Celebrity no longer have select diners over a barrel…………….

I love Celebrity as a Cruise Line and my personal opinion is that they are the best mid-size 5* line there is to travel will. Having travelled on the Celebrity Infinity a couple of years ago, I found I could not fault a single thing on board, not for the want of trying believe me.

With many of the cruise lines now offering more flexible dining options at no extra cost or carrying no additional terms & conditions, it would seem Celebrity have realised that their customers do not appreciate being blackmailed into paying their gratuities upfront if they wish to opt for a flexible dining choice.

I always cringe when I get to the point of confirming a Celebrity booking especially with customers trying Celebrity for the first time.

Me………….‘Which dining option would you prefer, early, late, or select?????’

Mr Jones…………‘Select please’

Me………….‘Ahh now Mr Jones if you wish to choose the Select dining, Celebrity actually require you to pre-pay your gratuities upfront, at the time of booking.’

Mr Jones……..’Why is that?’

Me…………’Well I can only think this would be that they do not trust that you will tip the staff on board if you choose the Select dining’

Let’s face it, that is the only real reason there can be. Why should you be treated any differently subject to the dining choice you prefer to have on your holiday. I think it’s just pure blackmail. I would not walk into a restaurant, slap £20 down on a table and expect to have excellent service. I expect excellent service as standard. This may be the American culture of clicking your fingers, slipping a $20 bill into the barman’s hand and expecting to have preferential treatment over other passengers but I’m afraid it does not wash with us Brits.

A customer should not have to pay for good service, it should come as standard!!!!!!!

I’m so pleased Celebrity have finally seen sense and withdrawn this ridiculous procedure and saved us travel agents at least 5 minutes of our working day having to attempt to explain the reasoning behind the compulsory gratuity policy.

Let’s hope Royal Caribbean will not be far behind them.