Yes, if there is availability in the My Time Dining Room, we would be happy to accommodate the request. The actual times, however, will vary by sailing. Fortunately, Royal Caribbean still offers both traditional and My Time Dining options. 0000891587 00000 n 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. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. Online, you can only book My Time Dining for up to eight guests. Get Cruise Savvy with our FREE Newsletter! By 0000418920 00000 n Be warned that the receipt often includes a line for an additional gratuity, even when one is automatically added. Enrollment required. If a guest requests My Time dining, can wine be ordered through Royal Gifts to be delivered to the dining room? It isn't a hidden charge, since we all know about the charge and of course it subsidizes the wage bill. Also (and I'm probably being the grammar police on this one) do you really mean "you HAVE to pay the gratuities up front at the time of booking" or do you mean they have to be added to your bill at time of booking? 2011-2023, Cruise Fever . 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. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. If you pay them onboard, it will be charged automatically each day of the cruise. It's also not possible to update every forum discussion when information changes so it can be confusing to read conflicting threads. 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. You can post now and register later. Royal Caribbean charges a gratuity of $16.00 per person, per day. Don't know why you want to do this (are you planning to carry cash every time you go to the WJ?) 0000907210 00000 n 0000910770 00000 n No reservation is needed, but Royal Caribbean strongly encourages you to get a reservation if you dont want to spend a lot of time waiting when you go to dinner. 0000422260 00000 n When making a reservation you will be offered My Time or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). 2010 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Still, some critics see the charges as a sneaky way for cruise lines to make their fares appear lower than they really are. 0000891999 00000 n Royal Caribbean | MY TIME DINING DAILY RESERVATIONS You will have to make each reservation individually and add them to your cart one-by-one. You can choose a different time each day, so you can fit dinner around the rest of your onshore and onboard plans. If you cancel prepaid gratuities, you can visit Guest Services once you are onboard and request they discontinue automatic gratuties. By This allows you to decide when you want to eat, and who you want to sit with, instead of traditional dining where you have set times and sit with the same group each day. 0000426236 00000 n At the same time, you will be able to add prepaid gratuities and vacation protection, if you choose to do so. If you keep things as they are, everyone who is supposed to be tipped, WILL be tipped. Click the button above to compare the prices of cruises from all travel agents. 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. 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. In that sense, the current system is more equitable than the old system of cash tipping, which favored certain workers, lines say. 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. Another method is to just simply show up at the Main Dining Room each night when you are ready to eat. Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 866-562-7625 Email Your Questions Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Answer (1 of 4): Fares purchased on the Australian website will always include pre-paid gratuities. I am looking at cancelling my gratuities when I get on board so I can pay these personally. 0000901714 00000 n Any amount is fine and will be appreciated by the hard-working crew. 0000819210 00000 n The guest relations staff will want to know if youve experienced particular service issues. 0000422496 00000 n You will be able to see the exact times that My Time Dining is offered each evening once you book your cruise. Yes. 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. Thats the whole point of the service charge. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. The traditional dining experience allows you the choice of either early or late seating times for each day of your cruise. Rather, you will be seated wherever there is availability. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? 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. What happens if I cancel the gratuities? Prior to checking out, you will have to make a decision on dining style. 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. 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. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. If you plan on spending most of your time in the buffet restaurant anyway, then you might not be concerned about the Main Dining Room and your dining times. On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you need to register for My Time Dining if you dont want a set dining time. Started June 21, 2021, By If you have an issue with how the crew get paid don't withhold your tips since that will only penalize the crew. 0000892817 00000 n 0000704363 00000 n Some guests choose to recognize particularly exceptional service with an additional cash gratuity on the last night of their cruise. You don't have to tip on these cruises because the line is already paying gratuities to the staff on your behalf. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. 0000019459 00000 n My time dining and gratuities - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise It's kind of a runaround to personally get to everyone who is included (my opinion). It is possible to snag dining times around 7:00pm every night, but this is a highly desirable dinner time. 0000896900 00000 n Details: Gratuities are included in the fare. Once they go to the My Time Dining desk to be seated for dinner, the waiter will look up the guests stateroom and pull any special dietary needs or amenities purchased for them. Smart cruise advice, cruise deals, and breaking news. The group we are going with have all chosen the early 5pm dinner reservation. 0000736952 00000 n Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. For your convenience, prepaid gratuities are automatically added to your flexible option reservations. I will HAPPILY pay my gratuities, and feel that having them paid in advance is very convenient, andprobably saves me some money. Your automatic gratuities also cover your cabin steward and other behind the scenes personnel; not just dining room staff. If you need to change or cancel a reservation for any reason, you will have to go into the specific order and cancel each reservation separately before you are able to rebook. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. If you dont like tipping in advance to your service, and you would rather leave generous tips individually, there is nothing stopping you from going the extra mile to tip your waiter or waitress each night you use the My Time Dining option. But its definitely not for everyone. We always choose My Time dinning. 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. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. You will be seated with whomever you arrive to the dining room with. 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. Still, not all lines have service fees that high. If you opt out of daily gratuities your account will not be charged for them. 0000906128 00000 n I always find that funny when peeps complain about the added on grats listed as a separate charge..do they ever look at their cable bill, electric bill, phone bill.etcetc. They were accurate as of the publishing of this story. Love Cruise Fever?Sign Up to Our FREE Newsletter! Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. My Time Dining is not available for breakfast, but you can still use it for both lunch and dinner. Royal Caribbean. We strongly recommend reserving your dining times through Cruise Planner prior to your sailing as dining times may fill up. $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. Maximum of 10 guests per reservation. Guests may request a special table or waiter. Princess, for example, has added a Princess Plus plan as a booking option. Can you opt out of gratuities on Royal Caribbean? - Quora They will be seated in one of the main dining rooms. Guests can only participate in one dining style per sailing. 0000424501 00000 n My Time Dining is therefore available to anyone who wants to mix things up. 0000005956 00000 n The early seating is usually around 5:30pm, while the late seating is around 8:00pm. 0000722800 00000 n A lot of cruisers were actually upset when they heard about My Time Dining and vowed to never sail with Royal Caribbean again if this was the only option. 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. On a Royal Caribbean cruise, you need to register for My Time Dining if you don't want a set dining time. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Can they join me in the My Time Dining Room? But its not strict. If youre not someone who has cruised before, you might not be aware of traditional dining times on cruise ships. Do you have Cruise Fever too? Some people also like to pay their service charges in advance for budgeting purposes. The agent asked us which dining option wed like and we chose my time. So with My Time Dining, you might lose some of that experience, but the flexibility of your own table and time is often preferable anyway. 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 . 0000901423 00000 n That is how it works for those employees who get paid with tips. I don't mind tipping for good service. 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. How Does Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining Work? - Cruise Fever If you want, you can even try to switch onboard. You can then make reservations for your restaurant, or just turn up at the restaurant between 6 pm and 9.30 pm and wait for a table to be available. Follow along on this incredible voyage! When making a reservation you will be offered "My Time" or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). Prepaid Gratuities / My Time Dining - Royal Caribbean Discussion Also if staff are chastised for receiving cash, why do all the posts advocate tipping over and above the automatic gratuities for good service? 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. 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. In many cases, the service charges are adjustable. On a cruise ship there are so many activities and fun shows, that it can be easy to lose tract of time, and not having to worry about being at diner at a specific time works for some people. You dont really get to know the people you are eating with that well. Understood, and many passengers also feel this way. Legal Information | If you are traveling with more than eight people, My Time Dining might become a hassle. I don't know if you have cruised before, but the gratuities cover more than your wait staff in My Time Dining. If you feel anyone has been particularly helpful you can always tip them extra in cash. 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. There is no need to remove the "pre=paid" or "included" tips. Unlike Traditional Dining, My Time Dining is only marked as lasting for fifteen minutes. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. Passengers in mini-suites pay $17, while those in bigger suites pay $18. 0000423354 00000 n 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). 156.1k. My Time Dining is the flexible dining option on Royal Caribbean cruises. 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. That is not the case anymore but Royal is not great about updating their website information. This also applies to sailings departing from Australia and New Zealand. 0000015069 00000 n You will see the same helpful crew members waiting on you in the WJ as you did last night in the MDR. Many smaller and higher-end cruise operators are folding tips and gratuities into their base fares. I'm travelling with guests from another stateroom who selected Traditional Dining. 0000425403 00000 n 0000905656 00000 n Read more: Whats Included in a Royal Caribbean Cruise? 0000891340 00000 n (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Can guests move between My Time Dining and Traditional Dining during their cruise? 0000906618 00000 n 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 old way of MTD had forced you to prepay gratuities but that changed some time ago. Breakfast in the Main Dining Room is first come, first serve, regardless on whether or not you selected My Time or Traditional Dining. Jon can be reached at. I understand that once upon a time prepaid gratuities were required for MTD. Sunshine State. Callummck 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. 0000911056 00000 n A The automatic service gratuity is $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in Junior Suites and below, or $18.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above, applied to each guest's SeaPass account on a daily basis. I noticed the My Time doesn't offer reservations until 6:45. 0000417581 00000 n If youre already booked and have chosen the flexible option, you can easily pre-reserve specific days and times online. This dining option requires you to "pre pay" your gratuities. Pasted as rich text. 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. You can disable the usage of cookies by changing the settings of your browser. Posted June 24, 2017. Speciality restaurants require reservations but they dont have traditional dining times. It has its advantages, but for a lot of people, its too restrictive. Dont worry: When lines offer such deals, it doesnt mean the crew will receive fewer tips the week you cruise. How much to tip on a cruise is a question that trips up many first-timers. Still need help? 0000690334 00000 n 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. The flexible option allows you to select your own dining time and table companions on a daily basis. When making a reservation you will be offered "My Time" or traditional dining times (i.e., 5:30 pm & 8:00 pm). 0000006002 00000 n 6 Things You MUST Know About Formal Night on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. 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 The mandatory 20% gratuity comes out to nearly $22 per day. If you want to use My Time Dining you must pay for tips in advance. 0000812508 00000 n 0000747552 00000 n My confusion is to do with the My Time Dining - If gratuities havent been prepaid, do we still have the My Time Dining thats on the invoice?! Then, Norwegian Cruise Line decided to shake things up a bit with "freestyle dining", an innovation that allows guests to eat dinner anytime . "=0 2BNX/edbi-:w)ddA(BTec;B&r9mE(!Rp#nZbCE2$*,U3Qg+sm{_`S.c xj"PxglZ%Ter_&8W}.l|2cs='g}:f kyMFNG7xFdI"^Jd\O&+W\^:_6 XEljBWm6jk2Tn)a0jGG\E 0000831970 00000 n Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. You may request a certain waiter each night, and we will work to seat your party in his or her area depending on availability. There will be a My Time Dining check-in desk at the entrance to the dining room with wait staff to greet guests. Their memory is incredible and they really do make you feel special. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. 0000897748 00000 n Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. 0000417308 00000 n How Does Royal Caribbeans My Time Dining Work? $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. Additionally, if you are traveling with a large party, you might find Traditional Dining to be easier. You also do not get to know the wait staff as well, since you may be seated in a different area every night. If you dislike tipping on cruise ships, but can't afford to sail on an all-inclusive line, look for promotions when cruise lines with service charges throw in free gratuities as a booking incentive. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. The exact times, however, will vary according to your cruise itinerary. Tipping on a cruise does not have to be complicated, but you need to understand the big picture to budget for your vacation appropriately. As soon as you place the deposit for your cruise, you will gain access to the Cruise Planner. Royal Caribbean | MY TIME DINING DAILY RESERVATIONS A world of culinary exploration awaits you onboard Royal Caribbean. Then, contact one with a best-price guarantee and have them beat it! 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. 0000027181 00000 n You can do this before the cruise, or during your voyage. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. You'd likely pay it at final payment date. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Looking for the Best Cruise Deals? Suggested read: 6 Things You MUST Know About Formal Night on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. 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. 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 . Some dont charge a service fee at all. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 0000003555 00000 n 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 anytime they like during dinner hours, according to times availability. 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. You dont have to attend dinner at the same time, and you can arrange a table that works for you. We hate spam as much as lounge chair hogs. The benefits of My Time Dining are that you decide who you eat with, and when. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. 0000897721 00000 n For your convenience, prepaid gratuities are automatically added to your flexible option reservations. Royal Caribbean Dining. Those grats are also handed out to WJ staff, cafe staff, etc. A lot of people still prefer the idea of traditional dining where you sit for dinner at the same time every evening, with the same party and with the same waiter. The old way of MTD had forced you to prepay gratuities but that changed some time ago. Some guests choose to recognize particularly exceptional service with an additional cash gratuity on the last night of their cruise. 0000738858 00000 n ;) Can we opt out of those added on charges also?? All sent to your inbox. At some lines, these charges run as high as $25 per day. Here is why some people dislike the more informal dining option. Heres my confusion: I understand prepaid gratuities is required for My Time Dining. 0000016969 00000 n Are you sure that isn't an Iglu Cruise rule? 0000022110 00000 n Sorry- Im not expressing myself too well! I am looking at cancelling my gratuities when I get on board so I can pay these personally. If your line raises the rate between the time you pay and the time you sail, you wont pay more. 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. If, for example, two people would like to eat earlier around 6:30pm, you would make them their own reservation. Can I participate in My Time Dining but make a reservation for a specific time? 0000006312 00000 n My time dining and gratuities - Royal Caribbean International - Cruise You can then book dinner in the Main Dining Room for any time you want, or just walk in without a reservation. If you want to reserve it on-board then visit Guest Services. 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. ;). You can reserve My Time Dining when you first book your cruise, or by logging onto the Royal Caribbean website to amend your booking.
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