Tipping

Do you tip in the specialty restaurants.

It is not Mandatory because it is included in the fee. This was the case for me on the Jewel as we did the 5 night Specialty Dinners. We did give more of a tip because the waiters were really good to us.

Do you tip in the specialty restaurants.

They have started adding the 18 percent tip to the cost in the specialty dining areas. I am not sure when they did it but it appears they have. If I remember correctly years ago they did not.

The addition of the 18% grats started only about 6 months ago.

Before the 18% gratuity was included we always tipped in cash. I wouldn't leave any more though now that they're including it already.

Do you tip in the specialty restaurants.

yes, I normally tip $5-$10 per person dining at a specialty restaurant. The included gratuity is added on the the "cost" of the meal (what the cruise line charged you to eat there). I tip on the "value" (what it would cost me to eat there if I was not on-board a cruise ship).

yes, I normally tip $5-$10 per person dining at a specialty restauraunt

even now? when the 18% will be added on to your bill?

No, not if it's included in the cost or automatically added on.

The "fee" has always included the tip...

even now? when the 18% will be added on to your bill?

Yes...say I go to Giovanni's at $25 per person. The 18% grat on that is $9 but the value of the meal and service I get from Giovanni's far exceeds $50. I look at it like this....what would a meal at a place similar to Gionvanni's cost me at home or if I was on vacation somewhere...easily $150-$200. So, I don't think $30 is excessive at all if the service is up to the normal standards I get from Giovanni's or Chops, etc.

...what would a meal at a place similar to Gionvanni's cost me at home or if I was on vacation somewhere...easily $150-$200.

The Olive Garden near you is really expensive.

The Olive Garden near you is really expensive.

You don't know how much my wife and I can drink.

The Olive Garden near you is really expensive.

I just chuckled.

We haven’t cruised since the gratuity was added on...but I imagine if the service was really above and beyond I would maybe tip $5. You’re also already paying for daily gratuities for food service.

For a $30 tip (on top of the 18%) my server would have to be spoon feeding me and wiping my mouth between bites.

We ate in a specialty restaurant and 18% was added to the bill. We decided it was enough for the service we received.

You don't know how much my wife and I can drink.

:cocktail::tropical-drink::beer-mug::beer-toast::wine-glass:

Yes...say I go to Giovanni's at $25 per person. The 18% grat on that is $9 but the value of the meal and service I get from Giovanni's far exceeds $50. I look at it like this....what would a meal at a place similar to Gionvanni's cost me at home or if I was on vacation somewhere...easily $150-$200. So, I don't think $30 is excessive at all if the service is up to the normal standards I get from Giovanni's or Chops, etc.

But aren't you already paying the daily gratuity, which covers food service?

Yes...say I go to Giovanni's at $25 per person. The 18% grat on that is $9 but the value of the meal and service I get from Giovanni's far exceeds $50. I look at it like this....what would a meal at a place similar to Gionvanni's cost me at home or if I was on vacation somewhere...easily $150-$200. So, I don't think $30 is excessive at all if the service is up to the normal standards I get from Giovanni's or Chops, etc.

A good Italian restaurant in Europe does not cost more than 30-40 Euro per person plus drinks. A steak restaurant costs not more than 40-50 per person plus drinks. The costs of specialty restaurants on Royal are in the same range but in addition you paid already for meals with the cruise fare. And 18 % on top for tips is more than enough just for a friendly server (and average food in many cases).

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I just chuckled.

 

We haven’t cruised since the gratuity was added on...but I imagine if the service was really above and beyond I would maybe tip $5. You’re also already paying for daily gratuities for food service.

Not for specialty dining your not

For a $30 tip (on top of the 18%) my server would have to be spoon feeding me and wiping my mouth between bites.

But, lets take Olive Garden for example. A bad example meant as a joke, but lets run with it.

Calamari $9.99

Lasagna Fritta $8.99

Soup $5.00

Salad $6.29

Salmon $18.29

Chicken Marsala $17.29

Cheesecake $6.49

Tiramisu $6.49

La Crema Pinot Noir x 4 @ $12/each = $48

Irish Coffee $6.00

$130 give or take

20% of $130 is $26

So yeah....$30 in gratuity for a meal for two at Giovanni's when I'm getting a great octopus salad and Osso Bucco seems pretty fair to me.

But aren't you already paying the daily gratuity, which covers food service?

Ive actually never considered that while o the ship and maybe Im wrong but doesnt your daily gratuity only cover the main dining room servers? Head waiter, waiter and asst waiter???

Most people: No, it was always part of the cover charge, but recently they added an additional 18% on top of that.

People here on the forum: Tip $100 per person because the service was great!

I kid ... but only kind of...

Ive actually never considered that while o the ship and maybe Im wrong but doesnt your daily gratuity only cover the main dining room servers? Head waiter, waiter and asst waiter???

It's pooled goes to everyone who serves, regardless of the venue.

Not for specialty dining your not

 

Pretty sure you are. All gets pooled.

Ive seen reports to the contrary saying it doesnt include specialty dining on another forum but good to know for future trips I guess. I always had just assumed it was for the cabin stewards, MDR and places like Sorrento's, Wipeout, etc.

Do you tip in the specialty restaurants.

We never have nor do we know anyone who has .However,it is solely a matter of opinion.

Hi,

What about when you do BOGO? for around $40.00??

mike

The "fee" has always included the tip...

No longer true. This changed last fall.