Loyal to Ncl but thinking of jumping ship.

[swim13]

Good memory!! The S6 are usually priced between $2500 and $3200 per person. I don't think the grand will be close to the same price as that. I am thinking $5000 to $6000 ?

 

Possibly, we will know tomorrow! :o The Grand Suite's are going to be top notch!

 

Entertainment on Royal Caribbean ships are amazing and this one will have the same top notch performances that people know and love on Allure/Oasis. Can't wait to see what they are going to do in Two70, a new venue! Their shows are professionally choreographed on land before they even start rehearsing on ship, they cast the best!

 

I'm sure you found them by now but here's the link to the deck plans, http://www.royalcaribbean.com/quantumoftheseas/meet-the-ship/deck-plans/

[shaun07]

Possibly, we will know tomorrow! :o The Grand Suite's are going to be top notch!

 

Entertainment on Royal Caribbean ships are amazing and this one will have the same top notch performances that people know and love on Allure/Oasis. Can't wait to see what they are going to do in Two70, a new venue! Their shows are professionally choreographed on land before they even start rehearsing on ship, they cast the best!

 

I'm sure you found them by now but here's the link to the deck plans, http://www.royalcaribbean.com/quantumoftheseas/meet-the-ship/deck-plans/

 

Thanks so much.

Expensive!!!

[shaun07]

So I am very close to booking a sky loft :).

I have a question. We usually eat at specialty dining venues. I know the pre paid service charge covers the MDR staff. So do I just tip as I go in the specialty venues ? Also when I stay in a suite who else should I be tipping and roughly how much.

 

( I am a bartender so I do overtip and just want to make sure I don't forget someone or do the wrong thing).

[Zigggypup]

Technically, when you eat in one of the specialty restaurants, the tip is included in the cover charge. But when you get the bill, you will see a space for any additional tip that you might want to leave. Usually we leave an additional $10 dollars per person.

 

Regarding being in a suite. In addition to your cabin attendant, you might want to tip the Concierge if you feel that he/she helped you with anything. Your pre-paid grat's also cover your cabin attendant, but if you feel like they went above and beyond for you, I'm sure a few extra bucks would be greatly appreciated.

[shaun07]

Technically, when you eat in one of the specialty restaurants, the tip is included in the cover charge. But when you get the bill, you will see a space for any additional tip that you might want to leave. Usually we leave an additional $10 dollars per person.

 

Regarding being in a suite. In addition to your cabin attendant, you might want to tip the Concierge if you feel that he/she helped you with anything. Your pre-paid grat's also cover your cabin attendant, but if you feel like they went above and beyond for you, I'm sure a few extra bucks would be greatly appreciated.

 

Great!! thank you. Thats kinda what I have been doing on NCL except I leave cash. I know cash is king the server gets it straight away but I wonder if the servers written tips are used by the powers that be to rate their performance.

Also on Ncl you tip the butler and the room steward. Who and what should i tip on RCCL

[Zigggypup]

Great!! thank you. Thats kinda what I have been doing on NCL except I leave cash. I know cash is king the server gets it straight away but I wonder if the servers written tips are used by the powers that be to rate their performance.

Also on Ncl you tip the butler and the room steward. Who and what should i tip on RCCL

 

Yes, if you order room service I would tip the room service personnel. How much is really up to you. We usually only order room service in the morning just for coffee. Some people order big meals or have dinner out on their balcony.

 

I've never seen anyone leave cash as an additional tip in the specialtity restaurants. I'm not saying that they wouldn't accept it, I've just never seen anyone do it. I just sign the receipt and add the additional tip in the proper space.

 

On the flip side, your cabin attendant, room service personnel and the Concierge love cash........lol.

 

But in general terms, you can tip anyone that you want to. I've left a few bucks for the service personnel in the Windjammer (buffet) when I thought the service was great.

[shaun07]

Yes, if you order room service I would tip the steward. How much is really up to you. We usually only order room service in the morning just for coffee. Some people order big meals or have dinner out on their balcony.

 

I've never seen anyone leave cash as an additional tip in the specialtity restaurants. I'm not saying that they wouldn't accept it, I've just never seen anyone do it.

 

On the flip side, your cabin attendant, room service personnel and the Concierge love cash........lol.

 

But in general terms, you can tip anyone that you want to. I've left a few bucks for the service personnel in the Windjammer (buffet) when I thought the service was great.

 

Thanks again.

I leave cash because I am in the habit of doing so on land. On land when one leaves a tip on a credit card slip the Tax etc is taken out so the server does not get the entire tip thats left, plus it takes a week or so to process it before they get it. I guess that does not apply on a ship.

 

Whats the norm for tipping the room steward and concierge?

[Zigggypup]

Thanks again.

I leave cash because I am in the habit of doing so on land. On land when one leaves a tip on a credit card slip the Tax etc is taken out so the server does not get the entire tip thats left, plus it takes a week or so to process it before they get it. I guess that does not apply on a ship.

 

Whats the norm for tipping the room steward and concierge?

 

What's the norm..........good question. Tipping always seems to be a hot topic on the main threads. And people sometimes get really intense about their opinions.

 

I'll just tell you what I tip. Like I said we only use room service for the morning pot of coffee. I will usually give the room service staff $3 bucks. But sometimes if I have a $5 dollar casino chip handy I'll use that. Whether it is a right or wrong tip amount, I don't care.....lol. In my early years, I was a waiter and a busboy. So I know it's not an easy job. Plus, I feel as if I am spending $4K on a Grand Suite I am not going to worry about a few bucks as a tip. Just my humble opinion. Counting how much money I have in my pocket is really the last thing that I am concerned about when I am on vacation.

[shaun07]

What's the norm..........good question. Tipping always seems to be a hot topic on the main threads. And people sometimes get really intense about their opinions.

 

I'll just tell you what I tip. Like I said we only use room service for the morning pot of coffee. I will usually give the room service staff $3 bucks. But sometimes if I have a $5 dollar casino chip handy I'll use that. Whether it is a right or wrong tip amount, I don't care.....lol. In my early years, I was a waiter and a busboy. So I know it's not an easy job.

 

Back to the cash :)

FWIW. I just read on another thread that written tips are pooled in the specialty venues but cash tips go directly to the server. I am sure they are glad to get it in what ever form:)

[Zigggypup]

Back to the cash :)

FWIW. I just read on another thread that written tips are pooled in the specialty venues but cash tips go directly to the server. I am sure they are glad to get it in what ever form:)

 

I've heard the same thing about the pooling of tips. Not just in the specialty restaurants, but with the cabin attendants as well. People have written that any cash the cabin attendants get they are suppose to turn into the pool. I highly doubt that they are taking any cash out of their pockets and turning it in.........lol.

[shaun07]

I've heard the same thing about the pooling of tips. Not just in the specialty restaurants, but with the cabin attendants as well. People have written that any cash the cabin attendants get they are suppose turn into the pool. I highly doubt that they are taking any cash out of their pockets and turning it in.........lol.

 

NO I dont see that happening :)

 

So I read they pass out envelopes for head waiter, !st waiter and 2nd waiter. I really doubt i will use the MDR so am I still expected to tip them? If I do use it once or twice can I just tip on the nights I go and then forgo the envelopes.

Thanks for your responses and I am sorry for all the questions :o.

[Zigggypup]

NO I dont see that happening :)

 

So I read they pass out envelopes for head waiter, !st waiter and 2nd waiter. I really doubt i will use the MDR so am I still expected to tip them? If I do use it once or twice can I just tip on the nights I go and then forgo the envelopes.

Thanks for your responses and I am sorry for all the questions :o.

 

Well if you are pre-paying your grat's, then in effect you are tipping them whether or not you use their services.

 

In my opinion, if you don't step into the MDR then I don't feel as if they should get tipped. I've been on prior cruises and have only dined in the specialty restaurants and did not go into the MDR at all. I don't feel as if I am stiffing anyone, because I do leave a tip for the staff in the specialty restaurants on a nightly basis.

 

But on the other hand, I have on prior occassions only dined in the MDR for 2 or 3 nights and have left a full tip as if I was there every night. So I am not really sure what the right answer is. Plus, sometimes depending on the itineary, I've had dinner in port. Go figure.....lol.

[shaun07]

Well if you are pre-paying your grat's, then in effect you are tipping them whether or not you use their services.

 

In my opinion, if you don't step into the MDR then I don't feel as if they should get tipped. I've been on prior cruises and have only dined in the specialty restaurants and did not go into the MDR at all. I don't feel as if I am stiffing anyone, because I do leave a tip for the staff in the specialty restaurants on a nightly basis.

 

But on the other hand, I have on prior occassions only dined in the MDR for 2 or 3 nights and have left a full tip as if I was there every night. So I am not really sure what the right answer is. Plus, sometimes depending on the itineary, I've had dinner in port. Go figure.....lol.

 

This is what confuses me. I thought you have to pay the $14 service charge no matter what( one just has the option of pre paying or not) and that goes to the mdr staff (and other staff). Then you also tip on top of that in the envelopes. Are you saying if you dont pre pay then you dont get charged the $14 a day and then just tip as you see fit?

[Zigggypup]

This is what confuses me. I thought you have to pay the $14 service charge no matter what( one just has the option of pre paying or not) and that goes to the mdr staff (and other staff). Then you also tip on top of that in the envelopes. Are you saying if you dont pre pay then you dont get charged the $14 a day and then just tip as you see fit?

 

No. If you are pre-paying your grats, your done in effect. Except for any additional tips that you might want to leave. This excludes room service.

 

The pre-paid grats cover the MDR staff and your cabin attendant. You are not required to tip them anything additional unless you decide to. Their should not be any envelopes in your cabin if you pre-paid your grats.

 

Actually, if I recall, Royal Caribbean requires everyone to pre-pay their grats. I think they started that up pretty recently. But once you get on board, you can go to the customer service desk and have them removed. Then you would get envelopes in your cabin.

[shaun07]

No. If you are pre-paying your grats, your done in effect. Except for any additional tips that you might want to leave. This excludes room service.

 

The pre-paid grats cover the MDR staff and your cabin attendant. You are not required to tip them anything additional unless you decide to. Their should not be any envelopes in your cabin if you pre-paid your grats.

 

Actually, if I recall, Royal Caribbean requires everyone to pre-pay their grats. I think they started that up pretty recently. But once you get on board, you can go to the customer service desk and have them removed. Then you would get envelopes in your cabin.

 

Thank you again Zigggypup.

Sice you have been so helpful I thought I would ask you another question. Is there a fee for the thermal suite in the spa. I know on NCL they sell "spa passes". Is there anything similar on RCCL

[Zigggypup]

This is what confuses me. I thought you have to pay the $14 service charge no matter what( one just has the option of pre paying or not) and that goes to the mdr staff (and other staff). Then you also tip on top of that in the envelopes. Are you saying if you dont pre pay then you dont get charged the $14 a day and then just tip as you see fit?

 

If you go to Royal Caribbeans website, put Automatic Gratuity Program in the search box. It will describe the program. And just to be clear. Their is a difference between pre-paying and the Automatic Gratuity program. Pre-paying is just that. You have pre-paid your grat's before you even get on board. The Automatic Gratuity Program just automatically charges all your grat's to your account once you get on board.

[shaun07]

If you go to Royal Caribbeans website, put Automatic Gratuity Program in the search box. It will describe the program.

 

cool thanks. its basically the same as NCL. I think I got confused over the anytime (prepay) and the scheduled dining. All good now thanks.

[Zigggypup]

cool thanks. its basically the same as NCL. I think I got confused over the anytime (prepay) and the scheduled dining. All good now thanks.

 

Yes, if you chose the "My Time Dining" feature, then Royal Caribbean requires you to pre-pay your grat's.

[hollon]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I feel like I am cheating with an ex :D

I just started to do the research and I love the lofts...LOVE.

Looking forward to the pics

I am very much considering it.

 

You'll love rccl, I noticed you were on the Breakaway in May, what are your thoughts on that ship, I'm surprised some of the reviews aren't that good. What rccl ship were you on in the past?

[shaun07]

I loved the ship. I think some of the review are because of the new ship kinks that need to be worked out.

[hollon]

I loved the ship. I think some of the review are because of the new ship kinks that need to be worked out.

Thanks, so my kids 17, 15,13,11 would love it?

[shaun07]

Thanks, so my kids 17, 15,13,11 would love it?

 

Yes they will have a great time in the water park and on the ropes course

[shaun07]

I am booked!!!

Thanks for all the help. I guess I will be spending a lot of time over on these boards now :).

I hope someone starts an Everything Quantum thread soon ;);)

[swim13]

I am booked!!!

Thanks for all the help. I guess I will be spending a lot of time over on these boards now :).

I hope someone starts an Everything Quantum thread soon ;);)

 

WOOHOO!! Would you like to bring me in your Sky Loft Suite?! :rolleyes: Lol, jk! What date are you sailing?

[shaun07]

WOOHOO!! Would you like to bring me in your Sky Loft Suite?! :rolleyes: Lol, jk! What date are you sailing?

 

HA HA!

 

February 20th 2015. Just around the corner :rolleyes: