areinert

I noticed when doing the online paperwork that Celebrity now allows you to prepay your tips, what do people think? Have people done it and feel they have recieved better or worse service?

Seems like it would be nice so you don't have to drag with so much cash just for the tips. On the other hand its nice to reward those that do provide good service.

Thoughts??

cruznut6

I've used the prepaid tips on our last 3 Celebrity cruises and haven't noticed any drop in service quality. It's great knowing we don't have to carry that extra amount of money. If the service is better than expected, we will give an "extra" gift in cash at the end of the cruise.

Regards...Bob

spur

I don't see any reason why people would prepay tips. In no way it will affect the service. Your room attendant and waiter won't know about it. On every cruise line you either have an option to put it on your account, or it is done for you automatically, so it won't affect the amount of cash you need.
Unfortunately, cruise tips are losing their meaning and purpose. They are supposed to be a reward for a great service, so "prepaid tips" is a nonsense.

cruznut6

Sorry spur but, bu your information isn't correct; on Celebrity, you have a choice whether to pay "cash" or add the charge to your account. Also, the service staff can check to see if there've been "tipped" automatically, plus they receive a receipt. Tips are not a reward; they're earned just as most people receive a salary or hourly wage for work performed. BTW, the overwhelming response has been positive for automatic tipping; that's why most lines now over the it. Your welcome to your opinions, just as well as everyone else.

Bob

spur

Bob,
Yes, on Celebrity and RC you have a choice; on other cruise lines it is added to your account automatically. Maybe I did not make it clear, but my point was no matter which cruise you take, you can put tips on your account and don't have to carry extra cash or prepay it.
I disagree that tips are salary rather than reward. We don't pay cruise lines employees salary (at least for now). Cruise lines pay them from $50 to $100 a month, and this is salary. And every passenger can adjust tips one way or another, depending on service received; it is every cruise line policy. The fact it is now added automatically by most cruise lines does not make it mandatory or the amount fixed - it is suggested.
Thank you for letting me post my opinion (which you intitially asked for).

ParrotMom

Considering the extraordinary service in ALL areas of our Celebrity cruise I did not feel it was an imposition to pre-pay...I even thought the Maitre de on the Century was incredible.. and that's the only time I can say that on any cruise ship we have ever been on (at least 209, but whose counting). Europeans do have a problem with tipping and seem to resent having to do so though.

Cruiser

I sat with a girl from Finland a couple years ago on a Celebrity ship, and she said her gratuity was placed on her invoice when she reserved the cruise. Maybe European agents know about what ParrotMom speaks!?

WOW! I didn't even know there were 209 cruise ships out there! Guess I will never beat that record, ParrotMom!!