move along.  They don't seem to have a problem raising prices in general so their argument about trying to keep competitive rings hollow.

It's $252 for two people for a 7-day cruise. RCL loves when people say it's only a few bucks, it's only a few amenities removed, etc. This has been going on for years now, but people accept it. Add your high cruise taxes and it is around $600 to step on board without cruise fare, flights (for most), hotel (for most), transfers (for most).  Excursions are not cheap either. 

3 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Not your job to dictate what is fair or equitable - you do realize that a person who cleans rooms for a living in most of the countries that cabin stewards originate have an annual income of between $3,000 and $4,000. A cabin steward on RCL can make 10X that - which is why they take the jobs.

They can actually make more than 10X with all the cabins assigned. Two months off per contract. 

1 minute ago, tottenhamfc said:

This is true so make the model fully inclusive and forget about the smoke and mirrors. Some cultures do not tip so I dont feel the need to subsidize their cultural preferences. This is the primary reason that grats are increasing. 

This is not the reason because people have opted out of tips since the beginning of cruising. If they think raising the tip price is going to compensate they are mistaken. You already see numerous people on social media saying they are removing tips now. I would guess they move to the old system of cash, which puts a smile on everyone's face. I've also heard from several crew that their tips are reduced if they do not receive a high average rating for the cruise. So where does the money go then? Royal is hush on this. But people can do whatever makes them feel good, then boast about it on cruise critic lol (look at me!) I mean serious, if everyone was like the tippers on CC, these workers would be rich!

3 minutes ago, tottenhamfc said:

But it is because RCL are downloading responsibility to customers based on emotion. We are a part if their operating model. Why dont they just include tips in the price then? That way everyone pays their fair share not some will and some wont model

Fair share is subjective. Some people never use the dining room (yes, some staff are in there but they do not service like they used to outside of clearing plates mostly). Some people I've known have never used room cleaning. Yet, some people are pigs (their messy rooms) and eat every meal in the dining rooms (breakfast when available, lunch and dinner). Other cruise lines offer included tips. Many choices are still available either on the cruise, or with another line. If they make tips mandatory, people will jump ship so to speak.

1 hour ago, mjkacmom said:

My property taxes go up every year, no one is telling me why. 

Look at your assessment letter- it tells you.

19 minutes ago, twangster said:

Hey boss, I need a raise to pay for the all things in the world going up ridiculous amounts.  

 

I've never been one to advocate removing the DSC but now I'll be joining the long line at guest services. 

Wait a day or two when the lines are not so long and before bedtime. No wait lol.  

5 minutes ago, iscruisingdunzo said:

Lol. Nice try. Nowhere do they state on that page that gratuities are optional. They state that the gratuities are "automatic" and can be "modified", but they do not state they are optional at any point before, during, or after the booking process. Just another point to prove where they lie on the ethical meter. 

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-service-gratuity-expense

 

Please cite a reference and prove me otherwise. 

When you book there are terms you can look up just like I looked this up. The original post you quoted did not use the word optional- you did. So yes this info is available. When you book you are not required to prepay tips. You also have the option to purchase insurance via the booking process- but you do not have to. The "option" to remove is the same as not paying, or paying cash in lieu of the set amount charged to your credit card account. 

3 minutes ago, iscruisingdunzo said:

Please show me anything that is communicated from RCI that states gratuities are "optional". 

"In the unlikely event that a guest onboard being charged the daily automatic gratuity does not receive satisfactory service, the guest may request to modify the daily amount at their discretion by visiting Guest Services onboard and will be able to do so until the morning of their departure. Guests who have pre-paid their gratuity will not see a daily charge during their cruise."

2 hours ago, loman said:

Arrogance in my opinion . 

Didnt they increase gratuities last year ?

They think they can get away with anything now. 

When people start talking with their feet they will get what they deserve.

And I will be shorting the stock because it will feel so much better. Hopefully rates continue to increase too. I like stocks when they are cheap, and in the meantime I earn bank interest for once.

2 hours ago, HicksRA said:

Jason Liberty is sinking the ship….

That is what happens when you hire a finance guy as CEO and not a marketing guy. 

3 minutes ago, iscruisingdunzo said:

But they shouldn't even be raising anything. They are making BILLIONS!

They have cutback services. 

 

An ethical company that is proper and fair would provide their staff a fair wage with no increase to the customer. 

 

RCI is greedy, unethical, and continually try to take advantage of their staff and customers. If I worked on a ship, I would gather everyone, walk off the ship and not return until I received an appropriate wage. 

On the other hand they have no problem filling positions. Positions that REQUIRE crew to pay their own way to the ship (long expensive flight- at least one way). They pay for their internet too. They leave families to do this. Do the math and it is good money. This whole pay everyone fairly has some merit but also fuels inflation in a never ending upward spiral. In the States you have to realize it is not just $15 per hour- it is the added social security, work comp, unemployment insurance, etc. This all goes up when wages go up. Then prices go up and we complain people do not make enough so we have to raise wages again. 

18 minutes ago, tottenhamfc said:

So you are taking an assumed percentage and then topping it up possibly? So for arguments sake one pulls 16 bucks a day and pays the room steward lets say two bucks and you might make it three for arguments sake. So then add two more the waiters which equates to 9 bucks overall leaving a remaining 7 bucks. Does one pocket that or do you give to employees who enhance your cruise but are not visible? I know in the restaurant industry where I live, you tip the server and a percentage of his/her tips go to the behind the screen staff like dishwasher, cooks etc.

Guest services gives you the exact amount/breakdown but some is vague. They provide dollar amounts. The do not break out behind the scenes. Some places do pool tips now. I never see the same waitstaff at those places- wonder why. Perhaps this also means dishwashers are not being paid a proper wage and being placed under the minimum wage for tipped employees which is almost nothing- like that of a ship worker. 

2 minutes ago, tottenhamfc said:

Yes. The ones that engaged gave 20 bucks to three people. Room steward, waiter and asst for a 15 day cruise. That was the extent if it. So essentially pocketed the remainder. And if we are considered to be optional grats, then one cannot dictate how much to give bac can we?

No one can dictate anything of course. There are some guidelines to tipping but it is mostly vague. I think the room steward is specified on a list you can obtain from guest services. In the past the main waiter is always tipped the same as the room steward so you can extrapolate that. Royal Caribbean needs to come clean on where exactly the money goes- it is not listed in their quarterly reports.  As I mentioned in another post, I tip cash and the principals are all very happy afterward (after knowing the amount they received). It is usually a little above par. Sometimes more than that if they serve my D+ drinks in the dining room. 

In the past, auto-grats did not exist so no one was getting paid from auto tips behind the scenes.  I guess they were paid a fair wage then? So what changed?

2 minutes ago, splashsmom said:

I don't have an issue with this if I knew that 100% of the increase was going to the crew.  However, Royal doesn't rank high on my trust meter these days.

Americans would start taking these jobs then. Cost off living on a ship is super low. Lot of take home. Travel. Good for young people.

3 minutes ago, tottenhamfc said:

The ones that I have discussed this with on board may pay 10 to 20% back in tips to room steward and waiters. More is pocketed back than paid out trust me.

So they literally split 1.60-3.20 per day between at least 3 people?

16 minutes ago, tottenhamfc said:

This whole thread is about gratuities. You can spin your narrative any which way you want but it doesnt change the fact that 90% are paying for 100% of passengers

So the people that remove grats do not tip at all? Not true

8 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said:

We tip a $1 per DP drink and that won’t change.  But since I don’t eat breakfast and use the buffet for a very light lunch, usually not in the windjammer, I feel I’m over tipping for the room being done once a day and one meal served from the wait staff. Who are all those people behind the scenes I’m supposed to be tipping?  

Behind the scenes are supposed to be paid a regular salary.  At least that is how it works in some countries. Royal has you pay their salary. For example, the cooks that cannot cook bacon or some food properly.