Gratuities and infants question.

[Lyn1Lyn]

I read somewhere, that you did not pay gratuities for children under 1 year old. If this is incorrect please don't hesitate to correct me.

 

I contacted my TA, to find out the total gratuities for my two cabins. He told me it was $12.95 per person. When I questioned whether or not I had to pay for the 10 month old, he told me that the computer automatically charges for all 8 people, and then I would have to call to request adjustment for my ten-month-old.

 

Has anyone had this experience? I'm wondering if it would just be easier if I wait until I board to pay the gratuities, thinking that they will only charge me for the 7 that I'm supposed to pay for.

 

Will they allow me to pay them on the very 1st day?

 

I don't want to pay out money up front, to attempt to get it refunded back to me later.

[Herbaltees]

The gratuities are assessed at $12.95 per person/per day. They are usually added to your bill the second night. You can adjust the gratuities at any time during your trip.

 

I'm not sure if you can adjust the tips if they are pre paid.

 

 

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[shredie]

Children will be charged the gratuity no matter their age.

 

 

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[Rod in Az]

I read somewhere, that you did not pay gratuities for children under 1 year old. If this is incorrect please don't hesitate to correct me.

 

I contacted my TA, to find out the total gratuities for my two cabins. He told me it was $12.95 per person. When I questioned whether or not I had to pay for the 10 month old, he told me that the computer automatically charges for all 8 people, and then I would have to call to request adjustment for my ten-month-old.

 

Has anyone had this experience? I'm wondering if it would just be easier if I wait until I board to pay the gratuities, thinking that they will only charge me for the 7 that I'm supposed to pay for.

 

Will they allow me to pay them on the very 1st day?

 

I don't want to pay out money up front, to attempt to get it refunded back to me later.

 

Here is the answer to the "age" portion of your question according to the Carnival FAQ's:

 

There are two ways of extending gratuities to the shipboard staff:

 

Automatic Gratuities on Shipboard Account

 

For our guest's convenience, we automatically add the recommended gratuities to the guest's Sail & Sign account toward the end of the cruise.

• Guests less than two years of age are not required to extend gratuities.
  
• For cruises that begin in Barbados, all gratuities are pre-paid and automatically added during the booking process.
  
• Should a guest not be satisfied with the service they receive, they can contact the Guest Services desk while onboard. This will allow us to address their concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At the discretion of the guest, they may adjust the gratuities at any time while onboard. Gratuities will be deemed undisputed unless a request to modify is received prior to disembarking the ship.
  

Prepaid Gratuities

 

• Gratuities are pre-arranged and can be added at the time of booking or anytime up to the sail date. If already booked, guests can contact their Travel Professional to add prepaid gratuities; if booked directly with Carnival, contact us at 800 764-7419.
  
• All guests on each booking must prepay the gratuities with the exception of children less than two years of age.
  
• For cruises that begin in Barbados, all gratuities are pre-paid and automatically added during the booking process.
  
• The dollar amount for gratuities will appear in the 'Miscellaneous Charge' field on the confirmation. E-Documents will indicate if gratuities have been prepaid.
  
• Should a guest not be satisfied with the service they receive, they can contact the Guest Services desk while onboard. This will allow us to address their concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At the discretion of the guest, they may adjust the gratuities at any time while onboard. Gratuities will be deemed undisputed unless a request to modify is received prior to disembarking the ship.
  

 

Since you are booking through a TA, I'm not sure how you deal with this, as we book directly with our Carnival PVP who handles all of our pre-paid gratuities for us.

 

Good Luck!!

Edited October 15, 2016 by Rod in Az

[Lyn1Lyn]

Here is the answer to the "age" portion of your question according to the Carnival FAQ's:

 

There are two ways of extending gratuities to the shipboard staff:

 

Automatic Gratuities on Shipboard Account

 

For our guest's convenience, we automatically add the recommended gratuities to the guest's Sail & Sign account toward the end of the cruise.

• Guests less than two years of age are not required to extend gratuities.
  
• For cruises that begin in Barbados, all gratuities are pre-paid and automatically added during the booking process.
  
• Should a guest not be satisfied with the service they receive, they can contact the Guest Services desk while onboard. This will allow us to address their concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At the discretion of the guest, they may adjust the gratuities at any time while onboard. Gratuities will be deemed undisputed unless a request to modify is received prior to disembarking the ship.
  

Prepaid Gratuities

 

• Gratuities are pre-arranged and can be added at the time of booking or anytime up to the sail date. If already booked, guests can contact their Travel Professional to add prepaid gratuities; if booked directly with Carnival, contact us at 800 764-7419.
  
• All guests on each booking must prepay the gratuities with the exception of children less than two years of age.
  
• For cruises that begin in Barbados, all gratuities are pre-paid and automatically added during the booking process.
  
• The dollar amount for gratuities will appear in the 'Miscellaneous Charge' field on the confirmation. E-Documents will indicate if gratuities have been prepaid.
  
• Should a guest not be satisfied with the service they receive, they can contact the Guest Services desk while onboard. This will allow us to address their concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At the discretion of the guest, they may adjust the gratuities at any time while onboard. Gratuities will be deemed undisputed unless a request to modify is received prior to disembarking the ship.
  

 

Since you are booking through a TA, I'm not sure how you deal with this, as we book directly with our Carnival PVP who handles all of our pre-paid gratuities for us.

 

Good Luck!!

 

Thank you this was very helpful.

[Rod in Az]

Thank you this was very helpful.

 

You Bet!

[Micahs Grandad]

IMHO a baby 10 month old will require time from steward and waitstaff and people should compensate the crew for this.

[GUT2407]

IMHO a baby 10 month old will require time from steward and waitstaff and people should compensate the crew for this.

 

But obviously Carnival see things differently.

[msmayor]

But obviously Carnival see things differently.

 

They may see things differently as a way to give parents of their youngest passengers options to extend gratuities specifically to those crew members who assist them with their children.

 

I would still hope that parents would offer up a gratuity to the cabin steward(s) who will tend to the stateroom where the baby's linens and such will need to be taken care of, and any dining room staff that goes the distance to keep baby happy, fed and entertained during meal times.

[Je Souhaite]

I read somewhere, that you did not pay gratuities for children under 1 year old. If this is incorrect please don't hesitate to correct me.

 

I contacted my TA, to find out the total gratuities for my two cabins. He told me it was $12.95 per person. When I questioned whether or not I had to pay for the 10 month old, he told me that the computer automatically charges for all 8 people, and then I would have to call to request adjustment for my ten-month-old.

 

Has anyone had this experience? I'm wondering if it would just be easier if I wait until I board to pay the gratuities, thinking that they will only charge me for the 7 that I'm supposed to pay for.

 

Will they allow me to pay them on the very 1st day?

 

I don't want to pay out money up front, to attempt to get it refunded back to me later.

 

Get a new TA immediately.

 

You will not be setting up an account for your child, so there is no place they could even charge a child.

 

Should any on board help do anything that you would like to extend a gratuity, you can do it on the spot with cash, as you like.

[CruiseWeekTV]

they want you to start teaching your kids how to tip at the same time you teach them to speak :)

[Micahs Grandad]

They may see things differently as a way to give parents of their youngest passengers options to extend gratuities specifically to those crew members who assist them with their children.

 

I would still hope that parents would offer up a gratuity to the cabin steward(s) who will tend to the stateroom where the baby's linens and such will need to be taken care of, and any dining room staff that goes the distance to keep baby happy, fed and entertained during meal times.

 

Waitstaff do spend quite a bit of time entertaining babies and would be nice to say thanks in a concrete way

[bobandsherry]

But obviously Carnival see things differently.

Not required according to Carnival, but common courtesy may be cause to tip for additional services (time) of crew.

 

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[tef43]

Children will be charged the gratuity no matter their age.

100% false.

[dacsmom]

Children will be charged the gratuity no matter their age.

 

 

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Where did you get your information? My grandchildren under two years old have never been charged a gratuity on Carnival.

[cb at sea]

It does depend on the cruise line. Most will charge every "soul" gratuities, whether they are 6 months, or 99 years.....some don't, tho!

[elliair]

IMHO a baby 10 month old will require time from steward and waitstaff and people should compensate the crew for this.

 

I agree. Ever see the mess under the high chair the child leaves behind? Or the spilled milk on the table? The diapers in the trash, change the sheets on the crib. IMHO they are more work than an adult. JMHO.

[Micahs Grandad]

I agree. Ever see the mess under the high chair the child leaves behind? Or the spilled milk on the table? The diapers in the trash, change the sheets on the crib. IMHO they are more work than an adult. JMHO.

 

Absolutely, had forgotten how messy little ones can be but after seeing my kids have to sweep the floor after dinner every night I remembered real quick:).

[Lyn1Lyn]

I agree. Ever see the mess under the high chair the child leaves behind? Or the spilled milk on the table? The diapers in the trash, change the sheets on the crib. IMHO they are more work than an adult. JMHO.

 

 

I totally disagree (Please don't lump all 10 month olds together) ... But maybe I am the atypical parent. This is a 10 month old not a toddler, why the should there be food on the floor and spilled milk on the table? Are the parents just letting there child make a complete mess and not clean up.. That's just DISGUSTING..

 

We go out to restaurants often, and I have never had any of my kids leave such a mess. (and if by chance, they did make a small mess, we clean it up promptly so as to not make additional work for the waitstaff/cleanup staff). Etiquette is something that should be taught early.

 

Aside from that, for my specific child, I will be bringing his food from home, because he has allergies. So there will be no special food requests, heatups etc.

 

Also, There is no need for the waitstaff to have to go out of their way to entertain a child either. That is absolutely ridiculous. That's what he has parents for.

 

As far as the room steward. A 10 month old should def. not be more work than an adult.

 

For my specific little guy

His sheets and such will be brought as well, as well as considering bringing his Pack and play from home. I will be washing his stuff on my own and requesting that the steward not touch his bedding at all. He has allergies to detergents, and certain foods. So I will be doing those things myself.

 

As far as his diapers I wrap them up tight, bag them and throw them in the garbage. So they do not smell etc. ( I don't like smelling it)

Someone would be emptying it anyway, regardless of whether or not he was with me, so why must i pay for someone to take out the garbage?

 

But again maybe we are a special case. But this is just my opinion.

 

I will definitely tip extra where I feel necessary, but the regular gratuity is not mandatory.

Edited October 15, 2016 by Lyn1Lyn

[Lyn1Lyn]

Waitstaff do spend quite a bit of time entertaining babies and would be nice to say thanks in a concrete way

 

Maybe it's just me, but like I said in my previous post. Although it is nice of them to do, I think the parents should be entertaining their children and letting the waitstaff go about their business.

[Micahs Grandad]

Maybe it's just me, but like I said in my previous post. Although it is nice of them to do, I think the parents should be entertaining their children and letting the waitstaff go about their business.

 

Parents will entertain their children but the waitstaff will want to interact with them as well.

 

Saw that on the three family cruises we have done with kids and grandkids.

[happy cruzin]

Get a new TA immediately.

 

 

 

You will not be setting up an account for your child, so there is no place they could even charge a child.

 

 

 

Should any on board help do anything that you would like to extend a gratuity, you can do it on the spot with cash, as you like.

 

 

I agree - I'd recommend a new TA too!

 

But your comment about the child not having an account is not correct.

 

My 13 month old grandson had an onboard account - with charging privileges - on the Breeze last month. He was issued an S&S card and it worked just like everyone else's.

 

 

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Edited October 15, 2016 by happy cruzin

[Domino D]

I agree - I'd recommend a new TA too!

 

But your comment about the child not having an account is not correct.

 

My 13 month old grandson had an onboard account - with charging privileges - on the Breeze last month. He was issued an S&S card and it worked just like everyone else's.

 

 

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Happy,

What did he charge?

[happy cruzin]

Happy,

 

What did he charge?

 

 

LOL - well HE didn't. But his Mom used his card for purchases in the gift shop. [emoji6]

 

 

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[Domino D]

LOL - well HE didn't. But his Mom used his card for purchases in the gift shop. [emoji6]

 

 

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Too funny. It makes me think of my son's S&S account printouts from teen years. Thank heaven they didn't have the Sweet Spot then. What ever he was allowed to spend was a combination of arcade machines and mock-tails at the teen club bar. Then he graduated to casino charges. Now he is old enough that I can't tell his from ours. Still remember a cruise when he was in college, he handed his customs form to the agent, 11 bottles of alcohol, value $55.00. The guy just burst out laughing.