Anytime Dining - Prepaid Gratuities

[joepeka]

I agree with that, because if we take out all the opinion, it still appears we are confused about the facts. I am anyway. :confused:

 

I can't see how, if we call something a gratuity, it can't be removed. Really not being difficult, I just can't see how that can be.

 

My thoughts as well. :)

[LMaxwell]

Quite lovely how the FIRST response was judgmental and not at all helpful. Then the dog piling started. People here will act like if you are unhappy it is your fault, and if onboard management is not able to rectify that it is still your fault and you are owed nothing and crew are entitled to full tips for subpar services. :rolleyes:

 

OP - Here is the contact information for Royal Caribbean

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/contactUs.do

 

Do yourself a favor and spare yourself the opinions, guesses, and condescension this forum.

 

You'll likely have good service onboard and not think of it again, but there is NO HARM in knowing the factual answer to your question.

[Adayatatime]

Quite lovely how the FIRST response was judgmental and not at all helpful. Then the dog piling started. People here will act like if you are unhappy it is your fault, and if onboard management is not able to rectify that it is still your fault and you are owed nothing and crew are entitled to full tips for subpar services. :rolleyes:

 

OP - Here is the contact information for Royal Caribbean

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/contactUs.do

 

Do yourself a favor and spare yourself the opinions, guesses, and condescension this forum.

 

You'll likely have good service onboard and not think of it again, but there is NO HARM in knowing the factual answer to your question.

 

 

Much better idea

Edited July 14, 2014 by Adayatatime

[srlafleur]

Here is a thought everyone...answer the OP's question or don't respond. So many responses "why would you ever" or "I have NEVER thought that warranted" etc etc....

 

the OP asked a question...if you don't want to answer....don't post.

 

Getting a bit snippy, there.

Personally, in my response, I was trying to encourage the OP to think positively that all this talk of bad service and the worry about the need to remove the gratuities is probably for naught.

But, whatever...

[bplazo]

Here is a thought everyone...answer the OP's question or don't respond. So many responses "why would you ever" or "I have NEVER thought that warranted" etc etc....

 

the OP asked a question...if you don't want to answer....don't post.

 

I am going to give MY answer. There should never be a reason to remove them because you are receiving service for your entire cruise and you need to pay for that service and the amount suggested is the LEAST you should pay.

[Debinnova]

I agree that it is sad that everyone starts piling on. It is possible to have bad service. On our fifth cruise (Oasis) years ago we had a horrible server. His assistant tried to make up for the main servers lack of skill, but with limited success. We thought that the Assistant Server would have been a better main server. Our main server just was slow, confused easily and I cant imagine how he made it into that position. We had traditional seating. Although we didn't complain, we didn't have to because the head waiter apologized almost nightly for things he was noticing that server was missing or messing up.

 

Now, we still tipped, but if I had that kind of service for 7 nights in a row again, and I had prepaid tips, I might seek some resolution, because I couldn't adjust the amount of tip for him specifically.

 

Other than that, we have had pretty good service in dining room, and would often tip extra.

 

Cant we just answer the question without condemning the OP? He has the right to at least ask.

 

Deb

 

Sent from my KFJWI using Tapatalk HD

[Deptacon]

I am going to give MY answer. There should never be a reason to remove them because you are receiving service for your entire cruise and you need to pay for that service and the amount suggested is the LEAST you should pay.

 

 

You didnt answer the OPs questions... You just lectured on why they should not persue pulling the gratuities back. Thanks for providing a statement to prove my point though.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[EmpressofPurple]

I am going to give MY answer. There should never be a reason to remove them because you are receiving service for your entire cruise and you need to pay for that service and the amount suggested is the LEAST you should pay.

 

Well put, minimum suggested gratuities are more like a resort fee at a fine hotel, you can always add more to specific individuals for exceptional service if you feel it is warranted, or withhold any such additional tips if service is merely acceptable.

 

Also agree with other posters who recommend immediate attention to truly poor or offensive service (rather than"complaining" by removing the service charge, which punishes all staff, not just the individuals who are performing below standards)

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forums mobile app

[chester2008]

Well put, minimum suggested gratuities are more like a resort fee at a fine hotel, you can always add more to specific individuals for exceptional service if you feel it is warranted, or withhold any such additional tips if service is merely acceptable.

 

Also agree with other posters who recommend immediate attention to truly poor or offensive service (rather than"complaining" by removing the service charge, which punishes all staff, not just the individuals who are performing below standards)

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forums mobile app

 

A suggested gratuity is nothing like a "resort fee". A resort fee is a mandatory charge, whereas a " suggested gratuity" is just as it says, suggested. The proof is there, any charge that can be removed is not mandatory.

As far as lodging a complaint against a person serving your food, make sure to do it on the last day when you know you won't be eating there anymore. I have several friends in the food service industry (both fast food and fine dining) and as a general rule don't p*$$ anybody off who's handling your food.

[Adayatatime]

Getting a bit snippy, there.

Personally, in my response, I was trying to encourage the OP to think positively that all this talk of bad service and the worry about the need to remove the gratuities is probably for naught.

But, whatever...

 

Whilst I Agee that there will probably be no need to remove them, from my perspective at least I had peace of mind that I could, and it would never occur to me that I couldn't remove a suggested prepaid gift if I needed to. In my opinion, of it couldn't be removed, it would not be called a suggested gratuity.

[momof3cruisers]

I have never had service bad enough to warrant having gratuities removed or otherwise adjusted, from anyone on any cruise line. Wouldn't even think about it.

 

Well you didn't have our Allure waiter. He was crabby, unhelpful and downright rude to our son when he ordered off the children's menu. (He was just over 12.) didn't remove tips and didn't raise any kind of a ruckus as it was a big family cruise and we just wanted things to go smoothly. Had we been on our own, I would have. As well as asking to be moved.

[Adayatatime]

I am going to give MY answer. There should never be a reason to remove them because you are receiving service for your entire cruise and you need to pay for that service and the amount suggested is the LEAST you should pay.

 

So are you happy to pay for any service in your life that doesn't happen?

 

If you pay in advance for your car to be washed (say you were in the queue) and then your car wasn't washed, would you still pay?

 

On the other hand, if you are paying for an integral part of your cruise, why do RC call it a gratuity? If you cannot remove it, it forms a normal part of your cruise fare, and is no longer a gratuity.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Adayatatime

[Adayatatime]

Everyone talks about bad service in the Dining Room and the gratuities. That gratuity that you pay up front, goes to all of the workers that have contact with you on the ship. It gets divided between many people. It is not just for the waiters. So, when you remove it or don't pay it, that effects many other people who may be doing a great job for you.

 

If we have bad service in any walk of life and don't pay, it affects lots of people. No difference on a cruise ship. It never just affects one person. All staff are RC employees, just like any other company.

[Havingfun2010]

They are still classed as gratuities (gifts) and I believe they can be removed daily. I think that would give the OP peace of mind, doesn't mean he will remove them.

 

If you have different waiters each day, and one is really bad, than you can request to remove the $3.50 tip. (It's only one person right?). Not be funny here, but they as an individual person.

 

If one really feels the $3.50 is worth removing, than you can, but the better solution, is to talk to their boss, and explain the bad service so it can be fixed.

[Havingfun2010]

I agree with that, because if we take out all the opinion, it still appears we are confused about the facts. I am anyway. :confused:

 

I can't see how, if we call something a gratuity, it can't be removed. Really not being difficult, I just can't see how that can be.

 

I was confused about the tipping policy in Europe. I recently read an article about how many European Service people love serving the "Yanks" because they over tip. Imaging getting 20% of the food cost, service charge, VAT taxes, local tax etc? A 1.00 Euro tip could be acceptable, but yet, they are getting 10.00 Euro instead.

 

My point is, that it is called a gratuity because in the USA, it is what people are accustomed to. However, it is a service charge if you are European. Would you question a service charge on your restaurant bill? No, because, they add it and you would accept it.

 

Different countries have different rules, and customs. The bottom line is, that this is a service charge, and yes, you can remove it, but it shouldn't be removed, unless, you truly have an issue. Money that you hand to people after the end of the cruise, is your true tip.

 

These things just must be put into perspective, and understand this is a USA translation, not a European translation. TIP = Service Charge.

[Adayatatime]

I was confused about the tipping policy in Europe. I recently read an article about how many European Service people love serving the "Yanks" because they over tip. Imaging getting 20% of the food cost, service charge, VAT taxes, local tax etc? A 1.00 Euro tip could be acceptable, but yet, they are getting 10.00 Euro instead.

 

My point is, that it is called a gratuity because in the USA, it is what people are accustomed to. However, it is a service charge if you are European. Would you question a service charge on your restaurant bill? No, because, they add it and you would accept it.

 

Different countries have different rules, and customs. The bottom line is, that this is a service charge, and yes, you can remove it, but it shouldn't be removed, unless, you truly have an issue. Money that you hand to people after the end of the cruise, is your true tip.

 

These things just must be put into perspective, and understand this is a USA translation, not a European translation. TIP = Service Charge.

 

I get it, honestly imdo, and I've said that many times on here that i understand different customs. i have been to America a lot and i have American in laws. I understand different customs although I would say on a cruise ship sailing out of the UK with mostly British on board that RC should be aware of the custom, just as any company in any foreign country.

 

I would remove a service charge if I was unhappy with the service in the UK and it still doesn't make the situation clearer - a gratuity, in any country and by any means, is a gift, and is given for good service.

 

And, whereas I agree that money given at the end is a true tip, if RC want to include a gratuity as non removable, then this should be advertised is the cruise fare, which it won't do, because it is removable by definition.

 

I have never removed my gratuities by the way.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Adayatatime

[Adayatatime]

Aren't we stiffing the bar staff by buying drinks packages rather than individually? Just wondered what happened to the service charge.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Adayatatime

[ladner39571]

There are many references to removing or adjusting gratuities and there is no discrimination between those applying to MTD and the normal pre-paid or auto gratuities. Likewise, the cruise contract mentions nothing about MTD gratuities being totally non-refundable or non-adjustable, only that they are required to be paid in advance. Oh and I understand about trusting information on the RCI web site.... many here over the years have mentioned terribly out of date info still posted. Regardless, if I am totally wrong on this, my apologies. :(

 

Your just trying to be helpful and thoughtful. Some people take things very serious about all THEIR knowledge about everything. They sound rude rather than helpful:rolleyes:. I feel sorry for people who are just asking a question? On one of our cruises we had the anytime dining. Our server was terrible to our table. we were off to the side because we had a large group. He spilled our drinks, was rush rush rush.... but at the other tables he catered to everything. So, Yes they can have their moments of not so good service. We paid our full gratuities anyway because they do have a ton of responsibilities.

[akcruz]

Aren't we stiffing the bar staff by buying drinks packages rather than individually? Just wondered what happened to the service charge.

 

My understanding is that the beverage package prices already include the tip/service charge. On the ships where they give you a $0 slip to sign you are always free to add more for great service.

[srlafleur]

~sigh~

Anyway, if you have MTD, you can and should complain to the head waiter or maitre d' about specific problems and then request to be seated in a different area with a different wait staff for subsequent nights, thereby avoiding the offensive waitstaff's wrath, unlike fixed seating which is potentially more difficult to change. Not impossible, surely, but not as simple.

Of course, poor service could also apply to the room steward, as well, or even the buffet staff. I'm sure the front desk could direct you to the proper person for lodging any immediate complaints about any and all staff.

The automatic gratuities are shared between all of the above.

Automatic gratuities, AFAIK, whether prepaid or not can be adjusted or removed on board. I've never read otherwise in all the many tipping threads.

[evitacruiser]

We have never requested them be removed, as we have never had an issue with the service, but I am almost sure I read on a tipping thread that you could not do it.

[cruzsnooze]

On Oasis, if we choose anytime dining, we are being told we need to prepay gratuities. If we are unhappy with the service, can we be refunded our money? Who refunds our money - the travel agent or Royal Caribbean? Will we get refunded on our credit card or through some sort of credit?

 

Anyone try to dispute this? Thanks.

Just go to guest services who can remove the gratuity. Your OBC will be on your account. You can cash that out at the casino for a 3% fee or spend it on anything on board. Once the TA puts the OBC credit on your account it is really just OBC and can be used for anything not just tipping.

[joepeka]

Your just trying to be helpful and thoughtful. Some people take things very serious about all THEIR knowledge about everything. They sound rude rather than helpful:rolleyes:. I feel sorry for people who are just asking a question? On one of our cruises we had the anytime dining. Our server was terrible to our table. we were off to the side because we had a large group. He spilled our drinks, was rush rush rush.... but at the other tables he catered to everything. So, Yes they can have their moments of not so good service. We paid our full gratuities anyway because they do have a ton of responsibilities.

 

Thank you and for what it's worth at this point (and I hope it's worth something), I did some checking yesterday and was told by someone that I consider extremely knowledgeable on this subject that indeed, the pre-paid MTD gratuities cannot be removed or reduced. So.... mea culpa. :(

Edited July 15, 2014 by joepeka

[floridababa]

Just got off Indy in UK and have a question. Great service in Any Time Dining- so wht woould a decent extratip be? Very confusing. We were on for 2 weeks!!!

Please help for future.

Thanks

[NorbertsNiece]

Just got off Indy in UK and have a question. Great service in Any Time Dining- so wht woould a decent extratip be? Very confusing. We were on for 2 weeks!!!

Please help for future.

Thanks

 

I've given $20pp for extra special attention in MTD..... including the Head Waiter who on Legend was a real star. I know it's not necessary but they really exceeded expectations.