Prepaid Gratuities

[cruisemom4752]

I will be cruising on the Oasis in June. This is our first cruise. We have prepaid our gratuities through our TA (She said it was easier).

Does the staff (bartenders, waiters, etc) on the ship know when they scan our card that we have prepaid the gratuities? Or do we just look cheap for not tipping at the time (ie: when we purchase drinks at the bar)??

[Clarea]

I will be cruising on the Oasis in June. This is our first cruise. We have prepaid our gratuities through our TA (She said it was easier).

Does the staff (bartenders, waiters, etc) on the ship know when they scan our card that we have prepaid the gratuities? Or do we just look cheap for not tipping at the time (ie: when we purchase drinks at the bar)??

Your prepaid gratuities cover stateroom attendant (and helpers) and dining staff. They do not cover bar servers. Each drink you buy will have 15% added for tips for the bar servers.

Edited January 23, 2015 by clarea

[tominabox1]

prepaid gratuities are for all the things you get automatically (i.e. steward, servers etc) when you buy a drink at a bar, 15% gratuity is included in the bill, no need to tip additionally.

[Retired LEO]

I will be cruising on the Oasis in June. This is our first cruise. We have prepaid our gratuities through our TA (She said it was easier).

Does the staff (bartenders, waiters, etc) on the ship know when they scan our card that we have prepaid the gratuities? Or do we just look cheap for not tipping at the time (ie: when we purchase drinks at the bar)??

 

The pre paid gratuities cover your waitstaff and cabin steward. There is still a 15% gratuity added to all drink purchases.

[cruisemom4752]

If we buy the drink package, then drink gratuities are included... right??

[Clarea]

If we buy the drink package, then drink gratuities are included... right??

Yes, you would pay for gratuities at the time you purchase the drink package.

[cmpells87]

I suggest bringing a few singles onto the cruise with you. If you find you had exceptional service or are constantly going to the same bartender and he's always getting your drink ASAP, it's worth the few extra bucks to throw at them :)

[sanger727]

I will be cruising on the Oasis in June. This is our first cruise. We have prepaid our gratuities through our TA (She said it was easier).

Does the staff (bartenders, waiters, etc) on the ship know when they scan our card that we have prepaid the gratuities? Or do we just look cheap for not tipping at the time (ie: when we purchase drinks at the bar)??

 

As far as whether the staff knows that you pre-paid. The auto-gratuities are standard, so their assumption is that everyone is paying those. So it makes no difference whether you prepay them up front or have them charged to your room on board (which is the other option). I do believe the staff may be informed if ask to have them removed when you get on board, however.

[cb at sea]

First...on a cruise, you don't "tip as you go"...tips are extended on the last night. When you've done prepaid grats, the staff does know!