RCI UK bookings - 2013 - Pre Paid Gratuities

[peteukmcr]

Just checking out prices for 2013 on Liberty of the Seas.

 

Notice in comparison to this year that the pre paid gratuities have increased by 42%.

 

Is there an increase of the suggested amounts in the pipeline?

 

As far I understand for a non-suite cabin the current suggested rate and the amount used for pre paid gratuities is $11.65 per person per day.

 

This year this equates to £36.61 per person for a 5 night sailing using an exchange rate of USD$1.591 = GBP£1.

 

A similar 5 night sailing in May 2013 is now adding £52 per person for pre paid gratuities.

 

Also notice that RCI UK is no longer adding pre paid gratuities to any reservations for the rest of 2012 automatically, which the website normally does, and yet bookings for 2013 are having them automatically added.

 

Any ideas from my fellow UK cruisers and experts?

[sleeky]

Well spotted. V strange. I just checked the Indy out of Southampton and the difference is £102.53 pp for a 14 night cruise this year and it rises slightly to £104.38 for a same length cruise next May .

I checked the dates you mention and get the same prices you do. Wonder if someone at RC has made a mistake rather than the tips rising by that much. I would certainly question it before booking but usually just tell them to add on the tips when I book and have never questioned th amount. Will look more closely in future.

[kernow]

Peteukmcr,

 

I think your price is a mistake. Last week we booked a B2B on Brilliance for March next year, 2 7 night cruises in a balcony cabin. We booked directly with RCL uk on the phone, I 've just looked at the invoice and we were charged £51.26pp per week for on board service charge.

 

Even if the prices are going up between March and May it seems like too large an amount to me.

 

Julie

[Elizanessie]

LB 5night cruise 8MAY12 £36.61

 

LB 5night cruise 10MAY13 £52.19

 

That is one heck of a big jump in tips :eek::eek:

[Elizanessie]

There is infact an error in the tips calculated..they have the 7 nights tips instead of 5 nights tips....well spotted Pete.:D

 

It should be sorted soon.

[peteukmcr]

There is infact an error in the tips calculated..they have the 7 nights tips instead of 5 nights tips....well spotted Pete.:D

 

It should be sorted soon.

Good detective work Liz, I knew you'd get to the bottom of it, thanks.

 

When comparing prices with what we paid this year for our 13th May sailing, it made me look twice. Still nearly a £200 increase in cabin fares so not interested at the moment, even that's too much of a hike for a 5 night sailing IMHO.