Prepay Gratuities?

[Javert1969]

Hi - our cruise agent told us that we can prepay the gratuities if we want before the cruise on the Royal app.

 

However I can't find that option?

 

Also is there any reason to do this - e.g. do you get a discount for paying before the cruise?  Otherwise I don't see much point in prepay.

[Ourusualbeach]

2 minutes ago, Javert1969 said:

Hi - our cruise agent told us that we can prepay the gratuities if we want before the cruise on the Royal app.

 

However I can't find that option?

 

Also is there any reason to do this - e.g. do you get a discount for paying before the cruise?  Otherwise I don't see much point in prepay.

No advantage other than not having a cc bill to pay t the end of the cruise

[d9704011]

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

No advantage other than not having a cc bill to pay t the end of the cruise

I suppose if the grats are prepaid and the daily rate goes up $1 pppd, one could claim a substantial savings!

[Biker19]

7 minutes ago, Javert1969 said:

However I can't find that option?

Once booked, you have to call to add those - can't do it online.

[crazyank]

14 minutes ago, Javert1969 said:

Also is there any reason to do this - e.g. do you get a discount for paying before the cruise?  Otherwise I don't see much point in prepay.

You're correct, there is no point in prepaying gratuities

[kernow]

We always add the gratuities when we book, no real advantage apart from then we can just forget about it.

[Scottdalfonso]

You have to call RC or your travel agent to do that, no option online once you book the trip. I pre-pay because it's one less thing to worry about.. I like getting on the ship at a zero balance.

[runner15km]

I prefer to hold on to my money as long as I can. 😃

[firefly333]

27 minutes ago, runner15km said:

I prefer to hold on to my money as long as I can. 😃

This, and also I want to apply any extra obc to my tips. Cant if I prepay. 

[bigque]

I prepay and have since my very first cruise. It’s just added into your cruise price so it’s not really hanging onto your money has some say. I don’t want any bill at the end of the cruise. 

[superduper123]

2 hours ago, runner15km said:

I prefer to hold on to my money as long as I can. 😃

Absolutely! We never prepay. 

[poocher]

Not sure what the interest might come to on the amount of the gratuities for 90 days.  I always say I don’t pay for anything before I have to but this is an exception for me.  It’s just part of the cruise fare.

[George C]

3 hours ago, runner15km said:

I prefer to hold on to my money as long as I can. 😃

I am with you why let rccl hold your money if not necessary.

[Mum2Mercury]

I always pre-pay.  Reasons to do so: 

- I like to take care of all my necessities in one fell swoop.  No need to think about tips onboard.  I can't forget or come up with too little cash in my wallet.  It's just easier for me (and easier for the crew).  

- I pay with my RC credit card, so by paying tips ahead of time I earn points, which can turn into OBC.  By paying ahead of time, this OBC might be available for this cruise.  

- In reality, the money I'm "losing" by not keeping my money in my savings account is negligible ... like less than a dollar.  

 

Yes, as others have said, if you're already booked, you'll need to make a phone call to add tips to your account.  

 

Edited April 20, 2023 by Mum2Mercury

[BennyandBo]

If you pre pay you cannot remove them. Otherwise, if for any reason you choose to remove gratuities for any reason, just go to guest services or call guest services from your cabin and you can have them removed. Maybe your unhappy with the service, maybe you prefer to tip in cash, maybe you just don't like tipping. Pre paying will take that option away.

[George C]

53 minutes ago, BennyandBo said:

If you pre pay you cannot remove them. Otherwise, if for any reason you choose to remove gratuities for any reason, just go to guest services or call guest services from your cabin and you can have them removed. Maybe your unhappy with the service, maybe you prefer to tip in cash, maybe you just don't like tipping. Pre paying will take that option away.

I can’t imagine removing gratitudes 

[Jam0610]

We always have TA add to our bill. One less item to worry about.

[Ashland]

I pre-pay mine with my final payment balance.

[time4u2go]

3 hours ago, George C said:

I am with you why let rccl hold your money if not necessary.

I agree with this also.  It's my money, I'll hold onto it as long as I can.

[poocher]

When you prepay, that’s when it gets paid, with final payment at 90 days. It’s not like you pay it when you add it.  It doesn’t change the initial deposit.  So $320ish for 90 days.  What’s the savings?

[cruiselvr04]

It depends on how much OBC I have.  If I have more then I plan to spend on board I will wait to pay them.  If not I pre pay. I prefer to get it out the way.  

[time4u2go]

6 hours ago, firefly333 said:

This, and also I want to apply any extra obc to my tips. Cant if I prepay. 

That's a great point also.

[BennyandBo]

3 hours ago, George C said:

I can’t imagine removing gratitudes 

With the poor quality service people have been complaining about the past few months, it's wise to keep it open as an option. And many many do.

[George C]

43 minutes ago, BennyandBo said:

With the poor quality service people have been complaining about the past few months, it's wise to keep it open as an option. And many many do.

Will have to disagree, if service isn’t up to normal quality we will limit the extra tips that we always give to room steward, waiters , bar tenders etc 

[Sunshine3601]

I typically pay per day while onboard but most recently we booked a cruise for early 2025 and I put the current pre-pay grats on as I suspect they will have another increase by then so we should be locked into the current rate by doing this.