caddie1 Posted February 19, 2013 #976 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Do you have that in writing? In writing they do say you can remove them, if service is not satisfactory. Dear Mr Jones Thank you for your email. I am sorry that you have not received our latest communication on our gratuity programme. We are in the process of sending this out to guests who have a future booking and who we have an email address for. Nevertheless I have attached it in this email for you. Just to summarise, if the gratuities are not pre paid then they will now automatically be added to your onboard account. If you are unhappy with the amount that has been added then it can either be increased, decreased or removed. However this will need to be done once onboard the ship, we can not do this in advance of the sailing. If you have any further questions please let us know. (See attached file: ROYAL CARIBBEAN GRATUITY PROGRAM UPDATE 14 Feb 2013.pdf) Kind Regards Holly Guest Support Unit Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara Club Cruises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachnative Posted February 19, 2013 #977 Share Posted February 19, 2013 My understanding is they pool it, they don't keep it. It goes to a worker who picks up the linen bags or some such. Some attendents don't think they should share it with other houskeeping. If you pay cash RCL is still going to get that $1 or whatever amount it is. They deduct it from the cabin attendent even if he does not get paid a tip by all. They have had a formula where they figure an average of 85% pay and 15% stiff but some weeks that could be more or less than that. The only way a cabin attendant could control the cash is if every passenger paid cash. None prepaid or none put the tips on their sign and sail. With the new policy there will be much less cash payments as the default is opt out. Excellent summary. Also: On those cruises where he takes in less than the 85% he has to make up the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
middvillmom Posted February 19, 2013 #978 Share Posted February 19, 2013 So....bottom line is, there won't be any need for cash for the little envelopes anymore, right? Just want to be sure, since we sail in 33 days and I don't want to have to bring any extra cash then. :) Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 19, 2013 #979 Share Posted February 19, 2013 So....bottom line is, there won't be any need for cash for the little envelopes anymore, right? Just want to be sure, since we sail in 33 days and I don't want to have to bring any extra cash then. :) Thanks. Correct, unless you wish to pay more than the suggested amount on the last day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phish tales Posted February 19, 2013 #980 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Of course, according to one poster on this thread there is no opt out option. i do not know who that poster is, but i sure hope he or she is correct... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted February 19, 2013 #981 Share Posted February 19, 2013 My understanding is they pool it, they don't keep it. It goes to a worker who picks up the linen bags or some such. Some attendents don't think they should share it with other houskeeping. If you pay cash RCL is still going to get that $1 or whatever amount it is. They deduct it from the cabin attendent even if he does not get paid a tip by all. They have had a formula where they figure an average of 85% pay and 15% stiff but some weeks that could be more or less than that. The only way a cabin attendant could control the cash is if every passenger paid cash. None prepaid or none put the tips on their sign and sail. With the new policy there will be much less cash payments as the default is opt out. Of course, according to one poster on this thread there is no opt out option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted February 19, 2013 #982 Share Posted February 19, 2013 i do not know who that poster is, but i sure hope he or she is correct... Well, it wasn't you. Most of your comments seem to just re-state your preferences over, and over, and... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B_Mc Posted February 19, 2013 #983 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Please forgive the newbie question, I can't look through all 50 pages to see if this has already been asked. Jr. Suite - regular tips or suite tips? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted February 19, 2013 #984 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Please forgive the newbie question, I can't look through all 50 pages to see if this has already been asked. Jr. Suite - regular tips or suite tips? Thanks! Regular tips. But we had a snarky attendand once would put the suite tip sheet in our JS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMiz Posted February 19, 2013 #985 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Is this the evidence we need http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=36596986&postcount=147 :D:D:D Hey Patti Have you heard any talk about Royal adding yet another tier ? That was the talk for about one day on our last cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisenfever Posted February 19, 2013 #986 Share Posted February 19, 2013 My understanding is they pool it, they don't keep it. It goes to a worker who picks up the linen bags or some such. Some attendents don't think they should share it with other houskeeping. If you pay cash RCL is still going to get that $1 or whatever amount it is. They deduct it from the cabin attendent even if he does not get paid a tip by all. They have had a formula where they figure an average of 85% pay and 15% stiff but some weeks that could be more or less than that. The only way a cabin attendant could control the cash is if every passenger paid cash. None prepaid or none put the tips on their sign and sail. With the new policy there will be much less cash payments as the default is opt out. Just to clarify. RCI assumes that those that are paying in cash will provide the 100% "recommended gratuity amount". The cabin attendant gets to keep 85% of that amount and must relinquish 15%. That 15% is pooled to pay other Housekeeping staff. If he doesn't get the 100% from those cabins that are paying in cash then he/she must make up the difference out of their pocket which would normally come from those guests that extended extra. With Automatic Gratuities, if all of their cabins go with the system, they are assured to receive 85% of the whatever portion is delegated to Housekeeping staff. If anyone wants to extend something over and above that is theirs to keep. Hey Patti Have you heard any talk about Royal adding yet another tier ? That was the talk for about one day on our last cruise. No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phish tales Posted February 19, 2013 #987 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Well, it wasn't you. Most of your comments seem to just re-state your preferences over, and over, and... you are correct Oceanboy. if all cruisers were like my wife & I, no one would be in line at GS trying to alter their deductions.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Pedro Posted February 19, 2013 #988 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I personally think the word : Disgusting : is a little over the top in describing MDR & the Windjammer I myself if I could afford a Suite & Specialty dining every night then My choice would be to cruise on the 6 Star Ships and never have to worry about such lowly places I like many things about Royal Caribbean. The service is good, their prices are reasonable, their ships rival the best on the ocean, their entertainment is excellent and they offer a good selection of dining options. I am not, however, a fan of the Windjammer or MDR. If there were a land based Windjammer or MDR here in my hometown I would not eat in either one of them. I think the food and service are adequate but I personally don't like the here comes the bread, here comes the salads, here comes the entrees mentality. And, I don't enjoy spending two hours dining on cateteria quality food. I typically avoid buffets as I think they are the primary conduit of the norovirus. Quality dining is an important part of my vacations and to me the Windjammer and MDR do not provide the experience I want. As long as there are other dining options I will continue to explore them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Pisces Posted February 19, 2013 #989 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I don't know if this was brought up or not, since the thread has gotten too long to read through, but with the Auto tips, will they expect a seperate tip at the specialty restaurants, or will they share in the dining room tip pool? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeck Posted February 19, 2013 #990 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Just to clarify. RCI assumes that those that are paying in cash will provide the 100% "recommended gratuity amount". The cabin attendant gets to keep 85% of that amount and must relinquish 15%. That 15% is pooled to pay other Housekeeping staff. If he doesn't get the 100% from those cabins that are paying in cash then he/she must make up the difference out of their pocket which would normally come from those guests that extended extra. With Automatic Gratuities, if all of their cabins go with the system, they are assured to receive 85% of the whatever portion is delegated to Housekeeping staff. If anyone wants to extend something over and above that is theirs to keep. Clarify, it did. I just wish people on this thread would read it and understand it. It all makes sense to me. If the basic wage went up, the quality of service would drop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
destiny217 Posted February 19, 2013 #991 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Didn't read all the previous posts but saw this in USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/02/18/royal-caribbean-tipping-policy/1927949/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisenfever Posted February 19, 2013 #992 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Clarify, it did. I just wish people on this thread would read it and understand it. It all makes sense to me.If the basic wage went up, the quality of service would drop. I agree Alex. It seems that comprehension is difficult sometimes.:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poncho1973 Posted February 19, 2013 #993 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I like many things about Royal Caribbean. I hope you aren't offended, but I read all of your posts in the voice of Thurston Howell III. It makes me smile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibyte2eat Posted February 19, 2013 #994 Share Posted February 19, 2013 You hit the nail on the head my friend. Why should a staff be awarded for bad lackluster service while an enthusiastic good staff not receive the profs deserved. I guess one could give an extra tip. This whole policy goes against the whole intent of tipping. Which is showing gratitude (gratuity) for service beyond mediocre service. Its not an entitlement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibyte2eat Posted February 19, 2013 #995 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Good Post. RCCL says that this is to help make it easy for the cruisers. The cruiser can already prepay gratuities, who is RCCL trying to kid here. Personally, I enjoy the human interaction when I hand my tip envelope to the service person and give a thankyou and usually, a big hug. It completes the cruise experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zekekelso Posted February 19, 2013 #996 Share Posted February 19, 2013 . Personally, I enjoy the human interaction when I hand my tip envelope to the service person and give a thankyou and usually, a big hug. Believe it or not, you can actually tank somebody, and be thanked in return without handing over money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maraprince Posted February 19, 2013 #997 Share Posted February 19, 2013 If you select my time dining, you are required to prepay your tips since the amount is added into your total amount due for payment of the cruise. All this does is to add the correct amount based on your cabin category to all passenger accounts. Unless you received horrible service and an offer up proof of it during the voyage why they should be reduced or eliminated, the tips will be added daily to your account. New day...new policy. MARAPRINCE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisenfever Posted February 19, 2013 #998 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Good Post. RCCL says that this is to help make it easy for the cruisers. The cruiser can already prepay gratuities, who is RCCL trying to kid here. Personally, I enjoy the human interaction when I hand my tip envelope to the service person and give a thankyou and usually, a big hug. It completes the cruise experience. We have human interaction every day with those that serve us not just the last night. :eek: We've been prepaying our gratuities for 2 years because we do MTD and we've gotten more hugs than I can tell you from both waitstaff and cabin attendants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dog Posted February 19, 2013 #999 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Of course, according to one poster on this thread there is no opt out option. And others have provided information in the form of verbal and written correspondence from the line indicating that there is an opt out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteukmcr Posted February 19, 2013 #1000 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Well having reviewed all the latest posts, let me just give you more proof that we do tip in the UK and that we are encouraged to do so. We went for dinner before the theatre yesterday evening and when I came to pay, the wireless payment machines most servers use these days not only asked if I wanted to add a gratuity when processing my credit card, but when I selected 'Yes' then I was prompted with 4 options. 10% 15% 20% Other So easy, no more calculating the amount due when choosing options 1, 2, or 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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