Hypno3

Well just got word that our Med cruise departing 30th August has been cancelled. RC have agreed to refund but will take 12-16 weeks. This was to be our first cruise - unlikely to convince hubby to go on one now ???

Explorer of the Seas 9 nights departing from Civitavecchia. The cruise  was part of a 10 week bucket list holiday and is now just a huge headache trying to organise refunds, credits etc. Oh well - 1st world problems I guess...
 

Well just got word that our Med cruise departing 30th August has been cancelled. RC have agreed to refund but will take 12-16 weeks. This was to be our first cruise - unlikely to convince hubby to go on one now ???

Explorer of the Seas 9 nights departing from Civitavecchia. The cruise  was part of a 10 week bucket list holiday and is now just a huge headache trying to organise refunds, credits etc. Oh well - 1st world problems I guess...
 

Well just got word that our Med cruise departing 30th August has been cancelled. RC have agreed to refund but will take 12-16 weeks. This was to be our first cruise - unlikely to convince hubby to go on one now ???

Explorer of the Seas 9 nights departing from Civitavecchia. The cruise  was part of a 10 week bucket list holiday and is now just a huge headache trying to organise refunds, credits etc. Oh well - 1st world problems I guess...
 

Well just got word that our Med cruise departing 30th August has been cancelled. RC have agreed to refund but will take 12-16 weeks. This was to be our first cruise - unlikely to convince hubby to go on one now ???

Thankyou 2021 ??

Thankyou 2021 ??

Well just got word that our Med cruise departing 30th August has been cancelled. RC have agreed to refund but will take 12-16 weeks. This was to be our first cruise - unlikely to convince hubby to go on one now ???

Well just got word that our Med cruise departing 30th August has been cancelled. RC have agreed to refund but will take 12-16 weeks. This was to be our first cruise - unlikely to convince hubby to go on one now ???

We've got a Med 9 night cruise departing 30th August from Rome- not feeling hopeful...by the time we leave Australia - 28th July we will probs have to self isolate for 14 days at the other end as Aus predicteded to peak round then - which will royally stuff up all our other plans, connecting flights accomodations etc ??

Well we have a 10 week Europe trip booked leaving Australia 28th July, 9 nine day cruise only part of it - so It's not looking good. I'm so dissapointed as this was our bucket list holiday ?
 

@Hypno3 I can understand why each country would have different rules considering how laws vary across each region. In the USA we get away with paying people who work in the service industry below minimum wage. In Egypt you literally tip for everything, the UK not so much. I think if you compare everything you will see that it works out to be the same. However it does suck that RCC wouldn't take your money to hook up your cousins??

I’ve been told by other Aussies that gratuity is included with bookings made in Australia 

As others have mentioned, it does depend on the regional rules where you booked your cruise.  Most people on this site are in the US so we know those rules best (and yes, we pay the gratuities separately either before the cruise or as daily charges).  In other regions, the gratuities are built into the total cost and you won't see a daily charge.  What makes it especially confusing is if I book an Australian cruise using the US website, I get the US rules and I will see a lower price but have to pay gratuities.  If I book that same cruise using the Australian website, I should see a higher price but no gratuities.  (Assuming the other posters are correct that Australian rules are gratuity built-in.)

We do the same whenever we experience an amazing interaction with a RC employee. The positive karma created with staff members by being generous with gratuities enhances the entire trip. 

+1

I may be wrong but I thought I read that if you book on the Australian site the price already factors in gratuity.

Yes, I believe this is USD listed. It is not listed on cruise planner, to pre-pay if you used a Travel agent they will arrange it, if not you must call Royal to pay ahead of time. I wish it was on cruise planner also. If you go to the RCCL website and place gratuities in the search it will direct you to the amounts charged at this time. Hope this helps! 

Thanks Kristi. Guess I'll have to join the OCD club too ?

Thanks Kristi. Guess I'll have to join the OCD club too ?