Im really asking the opposite - We havent prepaid gratuities, but the agent has booked us in for My Time Dining! Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line. gratuities amongst the other My Time Dining waiters; feel free to reward your waiter with an extra tip for providing excellent service . The traditional dining experience allows you the choice of either early or late seating times for each day of your cruise. Guests can only participate in one dining style per sailing. 0000883078 00000 n I'm so sorry that this post wasn't useful for you! This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). If you keep things as they are, everyone who is supposed to be tipped, WILL be tipped. On a typical seven-night cruise, thats nearly $600 in fees. Are you sure that isn't an Iglu Cruise rule? My Time Dining is only applicable to the Main Dining Room on your ship. John2195, June 24, 2017 in Royal Caribbean International. The traditional dining experience allows you the choice of either early or late seating times for each day of your cruise. 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. You can then make reservations for your restaurant, or just turn up at the restaurant between 6 pm and 9.30 pm and wait for a table to be available. You may tip extra if you feel you have been "WOW'd". Related: Use these credit cards to maximize your next cruise vacation. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! A world of culinary exploration awaits you onboard Royal Caribbean. Also, once you have been seated and your meal is being served, no other guests will be sat at your table. Would we pay them on the first day onboard? 156.1k. 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. Some dont charge a service fee at all. Have you noticed over the years that daily grats have been increasing almost every year to make up for the non tippers. MY FAMILY TIME DINING MY TIME DINING DAILY RESERVATIONS Awards FOLLOW US JOIN CROWN & ANCHOR SOCIETY CALL US NOW +971 4 331 4299 A fun part of cruising can be meeting the same people for lunch or diner every day and discussing things about the ship or about the excursions they went on. I will pay for fantastic service but can't stand getting it shoved in my face and HAVE TO pay gratuities. xdOHTQ7Ho1bJ!IP"th+5ha0P"..\h! hQhE9; 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. 0000841939 00000 n 0000426585 00000 n The flexible option allows you to select your own dining time and table companions on a daily basis. Two brothers started Cruise Fever in 2011 when they decided they couldn't stop cruising so they might as well write about it. 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. 0000913926 00000 n I will HAPPILY pay my gratuities, and feel that having them paid in advance is very convenient, andprobably saves me some money. I am looking at cancelling my gratuities when I get on board so I can pay these personally. The only real downside beyond having to pay your gratuities in advance is that you arent guaranteed the same waiter every night. 0000909755 00000 n 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. 0000913572 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. The closer you get to your cruise vacation, the fewer reservations you may find. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. Powered by Cruiseline.com, spoke with royal Carib rep today who said prepaid grats are now out if you are using My Time Dining. My Time Dining usually begins around 6:00pm and lasts until 9:30pm, giving you a wide range of times to choose from. Passengers in mini-suites pay $17, while those in bigger suites pay $18. What is My Time Dining? | Royal Caribbean Cruises Royal Caribbean | MY TIME DINING DAILY RESERVATIONS 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 $16.50 PD, PP. Your automatic gratuities also cover your cabin steward and other behind the scenes personnel; not just dining room staff. E{3bEi_,FdTneL m!TlmJ=&esmh~rqbo)q9V'{7_LA74us i%@MZC1twwBjkC%{'BLTzP64Z{C@gC;qdF\u4:}NiIYmKzuu>k&dOWd1ydzW ]EhWJt*iLAcGMUyhvjw%m&_I;jxt' jg|zn~7_{ksiY15M HHnV6@,,TnMv9GU{$ You dont have to attend dinner at the same time, and you can arrange a table that works for you. But its not strict. If you want, you can even try to switch onboard. They work very long hours all day long. 0000738858 00000 n #4. That is not the case anymore but Royal is not great about updating their website information. How to book My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean Join 40,000 cruiserswho readmy email each week Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. You do have to prepay your gratuities in order to sign up to My Time Dining. 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. 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. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. 0000755747 00000 n Still need help? You can do this before the cruise, or during your voyage. 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). Those grats are also handed out to WJ staff, cafe staff, etc. It is usually at the very bottom below the dining packages, specialty restaurants, and other exclusive dining experiences. There is no special dress code for My Time Dining it has the same dress code as traditional dining. 0000897240 00000 n If you tip personally in cash, those people must turn it in or face dismissal. 0000005866 00000 n Depending on when you go, you may have to wait until there is an available table. If youre already booked and have chosen the flexible option, you can easily pre-reserve specific days and times online. You don't have to tip on these cruises because the line is already paying gratuities to the staff on your behalf. CC Help Jenn 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. The extra cost of the automatic gratuity charges can be a shock to first-time cruisers. 0000002916 00000 n It is much simpler, and fairer, to leave them in place. 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 anytime they like during dinner hours, according to times availability. To ensure quick seating, we encourage guests who have selected the Flexible option to place a reservation for each evening. Thats the whole point of the service charge. Can I reserve the same table or waiter at the same time in My Time Dining? Also if staff are chastised for receiving cash, why do all the posts advocate tipping over and above the automatic gratuities for good service? For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, the fee is $18.50 per person, per day. 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. 0000896900 00000 n Australians typically do not tip because the minimum wage in Australia is $20.33 AUD/hr ($14.56 USD/hr). KA^tQmy9*yE'6C'VBz@JKz+I_0U{:$asg* \ endstream endobj 157 0 obj <>/Size 28/Type/XRef>>stream 0000006636 00000 n 0000906128 00000 n Finally, the evening shows are often scheduled around Traditional Dining times with early and late showings. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. 0000417308 00000 n but only parties of 20 or less can be seated at one time. Im sorry you never received a tip in your years of "slogging your guts out." In addition to this, an 18% gratuity is automatically added to all drinks, spa and salon services. 0000901423 00000 n 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. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 866-562-7625 Email Your Questions 0000011404 00000 n 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. At least, thats how it is supposed to work. 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. If you dont like tipping in advance to your service, and you would rather leave generous tips individually, there is nothing stopping you from going the extra mile to tip your waiter or waitress each night you use the My Time Dining option. Flexible seating works very much like standard restaurant seating. 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. 2010 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. 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. Yes, My Time Dining is flexible. 0000417581 00000 n 0000005956 00000 n 0000011539 00000 n This also applies to sailings departing from Australia and New Zealand. However, spaces may be limited so it may not be possible if you leave it too late. My Time Dining - Gratuities?? - Cruise Critic Community I understand that once upon a time prepaid gratuities were required for MTD. ;) Can we opt out of those added on charges also?? 0000737875 00000 n Tipping on a cruise ship: Everything you need to know You can reserve My Time Dining when you first book your cruise, or by logging onto the Royal Caribbean website to amend your booking. Still, not all lines have service fees that high. 0000897748 00000 n 0000902670 00000 n 0000419103 00000 n Guests may request a special table or waiter. The old way of MTD had forced you to prepay gratuities but that changed some time ago. Click the button above to compare the prices of cruises from all travel agents. Ive worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and now my blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. What is Royal Caribbean's gratuity price and policy? - Cruises No, no, no, no, no. 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. 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. Youll be asked to pre-pay your gratuities. Seating can also be reserved while onboard. I understand that once upon a time prepaid gratuities were required for MTD. ;). If you are unable to book show times in advance via the Cruise Planner when you are making your My Time Dining reservations, you may end up booking a dinner time that clashes with one of the shows. It is recommended that you book a table though. It truly depends, though. What happens if I cancel the gratuities? Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Royal Caribbean gratuities for children and infants How much to tip extra on a cruise is entirely up to you because it is in no way required. All sent to your inbox. If you cancel prepaid gratuities, you can visit Guest Services once you are onboard and request they discontinue automatic gratuties. Planning a cruise? Or do they not notice those "add on" charges? Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. 0000891478 00000 n 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. Started August 27, 2021, By If your My Time Dining reservation is at 7:15pm, do not make any other reservations until 8:30pm or later. 0000819210 00000 n Cruise lines say they pass the money collected from service charges to the shipboard crew. You will be able to see the exact times that My Time Dining is offered each evening once you book your cruise. Not every ship has it though, so you should check out their website to see if your ship will offer this service if you are interested. The Dining experience was Excellent as were the Waiting Staff, the only gripe, there had to be one, was the cost of the Wine. That said, the total number of lines with a service fee has been shrinking over the years. 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. Here's how it works on Royal Caribbean: As of September 7 th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per . It's kind of a runaround to personally get to everyone who is included (my opinion). Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. Having to arrive early, though, defeats the purpose of being able to dine whenever you'd like. Understood, and many passengers also feel this way. I did find My Time Dining rather a contradiction as theoretically you could dine anytime between the hours of 6.30 9.30, but, its best to make a reservation, as it turned out the waiting time was approximately the same for both cases. Brilliance of the Seas is operated by RCL (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of Royal . The included tip amount varies by cruise line, but is typically 15% to 20% of the bill. So with My Time Dining, you might lose some of that experience, but the flexibility of your own table and time is often preferable anyway. 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. 0000896807 00000 n We always choose My Time dinning. Royal Caribbeans award winning dining program, My Time Dining, offers flexible and traditional options. 0000736952 00000 n What we experienced was that their program is NOT really "My time dining", it is RESERVATION time dining. 0000022110 00000 n The guest relations staff will want to know if youve experienced particular service issues. You will not be able to make your choice until the last step in the booking process; all passenger names will have to be entered first! Royal Caribbean Dining. Why is it combined? If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. 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. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Just make sure to turn up at the reserved time. That is really the biggest flaw with My Time Dining. Regent Seven Seas Cruises. CC Help Jenn A The automatic service gratuity is $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in Junior Suites and below, or $18.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above, applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. If you are adjusting a gratuity charge downward, expect to be asked about the reasons behind the adjustment. 0000891084 00000 n 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. Reservations are strongly recommended. Welcome aboard! 0000418111 00000 n So if I cancel my gratuities what will be added to my account for my time dining. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. You can post now and register later. If you are traveling with more than eight people, My Time Dining might become a hassle. That said, some people do leave a little extra for crew members who go above and beyond. It isn't a hidden charge, since we all know about the charge and of course it subsidizes the wage bill. Depending on the choice of the guests on board, there may be designated restaurants for those on a traditional dining plan and those on a My Time Dining plan. Can you opt out of gratuities on Royal Caribbean? - Quora The cost of that package is typically $109 per person, per day. This is where you'll not only be able to make your My Time Dining reservations, but also where you can reserve shore excursions, drink packages, and more. 0000891423 00000 n 0000425403 00000 n ?xtp~?f~j)Br$7q,,"Sf%SXAii%1O=]rlsE"V3ueGWY^U?h2/?7>V1yP GoW}wA[5!>0yuoe You can be seated with the party you arrive with or be seated at your own table. There is a $9.75 gratuity per day that is required and this actually covers not only the wait staff but your room steward. Looking for the Best Cruise Deals? When making a reservation you will be offered My Time or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). Wondering if anyone can help out with this? This is an unfair statement. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 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. Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. 0000026625 00000 n Similarly, if youre on a higher-end ship that lists gratuities as being included in the fare, that means just what it says. 0000704363 00000 n You can disable the usage of cookies by changing the settings of your browser. 0000015069 00000 n 0000423354 00000 n 0000024527 00000 n 0000006404 00000 n 0000022522 00000 n 0000006450 00000 n 0000422815 00000 n 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. Reservations are strongly recommended. When making a reservation you will be offered "My Time" or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). 0000014874 00000 n Some guests choose to recognize particularly exceptional service with an additional cash gratuity on the last night of their cruise. Royal Caribbeans award winning dining program, My Time Dining, offers flexible and traditional options. We hate spam as much as lounge chair hogs. 0000831970 00000 n Traditional seating will mean that guests will keep the same wait staff and dining companions throughout the cruise. 0000006679 00000 n Plus Ups are excluded. That's because some cruise lines tack daily service fees onto passenger bills yet many travelers still hand out additional cash gratuities, either as a matter of course or for exemplary service. So therefore it does not show on our invoice. 0000898322 00000 n If your line raises the rate between the time you pay and the time you sail, you wont pay more. The flexibility of My Time Dining comes with responsibility. Have you noticed over the years that daily grats have been increasing almost every year to make up for the non tippers. We do not prepay gratuities because we always have OBC and they will be deducted from the OBC daily. Your browser is outdated and does not support many of the modern features of this website, However, each ship does also offer specialty dining for an additional fee. However, the suggested dress code remains the same. 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. $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. Can they join me in the My Time Dining Room? My Time Dining is one of the options you'll get to choose from when you book your cruise. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. 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. This dining option requires you to "pre pay" your gratuities. 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. Once you have made your My Time Dining reservations, they will appear in your cruise calendar, both on Cruise Planner tab and Royal Caribbean's app. You can eat anytime between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm. 0000417078 00000 n Its much better if youre someone who likes to play it by ear for dinner, based on how hungry you are. Royal Caribbean Gratuities: Everything You Need to Know If you want to use My Time Dining you must pay for tips in advance. They are per person. All rights reserved. 0000736746 00000 n The rates listed are per person, per day. 0000891340 00000 n Sorry- Im not expressing myself too well! 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). As soon as you place the deposit for your cruise, you will gain access to the Cruise Planner. But to the OP's question, we have MTD on Mariner next month and have not prepaid our gratuities. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. This can trick many cruisers into tipping twice. Traditional dining guests may be seated with other parties to form a larger table, which can be fun if youre confident enough to make new friends. When planning your other evening activities, make sure that you allot yourself at least 75 minutes for your Main Dining Room experience. Don't know why you want to do this (are you planning to carry cash every time you go to the WJ?) please click here to update it. What happens if I cancel the gratuities? Answer (1 of 4): Fares purchased on the Australian website will always include pre-paid gratuities. Itll be one less thing on your final bill at the end of the cruise. I sailed on the explorer last year and the trick then was we could only cancel them on day 3 of the trip[obviously hopeing for a lot of forgetful customers] its a damn cheek that they are desperately trying to take this right for the customer to cancel ,,after all I never had gratuities for slogging my guts out in the kitchens and bakeries in my career and I don't suppose many ouy there do either. Any amount is fine and will be appreciated by the hard-working crew. Reservations arestronglyrecommended in order to avoid a delay in seating (reservations will be taken once onboard, based on availability). You may find that you are split up at different tables that are not located near each other. The benefits of My Time Dining are that you decide who you eat with, and when. 0000737498 00000 n 0000008654 00000 n What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? The wait staff will have your table ready for you so can avoid a delay in seating. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. 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. ;p, You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By I am looking at cancelling my gratuities when I get on board so I can pay these personally. 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. Speciality restaurants require reservations but they dont have traditional dining times. 0000907210 00000 n For your convenience, prepaid gratuities are automatically added to your flexible option reservations. In that sense, the current system is more equitable than the old system of cash tipping, which favored certain workers, lines say. You do have to prepay your gratuities in order to sign up to My Time Dining. These 9 Drinks Are Free on Royal Caribbean Cruises. 0000005141 00000 n . There is no need to remove the "pre=paid" or "included" tips. 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. You post the same made up garbage in every thread. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. View All Cruises Another method is to just simply show up at the Main Dining Room each night when you are ready to eat. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. When making a reservation you will be offered "My Time" or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Jon lives in the foothills of North Carolina and wishes there were a cruise port that far inland. I am not trying to get out of tipping, I would like to be convinced that the automatic charge actually gets passed on to the crew?? 0000906914 00000 n The lines that offer these deals say theyll pay a normal gratuity to the crew on your behalf. 0000017159 00000 n 0000891696 00000 n Posted June 24, 2017. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Dont worry: When lines offer such deals, it doesnt mean the crew will receive fewer tips the week you cruise. If a guest requests My Time dining, can wine be ordered through Royal Gifts to be delivered to the dining room?