royal caribbean my time dining gratuities

We can honor requests to change only once based on availability. 0000016969 00000 n A world of culinary exploration awaits you onboard Royal Caribbean. If you arrive as soon as the Main Dining Rooms open, you will be able to be seated shortly. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Alternatively, you can have the charges added to your room bill on board. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); About Us | 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. Started August 27, 2021, By And that they aren't simply following the outdated information still present on Royal's website as pointed out above? Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Even if you only plan to eat in the Main Dining Room a couple of times during your cruise, it often makes sense to choose My Time Dining so that you can pick the time you want. Heres how I get the lowest price when I book a cruise. You will see the same helpful crew members waiting on you in the WJ as you did last night in the MDR. Their website explains it as such: "By selecting My Time Dini. What we experienced was that their program is NOT really "My time dining", it is RESERVATION time dining. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Princess, for example, has added a Princess Plus plan as a booking option. Read on to learn what My Time Dining is, the benefits that it offers, and how to book. 0000005676 00000 n Yes. I'm travelling with guests from another stateroom who selected Traditional Dining. 0000831970 00000 n Learn more. With Traditional Dining, you will have the same reserved seating each night of your cruise, and there are two seatings to choose from: first (early) and second (late). 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. Any amount is fine and will be appreciated by the hard-working crew. The buffet restaurant doesnt offer reservations and you can visit it whenever you want. The mandatory 20% gratuity comes out to nearly $22 per day. What happens if I cancel the gratuities? Then, Norwegian Cruise Line decided to shake things up a bit with "freestyle dining", an innovation that allows guests to eat dinner anytime . CC Help Jenn But whether My Time Dining works for you or not really depends on what your preferences are. 0000914358 00000 n The cost of that package is typically $109 per person, per day. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. My Family Time dining is currently unavailable throughout our fleet. Paste as plain text instead, 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. I don't mind tipping for good service. If you opt out of daily gratuities your account will not be charged for them. They were accurate as of the publishing of this story. 0000026625 00000 n The flexibility of My Time Dining comes with responsibility. 0000747552 00000 n So if I cancel my gratuities what will be added to my account for my time dining. But some people just want to eat with their own family. 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. You can be seated with the party you arrive with or be seated at your own table. 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. Don't know why you want to do this (are you planning to carry cash every time you go to the WJ?) There have been both positive and negative reports on Royal Caribbeans My Time Dining. We hate spam as much as lounge chair hogs. You dont really get to know the people you are eating with that well. 0000690334 00000 n Regent Seven Seas Cruises. If not, you might be stuck eating even later than the second seating! But even so, it's more likely to keep up with cost of living, not to make up for those who don't tip. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. My Time Dining is the flexible dining option on Royal Caribbean cruises. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Quote tiny260 Members 2.4k LocationOklahoma Posted January 11, 2019 I think you probably have had you questions answered already but I wanted to show an example. If you opt out of daily gratuities your account will not be charged for them. View All Cruises 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. This can trick many cruisers into tipping twice. The agent asked us which dining option wed like and we chose my time. We know booking a cruise can be a complicated process, so if you need any help or would even like us to fill out your information for you please get in touch. For guests that want to experience the Main Dining Room without the formality of having a set time, Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean offers its guests two choices for enjoying dinner in the main dining room: My Time Dining or. Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 866-562-7625 Email Your Questions Locate a Travel Agent Flexible seating works very much like standard restaurant seating. Suggested read: 6 Things You MUST Know About Formal Night on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. We were unaware of the automatic (recommended amount) tipping charge applied to our credit card when we switched to My Time on the 3rd day of our recent 8 day cruise. I take any thread older than a year (sometimes less) with a grain of salt. 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. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Heres my confusion: I understand prepaid gratuities is required for My Time Dining. The flexible option allows you to select your own dining time and table companions on a daily basis. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. 0000916809 00000 n I think the crew would let it be know if they were not receiving their share of the gratuities. (Sponsored). Like what you see? 0000006236 00000 n But to the OP's question, we have MTD on Mariner next month and have not prepaid our gratuities. The wait. The actual times, however, will vary by sailing. Daily service charges are not the only cruise tips you will pay on board. 0000909755 00000 n 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. Your browser is outdated and does not support many of the modern features of this website, Royal Caribbean Dining. Flexible seating works very much like standard restaurant seating. 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. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. 0000916414 00000 n Seating can also be reserved while onboard. It is much simpler, and fairer, to leave them in place. 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. Automatic gratuity charge: $16 to $18.50 per . Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line. This website uses cookies in order to offer you the most relevant information. Seating can also be reserved while onboard. So therefore it does not show on our invoice. The automatic service gratuity is $14.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Junior Suites and below, or $17.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above, applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. The flexible option allows you to select your own dining time and table companions on a daily basis. 0000913572 00000 n 0000891587 00000 n Copyrights |, www.royalcaribbean.ae is part of Royal Caribbean Arabia owned by Safeen Tourism LLC the Sole Middle East Representative of Royal Caribbean International, 2023 All Rights Reserved | ROYAL CARIBBEAN ARABIA. John2195, June 24, 2017 in Royal Caribbean International. 0000005866 00000 n 0000819210 00000 n Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation. Can I reserve the same table or waiter at the same time in My Time Dining? But I remember the days before MTD and Automatic Tips when, on the last night, TIP Night, people would eat at other venues and skip out on tipping the wait staff. Youll be told which restaurant to go to based on your choice. The early seating is usually around 5:30pm, while the late seating is around 8:00pm. Are you sure that isn't an Iglu Cruise rule? E{3bEi_,FdTneL m!TlmJ=&esmh~rqbo)q9V'{7_LA74us i%@MZC1twwBjkC%{'BLTzP64Z{C@gC;qdF\u4:}NiIYmKzuu>k&dOWd1ydzW ]EhWJt*iLAcGMUyhvjw%m&_I;jxt' jg|zn~7_{ksiY15M HHnV6@,,TnMv9GU{$ $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. 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. The folks who WERVE YOU are the ones who get your tips. Their memory is incredible and they really do make you feel special. Reservations arestronglyrecommended in order to avoid a delay in seating (reservations will be taken once onboard, based on availability). 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. 0000006002 00000 n You cannot paste images directly. 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. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. The best way to fully take advantage of the My Time Dining program is to make your reservations before you board the ship! I noticed the My Time doesn't offer reservations until 6:45. 156.1k. You can wait to make your My Time Dining reservations until you board your cruise ship. Do you have Cruise Fever too? Pardon? 0000906128 00000 n 0000006714 00000 n The closer you get to your cruise vacation, the fewer reservations you may find. 0000704363 00000 n 0000022522 00000 n Often, even if you do have a reservation you have to wait, but the time is much shorter since they are expecting you. Still, some critics see the charges as a sneaky way for cruise lines to make their fares appear lower than they really are. MY FAMILY TIME DINING MY TIME DINING DAILY RESERVATIONS Awards FOLLOW US JOIN CROWN & ANCHOR SOCIETY CALL US NOW +971 4 331 4299 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.this is royal caribeans latest sneaky trick to get you to part with more money than you need to.the gratuities payment are VOLUNTARY you have the choise to pay them or request onboard the ship to take them off of your account . You can choose a different time each day, so you can fit dinner around the rest of your onshore and onboard plans. 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. Im really asking the opposite - We havent prepaid gratuities, but the agent has booked us in for My Time Dining! 0000427335 00000 n My Time Dining is now a choice within the booking process. Some guests do not plan on eating in the Main Dining Room each day or would rather do so at the time of their choosing. Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. If you want to use My Time Dining you must pay for tips in advance. Even if I opt out of automatic gratuities? Learn the cruise secrets most people don't know and cruise like a boss. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. 0000902670 00000 n The menu for My Time Dining is still the same, so you will get the same quality meals. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Plus Ups are excluded. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. but only parties of 20 or less can be seated at one time. 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. TPG values it at $1,600. 0000017159 00000 n Related: The best cruise booking perks and which ones are actually free. 0000910770 00000 n On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you need to register for My Time Dining if you dont want a set dining time. January 11, 2019 in Royal Caribbean Discussion. 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. Another method is to just simply show up at the Main Dining Room each night when you are ready to eat. The guest relations staff will want to know if youve experienced particular service issues. Here's how it works on Royal Caribbean: As of September 7 th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per . Someone else that pays more will take up the slack for you. If you are choosing My Time Dining because you are not a fan of either set dining times, you will need to ensure that you make nightly reservations as soon as possible via the Cruise Planner. Cheap people have been around for years. It's also not possible to update every forum discussion when information changes so it can be confusing to read conflicting threads. To request a call back from one of our cruise experts, kindly provide us with the details requested bellow and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Upload or insert images from URL. 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. All sent to your inbox. Privacy Policy | Welcome aboard! 0000905280 00000 n For your convenience, prepaid gratuities are automatically added to your flexible option reservations. 0000828394 00000 n Traditional seating will mean that guests will keep the same wait staff and dining companions throughout the cruise. All of the gratuities are divided equally among the wait staff. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? Some people assume that, because My Time Dining offers more flexible dining, it has a more flexible dress code. Main Dining Room on Allure of the Seas Still need help? 0000005096 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. Traditionally, dinner on a cruise ship has been served at two specific seating times. If you keep things as they are, everyone who is supposed to be tipped, WILL be tipped. 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. 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. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Still, not all lines have service fees that high. Royal Caribbean "My Time Dining" Review. If you want to change to My Time Dining, youll need to speak to Guest Services within the first two days of your cruise. Piano bar regulars know that a cash tip will increase the chances of the pianist choosing and performing your song request. $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. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Your statement You cannot sign up for My Time Dining until you are on board the vessel is incorrect you can do this online when you book the Cruise. Probably because it makes it less confusing than diving up the tips. However, the suggested dress code remains the same. However, spaces may be limited so it may not be possible if you leave it too late. We have had really wonderful waiters in the WJ, some that even remember my DH loves those ranger cookies and will bring him some when they see us. 0000910197 00000 n Reservations are strongly recommended. At many big lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, its not uncommon for a family of four staying in a single cabin to see around $80 a day in service fees added to their bills. Understood, and many passengers also feel this way. 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 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. If you are asking by prepaying gratuities in advance does that force you to do MTD, then the answer is no. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. During peak dinner times, you may have to wait as long as 45 minutes for a table. Two brothers started Cruise Fever in 2011 when they decided they couldn't stop cruising so they might as well write about it. At the same time, you will be able to add prepaid gratuities and vacation protection, if you choose to do so. Personally, I wouldn't dream of NOT tipping people that are doing me a service. You may find that you are split up at different tables that are not located near each other. A. 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. | 0000898322 00000 n It's easy, convenient, and if you wish to recognize outstanding service you can always tip extra cash personally. My Time Dining is therefore available to anyone who wants to mix things up. Also if staff are chastised for receiving cash, why do all the posts advocate tipping over and above the automatic gratuities for good service? It is possible to snag dining times around 7:00pm every night, but this is a highly desirable dinner time. But its definitely not for everyone. Hi, I'm Jenni. My Time Dining is one of the options you'll get to choose from when you book your cruise. The benefits of My Time Dining are that you decide who you eat with, and when. Rather, you will be seated wherever there is availability. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Your link has been automatically embedded. Speciality restaurants require reservations but they dont have traditional dining times. 0000005141 00000 n You may request a certain waiter each night, and we will work to seat your party in his or her area depending on availability. Be the first to rate this post. Join 40,000 cruiserswho readmy email each week Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Unsubscribe whenever you want. 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. 0000891696 00000 n It isn't a hidden charge, since we all know about the charge and of course it subsidizes the wage bill. Maximum of 10 guests per reservation. That explains it and answers my question- youre right, it does still say it on parts of the website. What happens if I cancel the gratuities? The group we are going with have all chosen the early 5pm dinner reservation. Be warned that the receipt often includes a line for an additional gratuity, even when one is automatically added. Callummck 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 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. They will be seated in one of the main dining rooms. 0000417308 00000 n 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. Passengers in mini-suites pay $17, while those in bigger suites pay $18. My Time Dining is only applicable to the Main Dining Room on your ship. I understand that once upon a time prepaid gratuities were required for MTD. You definitely won't go hungry during your sailing, even if you don't purchase any dining extras. Even if you initially booked Traditional Dining, you can call your travel agent or Royal Caribbean directly to change to My Time. 0000417078 00000 n You can even switch from My Time Dining to Traditional if you booked before understanding the differences, but you might end up with late dining depending on when you make the change, as early tends to book up quickly. Royal Caribbean. 0000011539 00000 n *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. The traditional dining experience allows you the choice of either early or late seating times for each day of your cruise. If not, just leave blank, How to book My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean, What you need to know about Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining, Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. The actual times, however, will vary by sailing. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. However, you can still make reservations, based on availability, once onboard. Whats Included in a Royal Caribbean Cruise? When you eat with someone different every night it can be hard to get past the introductions every night and really get to know someone. xdOHTQ7Ho1bJ!IP"th+5ha0P"..\h! hQhE9; Cruise lines say they pass the money collected from service charges to the shipboard crew. Unlike Traditional Dining, you will not be seated at the same table with the same wait staff if your choose My Time. For example, Norwegian offers a complimentary Open Bar drinks package for travelers who book its "free at sea" promotion. Breakfast in the Main Dining Room is first come, first serve, regardless on whether or not you selected My Time or Traditional Dining. This also applies to sailings departing from Australia and New Zealand. Looking for the Best Cruise Deals? 0000003555 00000 n 0000737875 00000 n Theres also a dining hotline you can call from the phone in your stateroom to make changes to your reservations. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. 0000892388 00000 n You will be able to see the exact times that My Time Dining is offered each evening once you book your cruise. Member Title: 100,000+ Club. Once you have decided on the perfect ship and itinerary, you are ready to move forward with the cruise booking process. 0000417807 00000 n 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 can eat anytime between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm. My Time Dining is now a choice within the booking process. Instant Real Time Pricing When planning your other evening activities, make sure that you allot yourself at least 75 minutes for your Main Dining Room experience.

royal caribbean my time dining gratuities 2023