paying gratuities upfront

[rotman253]

Hello,
My cruise is in Oct. 9th later this year.
Since gratuities are about to hike, I want to pay it upfront right now.
How can I do it?
Thanks

[welovetahiti]

Call Royal and give them credit card info.  I did so today for next 3 cruises.  This insures you pay gratuities at current rate before amount goes up.

[rotman253]

6 minutes ago, welovetahiti said:

Call Royal and give them credit card info.  I did so today for next 3 cruises.  This insures you pay gratuities at current rate before amount goes up.

Thanks for replying.
Isn't there an option to do it online?

[welovetahiti]

I received an email which states a call to your local Royal office is necessary to pre-pay gratuities.

[Merion_Mom]

9 minutes ago, rotman253 said:

Thanks for replying.
Isn't there an option to do it online?

 

The only time you can pre-pay your gratuities on line is when you are booking a cruise on line.  There's a box to check in.  If you decide to do it later, you must call.

[TheRegas]

I recall getting the email but I can't find it now. When do the gratuity costs go up?

[firefly333]

2 minutes ago, TheRegas said:

I recall getting the email but I can't find it now. When do the gratuity costs go up?

Sept 7 I think it said. Lol right before my sept 11 cruise.

[artvlay]

Can you use OBC to pay these on the phone?

Also, can you call  RC direct to do this or do you have to do it through travel agent? 

[rotman253]

I've just called them in my local phone number and set this up.

[Ourusualbeach]

20 hours ago, artvlay said:

Can you use OBC to pay these on the phone?

Also, can you call  RC direct to do this or do you have to do it through travel agent? 

You cannot use OBC to pay for them even if you call.

 

If you booked through a TA you have to call your TA to have them added

[nelblu]

2 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

You cannot use OBC to pay for them even if you call.

 

If you booked through a TA you have to call your TA to have them added

My sail is on September 3. will there be a split of old and new rates based on the effective date.

[Ourusualbeach]

2 minutes ago, nelblu said:

My sail is on September 3. will there be a split of old and new rates based on the effective date.

It is effective for sailing departing Sept 7 and beyond

[taglovestocruise]

$1.50 pp pd to make up for all the " I will remove my gratuities as soon as I board" crowd. 

[nelblu]

18 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

It is effective for sailing departing Sept 7 and beyond

You know you would think that the D+ desk would have knowledgeable people.

 

First asked the agent to verify the 3 days test requirement for C19 as I'm sailing this Saturday.  He told me 2 days for vaxxed Paxs.  Asked him to verify and after 5 minutes, he apologized and said that it was 3 and not 2.

Hoping those folks at check-in are knowledgeable.

 

Second asked about the grats old/new and he told me that the old rate up to 9/6 and the new rate effective 9/7. 

 

😜😜

Edited August 30, 2022 by nelblu

[Ourusualbeach]

22 minutes ago, nelblu said:

You know you would think that the D+ desk would have knowledgeable people.

 

First asked the agent to verify the 3 days test requirement for C19 as I'm sailing this Saturday.  He told me 2 days for vaxxed Paxs.  Asked him to verify and after 5 minutes, he apologized and said that it was 3 and not 2.

Hoping those folks at check-in are knowledgeable.

 

Second asked about the grats old/new and he told me that the old rate up to 9/6 and the new rate effective 9/7. 

 

😜😜

Sorry to say but the D+ desk is the exact same agents everyone gets.  Pressing 9 just gets you moved up in the queue.  They did away with the dedicated desk years ago.

 

 

[nelblu]

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

Sorry to say but the D+ desk is the exact same agents everyone gets.  Pressing 9 just gets you moved up in the queue.  They did away with the dedicated desk years ago.

 

 

Too bad, as they used to be quite helpful and very knowledgeable.  I think next time, I'll call the Casino desk.

[sandebeach]

4 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Too bad, as they used to be quite helpful and very knowledgeable.  I think next time, I'll call the Casino desk.

I agree, I have sometimes gotten the very best customer service through the Casino reps. 

[jamesnnb]

On 8/27/2022 at 3:23 PM, welovetahiti said:

I received an email which states a call to your local Royal office is necessary to pre-pay gratuities.

Are you able to post your email here?

[VTSKIandCRUISEGUY]

You can also call your travel agent, if that's how you booked. That's what I did today for our 3 upcoming cruises.

[little britain]

1 hour ago, jamesnnb said:

Are you able to post your email here?

“To pre-pay your gratuities before your sailing at the current rate, or if you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor or contact us at: ……”