MisterFidgetpants

mr.fidget, it is right on the carnival site. "tips may be adjusted at the guests discretion, they are recommended guidelines, if not satisfied, can be adjusted at the customer service desk". That is not the exact wording but close enough.

ty.

Yes, gratuities can be removed and are by a large number of people who overspent elsewhere, need traveling money or are just *******

I must ask your source of information for this?

The other part of leaving luggage, it that early cabin access is a perk that is earned or bought. But just like at the airport when people try to board before their zone, folks think they should be able to steal the perk.

What I meant by unattended luggage was, when you get luggage delivery it is just left in the hallway, sometimes for hours, unattended as well. I was not using it to justify breaking the rules, just pointing out that your luggage may be unattended even under normal circumstances.

The cabin doors are blocked open until the stewards finish so when not eligible guests leave their luggage, the cabin is not secured.Carnival could simply not allow guests to board until all the cabins are ready. Of course, that would frustrate those who preach "just ignore that suggested boarding time, come as early as you want".

As far as unsecured luggage; when they deliver it and leave it in the hallway isn't that the same thing?

I think they should just lock the doors and not start boarding until all the rooms are ready. Problem resolved. Let FTF board at "whatever" time and then general boarding can begin, say, an hour later.

It definitely can, though I don't suggest it except in extreme cases. Someone on this site took a picture, while doing a "behind the scenes" or something like that tour, of a list posted on a bulletin board showing the cabins that DID take off the tips. You go to customer service and ask for them to be removed. We only did it one time and only took off the tips designated for the MDR. We had assigned seating at that time and the waiter was so rude to me, it was totally unacceptable. We only ate there that one time. In hindsight I wish we had not done that. I did not realize we were stiffing more than just him as those MDR tips are spread around. We should have just insisted we be moved elsewhere. Think that was before "your time" dining.

 

We give the room steward $50 the 1st day and say more will follow if we are satisfied. We are low maintainence (spelling) I keep the room straight and just want bed made, collapsible ice cooler kept filled, fresh towels, trash removed... I don't bore him with where we are from or ask him personal questions. It says right on their name tag where they are from, all I need to know. I bet we are a refreshing change from the people that really think they give a hoot about anything other than the money they make. They are working for low wages in order to send money home. It just slays me when someone posts, "we always bring our room steward a little gift such as candy, etc.. they appreciate it so much" Really? they get plenty to eat, they want MONEY. Some come from deplorable living conditions. I really feel for them all the brown-nosing that have to do to make so little. But, it is their job and at least they have one cabin they can just come in and do it and not have to bring out the dog and pony show. So, before FTTF, yes, I dropped my bags off. He/she was well compensated. :)

If that was before the days of any time dining it may have been, but I don't think it can be done now.

And most people have no idea you can remove the tips or would be too embarrassed to do so.

I don't think that is right. I don't believe that can be done.

The doors to cabins are closed with signs posted that only guests with Platinum/Diamond/FTTF can enter. The doors cannot be locked. Some guests are okay to be in the area and it would be a safety issue being locked. At that time, crew cannot be spared to stand at those doors at every entry just to argue with guests who " just want to drop off their luggage". If the cabin steward tells the guest that they can't leave their luggage, they know that they will be working for free that cruise because that guest is gonna stiff them on the gratuities.

Couldn't they program the cabin locks or key cards to be inactive until a certain time?

I've been on ships where cabins are ready for everyone at boarding and also in others with carry on luggage holding. Both were great. Maybe Carnival could look at offering one of those features in the future. Sometimes the answer to a broken procedure is a new procedure, not to point at the broken rules more vigorously.

You would need a huge room if you had carry-on luggage for a ship that carried 3000 to 4000 passengers. Would be unmanageable.

 

Would be easier if folks just followed the rules.

It was either Princess or NCL, I can't remember which. They managed just fine.

It's 100% doable. Not everyone dropped their luggage, it's not compulsory, it was a nice feature to utilize though where you knew your bags were safe, you weren't in the way of the room steward, and didn't have to deal with trying to get lunch with your bag.

I'm just telling you something I personally encountered on a cruise and how it worked. Someone asked a question, and I put some answers out.

I recall years ago, but unfortunately not which line, when we boarded they had a room you could check your carry on luggage into. It was staffed and you got a number tag. That way you could roam the ship without the luggage, but you didn't have to go to the room to get rid of it. It was a free service.

Is this currently offered on carnival? If not, it would be a great service and would resolve people going to their rooms too early and also lessen luggage at the buffet restaurant and generally make life a little easier for the guest.

Do you feel the same way about staff letting people hog deck chairs?

I feel the staff could do a better job with deck chairs, but I also generally think someone actively "hogging" a chair has more self-awareness of what they are doing and how it could impact others as opposed to someone that goes to their room to drop luggage and leaving, or a new cruiser who may not realize what they are doing. I find generally giving people a little bit of benefit of the doubt is helpful. Not everyone is out to break rules and get over on others. I don't see the two scenarios as equivalent and think it is not an apt comparison. You asked, so I answered you.

I totally agree. Why do people carry too much stuff or why do they think that they are special so they can do what they want?

Some people need to keep with them items that they do not want to risk being lost or can not wait many hours for; such as medications, personal electronics, etc. Whether someone brings too much stuff or not, I can't say. Just helping to explain an answer to your question.

If Staff let people put items in the room I don't see the problem. Carnival could easily lock out doors if they wanted. I think a lot of new cruisers simply don't realize.

Was this a public FB page? Would be interesting to read the comments. :eek:

It was the Friendly Carnival Cruisers FB page. You might have to join to read the comments

The number of rude responses in this thread is amazing.

Which ones? I don't really see any rude responses; just that many people choose rooms for a reason and wouldn't switch. The Facebook comments were disgusting altogether. It really made it sound like you were one step below convicted murder if you dared keep the room you booked.

For those of you who really enjoy the formal nights I hear HAL is running them strong. Also they have special discounts on interior cabins for RC diamond/+ members. 🤓[emoji111]🏻️

1. HAL got rid of formal nights. They replaced it with gala nights and relaxed their dress code to something along the lines of "no shoes, no shirt, no service." can't tell what gala means because HAL doesn't say anything special about it.

2. Are you just pulling chains on the second part? Because I'm always eying up HAL for a deal even though we're not the target audience

:eek:

To be fair, you need to tell the whole story... The couple knocked on the cabin door and asked if this poster would be willing to switch cabins with them because their children were in the cabin next door and wanted to be near them in addition to offering them money (amount unknown) ... The poster said no because she had already unpacked...

 

The original post said they wanted to switch so that the kids could be next door; not that they were in between them and the kids originally. We don't know how far apart they were; if it was 1 cabin or 20.

"So I am on board the Valor about to depart and someone knocked on my door and offered me money to switch rooms with them so that they could be next to their kids. I said no because I've already unpacked. But, can you switch rooms like that?"

On another social media group someone said they were approached and offered money to switch rooms, but declined to do so.

I am really surprised at the responses of the group which is overwhelmingly bashing the person for being, uncaring, having no good reason to keep their room, keeping a family apart, lots of "karma will get you" sort of garbage, etc.

One of the top things I have learned on this website is to choose your rooms carefully and for many, many reasons like not being underneath a late night party spot or under the pool.

How do you feel about this; is it OK to ask other guests to switch, or is it just a Bad Move?

Someone just texted me to ask if I saw the story about Noordam being evacuated in Australia for possible explosives found. Saw nothing here but found a link I couldn't open on my phone.

No, not locked. There will probably be a plastic seal that can be easily broken when the door is opened. This allows for quick checking of emergency equipment, in that if the seal isn't broken, the inventory and condition of equipment would be the same as the last monthly inspection when the seal was installed. If someone sees a broken seal, they can quickly notify the bridge who will send someone to check the contents.

Is there some sort of regulation or agreed upon formula for the number of life jackets kept onboard a cruise ship versus it's total capacity (crew and guests). 1.5X? 2X?

I think the man's actions were out of line and uncalled for.

You should definitely tell a supervisor or manager. While you may not intend anything to happen to the man's job, if management is not aware they can't correct this for the next time. It should not be allowed to continue.

Thanks all. I created an account on their website and see some funky info on my status screen; it says need to sail 1 day to reach next level.

Then I tried to do a mock booking with the mariner number and got an error saying "we can see your information in the system but it does not match".

I selected to do the mock booking without the mariner number (I could just calculate the 3rd person at 50% off). When I logged OUT of the site the advertised price of 399 for an interior shot up to 599. :confused: And this is a nationally advertised price at 399, so not sure what happened.

Give up for today. I will reach out to HAL and I am sure they will get it squared away.

I have not yet cruised on HAL but continually research their offerings. I have cruised on Carnival and have a VIFP number. For whatever reason I selected the Mariner Number lookup on HAL's page, input my information, and sure enough a Mariner number came up. (Different number than my VIFP number with Carnival). Is this linked through Carnival? Would I board my first cruise as a Star Mariner, or would I have to complete the first cruise? Finally, I see one of the benefits is a mailed HAL magazine - how do I input my address to receive that?

This would be a great benefit as one of the perks is 50% off on 3rd guest which would be hugely beneficial for us.

Can I wear nice, dressier shorts to dinner with a nice button up top? (Male)

Like linen?

Yes of course.

1) reread your contract because they can plus they did it already for months now and 2) Depending on when one booked, you're grandfathered in before final payment ( I know because I got grandfathered in twice - this year for $12 and next for $12.95).

You should read the contract too. It's on the NCL website. It's very helpful and informative

Well if that's the case then you clearly know how sneaky the cruise lines are when it comes to cutting back on things to maximize revenue. If they are that sneaky to do that - then you really think all the DSC or auto tip (on other lines) go to the poor waiter from Philippines? I DON"T THINK SO

 

I don't get how some people can be so naive to believe that all the DSC or auto tip goes to that hard working Philipino trying to support his / her family back home. It's like all the woman that go to AI resorts in the Caribbean and have relationships with the animation team. Fall in love, then send them money all year round lol. When that animator has his wife / kids at home but 50 lovers from around the world sending him money year round and coming to visit him LOL.

 

To each their own.

I agree with you. Never been to AI so can't speak on that.

Maybe they don't really bring "that amount of cash" because it is just an excuse not to tip or they bring very little cash and then tip like a cheapskate.

People go on weeklong vacations out of the country and don't carry at least a few hundred dollars cash? That's just plain stupidity

Is Norwegian Cruise Line Corporation Ltd not a American based company? --

 

There is obviously a reason they call it DSC instead of auto-gratuity like other lines. That reason is likely for TAX PURPOSES.

 

I believe in the USA there is also a Employee Tax Credit for the service industry which allows employers to use a portion of a service charge to cover the minimum wage that they have to pay them while the employers also get to keep a portion of the service charge tax free. Something like that, a person with a tax background or working for IRS would know the exact reason and I am not from USA so I could care less how USA tax works but I would not be surprised that NCL calls it a DSC for tax purposes.

 

Another poster said why does NCL not post the breakdown who the DSC goes to? Well according to the IRS website they have a cut and dry set of rules of what is considered a tip and what is considered a service charge. So likely a reason why NCL does not post a breakdown is because they can't as it would affect their tax fillings and a grey area when it comes to legal rights of the consumer.

 

NCL can't say $2 goes to the person that cleans your room because that would somewhat fall under "tips". But certain rules apply for it to be a tip

 

"The payment must be made free from compulsion;

The customer must have the unrestricted right to determine the amount;

The payment should not be the subject of negotiations or dictated by employer policy; and

Generally, the customer has the right to determine who receives the payment."

 

Maybe thats a reason NCL can't list a breakdown due to tax rules with a very fine line.

 

What are service charges?

An employer or employee's characterization of a payment as a "tip" is not determinative. Again, the absence of any of the four factors listed earlier creates a doubt as to whether a payment is a tip and indicates that the payment may be a service charge.

 

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As for your mention of when people remove the DSC workers are required to turn in the cash. Many say they have to turn the cash in so it gets in the pool.

 

Is that really the truth or is that also for tax purposes?

 

According to IRS website it says "Employees must report to their employer all cash tips received except for the tips from any month that total less than $20. Cash tips include tips received from customers, charged tips (for example, credit and debit card charges) distributed to the employee by his or her employer, and tips received from other employees under any tip-sharing arrangement. Non-cash tips (that is, tips received by an employee in any other medium than cash, such as passes, tickets, or other goods or commodities) from customers are not reported to the employer. All cash tips and non-cash tips are includable in an employee’s gross income and subject to federal income taxes.

Both directly and indirectly tipped employees must report tips to their employer.

A “directly tipped employee” is any employee who receives tips directly from customers, including one who after receiving the tips turns all of them over to a tip pool. Examples of directly tipped employees are waiters, waitresses, bartenders, and hairstylists.

An “indirectly tipped employee” is a tipped employee who does not normally receive tips directly from customers. Examples of indirectly tipped employees are bussers, service bartenders, cooks, and salon shampooers.

Employers are required to retain employee tip reports, withhold employee income taxes and the employee share of social security and Medicare taxes based upon wages and tip income received, and then report this information to the IRS. In addition, employers are required to pay the employer share of Social Security and Medicare taxes based on the total wages paid to tipped employees as well as the reported tip income."

 

 

 

So although the nice fancy marketing that is used on NCL is one thing, and all the free secretaries on cruise critic promoting DSC, prepaying, etc.. in the end it seems like it's only called DSC for tax purposes.

The ships are registered in foreign countries and the workers are foreign. The cruise lines pay nearly nothing in US taxes and the wages paid to crew have nothing to do with the IRS