GRATUITIES - REMOVE & TIP YOURSELF OR LEAVE AS IS???

Question: I'm going on a cruise in Feb 2025. Have already pre-paid the gratuities on the cruise for three $336 and also bought the Cheers package, they added another $265 in gratuities. So right now, I'm paying $601 total gratuities (sounds insanely high). If I go to guest services and have them remove the pre-paid gratuities, will they flag my account for future cruises? I would rather tip the money in cash to my room steward and servers, etc. BTW, I am not a stingy tipper, just someone that thinks the tipping culture has gotten way out of hand. Also, as a customer there is so many different variations of info online about how the gratuities are applied. Some say the gratuities are used to pay the crew members contract salary and if the gratuities aren't enough to cover the salary the cruise line pays the additional amount to fulfill the crew member salary. Then I've heard it is the exact opposite of the statement above. Anyone out there who has removed the gratuities and tipped on your own - please reply with the outcome. THANKS A MILLION!!