Thread: Royal Caribbean RAISES Suggested Tipping Guidelines Today

From the RCCL Website:

Q:	What are gratuity guidelines for cruises?
A:	For new or existing bookings that set sail before July 1, 2011, the suggested gratuities are: Waiter: $3.50 USD a day per guest Assistant Waiter: $2.00 USD a day per guest Head Waiter: $.75 USD a day per guest Housekeeping staff: $3.50 USD a day per guest Suite Housekeeping staff: $5.75 USD a day per guest For new bookings that set sail on or after July 1, 2011 the suggested gratuities are: Waiter: $3.75 USD a day per guest Assistant Waiter: $2.15 USD a day per guest Head Waiter: $.75 USD a day per guest Housekeeping staff: $5.00 USD a day per guest Suite Housekeeping staff: $7.25 USD a day per guest . Note: As of December 9, 2010, Royal Caribbean International is adjusting the suggested daily gratuities for dining and housekeeping staff. This is Royal Caribbean’s first gratuity adjustment in 13 years, and puts our suggestions in line with our competitors. The new guidelines apply to new reservations made for sailings on or after July 1, 2011 These gratuities apply to guests of all ages.

Gratuities are voluntary and at the discretion of each guest. These guidelines serve as suggestions to help guests express their gratitude for the outstanding service they experience on their Royal Caribbean cruise vacation.

Gratuities for other service personnel are at your discretion. A 15% gratuity will automatically be added to your bar bill or wine check when you are served. Notice to Guests: Gratuities may be shared with other crew members depending on the particular service requirement.

Envelopes for gratuities will be provided in your stateroom on the last night of the cruise. Gratuities may be paid in the following ways:

	Pre paid by having them added to your reservation by your booking agent.
	Added to your onboard SeaPass account.
	Paid in cash at the end of the cruise

So, the daily suggested tip amount (for non suite pax) goes from $9.75 / day to $11.65 /day

Yup $1.90 total for regular cabins. Not bad at all.

If we can afford to cruise we can afford to pay the $1.90 extra to the people who makes our cruise that much special.

So very true Lars

Apparently, its the first "raise" this area has seen in 13 years. That seems long enough. Since it's less than the cost of a decent cup of coffee these days, I can't see many cruisers being unhappy.

What say you, CruiseLineFans?

What do you think about the recent raise in automatic tipping percentages on Royal Caribbean ships?

I have no problem at all with it

I just wonder where they got the numbers from? Why exactly 15 cents for the asst. waiter, for example?

I think they just did an approximately 20% total increase, and divided ut up. Masybe the ones with the greatest workload got a greater share of that overall 20%???

Notice the Head Waiters got no increase ...