Jump to content
  • Deals
  • Find a Cruise
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Cruise Tips

room service question


Recommended Posts

Howdy....first time cruising couple here looking forward to our 12/3 trip on the Rhapsody...

 

Regarding room service:

 

1. Are you limited in ordering only from a "room service" menu?

 

2. Once underway, is room service available 24/7?

 

3. Does staff that delivers room service orders expect a cash tip every time...is it customary to cash tip room service?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. Yes, you are "restricted" to a room service menu...the menu is very diverse though...lots of breakfast, eggs, omelettes, cereal, yogurt, the famous half tomato with a sprig of parsley...

...also sandwiches, pasta, pizzas, fries, etc. I have heard of people ordering from the dinner menu during dinner time and getting certain entrees...

 

2. It can be ordered from the time the ship leaves until 1 AM the last night.

 

 

3. I always tip $2-$3...It is very customary to tip.

 

I use RS as a wake up call. Forces me to get out of bed and stand up....then out to the deck after breakfast!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can always request something that's not on the menu--I like croissants--they are not on the room service menu, but they brought them every morning I requested them! Just write it in on the "breakfast card". (They have a pre-set breakfast menu that you mark and hang on your door at night) Of course, you can always just call room service and make a request--but then you will have to wait a bit. (If you use the breakfast card and want it delivered at 8am, it will be there at 8am!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just returned from the AOS on July 30 sailing.

 

In the morning we were told that we could ONLY order what was on the breakfast card. I asked the person on the phone if we could order whatever was on the dinning room menu, because it was during the time that the dinning room was open. I was told NO.

 

We had friends with us in a different cabin and they were told the same thing.

 

Because of this we headed up to the Windjammer for breakfast.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Breakfast on the balcony is wonderful! I love waking up this way. We always order coffee and pastries and usually a cheese omelet or something. It has always been very good. We do order 2 pots of coffee though, they are small. And be sure to check salt/pepper, butter etc. if you don't they don't bring that stuff. Enjoy your room service and do tip a little something for them carrying that tray to your door. They will also call just before delivery.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are cards hanging on the door for you to order breakfast. I always order a pot of coffee and use that as my wake up call. I wedge a dollar bill in the frame of the mirror before i go to sleep so when room service delievers my coffee and I'm still sleepy i don't have to fumble for my wallet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We use room service every morning and afternoon. Get tea, milk and chocolate covered donuts (for my son) and afternoon tea and chocolate chip cookies, it's a tradition on all our cruises! Give us a chance to give our son some quiet time in the cabin and for us to appreciate our balcony and the beautiful views! We always tip 2-3 bucks depending on what we order.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good question. Maybe some ships only allow what is on the room service menu. But I have never been turned down for ordering something from the dining room menu.........as long as it is during the time that the dining room is open. I cannot get "whatever I want" 24/7. Tipping between $1 and $3 dollars is appropriate.

 

Rick

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On the RC website under Dining Options, Room Service they wrote:

 

"The room service menu can be found in your stateroom and offers selections for all meals and light snacks. During certain hours of the day, you can also order from the main dining room menu, just ask for details when you're onboard. So go ahead and have breakfast in bed or enjoy a sweet temptation dessert on your balcony. After all, you're on vacation. "

 

Kate

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am prepaying my gratitudes... do I still have to tip for room service?

 

Yep, it isn't your waiter, assistant waiter, head waiter, or room steward delivering it. If for some odd reason it was, say hi and give them a tip anyway ... carrying that tray full of food down a hallway dodging passengers deserves it! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, you don't have to tip and there is no recommended guideline like there is for room steward, etc. It is customary to do so, though.

 

After this response, I have to retract my "Yep". :D

 

I remember reading something along the lines of "gratuities not included" or something on some literature involving something to do with the fact that your tips to the room service delivery person wasn't included. It may have said "suggested" or "amount at your descretion" (which could mean technically mean zero).

 

Since this is all EXTREMELY vague on my part and I have no definitive concrete evidence to the contrary ... I hate to say it, but wow ... you could not tip and possibly not feel guilty for not doing so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was on the Grandeur in May, a 5 night cruise. RCL has changed their breakfast room service menu. I use to get my omlets, etc., but now on cruises under 7 nights, I was told, we are only able to order from paper menu hanging in cabin -- no eggs, just continental type stuff. I was very disappointed. Going on Mariner 10/15 for 7 nights and am looking forward to getting my nice breakfast in the cabin on port days! Yes, and tipping is appropriate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I asked about the "During certain hours of the day, you can also order from the main dining room menu, just ask for details when you're onboard".

 

I was told it was not the certain time, even though the dinning room was open. I did request breakfast on two different days and was told the same thing.

 

I am not complaining about it at all, we just went to the Windjammer. I wonder if this policy is different from ship to ship, or depending on lenght of cruise?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll bet ya that the type of cabin your in may have alot to do with what you can or can't get from room service. ie. if your in a suite they will probably be more likely to try to satisfy your requests. Just a thought.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it depends on the ship. On the Enchantment, the door tag included eggs, but on the Majesty, only continental items were available. These were both 4 night cruises. I never saw where you could order breakfast items from the dining room on the Enchantment, but they did show a limited menu for lunch and dinner on one of the tv channels as being available from room service.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...