Gratuities Are Going Up Again, Effective 11.11.2023

[not-enough-cruising]

35 minutes ago, tottenhamfc said:

According to Brits they said that their laws dictate the compulsory grats. Have no clue about U S laws. Why woukd they use the currwnt model then if they are asking you to remove only for poor service?

Their laws do not dictate compulsory gratuity, the law dictates, pricing transparency.

They must post they complete all in price. 

[nelblu]

16 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said:

If Royal is having trouble with people removing them, they should made it a part of the fare. It might be easier to swallow.  

Or forbid removal of grats.

[not-enough-cruising]

35 minutes ago, Scottdalfonso said:

If they are told you get paid this PLUS gratuities, then they should be upset when they don't get them. A bartender on land takes a job knowing they are guaranteed a VERY VERY low pay, but knowing a good amount (if not most) of the pay will be coming from tips. 

Then they must be aware that gratuities are optional and not guaranteed.

My statement was they know what they’re guaranteed salary is, that is what you sign or do not sign the contract for.

They still get gratuities from me, it’s just in a different format.

[nelblu]

41 minutes ago, pcur said:

Interesting.  I did the exact opposite:  I notified my travel agent to prepay all my (15) booked cruises' tips.  I see tipping as part of the price of cruising, and have always, and will always, support the crew.

 

If that's the RCCL business model in-place, then that's the way I roll, too. If they include it in the price, than I'll roll that way, too.  It's ALWAYS been part of MY budget model to include tips as part of the price of a cruise.

Same here.

[not-enough-cruising]

27 minutes ago, iscruisingdunzo said:

Lol, yet I would bet and guess over 75% of their paying customers have NO IDEA gratuities are optional since RCI is shady and doesn't communicate this information clearly. 

Caveat Emptor

[not-enough-cruising]

22 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

What good does that list do? Are the cabin attendants going to give worse service? How do they know if they’re going to get cash tip or just get stiffed? I don’t think the lists if they do make them do any good for anything.

The list is solely for the accounting department so they can override the automatic billing

[not-enough-cruising]

5 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Or forbid removal of grats.

And that would be a competitive disadvantage

[nelblu]

48 minutes ago, UNCFanatik said:

 

and the employees agreed with their compensation model. I am under no obligation to supplement their income. That should be up to the employer. 

Do you take the same attitude at restaurants.😆 You should not tip at restaurants and ask them to include in the prices.

[orville99]

1 hour ago, tottenhamfc said:

100% agree. I am being converted to grat removal based on this debate. Never thought it was so prevalent

It isn’t prevalent, more a figment of your imagination.

[Ocean Boy]

29 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

What good does that list do? Are the cabin attendants going to give worse service? How do they know if they’re going to get cash tip or just get stiffed? I don’t think the lists if they do make them do any good for anything.

I think the "list" was so the request could expedited and the info enter into the computer later. Just a way of moving folks along and keep the length of the lines at GS down. 

[orville99]

1 hour ago, iscruisingdunzo said:

Exactly, just like it should not be our (the paying customer's) jobs to subsidize their salaries!

It isn’t your job either - you have a choice…

[HBE4]

4 hours ago, vjmatty said:

Do they still do the quarter in the basket every 5 miles on the GSP? My dad used to curse a blue streak of Greek swears every time he missed and had to back up 😂😂😂😂😂

 

Same with my dad. 🤣

 

I also remember some of the more popular exit ramps between toll booths also had their own toll booth for a dime.  I guess NJ didn't want people to "beat the system" by getting off an exit before the next big toll booth.

[tottenhamfc]

44 minutes ago, iscruisingdunzo said:

Lol, yet I would bet and guess over 75% of their paying customers have NO IDEA gratuities are optional since RCI is shady and doesn't communicate this information clearly. 

That was my point earlier. I am D+ and honestly thought this was specific only to countries that have laws prohibiting enforced tipping. I happened to be on a recent TA where a number of people were talking about this. 

[icsys]

1 hour ago, orville99 said:

Never said I agreed with the model, just that there is really only one ethical way to avoid dealing with it - Don't Cruise!

 

1 hour ago, tottenhamfc said:

That makes no sense because many are cruising and paying a different price than others due to grats removal. 

 

 

Many are cruising and paying a different price than others on the same cruise due to the Country they reside in and price drops that they cannot get!"  

[tottenhamfc]

9 minutes ago, orville99 said:

It isn’t prevalent, more a figment of your imagination.

And why so? Guest services told me 10% and on here some believe that it is a lot higher.

[tottenhamfc]

Just now, icsys said:

 

 

Many are cruising and paying a different price than others on the same cruise due to the Country they reside in and price drops that they cannot get!"  

That is a different issue. Should be 100% the same after currency conversion unless of course they realize non tipping nations should be penalized up front. 

[not-enough-cruising]

26 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Do you take the same attitude at restaurants.😆 You should not tip at restaurants and ask them to include in the prices.

Completely different business model; you are comparing apples and oranges. 
Furthermore, no one (at least me) is advocating to not tip. I just refuse to be guilted into blindly contributing a pre determined amount into a slush fund

[tottenhamfc]

36 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Then they must be aware that gratuities are optional and not guaranteed.

My statement was they know what they’re guaranteed salary is, that is what you sign or do not sign the contract for.

They still get gratuities from me, it’s just in a different format.

Ah but that is to direct face to face people. What about the ones behind the scenes that may work much harder than the ones you see. Dishwashers, washroom attendants, cooks, etc etc. Those are who the grats are intended for. That is why I suggested a split model

of half for all and half your choice

[Realrunner]

17 minutes ago, tottenhamfc said:

That was my point earlier. I am D+ and honestly thought this was specific only to countries that have laws prohibiting enforced tipping. I happened to be on a recent TA where a number of people were talking about this. 

I bet they don’t tip the stewards at white hart lane or should I say Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 🤣🤣

[ReneeFLL]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I don't really care about supply and demand. What I care about is whether or not I feel that I am getting good value for my money. I usually do a winter and spring cruise. Spring cruise isn't happening. I can't justify the expense.

 

And... all of your post makes perfect sense.

Are we not going to see you in February?

[tottenhamfc]

Just now, Realrunner said:

I bet they don’t tip the stewards at white hart lane or should I say Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 🤣🤣

They dont I am sure because tipping is non existent although creeping in to the society in Britain. You dont have to tip when you are top of the heap, the ticket price increase will dictate that which by the way is non negotiable.

[Ashland]

1 hour ago, tottenhamfc said:

100% agree. I am being converted to grat removal based on this debate. Never thought it was so prevalent

I never thought it possible but now am also considering just tipping those that do a service for us.

[oakleaf57]

Are RCCL "gratuities" amounts mandatory?  Can one reduce daily "gratuity" assessments at Guest Services?  Note:  It's TOTALLY illogical to reduce services (stateroom cleaning frequency, Food quality/selection, etc.) & INCREASE daily "gratuity" assessments $2.00 per person per day!  One way or another, I WILL NOT pay the increase!  Your thoughts?  We are Diamond Plus level RCCL cruisers.

[tottenhamfc]

Just now, oakleaf57 said:

Are RCCL "gratuities" amounts mandatory?  Can one reduce daily "gratuity" assessments at Guest Services?  Note:  It's TOTALLY illogical to reduce services (stateroom cleaning frequency, Food quality/selection, etc.) & INCREASE daily "gratuity" assessments $2.00 per person per day!  One way or another, I WILL NOT pay the increase!  Your thoughts?  We are Diamond Plus level RCCL cruisers.

This debate is converting a lot of people to tip as you see fit. I am converting, I am D+ also and have made my mind up also. I may only do 50% to ensure all employees are taken care of.

[RoyalC]

9 minutes ago, tottenhamfc said:

Ah but that is to direct face to face people. What about the ones behind the scenes that may work much harder than the ones you see. Dishwashers, washroom attendants, cooks, etc etc. Those are who the grats are intended for. That is why I suggested a split model

of half for all and half your choice

Those people should be paid regular salary. Otherwise why don't we pay for the cruise director, pursers, casino staff, engine room people who make the ship go forward, captain, Jason Liberty, etc.