Prepaid gratuities- what’s NOT included?

[Leah9114]

Greetings all,

 

First time cruiser, first post. I’ve been OCD about reading here a few hours a day and I’ve gotten so much great information from my searching on this site. But a question I haven’t found an answer too is this-

 

 

I prepaid all of our gratuities via my travel agent. It’s my understanding, however, that some gratuities such as room service tipping, are not included in what I’ve thus far paid. Are there any other gratuities i haven’t already paid for that I’ll be responsible for on board, other than room service, I need to be aware of?

 

 

Secondly, what is standard tipping? I have read a ppst where a seasoned cruising couple makes a point to get $100 in one dollar bills from the bank prior to their cruises. They say tipping $2-$10 for every service from room service, taxi to tour guide... this lasts them a 7 day cruise without over spending or cheaping out. Good idea?

 

 

Thanks in advance! :)

Leah

[Biker19]

It’s my understanding, however, that some gratuities such as room service tipping, are not included in what I’ve thus far paid.

An 18% gratuity is added to the room service charge.

[Leah9114]

An 18% gratuity is added to the room service charge.

 

Please forgive my ignorance and perhaps even my terminology here... but does this mean that it will be done via my SeaPass and billed on the last day of our cruise?

[Clarea]

You are pretty much covered on the ship, drinks will have gratuites added.

 

Off the ship, you've got porters, excursions, etc.

[Biker19]

Please forgive my ignorance and perhaps even my terminology here... but does this mean that it will be done via my SeaPass and billed on the last day of our cruise?

It is billed as it happens, everyday. Your total account balance is charged at the end of the cruise.

[Leah9114]

It is billed as it happens, everyday.

 

Fantastic! Thank you! The seas pass thing has me a little scared. They make it too easy. Traveling with 3 kids (ages 11, 12 and 14) and don’t want them to think it’s a magical ‘swipe me anywhere and get what you want’ card lol

[IceManCan]

Fantastic! Thank you! The seas pass thing has me a little scared. They make it too easy. Traveling with 3 kids (ages 11, 12 and 14) and don’t want them to think it’s a magical ‘swipe me anywhere and get what you want’ card lol

You can set spending restrictions for your kids. I don't activate their cards at all. You do this when preparing their docs on-line

 

 

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[karena1]

Greetings all,

 

First time cruiser, first post. I’ve been OCD about reading here a few hours a day and I’ve gotten so much great information from my searching on this site. But a question I haven’t found an answer too is this-

 

 

I prepaid all of our gratuities via my travel agent. It’s my understanding, however, that some gratuities such as room service tipping, are not included in what I’ve thus far paid. Are there any other gratuities i haven’t already paid for that I’ll be responsible for on board, other than room service, I need to be aware of?

 

 

Secondly, what is standard tipping? I have read a ppst where a seasoned cruising couple makes a point to get $100 in one dollar bills from the bank prior to their cruises. They say tipping $2-$10 for every service from room service, taxi to tour guide... this lasts them a 7 day cruise without over spending or cheaping out. Good idea?

 

 

Thanks in advance! :)

Leah

 

Everyone does different things, but I will give you what we do

 

1. Your Prepaid Gratuities pays for everything except Room Service. Unless you do something special you don't necessarily have to tip anything extra.

 

2. If we park off site we always tip the bus driver something for taking us to the port. We always tip the porters (you don't have to but we do). Normally I tip $5 for a 3 night cruise or $10 for a 7 night cruise. If we do excursions, which is rare, we normally tip the excursion staff $5-$10 depending on what the excursion is and how long

 

3. We always take $100 in 1's with us. Even though we have a bev pkg (which includes the tip), we still tip our pool servers when then bring us drinks. We tip the bartenders if we go to the bar to get a drink. We tip the servers in the lounges, etc. Usually $1 a round or so. Again, you don't have to, but we just do this.

 

4. Because we do MTD, we rarely have the same wait staff, so don't typically tip extra at the end of the cruise. but we always tip our room attendant extra at the end of the cruise. What we tip depends on if we have exceptional service or not. But we always tip something extra at the end of the cruise.

 

Hope this helps. I will try to answer any other specific questions if you have them

[Leah9114]

You can set spending restrictions for your kids. I don't activate their cards at all. You do this when preparing their docs on-line

 

 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app

 

 

Thank you! This is great to know! I have not yet gotten to that step as we are waiting on our passports (tick, tock... fun, fun). I was insistent that we have them as traveling with kids, you never know. And my kids have anaphylactic peanut allergies so if a medical emergency arose, I wanted passports for sure. Will complete the check in process ASAP though. Guess the Summer months are the longest wait times, even though we paid to expedite.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Thank you! This is great to know! I have not yet gotten to that step as we are waiting on our passports (tick, tock... fun, fun). I was insistent that we have them as traveling with kids, you never know. And my kids have anaphylactic peanut allergies so if a medical emergency arose, I wanted passports for sure. Will complete the check in process ASAP though. Guess the Summer months are the longest wait times, even though we paid to expedite.

 

You might want to contact the special needs department regarding the allergy issue and possible cross contamination especially in the buffets and hidden nuts, etc. They will usually explain how to discuss meals for the kids so that you can plan with your waiter ahead of time.

[RocketMan275]

We normally bring maybe $20 in singles and some larger bills. There is no charge to break the larger bills into singles at guest services. Easier to carry that way.

[shirleygr]

You might want to contact the special needs department regarding the allergy issue and possible cross contamination especially in the buffets and hidden nuts, etc. They will usually explain how to discuss meals for the kids so that you can plan with your waiter ahead of time.

 

I have an anaphylactic tree nut allergy and always alert the dining room staff the first day, and specialty restaurant staff when we check in for our reservation. I avoid the buffet due to possible cross-contamination issues. Plus buffets gross me out. lol I've been on 30 cruises on multiple lines and have never had an issue with my allergy. Staff is super sensitive and accommodating. Have a great time!

[Merion_Mom]

We normally bring maybe $20 in singles and some larger bills. There is no charge to break the larger bills into singles at guest services. Easier to carry that way.

Me, too. Casino cashier or guest services = make change.

[Leah9114]

I have an anaphylactic tree nut allergy and always alert the dining room staff the first day, and specialty restaurant staff when we check in for our reservation. I avoid the buffet due to possible cross-contamination issues. Plus buffets gross me out. lol I've been on 30 cruises on multiple lines and have never had an issue with my allergy. Staff is super sensitive and accommodating. Have a great time!

 

Oh this

Is helpful! I will be sure to head to guest services upon boarding to alert them. I’m assuming this is where I’d make this information known, correct?

[frank808]

Me, too. Casino cashier or guest services = make change.

Better yet on oasis and allure they ha e change machines in the casino. Usually two of them. Just put in a $20 and get four $5, then put in a $5 and get five $1 Bill's. So convenient but be warned, when casino is closed, the change machines do not work.

 

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[Big_G]

We normally bring maybe $20 in singles and some larger bills. There is no charge to break the larger bills into singles at guest services. Easier to carry that way.

 

Some times guest services can be a little stingy with their ones. I've gone there looking for $20 worth and walked away with only $5. I just bring $100 worth so I don't make repeated trips and no one likes repeated trips to GS. I've never gotten change at the casino.

[Merion_Mom]

Better yet on oasis and allure they ha e change machines in the casino. Usually two of them. Just put in a $20 and get four $5, then put in a $5 and get five $1 Bill's. So convenient but be warned, when casino is closed, the change machines do not work.

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Those machines are on more ships than just Oasis and Allure. And in my experience, they are out of order more often than they function.

[Merion_Mom]

Oh this

Is helpful! I will be sure to head to guest services upon boarding to alert them. I’m assuming this is where I’d make this information known, correct?

No, allergies need to be addressed with the restaurant staff. Before your cruise, the contact email is special_needs@rccl.com

[Merion_Mom]

Some times guest services can be a little stingy with their ones. I've gone there looking for $20 worth and walked away with only $5. I just bring $100 worth so I don't make repeated trips and no one likes repeated trips to GS. I've never gotten change at the casino.

Ha. I have found GS to be very generous and the casino cashiers very strict. They'll only give you 10 ones at a time.

[cb at sea]

The gratuities cover your cabin attendant, waiters, ass't waiters and head waiter. That's is.

Bar charges (or packages) have 18% added to the cost of whatever you buy...that's the tip.

 

Room service isn't included, so if you use it, tip a $1-2.....some of the "fee" they charge covers a portion of the tip.

 

Specialty restaurant fees include the tip...you can tip more, if you feel the need. Just remember, any drinks on your bill already have 18% added to the cost.

 

These are the only people you will need to tip on a cruise. You don't tip photographers, or child care people, or Crew/Captain!!!

[Merion_Mom]

The gratuities cover your cabin attendant, waiters, ass't waiters and head waiter. That's is.

Bar charges (or packages) have 18% added to the cost of whatever you buy...that's the tip.

 

Room service isn't included, so if you use it, tip a $1-2.....some of the "fee" they charge covers a portion of the tip.

 

Specialty restaurant fees include the tip...you can tip more, if you feel the need. Just remember, any drinks on your bill already have 18% added to the cost.

 

These are the only people you will need to tip on a cruise. You don't tip photographers, or child care people, or Crew/Captain!!!

Just remember: Keep up with the changes, cb.

 

Room service, except for continental breakfast, now carries a $7.95 charge, and they now add 18% to that.

 

Specialty restaurants now add 18% on top of the fee.

 

Lots of people tip the Adventure Ocean staff.

[Big_G]

Ha. I have found GS to be very generous and the casino cashiers very strict. They'll only give you 10 ones at a time.

 

Nothing defines consistency like Royal Caribbean. ;p

[Mcdonaldbam]

The gratuities cover your cabin attendant, waiters, ass't waiters and head waiter. That's is.

Bar charges (or packages) have 18% added to the cost of whatever you buy...that's the tip.

 

Room service isn't included, so if you use it, tip a $1-2.....some of the "fee" they charge covers a portion of the tip.

 

Specialty restaurant fees include the tip...you can tip more, if you feel the need. Just remember, any drinks on your bill already have 18% added to the cost.

 

These are the only people you will need to tip on a cruise. You don't tip photographers, or child care people, or Crew/Captain!!!

According to Royal's FAQ page a 18% gratuity is added to the $7.95 room service fee so why tip an addition buck or two?

 

ETA: I see Merion Mom beat me to the punch on this.

Edited May 28, 2018 by Mcdonaldbam

[shirleygr]

Oh this

Is helpful! I will be sure to head to guest services upon boarding to alert them. I’m assuming this is where I’d make this information known, correct?

 

No, go to the main dining room and speak with the manager/maitre d' there. If you plan to go to any of the specialty restaurants, stop in on embarkation day and have them note it on your reservation. If you decide last minute to go to a specialty restaurant, tell the host/hostess and your server when you arrive. I recommend avoiding the buffet. I think the risk of cross contamination is just too great to chance it. The only time we would go there was on embarkation day because it was the only option.(y) I am so pleased we can go to Chops for lunch on embarkation day; no WJ roulette or waiting until dinner to eat.

[CruiseGal999]

I have to agree with some of the previous posters. IF/WHEN the cruise line adds 18% on top of the $7.95 room service fee .... tip/gratuity has been paid. I would not tip additional cash on top of 18%. It's getting crazy on these cruises.