Royal Caribbean Gratuity Question

[Snorkelin83]

Greetings Boardies,

 

I am sailing out on Navigator of the Seas tomorrow morning and I have a gratuity question.

 

My fiance and I budgeted carefully to ensure we had some spending/walking around money for our cruise. We have prepaid for the cruise itself and the excursions.

 

Last week I read there was a 12/day/person automatic gratuity, which adds up to $168, which would be quite a hit to our spending money. We are bringing $460 for drinks, souvenirs, specialty dining, maybe a slot machine. I would prefer not to be auto-reduced to $290.

 

I read that it is possible to stop by the customer service desk and adjust gratuities. I was told a portion goes to two members of the main dining room team, your stateroom attendant, and housekeeper.

 

I am curious if I plan to spend my time in the Windjammer and Specialty Restaurants if I can adjust off my main dining room daily gratuities?

 

One person told me the money is split amongst dining staff across the main dining room, windjammer, etc.

 

So, "Can I", and "Should I," attempt to make this adjustment? Has anyone done this before?

 

I do fully intend to compensate our room attendant, housekeeper, and bar staff, but if I have the ability to remove main dining room gratuities I would like to do so.

 

Thank you for your input.

Edited April 5, 2014 by Snorkelin83

[Daghis]

It may help for you to know that the main dining room staff also work in the Windjammer. Since you were planning on dining there, were you considering tipping the Windjammer staff in some fashion? Many of us allow our main dining room tips to help compensate the Windjammer staff that serve us as well.

[cruisinfanatic]

Greetings Boardies,

 

I am sailing out on Navigator of the Seas tomorrow morning and I have a gratuity question.

 

My fiance and I budgeted carefully to ensure we had some spending/walking around money for our cruise. We have prepaid for the cruise itself and the excursions.

 

Last week I read there was a 12/day/person automatic gratuity, which adds up to $168, which would be quite a hit to our spending money. We are bringing $460 for drinks, souvenirs, specialty dining, maybe a slot machine. I would prefer not to be auto-reduced to $290.

 

I read that it is possible to stop by the customer service desk and adjust gratuities. I was told a portion goes to two members of the main dining room team, your stateroom attendant, and housekeeper.

 

I am curious if I plan to spend my time in the Windjammer and Specialty Restaurants if I can adjust off my main dining room daily gratuities?

 

One person told me the money is split amongst dining staff across the main dining room, windjammer, etc.

 

So, "Can I", and "Should I," attempt to make this adjustment? Has anyone done this before?

 

I do fully intend to compensate our room attendant, housekeeper, and bar staff, but if I have the ability to remove main dining room gratuities I would like to do so.

 

Thank you for your input.

You have not budgeted for tips? $168 is not a fortune and IMO it's just easier to leave it in place as they cover everyone including the MDR which also covers windjammer.

[LMaxwell]

Reducing the gratuity is an option to consider if you receive subpar service and management does not correct it. It's not meant so that you can drink more at the cost of crew earnings. I can't imagine a souvenir worth owning that I would be willing to take away from a hard worker to own.

 

This is a case of yes you can, no you shouldn't.

Edited April 5, 2014 by LMaxwell

[Snorkelin83]

Yes we did consider tipping in our original budget for our room attendant, housekeeping, and bar staff.

 

This will be my second cruise. On my first cruise I ate in the Windjammer buffet, picked up my own meals and drinks and received no direct service. I suppose I should have tipped a bus boy in this situation.

 

I was told and correct me if I'm wrong that the daily gratuity is split between your main dining room Maitre D', your main dining room server, your stateroom attendant, and housekeeper.

 

If this is true I would prefer not to tip the main dining room Maitre D' or server.

 

If in fact it is a blanket gratuity that covers all dining room staff across all venues, then I will leave it intact.

 

I would like to see RCI add this $168 to the cruise cost or somewhere more visible because I literally read about it in a news article.

[wwcruisers]

You realize how hard the dining staff works, when you run into your MDR waiter (from second seating) working in the WJ, early the next morning. And, since you don't know who will be helping you in the WJ, it's just easier to leave the auto-tip in place, knowing that everyone has been taken care of. Specialty restaurants (and their staff) are separate from the MDR/WJ system. Your fee for dining there is supposed to cover the tip --- but, you can tip a little extra for great service (lots of folks do). Hope this helps. :cool:

[LMaxwell]

 

If in fact it is a blanket gratuity that covers all dining room staff across all venues, then I will leave it intact.

 

 

 

It covers all service areas whether you see them or not. Once you have paid your automatic gratuity amount you have "made good".

[Clarea]

Redcard?

[dplusd]

It is possible to remove or adjust gratuities, but you should not...unless you have a legitimate service issue.

 

Cruise ship gratuities are just like any tips you expect to pay on land. I am sure you would not consider going to a nice restaurant if you could afford only the menu prices but not tip your wait staff. Like any service worker in the US, their compensation is dependent upon tips...not their base salary.

 

As previously stated, a portion of the auto gratuities is for the dining staff and that covers not just the MDR but all dining venues on the ship, including the buffet.

 

Have a wonderful cruise and enjoy the excellent level of service the staff provides, and please don't stiff these hard working folks.

Edited April 5, 2014 by dplusd
sp

[LMaxwell]

Redcard?

 

Not quite nuts enough sounding; I'll give OP benefit of the doubt on this one.

[Snorkelin83]

Based on your feedback I will leave the full gratuity intact.

 

As I mentioned, I would like this cost to be more visible while planning and paying for the cruise.

 

I don't wish to cause a commotion, but on land I tip 10% for sub-par service, 15% for standard service, and 20% for above average service. Extremely rarely is it the 10%. In the United States tipping comes as a result of service level, not as a blanket fee prior to receiving service.

 

I do not feel it is correct to demand gratuity upfront and require me to seek a refund if I receive poor service post-gratuity.

 

I do see how in the past prior to this fee, many cruisers may not have been tipping and the staff weren't being compensated correctly as a result.

 

In my opinion RCI should have raised staff rates and the cost of the cruise, and allow cruisers to tip the way it is traditionally done in the US as a result of outstanding service not as a prior fee.

 

Forgive me if I am way off base and I won't bring it up again. I will try to enjoy this cruise with 2/3 the spending money and plan on bringing double in the future.

[Funbobby68]

I personally , like the idea of auto tips , takes the headache out of it and really there is no suprise in the end when u know upfront what it is , we normally go to guest relations and also request envelopes for the last day , and if warranted , make sure the house keeping , and that one or two bartenders that made the difference get a little extra , In the past I've tipped staff at infirmary ,guest relations ,extra effort deserves extra reward

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[cruisenfever]

I was told and correct me if I'm wrong that the daily gratuity is split between your main dining room Maitre D', your main dining room server, your stateroom attendant, and housekeeper.

Here is the breakdown of how your pre-paid gratuitiers are channeled. The Maitre 'd is not included and there is no housekeeper.

$6.80 Dining Service (includes Waiter, Assistant Waiter and Head Waiter)

$3.85 Stateroom Attendant

$1.35 Other Housekeeping Personnel (covers those that handle your luggage that is delivered to your cabin on embarkation day and picks up the night prior to debarkation)

$12.00

Edited April 5, 2014 by cruisenfever

[yogimax]

Based on your feedback I will leave the full gratuity intact.

 

 

Yes, that's the proper decision.

 

What irks many here is the thought that folks who spend a couple of thousand dollars on a cruise will stiff the staff so that they can enjoy more drinks or goodies.

[dplusd]

Based on your feedback I will leave the full gratuity intact.

 

As I mentioned, I would like this cost to be more visible while planning and paying for the cruise.

 

I don't wish to cause a commotion, but on land I tip 10% for sub-par service, 15% for standard service, and 20% for above average service. Extremely rarely is it the 10%. In the United States tipping comes as a result of service level, not as a blanket fee prior to receiving service.

 

I do not feel it is correct to demand gratuity upfront and require me to seek a refund if I receive poor service post-gratuity.

 

I do see how in the past prior to this fee, many cruisers may not have been tipping and the staff weren't being compensated correctly as a result.

 

In my opinion RCI should have raised staff rates and the cost of the cruise, and allow cruisers to tip the way it is traditionally done in the US as a result of outstanding service not as a prior fee.

 

Forgive me if I am way off base and I won't bring it up again. I will try to enjoy this cruise with 2/3 the spending money and plan on bringing double in the future.

 

I, too, would prefer the cruise line build the auto-gratuities into the base cruise fare. That would eliminate the problem of cruisers from a different tipping culture, or who are just plain cheap, from stiffing the hard working staff. But, this model of pricing is consistent with all main-stream cruiselines and it will be difficult to change.

 

Have a wonderful vacation!

[Ken at the beach]

Redcard?

 

How many aliases is he up to now.:D

[Ken at the beach]

Not quite nuts enough sounding; I'll give OP benefit of the doubt on this one.

 

Actually thinking about it this sounds like the poster who had a thing for blue safes and was also from Texas.

[Snorkelin83]

Thank you Patti for the breakdown.

 

Let's see, 6.80 per person per day is $95.20 for the week to Head Waiter, Waiter, and Assistant Waiter.

 

The argument would be to remove the 6.80 per person when not utilizing the main dining room, but it sounds like these same individuals likely work in the Windjammer during breakfast and lunch.

 

Although I remember picking up a plate, serving myself, and retrieving my own drinks in the Windjammer.

 

At the end of the day I don't want to be labeled negatively over $95.

 

I will plan accordingly for future cruises.

 

I am relatively young and Mom and Dad paid for the first cruise. This is my first cruise I planned on my own dime!

 

Thank you all for your insights.

[cruisenfever]

Thank you Patti for the breakdown.

 

Let's see, 6.80 per person per day is $95.20 for the week to Head Waiter, Waiter, and Assistant Waiter.

 

The argument would be to remove the 6.80 per person when not utilizing the main dining room, but it sounds like these same individuals likely work in the Windjammer during breakfast and lunch.

 

Although I remember picking up a plate, serving myself, and retrieving my own drinks in the Windjammer.

 

At the end of the day I don't want to be labeled negatively over $95.

 

I will plan accordingly for future cruises.

 

I am relatively young and Mom and Dad paid for the first cruise. This is my first cruise I planned on my own dime!

 

Thank you all for your insights.

You're welcome. And yes, the MDR dinner staff does work the WJ for breakfast and lunch.

[Tony O]

Redcard?

 

I was thinking the same thing !

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[cb at sea]

It would be in "bad form" to remove the tips....if everyone tips the suggested amounts, then everyone who serves you, directly or indirectly gets their due.

 

All cruiselines (except for the true "luxury" lines) charge tips for the room attendant and wait staff.

[cruzsnooze]

Greetings Boardies,

 

I am sailing out on Navigator of the Seas tomorrow morning and I have a gratuity question.

 

My fiance and I budgeted carefully to ensure we had some spending/walking around money for our cruise. We have prepaid for the cruise itself and the excursions.

 

Last week I read there was a 12/day/person automatic gratuity, which adds up to $168, which would be quite a hit to our spending money. We are bringing $460 for drinks, souvenirs, specialty dining, maybe a slot machine. I would prefer not to be auto-reduced to $290.

 

I read that it is possible to stop by the customer service desk and adjust gratuities. I was told a portion goes to two members of the main dining room team, your stateroom attendant, and housekeeper.

 

I am curious if I plan to spend my time in the Windjammer and Specialty Restaurants if I can adjust off my main dining room daily gratuities?

 

One person told me the money is split amongst dining staff across the main dining room, windjammer, etc.

 

So, "Can I", and "Should I," attempt to make this adjustment? Has anyone done this before?

 

I do fully intend to compensate our room attendant, housekeeper, and bar staff, but if I have the ability to remove main dining room gratuities I would like to do so.

 

Thank you for your input.

If you do not eat in the main dining room you shouldn't have to tip for a service never received. The tipping pool does not include the buffet so it was never goinf there anyway. Your cabin stewart should be tipped by you and if he puts that money into the pool so be it, you met your obligation to tip those that served you. You can remove the auto tips at the customer service desk if that's YOUR choice and then tip in cash as you see fit.

[LMaxwell]

The tipping pool does not include the buffet so it was never goinf there anyway.

 

100% dead wrong. The tipping pool DOES include the buffet.

[yogimax]

You can remove the auto tips at the customer service desk if that's YOUR choice and then tip in cash as you see fit.

 

Sounds nice IN THEORY.

 

How many, however, use this as an EXCUSE to stiff the staff?

[FLACRUISER99]

Sounds nice IN THEORY.

 

How many, however, use this as an EXCUSE to stiff the staff?

Almost all!!:rolleyes: