Gratuities

[Alecs Gram]

Can someone walk me through gratuitites, the how when what and where including while on excursions? I want to do the right thing by everyone but I am not sure how it works.

[cruisestitch]

Gratuities on board:

 

Some people choose to pre-pay the gratuities at the time they make final payment.

 

If you choose Select Dining, you must do it this way. If you choose Traditional, it's an option for you.

 

Otherwise, the daily gratuity will be added to your SeaPass account, which you can view on your tv.

 

This amount covers your stateroom attendants, and the dining room staff, as well as some "behind the scenes" staff.

 

That's all you need to do, but if you find that someone has given you exceptional service, a cash tip on top of that is always appreciated.

 

The amount varies depending on your stateroom category -- suites and Concierge Class and Aqua Class pay a slightly higher amount in gratuity.

 

Beverages and spa services and hair salon services will have a 15% tip automatically added to the price of the beverage or the service.

 

There is an exception to the beverage tip -- on sailings from Southampton, the price of the beverage is increased by 15% instead of having a separate 15% tip added on the slip you sign.

 

 

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Here's the Celebrity website FAQ on the subject:

 

How are gratuities handled onboard?

 

For your convenience, Celebrity Cruises can add gratuities for your restaurant and stateroom services to your onboard Celebrity SeaPass® account on a daily basis in the following amounts, which may be adjusted at your discretion: $11.50 per person per day for guests in staterooms ($12.00 per person per day for guests in Concierge Class and AquaClass® staterooms and $15.00 per person per day for guests in Suites). These service gratuities are based on the following recommended amounts:

 

Restaurant Service* Per Person Per Day

Waiter $3.65

Assistant Waiter $2.10

Dining Room Management $1.00

Stateroom Service* Per Person Per Day

Butler (Suites Only) $3.50

Stateroom Service $3.50 ($4.00 for Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms)

Alternative Service*

Other Service Personnel $1.25

 

Beverage Service personnel are acknowledged with a 15% service charge that will be automatically added to the bill. Additional gratuities may be added to the bill at your discretion.

 

*Please note that gratuities may be shared with other crewmembers depending on the particular service requirement.

 

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As to excursions, many, but not all, passengers give the guide and the driver a cash tip.

[Alecs Gram]

Thank you so very much. There is so much to learn on the ins and outs. What about when you have a Beverage Package - do you tip each time or is it added to the bill?

[cruisestitch]

The tip was included when you bought the beverage package.

[Alecs Gram]

Thank you so much for clearing it all up for me. I really appreciate it.

[Flo71]

Can I check I make the gratuities on a 10 night cruise $230, it will be hubby, DD12 and I, do we pay gratuities for our 12 year old?

 

Thank you.

[DebbieMacG]

Every passenger pays gratuities regardless of age :) for 10 nights for three its $345

[disneyloo]

I have booked Select Dining but want to tip as I go. Am I able to remove the tips from my bill and do this?

[Gonzo70]

I have booked Select Dining but want to tip as I go. Am I able to remove the tips from my bill and do this?

 

No, but you can give some extra money to anybody who went above and beyond and made your cruise special.

[ghstudio]

I have booked Select Dining but want to tip as I go. Am I able to remove the tips from my bill and do this?

 

No...if you choose select dining you are required to pay gratuities in full with your final payment.

[jackdiamond]

I have booked Select Dining but want to tip as I go. Am I able to remove the tips from my bill and do this?

No; and, if you could you would deny tips to those folks who are behind the scene and also cater to you.

[disneyloo]

They would refuse to take off the bill??? Are they allowed to do that?

[dwhe]

disneyloo, why are you winding these poor people up like this lol

[Gonzo70]

They would refuse to take off the bill??? Are they allowed to do that?

 

Yes & Yes. Think of it as a service charge, not the type of "tip" you are used to. It is essentially how the service staff (and some behind the scenes personnel) receive their pay. You are free to give extra money to anybody you felt did a nice job (the type of tip you are likely accustomed to).

[Slopfrog]

Trust me, they work so hard to please you that you'll have no problem paying the tips. It's a small amount and it will likely be far better service than you receive on land. I've never not felt the need to give them some extra because they've always exceeded expectations.

[jackdiamond]

Trust me, they work so hard to please you that you'll have no problem paying the tips. It's a small amount and it will likely be far better service than you receive on land. I've never not felt the need to give them some extra because they've always exceeded expectations.

I concur.

[Denny01]

They would refuse to take off the bill??? Are they allowed to do that?

 

Well, to be exact, yes you can insist Celebrity take the gratuity off your prepaid bill...you can have them remove that charge you seem to hate so much by cancelling the cruise. Then you don't have to get so angry paying a gratuity, and not take the cruise.

 

That'll really show them....as they get someone else to replace you. Your choice.

 

Den

[Christine Frances]

Like:)

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[blau808]

Thank you Cruisestitch for that explanation. Tipping seems to be a very volatile topic on these boards. I've read many a thread that has simply devolved into name-calling.

[melsuli]

Take a tip from me, use your own discretion and reward excellent service accordingly.;)