Gratuity package included, do we still need to tip for room service?

We are going on our very first cruise ever and have no idea about the "protocol"... our trip includes gratutities and beverage package on the Celebrity Century to Alaska. So do we still tip in cash upon arrival of room service - say tea and toast in the morning? Thank you!

We are going on our very first cruise ever and have no idea about the "protocol"... our trip includes gratutities and beverage package on the Celebrity Century to Alaska. So do we still tip in cash upon arrival of room service - say tea and toast in the morning? Thank you!

Personally I'd tip a couple of dollars for this.

I would be asking on the Celebrity board, here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

as every cruise line's tipping includes slightly different things. But I agree with sparks1093, a couple of dollars is appropriate.

Yes, you should tip for room service.

the gratuity package is for dinner/room service, any extra service you should tip. even if its $2

thank you everyone!

Yes...the only line that includes room service in the suggested gratuities is Princess.

Yes...the only line that includes room service in the suggested gratuities is Princess.

I must be reading it wrong then...

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/onboard/experience.jsp

During your cruise, regardless of which Princess ship you choose, you will meet staff who provide you with excellent service. Crew members often rotate to different vessels within the Princess fleet which helps to maintain our high standards on every ship. These dedicated workers reflect our philosophy that all crew on all ships are but one family who share in our success.

To simplify the tipping process for our passengers, a discretionary gratuity of $12 per person for mini-suites and suites, and $11.50 per passenger in all other staterooms per day (including children) will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. This gratuity will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, and housekeeping staff across the fleet. For your convenience, this gratuity can be pre-paid before you sail by calling 1-800 PRINCESS and referencing Special Services item number 0597. Pre-paid gratuities may be added up to 6 days prior to your departure.

A 15% gratuity is added to bar charges and dining room wine accounts. This is shared amongst the beverage staff and their support staff. We know you will find these services onboard exemplary.

Casino dealers and Lotus Spa® personnel do not share in these gratuities, as not all passengers utilize these services.

Assuming whatever we ordered from Room Service was delivered in a reasonably amount of time, came as ordered and the steward was courteous, we absolutely tip each time we receive a delivery.

We were on a 31 day Princess cruise recently. I got a $100 stack of singles from the bank just to tip the room service people. No, I did not give them just a dollar. Whatever singles that were left became part of a tip that I gave to our exemplary room steward at the end of the cruise.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

We always tip room service. Have the money ready when they knock on the door as they come in quickly and drop off your tray quickly.

No need to carry a stack of Ones -- you can get change at the front office.

No, Sadie, I think you've read the Princess statement correctly. Staff delivering room service, I believe is not included in the tipping pool. We haven't ordered room service in many, many years, and not on Princess, so I'm sure someone will post with the definitive answer.

I think on most of the mass market lines that have auto-tips, this charge covers the cabin steward and his/her support staff and the wait staff (MDRs, buffet, specialty restaurants) and their support staff.

yes ,you should tip them , they make very little wages a few bucks will not hurt you.

Room service is a bit like the other things not included in the prepaid tips, like spa and casino - not everyone uses it. I haven't used room service in 18 cruises, but if I did, I'd tip a few dollars each time.

No need to carry a stack of Ones -- you can get change at the front office.

Very true-but we were on a 31 day cruise at just $2 per day that is $62. We had room service every morning for coffee and...