However, you can still make reservations, based on availability, once onboard. 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. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Can I reserve the same table or waiter at the same time in My Time Dining? 0000427335 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. 0000014874 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. I don't mind tipping for good service. The buffet restaurant doesnt offer reservations and you can visit it whenever you want. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. Paste as plain text instead, 0000017159 00000 n In addition to this, an 18% gratuity is automatically added to all drinks, spa and salon services. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. 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. 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. There is no need to remove the "pre=paid" or "included" tips. Still need help? Personally, I wouldn't dream of NOT tipping people that are doing me a service. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Dine as you want, when you want. 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. Understood, and many passengers also feel this way. I'm travelling with guests from another stateroom who selected Traditional Dining. My Time Dining is the flexible dining option on Royal Caribbean cruises. 0000910770 00000 n I always prepay my gratuities and do traditional dining. Guests may request a special table or waiter. My Time Dining is therefore available to anyone who wants to mix things up. Aside from formal nights, there is no enforced dress code except that bare feet and tank tops are not allowed in the Main Dining Room. Clear editor. Guests can only participate in one dining style per sailing. But some people just want to eat with their own family. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have slightly different daily gratuities. Seating can also be reserved while onboard. 0000906618 00000 n 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. 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. Are you sure that isn't an Iglu Cruise rule? When you are reserving your cruise, you will be given the option to select "Traditional Dining" or "My Time Dining.". On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you need to register for My Time Dining if you don't want a set dining time. You dont really get to know the people you are eating with that well. 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. If you keep things as they are, everyone who is supposed to be tipped, WILL be tipped. They work very long hours all day long. 0000027181 00000 n You will have to make each reservation individually and add them to your cart one-by-one. Depending on when you go, you may have to wait until there is an available table. 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. If you have selected My Time Dining for your next Royal Caribbean Cruise vacation, here's everything you need to know about how to book My Time Dining and secure your nightly dining reservations. 0000005141 00000 n If youre already booked and have chosen the flexible option, you can easily pre-reserve specific days and times online. 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. I am looking at cancelling my gratuities when I get on board so I can pay these personally. 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. Cruisers should also bring cash to tip the porters who bring their bags onto the ship (usually $2 per bag), as well as tour guides in port ($5 to $10 per person for half-day tours, $10 to $20 for full-day excursions and $2 for non-guide drivers). Why is it combined? u"7QV-gL)qO^>#~r{e7|W(WFAX>B|zj&u{P$LEi7+?X!^ A. Started August 27, 2021, By but only parties of 20 or less can be seated at one time. 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. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. ?xtp~?f~j)Br$7q,,"Sf%SXAii%1O=]rlsE"V3ueGWY^U?h2/?7>V1yP GoW}wA[5!>0yuoe xdOHTQ7Ho1bJ!IP"th+5ha0P"..\h! hQhE9; Please view our advertising policy page for more information. If youre already booked and have chosen the flexible option, you can easily pre-reserve specific days and times online. Automatic Gratuities were added to lessen the event of "skipping out" on tips and to make sure MTD waiters were tipped. (Sponsored). Note that this only applies to dinner in the Main Dining Room. Additional cash gifts are not expected. Their memory is incredible and they really do make you feel special. Like what you see? document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); | Please check your email and click the link to confirm, and you're all set! You can post now and register later. When making a reservation you will be offered "My Time" or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). Reservations arestronglyrecommended in order to avoid a delay in seating. trailer <]>> startxref 0 %%EOF 158 0 obj <>stream 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. Can guests move between My Time Dining and Traditional Dining during their cruise? We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. You definitely won't go hungry during your sailing, even if you don't purchase any dining extras. Traditionally, dinner on a cruise ship has been served at two specific seating times. Your browser is outdated and does not support many of the modern features of this website, The same applies if you want to switch from My Time Dining back to traditional dining. Can they join me in the My Time Dining Room. 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. At some lines, these charges run as high as $25 per day. Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 0000738152 00000 n Yes. You may find that you are split up at different tables that are not located near each other. In that sense, the current system is more equitable than the old system of cash tipping, which favored certain workers, lines say. Guests who have signed up for My Time Dining will have their SeaPass card designated with the dining room and deck number. Callummck Related: The best cruise booking perks and which ones are actually free. 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. Daily service charges are not the only cruise tips you will pay on board. Related: Use these credit cards to maximize your next cruise vacation. 0000005051 00000 n Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. 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. Royal Caribbean does make it easy to enjoy flexible dining with My Time Dining, so just make sure you sign up to it if you want to decide when you eat each day. Main Dining Room on Allure of the Seas 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. That said, the total number of lines with a service fee has been shrinking over the years. 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. The actual times, however, will vary by sailing. Its much better if youre someone who likes to play it by ear for dinner, based on how hungry you are. Or do they not notice those "add on" charges? I understand that once upon a time prepaid gratuities were required for MTD. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. You dont have to attend dinner at the same time, and you can arrange a table that works for you. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. 0000418920 00000 n Also, once you have been seated and your meal is being served, no other guests will be sat at your table. 2011-2023, Cruise Fever . 0000905280 00000 n 0000003555 00000 n But even so, it's more likely to keep up with cost of living, not to make up for those who don't tip. The dining staff will do all possible to accommodate the request, based on availability. "=0 2BNX/edbi-:w)ddA(BTec;B&r9mE(!Rp#nZbCE2$*,U3Qg+sm{_`S.c xj"PxglZ%Ter_&8W}.l|2cs='g}:f kyMFNG7xFdI"^Jd\O&+W\^:_6 XEljBWm6jk2Tn)a0jGG\E 0000006714 00000 n Royal Caribbeans award winning dining program, My Time Dining, offers flexible and traditional options. 0000417581 00000 n If we paid the gratuities up front when onboard would we still have able to do MTD? I think you probably have had you questions answered already but I wanted to show an example. 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 whenever they like during dining hours, according to availability. Your previous content has been restored. 0000898322 00000 n This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). On a typical seven-night cruise, thats nearly $600 in fees. You may tip extra if you feel you have been "WOW'd". This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. Many smaller and higher-end cruise operators are folding tips and gratuities into their base fares. At least, thats how it is supposed to work. How much to tip on a cruise is a question that trips up many first-timers. ;). You can then book dinner in the Main Dining Room for any time you want, or just walk in without a reservation. There have been both positive and negative reports on Royal Caribbeans My Time Dining. If you do get the same waiter every night, theyll remember your name and your preferences. Having to arrive early, though, defeats the purpose of being able to dine whenever you'd like. Brilliance of the Seas is operated by RCL (UK) Ltd., a subsidiary of Royal . At the same time, you will be able to add prepaid gratuities and vacation protection, if you choose to do so. If you have multiple people in your stateroom or travel party, you can make multiple reservations each evening to accommodate everyone's preferences. 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. Automatic gratuity charge: None. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. You can then book dinner in the Main Dining Room for any time you want, or just walk in without a reservation. 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. Lines that now cover gratuities in their fares include Azamara, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Virgin Voyages. This is why we recommend making reservations for My Time Dining, whether that be in advance via the Cruise Planner or onboard by speaking with a head waiter. $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. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. Upload or insert images from URL. Powered by Invision Community. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. 0000737875 00000 n It is much simpler, and fairer, to leave them in place. However, many people now prefer to enjoy more flexibility with dinner, so cruise lines have either done away with traditional dining altogether or set up an alternative option. The extra cost of the automatic gratuity charges can be a shock to first-time cruisers. 0000006358 00000 n There is a $9.75 gratuity per day that is required and this actually covers not only the wait staff but your room steward. What happens if I cancel the gratuities? Royal Caribbeans award winning dining program, My Time Dining, offers flexible and traditional options. We strongly recommend reserving your dining times through Cruise Planner prior to your sailing as dining times may fill up. Their website explains it as such: "By selecting My Time Dini. However, the suggested dress code remains the same. 0000901784 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. Don't know why you want to do this (are you planning to carry cash every time you go to the WJ?) 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. Could you please tell me how I can improve it? It's kind of a runaround to personally get to everyone who is included (my opinion). And that's before you add in any additional tips you wish to give to your room service or favorite bartender or autogratuities tacked on to bar, restaurant and spa bills. I suspect that the automatic tipping is a hidden charge for the customers who already paid to go on the cruise to subsidise the company's wage bill. You will be seated with whomever you arrive to the dining room with. My Time Dining is only applicable to the Main Dining Room on your ship. Every Royal Caribbean ship includes meals at many included restaurants, including the main dining room and the buffet. It's also not possible to update every forum discussion when information changes so it can be confusing to read conflicting threads. 0000896900 00000 n One additional reason that you might pre-pay in the future is that Royal can change these rates at anytime, if you have them pre-paid, you are locked in to that rate. 0000812508 00000 n Royal Caribbean. Those grats are also handed out to WJ staff, cafe staff, etc. Gratuities haven't been going up "almost every year." If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. Traditional dining is great for anyone who enjoys the classic cruise dinner experience, meeting new people and enjoying a dedicated waiter for the duration of your sailing. 0000901330 00000 n 0000891423 00000 n 0000022522 00000 n The folks who WERVE YOU are the ones who get your tips. If you arrive as soon as the Main Dining Rooms open, you will be able to be seated shortly. 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. Who knows? Jon lives in the foothills of North Carolina and wishes there were a cruise port that far inland. We have my time dining and according to the threads it looks like the gratuities are asked to be prepaid. Obviously through this conversation you can tell that you can pre-pay your gratuities our they will be added to your onboard account daily as you cruise. That said, some people do leave a little extra for crew members who go above and beyond. . Princess, for example, has added a Princess Plus plan as a booking option. The only thing you should HAVE to pay at booking is the deposit. Unlike Traditional Dining, My Time Dining is only marked as lasting for fifteen minutes. 0000819210 00000 n document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Dine as you want, when you want. Online, you can only book My Time Dining for up to eight guests. 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. Thanks Matt- We paid for the cruise at the time of booking. 0000891999 00000 n 0000417308 00000 n 0000006236 00000 n Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. 0000916414 00000 n The actual times, however, will vary by sailing. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 0000419636 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. 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. We do not prepay gratuities because we always have OBC and they will be deducted from the OBC daily. Discover the culinary curiosities of Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine. 0000426585 00000 n The group we are going with have all chosen the early 5pm dinner reservation. Powered by Cruiseline.com, spoke with royal Carib rep today who said prepaid grats are now out if you are using My Time Dining. 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. You do have to prepay your gratuities in order to sign up to My Time Dining. If you cancel prepaid gratuities, you can visit Guest Services once you are onboard and request they discontinue automatic gratuties. You also will not be able to switch after the second day, so you'll want to visit Guest Services and/or the Main Dining Room when you embark-- Guests can only participate in one dining style per sailing. 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. Reservations are highly recommended, as the wait time can be long if you choose to eat during the prime dinner hours of 6:30-8:00pm. Get Cruise Savvy with our FREE Newsletter! 0000021713 00000 n You can eat anytime between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm. 0000006046 00000 n 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. Alternatively, you can have the charges added to your room bill on board. The benefits of My Time Dining are that you decide who you eat with, and when. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Royal Caribbean gratuities for children and infants KA^tQmy9*yE'6C'VBz@JKz+I_0U{:$asg* \ endstream endobj 157 0 obj <>/Size 28/Type/XRef>>stream Rather, you will be seated wherever there is availability. 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. Probably because it makes it less confusing than diving up the tips. You also do not get to know the wait staff as well, since you may be seated in a different area every night. Royal Caribbean has done the latter keeping the option for traditional dining service but also offering My Time Dining. However, spaces may be limited so it may not be possible if you leave it too late. So for those who like some solitude, they may find that this more freestyle approach works better, but not everyone likes the NCL style of eating. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 0000006679 00000 n Pardon? If you want to change to My Time Dining, youll need to speak to Guest Services within the first two days of your cruise. Im pretty sure were havent prepaid the gratuities, but our invoice from RCL does say that our dining is My Time Dining and the Cruise planner will let us make reservations. 0000005096 00000 n 0000910197 00000 n My Family Time Dining is a dining option for families with children ages 3-11 years that aims to help kid's complete dinner within 45 minutes, freeing parents to enjoy coffee and . 0000005676 00000 n The cost of that package is typically $109 per person, per day. MY FAMILY TIME DINING MY TIME DINING DAILY RESERVATIONS Awards FOLLOW US JOIN CROWN & ANCHOR SOCIETY CALL US NOW +971 4 331 4299 So therefore it does not show on our invoice. The flexibility of My Time Dining comes with responsibility. Read more: Whats Included in a Royal Caribbean Cruise? 0000011404 00000 n Discover the culinary curiosities of Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine. 0000417013 00000 n Learn more. 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. Looking for the Best Cruise Deals? Search Now 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. Youll be asked to pre-pay your gratuities. 0000003388 00000 n They were accurate as of the publishing of this story. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. The best way to fully take advantage of the My Time Dining program is to make your reservations before you board the ship! It can be awkward to eat with a complete stranger, and this dining option also makes it easier for folks who just want to enjoy their getaway at sea. 0000902670 00000 n For example, Norwegian offers a complimentary Open Bar drinks package for travelers who book its "free at sea" promotion. Member Title: 100,000+ Club. It truly depends, though. The traditional dining experience allows you the choice of either early or late seating times for each day of your cruise. It's easy, convenient, and if you wish to recognize outstanding service you can always tip extra cash personally. To ensure quick seating, we encourage guests who have selected the Flexible option to place a reservation for each evening. The Dining experience was Excellent as were the Waiting Staff, the only gripe, there had to be one, was the cost of the Wine. Check here before booking an award fare. 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. |, 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. Tipping on a cruise does not have to be complicated, but you need to understand the big picture to budget for your vacation appropriately. Answer (1 of 4): Fares purchased on the Australian website will always include pre-paid gratuities. When making a reservation you will be offered "My Time" or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). Heres how I get the lowest price when I book a cruise. All of the gratuities are divided equally among the wait staff. This website uses cookies in order to offer you the most relevant information. 0000750166 00000 n My Time Dining is now a choice within the booking process. 0000841664 00000 n On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you need to register for My Time Dining if you dont want a set dining time. All rights reserved. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. If you have an issue with how the crew get paid don't withhold your tips since that will only penalize the crew.
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