Free gratuity

[shanni-shanni]

When a cruise features fee gratuity, does that mean the crew don't get them?

 

If they do, where does the money come from?

 

Tom

[cruiserchuck]

The crew still gets gratuities.  Either the TA or HAL pays for them.

[VMax1700]

Last time we cruised with free gratuities, the grat was charged to the onboard account and then credited out. 

[kazu]

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

Last time we cruised with free gratuities, the grat was charged to the onboard account and then credited out. 

 

Ditto.  I had it on one segment last time and saw the same thing.

 

Quite sure we paid for it in the price of our cruise but my math made it worthwhile 😉 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Free gratuities is a pricing game. 

[Krazy Kruizers]

I would be having my TA ask HAL what the cost of the cruise is without the gratuities -- could be a big difference.

[Scrapnana]

I don't believe there is any difference in price on the Grand Voyages if you choose a cabin that qualifies for free gratuities before the deadline.

[DAllenTCY]

Why not include the service charges in the price of a sailing and be done with it.

 

It would be better for the crew......and simplify one's onboard account.

 

David

[RuthC]

11 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Why not include the service charges in the price of a sailing and be done with it.

 

It would be better for the crew......

Actually, it wouldn't (be better for the crew).
For most of the crew, salary is taxable in their home countries, but gratuities are not. If service charges were added to the fare, and the salaries increased by that amount, most of the crew would have less take-home pay.

[DAllenTCY]

I agree; however, at least everyone guest onboard would be paying.  At present,  many have the service charges removed.

David

[utahtea]

On 1/18/2019 at 2:05 PM, Krazy Kruizers said:

I would be having my TA ask HAL what the cost of the cruise is without the gratuities -- could be a big difference.

 

When we first booked our current cruise in August they had the Explore 4 Package and we did not want that so we asked and there was a lower price which we took.  Then in November when they had a big sale that included gratuity we called our Personal Cruise Consultant and got the lower price and gratuity paid.  

 

We did this on our last cruise too.  Every day they bill you the gratuity and also credit it back to you.  

 

Utahtea

[ORCRUISER]

Does anyone have any idea how many ask for their gratuities to be removed? We never have and I really prefer it to the “old” way where you got envelopes and “suggested “ amounts.