Tips with specialty dining package

[actuarian]

The cruise line tells us that a tip is included in the package but they never tell us how much.  I always assume that the included tip is pretty pathetic.  Therefore, I always add an additional tip by trying to estimate what I would tip for a similar meal on land.  I then assume that the cruise line has provided about one third of that amount so I add the other two thirds of that amount.

[marci22]

2 minutes ago, actuarian said:

The cruise line tells us that a tip is included in the package but they never tell us how much.  I always assume that the included tip is pretty pathetic.  Therefore, I always add an additional tip by trying to estimate what I would tip for a similar meal on land.  I then assume that the cruise line has provided about one third of that amount so I add the other two thirds of that amount.

That sounds like what an actuarian would do.

[John&LaLa]

50 minutes ago, marci22 said:

The service charge is included in the price when you purchase online. Service charge is in addition to the price if you book onboard.

 

My point is, it's the same base price. Online or on ship. 

[Colorado Babe]

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I thought it was the opposite. No added tip when bought online, but they add the 18% if you make reservations onboard. 🤔

It is included. However, we always include an additional tip. The additional amount varies depending upon service and food. 

Edited April 22, 2019 by Colorado Babe

[John&LaLa]

17 minutes ago, Colorado Babe said:

It is included. However, we always include an additional tip. The additional amount varies depending upon service and food. 

 

I get it and agree, but why is it the same price online and onboard? So the tip is included for $39.99 online, but they add 18% to the $39.99 if you book on the ship. 🤔

 

That's silly. 

[Thorben-Hendrik]

49 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I get it and agree, but why is it the same price online and onboard? So the tip is included for $39.99 online, but they add 18% to the $39.99 if you book on the ship. 🤔

 

That's silly. 

To them it makes no difference anyway... Tips are a scam! 🙄

[El Abuelo]

The dining package purchased on the cruise planner includes an 18% service charge, but that money goes to RCI for their use. Some of it may reach the wait staff attending us, but there’s no way to know. A service charge is not a tip. 

 

i suspect most of the people dealing with the public in hospitality positions onboard are not well paid. At the end of the specialty meal we give a cash tip to the waitstaff,  increasing the amount if the service made the meal more enjoyable. It’s a small thing for us and potentially much more significant for the recipient.

[Colorado Babe]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I get it and agree, but why is it the same price online and onboard? So the tip is included for $39.99 online, but they add 18% to the $39.99 if you book on the ship. 🤔

 

That's silly. 

You know as well as i do that anything you buy on board is negotiable!

[4774Papa]

I just purchased the three meal dining package for $79 pp on Serenade.  I could only book the time in advance for a night either on the  first or second night.  Picked the second night, which is a sea day. Even though it is at 8pm (a little late), I will try to change once onboard or if necessary dine at 8.  This is a pretty good deal, That is about $27 per meal.

[jcc1025]

On 4/18/2019 at 7:28 AM, happyjen27 said:

Does this make a difference in service do you think? 

 

Do people without dining package get better service than people with the dining package?

Do not really think it makes a lot of difference but knowing how hard this folks work to make our trip special, and having worked in a public service profession I always tip up because they deserve it. 

[RFerrington]

5 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I thought it was the opposite. No added tip when bought online, but they add the 18% if you make reservations onboard. 🤔

This is correct

[later]

4 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

My point is, it's the same base price. Online or on ship. 

John,

 

it it was my understanding that only the dining packages bought in advance did not get charge the tip but if you pebooked A specific specialty restaurant they added the 18% when the give you the bill/receipt after you eat.  

 

Is is this not the case?

 

-Tim-

[Iamcruzin]

If you make reservations on board, is the gratuity added to the meal or are you filling in a blank line with a $ amount?

[John&LaLa]

2 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

If you make reservations on board, is the gratuity added to the meal or are you filling in a blank line with a $ amount?

 

They will add 18% onto the bill

[John&LaLa]

3 hours ago, El Abuelo said:

The dining package purchased on the cruise planner includes an 18% service charge, but that money goes to RCI for their use. Some of it may reach the wait staff attending us, but there’s no way to know. A service charge is not a tip. 

 

i suspect most of the people dealing with the public in hospitality positions onboard are not well paid. At the end of the specialty meal we give a cash tip to the waitstaff,  increasing the amount if the service made the meal more enjoyable. It’s a small thing for us and potentially much more significant for the recipient.

 

Not really accurate. There may be something built into the total, but it is not 18%.

 

I still struggle that the price is the price, but online it includes a gratuity,  and onboard it does not. And so they add an extra 18%

Edited April 23, 2019 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, Colorado Babe said:

You know as well as i do that anything you buy on board is negotiable!

 

Yes, but that's really not the point

[John&LaLa]

47 minutes ago, later said:

John,

 

it it was my understanding that only the dining packages bought in advance did not get charge the tip but if you pebooked A specific specialty restaurant they added the 18% when the give you the bill/receipt after you eat.  

 

Is is this not the case?

 

-Tim-

 

Packages or individual meals booked online do not get an additional gratuity added at checkout.

 

However, drink packages do. Go figure

[Colorado Babe]

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Yes, but that's really not the point

The point is, there is no consistency with RC. 

[John&LaLa]

9 minutes ago, Colorado Babe said:

The point is, there is no consistency with RC. 

 

Sorry, what I'm talking about has nothing to with inconsistencies.  Its always done this way.

[Colorado Babe]

24 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Sorry, what I'm talking about has nothing to with inconsistencies.  Its always done this way.

Prices differ each sailing. Pre cruise is cheaper and varies. On board it varies from ship to ship. Gratuities included pre cruise on website. On ship they are added to total price. The cost per pkg also varies depending on negotiated price. To many incosistencies. 

[John&LaLa]

5 minutes ago, Colorado Babe said:

Prices differ each sailing. Pre cruise is cheaper and varies. On board it varies from ship to ship. Gratuities included pre cruise on website. On ship they are added to total price. The cost per pkg also varies depending on negotiated price. To many incosistencies. 

 

Kinda true, but how the tips are added pre cruise vs onboard is very consistent.  

 

That is the point I am trying to make. 

 

Interesting enough, some people get it. 

[Colorado Babe]

11 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Kinda true, but how the tips are added pre cruise vs onboard is very consistent.  

 

That is the point I am trying to make. 

 

Interesting enough, some people get it. 

Then why did you ask on post 39?  Do you get a special thrill being sarcastic all the time and trying to make others feel less superior then you?  I just don't understand why you have to be so condescending all the time.  On the FB page many have blocked you--Your reputation is definitely following you.       

[later]

14 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Packages or individual meals booked online do not get an additional gratuity added at checkout.

 

However, drink packages do. Go figure

Thanks for the info John.  We typically buy the ultimate package so I guess I was misinformed about the other.

 

We are headed out on the Allure which Is our replacement cruise from the casino for the January sick cruise.

 

-Tim-

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, Colorado Babe said:

Then why did you ask on post 39?  Do you get a special thrill being sarcastic all the time and trying to make others feel less superior then you?  I just don't understand why you have to be so condescending all the time.  On the FB page many have blocked you--Your reputation is definitely following you.       

 

For what it's worth, I'm very happy with my reputation here. As far as Facebook,  that place is a minefield of really nasty people compared to here. Thank goodness for the CC mods

 

As far as post #39, I answered a question accurately.  Which is what I do most of the time.  And yes sometimes I throw in humor and sarcasm. It works for me.  Overall, I'm fairly helpful around here.

Edited April 23, 2019 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

14 minutes ago, later said:

Thanks for the info John.  We typically buy the ultimate package so I guess I was misinformed about the other.

 

We are headed out on the Allure which Is our replacement cruise from the casino for the January sick cruise.

 

-Tim-

 

You're welcome. I just purchased the 3 night pkg for our Serenade TA.  That's why I was fairly knowledgeable on the subject.  

 

Enjoy Allure

Edited April 23, 2019 by John&LaLa