Guest toodle68 Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 I have obviously missed the news.. but I see I am getting charged a 'service charge' for items ordering on the website.. ie, coffee card. A $5.58 charge just for being given a piece of paper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princevaliantus Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 29 minutes ago, toodle68 said: I have obviously missed the news.. but I see I am getting charged a 'service charge' for items ordering on the website.. ie, coffee card. A $5.58 charge just for being given a piece of paper? Wait... so besides the $31.00 for the coffee card, you are being charged an additional $5.58 service charge? Did you call RCCL CS to ask? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDemuth Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 34 minutes ago, toodle68 said: I have obviously missed the news.. but I see I am getting charged a 'service charge' for items ordering on the website.. ie, coffee card. A $5.58 charge just for being given a piece of paper? It's the 18% gratuity that is added to the $31 coffee card purchase. Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toodle68 Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 Well, it's new because It was not on my March sailing.. and it was the same for bottle water delivery to cabin. When I am on the ship, I get it.. but not pre-purchase for them to either hand it to you at checkin (coffee card) or delivery whilst they are still making up the room before arrival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 The way I understand it, the charge is for those who will eventually prepare your coffee, not for processing your order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princevaliantus Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 UN-freakin-believable!! I'm glad I started bringing my own coffee. Free steamed milk and Nescafe Clasico !! Just like being in Venice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mworkman Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 I've noticed that the room service of $7.95 now includes gratuity also..i didn't see this added on my last cruise..now its $9.38 for the American breakfast whenismynextcruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princevaliantus Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 1 hour ago, mworkman said: I've noticed that the room service of $7.95 now includes gratuity also..i didn't see this added on my last cruise..now its $9.38 for the American breakfast You ain't seen nuttin yet!! Just got back from JotS and on the last day there was a looooooong line at GS as the major concern/questioning weird charges which were grats on practically everything. A handful of individuals expressed their disgust to GS and that they will be canceling future cruise bookings they made onboard. Everyone is wise to the refund policies. I couldn't believe the swearing and cursing. Have you ever seen loud and nasty people going crazy in Spanish? LUCY, JU GOT SUM SPLAININ TO DO !! Baked Alaska and 4ensic 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toodle68 Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 Have they started charging for the Continental breakfast yet? because you know that is coming... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 On 11/24/2018 at 8:52 AM, toodle68 said: I have obviously missed the news.. but I see I am getting charged a 'service charge' for items ordering on the website.. ie, coffee card. A $5.58 charge just for being given a piece of paper? When you order the coffee that comes with your card, that is what the gratuity is going towards. Same thing with a drink package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princevaliantus Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 3 hours ago, Matt said: When you order the coffee that comes with your card, that is what the gratuity is going towards. Same thing with a drink package. And yet, when you get the receipt to sign off on your coffee purchase, RCCL inserts "TIP" on the receipt so in essence, double-dipping AND the cruiser ends up paying the salaries of their employees instead of RCCL. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 The Church Lady. Brings back SUCH fun memories Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princevaliantus Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 Just now, WAAAYTOOO said: The Church Lady. Brings back SUCH fun memories Love, love, love, SNL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 3 minutes ago, princevaliantus said: And yet, when you get the receipt to sign off on your coffee purchase, RCCL inserts "TIP" on the receipt so in essence, double-dipping AND the cruiser ends up paying the salaries of their employees instead of RCCL. No comment Just LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 1 hour ago, princevaliantus said: Love, love, love, SNL!! Me too...back when it was funny ! WHStoneman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 4 hours ago, princevaliantus said: And yet, when you get the receipt to sign off on your coffee purchase, RCCL inserts "TIP" on the receipt so in essence, double-dipping AND the cruiser ends up paying the salaries of their employees instead of RCCL. That's not true. If you have the coffee card or drink package, gratuity is included so when you buy a drink with either, there is no additional tip assessed. There is a line for additional tip, but it clearly states that it is gratuity above and beyond what's already included. WHStoneman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
princevaliantus Posted November 28, 2018 Report Share Posted November 28, 2018 1 hour ago, Matt said: That's not true. If you have the coffee card or drink package, gratuity is included so when you buy a drink with either, there is no additional tip assessed. There is a line for additional tip, but it clearly states that it is gratuity above and beyond what's already included. That's what I was referring to....the "additional tip" also known as double-dipping being optional. Thanks for the validation Matt !! whitsmom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whenismynextcruise Posted November 29, 2018 Report Share Posted November 29, 2018 Its probably been covered here before so sorry if this is a repeat question. Does the "included" tip go the the person that served you? At the coffe shop I had mazing service. I added a buck each time because I wasnt sure. Same for a bartender or two. I wanted to reward that person and I wasnt sure if the18% went into some sort of pool to be split (and taxed!) amongst the varying servers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted November 29, 2018 Report Share Posted November 29, 2018 On 11/29/2018 at 5:44 AM, whenismynextcruise said: Its probably been covered here before so sorry if this is a repeat question. Does the "included" tip go the the person that served you? At the coffe shop I had mazing service. I added a buck each time because I wasnt sure. Same for a bartender or two. I wanted to reward that person and I wasnt sure if the18% went into some sort of pool to be split (and taxed!) amongst the varying servers. I'm not sure anyone here knows the precise answer. Lots of speculation, but the exact answer is unknown. Most servers at any counter such as a bar or coffee shop on board will place any cash tip into a jar that is pooled and shared. I suppose some individuals servers might pocket the tip but I imagine they wouldn't be popular with their coworkers who contribute to the shared tip jar. The gratuity or 'service charge' applied to beverage packages including the coffee card works in a similar fashion. I've heard but can't confirm that bartenders receive a portion of the pooled pre-paid gratuity with each swipe of a card. The more wipes, the more share of the pie they get. That system is designed to motivate them to want to serve beverage package holders, otherwise if they got nothing, they wouldn't be interested in serving you. Hard working bartenders who try to serve as many drinks as possible will, at the of the cruise, get a bigger chunk of the pooled pre-paid gratuity. Work hard, make more money. Slack off, make less money. This system is in place to motivate and drive a hard work ethic which is what tipping is all about. Tip good service, tip less for poor service. A bartender explained this to me once. Each swipe isn't a lot of money to them, but hundreds of swipes add up. Several hundred swipes add up even more. However some crew tell guests stories and not always the absolute truth trying to illicit additional tips so I can't confirm this is accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie Posted November 29, 2018 Report Share Posted November 29, 2018 2 hours ago, whenismynextcruise said: Its probably been covered here before so sorry if this is a repeat question. Does the "included" tip go the the person that served you? At the coffe shop I had mazing service. I added a buck each time because I wasnt sure. Same for a bartender or two. I wanted to reward that person and I wasnt sure if the18% went into some sort of pool to be split (and taxed!) amongst the varying servers. Last week on Anthem OTS I gave the 2 people that working in the morning at La Patisseries $10 cash before I left. They knew me by name and made my coffee everyday while I on the ship. I knew they got some tips from my refreshment package but I want them to get extra. So it is really great you give them extra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whenismynextcruise Posted November 30, 2018 Report Share Posted November 30, 2018 @Susie I was also on Anthen at the same time and probably served by the same 2 people! I am an early bird and was first in line at 6:30 daily! After day 2 they had my order down and were so so so friendly! I was asking for a recipet easch time so I could add a couple bucks. I like your idea of the cash tip at the end of the cruise. I will try that next Thanksgiving which we booked on board. @twangster as usual you have the knowledge. I appreciate your response. It all makes good sense to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.