royal caribbean my time dining gratuities
Similarly, if youre on a higher-end ship that lists gratuities as being included in the fare, that means just what it says. Those grats are also handed out to WJ staff, cafe staff, etc. Two brothers started Cruise Fever in 2011 when they decided they couldn't stop cruising so they might as well write about it. However, a lot of people do uphold the dress code, so if you turn up in a t-shirt and shorts then you may look out of place. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Seating can also be reserved while onboard. Getting to know the staff and allowing them to get to know you is also a fun part of cruising for some people and My Time Dining would severely limit activity. 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 will have to make each reservation individually and add them to your cart one-by-one. . Itll be one less thing on your final bill at the end of the cruise. If, for instance, you plan on staying late in port one day but still wish to eat in the Main Dining Room, you could make a reservation for later in the evening, rather than miss out on the experience because you have early dining. 0000006679 00000 n 0000841664 00000 n please click here to update it. My Time Dining is one of the options you'll get to choose from when you book your cruise. 0000909381 00000 n The mandatory 20% gratuity comes out to nearly $22 per day. HW[U5}@iy% $Q'i'xNg2f(-E2obIcUHQ?/yZ!X}qu`?x %PM-*9:^C^%4eKYT,wybq6hkG7w@N5r~ wj,_u';d'QLOC >g18&fa[2.K\TXHkAnA;C:j>, F nf9|t&ix2KXRlb@}dnMqe@Vc8pXN-:{d2{sPVuINq?1k0BaL ;>9tH4w%E3@NH"e&z j9VMF}|^~*h hXH9K 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. 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. but it's so much better to leave the automatic tips in place and just give extra cash to those you feel deserve it. Prior to checking out, you will have to make a decision on dining style. The flexible option allows you to select your own dining time and table companions on a daily basis. 0000024527 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 need to change or cancel a reservation for any reason, you will have to go into the specific order and cancel each reservation separately before you are able to rebook. Also, once you have been seated and your meal is being served, no other guests will be sat at your table. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have slightly different daily gratuities. You can choose a different time each day, so you can fit dinner around the rest of your onshore and onboard plans. My Time Dining is therefore available to anyone who wants to mix things up. By his definition the answer is yes. 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). Our dining options have been reimagined to give you a culinary experience at sea as vast, varied and eye-opening as dining in the worlds most cosmopolitan cities. Like what you see? 0000916923 00000 n Cruise lines say they pass the money collected from service charges to the shipboard crew. After sneaking a peek at our dining table the 1st night out & seeing we were seated with 4 elderly women, we decided to consider switching to My Time. Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. I take any thread older than a year (sometimes less) with a grain of salt. From there, you can go ahead and make a reservation for each night of your cruise. You may request a certain waiter each night, and we will work to seat your party in his or her area depending on availability. John2195, June 24, 2017 in Royal Caribbean International. 0000891812 00000 n Paste as plain text instead, You can then book dinner in the Main Dining Room for any time you want, or just walk in without a reservation. If youre late then your table may be given away, and youll have to wait for another one. At the same time, you will be able to add prepaid gratuities and vacation protection, if you choose to do so. There is a $9.75 gratuity per day that is required and this actually covers not only the wait staff but your room steward. 0000003388 00000 n For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, 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. 0000735845 00000 n Traditional seating will mean that guests will keep the same wait staff and dining companions throughout the cruise. The old way of MTD had forced you to prepay gratuities but that changed some time ago. Related: 9 times you do not need to tip on a cruise. What happens if I cancel the gratuities? Can they join me in the My Time Dining Room. You cannot paste images directly. 0000898322 00000 n Upon checkout, you will be charged $0.00, unless you are also purchasing other add-ons. But to the OP's question, we have MTD on Mariner next month and have not prepaid our gratuities. Even if I opt out of automatic gratuities? Princess, for example, has added a Princess Plus plan as a booking option. In this line of thinking, lines with these charges are essentially breaking out a good chunk of onboard labor costs as a separate line item on your bill. Note that if you purchase a dining or beverage package, the cruise line will charge you gratuities based on a percentage of the package price. Discover the culinary curiosities of Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine. If you have an issue with how the crew get paid don't withhold your tips since that will only penalize the crew. However, spaces may be limited so it may not be possible if you leave it too late. The menu for My Time Dining is still the same, so you will get the same quality meals. You can wait to make your My Time Dining reservations until you board your cruise ship. I don't mind tipping for good service. My Time Dining is now a choice within the booking process. ;). Here is why some people dislike the more informal dining option. I always prepay my gratuities and do traditional dining. If youre not someone who has cruised before, you might not be aware of traditional dining times on cruise ships. I always find that funny when peeps complain about the added on grats listed as a separate charge..do they ever look at their cable bill, electric bill, phone bill.etcetc. But I remember the days before MTD and Automatic Tips when, on the last night, TIP Night, people would eat at other venues and skip out on tipping the wait staff. Powered by Invision Community. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? You can disable the usage of cookies by changing the settings of your browser. If you want, you can even try to switch onboard. By 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. 0000419103 00000 n If youre already booked and have chosen the flexible option, you can easily pre-reserve specific days and times online. Privacy Policy | Reservations are strongly recommended. My Time Dining is now a choice within the booking process. Could you please tell me how I can improve it? Check here before booking an award fare. You may find that you are split up at different tables that are not located near each other. Additionally, if you are traveling with a large party, you might find Traditional Dining to be easier. You can then book dinner in the Main Dining Room for any time you want, or just walk in without a reservation. MY FAMILY TIME DINING MY TIME DINING DAILY RESERVATIONS Awards FOLLOW US JOIN CROWN & ANCHOR SOCIETY CALL US NOW +971 4 331 4299 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. 0000005866 00000 n $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. 0000891696 00000 n That means two people sharing a room on a seven-night cruise would pay $308 in tips for an otherwise free drinks package on top of their daily service charge fees. The old way of MTD had forced you to prepay gratuities but that changed some time ago. 0000891340 00000 n If you're wondering how much you should tip on the specific cruise line you're considering or have already looked, we've compiled that information here. Heres how I get the lowest price when I book a cruise. Once they go to the My Time Dining desk to be seated for dinner, the waiter will look up the guests stateroom and pull any special dietary needs or amenities purchased for them. Pasted as rich text. Since they are not . I understand that once upon a time prepaid gratuities were required for MTD. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Dine as you want, when you want. Member Title: 100,000+ Club. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Dine as you want, when you want. That said, if you want to, you can often adjust the charges (either up or down) while youre on board by visiting the guest relations desk. Probably because it makes it less confusing than diving up the tips. Cheap people have been around for years. They were accurate as of the publishing of this story. A world of culinary exploration awaits you onboard Royal Caribbean. 0000906914 00000 n The traditional dining experience allows you the choice of either early or late seating times for each day of your cruise. You dont really get to know the people you are eating with that well. Ships registered in the Bahamas. Automatic gratuity charge: None. Main Dining Room on Allure of the Seas If you want to reserve it on-board then visit Guest Services. In this case, no gratuities will be charged to your onboard account. 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. You will be able to see the exact times that My Time Dining is offered each evening once you book your cruise. It has its advantages, but for a lot of people, its too restrictive. So therefore it does not show on our invoice. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. You also do not get to know the wait staff as well, since you may be seated in a different area every night. This website uses cookies in order to offer you the most relevant information. Throughout the cruise, you may be able to change your My Time Dining reservations on the app or by calling the dining hotline from your stateroom's telephone, but it is dependent on availability. When booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, you have two options for dining: My Time Dining and Traditional Dining. You can disable the usage of cookies by changing the settings of your browser. How much to tip on a cruise is a question that trips up many first-timers. Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line. 0000005676 00000 n This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. You post the same made up garbage in every thread. Dont worry: When lines offer such deals, it doesnt mean the crew will receive fewer tips the week you cruise. Some people assume that, because My Time Dining offers more flexible dining, it has a more flexible dress code. Learn the cruise secrets most people don't know and cruise like a boss. So if I cancel my gratuities what will be added to my account for my time dining. LauraS 2011-2023, Cruise Fever . Yes, if there is availability in the My Time Dining Room, we would be happy to accommodate the request. Don't know why you want to do this (are you planning to carry cash every time you go to the WJ?) 0000005096 00000 n CC Help Jenn Hi, I'm Jenni. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. 0000902188 00000 n 0000916414 00000 n The exact times, however, will vary according to your cruise itinerary. 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. 0000427335 00000 n A list of those who do this is available to the staff. That is really the biggest flaw with My Time Dining. We always choose My Time dinning. Seating can also be reserved while onboard. Or do they not notice those "add on" charges? If you leave the service charge on your room bill, you are not expected to leave additional cruise tips for your room attendant or waiters. The buffet restaurant doesnt offer reservations and you can visit it whenever you want. Do you plan on dining anywhere except the dining room? You'd likely pay it at final payment date. My Time Dining usually begins around 6:00pm and lasts until 9:30pm, giving you a wide range of times to choose from. They will be seated in one of the main dining rooms. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. The rates listed are per person, per day. However, you can still make reservations, based on availability, once onboard. Many smaller and higher-end cruise operators are folding tips and gratuities into their base fares. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. That is not the case anymore but Royal is not great about updating their website information (I've heard they still talk about Dynamic Dining on Quantum class ships which only lasted one year). Powered by Cruiseline.com, spoke with royal Carib rep today who said prepaid grats are now out if you are using My Time Dining. Well, this is NOT the only option and you can still choose to eat in the traditional manner. Enrollment required. The big advantage to paying cruise tips in advance is that you lock in the current rate. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. So therefore it does not show on our invoice. Also as others have stated, prepaid gratuities and MTD have nothing to do with each other anymore. Lines with such charges include both of the two giants of the cruise business, Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, as well as Norwegian, MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises. In that sense, the current system is more equitable than the old system of cash tipping, which favored certain workers, lines say. My Time Dining is not available for breakfast, but you can still use it for both lunch and dinner. 0000897721 00000 n 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. If we paid the gratuities up front when onboard would we still have able to do MTD? If you want to use My Time Dining you must pay for tips in advance. If you cancel prepaid gratuities, you can visit Guest Services once you are onboard and request they discontinue automatic gratuties. Royal Caribbean recently added "My time dining" as a dining option. 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. Their memory is incredible and they really do make you feel special. 0000027181 00000 n I noticed the My Time doesn't offer reservations until 6:45. You need to contact your TA and have her add it to your invoice in order to prepay gratuities. Your previous content has been restored. You can be seated with the party you arrive with or be seated at your own table. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. Their website explains it as such: "By selecting My Time Dini. It's kind of a runaround to personally get to everyone who is included (my opinion). So for those who like some solitude, they may find that this more freestyle approach works better, but not everyone likes the NCL style of eating. 0000841939 00000 n One thing Ive read over and over again from people who really like My Time Dining is that they dont have to worry so much about what time dinner is. Now you have a choice to prepay gratuities or not with either Traditional or MTD. 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. I have just booked the allure this afternoon and was told by the iglu cruiserep that if I wanted my time dining then I would HAVE to pay the gratuities up front at the time of booking,but if I had first or second sitting then I didn't need to pay I was imformed that royal had made this part of their booking conditions 2 months ago. As soon as you place the deposit for your cruise, you will gain access to the Cruise Planner. The early seating is usually around 5:30pm, while the late seating is around 8:00pm. 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. We have my time dining and according to the threads it looks like the gratuities are asked to be prepaid. 0000417308 00000 n 0000006450 00000 n 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. 0000901784 00000 n 0000421346 00000 n Jon got hooked on cruising after his first cruise on his honeymoon, and today he is always looking for cruise deals and reading information about the cruise industry. Legal Information | 0000909755 00000 n 0000891084 00000 n 0000005956 00000 n This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Many cruise lines will tack an automatic gratuity charge onto the bill for extra-fee drinks, restaurant meals and spa treatments. Finally, the evening shows are often scheduled around Traditional Dining times with early and late showings. CC Help Jenn Additional cash gifts are not expected. Enrollment required. Im sorry you never received a tip in your years of "slogging your guts out." Should they have been paid at the time of booking? Unlike traditional dining - where a dining time is assigned to you - guests who opt for My Time Dining can eat in the Main Dining Room whenever they like during dining hours, according to availability. 0000003555 00000 n Since you stated that you have already paid you cruise in full I would not go back to your TA just to pay them, I would just pay them at the end of the cruise when you settle your account, there are 2 different rates, one for regular rooms which I believe is $14.50 per day, per person, what you see on my picture is for a suite which is $16.50 PD, PP. Its much better if youre someone who likes to play it by ear for dinner, based on how hungry you are. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? For example, Norwegian offers a complimentary Open Bar drinks package for travelers who book its "free at sea" promotion. 0000006312 00000 n The recommended dress code for the Main Dining Room for traditional dining or My Time Dining is smart casual. How much to tip extra on a cruise is entirely up to you because it is in no way required. It is possible to snag dining times around 7:00pm every night, but this is a highly desirable dinner time. 0000828837 00000 n . 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. 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. Started June 21, 2021, By Suggested read: 6 Things You MUST Know About Formal Night on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. The group we are going with have all chosen the early 5pm dinner reservation. You dont have to do anything. Can guests move between My Time Dining and Traditional Dining during their cruise? Smart cruise advice, cruise deals, and breaking news. By During peak dinner times, you may have to wait as long as 45 minutes for a table. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. You also will not be able to switch after the second day, so you'll want to visit Guest Services and/or the Main Dining Room when you embark-- Guests can only participate in one dining style per sailing. Aside from formal nights, there is no enforced dress code except that bare feet and tank tops are not allowed in the Main Dining Room. The folks who WERVE YOU are the ones who get your tips. On a cruise ship there are so many activities and fun shows, that it can be easy to lose tract of time, and not having to worry about being at diner at a specific time works for some people. At some lines, these charges run as high as $25 per day. ?xtp~?f~j)Br$7q,,"Sf%SXAii%1O=]rlsE"V3ueGWY^U?h2/?7>V1yP GoW}wA[5!>0yuoe If you opt out of daily gratuities your account will not be charged for them. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Ive worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and now my blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. Get Cruise Savvy with our FREE Newsletter! But its not strict. 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. If you plan on spending most of your time in the buffet restaurant anyway, then you might not be concerned about the Main Dining Room and your dining times. 0000747552 00000 n The others could make a separate My Time Dining reservation for 8:15pm. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. 0000902161 00000 n Do I have to pre-reserve My Time Dining through Cruise Planner? 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. 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. Please don't disrupt the system that works that was put in place that is fair to crew and guests . Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 866-562-7625 Email Your Questions Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Then, Norwegian Cruise Line decided to shake things up a bit with "freestyle dining", an innovation that allows guests to eat dinner anytime . If you opt out of daily gratuities your account will not be charged for them. Maximum of 10 guests per reservation. Others tip their room service or wait staff at their favorite bar, either early in the cruise in the hope of getting better service or at the end to thank them for enhancing the vacation experience. Related: The best cruise booking perks and which ones are actually free. 0000897240 00000 n 28 0 obj <> endobj xref 28 131 0000000016 00000 n That means, if you decide to visit the Main Dining Room on day 3 of your cruise, you wont be able to choose your time. Alternatively, you can have the charges added to your room bill on board. Your automatic gratuities also cover your cabin steward and other behind the scenes personnel; not just dining room staff. And that they aren't simply following the outdated information still present on Royal's website as pointed out above? 0000423354 00000 n Still need help? Often, even if you do have a reservation you have to wait, but the time is much shorter since they are expecting you. Plus Ups are excluded. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. E{3bEi_,FdTneL m!TlmJ=&esmh~rqbo)q9V'{7_LA74us i%@MZC1twwBjkC%{'BLTzP64Z{C@gC;qdF\u4:}NiIYmKzuu>k&dOWd1ydzW ]EhWJt*iLAcGMUyhvjw%m&_I;jxt' jg|zn~7_{ksiY15M HHnV6@,,TnMv9GU{$ 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. 0000019016 00000 n Someone else that pays more will take up the slack for you. Click the button above to compare the prices of cruises from all travel agents. My Family Time Dining is a dining option for families with children ages 3-11 years that aims to help kid's complete dinner within 45 minutes, freeing parents to enjoy coffee and . 0000911056 00000 n Your browser is outdated and does not support many of the modern features of this website, Early dining is around 6 pm, while late dining is closer to 8:30 pm. My Time Dining usually begins around 6:00pm and lasts until 9:30pm, giving you a wide range of times to choose from. Still, some critics see the charges as a sneaky way for cruise lines to make their fares appear lower than they really are. gratuities amongst the other My Time Dining waiters; feel free to reward your waiter with an extra tip for providing excellent service . If not, you might be stuck eating even later than the second seating! Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. There is a $9.75 gratuity per day that is required and this actually covers not only the wait staff but your room steward as well. Weve booked a cruise through an agent. Feel free to leave a comment below to let the community at Cruise Fever know how you feel about My Time Dining in the comment section below. 0000008654 00000 n Having to arrive early, though, defeats the purpose of being able to dine whenever you'd like. If, for example, two people would like to eat earlier around 6:30pm, you would make them their own reservation. Booking MTD on certain ships requires individual checkouts for each night while other ships you can make reservations for the whole cruise and check out once. 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. Perhaps as more and more cheapos remove their grats the cruise lines will finally just increase fares so everyone pays the same in tips. I'm travelling with guests from another stateroom who selected Traditional Dining. Depending on when you go, you may have to wait until there is an available table. 0000916095 00000 n If you want to use My Time Dining you must pay for tips in advance. For lines that do have them, service and gratuity charges are touted as a convenient alternative to the practice of cash tipping on cruise ships something that once was common.