Possible answer to cash tipping

Never once on ANY ship/line have staff ever asked us to write our cabin number on the envelope.

Why should we care at all about this? We leave the auto tip on; we tip extra as we see fit ... how they handles is not my business or concern. I have done my part, they have done their part, end of story.

No body seems worried about how much of your cruise fare goes to executives and shareholders...

No body seems worried about how much of your cruise fare goes to executives and shareholders...

I am one shareholder who worries that not enough of my cruise fare is returned to me as a dividend.

Why should we care at all about this? We leave the auto tip on; we tip extra as we see fit ... how they handles is not my business or concern. I have done my part, they have done their part, end of story.

Amen!

Why should we care at all about this? We leave the auto tip on; we tip extra as we see fit ... how they handles is not my business or concern. I have done my part, they have done their part, end of story.

I care when I'm deceived because I'm informed person. If I'm told a tip goes to crew and find out it doesn't all go to crew Apathy is the reason things don't improve.

Edited

Sorry Cruzsnooze, I tried to give you a 2 thumbs up to your last apathy comment but my keyboard is acting up.

If I may ask, what kind of gift cards? Like the "visa" kind or walmart and the like?

Yes, VISA gift cards.

Never even been asked for my cabin number

I have recently on Sapphire x 2 and Royal. Cabin No.. and MDR Table No. and Sitting time.

The Head Waiters were like hawks on the last night, circling the tables seeing who were giving the envelopes to waiters and then taking them off them, true story.;)

Why should we care at all about this? We leave the auto tip on; we tip extra as we see fit ... how they handles is not my business or concern. I have done my part, they have done their part, end of story.

But why tip double ? Idea of Auto tip was to make things easier. Now service staff expect double all the time.:hearteyes:

If I'm in a crowded bar, and plan to stay any time at all, I tip the bartender a buck or so on the first drink...after that, all I have to do is catch his/her eye and nod...fresh drink appears...;p

But why tip double ? Idea of Auto tip was to make things easier. Now service staff expect double all the time.:hearteyes:

I don’t disagree regarding “double-tipping” but for me itcomes down to an issue of conscience, either that or I am just plain soft!

I always leave the auto-gratuity in place but having just returned from Sapphire I did leave additional “tips” way beyond my usual levels,simply because the particular crew went what I considered above and beyond the call of duty. The Maître-D made sure I could dine alone in all main dining rooms,albeit there are no-longer any tables for less than four in the International Dining Room on Sapphire. I was greeted at breakfast on the first morning with a young lady announcing that everyone had to share a table as there were no tables for two! I contacted the Maître-D and he made sure to visit me every day to make sure everything was satisfactory and I appreciated his kindness.

Likewise, his deputy and Head Waiter greeted me every day and escorted me to a table whereupon I could dine alone, my individual preference. I had the same waiters in ATD each day and they were exceptional and so consideredthat they deserved an additional “thank-you”. There was also an absolutely delightful young deck hand on Prom Deck who would greet just about everyone with a beaming smile and genuine “good-morning”, I suspect he rarely received an additional “tip”and he certainly brightened my early mornings. Not all mirrored his attitude.

Knowing that having left my auto-gratuity in place they would therefore be allowed to keep my additional “tips” (following firstly handing them in to departmental management and subsequently having them returned) motivates me to extend that gratitude for contributing to my overall positive cruise experience.

I am sure some fellow travellers do exactly the same and so am not seeking to be awarded a gold star, but I sometimes think that “double-tipping”does somewhat defeat the idea of auto-gratuities.

Your comment is appreciated but it does sound a bit like the fake news media with their "quotes" from unnamed sources. Your post, likewise.

Please state your source and the name of the cruise line. Otherwise, your information has no credibility because you are quoting no one. It's just words on paper.

Apparently you didn't read the whole thread before jumping in.

http://www.inozemstvo-posao.com/forumattachments/02-Terms_&_Conditions_of_Employment.pdf

I leave extra tips because I feel that the waiters in traditional dining deserve more than their small portion of the auto gratuities. When I dine at a restaurant I usually leave 20% which is normally $10+ for my wife and I. The service and attention to detail I receive at traditional dining each evening is well beyond that most restaurants give. If it isn’t then I don’t leave extra tips. I definetly will change my view if I find that my waiter does not keep the extra tips I give them.

Do I have a new Princess Terms of Employment? (Notice that this is not the contract that the crew signs when joining the vessel, these are general terms and conditions) No, I don't work for them, so I would not have one, because not everything is on the internet. Do I know that the Terms of Employment are from 2007, yes, due to the date stamp on each page. Do I know that crew rights have changed since 2007? You bet, having 43 years experience going to sea. One of the glaring points that I see, is that while the Terms spell out a "guaranteed consolidated wage", there are some problems with the language in that clause, based on the MLC 2006. The MLC and the ILO require a minimum wage of $614/month, for 40 hour work weeks. Using a figure of 4.28 weeks per month, that works out to a guaranteed base wage of $3.59/hour. And that accounts for 171 hours of work a month. As noted in the Terms linked, employees are either "330" or "390" hour/month employees. The cabin stewards are "390" crew, as this is 13 hours/day. So, there are 219 hours/month payable at an overtime rate of 125% of the base, or $4.48/hour. This rate times the 219 hours is $981/month plus the base of $614, for a total of $1595. Now, do you believe that Princess has guaranteed $1595/month for every cabin steward, regardless of how much DSC is paid by passengers? Cause, that's what the Terms say, that the base and overtime is guaranteed. Since MLC, the cruise lines completely revamped their wage calculus, so that the base of $614 is guaranteed, and the remainder is covered by the DSC. That is the major change made to every cruise line employment contract since 2013. The crew member's contract of employment spells out what the amount of monthly pay is, and how it is divided between guaranteed wage and DSC pool. For a cabin steward in 2007, that was about $0.5/hour, $0.62/hour overtime, as the guaranteed wage (about $220/month), and then the rest of their compensation was from the DSC pool, and if that was $0, then so be it. The cruise line now needs to step in and make good when the amount of DSC drops the crew's wage below the $614 figure. MLC significantly raised the cruise line's liability for a guaranteed wage.

So, do I believe that article 4E has changed since this was published, yes, as has all of article 4, and other articles that pertain to measures implemented by MLC. Do I know that cash tips, in excess of DSC are pooled, no I don't, but I suspect that they are to be turned in and after the voyage when it is determined that the DSC was paid, the cash tip in excess of the DSC is returned to the crew who got it. It is industry practice to deal with tips in this fashion, but it is possible that Princess does pool all tips. I just would not place much faith in the accuracy of the Terms of Employment, given the changes industry-wide (all ships, not just cruise ships) since the implementation of MLC.

If I'm in a crowded bar, and plan to stay any time at all, I tip the bartender a buck or so on the first drink...after that, all I have to do is catch his/her eye and nod...fresh drink appears...;p

Works for us as well. By the second night they often know your name & your drink preference.

Chengkp75,

You do not need to clarify or explain your comments. I find your posts most informative on the inner-workings of ships and I trust your information. Thank you. Likewise, I value certain posters such as Pam (to name one) for her experiences, as well.

I rarely ever comment on tipping threads because I find some posters’ comments boorish. We consider ourselves blessed to cruise and have enjoyed every Princess Cruise. We give extra tips to most everyone who serve us and won’t stop now. We fully understand the ‘double tipping’ concept and knowingly triple tip. We are fortunate to cross paths with many crew members on multiple cruises and enjoy the reunions. We also treat them with drinks, etc when we see them in ports. The good crews on Princess are a major reason that keeps us loyal to Princess.

Safe Journeys. Paul

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Chengkp75,

 

You do not need to clarify or explain your comments. I find your posts most informative on the inner-workings of ships and I trust your information. Thank you. Likewise, I value certain posters such as Pam (to name one) for her experiences, as well.

 

I rarely ever comment on tipping threads because I find some posters’ comments boorish. We consider ourselves blessed to cruise and have enjoyed every Princess Cruise. We give extra tips to most everyone who serve us and won’t stop now. We fully understand the ‘double tipping’ concept and knowingly triple tip. We are fortunate to cross paths with many crew members on multiple cruises and enjoy the reunions. We also treat them with drinks, etc when we see them in ports. The good crews on Princess are a major reason that keeps us loyal to Princess.

 

Safe Journeys. Paul

 

 

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I have to say the staff on the Regal was the nicest we've ever had on a cruiseline.

Chengkp75,

 

You do not need to clarify or explain your comments. I find your posts most informative on the inner-workings of ships and I trust your information. Thank you. Likewise, I value certain posters such as Pam (to name one) for her experiences, as well.

 

I rarely ever comment on tipping threads because I find some posters’ comments boorish. We consider ourselves blessed to cruise and have enjoyed every Princess Cruise. We give extra tips to most everyone who serve us and won’t stop now. We fully understand the ‘double tipping’ concept and knowingly triple tip. We are fortunate to cross paths with many crew members on multiple cruises and enjoy the reunions. We also treat them with drinks, etc when we see them in ports. The good crews on Princess are a major reason that keeps us loyal to Princess.

 

Safe Journeys. Paul

 

 

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Well put, Paul!

We consider ourselves blessed to cruise and have enjoyed every Princess Cruise. We give extra tips to most everyone who serve us and won’t stop now. We fully understand the ‘double tipping’ concept and knowingly triple tip. We are fortunate to cross paths with many crew members on multiple cruises and enjoy the reunions.

Agreed. Point well taken. :)