royal caribbean my time dining gratuities

Welcome aboard! Depending on when you go, you may have to wait until there is an available table. LauraS That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? Also (and I'm probably being the grammar police on this one) do you really mean "you HAVE to pay the gratuities up front at the time of booking" or do you mean they have to be added to your bill at time of booking? Your browser is outdated and does not support many of the modern features of this website, 0000722800 00000 n If youre not someone who has cruised before, you might not be aware of traditional dining times on cruise ships. Royal Caribbean has done the latter keeping the option for traditional dining service but also offering My Time Dining. And that's before you add in any additional tips you wish to give to your room service or favorite bartender or autogratuities tacked on to bar, restaurant and spa bills. Like what you see? Seating can also be reserved while onboard. 0000005956 00000 n However, as mentioned, it is usually just easier and more convenient to leave the auto-gratuity/service charge/hotel charge (it is called different things on different cruise lines) in place. Love Cruise Fever?Sign Up to Our FREE Newsletter! 0000916809 00000 n 0000892817 00000 n 0000898322 00000 n When making a reservation you will be offered "My Time" or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. 0000913926 00000 n Even if you only plan to eat in the Main Dining Room a couple of times during your cruise, it often makes sense to choose My Time Dining so that you can pick the time you want. Our new My Time Dining option allows you the flexibility to choose when you want to dine each evening, giving you the chance to enjoy your meals at your own pace. TPG values it at $1,600. Can I reserve the same table or waiter at the same time in My Time Dining? However, each ship does also offer specialty dining for an additional fee. Planning a cruise? So if I cancel my gratuities what will be added to my account for my time dining. Princess, for example, has added a Princess Plus plan as a booking option. Brilliance of the Seas is operated by RCL (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of Royal . And that they aren't simply following the outdated information still present on Royal's website as pointed out above? 0000021713 00000 n Related: Use these credit cards to maximize your next cruise vacation. 0000916923 00000 n That is really the biggest flaw with My Time Dining. If you have selected My Time Dining for your next Royal Caribbean Cruise vacation, here's everything you need to know about how to book My Time Dining and secure your nightly dining reservations. 0000425403 00000 n 0000421346 00000 n Upload or insert images from URL. 0000883078 00000 n Speciality restaurants require reservations but they dont have traditional dining times. At some lines, these charges run as high as $25 per day. If you have multiple people in your stateroom or travel party, you can make multiple reservations each evening to accommodate everyone's preferences. 0000419307 00000 n Can guests move between My Time Dining and Traditional Dining during their cruise? We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Please note, you can only choose one dining style per sailing so once they join you they must use My Time Dining for the rest of the cruise. 0000906128 00000 n 0000828394 00000 n The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Automatic gratuity charge: None. You do have to prepay your gratuities in order to sign up to My Time Dining. When you are reserving your cruise, you will be given the option to select "Traditional Dining" or "My Time Dining.". 0000891999 00000 n The benefits of My Time Dining are that you decide who you eat with, and when. If you pay them onboard, it will be charged automatically each day of the cruise. 0000907210 00000 n Even if you initially booked Traditional Dining, you can call your travel agent or Royal Caribbean directly to change to My Time. If you do get the same waiter every night, theyll remember your name and your preferences. gratuities amongst the other My Time Dining waiters; feel free to reward your waiter with an extra tip for providing excellent service . 0000014730 00000 n 0000027181 00000 n It gives passengers prepaid gratuities, a single-device Wi-Fi plan and a basic beverage package for a single bundled price of $50 per person, per day. If you prefer to pay for tips once you're on board your cruise, youll generally find that the gratuities automatically appear on your bill. In many cases, the service charges are adjustable. 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. I'm travelling with guests from another stateroom who selected Traditional Dining. I noticed the My Time doesn't offer reservations until 6:45. There will be a My Time Dining check-in desk at the entrance to the dining room with wait staff to greet guests. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. That said, some people do leave a little extra for crew members who go above and beyond. The included tip amount varies by cruise line, but is typically 15% to 20% of the bill. The flexible option allows you to select your own dining time and table companions on a daily basis. Alas! A lot of cruisers were actually upset when they heard about My Time Dining and vowed to never sail with Royal Caribbean again if this was the only option. Enrollment required. 0000422496 00000 n If you would like a specific waiter or table, they are more likely to be able to accommodate your request with advance reservations (however, please note this is based on availability). If not, just leave blank, How to book My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean, What you need to know about Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining, Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining. We do not prepay gratuities because we always have OBC and they will be deducted from the OBC daily. It is possible to snag dining times around 7:00pm every night, but this is a highly desirable dinner time. It also means you arent limited to eating at 5.30 pm or 8 pm you can choose any time between 6 pm and 9.30 pm for your table. 0000913572 00000 n If you want to walk in then you might have to wait for a suitable one to become available, while if youve booked it should be ready for you when you arrive. But even so, it's more likely to keep up with cost of living, not to make up for those who don't tip. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, dining room wine purchases and Lotus Spa services. Some guests do not plan on eating in the Main Dining Room each day or would rather do so at the time of their choosing. You can do this before the cruise, or during your voyage. 2010 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. These 9 Drinks Are Free on Royal Caribbean Cruises. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); | You also do not get to know the wait staff as well, since you may be seated in a different area every night. Daily service charges are not the only cruise tips you will pay on board. You can be seated with the party you arrive with or be seated at your own table. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. | Online, you can only book My Time Dining for up to eight guests. You can disable the usage of cookies by changing the settings of your browser. The exact times, however, will vary according to your cruise itinerary. If you are traveling with more than eight people, My Time Dining might become a hassle. You cannot paste images directly. All rights reserved. 0000006404 00000 n Weve booked a cruise through an agent. 0000005676 00000 n Cheap people have been around for years. M&-]f_Le}BXJ.D7CCx. Why is it combined? Have you noticed over the years that daily grats have been increasing almost every year to make up for the non tippers. 0000844607 00000 n Click the button above to compare the prices of cruises from all travel agents. 0000019459 00000 n The big advantage to paying cruise tips in advance is that you lock in the current rate. You will see the same helpful crew members waiting on you in the WJ as you did last night in the MDR. Still reserve a table if you can otherwise, you might be waiting with a grumbling stomach until a table becomes free if you just walk in. If youre already booked and have chosen the flexible option, you can easily pre-reserve specific days and times online. To this day it still references dynamic dining in the cruise planner even though that is long gone. Your browser is outdated and does not support many of the modern features of this website, If your My Time Dining reservation is at 7:15pm, do not make any other reservations until 8:30pm or later. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know, 21 new Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night, My first cruise to the Galapagos: The good, the bad and the absolutely adorable. So by your definition no one should tip because others will make up the difference? If you tip personally in cash, those people must turn it in or face dismissal. I don't know if you have cruised before, but the gratuities cover more than your wait staff in My Time Dining. 0000005866 00000 n 0000911365 00000 n Heres how I get the lowest price when I book a cruise. Answer (1 of 4): Fares purchased on the Australian website will always include pre-paid gratuities. You may tip extra if you feel you have been "WOW'd". It can be awkward to eat with a complete stranger, and this dining option also makes it easier for folks who just want to enjoy their getaway at sea. . If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. Be warned that the receipt often includes a line for an additional gratuity, even when one is automatically added. Traditional seating will mean that guests will keep the same wait staff and dining companions throughout the cruise. Find the right card for you. please click here to update it. You can save even more $$$ by eating in the Lido on the last evening and avoiding your cabin steward that night also ? Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Related: 9 times you do not need to tip on a cruise. Many smaller and higher-end cruise operators are folding tips and gratuities into their base fares. All of the gratuities are divided equally among the wait staff. 0000767892 00000 n How much to tip on a cruise is a question that trips up many first-timers. Theyll be able to make recommendations based on what youve previously ordered and make sure your favourite drink is waiting for you, if you want them too. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. So therefore it does not show on our invoice. When making a reservation you will be offered My Time or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. I suspect that the automatic tipping is a hidden charge for the customers who already paid to go on the cruise to subsidise the company's wage bill. Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. Dont worry: When lines offer such deals, it doesnt mean the crew will receive fewer tips the week you cruise. . You can, however, always tell your waitstaff that you have other plans, and they will do their best to serve you as quickly as possible. Their website explains it as such: "By selecting My Time Dini. Still need help? Their memory is incredible and they really do make you feel special. I'm travelling with guests from another stateroom who selected Traditional Dining. Some people like to get to know their wait staff and sitting with other people at a table is not a problem, while others like to dine anytime they feel like it and prefer to eat with just their party. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Royal Caribbeans award winning dining program, My Time Dining, offers flexible and traditional options. 0000014874 00000 n On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you need to register for My Time Dining if you don't want a set dining time. 0000736952 00000 n Traditionally, dinner on a cruise ship has been served at two specific seating times. What happens if I cancel the gratuities? You dont have to do anything. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 0000906914 00000 n Theres also a dining hotline you can call from the phone in your stateroom to make changes to your reservations. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Additionally, if you are traveling with a large party, you might find Traditional Dining to be easier. Your link has been automatically embedded. Im sorry you never received a tip in your years of "slogging your guts out." Itll be one less thing on your final bill at the end of the cruise. You can choose a different time each day, so you can fit dinner around the rest of your onshore and onboard plans. 28 0 obj <> endobj xref 28 131 0000000016 00000 n 0000005141 00000 n But whether My Time Dining works for you or not really depends on what your preferences are. Those grats are also handed out to WJ staff, cafe staff, etc. Suggested read: 6 Things You MUST Know About Formal Night on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). but it's so much better to leave the automatic tips in place and just give extra cash to those you feel deserve it. Sorry- Im not expressing myself too well! This dining option requires you to "pre pay" your gratuities. 0000005911 00000 n Finally, the evening shows are often scheduled around Traditional Dining times with early and late showings. xbbba`b``0 u B endstream endobj 29 0 obj <>/ViewerPreferences<>/Metadata 6 0 R/AcroForm 30 0 R/Pages 5 0 R/StructTreeRoot 8 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 30 0 obj <>/Encoding<>>>>> endobj 31 0 obj <>/Shading<>/ColorSpace<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC/ImageI]/Properties<>/MC1<<>>/MC2<<>>/MC3<<>>>>/ExtGState<>>>/Type/Page>> endobj 32 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 162 85 0 R] endobj 33 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 140 80 0 R] endobj 34 0 obj <> endobj 35 0 obj <> endobj 36 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 147 75 0 R] endobj 37 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 120 96 0 R] endobj 38 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 210 122 0 R] endobj 39 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 77 93 0 R] endobj 40 0 obj [/Separation/PANTONE#20281#20CV/DeviceCMYK<>] endobj 41 0 obj [/DeviceN[/Cyan/Magenta/Yellow]/DeviceCMYK 114 0 R 116 0 R] endobj 42 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 128 101 0 R] endobj 43 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 192 121 0 R] endobj 44 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 128 110 0 R] endobj 45 0 obj [/Separation/PANTONE#202727#20C/DeviceCMYK<>] endobj 46 0 obj [/Indexed 47 0 R 3 66 0 R] endobj 47 0 obj [/ICCBased 65 0 R] endobj 48 0 obj <>stream The mandatory 20% gratuity comes out to nearly $22 per day. Note, however, that this means you may not be able to have as flexible of a dining experience as you might be hoping for, especially if prime reservations have been secured in advance by other guests. Lines that now cover gratuities in their fares include Azamara, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Virgin Voyages. The cost of that package is typically $109 per person, per day. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 0000901330 00000 n *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. They were accurate as of the publishing of this story. Your previous content has been restored. 0000737875 00000 n 2011-2023, Cruise Fever . At least, thats how it is supposed to work. You dont really get to know the people you are eating with that well. But its definitely not for everyone. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, per day. 0000426236 00000 n I will HAPPILY pay my gratuities, and feel that having them paid in advance is very convenient, andprobably saves me some money. Can they join me in the My Time Dining Room. I understand that once upon a time prepaid gratuities were required for MTD. 0000755470 00000 n This may not seem like a big deal if youre new to cruising, but cruise ship waiters are exceptional at their job and they are very good at learning all about you. But to the OP's question, we have MTD on Mariner next month and have not prepaid our gratuities. Often, even if you do have a reservation you have to wait, but the time is much shorter since they are expecting you. Once you have decided on the perfect ship and itinerary, you are ready to move forward with the cruise booking process. 0000914358 00000 n Rather, you will be seated wherever there is availability. If you want, you can even try to switch onboard. Powered by Invision Community. The standard gratuities of $13.50 per person per day for JS and below, and $16.50 per person per day for GS and better. If we paid the gratuities up front when onboard would we still have able to do MTD? In addition to this, an 18% gratuity is automatically added to all drinks, spa and salon services. The extra cost of the automatic gratuity charges can be a shock to first-time cruisers. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. The flexibility of My Time Dining comes with responsibility. This is an unfair statement. Maximum of 10 guests per reservation. 0000422815 00000 n So if I cancel my gratuities what will be added to my account for my time dining. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Dine as you want, when you want. Just make sure to turn up at the reserved time. January 11, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Discussion. 0000006046 00000 n If you dislike tipping on cruise ships, but can't afford to sail on an all-inclusive line, look for promotions when cruise lines with service charges throw in free gratuities as a booking incentive. 0000828884 00000 n document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); About Us | For your convenience, prepaid gratuities are automatically added to your flexible option reservations. ( use to happen frequently). Early dining is around 6 pm, while late dining is closer to 8:30 pm. No reservation is needed, but Royal Caribbean strongly encourages you to get a reservation if you dont want to spend a lot of time waiting when you go to dinner. A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, Use these credit cards to maximize your next cruise vacation, 9 times you do not need to tip on a cruise, The best cruise booking perks and which ones are actually free, pay $16 for what the line now calls a crew appreciation charge, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Discover the culinary curiosities of Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine. Additionally, several major lines in the past couple of years have begun offering bundle pricing to customers who pay for cruise tips, Wi-Fi charges and an onboard drinks package all at once in advance of sailing, potentially at a discount. 0000024527 00000 n 0000003836 00000 n My partner and I prefer a later dinner and have selected My Time dining however we'd still like to join them for dinner at least 1-2 nights. Related: The best cruise booking perks and which ones are actually free. The group we are going with have all chosen the early 5pm dinner reservation. At many big lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, its not uncommon for a family of four staying in a single cabin to see around $80 a day in service fees added to their bills. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. My Time Dining is now a choice within the booking process. Still need help? They say the money is shared not just with front of house crew, such as room attendants and waitstaff, but also with behind-the-scenes workers. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. The rates listed are per person, per day. You can eat anytime between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm. ?xtp~?f~j)Br$7q,,"Sf%SXAii%1O=]rlsE"V3ueGWY^U?h2/?7>V1yP GoW}wA[5!>0yuoe Similarly, if youre on a higher-end ship that lists gratuities as being included in the fare, that means just what it says. Join 40,000 cruiserswho readmy email each week Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My Time Dining is only applicable to the Main Dining Room on your ship. You no longer have to prepay gratuities if you select My Time Dining. If youre already booked and have chosen the flexible option, you can easily pre-reserve specific days and times online. All rights reserved. That said, the total number of lines with a service fee has been shrinking over the years. 0000831970 00000 n It's kind of a runaround to personally get to everyone who is included (my opinion). My Time Dining is one of the options youll get to choose from when you book your cruise. The folks who WERVE YOU are the ones who get your tips. It is more difficult for the Main Dining Room to accommodate larger groups with My Time Dining, as there are fewer tables set for bigger parties. Read on to learn all about cruise ship tipping culture and how much you'll need to tip on your next cruise, based on which cruise line you're sailing. Looking for the Best Cruise Deals? Enrollment required. Check here before booking an award fare. Every Royal Caribbean ship includes meals at many included restaurants, including the main dining room and the buffet. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! That explains it and answers my question- youre right, it does still say it on parts of the website. You can then book dinner in the Main Dining Room for any time you want, or just walk in without a reservation. 0000006636 00000 n I don't mind tipping for good service. You can be seated with the party you arrive with or be seated at your own table. The best way to fully take advantage of the My Time Dining program is to make your reservations before you board the ship! 0000892388 00000 n The automatic service gratuity is $14.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Junior Suites and below, or $17.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above, applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis.