May 2, 2011 Newsletter

Royal Caribbean Revised Gratuity Guidelines
For new bookings that set sail on or after July 1, 2011 the suggested gratuities are:
Waiter:
$3.75 USD
a day per guest
Assistant Waiter:
$2.15 USD
a day per guest
Head Waiter:
$.75 USD
a day per guest
Housekeeping staff:
$5.00 USD
a day per guest
Suite Housekeeping staff:
$7.25 USD
a day per guest

This is Royal Caribbean’s first gratuity adjustment in 13 years. Gratuities are voluntary and at the discretion of each guest. These guidelines serve as suggestions to help guests express their gratitude for the outstanding service they experience on their Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. A 15% gratuity will automatically be added to your bar bill or wine check when you are served. Envelopes for gratuities will be provided in your stateroom on the last night of the cruise.

Gratuities may be paid in the following ways:
Pre paid by having them added to your reservation by your booking agent.
Added to your onboard SeaPass account.
Paid in cash at the end of the cruise
Gratuities may be shared with other crew members depending on the particular service requirement.

Crystal Cruises will not operate a named "World Cruise" in 2013
Instead Crystal Cruises will offer a port intensive South America Grand Cruise of 74 days. This cruise will have many of the attributes of a World Cruise, including a pre-cruise gala in Miami, exclusive shore excursions for those who cruise the entire length of the cruise, onboard gifts, etc.

Crystal Symphony will be in Australia for the 2012 holiday sailing and will continue cruising in the South Pacific/Asia in early 2013. For those guests who want a long cruise, but do not want South America, Crystal will be offering several grand cruise combinations to choose from. There will be an option for 94 days of sailing from Sydney to Los Angeles without repeating ports!

Thought for the Month
Join my Facebook page at Mary Engram, Travel Consultant to get periodic updates. Also don’t forget I can arrange a group cruise for family, friends, associates, organizations, and non-profits.

Well that’s it for now.

Love and Hugs

Mary Engram,
Your Personal Travel Consultant
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