Royal Caribbean Gratuity Question

[cruisenfever]

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.

This couldn't be further from the truth!:eek:

 

The $12pp per day gratuities are collected and then channeled to the proper departments. Every 2 weeks a pay check is issued to the respective members of the staff and the amounts will vary by their position.

 

It really doesn't matter where your MDR wait staff works during the day/night because they still get a salary every 2 weeks.

Edited April 5, 2014 by cruisenfever

[dasi11]

Considering how much food you are served all day long on a cruise, the tip for the food service staff is cheap. If I went on a vacation elsewhere and were served the same food for 3-4 meals a day the tips would be 10-20 bucks a day on that food I bet much more... I have always thought that amount is cheap since it does cover all the help for all the meals... not really just dinner in the MDR. Even that is cheap... 4-5 courses at dinner, the bill would be much higher and be a much larger tip per person if you were to receive a real bill for the food you were served.

[Jen731]

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.

 

I can definitely understand this argument, but I have read on these boards that if you remove your auto tips and then tip your stateroom attendant in cash, he or she still has to turn them in to the general pool to be split with all service people. So one way or another, those hardworking waiters and bus boys are going to get the money. But your room steward may end up with less at the expense of having to share.

 

OP, May I ask this: are you going to the windjammer every day so that you can avoid tipping the MDR staff? If so, under consideration of being on autopay for gratuities, you might reconsider eating in the dining room. It's one of my favorite parts of being on vacation. Regardless, someone is working in the windjammer setting out food, clearing plates, washing tables, assisting cruisers, etc so you are still compensating those working in food service by tipping. I would say, think of it as a service fee, not tipping. you are paying for all the great service you will receive on board.

 

I do understand your pain, it is a shock to start with one cruise price and then have a huge add-on you weren't expecting. The first time our family cruised, way back when you had to do all the little envelopes, I really couldn't believe how much extra was expected and that was not presented until the night before departure. Sticker shock for our family of five!!! When tips are basically mandatory, as they are with the autopay now used by rcl, I think it would be better to add them to the initial invoice along with port fees and taxes. Pay it off before you go. I cannot imagine having such bad service across the board every day that I would feel compelled to adjust the service fee.

[Sanz]

Considering how much food you are served all day long on a cruise, the tip for the food service staff is cheap. If I went on a vacation elsewhere and were served the same food for 3-4 meals a day the tips would be 10-20 bucks a day on that food I bet much more... I have always thought that amount is cheap since it does cover all the help for all the meals... not really just dinner in the MDR. Even that is cheap... 4-5 courses at dinner, the bill would be much higher and be a much larger tip per person if you were to receive a real bill for the food you were served.

 

I guess some people were not giving tips and people from cultures that are not use to tipping needed to be addressed, cruise lines instituted automatic tips. To the best of my recollection when we first encountered this on a cruise line that we had cruised on before, we noted that the automatic gratuities were not as much as the recommended tips had been from the same cruise line. My DH and I view the automatic tips as the minimal tip for okay service and more often than not give more.

[gerif]

I guess some people were not giving tips and people from cultures that are not use to tipping needed to be addressed, cruise lines instituted automatic tips. To the best of my recollection when we first encountered this on a cruise line that we had cruised on before, we noted that the automatic gratuities were not as much as the recommended tips had been from the same cruise line. My DH and I view the automatic tips as the minimal tip for okay service and more often than not give more.

 

This is the way we look at it. The autotips are the minimum and extra can and usually does get added. On the very rare occasion that we've encountered subpar service, a quick discussion with that person's superior gets things straight.

[summersigh]

It's my understanding that if the passenger removes automatic tips and then chooses to tip certain staff themselves - those cash tips must go into a pool to be divided with others whose tips were removed at the risk of losing their jobs.

 

With automatic tips in place the staff member can keep any cash tips above and beyond.

[readytolose]

 

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

 

 

I don't know how you booked your cruise but if you booked online you were given the option of adding the tips on to your account at that time. You would have then had the tips paid for before even stepping on the ship. If you booked with a travel agent I would assume they would ask you if you would like to add them on when booking.

 

I'm having a hard time believing that you didn't know you would have to tip until a day before your cruise.

 

Also, for future travel. Always plan on double the amount of money you actually think you will need. I would be scared to death traveling with that little amount of money. What if something else comes up that you haven't thought of. For instance, have to budgeted to tip the porter who takes your bags when you get to the port? There are lots of unexpected expenses when traveling. You should always be prepared!

[Langley Cruisers]

...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...

 

We have seen our waiter, assistant waiter and Head Waiter all working the Windjammer buffet on cruises. They absolutely do work the buffet, no question about it. As well, you do serve yourself but they clean up after you, removing plates and glasses, offering you additional drinks, coffee, tea, etc. I am certain you will find the service in the Windjammer to be exceptional. :) Enjoy your cruise.

 

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

 

Oh dear. :( Such incorrect information and sadly, to a new cruiser and member such as OP, it might be taken as fact.

 

.

[MommaBear55]

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.

 

I am glad you came here for advice and are taking it! You are absolutely right that the expectation for gratuities (aka service charge) should be more transparent and really should be rolled into the base fare. However, since other mainstream lines do not do so, for any one of them to do it would be a challenge, as it would appear that their cruises would cost more.

 

Congratulations on being able to pay for your cruise on your own. As a parent, it is always rewarding to see our kids becoming adults.

 

Enjoy your cruise! You have earned it.

[Roce48]

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.

 

I agree with you that one should do as they feel is appropriate in their opinion. We all also on occasion will freely make inappropriate choices; it is our right to do so unless we break a law.

 

The degree of appropriateness in a situation is self-determined.

 

We all know right from wrong, but some individuals do not make decisions solely based on that knowledge. I have done this myself, and remember those choices well.

 

If you have you ever gone out to dinner with a group, you will see those that tip heavily into the pool, and also those few that tip scantily. I at times have thrown in extra cash when I see someone giving lightly; they may not have the extra cash, or another pressing need for the money.

 

But, some people are sometimes so inappropriately penny thrift that is almost vulgar. :(

[dasi11]

I guess some people were not giving tips and people from cultures that are not use to tipping needed to be addressed, cruise lines instituted automatic tips. To the best of my recollection when we first encountered this on a cruise line that we had cruised on before, we noted that the automatic gratuities were not as much as the recommended tips had been from the same cruise line. My DH and I view the automatic tips as the minimal tip for okay service and more often than not give more.

 

We always tip more then the auto tips.... I was just trying to make the point that to remove the tips for service they did not receive is just wrong. They receive plenty of service and those tips are deserved and even a bargain. I tip cash to waiters, etc. in addition to the prepaid gratuities I do before the cruise.

[galavant3]

Two of my kids are now adults and have paid for cruises on their own. I recommend that they pay the gratuities ahead of time so that they don't incur that extra expense while on vacation.

 

Given the level of service received, the gratuities are an incredible bargain! For about the price of about 2 drinks per day, you get great, personal service.

[caribbean sailor]

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 think you are right in your feelings,Royal Caribbean should not demand gratuity before the cruise.We prepaid gratuity on our last cruise,will not do this again.I will pay gratuity as i see fit.Our next cruise in January we will cancel auto tips.To quote our waiter on our last cruise Cash is best.Have a great cruise and spend your money as you see fit. :)

[caribbean sailor]

Sounds nice IN THEORY.

 

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

 

Can you tell us how many people that take off auto gratuity stiff the staff? And why should you care.:rolleyes:

[summersigh]

It's my understanding that if the passenger removes automatic tips and then chooses to tip certain staff themselves - those cash tips must go into a pool to be divided with others whose tips were removed at the risk of losing their jobs.

 

With automatic tips in place the staff member can keep any cash tips above and beyond.

 

They don't get to keep the cash you give them if you've cancelled auto-tips. Lying about pocketing that kind of cash can cost them their job.:(

[orville99]

...once you are onboard. Everything you spend onboard goes directly on your seapass card, which is linked to the credit card you used when you booked the cruise (other than what you spend in the casino), so the impact of the gratuities on your wallet won't hit until you get your next credit card statement.

[Roce48]

I think you are right in your feelings,Royal Caribbean should not demand gratuity before the cruise.We prepaid gratuity on our last cruise,will not do this again.I will pay gratuity as i see fit.Our next cruise in January we will cancel auto tips.To quote our waiter on our last cruise Cash is best.Have a great cruise and spend your money as you see fit. :)

 

I don't believe you when you say that the waiter told you cash was the best, unless he meant that a tip over the pre-pay amount would be best done in cash instead of adding it to your Sea Pass card.

 

Do you plan on removing your auto-tips because were you not satisfied with the service on your last cruise? You most likely will not have the same wait staff and stewards.

 

Some people like to make themselves look better by having to make a big deal out of giving a tip personally. This boorish behavior does not impress me or the person you are handing it to. The real payback will be on their final day!

[LMaxwell]

I don't believe you when you say that the waiter told you cash was the best, unless he meant that a tip over the pre-pay amount would be best done in cash instead of adding it to your Sea Pass card.

 

Do you plan on removing your auto-tips because were you not satisfied with the service on your last cruise? You most likely will not have the same wait staff and stewards.

 

Some people like to make themselves look better by having to make a big deal out of giving a tip personally. This boorish behavior does not impress me or the person you are handing it to. The real payback will be on their final day!

 

 

Some people just don't like to pay for services BEFORE they are rendered. It only seems wrong to YOU because, for whatever reason, you believe that anyone that doesn't feel alright paying ahead of time must be out to screw the workers. That's a really odd viewpoint to have, in my opinion, and one that's pretty short sighted.

 

For all we know the person you are passing judgment on hands out cash tips five times the requested amount. We just don't know, therefore it is not our place to pass judgment, let alone tell someone they will be judged on their dying days. Get real. :rolleyes:

[DrD]

We are bringing $460 for drinks, souvenirs, specialty dining, maybe a slot machine. I would prefer not to be auto-reduced to $290.

 

That's enough for a day or 2.Unlikely to last the whole cruise though.

[Stephluva2711]

...once you are onboard. Everything you spend onboard goes directly on your seapass card, which is linked to the credit card you used when you booked the cruise (other than what you spend in the casino), so the impact of the gratuities on your wallet won't hit until you get your next credit card statement.

 

Not always true, I never have my seapass linked to my Credit Card. Always pay in cash at the end. It's cashless meaning if you buy something in the shops u don't pay cash up front. However you don't HAVE to pay in Credit card for you account. I find it much easier for me to have a Cash account instead. I think they give you a limit of $500 before you have to settle that balance and then you can use ur seapass again.

[caribbean sailor]

I don't believe you when you say that the waiter told you cash was the best, unless he meant that a tip over the pre-pay amount would be best done in cash instead of adding it to your Sea Pass card.

 

Do you plan on removing your auto-tips because were you not satisfied with the service on your last cruise? You most likely will not have the same wait staff and stewards.

 

Some people like to make themselves look better by having to make a big deal out of giving a tip personally. This boorish behavior does not impress me or the person you are handing it to. The real payback will be on their final day!

 

I could care less what you believe,as i said before the waiter said cash is best.I plan on removing my tips because i want to.Also i don't need Royal Caribbean to pay my tips.Why would you think that any one would care if you are impressed.:rolleyes:

[golfpccc]

If OP had read his cruise documents he would have know in advance that $12 a day pp would be added to his sea pass account for gratuities. It is listed on page 10 of your Cruise Documents under Things to Know.

[sharpasice]

I don't know how you booked your cruise but if you booked online you were given the option of adding the tips on to your account at that time. You would have then had the tips paid for before even stepping on the ship. If you booked with a travel agent I would assume they would ask you if you would like to add them on when booking.

 

I'm having a hard time believing that you didn't know you would have to tip until a day before your cruise.

 

Also, for future travel. Always plan on double the amount of money you actually think you will need. I would be scared to death traveling with that little amount of money. What if something else comes up that you haven't thought of. For instance, have to budgeted to tip the porter who takes your bags when you get to the port? There are lots of unexpected expenses when traveling. You should always be prepared!

 

Exactly what I was going to say! Plus we usually go on a cruise with an envelope filled with $50 in singles, $50 in fives and $100 in tens and twenties. Even though we have prepaid tips we always tip, in cash extra to the room steward and additional tips for porters, bartenders (over the mandatory tip) and anyone else who may help us out. These people work so hard and usually always have a smile. I know $200 in tips sounds like a lot but we usually come home with about $100 but I feel safe knowing I will always have the correct denomination..room service $3-$5, room steward $30-$40 extra and so on. Going on a cruise with only $460 (kind of a strange figure..why not $500) anyway..is not taking into account any emergencies..I also would be scared to death.

[orville99]

Not always true, I never have my seapass linked to my Credit Card. Always pay in cash at the end. It's cashless meaning if you buy something in the shops u don't pay cash up front. However you don't HAVE to pay in Credit card for you account. I find it much easier for me to have a Cash account instead. I think they give you a limit of $500 before you have to settle that balance and then you can use ur seapass again.

 

 

Do you set that up once you're onboard with guest services, or can you do that in advance before you board?

[Clarea]

Do you set that up once you're onboard with guest services, or can you do that in advance before you board?

You can set up the type of onboard account before the cruise, as part of the online check-in.