d t

Update:

02 Nov: received cruise documentation from WMPH (the TA) stating “No” under Prepaid Gratuities. Ugh! Sent them message asking why they are not honoring their offer and why they have been ignoring my two requests for help.

02 Nov: received this message from TA,

“You are going to receive the Free Gratuities on your reservation. Once you get on the ship you can go to guest services and they will give you a print out showing that you have a credit on your onboard account. They will deduct the rate of gratuities per person every day from that onboard credit. You do not have to pay any other gratuities.”

04 Nov: received below updated invoice from TA with “Pre Paid Gratuities” added and showing as $0.00.

PASSENGER PRICING DETAILS

Description

Cruise (includes taxes/fees)

Insurance

Pre Paid Gratuities

05 Nov: Checked my online acct with Royal Caribbean, which still shows “No” for Prepaid Gratuities. I guess I better print the above invoice and show Guest Services when I board. I hope I won’t hear “That’s between you and your TA”. I asked Royal Caribbean and am waiting to hear back. It shouldn't have to be this hard.

Thank you to cb at sea for your response. I do have a confirmation email from WMPH, which is the name of my TA, showing itinerary, payment, names of travelers, etc, and, at the bottom of the email a statement saying

Offer Details:

This cruise includes the following bonus offer:

Exclusive Offer: Free Gratuities on Balconies & Suites

I was concerned because Royal Caribbean apparently doesn't know anything about WMPH's offer when I provided them (Royal Caribbean) with my reservation code and asked about the free gratuities. I chose WMPH over other TA's because of this offer!

Thanks again.

Dan

PS. BTW, WMPH is supposed to stand for We Make People "Happy" (emphasis added). They definitely are not making me happy. Next time, I'll ask all questions before paying (to a different TA).

Hi All. I tried hard to do my homework by searching this site and many others but could not find an answer. I booked a 9-day cruise on Royal Caribbean through WMPH because of an offer for free gratuities.

My question is how does the ship know that I'm not supposed to pay gratuities? How will the crew know that I'm not stiffing them out of a tip when I don't pay at the end of the cruise?

I asked WMPH and did not get an answer. So I asked Royal Caribbean, who told me to ask WMPH. I asked WMPH again and still did not get an answer. Since I did find a post on the internet about someone who got scammed by a "free gratuities" offer, I'm concerned that I'm encountering fraud in advertising because WMPH is not answering my repeated requests to answer a simple question. I guess they have no incentive to provide any customer service since I already paid in full.

Could someone who has actually received free gratuities set my mind at ease please?

Thank you all.

Dan T.