rjac Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 I just read a post on Facebook that the gratuity fee is going up to $14.50 on 1/2/18. I haven't received an e-mail from Royal yet on this and my TA hasn't heard anything either. So, any validity to this increase? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 8 minutes ago, rjac said: I just read a post on Facebook that the gratuity fee is going up to $14.50 on 1/2/18. I haven't received an e-mail from Royal yet on this and my TA hasn't heard anything either. So, any validity to this increase? ? I had a bad feeling that might happen soon. Hope it's just a rumour. Wonder what happens if I already have gratuities covered? On our Anthem cruise coming up we have free gratuities for 2 and so we already pre-paid the other 2..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 7% increase, last increase was about 18 months ago .. implies about 5% per year increase ... not huge but seems a little high for inflationary increase on a "mandatory" gratuity :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted December 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 30 minutes ago, Sabrinaklai said: ? I had a bad feeling that might happen soon. Hope it's just a rumour. Wonder what happens if I already have gratuities covered? On our Anthem cruise coming up we have free gratuities for 2 and so we already pre-paid the other 2..... If true, I would imagine that if you have prepaid your gratuities, the price increase will not have an effect on you. The question is, what about cruises booked into 2018 & 2019 and you haven't prepaid the gratuities? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 2 minutes ago, rjac said: If true, I would imagine that if you have prepaid your gratuities, the price increase will not have an effect on you. The question is, what about cruises booked into 2018 & 2019 and you haven't prepaid the gratuities? Then I am almost positive that it would affect those if gratuities are not already pre-paid. Let's hope it's just a rumour...Because if it's $14.50/day then suites would like be at least $17.50/day or higher times 4 people, 7 days....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 18 minutes ago, rjac said: If true, I would imagine that if you have prepaid your gratuities, the price increase will not have an effect on you. The question is, what about cruises booked into 2018 & 2019 and you haven't prepaid the gratuities? @rjac I just found this on CC but I cannot seem to find the original post. It is for Celebrity but it adds to what you just read. Good news is that it seems like cruises booked into the future will still have the old rate if you pre-pay them before sailing. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=54803625#post54803625 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 The last time they increased grats, if you had already prepaid them, the increase did not affect you. I hope it's the same this time. I always prepay. Glad it paid off this time. It does seem as though they are increasing the grats pretty regularly these days. I have my issues with the grats anyway but I don't want to start a gratuity bitching session... twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 I'm not surprised given that NCL has been residing gratuities wire regularly. I suspect the same will be occurring the the percentage charged to the dining and drink packages and onboard at the bars. This is now almost $60 per day for a family of 4. I suspect this could impact the number of families who book and that more will opt to remove or reduce their gratuities once aboard. On a cruise I have next December to New Zealand, the gratuities came to over $400 for my family of three. Fortunately, I rebooked during a sale where they were prepaid. But if I hadn't, this would have amount to 10% of my total cruise fare. And if the daily rate of cruising remains at around $100 or so dollars per night on average, it's not going to be long before passengers revolt as this is adding 15% per day to their vacation expenses. This isn't a commentary on Royal, but the industry in general. The same arguments can be raised with other industries and the associated add on fees that they charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 Just posted about it: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/12/22/royal-caribbean-raise-gratuity-amount-guests I had three different sources with the exact same information, so I'm going with it. rjac, betatke1480 and PRC 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 Good news from that blog article is that not only are gratuities that were already pre-paid grandfathered on the old rate, but so are any gratuities for cruises booked prior to Jan 2 that are pre-paid any time between Jan 2 and embarkation day. I was planning to do the pre-payment next month or February, when all other expenses around cruise fare and airfare are out of the way, so I'm not going to pay a penalty for my budgeting decisions. For that, I'm genuinely thankful to Royal and how they chose to handle this change. DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 Now I am so glad I booked into 2019 already! Because that means that as along as I pre-pay them before sailing, I can still get the old rate right? @Boston Babe....if you have some on your wish list you should put down a deposit before January! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EpcotBill Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 Quote The last time they raised gratuities you had to have them added to your reservation before the cutoff date (in this case January 2, 2018). Then you had to pay them with final payment. I find it difficult to believe they'll let you wait until just before sailing to pay the old rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 22 minutes ago, EpcotBill said: The last time they raised gratuities you had to have them added to your reservation before the cutoff date (in this case January 2, 2018). Then you had to pay them with final payment. I find it difficult to believe they'll let you wait until just before sailing to pay the old rate. I was surprised to read that too. It came from a large online travel agency, who was relaying info to their clients from RC. Last time, they had two dates: when the change would happen and for which sailings. This time, it's just one date for when the rate goes up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 22, 2017 Report Share Posted December 22, 2017 So now I am confused...For my two sailings in 2019, do I need to add those gratuities before January 2? Or can I add them anytime prior to the sail date? And once I have them added do I have to pay for it right away (like the things on the cruise planner)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted December 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 2 hours ago, Sabrinaklai said: Or can I add them anytime prior to the sail date Sabrina, The way I understand it from Matt's post and my TA, any cruise bookings made before January 2, 2018 are grandfathered in to the old gratuity fee, provided you prepay before your embarkation date. I have a B2B this March and have not prepaid the gratuities yet. My TA said I can pay anytime I want, up to a few days before we sail and will ojly pay the old fee ($13.50, we do not have a suite). I think you're ok. Merry Christmas, by the way! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 17 hours ago, Sabrinaklai said: if you have some on your wish list you should put down a deposit before January! lol LOL!!! I have my wish list complete, prepaid all gratuities. However, I'm still holding out for a Sept 2019 sailing possibly if I win the lottery!! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 23 hours ago, rjac said: I had a bad feeling that might happen soon. I saw the NCL raised theirs to $20.00 per day! Yikes!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 14 hours ago, rjac said: Sabrina, The way I understand it from Matt's post and my TA, any cruise bookings made before January 2, 2018 are grandfathered in to the old gratuity fee, provided you prepay before your embarkation date. I have a B2B this March and have not prepaid the gratuities yet. My TA said I can pay anytime I want, up to a few days before we sail and will ojly pay the old fee ($13.50, we do not have a suite). I think you're ok. Merry Christmas, by the way! Merry Christmas @rjac ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UkuleleCruiser Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 I've pre-paid my gratuities for my February cruise, but for future cruises I have no problem with this. The staff works hard, and although I don't really know how generously the pre-paid tips are, I have no issue with an increase as long as it's clearly stated when i sign up. Call it a towel animal tax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 I have no problem with gratuities either, I just wish I knew the actual price breakdown. I've tried looking around the RC site but cannot find the info posted anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 2 hours ago, Boston Babe said: I saw the NCL raised theirs to $20.00 per day! Yikes!! Want this just for the drink packages? They raised the price of the drink packages, which most people get as a booking perk, and raised the gratuities to 20%, which they automatically add to the free perk. At almost $100 a day for the drink package, that makes the gratuity almost $20 per day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 5 hours ago, DocLC said: Want this just for the drink packages? Not sure, I have to check, but I know some gratuities were raised to $20. I think that's over the top IMO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted December 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 5 hours ago, DocLC said: Want this just for the drink packages? They raised the price of the drink packages, which most people get as a booking perk, and raised the gratuities to 20%, which they automatically add to the free perk. At almost $100 a day for the drink package, that makes the gratuity almost $20 per day. Doc, I think we're talking apples & oranges here. The gratuity increase is for the cabin steward, wait staff, etc. It has nothing to do with the gratuity fee on drinks/drink package as I understand from what I have read. By the way, Merry Christmas, hope you get some snow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted December 24, 2017 Report Share Posted December 24, 2017 8 hours ago, rjac said: Doc, I think we're talking apples & oranges here. The gratuity increase is for the cabin steward, wait staff, etc. It has nothing to do with the gratuity fee on drinks/drink package as I understand from what I have read. By the way, Merry Christmas, hope you get some snow! I was referring to Boston Babes comment that NCL was charging $20 a head per day for gratuities. I think it's closer the $14, but the do add 20% to the "free" drink package that they value at $89 per day. Merry Christmas to you, too. Chance of snow San Diego is quite low. ;) rjac 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenline627 Posted December 24, 2017 Report Share Posted December 24, 2017 So if I prepay them now before 1/2/18 for my upcoming cruise I will get the old rate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted December 25, 2017 Report Share Posted December 25, 2017 5 hours ago, greenline627 said: So if I prepay them now before 1/2/18 for my upcoming cruise I will get the old rate? As long as your cruise was booked before Jan 2, 2018, you can pre-pay the gratuities at any time between now and your sail date and still get the old rate. That's at least what Matt's blog post is saying, and is apparently corroborated by some of his TA contacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenline627 Posted December 25, 2017 Report Share Posted December 25, 2017 Thank it was booked July or 2017. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted December 25, 2017 Report Share Posted December 25, 2017 Booking my cruise on Jan 2 which is my birthday. Guess I will be paying the increase. Bummer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jce2 Posted December 25, 2017 Report Share Posted December 25, 2017 Speaking of Gratuities, when you buy packages like "First Night Done Right", are the gratuities included? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 17 hours ago, jce2 said: Speaking of Gratuities, when you buy packages like "First Night Done Right", are the gratuities included? Theoretically, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 Got an e-mail today about it. I never get RCCL emails! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 36 minutes ago, KathyC said: Got an e-mail today about it. I never get RCCL emails! I got one as well, plus an email from my TA earlier in the morning. RCI email does confirm that it can be prepaid up until sail date, not by Jan 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 1 hour ago, JLMoran said: I got one as well, plus an email from my TA earlier in the morning. RCI email does confirm that it can be prepaid up until sail date, not by Jan 2. No email for for me for any of my reservations. But I added it already a few days ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mworkman Posted December 26, 2017 Report Share Posted December 26, 2017 We just received the email ref. Gratuity increased....nothing like being the last to know ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 Slightly off topic question...when sailing in a JS, do you pay regular or suite gratuities? Since you don't get a lot of the suite benefits it would almost seem a bit unfair to be charged the suite gratuities.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gears Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 1 hour ago, Sabrinaklai said: Slightly off topic question...when sailing in a JS, do you pay regular or suite gratuities? Since you don't get a lot of the suite benefits it would almost seem a bit unfair to be charged the suite gratuities.... Suite gratuities unfortunately. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 1 hour ago, Gears said: Suite gratuities unfortunately. Oh well....that is unfortunate.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 I got emails from both Royal and Celebrity a few days ago about this as well as my Travel agent...they are really ringing in the new year with some cheer... Suite gratuities for the JS??!...which is really just a larger balcony room is it not....what extra services and attention do you get in those cabins to equal/justify the higher tips you are giving the same as people in actual full suites? Again, I am not against tips in general...but I am highly critical of how the cruise lines do it and how they try to justify/sell it to you. And then of course we all buy into it. I am almost at the point where I am going to cancel my "auto-tax" as I like to call it and tip with American Dollars directly to those who deserve a tip for serving me. If Royal has an unfair pay system and unfair tip distribution system, that is NOT on me or any passenger to feel badly for and compensate extra for. Come on...its a business for gods sake. Love it when the same people who say Royal is a business and answers to their shareholders etc when people get upset about rate increases and not offering discounts last min anymore and now charging both people in the room for drink packages etc......are the same people who then say we need to take compassion on their employees who aren't paid enough and make so little and have family to support back home blah blah blah......its a business people..right?!...Can't have it both ways........ Rant over.....till the next increase..lol. Steve L 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 13 hours ago, Sabrinaklai said: Slightly off topic question...when sailing in a JS, do you pay regular or suite gratuities? Since you don't get a lot of the suite benefits it would almost seem a bit unfair to be charged the suite gratuities.... Regular grats. NOT suite grats Lovetocruise2002 and Orange Crush 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 27, 2017 Report Share Posted December 27, 2017 13 hours ago, Sabrinaklai said: Slightly off topic question...when sailing in a JS, do you pay regular or suite gratuities? Since you don't get a lot of the suite benefits it would almost seem a bit unfair to be charged the suite gratuities.... Regular rate. You only move up to suite gratuity rate with Grand Suite or above. Lovetocruise2002 and Orange Crush 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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