Tips for Spa services?

[CAMICKEY]

I have booked the REAS package for our upcoming cruise. I have never been to the spa before so can someone tell me if it is appropriate to tip, and how much (just some guidelines please)? Thanks in advance - Mike

 

[CRB#33]

15 to 20% of the price of the treatment. I tipped 20% because it was so wonderful! I had the spa taster.

 

[NalaNYC]

Should I bring cash to the spa appointment or can I charge the tip to my account?

 

[sstucush]

You can put it on your account. They will give you something that looks like a bill you get in a restaurant and there is a place to add a gratuity.

 

[CACruiser]

I think 15% of the service cost is fine. You are not obligated to tip, but if they give you quality service, they deserve it!

My massage was one of the best I have ever had. I was treated with the upmost respect and class!

LisaCA

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

I agree, our massages were some of the best we've ever had. My husband and I each tipped $25.00 extra added on to the bill for our massages.

 

[CAMICKEY]

Thanks everyone. I did not know you could charge it to your onboard account. This will make things easier. I have never been to a spa before so was I was wondering if I should take cash. Thanks again all. - Mike

 

[rae519]

Mike - everything you buy or get on the ship is charged to your KTTW card. Makes cash unnecessary while on the ship.

Rae

 

[CAMICKEY]

Rae - I thought I read on the board about people bringing a lot of 1, 2 or 5 dollar bills on board. Is this because some people just prefer to pay their room service tips or other miscelleneous tips with cash instead of adding it to their onboard accounts? If this is true, then either would be acceptable? Does anyone know if the CM you are tipping would prefer the cash or added to the "bill" instead? I was thinking about taxes. and if this were added to the onboard account, is it automatically included in their W2's (or whatever tax form they receive). Now I am wondering if I should bring some small bills or not. What do other people use cash for while onboard? - Mike

 

[webray]

We use cash on board to tip the room service people...to use as tips when we eat in Palo, for the stamps on castaway cay.

We also tip with cash..our regular servers and stateroom attendant at the end of the cruise.

 

[CAMICKEY]

Thanks webray. - Mike

 

[inkkognito]

If you are not ordering drinks that cost money from room service (or at high tea), there is no opportunity to put the tip on your key to the world card so we bring cash for that.
At the spa, I tip 20 percent for hands on services and less for something like the surial/rasul that is not an actual hands-on treatment. No tip is necessary when you sign up for the rainforest.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[rae519]

Mike - I take about 30 -ones and about 6- fives. That covers a lot of tipping both on ship and on shore. The rest just goes on the KTTW Card.

Rae

 

[weluv M&M]

If you have booked the REAS package....I am not sure that the tip is not included. I would make sure. How will you know how much to tip if you are not "paying" for the message at the time of the message? Does anyone know?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We usually tip 15-20%. Beforehand, remember to look at how much your spa treatment normally costs outside of the package and figure out a tip then. I only say this because your brain and body are going to be goopy jelly after the massage and multiplication isn't going to be easy or fun!

 

[CAMICKEY]

Thanks everyone for all of the advice. I now have a good idea how much small cash I need to take as well as how much to tip at the spa. I sure hope I like this spa treatment. Couldn't imagine why not though. I guess it's just like walking up to your first blackjack table and placing a bet. Nervous at first but once you do it, you can easily be hooked. I'll post a report when we get back. "REAS package from a man's perspective". - Mike

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by CAMICKEY
I'll post a report when we get back. "REAS package from a man's perspective". - Mike

Can't wait to read it! ENJOY!