Pre-paid Gratuities

[zoomer]

I'm looking at my Carnival reservation for Dec. and notice that there is the option of "Pre-paid Gratuities" as well as the normal "Reverse Gratuities" that is automatically added to your Sign and Sail account. If I choose to tip-as-I- go, and not leave an automatic 10%, can I set the "pre-paid" to $ 0.00?

 

Would the employees on-board know that I had done this?

 

(I know you can adjust the "reverse gratuities" up or down, but I would like avoid this if possible.)

 

Thanks,

[Stircrzy]

...big red "X" on your door.

 

 

You can go to the Purser's Desk and have gratuities removed once you're aboard.

[onemomo2]

I read on a few other posts that you can have them removed by going to the pursers desk and you can tip the traditional way. I also read that whether you do automatically or give by hand, they are all required to turn it in to a pool that is divided among all of the service staff (i.e., buffet staff, assistant cabin stewards, etc.).

 

I don't think I like this concept, but it doesn't sound like they win either way.

 

meb

[DeckCadet]

Our waiter of 4 cruises who we tip very well said that the auto tips are dedicated on Paradise at least, and they do get to keep what you give by hand.

[zoomer]

Apparently there are two ways to pay tips according to the Carnival website--below is a direct quote:

 

"What is the tipping policy onboard?

 

Guests can pay their shipboard gratuities in one of two ways:

 

1. Reverse Gratuity Policy - For our guests' convenience, we automatically add the recommended gratuities to the onboard Sail & Sign account on embarkation day.

Guests will have the discretion to adjust these gratuities based upon the level of service received during the cruise.

 

2. Pre-Paid Gratuity Policy - Gratuities are pre-arranged and paid at the time of booking or any time up to two weeks prior to the sail date. "

 

What I would like to know is if I can opt for the Pre-Paid Gratuity Policy for $0.00 amount, and then tip in cash whatever I think is appropriate. I know that if the tips are added in with the "Reverse Gratuity Policy", I can change them at the purser's desk, but don't want to do it that way.

 

(I was afraid of the red X)

[Stircrzy]

I don't think you can do $0.00 on pre-paid.

 

Either way, I think you'll have to make a visit to the Purser's Desk to remove the gratuity.

Otherwise, how will they know who gets the "X"?

[coevan]

We are in the service industry. We own a restaurant and have always tipped cash, sometimes a little in advance. We usually bring some Vodka on board with us (it is not that difficult). We tip our cabin steward $10 on the first day and ask him for a full ice bucket. The ice bucket was always full and our rocks glasses were always replaced when we returned to the cabin. We do the same thing we cocktail waiters and waitress. When I'm at a BJ table, there is a drink in frony of me without asking. A few bucks goes a long way for these employees who work many long hours and appreciate the tips.

[zoomer]

Coevan...

 

The cruises I've been on required tips "up-front". However, once I paid these tips, I still felt obligated to tip even more to the employees that had given me good service. Plus, if I had a drink in a bar, I paid an additional 15% tip.

 

Personally, I would rather have control of my tipping and save the tips for the people who I felt deserved the tips the most--that is why I would like to start with -0- tipping.

 

(There will probably be XXX on my door).

[CruiseFever]

I think the closest thing to doing what you want to do is to walk to the Pursers desk on day one and have them removed.....which might not be possible yet since they might not have been added yet.

 

I know you want to pay as you go and that's fine too, in fact the pursers desk will provide you with envelopes to do just that if you ask

 

But since the title of this topic is prepaid gratuities I feel a little obligated to chime in in favor of the prepaid gratuities as we've found them a really good fit for us.

 

I like that we're able to pay for them up front. It helps me with budgeting and gets it out of the way.

 

Also, I feel like the gratuitie we pay through Carnivals plan are quite adequate. We will tip a couple dollars to room service or maybe something extra up front to insure a higher level of service throughout the voyage to our cabin steward or dining room team. They're the only ones we really come in contact with every day on a consistent basis and they have the ability to have a profound impact on our cruise experience.

[dms_cruisers04]

I agree with you Chris. It's nice to have them out of the way upfront. Then we can add on for extra, or excellent, service later.

 

Zoomer, the biggest difference between the two ways Carnival now handles gratuities, is that with Pre-Paid you can not adjust the amounts, obviously because you've already paid them and they ain't gonna give ya nothing back. For what you want to do, don't pre-pay and see the PD on day one and have them removed. That way everything is in your hands. HTH

[GoinCruisin]

Zoomer, the biggest difference here is how the tips are "pooled".... if you leave your tips on your account they go to the pool to be divided among the staff.. anything you tip above this amount (in cash, in person), the staff member can keep and is not required to pool... however, if you choose to remove your tips, the staff member is required to report all of their earnings. This makes it a bit more fair to the entire team... I would suggest you leave them on or prepay, your staff will appreciate it and it will be much easier for you as well... good luck and have fun!

[Cotton]

What I would like to know is if I can opt for the Pre-Paid Gratuity Policy for $0.00 amount, and then tip in cash whatever I think is appropriate.

 

Zoomer, I think you're misunderstanding this option.

Taking the pre-pay option means actually paying ... so, if you don't want to pre-pay, just ignore this option:rolleyes:, as it has nothing to do with what you want to do.

 

Simply go to the purser's desk (as Chris explained) and you can remove all the tips. I understand your meaning when you say you want to 'tip as you go' - tipping everybody every day for whatever service. You can certainly do it that way. ( I just hope your total tips equal the 'suggestion' Carnival sets forth.)

 

Thank goodness most folks leave the tips in place (or pre-pay). It's a fair amount for services rendered. However, that's strictly each person's option.

 

-------------Thinking back to a post awhile back, someone said she liked handing the cash to whomever was serving her at the time (throughout the cruise) - just so that person would KNOW who was doing the tipping - that it made her feel 'more important' to be thanked each time she tipped.:p Narcissist? Probably, but then everybody's got their own thing going to make themselves better.

[SunnyGlory]

That probably was me that you are referring to Cotton! i posted a little while back on this topic. I prefer to have the tips removed and to personally hand the tips to whom I please not for a thank you but to know that what I intended them to receive was actually received.

 

I DON"T EXPECT A THANK YOU! THEY EARNED ANY TIPS I GIVE! Please do not add words in others statements. :mad:

 

Thanks!

[pholter]

I prepaid the tips upon booking this time around and I'm gonna feel so much better having the $140 not appear on my S&S account or have that additional expense to pay in cash along the way. I plan on bringing an additional $50 or so just in case I feel the staff deserves it...

[steveaaaa]

Just include the tips in the cruise fare and lets get it over with!

Steve

[Cotton]

That probably was me that you are referring to Cotton! i posted a little while back on this topic. I prefer to have the tips removed and to personally hand the tips to whom I please not for a thank you but to know that what I intended them to receive was actually received.

 

I DON"T EXPECT A THANK YOU! THEY EARNED ANY TIPS I GIVE! Please do not add words in others statements. :mad:

 

Thanks!

Sunny, sorry you are offended. I have NO idea if that poster was you or someone else.:confused: It's been several months ago.

I did not 'quote' anyone, so I could not have been adding any words, as you suggested. I merely said that someone posted that they tipped every day for every service rendered, at the time of service.

[SunnyGlory]

I understand Cotton but it just seems like the moment someone asks if they can remove their tips from the S&S card in order to pay in cash everyone gets all weird like that individual is not planning on tipping. No harm done!:)

[headhurt]

I just leave the tips posted on my S&S account and think of it as the "hospitality service charge". Then, we tip extra cash for outstanding service...usually to the cabin steward and waitstaff.

[pastorped7]

I prepaid the Carnival recommended amount and plan on giving room steward and wait staff something etra for what I hope is exceptional service. Because I am doing things this way, can I count on nothing additional charged to me S&S card???:confused:

[Cotton]

Phil, anything you purchase on the ship will be charged to your S&S account.

 

They don't accept cash in the gift shops, sundries shops, liquor store, or for photos or excursions. (Not sure about Bingo.) Everything goes on your S&S account.

 

The casino and any add'l tips you give (like to room service personnel) are the only things that I can think of where cash can be used.

Is this what you were asking?

[pholter]

I think Phil was just asking to make sure that the tips won't ALSO be added to the S&S account when he boards the ship, either by mistake or on purpose hoping he won't notice :) I'd recommend bringing your Carnival receipt for anything you purchased in advance- tips, S&S credit, or Bon Voyage Gifts just in case there could have been a mix up. I work in accounting and things do happen on occasion in every industry.

[CruiseReg]

Just a quick note that pre-tipping the cabin steward doesn't always work! I slipped the guy a $20 and he was absolutely the *WORST* cabin steward we've ever had. We had a Cat12 suite on the Paradise and it seemed as if he *always* did our room last. We'd go to breakfast, come back to the room, nothing done. Go away for another hour, come back, nothing done. Totally crazy.

[pastorped7]

You all answered my question:p I will make sure they don/t add anything in the way of tips to my S&S card. I like paying for everything I can up front. The ship's staff deserve getting tips and I don't know if there is an easy way to guarentee you'll get exceptional service. I'll give what carnival says and add to it as I see fit.