or would i be charged for the whole pina colada with alcohol? Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. If you have a package, gratuities are already included in that, you wont pay any more per drink. As a way to reward our crew members for their outstanding service, tips are shared . That said, its unusual to adjust the gratuity amount, and the staff works extremely hard to make your trip enjoyable. Even Babies? In this section, Ill answer the most commonly-asked questions about Royal Caribbean drink packages. For example I drink a lot of water during the day so I will at least have 6 bottles of water. The automatic tip is USD 16.00 USD, or USD 18.50 USD for suite guests, applied to each guests SeaPass account on a daily basis. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. These days, the gratuities are set daily amounts paid by each passenger. Do Royal Caribbean offer drink packages on three night cruises? The package covers nearly every beverage on the ship up to $13 per drink. I had it on a 4-night cruise. You can usually pay your gratuities in advance of your cruise, or choose to receive a bill on the last day of your cruise. At the end of your cruise, youll receive an envelope that you can use to give extra cash tips if you wish. Jenni, Hi Jose, Australians typically do not tip because the minimum wage in Australia is $20.33 AUD/hr ($14.56 USD/hr). So if youre planning a cruise with Royal Caribbean, read on for everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean gratuities. The exact breakdown of how much each staff member gets isnt published, just like their salary isnt published. To do so, simply head down to Guest Services on the ship to tell them that you want to change your tip amounts. This depends on your muster station. The gratuities go to staff that provide passenger-facing services. On my last Royal Caribbean cruise on Anthem of the Seas, it was a seven-night cruise from Southampton so I didnt get a drinks package. Royal Caribbean offers guests the choice of prepaying gratuities for select crew members on its ships. Royal Caribbean offers a choice of three all-inclusive drinks packages: Royal Caribbeans alcohol drinks package includes: Royal Caribbeans non-alcoholic drinks package includes: The Classic Soda Packages comes with a refillable souvenir cup which you can use at self-service machines across the ship. If youd like to calculate exactly what your gratuity amount will be before you book your trip, then you can use our calculator here. But thats not always the case. The cruise line collects the tips and then distributes them accordingly. The staff isnt likely to treat you any differently or even know that you arent tipping (after all, some people still like to pay cash at the end of the cruise). So you would need to let someone else be served and then order again. They will set up the travel cot (pack n play) each night, puree food as requested, clean up at mealtimes and much more. Having to add in gratuity costs to these advertised rates could make them less attractive to potential cruisers. For new reservations, the adjusted gratuity amounts are effective as of September 7, 2022. Hi, I'm Jenni. . In Miami the worst place to board the ship. And you also have to wash it yourself so be sure to bring dish soap and a sponge. On Royal Caribbean cruises it costs $29 for 24 16-oz cans of water to be delivered to your stateroom, although this price will usually be discounted if you book this service before your cruise. There may be other areas for tipping while on a cruise that are not covered by this page, including shore excursions, land tours, sightseeing, land based transportation including taxis, charter busses or limousines, tour guides, luggage handlers, room service delivery, land based . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. This also applies to sailings departing from Australia and New Zealand. Guests that booked through a travel agent can request their agent add pre-paid gratuities to the guests' booking prior to sailing. We can take on wine and sift drinks ??. Automatic gratuity charge: None. Coca-Cola (including diet, zero, caffeine-free and many different flavours like strawberry, cherry and lime), Fanta, Sprite and Dr Pepper (and zero versions), Powerade (and zero version), Vitamin water and Hi C, Barrys root beer and creme soda (and diet versions), Minute Maid orange and lemonade (and light versions), You cannot use a Coffee Card in Royal Caribbeans Starbucks cafes, Brewed coffee is always free from the Windjammer buffet, Specialty coffee is included in both the alcohol and no alcohol drink packages, On the first formal night of the cruise, attend the, Guests who have spent more than 30 nights at sea with Royal Caribbean (Platinum members and above) can attend a, Guests who have spent more than 80 nights at sea with Royal Caribbean (Diamond members and above) get free drinks between 5 pm and 8.30 pm for. In April 2022, Carnival Cruise Line raised their gratuities to $14.50 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $16.50 per person, per day for suites. The porter stands there counts the luggage and has told the price for a handling fee. These are: Some drinks are free all the time. Tap the for Winter 2024 Caribbean sailings. If you get free gratuities thrown in as an incentive for booking a cruise, then these will be automatically prepaid. No votes so far! The number of nights affects the total cost of beverage packages. If you celebrate a milestone birthday mid-way through the cruise, you should ask the Guest Services Manager to modify your record to allow you to drink alcohol after your birthday. Royal Caribbean stipulates in the unlikely event that a guest onboard being charged the daily automatic gratuity does not receive satisfactory service, the guest may request to modify the daily amount at their discretion by visiting Guest Services onboard up until the morning of their departure. Drink is 15 Dollars so do i have to pay 3 Dollars or 15? If you want to pay extra, we suggest simply handing cash directly to the people you want to recognize for their service. I have a question. Do check out our Royal Caribbean Cruise Refreshment Package Review for more information! I had the drink package so I didnt get the answer to this. If you prefer to keep some bottled water in the fridge in your room, you can order 6, 12 or 24 cans of water to be delivered to your stateroom. However, for the most part you can expect that every passenger on your trip will see a charge. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? The calculator includes the following beverage types: The calculator will add the mandatory gratuity to the average beverage cost for all beverage types in its calculations. Royal Caribbean offers a discount when you pre-book your drinks package on the cruise planner before you sail. When you buy the Deluxe Beverage Package or the Refreshment Package, you also get the souvenir cup and so have all the benefits of the Classic Soda Package. Each guest, regardless of age, will be assessed the daily gratuity as recognition for the hard work crew members do each day. MIAMI - February 13, 2023 - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) (the "Company") today announced that it has closed its private offering of $700 million aggregate principal amount of 7.250% . So well have to pay the difference of $1 on almost every drink. If you booked your Royal Caribbean cruise with a travel agent, you just need to contact them and ask for gratuities to be added to your reservation. I was wondering. I am going on my first cruise in February and found your information very helpful thank you. This makes paying for your cruise more manageable. My two sons are coming on the cruise with me. Prepaying gratuities before your cruise means you pay off that balance early, instead of accruing a higher balance that is owed at the end of the cruise. If you dont have a lot of money available when you come to pay for your cruise, then dont worry about paying the gratuities right away. I rarely drink specialty coffee and prefer a cup of hot tea to end my meals. I'm so sorry that this post wasn't useful for you! Crown & Anchor Diamond status entitles you to attend an Exclusive Nightly Diamond Event between 5 pm and 8 pm each evening where you can receive three free drinks from a list of beers, wines, spirits and sodas. Hi, I would Like to know something. recommended) gratuities, and the ability to increase or decrease the amounts as you desire. You have to wait 15 minutes between each drink, so it is technically possible to get drinks for the kids then 15 minutes later, go and get drinks for yourselves. For example, you have worked with the XYZ company for a period of 15 years. If you book your cruise during a free drinks offer, then you will get drinks included with your cruise. This is also known as a SeaPass account. That adds up. Royal Caribbean Beverage Package Calculator: Instructions and Explanations . Royal Caribbean Gratuities: What you need to know, Royal Caribbean raises its automatic gratuities, Royal Caribbean to raise gratuity amount for guests, Royal Caribbean raises gratuity amount for guests. May 29, 2022. No, you would have to buy it for every day of your cruise. This costs $31 and gives you 15 specialty coffees throughout your cruise. Jenni. All I can see is my cruise planner prices which are $95+ per day!! These days, with the new protocols, Im not sure what the rules will be on refilling our own bottles. Are tips required? Ill be cruising in November on Oasis of the Seas. There are pros and cons to paying your gratuities before or after your cruise, and its very much a personal choice. In my former job managing cruise websites for a travel agent, I saw cruise line campaigns change regularly and prices fluctuate almost daily. Check your Cruise Planner and see if it comes up to purchase. You have entered an incorrect email address! We have decided to use your tip and buy the soda package with the intention of buying shots on board. Yet with a drinks package, youre free to work your way down the menu, trying new things. $16.50 per person, per day for guests in suites. Starting Sept. 7, Royal Caribbean will charge guests in non-suite staterooms . So what will happen? Why wouldnt they have the limit at $13 or do I have incorrect info? Can I please get the link to the calculator? Is there a limit in time how many drinks/baverages I can order. If you have a major issue, however, you can change your gratuity amount accordingly. What If I Dont Pay Gratuities on my Cruise? Another drink package option for Royal Caribbean cruisers is the Classic Soda package, which includes fountain soda and refills at any venue, Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages and even a Coca-Cola souvenir cup. Automatic gratuity charge: $16 to $18.50 per person, per day. Rather than guests tipping each member of staff, Royal Caribbean charges a set fee per day to reward crew members for their service. The good thing for passengers about automatic gratuities is that this breakdown is done automatically by the cruise line instead of having to give tips to several different staff members at the end of your cruise. To account for this, the drink package limit is matched to it. Hi Kristin. If you dont have a credit card, then youll need to link a debit card to your onboard account, or deposit cash. Classic Soda Package. Take your pick of 7 world-class ships sailing weeklong adventures to the top-rated shores of the western, eastern, & southern Caribbean. ? Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Want to tip more? So, if you do have any issues, you should head to Guest Services as early in your cruise as you can, so that things can be put right for you before it affects the rest of your cruise. How strict are they on how much bottles you can bring on board? Use the Royal Caribbean Beverage Package Calculator to determine the most cost-effective beverage package to purchase for a cruise, based on anticipated beverage consumption/habits and pricing. Tipping is out of control everywhere. Most cruise lines require that EVERYONE who is in the cabin and 21 or older to purchase the package. If you booked directly with Royal Caribbean, you can either call Royal Caribbean . The bar service personnel still gets their 15% tips from each bar sale. Some ships may cover up to $13 per alcoholic beverage. If you like to pay for your cruise monthly, then you can add the gratuities to your monthly payment. If you book a cruise with free gratuities, it means that Royal Caribbean will pay the gratuities to the staff members for you, so you dont need to worry about paying them. Theres not a time limit between drinks with Royal Caribbean, but you can only order one drink per person at a time. Suggested read: 56 amazing examples of Royal Caribbean customer service. However, if you want to choose the flexible My Time dining, rather than having a set dining time, you must pre-pay your gratuities. When entering the number of beverages per beverage type, the number entered can either be per day or for the entire length of the cruise for each beverage type. We were exploring ports almost every day. Use this section of the Royal Caribbean Beverage Package Calculator to adjust assumptions and default pricing for beverage packages. Doing this is a good way to ensure that youre served first next time! For some cruise lines (usually luxury lines), gratuities actually are included in the fare you dont pay anything extra apart from your cruise fare. Share. Royal Caribbean gratuities for infants may seem high, but when you think about it, the crew members do a lot of work for each baby, perhaps even more than for an adult. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bills at bars, minibars, salons and spas. Royal Caribbeans rules state that each person must have the same package. Thanks for the great information. That means people like the room steward who cleans your cabin and the dining staff. Your last drawn basic salary along with dearness allowance was Rs 30,000. Royal Caribbean Junior Suite perks: Is it worth the upgrade? To make tipping simpler and fairer, Royal Caribbeans tips policy is to collect this money from all the guests and automatically share it between the crew members. Great blog. However, for the majority of mass market cruise lines the gratuities are extra charges on the price of your cruise. If youd like to calculate exactly what your gratuity amount will be before you book your trip, then you can use our calculator here, many people choose to instead pay the gratuity charges automatically through their onboard account once on the ship, 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of), Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America, 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies, Carnival Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Work, Explained: Duty-Free Shopping on a Cruise (Is It Worth It? I think these amounts are reasonable. All rights reserved. This happens regularly for passengers feeling generous or thankful for the staffs work during their trip. Note that if you live in the UK, youll see your drink packages prices in GBP on the Cruise Planner. Waiting until the end of your cruise will give you a few more paydays to save up the money. Airfare Savings Up to $800 per person . The cost for two people on a week-long cruise can be well above $200. No, it doesnt. Lets say the drinks package costs an average of $75 per day. Here's how it works on Royal Caribbean: As of September 7 th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per . As a person who rarely drinks and had to buy a package for myself so that my husband could have one, does this mean Im paying an extra dollar or two if I decide Id like to try one of these drinks. Some muster stations are outside, some are inside with seats. The discount is increased by up to 30% during promotional periods such as Black Friday. Thats right, each time you order a drink, and 18% gratuity is added on to your bill. Add them on to the total cost of your cruise when you book, Log on to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner before your cruise, Ask your travel agent to arrange to take a payment from you. There are some circumstances in which it would be better to prepay and some in which it would be better to pay at the end of your cruise. All service isnt created equally. How much are gratuities on Royal Caribbean cruises? To decide whether a Royal Caribbean drink package offers good value for money or not, you need to consider three key questions: Once you know the answers to these, you can do the maths and work out Is the Royal Caribbean drinks package is worth it? It may be cheaper to pay for drinks individually on your cruise. My question is, what happens if I buy the beverage package of only soft drinks and non-alcoholic beverages, and at some point during the trip I want to order, for example, a pina colada with alcohol? Royal Caribbean does not require guests under the legal drinking age to buy any kind of drinks package. I know that some people get away with putting one bottle in the main suitcase and one in hand luggage. If you dont decide to prepay the tips, then the amount is automatically charged to your onboard account each day. Royal Caribbean drinks prices are on the high end when compared to other cruise lines. Royal Caribbean drinks packages include all tips (also known as gratuities). So when youre on the ship, its one less charge to worry about. This automatic gratuity does not cover other onboard purchases. In fact, we cant think of a place where gratuities are handled the same way as they are on a cruise ship. If you get some free onboard credit as an incentive when you book your cruise, then you can use this to pay your gratuities. Guests that booked directly with Royal Caribbean can pre-pay gratuities by calling 866-562-7625 or logging into www.royalcaribbean.com before their sailing. Beverage packages may not be available for purchase for cruises of less than four nights departing from Southampton, England. My Cruise Line Calls it a Crew Incentive or Service Charge. So a couple traveling together will see about $30-$40 per day in gratuities, or about $200+ over the course of a week-long cruise. Starting September 7, 2022, Royal Caribbean International will increase the onboard gratuities that guests will pay for the service they receive from crewmembers.Gratuities for guests occupying standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) range from $14.50 to $16.00 per day per person. And when you leave the dining room, no need to drop down any money on the table. I have some photos of the drink menus here: https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/royal-caribbean-drinks-menus-with-prices/ This may help you to find the answer to your question. At least Ive got time to think about which package to buy. Where n = Tenure of service completed in the company. The tips are spread out between the room steward, dining staff, and others. The onboard prices are inflated, and its still always cheaper to buy your package before your cruise. Great observation, Michelle. Available beverage packages include (in descending order of cost): The default pricing for beverage packages can be adjusted to account for price increases or discounts. If you are caught sharing your drinks with someone who doesnt have a package, you risk having your drink package cancelled without a refund. Tipping on Royal Caribbean Cruises is straightforward - a standard daily rate is charged for all guests (no matter the age). But I have one question.