Help! I don't understand gratuities.

[NCruiser2012]

I am under a time crunch here. I am going to book a 7-day cruise for next year. I want to take advantage of the Pick Your Perk offer. Also, I want to book to get the Facebook Promo that ends tomorrow.

 

The drinks package seems to be the best deal, but we are not big drinkers. We already have airfare. So, I am torn between the gratuities and the $200 obc. I have read that for a veranda cabin, the gratuities are $11.50 per day. So, for two people for 8 days, it would be $184. I would do better to get the $200 credit for a seven day cruise.

 

Are any other gratuities picked up under this offer? If I eat at a specialty restaurant, will these gratuities be covered? If I order a drink, will this gratuity be covered?

 

I would appreciate any help ASAP.

[Gonzo70]

The pre-paid gratuities cover your room steward/assistant and dining room team. At specialty restaurants a portion of the cover charge goes to the servers as gratuity; no need to tip additional, but if you receive great service an extra tip is appreciated. For beverage purchases 15% gratuity will automatically be added to the bill (you can add more if you wish). If you book a spa appointment sometimes they automatically add gratuity, sometimes not (so check to make sure you do not double tip). It sounds as if the $200 OBC is best for your situation if you are not planning to purchase many drinks (do factor in that the package is not just alcoholic beverages, but also items liked bottled water, fresh squeezed juice, espesso based coffees etc.).

[NCruiser2012]

Finally found it on Celebrity's site. Gratuities are $12 per person per day. So that would be $192 worth of gratuities.

 

If I read the fine print, the free gratuity offer does not cover gratuities on drinks or anything else.

 

"Free Gratuities Offer applies to two guests per stateroom and provides for prepaid stateroom, waiter, assistant waiter and headwaiter gratuities (amounts based on gratuity guidelines)."

 

My question is still: Is there any other value in getting the graruities vs. the $200 obc?

[deise17311]

Finally found it on Celebrity's site. Gratuities are $12 per person per day. So that would be $192 worth of gratuities.

 

My question is still: Is there any other value in getting the graruities vs. the $200 obc?

 

No none..you would be up $8 by taking the obc...which you can use for drinks, shore excursions and most things on board...

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Jade13]

I am under a time crunch here. I am going to book a 7-day cruise for next year. I want to take advantage of the Pick Your Perk offer. Also, I want to book to get the Facebook Promo that ends tomorrow.

 

The drinks package seems to be the best deal, but we are not big drinkers. We already have airfare. So, I am torn between the gratuities and the $200 obc. I have read that for a veranda cabin, the gratuities are $11.50 per day. So, for two people for 8 days, it would be $184. I would do better to get the $200 credit for a seven day cruise.

 

Are any other gratuities picked up under this offer? If I eat at a specialty restaurant, will these gratuities be covered? If I order a drink, will this gratuity be covered?

 

I would appreciate any help ASAP.

 

Book with an outside agent who will pay your gratuities so you can get both. That is what we are doing next year. Note that depends on the cost of your cruise. If it is really cheap they will not be able to cover the gratuities, but might give a smaller OBC instead.

[NCruiser2012]

Thank you! I will buy myself a drink.

[Jersey42]

My question is still: Is there any other value in getting the graruities vs. the $200 obc?

 

If you elect Select dining, then the gratuities must be prepaid and you can not use your OBC to cover the gratuities. If you go the Select dining route and do not expect to spend $200 on board, then the gratuities might be a better deal.

 

Of course if you can get your TA to cover the gratuities as suggested by another poster, you are in great shape.

[AlanAllyn]

For a 7-night cruise, the gratuities are 7 * 24 = $168.

[NCruiser2012]

You are correct. The gratuities for 7 nights are $168 for two people. I did get the $200 obc, but I am rethinking it now. My TA said I can change my choice later. I had to prepay the $168 in order to get select dining. With the $100 Facebook obc, will I really spend $300 while on the ship? I like to prebook my excursions or get from an outside company. We do not do a lot of specialty dining.

 

By the way, my travel agent is giving me some other incentives, so they are not offering prepaid gratuities.

[dkjretired]

You are correct. The gratuities for 7 nights are $168 for two people. I did get the $200 obc, but I am rethinking it now. My TA said I can change my choice later. I had to prepay the $168 in order to get select dining. With the $100 Facebook obc, will I really spend $300 while on the ship? I like to prebook my excursions or get from an outside company. We do not do a lot of specialty dining.

 

By the way, my travel agent is giving me some other incentives, so they are not offering prepaid gratuities.

 

You may cancel the select dining now and then rebook it once on the ship. Your gratuities will then appear on your account and the OBC may be used to pay them. If you do this you are taking a chance that Select might not be available once on the ship.

[CPT Trips]

A daily espresso, fresh juice, glass of wine for each of you will add up to about $30 a day. You don't need to be a big drinker to beat a $200 obc. And the beverage plan pays the tips on your drinks.

[riclop]

take the OBC.

[Gig103]

You are correct. The gratuities for 7 nights are $168 for two people. I did get the $200 obc, but I am rethinking it now. My TA said I can change my choice later. I had to prepay the $168 in order to get select dining. With the $100 Facebook obc, will I really spend $300 while on the ship? I like to prebook my excursions or get from an outside company. We do not do a lot of specialty dining.

 

By the way, my travel agent is giving me some other incentives, so they are not offering prepaid gratuities.

 

If you don't drink alcohol at all, $300 in a week is enough for two classic non-alcoholic packages (covers sodas, cappuccinos, bottled water, juices) with money left over for a night in a specialty restaurant. It's enough for a couples massage (I think). And worst case, you can go to the casino and do a cash advance against your room account for a 5% surcharge, and take home $285 of it.

 

Of course, if you are looking at the classic NA package, you can still choose the drink package since it covers those plus wine, beer, and spirits. That lets you have the option of a drink if the mood strikes you.

[Feelin' Nauti']

Can someone answer this for me -

 

I recently booked a veranda (balcony) with select dining.

Invoice is showing $84 for a 7 night cruise.

 

What is the gratuity per day? $11.50 or $12?? :confused:

[cruisestitch]

Standard verandah? Concierge Class verandah? Don't forget that the gratuity amount was recently increased.

 

Here is the Celebrity website information.

 

How are gratuities handled onboard?

For your convenience, we automatically add gratuities for your restaurant and stateroom services to your onboard SeaPass® account on a daily basis in the following amounts, which may be adjusted at your discretion:

• $12 per person per day in staterooms

• $12.50 per person per day in Concierge Class and AquaClass® staterooms

• $15.50 per person per day in suites

This gratuity is shared by your stateroom attendant, dining services staff, and housekeeping staff members who help enhance your vacation experience.

 

At your discretion, the gratuity payments may be adjusted onboard at Guest Relations, in which case they will not automatically be added to your onboard SeaPass® account.

 

A 15% gratuity will be automatically added to all beverages, mini bar purchases, spa and salon services. Additional gratuities may be added at your discretion.

[Feelin' Nauti']

Standard verandah? Concierge Class verandah? Don't forget that the gratuity amount was recently increased.

 

• $12 per person per day in staterooms

• $12.50 per person per day in Concierge Class and AquaClass® staterooms

• $15.50 per person per day in suites

This gratuity is shared by your stateroom attendant, dining services staff, and housekeeping staff members who help enhance your vacation experience.

.

Thank you! This answered my question :)