Prepay tip question

[kendallison]

I am considering prepaying my tips this time and adding additional cash if I feel the service was exceptional. We are a family of 4 so that would be $250-$300 less cash I would have to bring and worry about.

 

Questions: Does the staff know when you have prepaid? Has anyone ever prepaid their tips and then wished they hadn't because they received poor service?

 

Thanks!

 

Oh, and yes, I know I can pay them on my Seapass card, but I don't like that option because I don't want to be paying for my tips a month after my cruise when the credit card bill comes!

[quiltsnh]

We always use this method and add for those who show better than average service.

The last day of the cruise you will provided vouchers to put in the envelopes and give them to the staff along with any cash.

I am not sure how you can do this without carrying extra cash if you don't want to add them to your sign and sail. One option would to put cash on your acct. day 1 when you arrive to cover the tips... but you still have to carry the cash to cover it.... maybe I don't understand your ?

[kendallison]

We always use this method and add for those who show better than average service.

The last day of the cruise you will provided vouchers to put in the envelopes and give them to the staff along with any cash.

I am not sure how you can do this without carrying extra cash if you don't want to add them to your sign and sail. One option would to put cash on your acct. day 1 when you arrive to cover the tips... but you still have to carry the cash to cover it.... maybe I don't understand your ?

 

I am considering paying the tips through my TA. She will add this amount to the cost of the cruise. This way they are paid with the final cruise payment.

[new2cruise1]

What are the amounts to pay each?

[alcheme]

I don't believe the staff knows you've prepaid tips, until you present them with the vouchers at the end of the cruise.

 

As for your other question, there are bound to be those who have had bad experiences with staff and regretted prepaying the tip, but I haven't heard that as being a big problem. I wouldn't worry about that. If you want the convenience of prepaying and not worrying about paying for the tips afterward, I think you should. Chances are you'll get somewhere from average to exceptional service. If it's exceptional, give a little extra along with the voucher. If it's really below par, have a (constructive) talk with guest services about your issues well before the end of the cruise.

[lawsoncd3]

We have always prepaid our tips and to be honest, I've never had bad service on any of the ships I've sailed. What happens is you pay your tips with your cruise... in other words, it's added to the cruise fair. At the end of your cruise, you'll receive vouchers (perforated coupons) in your cabin the night before. You will also receive envelopes for each of the people that you're suppose to tip. All you have to do is tear the coupon, stick it in the envelope and if you want to tip a little more, throw the cash in there with it. I tend to tip more other than the voucher.. and I take extra ones and fives for that purpose. (But you don't have to).

 

Enjoy your cruise.

 

D :)

[Cruiser Steph]

Thanks for the info, we are prepaying our tip with our final cruise payment for the first time.

 

I think I've heard that you tip more for suites. Is that true? What about the Junior Suites? I constantly hear how those aren't really suites, as in no perks or concierge. Would you tip the same for a JS as a GS or above?

 

Thanks in advance for any information you can share!!

 

Stephanie

[alcheme]

No, the JS has no real perks other than a little more room and an extra C&A cruise credit. Tipping is the same as for standard cabins.

[Cruiser Steph]

Thanks Alcheme!! Your quick reply was wonderful! Have a beautiful day!

 

Stephanie :D

[petel]

We always pre pay - no regrets.

[negc]

We always add the tips to our onboard account and add cash in the envelopes when service has been exceptional. I would rather carry less cash on me and pay for the tips a month later when my credit card bill arrives. :)Besides we use the RCI credit card and get double points for all expenditures onboard ship.;)

[lg549]

A quick question, If you pay with your sea pass at the end of the cruise to have the vouchers do you decide the amount to each one of the waiters and steward or is it a fix rate?:confused:

[kendallison]

A quick question, If you pay with your sea pass at the end of the cruise to have the vouchers do you decide the amount to each one of the waiters and steward or is it a fix rate?:confused:

 

 

Fixed rate but you can add cash if you want. This is also true if you prepay before the cruise.

[Mofred]

Thanks a big bunch, more money to give to the casino ( ha ha ha) I had budgeted based on information received from the internet about suites including JS. Just to make sure is it just for the older ships or the new Freedom class I am going on Liberty OS August 18 '07 in a JS. before I get excited and spend the money. I Keep saying these boards are the best.

[zotzer]

This past December, I had to make a table change. I asked our server about my prepaid tips (I have my TA add them as well), as I wanted to make sure they transfered to my new table assignment. She said "yes, you are on my list...thank you very much, Miss Tracy!"...this was the very first night of the cruise.

 

So...the crew does know if you prepaid, and no, I've never noticed any slacking in service. Many people stiff these guys, and I've found they serve you with pleasure knowing you are taking care of them. :)

[kendallison]

This past December, I had to make a table change. I asked our server about my prepaid tips (I have my TA add them as well), as I wanted to make sure they transfered to my new table assignment. She said "yes, you are on my list...thank you very much, Miss Tracy!"...this was the very first night of the cruise.

 

So...the crew does know if you prepaid, and no, I've never noticed any slacking in service. Many people stiff these guys, and I've found they serve you with pleasure knowing you are taking care of them. :)

 

That's interesting! I was under the impression that when you gave the voucher to server, they had to actually deposit it into their account like a check. So you're saying whether you give them the voucher or not, the money goes directly into the right person's account?

[firkat]

I was considering paying in advance for the same reasons as the OP, but I have put $300.00 aside in an envelope and will just do it that way. I would hate to have my whole gratuity for the waiter go to a gal who only served me one night!

[DrivesLikeMario]

That's interesting! I was under the impression that when you gave the voucher to server, they had to actually deposit it into their account like a check. So you're saying whether you give them the voucher or not, the money goes directly into the right person's account?

 

What I was told by a crewmember:

 

the tip money is put into an account and the cruise line takes out a percentage of it, (called an "administration fee"). The balance goes to the server about 3 weeks after the last day of your cruise.

 

For this reason alone, we've always tipped in cash. ;)

[alcheme]

This past December, I had to make a table change. I asked our server about my prepaid tips (I have my TA add them as well), as I wanted to make sure they transfered to my new table assignment. She said "yes, you are on my list...thank you very much, Miss Tracy!"...this was the very first night of the cruise.

 

So...the crew does know if you prepaid, and no, I've never noticed any slacking in service. Many people stiff these guys, and I've found they serve you with pleasure knowing you are taking care of them. :)

 

Ummm . . . but "you are on my list" could very well just mean that you are on her list of passengers that she is responsible for, so that if you prepaid, they would get directed appropriately. That response doesn't sound like proof that she knew you had already prepaid the standard tip.

[kendallison]

What I was told by a crewmember:

 

the tip money is put into an account and the cruise line takes out a percentage of it, (called an "administration fee"). The balance goes to the server about 3 weeks after the last day of your cruise.

 

For this reason alone, we've always tipped in cash. ;)

 

Administration fee? :eek: I wonder how much. If it's just like a dollar or something than it's no big deal but if we're talking like $10.00 well than that's just wrong!

[DrivesLikeMario]

I don't remember exactly what the "administration fee" was, but I do remember being irritated that they take a cut of the money we've paid for the crew's tips!! :mad:

[Ligayskin]

If you want to bring cash and not have the tips added to your card, how would you go about doing it?

[kendallison]

If you want to bring cash and not have the tips added to your card, how would you go about doing it?

 

If you want to bring cash just bring the cash and keep it in your safe all week. You give the tips out on the last full day in provided envelopes.

 

Not sure if you really meant to ask what you do if you don't want to bring the cash... in which case you call RCI direct or call your TA if you are using one and tell them that you want the tips added to the cost of the cruise. Then, it's paid for in advance and you will be given receipts/vouchers to hand out on the last full day instead.

[DrivesLikeMario]

If you want to bring cash and not have the tips added to your card, how would you go about doing it?

 

We usually set aside the suggested tip amounts in an envelope & keep it in the safe all week. We also have another envelope with cash for those that went beyond expectations. On the last day, we figure out how much extra cash (if any, but almost always) we want to give crew members, put them in the envelopes that RCI provides to us and DH gives them out that night with a handshake & a sincere "thanks!".

[cruisePRN]

I have always paid in cash in the envelopes they provide you with at the end of the cruise. I usually reserve judgement about tipping the head waiter. If I never see him i don't tip him. I usually round up all the other tips, room, waiter and assist waiter. I have never found a valid reason not to tip these three people all that is suggested, they have always been wonderful. The head waiter sometimes makes rounds and asks if everything is ok. If he makes himself visable i tip him as well.