HBE4 Posted November 8, 2023 #876 Share Posted November 8, 2023 13 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said: So yes there are cheap people who screw over crew members by removing gratuities, but fortunately these cheap passengers are the exception, not the norm. 1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said: Why am I gullible because I enjoy cruising on RCI? I realize everyone’s financial situation is different, but I wouldn’t be cruising 1-2 times every month if I thought cruising was expensive. Why do you continue to infer that people who opt-out of auto gratuities do so because they are not going to tip, are cheap, could not afford to cruise or want to screw over the crew members? I have yet to see one person post that they are not going to tip. 6 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said: I don’t think anyone disputes the fact that the current system allows passengers to remove gratuities without penalty. Correct. And if Royal is okay with people opting out of auto gratuities so the customer can tip who they want, when they want with whatever amount they want, then you should be okay with it as well. 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyderJ201 Posted November 8, 2023 #877 Share Posted November 8, 2023 Automatic gratuities can be removed at anytime for any reason (no reason ever ask for) by going to guest services or calling guests services from your cabin. It takes two seconds. No questions asked. Then you can tip what you want, to who you want, when you want. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TYMAN Posted November 8, 2023 #878 Share Posted November 8, 2023 Or, you can leave them in place, enjoy your cruise, and not think about it again. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springfire Posted November 8, 2023 #879 Share Posted November 8, 2023 18 minutes ago, TYMAN said: Or, you can leave them in place, enjoy your cruise, and not think about it again. 😉 Agreed! It's great to have a choice! 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamcruzin Posted November 8, 2023 #880 Share Posted November 8, 2023 I see auto gratuities being added more and more everyday at local restaurants on land. They also have added a service fee if you pay with a credit card. Given this and the increase in prices to account for inflation I have become less likely to tip extra. I used to be the advocate for paying the auto gratuity on a cruise ship but given the added expense and decline in service I'm now leaning towards reducing the tip by the amount of the increase. They all work hard Yada, Yada, Yada but so do I and I'm tied of paying towards the corporate payroll and not receiving the same experience. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted November 9, 2023 #881 Share Posted November 9, 2023 7 hours ago, HBE4 said: Why do you continue to infer that people who opt-out of auto gratuities do so because they are not going to tip, are cheap, could not afford to cruise or want to screw over the crew members? Because when people have no further points to make to support their position they resort to name calling and accusations. 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick B Posted November 9, 2023 #882 Share Posted November 9, 2023 Hi, IIRC if you pre-pay your gratuities when booking, you pay slightly less than what is charged on board. I believe you cannot remove these at any time before or during your cruise. However, by paying this way you have given something to the workers onboard in the way of a tip. Now, if once on board someone goes above and beyond their duty and you feel like giving them n envelope with some cash in, then that amount could contain say the difference between what the pre-paid gratuities were and what the auto gratuities would be - that way you have paid the full amount but only tipped the person or persons you feel deserve a bit extra. Everyone behind the scenes should still get something from your pre-paid grats. Remember, times are tough for some at the moment and some are working hard and want a holiday but are limited to what they can spend money on. I always choose to pre pay the grats when booking, but always too, make sure the cruise I am booking is affordable and worth the money in the first place. Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyderJ201 Posted November 9, 2023 #883 Share Posted November 9, 2023 52 minutes ago, Mick B said: I believe you cannot remove these at any time before or during your cruise This is not true. You can remove automatic gratuities at anytime during your trip. Many people do and have. Spreading false facts and information because you don't care for it is just plain sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted November 9, 2023 #884 Share Posted November 9, 2023 1 hour ago, Mick B said: Hi, IIRC if you pre-pay your gratuities when booking, you pay slightly less than what is charged on board. I believe you cannot remove these at any time before or during your cruise. However, by paying this way you have given something to the workers onboard in the way of a tip. Now, if once on board someone goes above and beyond their duty and you feel like giving them n envelope with some cash in, then that amount could contain say the difference between what the pre-paid gratuities were and what the auto gratuities would be - that way you have paid the full amount but only tipped the person or persons you feel deserve a bit extra. Everyone behind the scenes should still get something from your pre-paid grats. Remember, times are tough for some at the moment and some are working hard and want a holiday but are limited to what they can spend money on. I always choose to pre pay the grats when booking, but always too, make sure the cruise I am booking is affordable and worth the money in the first place. Mick. How did you nanage to fabricate this information? You pay exactly the same amount whether you pre pay gratuities or pay on the ship. The only time there might be a difference is when an increase has been announced. If you pre pay you typically pay the old rate and would pay the new rate if waiting to pay on the ship. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icsys Posted November 9, 2023 #885 Share Posted November 9, 2023 1 hour ago, Mick B said: Hi, IIRC if you pre-pay your gratuities when booking, you pay slightly less than what is charged on board. I believe you cannot remove these at any time before or during your cruise. However, by paying this way you have given something to the workers onboard in the way of a tip. Mick. 13 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said: How did you nanage to fabricate this information? You pay exactly the same amount whether you pre pay gratuities or pay on the ship. The only time there might be a difference is when an increase has been announced. If you pre pay you typically pay the old rate and would pay the new rate if waiting to pay on the ship. Its not fabrication, Mick is technically correct. Its to do with exchange rates: We have pre paid gratuities on a cruise in January. The cost is £84 GBP At todays exchange rate (1GBP=1.23USD) it is $103 Divide that by seven and it equates to $14.74 per day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icsys Posted November 9, 2023 #886 Share Posted November 9, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Mick B said: IIRC if you pre-pay your gratuities when booking, you pay slightly less than what is charged on board. I believe you cannot remove these at any time before or during your cruise. .... 1 hour ago, RyderJ201 said: This is not true. You can remove automatic gratuities at anytime during your trip. Many people do and have. Spreading false facts and information because you don't care for it is just plain sad. Mick is referring to PRE-PAID gratuities not automatic! Edited November 9, 2023 by icsys 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted November 9, 2023 #887 Share Posted November 9, 2023 34 minutes ago, icsys said: Its not fabrication, Mick is technically correct. Its to do with exchange rates: We have pre paid gratuities on a cruise in January. The cost is £84 GBP At todays exchange rate (1GBP=1.23USD) it is $103 Divide that by seven and it equates to $14.74 per day. Exchange rates are a whole different issue. I have no idea where he is located. He should have explained that. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyderJ201 Posted November 9, 2023 #888 Share Posted November 9, 2023 1 hour ago, icsys said: Mick is referring to PRE-PAID gratuities not automatic! My mistake then. Apologies. And Yes, pre paid cannot be removed once on board. Even if service is terrible. You have no recourse. Another reason to never pre pay. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyderJ201 Posted November 9, 2023 #889 Share Posted November 9, 2023 3 hours ago, Mick B said: Hi, IIRC if you pre-pay your gratuities when booking, you pay slightly less than what is charged on board. I believe you cannot remove these at any time before or during your cruise. However, by paying this way you have given something to the workers onboard in the way of a tip. Now, if once on board someone goes above and beyond their duty and you feel like giving them n envelope with some cash in, then that amount could contain say the difference between what the pre-paid gratuities were and what the auto gratuities would be - that way you have paid the full amount but only tipped the person or persons you feel deserve a bit extra. Everyone behind the scenes should still get something from your pre-paid grats. Remember, times are tough for some at the moment and some are working hard and want a holiday but are limited to what they can spend money on. I always choose to pre pay the grats when booking, but always too, make sure the cruise I am booking is affordable and worth the money in the first place. Mick. Apologies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyank Posted November 9, 2023 #890 Share Posted November 9, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, Mick B said: IIRC if you pre-pay your gratuities when booking, you pay slightly less than what is charged on board. I believe you cannot remove these at any time before or during your cruise. deleted Edited November 9, 2023 by crazyank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marci22 Posted November 9, 2023 #891 Share Posted November 9, 2023 Are the standard gratuities optional - yes. Does Royal Caribbean make it easy to choose to remove them - not really. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time4u2go Posted November 9, 2023 #892 Share Posted November 9, 2023 4 minutes ago, marci22 said: Does Royal Caribbean make it easy to choose to remove them - not really. Why do you say this? All one has to do is ask guest services to remove them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marci22 Posted November 9, 2023 #893 Share Posted November 9, 2023 Just now, time4u2go said: Why do you say this? All one has to do is ask guest services to remove them. Once you know you can do it, it's easy. I just don't think they make it obvious. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakelife4me Posted November 9, 2023 #894 Share Posted November 9, 2023 OK, still a somewhat newbie to cruising. I have been on two somewhat recent cruises with Celebrity and have one booked for RC in March. Is there any real information on the breakdown of the daily gratuities as to how they are actually disbursed? Example - 10% to MDR personnel, 10% to cabin stewards, 10% to those preparing meals behind the scenes, etc? I would be extremely curios to see how that works. With about 2400 crew on WOS, that's going to be a lot of people I never see face to face but who are busting their tails to ensure I have a great cruise. Not saying every crew member should be tipped - I don't tip the dry cleaner when they hand me my shirts or tip the bagger at the grocery store as a few examples. I am not a big fan of pre tipping either but if you withdraw the automatic daily tip and only tip those you interact with, seems a whole lot of folks are going to short changed. I'm not sure there is an easy answer to this other than break it down in the original price of the cruise, which is already a bit out of control. I do get the passion everyone has on both sides of this topic. 😇 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time4u2go Posted November 9, 2023 #895 Share Posted November 9, 2023 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Lakelife4me said: Is there any real information on the breakdown of the daily gratuities as to how they are actually disbursed? Example - 10% to MDR personnel, 10% to cabin stewards, 10% to those preparing meals behind the scenes, etc? I would be extremely curios to see how that works. See post #583 in this thread. Edited November 9, 2023 by time4u2go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakelife4me Posted November 9, 2023 #896 Share Posted November 9, 2023 3 minutes ago, time4u2go said: See post #583 in this thread. TY! I didn't want to wade through 36 pages to see if someone had posted that so much appreciated! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not-enough-cruising Posted November 9, 2023 #897 Share Posted November 9, 2023 22 minutes ago, marci22 said: Are the standard gratuities optional - yes. Does Royal Caribbean make it easy to choose to remove them - not really. It could not be any easier, I have it accomplished within 30 minutes of boarding. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lakelife4me Posted November 9, 2023 #898 Share Posted November 9, 2023 OK, I took a look at #583. Those breakdowns are vague at best. I assume (never want to do that) that the "dining room" portion includes all the "free" dining areas on the ship or is it just MDR? I'm guessing I would have a better chance of getting Twitter's and Facebook's algorithms than getting granular details on the breakdown from RC! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not-enough-cruising Posted November 9, 2023 #899 Share Posted November 9, 2023 12 minutes ago, Lakelife4me said: OK, I took a look at #583. Those breakdowns are vague at best. I assume (never want to do that) that the "dining room" portion includes all the "free" dining areas on the ship or is it just MDR? I'm guessing I would have a better chance of getting Twitter's and Facebook's algorithms than getting granular details on the breakdown from RC! Royal makes it vague on purpose, which is one of the reasons so many of us choose not to participate in the program. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marci22 Posted November 9, 2023 #900 Share Posted November 9, 2023 18 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said: It could not be any easier, I have it accomplished within 30 minutes of boarding. As I said: Once you know you can do it, it's easy. I just don't think they make it obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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