My dinning time - charging gratuitudes early?

[Yurita]

I booked the Liberty OTS and when it came to dinning time, I asked to have 'my dinning time'. The TA told me she needed to charge me the gratuitudes at time of booking. I asked if I would be charged at the end of the cruise and she said NO, but she mentioned 'my dinning time' was charged earlier... is this true?

[MAZANDSTEVE]

For My time dining you have to pre pay your tips when booking your MTD. You may not get the same member of staff serving you so they like it upfront.

[M&M Hayden]

If you sign up for My Time Dining when you book your cruise you'll pay your gratuities when you make final payment for your cruise.
OR if don't you sign up for MTD until you get on board your SeaPass will be charged.

[alicam]

Originally Posted by Yurita

I booked the Liberty OTS and when it came to dinning time, I asked to have 'my dinning time'. The TA told me she needed to charge me the gratuitudes at time of booking. I asked if I would be charged at the end of the cruise and she said NO, but she mentioned 'my dinning time' was charged earlier... is this true?

Yes...it is true...you pay before

[Yurita]

Thank you guys! now I feel better

[djandnic]

Originally Posted by Yurita

I booked the Liberty OTS and when it came to dinning time, I asked to have 'my dinning time'. The TA told me she needed to charge me the gratuitudes at time of booking. I asked if I would be charged at the end of the cruise and she said NO, but she mentioned 'my dinning time' was charged earlier... is this true?

Yes and it saves on the sea pass bill at the end. Another aspect we hadn't focused on before our last cruise where we had MTD.

We noticed the excellent service, and commented to the wait staff one night about this. We asked how the wait staff likes the MTD, and they said everyone loves MTD and wants to work in that area. We asked why, and they indicated because the staff knows the tips are already pre-paid.

I always thought tips were split between all staff, but given this comment that may not be the case. We didn't ask more, and it doesn't really matter to us, but I thought that was an aspect we didn't think about before. Just an FYI.

[jewopaho]

We had no issue paying upfront, since we figure we'd have to tip our waitstaff anyway ... just one less expense onboard. RCI's policy differs from other cruise lines. We've sailed Princess often, and always opt for Anytime Dining. They don't require prepaid gratuities, but we wouldn't have a problem if they did.

Can you imagine ... in this day and age, and at such rock-bottom prices, some passengers still stiff those who work so hard to take care of us. Disgusting!!

[martinchem]

Sooner or later they're gonna get your money. They work hard to service so well...so either way it's really not a problem.

[mamasue]

We also do MTD every time...... it's a lot easier paying gratuities upfront....one thing less to think about on the cruise!!

[aruvqan]

We are not doing the my time dining, but I intend to prepay the gratuities, and to add a bit in cash at the end when the service is spectacular.

I actually really like the idea of having the same waitstaffers every night.

We are planning on 2 nights at portofino, one the regular menu and one the wine menu, and sort of surfing around the promenade and trying the different places for lunch, and breakfasts in cabin. I already have $200 in assorted denominations of cash [ half in ones ] and have been getting 2 sets of formals, and some nice dressier tops for regular dinners

[steponboard]

The worst service I ever experienced on a ship was on Mariners MTD. Pre tipping may have something to do with it.

[jtutak]

Now if only they would get rid of those stupid vouchers.

[Jsme]

We did 7 days on the Monrach via B2B and loved MTD!!! On the last day of the 4 day cruise we found an awesome server, Eva and asked for her the entire 3 day cruise. She was awesome. I loved the guy that took the reservations as well. He is great. On the Monarch the area is small and it is much better to make a reservation.