cruisenewb1 Posted October 23, 2018 #1 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Hi all, I know that there are several threads on tipping, but Royal Caribbean's new charge for room service has vexed me again. As I understand it, the usual procedure when prepaid tipping (as for RC) is to tip some staff such as porters and room service, which are "extra" services. However RC now charge $7.95 for room service which includes gratuity. So I have the choice of either facing the social awkwardness of not tipping room service or the annoyance of paying twice for tips. What do you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare little britain Posted October 23, 2018 #2 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Room service is $9.38 which includes the service charge. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tin can Posted October 23, 2018 #3 Share Posted October 23, 2018 My experience with room service is they don’t expect a tip. Infact I have almost had to chase them out into the corridor to give them something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starrcards Posted October 23, 2018 #4 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Such an irksome issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kernow Posted October 23, 2018 #5 Share Posted October 23, 2018 If I'm paying for room service plus a service charge I wouldn't tip on top. On our upcoming cruise we are in a suite where room service is included so I'll tip the person who delivers it. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 23, 2018 #6 Share Posted October 23, 2018 2 hours ago, cruisenewb1 said: ... What do you do? Nothing when gratuity is automatically added to the room service fee. If room service is "free" (continental breakfast in the morning), then I'll give a few dollars depending on the size of the order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted October 23, 2018 #7 Share Posted October 23, 2018 If I used room service, which I haven't, I would probably handle it like I do bar service. If I am getting a Diamond drink that I am not paying for I tip the bartender. If I am getting a drink that I am paying for with the gratuity added on I do not tip extra. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cigar King Posted October 23, 2018 #8 Share Posted October 23, 2018 I tip, for everything. Put yourself in their shoes. If you were running around all day, wouldn't you appreciate a few extra bucks? I know I would. Besides, I enjoy it. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted October 23, 2018 #9 Share Posted October 23, 2018 The ones I am perplexed on are the folks delivering gifts. If you are not in room, they drop it off. No opportunity. If you are in the room, you are caught off guard and may not have cash handy, or they really don't expect it. Generally no tip given. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted October 23, 2018 #10 Share Posted October 23, 2018 2 hours ago, Host Clarea said: Nothing when gratuity is automatically added to the room service fee. If room service is "free" (continental breakfast in the morning), then I'll give a few dollars depending on the size of the order. When it was just the service fee, I tipped a dollar or so. Probably not now that 18% is being added. Still give add'l tip in Chops even though 18% is added. Especially when using a discount Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 23, 2018 #11 Share Posted October 23, 2018 1 hour ago, John&LaLa said: When it was just the service fee, I tipped a dollar or so. Probably not now that 18% is being added. Still give add'l tip in Chops even though 18% is added. Especially when using a discount We don't normally opt for Chops anymore, but the service at our last few times at Chops unfortunately did not warrant additional tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted October 23, 2018 #12 Share Posted October 23, 2018 You can book a suite then no charge for room service and then you can tip 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted October 23, 2018 #13 Share Posted October 23, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Host Clarea said: We don't normally opt for Chops anymore, but the service at our last few times at Chops unfortunately did not warrant additional tip. Hit or miss. I did use Chops as a generic description for all specialty venues. I'm also confused about the 18% tip added now. It seems if you book with cruise planner, no 18%, but if you book onboard, 18% is added. 🤔 Edited October 23, 2018 by John&LaLa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted October 23, 2018 #14 Share Posted October 23, 2018 3 hours ago, Cigar King said: I tip, for everything. Put yourself in their shoes. If you were running around all day, wouldn't you appreciate a few extra bucks? I know I would. Besides, I enjoy it. Spoken like a true DS leader. I understand you because it mirrors What I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 23, 2018 #15 Share Posted October 23, 2018 27 minutes ago, John&LaLa said: ... I'm also confused about the 18% tip added now. It seems if you book with cruise planner, no 18%, but if you book onboard, 18% is added. 🤔 Correct, and I would expect that to be "fixed" at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted October 23, 2018 #16 Share Posted October 23, 2018 3 hours ago, John&LaLa said: The ones I am perplexed on are the folks delivering gifts. If you are not in room, they drop it off. No opportunity. If you are in the room, you are caught off guard and may not have cash handy, or they really don't expect it. Generally no tip given. I always keep about 6 single dollars in the cabinet next to the bed so if room service etc call I can quickly lay my hands on some money to tip them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingSince1982 Posted October 23, 2018 #17 Share Posted October 23, 2018 9 hours ago, cruisenewb1 said: Hi all, I know that there are several threads on tipping, but Royal Caribbean's new charge for room service has vexed me again. As I understand it, the usual procedure when prepaid tipping (as for RC) is to tip some staff such as porters and room service, which are "extra" services. However RC now charge $7.95 for room service which includes gratuity. So I have the choice of either facing the social awkwardness of not tipping room service or the annoyance of paying twice for tips. What do you do? NCL does this too. When we order in the morning, which is complimentary, we tip. Anything else with a charge has an added service charge already, and we do not tip extra. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcur Posted October 23, 2018 #18 Share Posted October 23, 2018 (edited) Room service and the 3 D+ drinks loaded our seapass cards every night: if I use either of these I always add an additional $1 per person, even though the tip is supposed to be included. Edited October 23, 2018 by pcur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snit13 Posted October 23, 2018 #19 Share Posted October 23, 2018 It's only money. I can't take it with me (and I have explored options) thus I share with those who work and do not collect my tax dollars. Happy to be able to share with ship's hardworking crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tree_skier Posted October 23, 2018 #20 Share Posted October 23, 2018 2 hours ago, Host Clarea said: We don't normally opt for Chops anymore, but the service at our last few times at Chops unfortunately did not warrant additional tip. 1 hour ago, John&LaLa said: Hit or miss. I did use Chops as a generic description for all specialty venues. I'm also confused about the 18% tip added now. It seems if you book with cruise planner, no 18%, but if you book onboard, 18% is added. 🤔 I booked through the Cruise Planner and it appears that the Tip (service charge) is included without adding the 18% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 23, 2018 #21 Share Posted October 23, 2018 21 minutes ago, Tree_skier said: I booked through the Cruise Planner and it appears that the Tip (service charge) is included without adding the 18% Yes, for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havingfun2010 Posted October 23, 2018 #22 Share Posted October 23, 2018 9 hours ago, cruisenewb1 said: Hi all, I know that there are several threads on tipping, but Royal Caribbean's new charge for room service has vexed me again. As I understand it, the usual procedure when prepaid tipping (as for RC) is to tip some staff such as porters and room service, which are "extra" services. However RC now charge $7.95 for room service which includes gratuity. So I have the choice of either facing the social awkwardness of not tipping room service or the annoyance of paying twice for tips. What do you do? I never feel awkward not tipping, if the receipt clearly says I already did. For example, when I ate in a specialty restaurant, I would have tipped extra. Now, the price has the 18% added, and is clearly marked that I paid 18%. I don't feel awkward at not tipping more. Same for drinks. The tip is added, therefore I do not feel a need, and do not feel awkward in the slightest. I ate in a restaurant that the receipt showed a 15% tip. I added a small amount to it, but I did not double tip. Think I added about 4.5% with rounding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted October 23, 2018 #23 Share Posted October 23, 2018 That's right...when they started INCLUDING tips in everything, they don't expect you to tip additionally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frayedend Posted October 23, 2018 #24 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Do automatic tips show up on all receipts? Like if I get a drink with the deluxe drink package, I've already paid a tip. Will I get a receipt each time? I'm always bothered by included tips when I'm basically not sure if the person providing the service is aware of the tip already being paid. I've had this with limo drivers to the airport and room service type things before. I wouldn't want to be tipping extra but I do always feel like I should be tipping again at time of service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 23, 2018 #25 Share Posted October 23, 2018 1 minute ago, frayedend said: Do automatic tips show up on all receipts? Like if I get a drink with the deluxe drink package, I've already paid a tip. Will I get a receipt each time? I'm always bothered by included tips when I'm basically not sure if the person providing the service is aware of the tip already being paid. I've had this with limo drivers to the airport and room service type things before. I wouldn't want to be tipping extra but I do always feel like I should be tipping again at time of service. You may or may not get a receipt to sign for drinks ordered under a drink package. However, the servers know that all drink packages already have had gratuities charged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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