First timer unsure about gratuities

[MsChookandtheelvesofFahFah]

So excited! Dp has overcome his aversion to holidays and has agreed to a Med cruise this summer. Needless to say I have spent the whole day being bamboozled by ships/decks/upgrades/packages etc!

I have decided the cruise that fits the bill best is a Royal Caribbean 12 night cruise in August from Southampton and going to Spain and France.

If I select a specific room I get a free wifi and gratuities package, if I don't I have to add it on. My question is how and when and what do I tip for if I decide not to buy the gratuities package? It seems a lot of money (£142 each) but then I don't know how much the wifi bit costs and whether you need wifi anyway. I'm hoping someone will be able to help. Also I have to pay for the 'free' package at booking time but apparently it is deducted when the balance is due. Does this sound normal? Thanks

Gosh, reading that back sounde completely garbled, hope someone understands what I'm trying to say

You do want to choose your specific room I - that way you know what deck and where it is, rather than being given a random.

Random ones are cheaper but they don't come with the offers so it is swings and roundabouts.

We have been on 3 cruises, not Royal Caribbean (hoping to go in July) and I like the fact that we haven't got wifi (you have in port if you have that facility with your phone, I buy a £10 one off month roaming thing for it) But I like the fact that you can't just sit on the internet all the time. It stops us and makes us actually do other things.

We do normally pay gratuities which are a few hundred pounds extra. You can stop them and just pay your room person x and the waiter y, but I feel that just more than those two put effort into the holiday. But if they are prepaid then bonus for you.

If tips are included then you pay nothing else otherwise they will add a % to each purchase and a daily charge. £140 for more than a week seems about right

Ah, ok I see. I thought it was just for waiter service and room attendant, didn't realise it was added to other things. Think I will go for the allocated room on that basis. Thank you both

Join Cruise Critic - loads of info there about your ship and what is what etc

Ooh sounds good. I'm all booked on now, hope there's not too many negatives about my ship!

I've cruised twice with RCC. The gratuities need to be paid regardless so if you don't pre-pay, they will add it to your account on a daily basis.

You do still have to tip on other purchases. Any treatments at the spa have an automatic gratuity, also if you purchase the drinks package or buy any drinks then gratuities are also added.

You're also expected to tip extra your stateroom attendant and the staff in the dining room.

You're also expected to tip extra your stateroom attendant and the staff in the dining room.

No, that’s wrong. You are not expected to tip once you’ve prepaid gratuities. You can do so, if you wish.

I hope not. I thought pre-paying covered everything. A bit confused now. Btw cruise critic is fab! I've found reviews for my actual cabin and if I ever book another cruise I would check there first to see if there are any negatives.

We stop the auto payment and just pay the waiters and cabin cleaners around £20 per person, many come with sob storys, but believe me they are well paid.
We have just booked cruise number 14 and the secret is planning each destination cruise critic and trip advisor are excellent.
A good example, trip to Florence was £600 for 6 of us via the ship, we did it for £100 inc lunch by local bus to train station and finding a restaurant doing a tourist lunch deal.

So,you don’t think the cleaners, laundry staff, chefs, entertainment staff etc etc deserve a tip then? They aren’t well paid at all.

pre-paid gratuities are split between staff - including the staff that you don't see. The service you get on a cruise is excellent. We always pay in advance then pay extra when we leave to any staff we feel have been particularly good. Always our cabin steward!Be aware that If you don't have a drinks package you will pay grats on each drink you buy. re wi-fi - personally don't bother. It is great to be away from it all and you always go and use an internet cafe when in port. I am sure you will enjoy your first cruise. RCI are good. I had to be talked into my first cruise as I didn't think it was for me but I LOVE them now. Next one booked for November/December.

They should just lay their staff properly. The "gratuities" thing seems so outdated.

So instead of your cruise is £550 plus £50 gratuities, just day your cruise is £600.

We stop the auto payment and just pay the waiters and cabin cleaners around £20 per person, many come with sob storys, but believe me they are well paid

What about the staff who wash up/prepare food/clean/do laundry and all the many other jobs that you don’t ever see but that make a wonderful experience for you?

If you stop the auto gratuity, then those staff will not get their share of any tips you give. I hope those staff are well paid, they deserve to be given how hard they work, and how many months they are away from their families, but somehow I doubt they are paid a great wage.

Gratuities make up part of their wages, I don’t agree with this way of doing things, IMO the wages should be better, the cost of the cruise slightly more, and therefore no need for gratuities. However, this is how things are currently done, so please don’t cancel the gratuities.

Don't stop the auto grats, as others say, a whole host of the background staff miss out that way.
Yes, the system is not very British and seems outdated but it is an American line and the only people who will suffer if you don't pay are the very low paid workers. We just accept it as part of the cost.
Your 4G will work in Europe. Ship WiFi is usually very slow.
Check what is above and below your cabin before selecting it (you don't want to be below an area like the buffet restaurant where they rearrange the tables at 5am daily for e.g.).
Enjoy! We love cruising.

I've just noticed that the gratuities are $142 but we pay £142. Seems slightly unfair!

Gosh didn't think about noise from public decks! You live and learn

Hi there we're on our 12th cruise with rci I love them we're on explorer of the seas in June if your on that ship she's lovely but if your on the indy you'll have a ball she's huge and fantastic as for the gratuities we always take ours off as soon as we get on the ship and we tip who we want to and that includes our cabin staff you'll have a great time take as much as you like you can even take 2 bottles of wine or sparkly per cabin in travel bag with you they don't like people taking irons but people do hope you enjoy it

If you've paid gratuities upfront I take it you can't take them off?!

Hi there I don't think you can even though you have pre paid they still put a tips envelope in cabin on the last day