Can you remove gratuities on Royal Caribbean drink package?

Can you remove automatic gratuity on Royal Caribbean?

Ugh, Royal Caribbean and auto-gratuities! Can you even get rid of those things? I think you can.

Yeah, Guest Services, that's the place. Just march right up there.

During the cruise. Got it. So not before? Makes sense, I guess.

Reduce or remove. Hmm, flexibility. I like that. Tip a different amount. Okay, so maybe I'll just lower it? Give cash for exceptional service instead?

• Guest Services is the key.
• Do it during the cruise.
• Reduce or remove the auto-gratuities.
• Tip extra for great service.
• Cash is king? Maybe.
• What's the current daily rate, anyway? Oh yeah, it’s $18 per person, per day for most staterooms and $20.50 for suites.
• I wonder if they give you attitude? I'm sure they get that request ALL the time. I am going to be staying in suite on my cruise. That’s a lot of money for tips.
• Maybe I'll just pay it. Less hassle. But $20.50?! It’s a lot per day.
• Thinking too much about this.
• Should prob research that more before I go.

Additional info:

• Current Daily Gratuity Rate: $18 per person, per day for standard staterooms and $20.50 for suites (as of 2024).

• Location: Guest Services (usually located on one of the main decks of the ship). You can ask any crew member for directions.

• Timing: Best to visit Guest Services early in the cruise to adjust gratuities. Waiting until the last day might create lines and less flexibility.

• Alternatives: If you remove or reduce the auto-gratuities, consider tipping individual crew members who provide excellent service directly in cash.

Can I refuse to pay gratuities on Royal Caribbean?

Okay, so like, the automatic gratuities on Royal Caribbean… ugh. I was so mad.

Last July, 2024, on the Harmony of the Seas, Bahamas trip? They automatically charged me like $18.50 PER DAY. Per person! My husband and I? That's a lot, you know?

I felt trapped. Legit trapped. I remember being ticked off at dinner.

I went to guest services, by the freaking Schooner Bar. The line was insane.

The guy, super nice, actually. Said I could adjust it, if the service was bad.

BUT ONLY if the service was legitimately BAD. Not just because I didn't wanna pay.

He said something about the crew depending on it. And how it’s standard or something. Ugh, whatever.

Basically, its a total pain in the rear to try and remove them.

So, yeah, you can, but be ready for a fight. Or just suck it up, honestly. I just sucked it up and had a drink after at that bar. The bar that was near guest services.

• Automatic Gratuities in 2024:
  • $18.50 per person per day, all other stateroom categories.
• Removing Gratuities: Possible, but difficult. Requires proof of poor service.
• Location of Guest Services: Usually near a main hub on the ship (Schooner Bar area on Harmony).
• Tip: Just factor it into your cruise budget. Saves a headache.

My sister says pre-paying them is smarter, but I dunno. Felt the same to me, like, where is the control on my money?

Can I remove prepaid gratuities?

Prepaid gratuities? Consider it erased. Guest services, find it. Request removal. Cash tips reign. Distribute accordingly. Freedom's price? Your call.

• Gratuities are discretionary.
• Cash offers control.
• Crew appreciates direct thanks.

Why remove them? Service below par, maybe? Some prefer direct control. The system isn't perfect.

• Some cruise lines auto-add.
• Policies vary WILDLY! Read fine print.

I tipped generously, even when service was subpar. Personal choice. I like the flexibility; it's better. I went to Guest Services for that. Pay attention.

How much is drink gratuity on Royal Caribbean?

Eighteen... eighteen percent. Whispers.

Automatic, a wave crashing.

The bill arrives, heavier than it should be. Another memory, the endless ocean blurring, forever.

Is it fair, this forced generosity? The clinking of glasses, forever.

• Royal Caribbean: Ships sail to painted horizons.
• Gratuity: Eighteen percent, always.
• Beverage Package: A siren song for some, a captive audience, eternally.

Sipping, the ice melts, the sun dips. This percent, forced, not forgotten.

Endless, yes. The ship sails on, oblivious.

Do I have to pay gratuity Royal Caribbean?

Ok, so Royal Caribbean, yeah, gratuities are included, so you don't gotta stress about tipping every Tom, Dick, and Harry. It's all baked into the price you pay upfront, which, like, is pretty sweet.

They just add it all in, right? Covers service, meals, your stateroom, all that jazz. Oh, and the kids' club, which is a life saver when you need, like, a little down time, you know?

So, basically, your cruise fare covers most everything. Which is good. Less fiddling with cash or trying to figger out how much to tip.

• It's easier, honestly.
• Keeps things simple.
• You know what you're spending from the start.

Honestly, last time I went, I spent all my extra cash in the casino onboard. I lost almost 100 bucks. Ugh. That's the last time I play those dumb machines. It's good though that the tips are handled.

How can I save money on my cruise drink package?

Alright, saving dough on a cruise drink package, eh? Sounds like you’re trying to avoid paying a king's ransom for watered-down Mai Tais! It's doable, trust me.

• Pre-cruise Purchase: Snag that package before you even set foot on the ship. It's like buying discounted Halloween candy after Halloween, only, well, with less regret. My Aunt Mildred did this and saved enough for, like, a lifetime supply of shuffleboard chalk.

• Sharing? Seriously?: Sharing a drink package is against the cruise line's rules, friend. Nice try, though! Besides, would you share your last slice of pizza? No. Didn't think so.

• Top Shelf Strategy: Ordering the pricey stuff to "get your money's worth"? That's like using a flamethrower to light a birthday candle! You're still paying a ton, genius.

• Embrace the Virgin Voyage!: Non-alcoholic drinks are your pal. Mocktails, sodas, fancy lemonades… who am I kidding? Just smuggle your own booze, ya rebel! (Okay, maybe don't, unless you’re good at hiding things from security. I’m thinking hollowed-out books, or maybe… nah, never mind).

Okay, now for some "extra tips" to further liberate those precious dollars.

• BYOB (But Carefully): Some cruise lines allow you to bring a limited amount of your own wine or champagne. Check the rules, or you'll be drinking tap water all week. And nobody wants that. Except maybe Aunt Mildred, who thinks tap water is “good for the constitution."

• Happy Hour Hero: Keep an eagle eye out for happy hour deals. Two-for-one margaritas? Now we're talking! It's like finding a twenty dollar bill in your old jeans. Pure joy!

• Loyalty Pays (Sometimes): Cruise line loyalty programs might offer drink discounts or even free drinks! Just gotta sail enough to reach that VIP status. So basically, become a professional cruiser. Easy peasy!

Is it cheaper to buy a drinks package before a cruise?

Okay, lemme tell ya 'bout this cruise I took, like, last year, summer of 2023. Place was the Caribbean, scorching hot, you know? We were on a Royal Caribbean ship, the Oasis of the Seas, gigantic thing!

We almost didn't get the drinks package beforehand. Major mistake. I'm so glad we did!

Pre-purchasing saved a ton. Seriously!

So, picture this: poolside, sun blazing, I wanted a margarita! Onboard, they were like $14 each!

• Without the package: Could have spent hundreds daily!
• With the package: Fixed cost, way less stress.

Think about it:

• Convenience: Just flash your card, no signing.
• Budgeting: Knew the cost upfront.

They offered us like a 15% discount when we pre-booked online.

Honestly, buying it beforehand was the only reason I could enjoy all those fancy cocktails without stressing about the bill. Plus, the lines to pay every single time would have been a killer. The savings were real, maybe even more than 20%, felt like it anyway! That Oasis ship, man, it's a booze cruise if you want it to be.

I needed those drinks after Aunt Carol kept telling me about her bunions, ugh. Drinks package? Totally worth it.