Tipping is American, but ships are not American?

[Addict]

I think the fact this very system will become illegal in UK as of 1st October evidences how unacceptable it is.

 

Sparkle could you clarify this please? What is changing after 1 October?

 

Firstly, I don't have an issue with tipping at all - and am quite happy for the suggested amount to be charged daily to our account - and if someone has gone above and beyond for us we have given extra.

 

But I do wonder.... some people have expressed a preference for the gratuities to be called a service charge and then be done with it. But where would that lead... would we then be expected to pay gratuities on top of the service charge?? It then becomes never ending - change the name of it, then we will be expected to pay more and more (because it then becomes a service charge instead of gratuities - and people like the Brits, the Aussies will then still be accused of "stiffing" the crew).

 

An example: We went on a HAL cruise where they add a daily amount for the service charge to your account. When the cruise ended, on the last morning, our waiter (who had been quite pleasant to us throughout the cruise) completely snubbed us!! We wondered what we had done wrong! When I related this to our friends (who happen to be American) they asked if we had tipped the waiters. I said we had paid the daily charge - and hadn't given them extra. The answer was "well, there you are then"!! Implying that we should have tipped them on top of the service charge!

 

Re the previous points about tipping in London - yes, the culture is changing and people like taxi drivers do expect tips - but I wonder if it may be in part that so many Americans visit London now that our "norm" has become the American "norm" due to them overtipping over the years according to their culture!!! I do know from personal experience that taxi drivers are very fond of Americans!!!! But in our local area where we live, 10% is still considered acceptable for a taxi driver's tip.

 

We are all different and have different cultures, but when people quote "when in Rome" etc, perhaps Americans should stick to the rules of the countries they are visiting? The trouble is, Americans seem to have made a rod for everyones back by overtipping in countries where it was not expected - but now it is expected from them.

 

BTW - nothing against Americans - I love em!!:D

 

Sue

[jackdiamond]

Folks, as I have earlier suggested, I believe that all mainstream cruise lines will establish mandatory tipping or service charge without the possibility of evasion in the near future. Approximately 90% of all major lines now have auto or pre-paid tipping. The only change I foresee is simply eliminating the ability of a cruiser to avoid said charge, whatever it may be called.

As a result, threads of this nature will be extinct; and, those who object to said system will be free to choose another vacation outlet.

[FinelyCruising]

Based on some of the responses, it appears my previous post quoted above was misunderstood. The philosophy of this spa resort is not a substitute for tips, it is just that they were included in the price of the spa resort. In fact, the portion allocated to tips is probably significantly greater than what most passengers pay for tips on a cruise. The difference is that their staff is not allowed to accept additional tips individually for reasons noted in my original post.

 

Since a cruise is suppose to be a very relaxing vacation I think it is a very comparable situation. It is also in line with the philosophy of automatic tipping that is new to Celebrity, even though other cruise lines have been doing it for years.

 

I follow what you were saying. I agree there should be no thought about it at all, and I think that X has tried to pave the way in that regard.

 

In addition, I think they thought about their own efficiencies and the staff that was needed to handle the banking transactions for so many who needed bills changed to fill the envelopes. Changes in the casino are part and parcel of those efforts.

 

So as that transition occurred, so did the change in cruisers habits, and the assignment of gratuities on the account came at a time when people who were stretched financially reacted to the imposition they perceived was occurring. Only in the past two years has this issue really been so highly discussed and while some do not have the history to know what the was going on before and what is going on now, it still does not necessarily matter to their own intentions.

[bobbyleduck]

Another way to look at tips - A few years ago I went to a spa resort for a week and had an all inclusive package which included lodging, meals, classes, entertainment, use of equipment, and massages. It also included all gratuities and even when I tried to tip the valet who got my car, I was told that he was not allowed to accept additional tips. The rationale of this establishment was that since a spa resort is a place to relax they didn't want their guests to worry about who should be tipped, what was an appropriate tip, and who deserved a larger tip, so they included all gratuities in their price and did not allow any of their employees to accept additional tips. This did not have any event on its level of service because I have never seen such a dedicated hard working group of people who couldn't do enough to make their guests feel special.

 

I really appreciated this post, and I believe a cruise should be treated in the same manner. Pay people appropriately! Charge the proper amount for the product. Require that this is paid at time of final payment, so that there are no additional charges after final payment, unless you have chosen to avail yourself of optional items or services. Tell what is included: Cruise and delivery to specified ports, cabin and cabin service, food and beverages including service of each in such dining locals as are included, entertainment, exercise equipment, pools, and gratuities (I'm sure that other things are included, but I can't think of them.). Specify what is optional (meaning no charge if you don't choose to take advantage of each): such as alcohol and soda pop, specialty restaurants, excursions, massages and other spa treatments administered by people, and gambling.

 

Happy cruising to all!

 

Bob