Gratuity added in advance booking a Specialty Dining Reservation on website??

[edgekid]

We are sailing on the Beyond, February, 2023..As we usually do on Celebrity website, wanted to book our specialty restaurants in advance..However, we now see that Celebrity is adding an 18% gratuity to the cost of the restaurant booking..Never had to pay a gratuity in advance..So, in the event that the service is below par, we have pre-committed to an 18% gratuity..I understand that although we have prepaid gratuities, specialty restaurants may not be included under that umbrella..But, any added gratuity to my experience in a specialty restaurant should be determined by us, not Celebrity..

Edited July 16, 2022 by edgekid

[jelayne]

The addition of the 18% gratuity at the end of April.  Much discussion since then.  In my opinion they should have just raised the price since it has been a number of years since the specialty restaurant prices have gone up,

 

This is really no different than if you purchase a bottle of wine, drink over your package limit or get a service from the salon or take a fitness class with a fee all of those have a automatic gratuity added.

[edgekid]

Appreciate the response, however it's my understanding that a gratuity is based on service that I have received, not paid in advance for service I may receive.

[markeb]

It was always part of the charge. Rather than raise the price of the specialties, they pulled out the cost of the gratuity and listed it separately. Would you be happier if they'd just raised the cover charge by 18%? I believe that's what they've done in some markets. You're paying either way.

[edgekid]

Sorry, don't agree.. based on cruises that I've been on, the prices have remained consistent and they just decided to add on a gratuity.. raising the price of the restaurants would at least be explainable and acceptable, given today's economy.. Raising the price by adding an 18% gratuity is insulting. Plus in the past you were able to buy a three or four night package at a relatively good discount, now the savings is a "whopping" 7 to 9%..

[cruisestitch]

Last week I went to lunch with a large group of friends. The restaurant made it clear that a mandatory gratuity would be charged.  It happens.  
 

When I get my hair done on Celebrity, a mandatory gratuity is added to the bill. It happens.

 

I don’t like it, but that’s what I have to pay and I understand it.

[markeb]

I didn’t say it was a smart way to do it. There are probably 6-10 threads on this topic going back to April. As I recall, in the UK they raised the price by 18%. I agree with @jelayne that they should have just raised the price and kept the gratuity embedded, but there are 2-3 threads over the last month about specialty restaurant gratuities. 
 

if you have a solution, I think X needs a new director of marketing. 

[edgekid]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion; no reason to be a smart-ass.

Edited July 16, 2022 by edgekid

[DirtyDawg]

I agree with the OP that this sucks. Try writing to Celebrity and see if they will waive the gratuity for you.  If that doesn't work, I guess you could just cancel the specialty restaurants and don't give X the extra business. Good luck.

[jelayne]

4 minutes ago, DirtyDawg said:

I agree with the OP that this sucks. Try writing to Celebrity and see if they will waive the gratuity for you.  If that doesn't work, I guess you could just cancel the specialty restaurants and don't give X the extra business. Good luck.

Write Celebrity?   Why would they waive the gratuity, I don’t recall anything that makes the  OPs situation any different than any other cruiser who booked a specialty restaurant since the change.  Whether it is called a gratuity on some ships or just a new price on other ships the bottom line specialty dining cost has gone up by 18%.  Just like prices on many things these days. 

 

[DirtyDawg]

24 minutes ago, jelayne said:

Write Celebrity?   Why would they waive the gratuity, I don’t recall anything that makes the  OPs situation any different than any other cruiser who booked a specialty restaurant since the change.  Whether it is called a gratuity on some ships or just a new price on other ships the bottom line specialty dining cost has gone up by 18%.  Just like prices on many things these days. 

 

Only one thing is certain. If the Op does not request the gratuities be waived there is zero chance X would waive them. Will writing to management work? I highly doubt it but it's up to the OP to determine if it would be worth it to them to try given the long odds against. Lot's of folks sail on cruise ships and bet real money in the casino on long shots too.  So think of the OP writing to management as just going to the casino a couple of months early. 😉

 

Edited July 17, 2022 by DirtyDawg

[keesar]

6 hours ago, edgekid said:

We are sailing on the Beyond, February, 2023..As we usually do on Celebrity website, wanted to book our specialty restaurants in advance..However, we now see that Celebrity is adding an 18% gratuity to the cost of the restaurant booking..Never had to pay a gratuity in advance..So, in the event that the service is below par, we have pre-committed to an 18% gratuity..I understand that although we have prepaid gratuities, specialty restaurants may not be included under that umbrella..But, any added gratuity to my experience in a specialty restaurant should be determined by us, not Celebrity..

 

There has always been an 18% gratuity embedded in  the cost of dining in a Specialty Restaurant.  You paid it with the "cost of admission".  What they are doing now is removing the prepaid gratuity and using that 18% to cover increases in food, utilities, etc.  Now the former 18%  gratuity has been added back  on as an additional expense. Confusing but the bottom like is that there is an 18% increase in dining at a Specialty Restaurant any way you look at it.  

 

 

[wrk2cruise]

I know the gratuity was included in specialty dining since it's inception.  I never heard a percentage.  At one time before Luminae suites got a free specialty dinner for every 7 days cruised.  At that time they charged a $5 gratuity (around 10%) for these free dinners.  That didn't last too long and they were actually "free".

 

I think the 18% is just crazy.  Why not 20% like beverages etc?  Why make it different?

[DirtyDawg]

3 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

I think the 18% is just crazy.  Why not 20% like beverages etc?  Why make it different?

Do you really want to get into the heads of those marketing geniuses at Celebrity? That's one very large rabbit hole you'd be going down.  😉

[jelayne]

2 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

I know the gratuity was included in specialty dining since it's inception.  I never heard a percentage.  At one time before Luminae suites got a free specialty dinner for every 7 days cruised.  At that time they charged a $5 gratuity (around 10%) for these free dinners.  That didn't last too long and they were actually "free".

 

I think the 18% is just crazy.  Why not 20% like beverages etc?  Why make it different?

Spa, salon & fitness service added gratuity is 18%.

[edgekid]

14 hours ago, DirtyDawg said:

Only one thing is certain. If the Op does not request the gratuities be waived there is zero chance X would waive them. Will writing to management work? I highly doubt it but it's up to the OP to determine if it would be worth it to them to try given the long odds against. Lot's of folks sail on cruise ships and bet real money in the casino on long shots too.  So think of the OP writing to management as just going to the casino a couple of months early. 😉

 

Appreciate your logic and suggestion.. believe me, I understand price increases..my only point was "just raise the cost of the experience, don't show it as a gratuity, which to me appears to be a ploy to buy in to the "of course, I want to help the server" philosophy.. if the service is good, rest assured, I will take care of them..

[jelayne]

Interestingly that is what they did on some ships.  Murano was $50, add 18%  gratuity and it is $59.  But on the Solstice they upped the price to $59 and no added gratuity. Personally I think that is what they should have done across the board.

[thebutlerdidit]

5 hours ago, jelayne said:

Interestingly that is what they did on some ships.  Murano was $50, add 18%  gratuity and it is $59.  But on the Solstice they upped the price to $59 and no added gratuity. Personally I think that is what they should have done across the board.

I agree. I’d rather see the total cost up front rather than a surprise charge. It would feel more honest. 

[Pennstatedj]

We just got off BTB and we did both Murano and Tuscan. Everything is as people say 18 % was added to bill, however you no longer get a bill while dinning so if you want to see breakdown you must go to Guest Services for a copy. I had to go there to see if we got our discount for Elite Plus. 

We had a great meal at each. Murano was superior but now is more expensive. 

When I booked on board I booked with CC host concierge and second one I booked at Murano. I was told at Murano that there was a charge but not with concierge. I knew it though. We used to add a tip so actually they are getting less. Makes no sense. 

Another note, they ran out of premium Chardonnay, both Mer Sol and Steel were gone on first cruise. It was interesting to see what they would offer in its place. We dined in Blu and was really taken care of. No complaints, but they are regularly running out both I hear. 

[Kate-in-Canada]

I consider it all user fees with a misleading name.

Gratuity is supposed to be a thanks in gratitude for excellent service, and would be at the users choice of when and how much. 
I dislike the policy but so many places in upscale service industry do it, and the only way to escape is either not participate or complain excessively to claw back some dollars which puts blame on employees. Neither is okay with me, so I just call it fee and accept if I want the service, i need to be okay with the total price.

those it does still bug me when places that have handed you a bill with the fee/gratuity  added on, and still have an extra tip line. Nope.