Julie Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 I always pay gratuities directly and do not wish to be billed is that possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce G. Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 They came up with a new policy. NOW, your two options are: -Pay ALL gratuities in advance -Charge each days gratuities, automatically, to your onboard account. If it helps, since i will NOT be using the main dining room at ALL during my trip this coming week, I will go to the Purser's desk everyday (or just toward the end of my cruise) to remove those gratuity charges, since I did not use the services. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 As Bryce said, you can opt out by going to Guest Services and asking them to remove it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2three Posted August 8, 2013 Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 They came up with a new policy. NOW, your two options are: -Pay ALL gratuities in advance -Charge each days gratuities, automatically, to your onboard account. If it helps, since i will NOT be using the main dining room at ALL during my trip this coming week, I will go to the Purser's desk everyday (or just toward the end of my cruise) to remove those gratuity charges, since I did not use the services. May I ask where you will be eating instead of the dining room? I am curious what others do RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted August 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2013 Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce G. Posted August 19, 2013 Report Share Posted August 19, 2013 May I ask where you will be eating instead of the dining room? I am curious what others do Hi there! I just returned. I ate in Chops Grille, Samba Grille, Giovanni's Table, Izumi, and Rita's Cantina. Oh, and Park Cafe. (free). Lots and Lots at Park Cafe. Healthy AND unhealthy options. Never busy. These are all specialty restaurants and have a cost associated, but tip is included. The food is FAR beyond the MDR, and the atmosphere is amazing in each. It may get pricey with several children, though. If you go on a Freedom Class, Voyager Class, or Oasis Class, go to Johnny Rocket's with the kids. Small fee, and your kids will love you forever--or at least for a few hours. Mom2three 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2three Posted August 20, 2013 Report Share Posted August 20, 2013 Thanks for the information! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EHendrix Posted August 22, 2013 Report Share Posted August 22, 2013 Hi there! I just returned. I ate in Chops Grille, Samba Grille, Giovanni's Table, Izumi, and Rita's Cantina. Oh, and Park Cafe. (free). Lots and Lots at Park Cafe. Healthy AND unhealthy options. Never busy. These are all specialty restaurants and have a cost associated, but tip is included. The food is FAR beyond the MDR, and the atmosphere is amazing in each. It may get pricey with several children, though. If you go on a Freedom Class, Voyager Class, or Oasis Class, go to Johnny Rocket's with the kids. Small fee, and your kids will love you forever--or at least for a few hours. We did the exact same thing on our Alaskan cruise; we never ate at the MDR even once. All of the specialty restaurants (in my humble opinion) are well worth any extra cost to avoid the MDR. The food is fantastic and the ambiance is far superior to that offered elsewhere on the ship. RCIfan1912 and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 22, 2013 Report Share Posted August 22, 2013 The thing I really enjoy about the MDR is the service. I like the waiters know what I want, do tricks for my daughter, etc. To me, it's a big part of the cruise experience. WAYNO, RCIfan1912, Dan Curtis and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayBird Posted August 22, 2013 Report Share Posted August 22, 2013 We did the exact same thing on our Alaskan cruise; we never ate at the MDR even once. All of the specialty restaurants (in my humble opinion) are well worth any extra cost to avoid the MDR. The food is fantastic and the ambiance is far superior to that offered elsewhere on the ship. I'd like to try that on a cruise soon. Have you only done it on ships that have a lot of restaurants? My concern is on a ship that only has two specialty restaurants, wouldn't that get a little tiresome? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce G. Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 I'd like to try that on a cruise soon. Have you only done it on ships that have a lot of restaurants? My concern is on a ship that only has two specialty restaurants, wouldn't that get a little tiresome? For ships with fewer specialty restaurants, yes--it would get tiresome. I'd venture to say, though, that most of the ships with so few specialty options are on shorter itineraries anyway. JayBird 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayBird Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Good point bgriffler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted December 25, 2022 Report Share Posted December 25, 2022 On 8/26/2013 at 9:03 AM, Bryce G. said: For ships with fewer specialty restaurants, yes--it would get tiresome. I'd venture to say, though, that most of the ships with so few specialty options are on shorter itineraries anyway. Enchantment 8 night, smaller ship, not a lot of restaurants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted December 25, 2022 Report Share Posted December 25, 2022 On 8/22/2013 at 8:48 AM, Matt said: The thing I really enjoy about the MDR is the service. I like the waiters know what I want, do tricks for my daughter, etc. To me, it's a big part of the cruise experience. Agree, we like a mix of specialty and MDR. We always do the 3 night dining package, that way we get a perfect mix. I'm a little worried now that they messed with the MDR menu. Jjohnb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottD Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 Am I wrong in thinking the tip go to more than just MDR staff? If you take off the auto tip-the people behind the scenes are missing out on money, correct? RCIfan1912, tjcruisers, DoomSlayer and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChessE4 Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 4 hours ago, ScottD said: Am I wrong in thinking the tip go to more than just MDR staff? If you take off the auto tip-the people behind the scenes are missing out on money, correct? Yes, 40% or so to wait staff, 40 to stateroom and balance to other. Varies with increases, but last I checked it was near that. RCIfan1912 and tjcruisers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 I'm just a little uncomfortable with people stopping the automatic daily gratuities no matter what service they use or don't use but that's just me. We use the MDR half or less a cruise but would never stop the tips process because of that. Not trying to start a fight, just my thought process. DoomSlayer, WAYNO, ScottD and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PL8SWPR Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 $16 a day per person is extremely reasonable considering it covers 3 meals, stateroom service, and everything in between. We would easily surpass that if they weren't already taking it out (and always add more). ... and this post is almost a decade old... sk8erguy1978, ScottD, Ryan79 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike.s Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 Isn't it time to do away with gratuities and just include then as part of the cruise fare? Jjohnb, TonyYOW, WAAAYTOOO and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 22 minutes ago, Mike.s said: Isn't it time to do away with gratuities and just include then as part of the cruise fare? Probably but my question is on cruises or cruise lines that do that how is it presented to the passenger? Meaning in the final price does it say cruise fair 2,000/gratuities 250, total 2,250? I'm curious how is worded or presented to the passenger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yo2slick Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 I look at auto gratuities like making donations to certain organizations. They say this is where your money is going but how do you really know where its going? Maybe pay a better wage to your employees but that probably makes too much sense. If I hand money to someone I want to tip I know they received that money. Its crazy that in some countries tipping is not a thing at all, its actually frowned upon but in the US I'm asked if I want to tip the person making my sandwich at subway.....I think its getting out of hand. We never cancel auto gratuities but I agree they could handle it better. Neesa, TonyYOW and Vancity Cruiser 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancity Cruiser Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 40 minutes ago, Mike.s said: Isn't it time to do away with gratuities and just include then as part of the cruise fare? Port fees should be included as well but that doesn’t make the price as attractive. Yo2slick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reigert2008 Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 Here’s the official word from Royal and how to remove it. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-service-gratuity-expense samcanadian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyandBo Posted December 26, 2022 Report Share Posted December 26, 2022 Why are we doing this again. Someone start up and old thread because they were board or having a bad Christmas day? If people want to remove automatic gratuities they can, will, and should. It's their choice. Not yours. And nothing anyone says here will ever effect that choice. When it comes to money "what I do is......" ain't gonna matter. This conversation has never changed anyone's view and/or decision on the subject. TXcruzer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiseGus Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 9 hours ago, Mike.s said: Isn't it time to do away with gratuities and just include then as part of the cruise fare? Or maybe just quit letting people remove them. Try doing that in a restaurant that adds an automatic TIP to parties larger than 8. RCIfan1912 and AHollyS 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 9 hours ago, BennyandBo said: Why are we doing this again. Someone start up and old thread because they were board or having a bad Christmas day? If people want to remove automatic gratuities they can, will, and should. It's their choice. Not yours. And nothing anyone says here will ever effect that choice. When it comes to money "what I do is......" ain't gonna matter. This conversation has never changed anyone's view and/or decision on the subject. Ok, let's all go on these cruises and decide to remove the gratuities and see how long the industry would survive? How long will these people choose to do this job and wait on us while we take a freaking vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK2793 Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 1 hour ago, RCIfan1912 said: Ok, let's all go on these cruises and decide to remove the gratuities and see how long the industry would survive? How long will these people choose to do this job and wait on us while we take a freaking vacation. Then the cruise lines can pay them more, and just charge a little more for the cruise. On my own, I individually tip a lot more than the pittance they supposedly get from the auto-gratuities. Assuming, RCL even gives 100% of the auto-gratuities to the crew and doesn’t keep a chunk for themselves. AHollyS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyandBo Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 1 hour ago, RCIfan1912 said: Ok, let's all go on these cruises and decide to remove the gratuities and see how long the industry would survive? How long will these people choose to do this job and wait on us while we take a freaking vacation. LOL. Well that did it. Now people will definitely never remove them again. Saying that solved everything. People are not going to change their minds on this based on what others say, so why bother? That's what I'm trying to say. And yes like it or not, I don't believe anyone has the right to tell anyone else what to do or how to spend their money. I think 99 out of 100 times they will do the opposite because of not liking feeling told what they should do. So why get into it in the first place. ChrisK2793 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 12 minutes ago, ChrisK2793 said: Then the cruise lines can pay them more, and just charge a little more for the cruise. On my own, I individually tip a lot more than the pittance they supposedly get from the auto-gratuities. Assuming, RCL even gives 100% of the auto-gratuities to the crew and doesn’t keep a chunk for themselves. That's not how Royal Caribbean or the major cruise lines have structured their pricing. People see low rates to book and that's all that matters to them. If it's suddenly a grand more most people won't realize why and go somewhere else. I'm not saying you are wrong but it's gonna take a lot of education and convincing that I'm not sure any of the major cruise lines want to even attempt to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 15 minutes ago, BennyandBo said: LOL. Well that did it. Now people will definitely never remove them again. Saying that solved everything. People are not going to change their minds on this based on what others say, so why bother? That's what I'm trying to say. And yes like it or not, I don't believe anyone has the right to tell anyone else what to do or how to spend their money. I think 99 out of 100 times they will do the opposite because of not liking feeling told what they should do. So why get into it in the first place. Listen, this is the system we are in, this is the system that has built up. If even 25% of people were cheap and stopped paying the gratuities as they are structured now then the vacation they love would disappear. Cease to exist because the crew would quit. I'm not trying to convince anyone if anything or tell people how to spend their money, I'm just laying out the reality of it all. No one likes to work for free or for way less than they used to. Why would crew members if the gratuities died up? WAYNO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyandBo Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 13 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said: Listen, this is the system we are in, this is the system that has built up. If even 25% of people were cheap and stopped paying the gratuities as they are structured now then the vacation they love would disappear. Cease to exist because the crew would quit. I'm not trying to convince anyone if anything or tell people how to spend their money, I'm just laying out the reality of it all. No one likes to work for free or for way less than they used to. Why would crew members if the gratuities died up? Your saying if people don't pay this the vacation they love will cease to exist. Lol. That’s trying to tell them what to do with dramatic "do it or else" consequences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyandBo Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 Again, the only way to deal with this subject is. You do you, I'll do me. And everyone keeps what they put out to themselves. L454S 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 23 hours ago, Mike.s said: Isn't it time to do away with gratuities and just include then as part of the cruise fare? I do that by paying the gratuities up front as part pf my cruise fare. AHollyS, EvergreenCruzers, Neesa and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafarer Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 On 8/8/2013 at 9:43 AM, Matt said: As Bryce said, you can opt out by going to Guest Services and asking them to remove it. Yeah, happy is as happy does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda R Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 On 8/7/2013 at 6:09 PM, Julie said: I always pay gratuities directly and do not wish to be billed is that possible? You can opt out of automatic gratuities. Go to guest services and request. And easier to do the first day or two of the cruise. samcanadian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatorCruiser Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 Hell, I say raise the auto gratuities. whatever keeps the staff and crew happy and working their contracts, and not saying to hell with the service Industry like so many others have done post Covid. Cruising is a privilege/blessing/luxury and the crew is a big part of that. The industry wouldn’t exist without them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squid Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 So the whole cruise industry relies on us paying gratuities or it will collapse? Interesting take. Maybe some of you ought to spend a bit of time outside of your American bubble. In the real world we pay real wages, with actual dignity, and we give them free healthcare. RCIfan1912, ChessE4, BennyandBo and 1 other 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 21 minutes ago, Squid said: So the whole cruise industry relies on us paying gratuities or it will collapse? Interesting take. Maybe some of you ought to spend a bit of time outside of your American bubble. In the real world we pay real wages, with actual dignity, and we give them free healthcare. Nope, total agree. We have real problems here with those things and I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately here, with the cruise industry in America this is the system we are in. Until it changes it stays the same. We pay gratuities here and I doubt that change anytime soon. ChessE4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 3 hours ago, Squid said: So the whole cruise industry relies on us paying gratuities or it will collapse? Interesting take. Maybe some of you ought to spend a bit of time outside of your American bubble. In the real world we pay real wages, with actual dignity, and we give them free healthcare. Not sure why it has to become an “America vs. the World” thing. There are plenty of other places on the internet for this. WAYNO, tjcruisers, fireclan and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blair Posted December 29, 2022 Report Share Posted December 29, 2022 I absolutely refuse to allow them to charge my account for tips. I inform them at the customer service desk to omit the charges and ALWAYS pay tips with cash. It is my understanding that the monies charged to our accounts allows the corporation to collect interest on the tips of their crew members, considering the crew must wait to be paid. Put your cash into the pockets of the crew members upon debarkation. Enough already, corporate America! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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