Specialty Dining Pre-paid Gratuities

[RoadTravelled]

I have a question regarding specialty dining on CCL.  In order to insure that we always get the restaurants and times we want, we always pre-book those online before the cruise. As such, we are charged for the meal and in addition the 18% gratuity is added in the cost at that point as well.  We notice though, that when we get the bill at the end of our meal, it shows the meal charge and then a credit in the same amount is applied yielding a total bill of zero. But, there is no mention of the 18% gratuity that we have already pre-paid.

 

It always makes me very nervous to leave the gratuity line empty on the bill, even knowing that we have already paid it, and just sign the bill as requested. Does the incredible waitstaff know that a tip is already been paid? Is that pre-paid tip still distributed to them? I would never want them to think we aren't tipping them and their service was not appreciated — they are always such great servers.

 

Our first time doing this several years ago, we forgot we had pre-paid this so added a tip on the bill. That of course meant we had actually paid it twice. I went to Guest Services this last cruise and inquired about it. They didn't really know exactly why it was done that way except to say that it had something to do with the fact the meal cost was pre-paid (and not charged onboard itself) and the bill was just reflecting that.

 

Any thoughts to help me feel more comfortable about this?

[Woody14]

1 hour ago, RoadTravelled said:

I have a question regarding specialty dining on CCL.  In order to insure that we always get the restaurants and times we want, we always pre-book those online before the cruise. As such, we are charged for the meal and in addition the 18% gratuity is added in the cost at that point as well.  We notice though, that when we get the bill at the end of our meal, it shows the meal charge and then a credit in the same amount is applied yielding a total bill of zero. But, there is no mention of the 18% gratuity that we have already pre-paid.

 

It always makes me very nervous to leave the gratuity line empty on the bill, even knowing that we have already paid it, and just sign the bill as requested. Does the incredible waitstaff know that a tip is already been paid? Is that pre-paid tip still distributed to them? I would never want them to think we aren't tipping them and their service was not appreciated — they are always such great servers.

 

Our first time doing this several years ago, we forgot we had pre-paid this so added a tip on the bill. That of course meant we had actually paid it twice. I went to Guest Services this last cruise and inquired about it. They didn't really know exactly why it was done that way except to say that it had something to do with the fact the meal cost was pre-paid (and not charged onboard itself) and the bill was just reflecting that.

 

Any thoughts to help me feel more comfortable about this?

I did ask about that on my last trip on the Vista as we booked specialty dining every other night.  He stated they are aware that the tip has been prepaid when it is advanced booked.    Not that they don't appreciate the extra tips.

Edited October 12 by Woody14

[RoadTravelled]

5 hours ago, Woody14 said:

I did ask about that on my last trip on the Vista as we booked specialty dining every other night.  He stated they are aware that the tip has been prepaid when it is advanced booked.    Not that they don't appreciate the extra tips.

@Woody14 thanks for your confirmation.  I also reached out to John Heald, CCL Brand Ambassador today.  He also said the same thing that they know it's included.  And, if you want to give extra, of course you can.  So, I feel better now knowing that the servers are aware.  Thanks again for posting.