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Using OBC for gratuities?


Genoabay
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Yes. I am aware.

I am thinking of the crew fund or for people who go above and beyond that one would like to acknowledge.

 

No, they won't but to clarify, crew fund aside, are you asking if SS would give you cash against an OBC, if you told them that the cash was for gratuities you want to give personally to staff?

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No, they won't but to clarify, crew fund aside, are you asking if SS would give you cash against an OBC, if you told them that the cash was for gratuities you want to give personally to staff?

 

 

On Crystal, they will not give cash for gratuities. But one can designate as much as one likes from OBCs to tips to individual crew members (and the crew welfare fund.) I think Crystal may be the only luxury line that permits this. Perhaps others can correct me. I like the Crystal arrangement, but I do find it a bit odd that on an insistently "All Inclusive" line they are condoning/encouraging tipping of individuals.

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On Crystal, they will not give cash for gratuities. But one can designate as much as one likes from OBCs to tips to individual crew members (and the crew welfare fund.) I think Crystal may be the only luxury line that permits this. Perhaps others can correct me. I like the Crystal arrangement, but I do find it a bit odd that on an insistently "All Inclusive" line they are condoning/encouraging tipping of individuals.

 

 

 

This brings into question what gratuities are for. To me it's something to show gratitude for great service. On "non inclusive" CL you may be faced with a gratuities bill, but let's be fair, it's not gratuities, you are paying staff wages as the owners don't. (Yes that old chestnut!)

 

OP, your OBC is to be used for purchases on the ship for wines, goods, restaurants, excursions etc. You can't get a cash advance (I have heard of this happening in the Casino though but is certainly outside the box to happen.) I don't even think it can be used for the owners charity that gets added to everyone's bill - unless you request it's removal. Tips certainly can be given at your discretion though not expected (sort of!) but not via OBC.

 

Ironic really in that it's the exceptional service you receive from the staff (that is so rightly praised) and owners saying no need to tip. I do think this really is all about the mindset by what's seen as a duty to tip and giving because you want to show appreciation which I've always done and will always do. Oops! That deviated from the topic a little... sorry about that!

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Does Silversea permit you to use your OBC for gratuities?

 

Thanks

 

 

 

Simple answer, no. You could however purchase something from the boutique with OBC and then donate the item to the crew welfare fund. It would be a good idea to discuss this first with the GRM or onboard HR manager.

 

 

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Simple answer, no. You could however purchase something from the boutique with OBC and then donate the item to the crew welfare fund. It would be a good idea to discuss this first with the GRM or onboard HR manager.

 

 

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Great idea!

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Stuff in SS "boutiques" is overpriced and you will get poor value. And they don't sell stuff that staff would want to buy even of it was sensibly priced.. However stuff for yourself like decent wine can be decent value.

 

If your question is genuine, and if you want the best for staff, then your better option is probably to use your OBC as intended for cruise enhancing stuff like wine and things .... wine upgrades being comparatively good value on SS, and if you want gifts for staff then use cash when in port to buy stuff at sensible prices ..... or simply give them the cash. Stuff in most ports is going to be a fraction of what it would be on board, and that is presuming that they stock stuff on board that staff would want. i only ever bought a gift once, and that was when our steward broke her ipod, and she was lovely and we bought her an ipod when in port.

 

Stuff on board in the boutiques is poor value, wine for you is reasonable value, and cash is pretty obviously what staff really would prefer imho. Spend your OBC on yourself and give cash and a really nice personal thank you note telling them how they made your cruise perfect. Your cash and your genuine hand written note (which they will probably keep to use for future job applications....... ) is the perfect combination.

 

Do you not agree?

Edited by UKCruiseJeff
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I appreciate your point of view and it makes a great deal of sense. We usually give cash and often write a note to those who are extra helpful and copy to management for their personnel file. I was however curious about what OBC can and cannot be used for.Thanks to all for their suggestions and input.

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One other way of making sure any particular member of staff is rewarded for their attention is to write to the Hotel Manager naming each or any crew member that you feel needs recognition. This can be done on the end-of-cruise questionnaire but is even more effective if you draft a personal letter. Whenever a crew member is mentioned in this way the HD makes sure they know and increases the crew members' chances of promotion or contract renewal. (You are also free to show pecuniary gratitude).

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Thanks for the thoughtful idea Silver Sprectre!

 

 

 

Cheers. Just to clarify. Unused or unwanted OBC is used to purchase an appropriate item in the Boutique which goes to the on board HR Manger, who will use it in a crew raffle and the small amount of cash raised goes into the crew welfare fund. Win win all round.

 

 

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NO you cannot use your OBC to donate to the crew welfare fund. Whatever the amount the donation will be added to your credit card listed with the vessel when you embarked. Happened to me a few years ago and it left an uneasy feeling as we left the ship as we only found this out the evening before.

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NO you cannot use your OBC to donate to the crew welfare fund. Whatever the amount the donation will be added to your credit card listed with the vessel when you embarked. Happened to me a few years ago and it left an uneasy feeling as we left the ship as we only found this out the evening before.

 

Wait, what? Money will be taken from our credit card on file for the crew welfare fund? How much?

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Wait, what? Money will be taken from our credit card on file for the crew welfare fund? How much?
Napria,

 

No funds will be taken from your credit card on file unless you explicitly instruct them to do so. No one has contribute to the crew fund, unless they choose to do so.

 

 

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My experience on our recent Muse cruise. -

 

First, we had the unauthorized contribution they automatically charge to your account removed. At the same time I asked if we could use the OBC for a contribution to the CWF. The representative said yes and filled out a cash advance form. When we received our statement, the donation to the CWF was charged to my account along with a charge to my credit card and an offsetting credit to the account for $2 more than the donation.:confused:

I didn't question it because it appeared to me that I came out $2 to the good.

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My experience on our recent Muse cruise. -

 

First, we had the unauthorized contribution they automatically charge to your account removed. At the same time I asked if we could use the OBC for a contribution to the CWF. The representative said yes and filled out a cash advance form. When we received our statement, the donation to the CWF was charged to my account along with a charge to my credit card and an offsetting credit to the account for $2 more than the donation.:confused:

I didn't question it because it appeared to me that I came out $2 to the good.

 

Sounds like, and this has come up before, some confusion between the Maruzza Lefebre D'Ovidio Foundation, which is an Italian charity, and the Crew Welfare Fund. They are not connected. Yes, Silversea automatically adds a donation ($1 per day per person) to the Foundation to your on board account. As I recall we've gotten a letter or some notice this is being done with an explanation of the Foundation and that it can be removed. Some, maybe many, object to this but that's how it is handled so not asking to have the Foundation donation removed becomes de facto authorization. Donations to the Crew Welfare Fund are totally separate and is voluntary. We've donated cash, not a charge to our account, to the crew fund.

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