Gratuities for 1 year old on Oasis?

I know they are automatically included. Do you pay them in full? Why or why not?

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Gratuities are the same regardless of age.

You can either pre-pay them with your final payment (or any time prior to sailing) or they will be added daily to your onboard account. You can then have them paid as part of an onboard cash account, or they will be charged to the credit card you've placed on file when boarding.

I'm not sure what you mean by "pay them in full". Why wouldn't you pay them in the same manner in which you're paying the adult gratuities?

I know they are automatically included. Do you pay them in full? Why or why not?

The cruise line charges full gratuities for all guests. regardless of age. You can go to Guest Services to change automatic gratuities if you wish.

Still getting served, cleaned up after etc. regardless of age

Gratuities are still charged at the normal rate

You know all those stinky diapers? Your room steward is having to deal with them.

Need a high chair in the dinning room? The wait staff will have that setup and ready for you. Need a bottle warmed? They'll do that too.

At the Windjammer and your little one spills cheerios all over the place? Someone is cleaning that up.

I'm sure you'll have reasons why none of that applies, but really you should just consider auto-grats to be part of the cruise fare and forget about it.

I know they are automatically included. Do you pay them in full? Why or why not?

 

 

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Regardless if age they are taking a bed and a seat at dinner which represents income for those serving that bed and chair.

I know they are automatically included. Do you pay them in full? Why or why not?

 

 

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you are expected to pay the same amount per person per day regardless of age. there is no real justification for eliminating or reducing this based on age under any circumstances.

once on board you will notice just exactly how much the crew does to make your life easier when you have an infant/toddler on board.

you are expected to pay the same amount per person per day regardless of age. there is no real justification for eliminating or reducing this based on age under any circumstances.

 

 

 

once on board you will notice just exactly how much the crew does to make your life easier when you have an infant/toddler on board.

Thanks. I imagine this is true but I'll wait and see. As for the taking a bed and seat of another person, I don't think this is true. LO is in cabin with us. AND we are paying full fare for her which seems outrageous.

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Thanks. I imagine this is true but I'll wait and see. As for the taking a bed and seat of another person, I don't think this is true. LO is in cabin with us. AND we are paying full fare for her which seems outrageous.

The ship only has so many lifeboat spots, so the opportunity cost to the cruise line is full fare.

And if LO were not in your cabin - for 3 persons - another family would be.;) Perhaps that family would be 3 adults that would bring in more income (drinks, gambling, fancy dinners, etc.) for the cruiseline. A spot in a cabin is a spot, no matter what the age.

One of our neighbors on the Allure had a tiny baby. Some emergency happened with the baby who was wailing very loud.

Her stateroom attendant and a hotel floor manager and a ship cop and a medic all ran her down to the doctor while also consoling her and clearing the path.

I asked her if everything was fine and she said the baby was fine and the crew really made everything very smooth and we're considerate.

Not sure why a 1 year old wouldn't compensate crew for their attention and hard work. These folks work for you for much of the year and don't get to even see their own babies grow up.

Thanks. I imagine this is true but I'll wait and see. As for the taking a bed and seat of another person, I don't think this is true. LO is in cabin with us. AND we are paying full fare for her which seems outrageous.

 

 

 

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No it is not outrageous. Cruise lines do not and cannot operate under the 'kids are free in all things' mindset many parents seem to think should be the norm. A body is a body and takes up a life Boat space.

Yes your child is taking up a berth. Doesn't matter if they sleep in a pack n play, the convertible sofa, or in bed with you. The CG counts them as a body for life Boat capacity. Doesn't matter if junior doesn't spend any money on board ( the justification many use to defend full price charges) they are still assigned a berth. There are only so many berths available. Both total on board and for each life Boat station.

If you want t take vacations where junior is never charged anything, do not cruise.

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One of our neighbors on the Allure had a tiny baby. Some emergency happened with the baby who was wailing very loud.

 

Her stateroom attendant and a hotel floor manager and a ship cop and a medic all ran her down to the doctor while also consoling her and clearing the path.

 

I asked her if everything was fine and she said the baby was fine and the crew really made everything very smooth and we're considerate.

 

Not sure why a 1 year old wouldn't compensate crew for their attention and hard work. These folks work for you for much of the year and don't get to even see their own babies grow up.

Yes I know the crew needs their tips. Thank you.

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No it is not outrageous. Cruise lines do not and cannot operate under the 'kids are free in all things' mindset many parents seem to think should be the norm. A body is a body and takes up a life Boat space.

 

Yes your child is taking up a berth. Doesn't matter if they sleep in a pack n play, the convertible sofa, or in bed with you. The CG counts them as a body for life Boat capacity. Doesn't matter if junior doesn't spend any money on board ( the justification many use to defend full price charges) they are still assigned a berth. There are only so many berths available. Both total on board and for each life Boat station.

 

If you want t take vacations where junior is never charged anything, do not cruise.

 

 

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By your logic we should Also be charged for a 4th person in our cabin because we are a party of 3 and we are not maximizing the number of ppl who can technically fit so we are denying the cruise revenue, correct?

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By your logic we should Also be charged for a 4th person in our cabin because we are a party of 3 and we are not maximizing the number of ppl who can technically fit so we are denying the cruise revenue, correct?

 

 

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No. Even if it is 4 berth cabin, the life Boat assigned to station can only fit so many. Cheng or possibly Aquahound can probably tell you how they configure or estimate how many cabins in a section can hold more than the standard 2 before being deemed full. Plenty of folks have tried to book the max number in a specific cabin, only to be told that it cannot be done. Usually because the other cabins in the section have already booked more than 2 in them.

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I know they are automatically included. Do you pay them in full? Why or why not?

 

 

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As others have stated, staff do work for the little ones. Diapers, bottles, messes on the floor, messes other places, towels, washcloths, etc.

Your MDR staff will gladly assist you with set up, milk, water, anything you need for your child.

Use the staff as a resource to help you enjoy your vacation just a bit more. They are glad to help, glad to earn their tips.

I've found cruising is a mind-set. Royal is very good at providing opportunities for them to separate you from your money. Some are voluntary and I can ignore. Some less so. I choose to the former go like water on a duck's back. The latter, well I take full advantage and am willing to compensate the staff just a bit more.

I get the argument it may seem outrageous or a bit unfair. Not going to say your are wrong, but going to remind you its a mindset. Its a cost of the trip.

Along the lines of a drink package. I can nickel and dime it and drink very little. Or I can buy the package. If I get the package, I'm going to make an effort to ensure I get my money's worth. I can enjoy a cruise either way.

DW and I remind each other to stop, take a breath and remember we are on a cruise having a great time and not let the little things get us down... keep the right mindset!

For full disclosure, no, we don't have little ones. We've just experienced little ones cruising vicariously. The staff seem to put in a good amount of effort for them.

I hope you and your family have a great cruise.

No. Even if it is 4 berth cabin, the life Boat assigned to station can only fit so many. Cheng or possibly Aquahound can probably tell you how they configure or estimate how many cabins in a section can hold more than the standard 2 before being deemed full. Plenty of folks have tried to book the max number in a specific cabin, only to be told that it cannot be done. Usually because the other cabins in the section have already booked more than 2 in them.

 

 

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I see. Again, I'm fine with paying the underpaid and overworked staff. I can't say the same for the nickel and diming cruise line. In the awful event we would actually need a lifeboat, LO would sit on my lap and wouldn't take up any space. A 1 year old does not use nearly as many resources on the ship as an adult. She doesn't eat as much as an adult, doesn't take up space in the theaters or casino, cannot take up space in the pool, and the lovely nursery for which I'm very grateful, charges extra for taking care of her. I don't think a kid should travel for free, but I think a discount of some sort is reasonable to expect.

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As others have stated, staff do work for the little ones. Diapers, bottles, messes on the floor, messes other places, towels, washcloths, etc.

 

 

 

Your MDR staff will gladly assist you with set up, milk, water, anything you need for your child.

 

 

 

Use the staff as a resource to help you enjoy your vacation just a bit more. They are glad to help, glad to earn their tips.

 

 

 

I've found cruising is a mind-set. Royal is very good at providing opportunities for them to separate you from your money. Some are voluntary and I can ignore. Some less so. I choose to the former go like water on a duck's back. The latter, well I take full advantage and am willing to compensate the staff just a bit more.

 

 

 

I get the argument it may seem outrageous or a bit unfair. Not going to say your are wrong, but going to remind you its a mindset. Its a cost of the trip.

 

 

 

Along the lines of a drink package. I can nickel and dime it and drink very little. Or I can buy the package. If I get the package, I'm going to make an effort to ensure I get my money's worth. I can enjoy a cruise either way.

 

 

 

DW and I remind each other to stop, take a breath and remember we are on a cruise having a great time and not let the little things get us down... keep the right mindset!

 

 

 

For full disclosure, no, we don't have little ones. We've just experienced little ones cruising vicariously. The staff seem to put in a good amount of effort for them.

 

 

 

I hope you and your family have a great cruise.

This is helpful. Along this line of thought, what is reasonable to expect of the crew to help out? I expect they can help with pureeing food and cleaning up the crap she spills on the floor. I don't expect them to change her dirty diaper or calm her down if she is upset.

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Saw this on PoW this morning...maybe small children should pay extra? ;-)

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/have-kids-they-said/

I don't think a kid should travel for free, but I think a discount of some sort is reasonable to expect.

They do run a "kids sail free" promotion from time to time. Even so, usually a third person is cheaper. The next cruise I'm on I'm paying $1164.23 for myself. My wife is $651.23, and my daughter is $612.23.

I've no idea how/why we each get charged different amounts (whatever the flavor of the day "promotion" is). All that's really important (to me) is if the total price looks to be 'worth it' or not. For a week long cruise, I always add $283.50 to the total knowing its an unavoidable cost.

Sometimes, on some lines, it's actually cheaper to book two rooms (and actually be paying for 4 people) because they charge outrageous amounts for a 3rd (or 4th) person (regardless of age) in the same cabin. This is because of the already mentioned reasons, it's easier to find room for a 2 person and a 1 person cabin, than a 3 person cabin. This can be a perk too, taking turns on who gets a full nights sleep without interruption :cool:

The coast guard doesn't see it that way. She is assigned a seat on the life boat and they really don't care that she will sit on someone's lap. Again you fail t see the point. It is not the amount of resources, or even the type of services required. They are taking up a space. Every space is deemed to costs number of dollars as an average to maintain standards, provide services and still generate a profit.

Why do you think a discount is warranted? I don't use the casino or pool either, so by your logic, I should get a discount too.

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Just want to give benefit of the doubt; other lines will either not charge for a 1 year old or will charge a reduced amount. If RC is new to them this could be a change from what they are used to. The lecturing is not necessary.

This reminds me of a cruise we took with our three kids. My youngest came down with a virus (probably Noro although he wasn't diagnosed as such). Anyway, the cabin attendant was amazing. She completely disinfected the cabin, washed all the bedding and had to keep the cabin clean and sanitary for the other two kids (who did not get sick). She checked on him on her own. She went way above and beyond and we were very grateful because she made a bad situation a little bit better.

The small amount we paid per day seemed embarrassingly small.

Also, when my kids were younger, the dining room staff always went out of their way to keep them happy and entertained.

My guess is that when it is said and done, you will think that the recommended gratuities are quite reasonable.

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This reminds me of a cruise we took with our three kids. My youngest came down with a virus (probably Noro although he wasn't diagnosed as such). Anyway, the cabin attendant was amazing. She completely disinfected the cabin, washed all the bedding and had to keep the cabin clean and sanitary for the other two kids (who did not get sick). She checked on him on her own. She went way above and beyond and we were very grateful because she made a bad situation a little bit better.

 

The small amount we paid per day seemed embarrassingly small.

 

Also, when my kids were younger, the dining room staff always went out of their way to keep them happy and entertained.

 

My guess is that when it is said and done, you will think that the recommended gratuities are quite reasonable.

 

 

 

 

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I would remove the grats for the little one and then tip as you go along. You may need a lot of assistance and tip more or not need anything and tip less

Full price for an infant is outrageous.

I see. Again, I'm fine with paying the underpaid and overworked staff. I can't say the same for the nickel and diming cruise line. In the awful event we would actually need a lifeboat, LO would sit on my lap and wouldn't take up any space. A 1 year old does not use nearly as many resources on the ship as an adult. She doesn't eat as much as an adult, doesn't take up space in the theaters or casino, cannot take up space in the pool, and the lovely nursery for which I'm very grateful, charges extra for taking care of her. I don't think a kid should travel for free, but I think a discount of some sort is reasonable to expect.

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I know I'm going to get flamed for this. Please understand I am not "anti-children," but rather trying to get the OP to see the flip side of things.

Why exactly should it be reasonable to expect a discount for a 1 year-old when I don't get a discount for cruising with your 1 year-old? I don't have a child in my cabin, yet I can hear it all night when yours cries. Our cabin attendant spends more time on your cabin because there are more beds to make, dirty diapers to dispose of and finger prints to clean off of walls, mirrors and surfaces. I don't throw things on the floor, but have to watch while your child does. I can smell those dirty diapers from a mile away. My dinner conversation is frequently interrupted by high pierced shrieks - sometimes of joy, sometimes anger, sometimes just the need for a nap. In the horrible event that your child "isn't taking up space" on the lifeboat, because he or she is on your lap, I will be forced to listen to him or her wailing. Now that I think about it, maybe I should be entitled to that discount you think is so "reasonable" because your child impacts my vacation. And, while I'm at it, I should also request compensation for the anguish of having to look at families with children when I wasn't able to have them.