About the Daily Service Charge

Our cabin Steward and Our waiter from Xmas were not disappointed ... :D

 

If you have fixed dining in Seashore and have Onell Holmes as your waiter you have the best.

Sidari where are u? Get off the ship ok or r u stowed away?

 

 

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I know that there is at least one person who believes that we should not pay the daily hotel charge.

Tonight I heard from a reliable source that not all of the daily hotel charge goes to the people that MSC claim it does! The rest is kept by MSC.

This truly is a disgusting act.

 

Not disputing what you were told, just trying to educate myself on the premise...

 

Can you provide a link or reference to the list of people to whom MSC has claimed the daily hotel charge goes to?? All I've ever seen is cabin stewards, waiters, and behind-the-scenes support staff. Not really much of a list.

I'm sailing later this year as a party of 9, and have booked through a company I understand to be one the UK's leading cruise specialists. I was told on booking not to pay the service charge but to pay cash to individuals our party thought deserved it.

Personally, I hate tipping, the price paid should be the total. People working in any similar industry should be expected to perform well as a basic requirement of their duties and if they don't then they get moved on. There should be an ethos of work hard and and be rewarded as part of your contract and not how you interact with an individual which is often in a way that quite frankly feels uncomfortable as it's obvious they are just after a tip.

Here's my hot take.

 

Specifically on MSC you are told that tipping is not the policy. I know some people like to do it and some people are more public about it than others. I guess it makes them feel good to know other people know they are tipping. Me personally I will pay the gratuities as I'm booking so it is included with the price. If they are given to the people great, and if not that is between MSC and the employee. As far as I'm concerned that's where my tipping stops. I don't tip anything beyond daily gratuities because it says not to and I don't tip for things generally. I feel like rewarding someone for doing their job, eh not really my responsibility. Anything not included in the bill is not something I'm worried about.

No, it would not be helpful for me, it would only be helpful for you as it would just save you from the time and effort of locating the information yourself.

 

Nobody spoon fed me, and nobody should spoon feed you either. As an adult, I see the two different terms used. I realize there must be a business or legal reason to use two terms instead of just one (which would seem to be easier). I took it upon myself to research and LEARN the difference. Once I understood, then I was able to see the issue in a whole new light from an informed perspective. I had the information, I wasn't guessing or relying on the guesses of others.

 

I think you (and everyone else) should do the same. Or not. It is up to you on whether you want to know, or if you want to be ignorant on the relevant facts.

 

Perhaps if you had done the research, you would be able to comment from an informed perspective instead of just trying to be snarky.

 

 

 

???😱😱😖 why be so snarky😖

???😱😱😖 why be so snarky😖

 

Well, based on the poster I was addressing at the time, it was an appropriate response given their continual refusal to simply learn for themselves instead of berating me for not spoon-feeding them the answer.

 

 

Now a more interesting question, why are you coming here to question others...4 MONTHS AFTER THE POSTING...about their motivations? Did someone appoint you to be the forum police or do you somehow think it is relevant to bring up something from 4 months ago?

 

 

Happy now? :rolleyes:

Well, based on the poster I was addressing at the time, it was an appropriate response given their continual refusal to simply learn for themselves instead of berating me for not spoon-feeding them the answer.

 

 

Now a more interesting question, why are you coming here to question others...4 MONTHS AFTER THE POSTING...about their motivations? Did someone appoint you to be the forum police or do you somehow think it is relevant to bring up something from 4 months ago?

 

 

Happy now? :rolleyes:

 

Factually incorrect, there is absolutely nothing interesting about that question.

 

If you feel the need to employ bully boy tactics to berate everyone that questions your attitude towards fellow posters then I question just what it is you bring to the forum? Because clearly information isn't what you bring.

 

Perhaps some self reflection in a quiet room is in order. Sadly I feel arrogance would prevent such a groundbreaking event taking place.

 

Is everyone from Pennsylvania like this? Think I'll scrub that state off my list if so.

Other than certain responses from an individual member I'm finding this thread very interesting to follow.

 

Whilst I understand why names cannot be mentioned, I love to know just how true it is that MSC take a percentage of the DSC. I disagree with this practice entirely. But what worries me more is if MSC are doing it, are the other mainline operators doing it too?

Factually incorrect, there is absolutely nothing interesting about that question.

 

If you feel the need to employ bully boy tactics to berate everyone that questions your attitude towards fellow posters then I question just what it is you bring to the forum? Because clearly information isn't what you bring.

 

Perhaps some self reflection in a quiet room is in order. Sadly I feel arrogance would prevent such a groundbreaking event taking place.

 

Is everyone from Pennsylvania like this? Think I'll scrub that state off my list if so.

Interesting is a matter of opinion, not fact. Huge logic fail on your part.

 

Other than certain responses from an individual member I'm finding this thread very interesting to follow.

 

Whilst I understand why names cannot be mentioned, I love to know just how true it is that MSC take a percentage of the DSC. I disagree with this practice entirely. But what worries me more is if MSC are doing it, are the other mainline operators doing it too?

If you, like the other poster, would take the time to learn the difference between a service charge and a gratuity (this is valuable information for those who are open minded enough to follow it) instead of trying to show how clever you are, then the thread would take an even more interesting (opinion, not fact) for you...despite the age if the thread.

Whilst I understand why names cannot be mentioned, I love to know just how true it is that MSC take a percentage of the DSC. I disagree with this practice entirely. But what worries me more is if MSC are doing it, are the other mainline operators doing it too?

My guess: If other cruiselines not do it, they just cut down the regular salary so much, that in the end it is the same result. From a fair perspective all cruiselines are paying very good salaries so for me it is not a big topic to worry about.

Interesting is a matter of opinion, not fact. Huge logic fail on your part.

Your Opinion it may be, doesn't make it a correct one.

My guess: If other cruiselines not do it, they just cut down the regular salary so much, that in the end it is the same result. From a fair perspective all cruiselines are paying very good salaries so for me it is not a big topic to worry about.

 

Now this Is interesting- They pay good salaries? It's always been the common belief that they are paid low salaries with the DSC/tips supporting those low salaries.

Now this Is interesting- They pay good salaries? It's always been the common belief that they are paid low salaries with the DSC/tips supporting those low salaries.

 

Well, the salaries are the main reason why these jobs are so popular. Ask yourself, if you are a young man working at a Pizza Hut in Surabaya or Cebu would you not prefer to work on a beautiful cruise ship and sail around the world with five or ten times salary? And the salary is of cause the reason why it is so difficult to quit work their and go home if you are not a so young man anymore. Because you don´t want to go back in the 1 US-$ per hour working world. So did you ever meet any worker on a cruise ship that was unhappy with the salary? I did not and I happy that they get a good salary because they deserve it.

When I have a bit more time and have the pc fired up I will copy a posted reply to my post on FB on this subject by a former MSC crew member who we met on Seaside at Xmas on his own cruise holiday.

 

He also bears out what has been said about how the charges are distributed.

When I have a bit more time and have the pc fired up I will copy a posted reply to my post on FB on this subject by a former MSC crew member who we met on Seaside at Xmas on his own cruise holiday.

 

He also bears out what has been said about how the charges are distributed.

 

Other cruise lines aren't even that secretive about where daily gratuity charges go, with Norwegian stating clearly that not all of it goes to crew members and goes to the company for 'crew enrichment'. So honestly it wouldn't surprise me if this were standard across the industry. Overall, given what MSC says on their website etc. about tipping, I'll just pay the gratuity and be done with it all.

Hi, David:

 

Welcome back to land! I don't want to hijack this thread, but did want to ask about your Ruby Princess experience. We are sailing her this August for an Alaska cruise, and wanted to know if you had any advice on the ship or the cruise line (first Alaska cruise and first Princess cruise for us). Thanks, John

 

When I have a bit more time and have the pc fired up I will copy a posted reply to my post on FB on this subject by a former MSC crew member who we met on Seaside at Xmas on his own cruise holiday.

 

He also bears out what has been said about how the charges are distributed.

Hi John ... We sailed the Ruby in November 2008 when it was just three weeks old and then again the following November. No idea what it is like now but we will be on the ship again in September 2019 to Alaska.

Our most recent cruise with Princess was April 2017 on the Majestic, of the two we preferred the Ruby, food is of a good standard, well we thought so as are the cabins though they do have the ships broken up into price bands ie Middle Centre,Foward, Aft and different grades in each band.

I've only cruised on P&O once before so hope you dont think this is a silly question, but.....

We are not taking out any drinks packages so I believe 15% will be added on to any drinks bought - is this part of the service charge or is the service charge on top of the 15% for drinks?

 

Karen

I've only cruised on P&O once before so hope you dont think this is a silly question, but.....

We are not taking out any drinks packages so I believe 15% will be added on to any drinks bought - is this part of the service charge or is the service charge on top of the 15% for drinks?

 

Karen

The 15% on drinks and 15% on specialty dining are both in addition to the daily service charges.

The next part of that IRS item is also interesting including

 

"Generally, service charges are reported as non-tip wages paid to the employee. Some employers keep a portion of the service charges. Only the amounts distributed to employees are non-tip wages."

 

MSC are a bit of an odd-ball in this department

(My opinion is actually in most departments but that is another story)

 

They call the daily charge a service charge and suggests

it has to be paid unless you have a specific problem with the service.

 

In the UK and EU I believe that they cannot enforce that

as you legally only HAVE to pay what is on your invoice.

 

If you have booked in another country the rules may differ

 

Its time they were always added to the cruise price for everybody, that would save me having to read on here how in the US you could book for $1 deposit cancel without loss before final payment , take advantage of any lower price. get$$$ OBC and promotions after booking such as included gratuities. They call it a business plan I call it discrimination.

It would also save CC having to store the thousands and thousands of posts on this subject.

 

US Canadians get all these perks too :D

No, it would not be helpful for me, it would only be helpful for you as it would just save you from the time and effort of locating the information yourself.

 

 

 

Nobody spoon fed me, and nobody should spoon feed you either. As an adult, I see the two different terms used. I realize there must be a business or legal reason to use two terms instead of just one (which would seem to be easier). I took it upon myself to research and LEARN the difference. Once I understood, then I was able to see the issue in a whole new light from an informed perspective. I had the information, I wasn't guessing or relying on the guesses of others.

 

 

 

I think you (and everyone else) should do the same. Or not. It is up to you on whether you want to know, or if you want to be ignorant on the relevant facts.

 

 

 

Perhaps if you had done the research, you would be able to comment from an informed perspective instead of just trying to be snarky.

 

 

 

You sound a rather rude aggressive poster! Perhaps this is reflected in your name of SeaSHARK. No need for snarkiness or even sharkiness from anyone on this forum, its meant to be a source of sharing information & communication.

 

I am with the majority of Aussies & Brits on this " gratuity/service charge" issue. I will pay my way, but I really believe that the cruise ship companies should pay their crew-all of them-a decent hourly rate as a living wage, as is done by law for workers in countries like Australia & Britain. Hopefully if this was done then the old thorny question should be put to bed. It's archaic anyway...

Yes, the bottom line price for a cruise would rise, but when you add in the " gratuities/service charges" on the lower end cruise lines, plus the extras such as drinks etc, you would probably be just as well to book with one of the 6* lines where all is included. One presumes their staff are paid a better rate.

 

 

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When I have a bit more time and have the pc fired up I will copy a posted reply to my post on FB on this subject by a former MSC crew member who we met on Seaside at Xmas on his own cruise holiday.

 

 

 

He also bears out what has been said about how the charges are distributed.

 

 

 

Did this ever get posted?

 

 

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At least one cruise line is making it slightly more difficult to have the service charge removed. They do not allow it to be removed while on the ship, however it can be reimbursed after the cruise by providing the correct form. It would be interesting to know if the number of request that had been made at the Guest Services Desk, then dropped when they had to pay upfront and be reimbursed after.

 

I am amazed that people book a cruise and then have no idea of how it actually works. MSC went out on a limb by introducing "experiences" If you want the Bella experience, book a Bella, but do not book the Bella experience and complain that you did not get the Fantastica experience. Or complain that you never even knew there was such a thing, and then blame the cruise line and travel agent for not spoon feeding you.

At least one cruise line is making it slightly more difficult to have the service charge removed. They do not allow it to be removed while on the ship, however it can be reimbursed after the cruise by providing the correct form.

 

I

 

NCL tried that and abandoned it. They modify it on the ship at the guests request again.