I am going on a Royal Caribbean cruise next week.....?

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Lizzy P

Yes, they expect all passengers to pay full gratuities. Unlike the above comment that says you are supposed to pay half, this is NOT true. Check out Royal Caribbean gratuity guidelines here for more info on what to expect:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do;jsessionid=0000_9nKV5kjxO9KRU91tbzUi63:12hdhua36?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqSubjectName=Life+Onboard&faqId=263&faqSubjectId=334&faqType=faq

Because you are on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you will NOT have your gratutities automatically added to your credit card. There will be envelopes in your room on the last night of the cruise. You can put cash in them and distribute them as you see fit.

If you want to have the gratuities on your credit card, you need to go to the pursers desk by a certain time (they will announce it onboard) and they will give you a slip of paper to put in your envelopes.

You're traditionally supposed to then give these envelopes to the staff in the dining room on your last night supper. Most people do this (over 90%) but some will simply pay with their credit card and not hand out envelopes, and some people will just not tip at all, and some will avoid the dining room as to escape tipping.

The staff will likely assume you aren't tipping if you didn't show up for the last supper.

tbugs

Alright now, this idea of tipping or not tipping is getting old.

The stewards, busboys, and waiters work basically for tips. They work very hard and they deserve to get your tips.

The rule of thumb is that children are supposed to tip at the same as the parent's tip. The steward has to make up their beds as well as yours and probably some extra cleaning will be done, too. The waiter has to serve meals to the kids as well as you and husband. The busboy has to clean up after them - and probably more than with just you and husband.

Some cruise lines add tips in automatically on your shipboard charge. I don't know what RCL does. If you do pay in cash at the end of the cruise - they provide envelopes and you hand it to your waiter and busboy on the last dinner of the cruise - you can put whatever you want in the envelope as a tip. They have the manners not to count it in front of you and they will be very gracious about accepting your tips. If you want to shortchange them or feel as though the service was not worth the suggested guidelines, no one is going to say anything.

If the tips are automatically added to your shipboard charges, you have to speak to the pursar's office about eliminating them or reducing them. You will feel like a cheapskate.

I just read the guidelines in the link provided by Lizzy P. below my answer. RCL does say that the tips guidelines are regardless of the age of the passenger. I stand corrected.

sporregar

Yes, you'll be charged gratuities for your kids. Especially as you are a party of 5.

IMHO, people travelling with kids should be charged more in gratuities because of all the extra effort needed to pander to the little darlings.

If you pay in cash, which is the usual custom, you leave it in an envelope in your cabin. So they will know which cabins coughed up or not and discuss it in the employee lounge.

Alton J

First, you do not have to tip if the service is not good. I always use cash to tip, they provide you with envelopes and you place the money in it and hand it to that person. They do not Know if you tip or not. Some cruise lines are taking the tips out on your credit card if you want them too. It is still your choice if you want to tip or not. The people that I usually take really good care of are the cabin and my waiter/waitress. I usually tips them more than recommended.

Lloyd Braun

Gratuity is per person, so yes the children would be charged - or rather, you would be charged for them. If you choose to pay in cash, you can pay whatever you feel is fair. However, please be fair. These people serve you and your family throughout the entire cruise and truly deserve at least the minimum amount usually given to them.

Chico MigraÃ±a

Don't worry about it! Enjoy your trip as much as you can. They will make sure you pay every sngle cent!
Bye!

Saludmer!

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