Ruthielj

And Tom ... the "behind the scene" international workers sign their 6 month contracts with a fixed pay rate ... this is preset ... doesn't change depending on how many passengers were on each sailing, how many opted in/out of mandatory gratuities ... etc. My close friend spent one year working in the kids club ... her pay rate NEVER changed. She was always so appreciative for the cash tips from parents. If you find an American worker on board that trusts you ... they will probably share this with you as well. However, they would be fired if they were heard sharing this.

These are a TOTAL scam. The gratuities do NOT go to the employees ... ask anyone who has worked on a ship. We ALWAYS go to the front desk, insist that we are going to tip directly, and they are removed. We tip our dinner servers and room stewards with cash. We do not tip the bartender since every drink already has an 18% gratuity that they do receive. You must ask that the gratuity is removed prior to the last day. They will give you a sob story, try to talk you out of it, but will remove it if you insist.