RCIfan1912 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 I didn't see a thread so I apologize if there is and I didn't see it or this is old news I missed but I just got an email gratuities are going up again by 2.00 bucks a day. 18.00 bucks a day, per person. I mean I love the crew on the ships so I'm not gonna flip or anything. It is what it is I guess. My favorite saying. cruisellama, WAAAYTOOO and SweetPea 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 And $18.50 to $20.50 for suites. Looks like I'm going to be calling to pre-pay at the old rate. Neesa, WAAAYTOOO, fireclan and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottD Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 I had no idea..but yep, looks like I'll prepay for the next one WAAAYTOOO, SweetPea and Neesa 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floatingby Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 I just got the email as well and came to post here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nate91 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 They just raised them last fall. Feels excessive. fireclan, ScottishRobbie, CanHardlyWait and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Just received email: Dear Guest, We are excited to welcome you onboard for your upcoming Royal Caribbean sailing! As you prepare to set sail, we wanted to notify you of an update to our daily gratuity charges. As of November 11th, 2023, the automatic daily gratuity charge will increase from $16.00 to $18.00 per guest, per day for non-suite staterooms and from $18.50 to $20.50 per guest, per day for suites. The daily gratuity is shared among dining, bar & culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, and other hotel services teams. If you’d like to pre-pay your gratuities at the current rate before your sailing, we’re happy to extend this opportunity to you. If you’d prefer to pay onboard, your gratuity charge will be applied to your onboard account at the new rate. Other onboard gratuity policies remain the same – an 18% gratuity will be automatically added to purchases for beverages, spa & salon services, room service, and mini bar items. These will be itemized on your receipt at the end of each purchase. To pre-pay your gratuities before your sailing at the current rate, or if you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor or contact us at: 1 866 562 7625 in the U.S. 1800 754 500 in Australia / 0800 102 123 in New Zealand In the UK only, by using our webchat service or by calling 0344 493 4005 All other countries, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contactus for your local Royal Caribbean International office phone number. We thank you for your understanding and can’t wait to welcome you onboard! Passion4Vie, WAAAYTOOO and Neesa 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 cruisellama, RCIfan1912, Cactus527 and 11 others 8 1 2 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 i was trying to do the math here — and bear with me because i’m not so great on math in general — so it’s an additional $2 increase per day - let’s say a week long cruise - an extra $14 difference. for me that’s a drink while on board. hot take, but — i personally am okay with this, especially since the crew work so unbelievably hard + passengers by and large have gotten increasingly more difficult, as many of us have personally observed. whether you elect to tip on top of that or not is a personal choice (i am not advocating one way or the other) but i am grateful to be in a position where this would not be a fiscal deterrent for me. Rackham, Ryan79, Cactus527 and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 The 14 bucks per person per week is ok by me. I prepay so won't be impacted until I make another booking. From the $14/day it was about 13 months ago, this is like a 28% increase. From the $16, it's 12.5% on top of the 14% climb last year. WAAAYTOOO, RCIfan1912 and DunkelBierJay 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Even more of a reason now just to include this in the cruise fare instead of a daily room charge. Heck they could have just rolled the increase right into the cruise fare and no one would notice. RCIfan1912, Neesa, TheMaxRebo and 8 others 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottD Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Yeah...I just did the math, it's 30 more bucks total for my next one for all of us. Not crazy...I think the timing is a little off since they just did this,but it's not gonna get me all up in arms asquared17 and RCIfan1912 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilley Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 I wonder if this will make people tip onboard less or not at all. It seems they are doing before Icon sets sail. luckily I already paid my gratuities for my next 3 cruises:,Anthem, Visions, and Icon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMaxRebo Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Well, glad I just paid the balance (including gratuities) for our Feb cruise so covered. Still wish they would just include this in the cruise fair vs a separate charge WAAAYTOOO and RCIfan1912 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilley Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 14 minutes ago, nate91 said: They just raised them last fall. Feels excessive. Wow. Do,you recall by how much it was raised? RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 10 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: +1 RCIfan1912, Kata, fireclan and 1 other 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 2 minutes ago, TheMaxRebo said: Well, glad I just paid the balance (including gratuities) for our Feb cruise so covered. Still wish they would just include this in the cruise fair vs a separate charge I just always treat it that way and pay upfront. When I calculate $PP/PD I do it after port fees and grats. I would never have them removed but for those inclined, keeping them separate allows for it. RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted October 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 It's 56 bucks difference on our next cruise in February. That's probably worth pre paying now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted October 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Also I don't want to sound bad but we tipped our room attendant and extra 60 bucks on our cruise last week. It's going to get to the point that may not be the case going forward. We also extra tipped the head waiter. fireclan and DunkelBierJay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 18 cruises booked with 2 per cabin with most cruises at 7 days, a couple 8 days and a 15 day. Time to prepay and save significant $ I wonder if this is a way to help pay down their loans-sort of borrowing my $ for cruises that end by next Oct. RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Less than two weeks from the announcement to the implementation. Guess too many people got prepaid gratuities added when it was a thirty day window from announcement to implementation. Xaa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 @Lovetocruise2002 can these two strands be merged? I just spoke to the amazing @Sharla & prepaid my two remaining sailings as well. Longer strand under Discussion. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Some quick math... In Q3, RC had 13,172,002 passenger days. So that's over $26 million per quarter that this increase would yield. asquared17, Kata, Neesa and 2 others 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 I had a few cruises where I had not already requested prepaid grats. I was surprised....I thought I had taken care of that on all of my booked cruises. Pays to check, I guess. Pretty easy to get them added. Should be set to go now. So annoying though....They are so tone deaf on these "cruise enhancement" combinations - reducing services in combination with increasing prices and fees. Kata, asquared17, Al Miller and 7 others 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 I've already got prepaid gratuities on all of my current bookings. Does this mean I keep the same gratuity rate that I had when I reserved it? In other words, my gratuity rate will remain at what it currently is and not go up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 I always prepay my gratuity. I don't think this is such big deal to me that I would be upset. However, this is slightly getting out of hand when everything is going up, but quality and service is decreasing. Al Miller, RCIfan1912, Neesa and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 1 minute ago, Cactus527 said: I've already got prepaid gratuities on all of my current bookings. Does this mean I keep the same gratuity rate that I had when I reserved it? In other words, my gratuity rate will remain at what it currently is and not go up? Pre-paid grats are protected from the price increase. asquared17, Cactus527 and RCIfan1912 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 1 minute ago, Cactus527 said: I've already got prepaid gratuities on all of my current bookings. Does this mean I keep the same gratuity rate that I had when I reserved it? In other words, my gratuity rate will remain at what it currently is and not go up? Yes. You will not have any increases on the ones you already have....just anything new that you book after 11-11 RCIfan1912, Cactus527 and 14Terry 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 29 minutes ago, Neesa said: @Lovetocruise2002 can these two strands be merged? I just spoke to the amazing @Sharla & prepaid my two remaining sailings as well. Longer strand under Discussion. Done Neesa and RCIfan1912 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bretts173 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 To be fair cost of living has risen dramatically everywhere in the world over the past 12 months. The workers need to live too. RCIfan1912, asquared17, BrianSTL and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug_Texas Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Anytime a mass market cruise line makes a price hike move it seems the others follow. Carnival bumped to $16 pp pday in April / Suites $18 pp pday. January Norwegian bumped to $20 pp pday with Haven Suites bumped to $25 pp pday. Celebrity just went to $18 in July. I've always given stateroom attendants extra tips but when we went from $14.50 to $16 and reduced cabin cleaning to 1x / day and now bumping again to $18 I've got to say "Tip Tip Horray" is in jeopardy. We don't mind the 1x cleaning per day but having to hang up towels in the stateroom and shower for dinner with damp towels after returning from shore is definitely a dissatisfaction. I knew this was coming. Will they match $20 NCL in 6 months? RCARD and RCIfan1912 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXcruzer Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 31 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: Some quick math... In Q3, RC had 13,172,002 passenger days. So that's over $26 million per quarter that this increase would yield. But wait!!! ALL that money goes to crew; NOT to Royal. wink wink Doug_Texas, Colombia20102018, RCIfan1912 and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 3 minutes ago, TXcruzer said: But wait!!! ALL that money goes to crew; NOT to Royal. wink wink I'd be curious how many gratuities-based employees RC has. They have about 100k shipboard employees, though obviously not all get a cut RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaygee2729 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Just received the same email. I think we already prepaid but will check with our TA. RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXcruzer Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 19 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: I'd be curious how many gratuities-based employees RC has. They have about 100k shipboard employees, though obviously not all get a cut This is a big unknown piece of the puzzle, and I would like to know as well. It seems the number of positions that are included in the pool is constantly growing. jbrinkm and RCIfan1912 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharla Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 I don't mind an increase in gratuities, but what I do mind is that they are increasing and taking away services. Staterooms are cleaned once per day now and they want me to tip more. I know that is a FWP for me the consumer to want fresh towels 2x per day but it is cruise standard, so I would like it done if I am paying more. I generally leave more money in the stateroom after the cruise anyway, but this kind of irritates me. tjcruisers, asquared17, RCARD and 18 others 18 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 4 minutes ago, Sharla said: I don't mind an increase in gratuities, but what I do mind is that they are increasing and taking away services. This tjcruisers, YellowBrickRoad, Cactus527 and 7 others 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted October 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 7 minutes ago, Sharla said: I don't mind an increase in gratuities, but what I do mind is that they are increasing and taking away services. Staterooms are cleaned once per day now and they want me to tip more. I know that is a FWP for me the consumer to want fresh towels 2x per day but it is cruise standard, so I would like it done if I am paying more. I generally leave more money in the stateroom after the cruise anyway, but this kind of irritates me. And I just watched a YouTube video interview with stateroom attendants and it doesn't sound insanely awful. It was something like 7 AM to 12 noon and then 5-9 or something like. It is 7 days a week though but they said they get days off sometimes. They do work hard and deal with a lot of unpleasant things so I'm not minimizing what they do, just saying it doesn't sound like the horror story people like to portray it as. PeloAl 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leroyr55 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 What are the chances that Royal also increased the employees base pay? Probably not and what was their recent profit report? Like others have said increase prices and downgrade services for what we as their customers pay. WAAAYTOOO, RCIfan1912 and fireclan 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 Glad to pay it for a hard working crew. A few extra bucks should be no big deal to anyone who is fortunate enough to afford a vacation. At least this increase is for a good cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbrinkm Posted October 31, 2023 Report Share Posted October 31, 2023 2 hours ago, Gilley said: I wonder if this will make people tip onboard less or not at all. It seems they are doing before Icon sets sail. I wonder if they are trying to balance the people who remove gratuities by raising the amount for those who pay them. I don't mind paying it in the future (already paid for our March cruise) but I also might reduce what we leave extra in cash. Which stinks, because when I give the cash, I know for sure where the money is going... Pattycruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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