Can we use OBC for the Genie gratuities?

[suometar]

First time on RCL. Originally booked the Sky Loft suite but switched to Grand Loft suite because of all the extras included in the star class (including the Genie). We usually sail NCL in the Haven which includes a butler and concierge whom we tip using OBC. Can we do that on RCL? We prefer not to carry a lot of cash around.

 

 

 

[bajathree]

42 minutes ago, suometar said:

First time on RCL. Originally booked the Sky Loft suite but switched to Grand Loft suite because of all the extras included in the star class (including the Genie). We usually sail NCL in the Haven which includes a butler and concierge whom we tip using OBC. Can we do that on RCL? We prefer not to carry a lot of cash around.

 

 

 

The only way that I know that you may be able to possibly use your OBC to tip say a genie or conceirge would be going to the casino...go to one of the slot machines...do a room charge for whatever amount you want...hit cash out.....and then take the ticket to the window and cash it out....you will then have cash in hand to tip whoever you like. Your account should use up the OBC on  it before using the credit card on file. 

Edited February 9, 2023 by bajathree

[DaKahuna]

4 hours ago, suometar said:

First time on RCL. Originally booked the Sky Loft suite but switched to Grand Loft suite because of all the extras included in the star class (including the Genie). We usually sail NCL in the Haven which includes a butler and concierge whom we tip using OBC. Can we do that on RCL? We prefer not to carry a lot of cash around.

 

 

 

 

 Go to the suite Concierge and request an additional gratuities form.  Fill out this form naming the specific person and their position or a venue on the ship.  Turn this back in to the Concierge or to Guest Services.  The total amount of gratuities will be charged to your onboard account, which goes again any OBC with remainder going against your credit card or cash account. 

 

This is what I did on Quantum of the Seas on our last cruise to tip the sushi chef and our stateroom attendant.

.  

[CAT GIRL]

  DaKahuna has it correct. Very easy to do.

[bajathree]

I am betting that they would much prefer cash in hand...just saying.

[suometar]

12 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 Go to the suite Concierge and request an additional gratuities form.  Fill out this form naming the specific person and their position or a venue on the ship.  Turn this back in to the Concierge or to Guest Services.  The total amount of gratuities will be charged to your onboard account, which goes again any OBC with remainder going against your credit card or cash account. 

 

This is what I did on Quantum of the Seas on our last cruise to tip the sushi chef and our stateroom attendant.

.  

 

Thank you!

[suometar]

1 hour ago, bajathree said:

I am betting that they would much prefer cash in hand...just saying.

 

We do leave cash tips for waiters and bartenders, but I suspect the genie expects a little more than one or five dollar bills 😄

[DaKahuna]

1 hour ago, bajathree said:

I am betting that they would much prefer cash in hand...just saying.

 

Actually, from what I understand, it goes directly into their paycheck..

 

[bajathree]

22 minutes ago, suometar said:

 

We do leave cash tips for waiters and bartenders, but I suspect the genie expects a little more than one or five dollar bills 😄

I am sure you are correct...lol

[Djsmrs]

We've used OBC twice to add to our genie's tip - easy to do and saves having to bring so much cash.

[RobInMN]

ok, stupid question tie in. We will be in our first Star class next Fall.

With or without OBC, can you simply charge the Genie tip to your on board account and have it charged to your CC at the end with all your other on board charges?

[DaKahuna]

49 minutes ago, RobInMN said:

ok, stupid question tie in. We will be in our first Star class next Fall.

With or without OBC, can you simply charge the Genie tip to your on board account and have it charged to your CC at the end with all your other on board charges?

 

I would assume that you could using the additional gratuities form, or speaking with the Suite Concierge or Guest Services.  I know we have done it for stateroom attendants.  We've never had a Genie. 

 

 

Edited February 10, 2023 by DaKahuna

[LeeW]

49 minutes ago, RobInMN said:

ok, stupid question tie in. We will be in our first Star class next Fall.

With or without OBC, can you simply charge the Genie tip to your on board account and have it charged to your CC at the end with all your other on board charges?

Only way is to fill out form.

[little britain]

If you have not prepaid your gratuities then they are automatically added on board; and yes, you can use obc to offset against the gratuities payments. There is no need for any forms. 

[DaKahuna]

13 minutes ago, little britain said:

If you have not prepaid your gratuities then they are automatically added on board; and yes, you can use obc to offset against the gratuities payments. There is no need for any forms. 

 

I believe we are discussing tips over and above onboard gratuities. 

 

Are Genies even in the automatic tipping pool?  

 

[little britain]

34 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 

Are Genies even in the automatic tipping pool?  

 

If I prepay my tips I assume it goes towards those that serve me, including my 🧞‍♀️ Genies. I have never heard otherwise.

If the prepaid tips don’t go to the Genies 🧞‍♀️ then where do they go? 

[jbrinkm]

6 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Actually, from what I understand, it goes directly into their paycheck..

 

 

I wish there was a way to confirm this for sure. We had an unexpected situation during one of our port stops on our last cruise and ended up spending a lot of our extra cash that we had with us and didn't have what we wanted at the end of the cruise to do all the extra tipping we wanted to do. I didn't know about the casino hack for cash, so I filled out one of those forms and used our OBC to tip our cabin attendant. I left a note for him the last night saying we had given him some extra through the form and when we saw him again later and I asked if he had gotten the message, he said yes but seemed disappointed. I might have been reading too much into it, or it could have been about something else, but I've wondered since then if the staff does not prefer to receive tips that way. Maybe they get taxed on it if it goes into their paychecks?

 

For our next cruise, we'll bring extra, EXTRA cash along with us!

[RobInMN]

3 hours ago, little britain said:

If I prepay my tips I assume it goes towards those that serve me, including my 🧞‍♀️ Genies. I have never heard otherwise.

If the prepaid tips don’t go to the Genies 🧞‍♀️ then where do they go? 

This is actually incorrect. In the Star class, you get the Genie, and gratuities are complimentary (not "pre-paid" - although included in your cabin cost). 

"Complimentary Gratuities benefit applies only to onboard staff who provide standard dining and culinary services, stateroom and general housekeeping services. Star guests may tip their Royal Genie and Concierge separately, at their own discretion."

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-royal-suite-class

 

[not-enough-cruising]

7 hours ago, little britain said:

If you have not prepaid your gratuities then they are automatically added on board; and yes, you can use obc to offset against the gratuities payments. There is no need for any forms. 

 

6 hours ago, little britain said:

If I prepay my tips I assume it goes towards those that serve me, including my 🧞‍♀️ Genies. I have never heard otherwise.

If the prepaid tips don’t go to the Genies 🧞‍♀️ then where do they go? 

Genies don't work for pooled tips

Edited February 11, 2023 by not-enough-cruising

[bajathree]

14 hours ago, jbrinkm said:

 

I wish there was a way to confirm this for sure. We had an unexpected situation during one of our port stops on our last cruise and ended up spending a lot of our extra cash that we had with us and didn't have what we wanted at the end of the cruise to do all the extra tipping we wanted to do. I didn't know about the casino hack for cash, so I filled out one of those forms and used our OBC to tip our cabin attendant. I left a note for him the last night saying we had given him some extra through the form and when we saw him again later and I asked if he had gotten the message, he said yes but seemed disappointed. I might have been reading too much into it, or it could have been about something else, but I've wondered since then if the staff does not prefer to receive tips that way. Maybe they get taxed on it if it goes into their paychecks?

 

For our next cruise, we'll bring extra, EXTRA cash along with us!

Like I said in my prior post...I am sure they prefer cash....everyone prefers cash.

[bigeck]

12 hours ago, RobInMN said:

This is actually incorrect. In the Star class, you get the Genie, and gratuities are complimentary (not "pre-paid" - although included in your cabin cost). 

"Complimentary Gratuities benefit applies only to onboard staff who provide standard dining and culinary services, stateroom and general housekeeping services. Star guests may tip their Royal Genie and Concierge separately, at their own discretion."

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-royal-suite-class

 

So the Genie gets a decent wage from Royal like the Concierge. Tips are an extra bonus

[MoWanchuk]

We always have make sure we have cash for the Genie. Having worked in a service role in school and not knowing how long disbursement takes from RCCL on the back end, cash is always best and appreciated IME.  We also throw the cabin attendant some extra cash as well. The wages paid and standard gratuities are small and even a healthy tip to these folks is still a very small percentage of what the trip costs.  

Edited February 11, 2023 by MoWanchuk