Gratuities question

[Peachy59]

We just recently returned from 8 nights on Freedom where we did not step foot in the MDR. Not once. We had room service breakfast most days and ate at specialty which we tipped extra for. We didn't remove the auto grats but I have to say I'm wondering why we should be tipping the MDR staff when we never eat in there anymore? I don't expect to use the MDR on our next cruise, either. Now I know some say they work in the windjammer some, but when we used to eat in the MDR I never saw any of our wait staff in the jammer.

[brfan]

We just recently returned from 8 nights on Freedom where we did not step foot in the MDR. Not once. We had room service breakfast most days and ate at specialty which we tipped extra for. We didn't remove the auto grats but I have to say I'm wondering why we should be tipping the MDR staff when we never eat in there anymore? I don't expect to use the MDR on our next cruise, either. Now I know some say they work in the windjammer some, but when we used to eat in the MDR I never saw any of our wait staff in the jammer.

 

There might have been many reasons you didn't see them. You were in the Windjammer after their shift was done or before their shift started. You might have been seated on one side and they were working on the other side (they have their own sections in the Windjammer), they might have been behind the counter serving food, ensuring the food is kept stirred, etc. or in the galley loading the serving trays.

 

Also they may have been working in the dining room, if it was open for breakfast or lunch.