Can you opt out of Royal Caribbean gratuities?

Opting Out of Royal Caribbean Gratuities: A Guide

Royal Caribbean, a leading cruise line, automatically includes gratuities in the cost of each night of your cruise. These gratuities are distributed among the crew members who provide services during your voyage. However, you are not obligated to pay these gratuities if you are dissatisfied with the service provided.

Procedure for Opting Out

To opt out of the automatic gratuities, you must follow these steps:

1. Visit the Guest Services Desk: Head to the Guest Services desk located on your ship.
2. Submit a Request: Inform the Guest Services staff that you wish to opt out of the gratuities. They will provide you with a form to complete.
3. Complete the Form: Fill out the form with your personal information and the date of your request.
4. Submit the Form: Submit the completed form to the Guest Services staff.

Timeline for Opting Out

It is crucial to note that you must opt out of the gratuities within the first three days of your cruise. If you do not submit the form within this timeframe, you will not be able to avoid the automatic gratuity charges.

Partial Opt-Outs

In certain cases, you may wish to opt out of gratuities for specific categories of crew members. For example, you may be happy with the service provided by your cabin steward but dissatisfied with the dining staff. In such situations, you can request a partial opt-out where you specify the categories of crew members for whom you do not wish to pay gratuities.

Consequences of Opting Out

Opting out of gratuities can have certain consequences:

• Crew Appreciation: The automatic gratuities ensure that crew members receive fair compensation for their services. Opting out may impact their earnings.
• Potential Service Impacts: Some crew members may provide less attentive service to passengers who have opted out of gratuities.
• Social Pressure: You may experience some social pressure from other passengers who have opted in for gratuities.

Conclusion

Opting out of Royal Caribbean gratuities is an option available to passengers who are not satisfied with the service provided. It is a simple process that can be completed at the Guest Services desk within the first three days of the cruise. However, passengers should be aware of the potential consequences and consider the social implications before making this decision.