How is tipping handled?

[Albert Ross]

Is it automatically added to your acct or can you opt to pay cash at the end of the cruise? thanks

[kelmac]

Is it automatically added to your acct or can you opt to pay cash at the end of the cruise? thanks

Albert,
They will charge you $12.25 per day/ per person and add it to your SeaPass account. We always give out additional tips, via envelops, to individuals who really go out of their way to make our experience special.
So a seven day cruise is $171.50 per couple + any additional tips.

Enjoy!
Kel

[Albert Ross]

What I meant to ask was do they 'automatically' add it to your acct like they do on NCL or do you get a letter in your room saying 'would you like us to add it to your acct' like they do on RCI...??

[miamigirl814]

They automatically add it to your account. IF you don't want them to, then you have to request to take it off. But, in general, if you don't do anything, then it is just added.

[daju22]

We have sailing on the Quest for November of 2008. On my invoice it says that they have already included the prepaid gratuities of 171.50 per person in the price of the cruise. I suppose this means that the gratuities can't be adjusted! Do any other cruise lines do this?

[LHT28]

We have sailing on the Quest for November of 2008. On my invoice it says that they have already included the prepaid gratuities of 171.50 per person in the price of the cruise. I suppose this means that the gratuities can't be adjusted! Do any other cruise lines do this?

Was a perk from your TA?

[Spf12]

Was a perk from your TA?
It's not a perk.The price quoted was for the room ,departure tax and gratuities..I booked my Journey cruise on Celebrity's web site and was offered prepaid gratuities.Why woul I pay gratuities 70 days in advance?

[cruise crazy mick]

It's not a perk.The price quoted was for the room ,departure tax and gratuities..I booked my Journey cruise on Celebrity's web site and was offered prepaid gratuities.Why woul I pay gratuities 70 days in advance?
why indeed at this stage you do not know if you will make the the cruise. never mind the tips

[LHT28]

It's not a perk.The price quoted was for the room ,departure tax and gratuities..I booked my Journey cruise on Celebrity's web site and was offered prepaid gratuities.Why woul I pay gratuities 70 days in advance?

YIKES no need to get your knickers in a knot.:eek:

I have seen TA's give prepaid gratuities as in incentive.... that is why I asked.

Our next cruise we have "prepaid gratuities" from our TA ...

[daju22]

Was a perk from your TA?

Hi LHT,
I think you responded to my post. I'm not the one who knotted my knickers!:)

Anyway, it wasn't a perk from my TA as I originally booked with Celebrity(oops-Azamara). It was included in the price, I guess (but it wasn't stated on the Celebrity invoice).

I just turned the booking over to my TA and on her invoice it says gratuities are included in the final price. OK, I'm not sure at this point. Guess I will ask my TA about it.

Just wondered if anyone else has gratuities included already on their invoice.

thmsmcdnld,
I guess you also have the gratuities included? I don't see that offer anymore on the celebrity website.

Thanks for your replies.

[Spf12]

Hi LHT,
I think you responded to my post. I'm not the one who knotted my knickers!:)

Anyway, it wasn't a perk from my TA as I originally booked with Celebrity(oops-Azamara). It was included in the price, I guess (but it wasn't stated on the Celebrity invoice).

I just turned the booking over to my TA and on her invoice it says gratuities are included in the final price. OK, I'm not sure at this point. Guess I will ask my TA about it.

Just wondered if anyone else has gratuities included already on their invoice.

thmsmcdnld,
I guess you also have the gratuities included? I don't see that offer anymore on the celebrity website.

Thanks for your replies.When imade final payment,on the payment screen,i was asked if i wanted to pre-pay gratuities.I declined.Celebrity web site.

[Albert Ross]

When imade final payment,on the payment screen,i was asked if i wanted to pre-pay gratuities.I declined.Celebrity web site.
As it has been confirmed that $12.25 per day will be automatically added to your on board acct why not get that sum out of the way and prepay it???

In the UK the RCL/Celebrity/Azamara cruise prices are always quoted including the grats and I would say that 90% of cruisers prepay. I know I do.

[Spf12]

As it has been confirmed that $12.25 per day will be automatically added to your on board acct why not get that sum out of the way and prepay it???

In the UK the RCL/Celebrity/Azamara cruise prices are always quoted including the grats and I would say that 90% of cruisers prepay. I know I do.Why would you give someone else the use of your money if you don't have to.,since they charge your credit card when you board.

[LHT28]

Hi LHT,
I think you responded to my post. I'm not the one who knotted my knickers!:)

Anyway, it wasn't a perk from my TA as I originally booked with Celebrity(oops-Azamara). It was included in the price, I guess (but it wasn't stated on the Celebrity invoice).



Yes I did reply to YOUR post.
I was not aware that AZA added prepaid grats to your bill....we have never had that happen in all our cruises.
Always added to the ship board account at the end of the cruise.

I could see the advantage for some people to have it added upfront...it is not for everyone and if I have a choice I would not do it.

Have a good cruise

lyn

[Albert Ross]

Why would you give someone else the use of your money if you don't have to.,since they charge your credit card when you board. Makes my on board bill look less at the end I guess! Spreads the cost over 2 credit card bills....

[cruisePRN]

I prefer getting the envelopes at the end of the cruise to pay my tips. I don't care to tip the head housekeeper, Celebrity is the only line that has this catogory listed for a tip.I believe that's management not a service person. I like adjusting my tip (usually upwards) to the level of service i recieved.

[Charles4515]

I prefer getting the envelopes at the end of the cruise to pay my tips. I don't care to tip the head housekeeper, Celebrity is the only line that has this catogory listed for a tip.I believe that's management not a service person. I like adjusting my tip (usually upwards) to the level of service i recieved.

Supposedly the tip to the head housekeeper gets distibuted to other housekeeping employees. But in any case if you leave it out it will just be deducted from the tip you give to your stateroom attendant.

[kelmac]

I prefer getting the envelopes at the end of the cruise to pay my tips. I don't care to tip the head housekeeper, Celebrity is the only line that has this catogory listed for a tip.I believe that's management not a service person. I like adjusting my tip (usually upwards) to the level of service i recieved.

cruisePRN,

Since you will have different waiters and asst' waiters each night it is not practical to tip all of these people individually. The "auto-tip" actually works well. Our cabin was handled by a team of individuals; the butler, and two different cabin attendants. We never met two of these individuals.
We did provide the maitre'd with an additional tip as he got us our favorite table each night we were in the dining room, and we tipped (additional), via an envelope, for a specific waiter/asst' waiter as we spent five nights with them. In addition, we did leave an "extra" tip, via envelope, for the team we had in Aqualina; they were super!

Enjoy!
Kel

[profzed]

i have booked in the uk for sept 8th sailing, we too were given the option to pre pay grats,i have done so,my concern is will they try sticking them on my on board a/c too?

[Suzy B]

Hi profzed,

Suzy B here from your sailing! Think I can help you out. Whenever someone has “Prepaid Gratuities”, it will show on the “Confirmation Invoice” from Celebrity Cruises.

Look under the “Cruise Charges” Column, 5th item down. Be sure to take a copy of your “Confirmation Invoice” from Celebrity Cruises with you on the sailing in case there is a mix up so you can prove you’ve already paid the gratuities.

If you’ve never received your “Confirmation Invoice”, contact your Travel Agent or Celebrity & they will be glad to email, fax or mail it to you.

See ya in 60 days! :)

Take care,
Suzy B

[profzed]

thanks for that Suzy B i shall check my invoice when it arrives,i paid my balance today,so now feel im on my way, i just have to book a hotel in newyork,any suggestions? see you in 59 days.

[dgreeney]

This is our first cruise, so as you would expect, I have many questions. I'll start with Tips: Does anyone have any suggestions as to how much extra one would tip; and to whom? I usually tip 20% USD anyway, for reasonable service.

[owl61]

Not sure what I have read here.
Are companies really billing (and collecting) the standard recommended tips at time of cruise payment, months prior to rendition of services? Gee whiz, that strikes me as an overreach. I consider myself a good tipper, but prepaid tipping way in advance strikes me as an overreach. As a former banker the time value of money is dear to my heart.
Besides, it makes me think that the tips are handled like other revenue and not devoted solely to staff.

[Albert Ross]

Not sure what I have read here.
Are companies really billing (and collecting) the standard recommended tips at time of cruise payment, months prior to rendition of services? Gee whiz, that strikes me as an overreach. I consider myself a good tipper, but prepaid tipping way in advance strikes me as an overreach. As a former banker the time value of money is dear to my heart.
Besides, it makes me think that the tips are handled like other revenue and not devoted solely to staff.
Remember that the rest of the world do not have the same tipping culture as you do in the USA - for example it is unheard of to tip in Australia. Therefore it is usual for the cruises to be quoted including the gratuities - and 90% of UK travellers will prepay these. I have read entries from other countries - such as Dubai and Australia -that confirm the tips are included in the overall fare calculation.

As an aside UK T/As have just been told that the Azamara will now not be quoted including the grats as the grats are automatically added to the account at the end of the cruise.

[profzed]

Remember that the rest of the world do not have the same tipping culture as you do in the USA - for example it is unheard of to tip in Australia. Therefore it is usual for the cruises to be quoted including the gratuities - and 90% of UK travellers will prepay these. I have read entries from other countries - such as Dubai and Australia -that confirm the tips are included in the overall fare calculation.

As an aside UK T/As have just been told that the Azamara will now not be quoted including the grats as the grats are automatically added to the account at the end of the cruise.

does this mean i should contact my t/a to claim my tips back?:confused:

[Albert Ross]

does this mean i should contact my t/a to claim my tips back?:confused:
RCI are deciding what to do with those who have paid! You may get your money back and have to pay again - or they may leave it if only a few have prepaid but you need to ensure that you don't get charged twice.