Royal to raise gratuities

[brfan]

They actually need to be paid by June 1, not just added. That's what the email that went out today said.

 

If I understood your previous post yes anyone who is past final payment and haven't pre-paid tips will need to pay for them prior to June 1st to lock in the old rate. However if you are not past final payment then you just need to add the tips to your invoice to get the old rate and then pay them when you make your final payment. This isn't anything different then how it's always been handled with regards to prepaying tips.

[A2Mich]

 

 

 

I have spoken to a number of crew member about tips and most rather have cash. I think they fear speaking there minds about the current system. For all I know Royal charges the crew a service charge for managing the tip money they collect.

 

 

According to the waiter we had on Freedom a few weeks ago, the cruise line does indeed keep a percentage. Now mind you, that's what was told to me by a single MDR waiter, so I have no way to back that up other than what he said. And, I'm not going to state his name and take any chance that he get in trouble

[Cindy]

I'm feeling neglected.:o I have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked, and even though I have MTD and thus gratuities already on my invoice, I haven't received an e-mail.:confused:

 

I did hear from Celebrity, but since my tips were included as part of the 1-2-3-GO! promotion I don't have to worry about those!

[nealstuber]

Total cost of increase for a 7 day cruise for two $12.35. Really least of my issues. I don't know about you all, but I'm pretty happy to get a baloney cabin for $100/pp per day d/o - have been happy to pay this just about every cruise for the past 15 years. So $1400, plus the existing tip rate in place, $1550 is about what we were spending. This amount to a 0.82% increase, less than one percent of our base cruise spend. Throw in transportation, shore excursions, casino and booze its less than half a percent.

[John&LaLa]

I'm feeling neglected.:o I have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked, and even though I have MTD and thus gratuities already on my invoice, I haven't received an e-mail.:confused:

 

I did hear from Celebrity, but since my tips were included as part of the 1-2-3-GO! promotion I don't have to worry about those!

 

My son received email, he's not going

[steveru621]

Total cost of increase for a 7 day cruise for two $12.35. Really least of my issues. I don't know about you all, but I'm pretty happy to get a baloney cabin for $100/pp per day d/o - have been happy to pay this just about every cruise for the past 15 years. So $1400, plus the existing tip rate in place, $1550 is about what we were spending. This amount to a 0.82% increase, less than one percent of our base cruise spend. Throw in transportation, shore excursions, casino and booze its less than half a percent.

 

$.95 x 7 x 2 = $13.30

 

I agree this increase isn't as big as the last one. It wasn't too long ago the recommended tip per day was $7.00pp, and a drink price hadn't gone up 40%, and a drink tip was 15% and Chops was $20, etc...

[bananawindnj]

I used to tip extra at the end of cruise to the stateroom attendant and both waiters. No more!

I don't like RCCL using me to increase their wages.

 

 

from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[caribbean sailor]

... and can we prepay gratuities now to avoid the increase???

 

Just don't pay it have it removed from your charge card.Did royal also say they are going to raise the crews salary.NO NO NO :mad:

[nealstuber]

$.95 x 7 x 2 = $13.30

 

I agree this increase isn't as big as the last one. It wasn't too long ago the recommended tip per day was $7.00pp, and a drink price hadn't gone up 40%, and a drink tip was 15% and Chops was $20, etc...

 

Thanks for correcting my math, don't know how I did that. :confused: Yeah when I said this increase was the least of my concerns... the other things tick me off quite a bit more. Especially the 18% on the 40% inflated drinks, when there are fewer and fewer servers! Those guys (and gals) are making a killing.

Edited May 16, 2015 by nealstuber

[denatravels]

Thanks for correcting my math, don't know how I did that. :confused: Yeah when I said this increase was the least of my concerns... the other things tick me off quite a bit more. Especially the 18% on the 40% inflated drinks, when there are fewer and fewer servers! Those guys (and gals) are making a killing.

 

 

You mean the servers? I HIGHLY doubt that.

[TheMiz]

I bought a ticket on JetBlue before any checked luggage charges were introduced. Checked luggage were charges were introduced before I flew. When I checked in they tried to charge me for the checked luggage. I told the check in agent that I bought the ticket before the charges were announced. She checked, verified that I was right, and then removed the charges.

 

 

My problem was with Frontier

[John&LaLa]

$.95 x 7 x 2 = $13.30

 

I agree this increase isn't as big as the last one. It wasn't too long ago the recommended tip per day was $7.00pp, and a drink price hadn't gone up 40%, and a drink tip was 15% and Chops was $20, etc...

 

Wow, I've been cruising a long time and I don't remember $7 a day

[cruisenfever]

Wow, I've been cruising a long time and I don't remember $7 a day

Before July 1, 2011

$3.50pp per day for Stateroom Attendant ($5.75 if in a GS or above)

$3.50pp per day for Waiter....................)

$2.00pp per day for Assistant Waiter....)$6.25pp per day

$0.75pp per day for Head Waiter..........)

$9.75pp per day ($12.00pp per day if booked in a GS or above)

 

After July 1, 2011

$5.00pp per day for Housekeeping Staff ($7.25 if in a GS or above)

$3.75pp per day for Waiter...................)

$2.15pp per day for Assistant Waiter...)$6.65pp per day

$0.75pp per day for Head Waiter.........)

$11.65pp per day ($13.90pp per day if booked in a GS or above)

Effective March 1, 2013

To simplify the service recognition process, Royal Caribbean automatically adds a $12.00 USD gratuity ($14.25 USD for Suite Guests) to each guest’s SeaPass® account on a daily basis.

 

This gratuity is shared by Dining Services Staff Stateroom Attendants and other Housekeeping Services Personnel ($1.35) that work to enhance your cruise. The daily automatic gratuity amounts are recommended and are based on customary industry standards.

 

$3.85pp per day Stateroom Attendant ($6.10 for GS and above)

$1.35pp per day Other Housekeeping Personnel

$6.80pp per day Dining Service

$12.00pp per day ($14.25pp per day for GS and above)

 

Effective June 1, 2015

$12.95pp per day for standard accommodations

$15.95pp per day for Suites

 

Edited May 17, 2015 by cruisenfever

[steveru621]

Thanks Patti, I thought it was $7.00pp in 2009. The old memory isn't what it used to be.

[3dog]

Especially the 18% on the 40% inflated drinks,

 

This is probably picking nits, but in general all drinks didn't increase by 40%. My observation on a cruise ending last weekend is that generally drink prices rose between 10% and 25% (some of the reports of 40% seemed to be about reclassifying some drinks that were previously "well drinks" to those that are "call drinks" or "cocktails", which will add about 15% on the drink plus the 25% increase).

 

Typical "well drinks" (e.g. Gin and Tonic) were $9, but "call drinks" (Beefeater and Tonic) and cocktails were $10 (one of the wines I particularly like only increased by $1, or more like 7% - but IMO, that isn't likely a good example).

 

That the gratuity also increased by 3% mostly means that drink prices increased by 28% (yes, there is an increase, but it would be nice to not overstate the increase).

[Clarea]

My son received email, he's not going

So typical Royal.:rolleyes:

[steveru621]

This is probably picking nits, but in general all drinks didn't increase by 40%. My observation on a cruise ending last weekend is that generally drink prices rose between 10% and 25% (some of the reports of 40% seemed to be about reclassifying some drinks that were previously "well drinks" to those that are "call drinks" or "cocktails", which will add about 15% on the drink plus the 25% increase).

 

Typical "well drinks" (e.g. Gin and Tonic) were $9, but "call drinks" (Beefeater and Tonic) and cocktails were $10 (one of the wines I particularly like only increased by $1, or more like 7% - but IMO, that isn't likely a good example).

 

That the gratuity also increased by 3% mostly means that drink prices increased by 28% (yes, there is an increase, but it would be nice to not overstate the increase).

 

I disagree, my house vodka and tonic was $6 last week, on another ship it was $10. That's a 66% increase. I will admit this whole drink price thing is sorting itself out throughout the line but 40% may be conservative. Well drinks have been $6 for as long as I can remember. If you paid $9 that's a 33% increase.

[gilby]

I don't object RCCL raising the tips, everyone deserves a raise, but I think that when you book your cruise out a yr in advance, RCCL should honor the tipping price at the time you book. We prefer to give our servers & room attendant cash, that way I know they receive it.

[azbaby8062]

From TA

 

Our records indicate that you have an upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise reservation and we wanted to share with you an important notice that we just received. Royal Caribbean is raising their daily gratuity rate on all sailings that depart on or after July 1, 2015.

 

Current gratuity amounts are:

$12.00/day, per guest in Standard accommodations, and $14.95/day, per guest in Suites

 

New increased gratuity amounts for sailings commencing June 1, 2015:

$12.95/day, per guest in Standard accommodations, and $15.95/day, per guest in Suites

If you desire to avoid this increase, you can choose to prepay your gratuities by May 31, 2015 at the current rate. Simply call or email us and one of our cruise specialists will gladly assist you with adding pre-paid gratuities to your reservation.

If you have already prepaid your gratuities or have a free gratuity promotion on your booking, please disregard this message. If you have selected prepaid gratuities on your reservation but not remitted payment to Royal Caribbean, you will need to do so by May 31, 2015 in order to take advantage of the current gratuity rate.

 

From Royal

 

We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon for your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise vacation!

 

As you prepare to set sail, we wanted to notify you of an update to our daily service charges. As of June 1, 2015, Royal Caribbean will be adjusting the automatic daily service charge from $12.00 to $12.95 per day for regular staterooms and $14.25 to $15.95 per day for suite. This service charge is shared by dining & culinary services personnel, stateroom attendants and other housekeeping and guest services personnel.

 

We want to extend the opportunity to prepay your service charge now at the current rate, before it adjusts on June 1. After this date, any service charge applied will be at the new rate.

 

Other onboard gratuity policies remain the same: an 18% gratuity is automatically added to bar service beverages, specialty dining reservations, spa services and mini bar items, and will be itemized on your receipt.

 

Call 1-866-504-3941, log onto RoyalCaribbean.com or contact your travel agent by May 31, 2015, to prepay the daily service charge at the current rate.

 

Thank you for choosing to cruise with us.

 

Sincerely,

 

Royal Caribbean International®

[Cruisin'4Us]

I just saw this on the Royal website:

 

"I booked my cruise prior to June 1, 2015. How does this impact my cruise?

The adjusted automatic daily gratuity is effective for all Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sailings that depart on or after July 1, 2015. It replaces our previous recommended gratuity guidelines. However, if you select prepaid gratuities for your reservation before June 1, 2015, you will be charged the previously recommended gratuity rates."

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/onboardExtrasFaq.do#11

[denatravels]

I just saw this on the Royal website:

 

"I booked my cruise prior to June 1' date=' 2015. How does this impact my cruise?[/b']

The adjusted automatic daily gratuity is effective for all Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sailings that depart on or after July 1, 2015. It replaces our previous recommended gratuity guidelines. However, if you select prepaid gratuities for your reservation before June 1, 2015, you will be charged the previously recommended gratuity rates."

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/onboardExtrasFaq.do#11

 

 

Link does not work-- that doesn't seem like a good sign!

[Clarea]

Link does not work-- that doesn't seem like a good sign!

The link works fine for me.

[denatravels]

I'm seeing "that page is no longer available"

[Clarea]

I'm seeing "that page is no longer available"

Odd. Are you on the US or Canada?

[caribbean sailor]

We have always given tips in cash. Lucky we have been able to avoid my time dining. I frankly do not trust Royal to give the tips out as they describe. The email states guest services are included. Are these the folks at the guest service deck.

 

I have spoken to a number of crew member about tips and most rather have cash. I think they fear speaking there minds about the current system. For all I know Royal charges the crew a service charge for managing the tip money they collect.

 

I also do not trust royal,i will continue to pay in cash. But will pay at the 12 Dollar rate. :p :)