Comments on: Royal Caribbean Increases Gratuities…Again.

By: Dee

Dee — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 21:05:44 +0000

If you pay the cruise agency, 3 months before sail, tips towards the ship then they shouldn’t be charging anything on our seapass account unless we order stuff. But remember you need to have st least $300 anyway on your sea pass account for any extra charges.

By: Sherry Kennedy

Sherry Kennedy — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 16:42:21 +0000

In reply to Steve Jacobs.

Hi Steve,
That’s a good question and it’s all about training and service, in my opinion. I think it depends on the cruise line and ship to ensure that just because gratuities are either included in the price of the cruise or added daily to your onboard account, the crew is held to a high standard to provide excellent service. Your question makes great sense…especially for cruise lines who don’t always have the best training for their staff.
Sherry

By: Steve Jacobs

Steve Jacobs — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 21:13:12 +0000

I am not a first-time cruiser by any means but still ‘wonder’…..with all of the “automatic gratuity charges” being applied within the industry, how does that not in some manner de-incentivize the crew to go ‘above & beyond’ or even to provide the ‘minimum’ expected excellent service?

By: Sherry Kennedy

Sherry Kennedy — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 20:01:01 +0000

In reply to Ronald Policastro.

Hi Ronald,
You’ve asked the $64 Million Dollar question. I would hope that cruise lines don’t skim off the top of crew members’ hard-earned gratuities. Sorry I can’t supply the correct answer. I’ll keep digging around and if I find out, I’ll do an article about it!

Sherry

By: Ronald Policastro

Ronald Policastro — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 00:32:12 +0000

How do passengers know that the ship’s crew members actually receive the gratuity. Someone did tell me
that the cruise line keeps a percentage of the total. Is that true?