Can I remove the mandatory on board gratuity charge?

[MrPete]

Why is this not already included in the cruise fare that you paid?

 

For the same reason it's not included in the price of food when you dine at a restaurant.

[pnjkeith]

Asking the crew about tipping????? That is as lame as it gets. AGAIN' date=' Carnival sets it up so you don't have to worry:rolleyes:

 

 

We always leave the tips on and it has never been in question. We always tip the cleaning staff extra at the end of the cruise. I seem to always get a 'regular' beer bringer in the casino and he/she always gets an extra $50 on the last night (they end up knowing my number and name and I rarely have to ask for a beer).

 

Removing the tips???? To me that is like wearing shorts in the dining room....it just shouldn't be done...not on a cruise :eek:[/quote']

 

Another CC tip bragging story. Tipping is not mandatory and shorts are allowed in dining room.

 

Carnival set above rules.

[WichitaDave]

Please make sure you let them know you won't be requiring the service and there'll be no reason to tip them.

 

There is no need to do that because according to the cruiselines website, "Once on board, let the good times roll because just about everything is included. Enjoy delicious meals in various onboard restaurants, including your comfy accommodations with the complimentary 24-hour stateroom service."

 

Got that? EVERYTHING is included. If you want to tip ON TOP OF what is included, then that is your choice. Your OPINION of what others do is irrelevant.

[WichitaDave]

I'm sorry (actually, I'm not sorry at all), but if you can't afford a measly $10 per day to tip all of the staff - seen and unseen - then perhaps you shouldn't be going on a cruise. It's such a small amount in the grand scheme of things. If the $10 is so important to you, buy one less fancy drink per day.

 

And perhaps you need a reality check. "A measly" $10 a day IS important to 99.9% of us. Unless you throw $10 bills in the fireplace to keep the fire going it is important to you to. If you do that, there are cruiselines much better than Carnival that would be absolutely glad to have you. They would probably be more accommodating to your "type". Maybe YOU shouldn't be cruising - on Carnival. Some of us must watch our expenses and doing that allows us to go on cruises on the cheaper lines. The fact that we work so hard to save the pennies that come our way to do so make it that much more rewarding and we deserve every bit of it. Sometimes, "optional and voluntary" expenses must be reduced or cut out. Cruiselines understand this, and that is why they call tips "optional and voluntary". Your "perhaps you shouldn't be going on a cruise" comment is total BS.

[MrPete]

There is no need to do that because according to the cruiselines website, "Once on board, let the good times roll because just about everything is included. Enjoy delicious meals in various onboard restaurants, including your comfy accommodations with the complimentary 24-hour stateroom service."

 

Got that? EVERYTHING is included. If you want to tip ON TOP OF what is included, then that is your choice. Your OPINION of what others do is irrelevant.

 

Did you ignore and not retype the "just about everything" on purpose? :confused:

 

You will find many things not included in your fare these days.

 

I used to love the ignorant statements from fellow cruisers APPALED that excursions were extra. Watch out for that tip jar for the tour guide!

[nealstuber]

There is no need to do that because according to the cruiselines website, "Once on board, let the good times roll because just about everything is included. Enjoy delicious meals in various onboard restaurants, including your comfy accommodations with the complimentary 24-hour stateroom service."

 

Got that? EVERYTHING is included. If you want to tip ON TOP OF what is included, then that is your choice. Your OPINION of what others do is irrelevant.

 

No - not many of us get that. EVERYTHING is not the same as "JUST ABOUT Everything." You taking one little blurb, from the marketing part of their site, completely out of context. Maybe this marketing statement is a little misleading (aren't they all) but if you're looking for the truth (and not just something silly to whine about - over and over and over) then it is clearly spelled out in other portions of the same website.

 

If you are really dumb enough to believe that "Everything" is included because you read "Just about Everything" was included - without taking the iniative to find out what that meant - I'm sorry you're just not very smart.

[waiting4acruise]

No - not many of us get that. EVERYTHING is not the same as "JUST ABOUT Everything." You taking one little blurb, from the marketing part of their site, completely out of context. Maybe this marketing statement is a little misleading (aren't they all) but if you're looking for the truth (and not just something silly to whine about - over and over and over) then it is clearly spelled out in other portions of the same website.

 

If you are really dumb enough to believe that "Everything" is included because you read "Just about Everything" was included - without taking the iniative to find out what that meant - I'm sorry you're just not very smart.

If "Just about Everything" means that something are not included then the cruiselines should clearlt state whay is not included in the cruisefare.

[WichitaDave]

Did you ignore and not retype the "just about everything" on purpose? :confused:

 

You will find many things not included in your fare these days.

 

I used to love the ignorant statements from fellow cruisers APPALED that excursions were extra. Watch out for that tip jar for the tour guide!

 

No, I left it out there as it was because MOST people are not so IGNORANT to suggest that has anything to do with tips, which is the subject at hand. People who nitpick postings for anything EXCEPT the topic at hand, such as the couple or so after yours do so because they cannot come up with any legitimate facts about the actual topic at hand. Since they can't dazzle with brilliance they baffle with BS. They don't baffle me. BTW, no kidding on that tip jar...I quit doing a lot of sponsored excursions because they take time out of the tour to promote their stupid Mayan books and have their hand out when you get off the bus, etc. There are other ways to tour, but of course I better not mention them here, or I would be called a bunch of disparaging names simply for wanting to save my money for what I want to spend it on, instead of what you people (a very loosely used term) want me to spend it on.

[MrPete]

If "Just about Everything" means that something are not included then the cruiselines should clearlt state whay is not included in the cruisefare.

 

Em, they do.

[dan40]

And perhaps you need a reality check. "A measly" $10 a day IS important to 99.9% of us. Unless you throw $10 bills in the fireplace to keep the fire going it is important to you to. If you do that, there are cruiselines much better than Carnival that would be absolutely glad to have you. They would probably be more accommodating to your "type". Maybe YOU shouldn't be cruising - on Carnival. Some of us must watch our expenses and doing that allows us to go on cruises on the cheaper lines. The fact that we work so hard to save the pennies that come our way to do so make it that much more rewarding and we deserve every bit of it. Sometimes, "optional and voluntary" expenses must be reduced or cut out. Cruiselines understand this, and that is why they call tips "optional and voluntary". Your "perhaps you shouldn't be going on a cruise" comment is total BS.

 

Try cruising on NCL with its mandatory $12.00 pppd SERVICE CHARGE! Then go hang around the Pursers desk for a little while and listen to the cheap screws demanding the service charge be removed for poor service. It starts on DAY ONE!!

 

If you know in advance that tipping IS the expected norm, and 99.9999% of all cruisers DO know that, and you cannot afford the tips, YOU CANNOT AFFORD THE CRUISE.

 

Voluntary means you are not required to tip for bad service. Ordinary to excellent service, a tip IS expected.

[MrPete]

No, I left it out there as it was because MOST people are not so IGNORANT to suggest that has anything to do with tips, which is the subject at hand. People who nitpick postings for anything EXCEPT the topic at hand, such as the couple or so after yours do so because they cannot come up with any legitimate facts about the actual topic at hand. Since they can't dazzle with brilliance they baffle with BS. They don't baffle me. BTW, no kidding on that tip jar...I quit doing a lot of sponsored excursions because they take time out of the tour to promote their stupid Mayan books and have their hand out when you get off the bus, etc. There are other ways to tour, but of course I better not mention them here, or I would be called a bunch of disparaging names simply for wanting to save my money for what I want to spend it on, instead of what you people (a very loosely used term) want me to spend it on.

 

Then you are customizing tipping to serve you.

 

Ultimately, tipping is a personal thing between those serving, and those being served.

 

Some can never elevate themselves to truly being served.

[WichitaDave]

Voluntary: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent; having power of free choice. NOPE, try again. I'll take the dictionary over your definition.

 

I've done Norweigian and had no problem with it. They tell you upfront it is mandatory. People who do that definitely deserve criticism. Whether it should come from you or any other Cruise Critic member is another story. We are supposed to be here to help each other. Some are here merely to criticize and demean others. What business of it is yours? I know, if everyone doesn't do it, it might raise the price. Boo hoo. Just lower your excessive tips to pay it. Oooops, that is what everyone who reduces tips does, isn't it???

 

Other cruiselines say upfront it is voluntary. As long as it is voluntary, expectations are irrelevant. Go talk to the seat savers and chair hogs if you want to talk expectations. Those are explicit and in writing. The only tipping in writing at carnival is the bar drinks and the customary (but not required) tipping of room service.

 

You are probably right on customizing the tipping. I have never been one to allow myself to be pampered. I would almost consider that to be degrading to whomever would do it. THAT IS MY CHOICE. And even if I did allow it, the tip is still VOLUNTARY, despite any EXPECTATIONS. And none of this has any bearing on whether I should cruise or not, any more than your "opinion" having any bearing on whether you should cruise or not.

[SISer]

oh, boy, look what I started.

[chickie_mite]

oh, boy, look what I started.

 

 

Inquisitive minds want to know: Will you remove the gratuities or will you keep them?

 

ETA: Is this the first time you've been back to visit the thread you started?

[paulandfran]

It's really surprising the number of people who talk about having personal conversations with the staff about their families, home countries, etc. and get information about tips and how they are divided. Why not just leave these folks alone to do their jobs.

 

I think many people just leave the staff alone to do their jobs and many welcome the opportunity to get to know the peope who serve them. I used to be the former until I met my husband. Traveling with my husband I've learned that no one remains a stranger long. It was hard to get used to at first because I tended to be a quieter person but over time I've really enjoyed getting to know many people during our travels. And sometimes you come across people who are more reserved and we respect that but that doesn't affect the way we tip them.

 

We leave the standard onboard gratuity and then tip anyone who provides us an extra service like room service. Typically at the end of the cruise when we shake hands and say goodbye, my husband palms the cabin steward an extra $50 or $100 depending on whether it was a 3 day or 7 day cruise. A steward who provides extra pillows, always has fresh towels, ice in our bucket, cute towel animals, etc. and who makes our cruise extra special is rewarded with some extra $$. I know many people tip less or more but that's what we do and the steward seems to be genuinely pleased. And for us it's well worth it and a small part of our overall budget for the trip. Working my way through college I depended on tips so I'm sure that also affects my mindset. Luckily, the people I served were generous with me and I try to be the same with those who serve me now.

 

Francie

[nealstuber]

.....The only tipping in writing at carnival is the bar drinks and the customary (but not required) tipping of room service.....

 

Wrong - Try reading the "What's not included List" (which I found in 3 short clicks on Carnival's website).

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/included.aspx

 

I was feeling bad for putting this in writing earlier today - but you really are not very smart.

[waiting4acruise]

Wrong - Try reading the "What's not included List" (which I found in 3 short clicks on Carnival's website).

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/included.aspx

 

I was feeling bad for putting this in writing earlier today - but you really are not very smart.

It does not say you are required to pay the tips.

[springfire]

Wrong - Try reading the "What's not included List" (which I found in 3 short clicks on Carnival's website).

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/included.aspx

 

I was feeling bad for putting this in writing earlier today - but you really are not very smart.

 

Wow, this is a poor post!

[vtjean]

Once again, I do not understand why someone would want to remove tips on their cruise! If you can afford to go on a cruise, then you can afford to leave the tips on your account. When people justify removing tips, I think they are just being cheap! Why not just leave the $10 per day tips on their account, and tip more, to people who go above and beyond? I believe everyone who waits on you, and others who are behind the scenes deserve to be compensated. You may not see them but they help to make your cruise vacation enjoyable. Please, don't remove the tips. The staff deserve them... Jean

[MrPete]

Once again, I do not understand why someone would want to remove tips on their cruise! If you can afford to go on a cruise, then you can afford to leave the tips on your account. When people justify removing tips, I think they are just being cheap! Why not just leave the $10 per day tips on their account, and tip more, to people who go above and beyond? I believe everyone who waits on you, and others who are behind the scenes deserve to be compensated. You may not see them but they help to make your cruise vacation enjoyable. Please, don't remove the tips. The staff deserve them... Jean

 

Kinda like planning to go to a restaurant, and figuring out how not to leave a tip to the waiter/waitress. If you're worrying about it before you go, yes, you are cheap ("What, that wasn't included in the menu price"?)

 

I wonder how much thought goes into going to resort, deciding if they book an efficiency or not. Not means eating out every meal. And tipping.

 

And that's what cruising is.

[firefly333]

Kinda like planning to go to a restaurant, and figuring out how not to leave a tip to the waiter/waitress. If you're worrying about it before you go, yes, you are cheap ("What, that wasn't included in the menu price"?)

 

I wonder how much thought goes into going to resort, deciding if they book an efficiency or not. Not means eating out every meal. And tipping.

 

And that's what cruising is.

 

I got back from the CTN last night... and overheard some ladies standing near the purser's desk. Humpf!!!!! can you imagine. The desk told them to come back after 8 pm, the day we boarded, it was too early to remove all the tips. (they hadnt been posted yet). You cant remove the tips until they post they were told... well of all the nerve.

 

So, yes, you can remove the mandatory? (still not sure why the OP used this word) tips .. but not until they post to your account.

[MrPete]

I got back from the CTN last night... and overheard some ladies standing near the purser's desk. Humpf!!!!! can you imagine. The desk told them to come back after 8 pm, the day we boarded, it was too early to remove all the tips. (they hadnt been posted yet). You cant remove the tips until they post they were told... well of all the nerve.

 

So, yes, you can remove the mandatory? (still not sure why the OP used this word) tips .. but not until they post to your account.

 

I thought on CTN's, everyone prepaid the tips......not auto-tips.

[bplazo]

I am glad that they post a list of people who remove their tips. These people get what they deserve.

[WichitaDave]

Wrong - Try reading the "What's not included List" (which I found in 3 short clicks on Carnival's website).

 

http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/included.aspx

 

I was feeling bad for putting this in writing earlier today - but you really are not very smart.

 

As noted in other notes, this does not say you must pay tips. It just shows the "recommended" amounts. Do you automatically pay $95 to someone every time you stay at a resort, just because Carnival tells you to?

 

People should not go around claiming people they do not even know "but you really are not very smart". It may just reflect on you.

 

Which brings me to the reason I have written all these notes. It is not because I do not tip (I do) or how much I tip (varies based on my personal circumstances which are none of anybody's business); It is because of respect. NO ONE with any moral standard whatsoever would come on these boards and berate and call people names just because they are trying to seek advice or do not tip according to your standard. That is against common decency, much less CC guidelines that they choose not to enforce on this particular topic. NO ONE with any sense of decency would come on here and claim, well, maybe you should not be cruising, or you are just not very smart, just because their tipping standards are not the same as yours. There is a fine line between all our personalities (thrifty, spendthrift, snob, drunk, whatever) that is crossed when you start to put people down with your personal biases. It takes away from the usefulness and enjoyment of reading these boards.

 

Cruising is for everyone, rich or poor, if they can afford the ticket. Sure, staff HOPE they get a good tip, and obviously many do. When it becomes an expectation, they have crossed the line. There will always be those who take them off (before they are even posted??? What a ...never mind) just because that is their way. That is the cruselines responsibility to do something with these people, not you. They can drop them off at the next port or whatever - their choice not to unfortunately makes the practice acceptable, whether they or we like it or not. There will be those who at least want to reduce them for whatever reason. I've had one cruise where I didn't get my entitled perks, and on just about every cruise the staff inconveniences me at least a couple of times and fails to fill my ice bucket a few times. If a waitress at a restaurant does this, she likely will get a reduced or no tip. We are entitled to do the same on a ship. In the end, I think everyone pretty much gets what they expect or deserve. Otherwise, they would not continue to work in the industry. You can say they have a tough job and all that, but there are people in the good old USA who work every day who work just as hard or harder. That is life.

 

So I know this one thread will do little to change the absolutely hateful people who post on these boards. If I got just one person to think, hey maybe he has something there, and begins posting notes that are actually useful and fun to read, I've served my purpose. TIPS can be in interesting and useful topic, if common sense is used. See ya around.

[chickie_mite]

I am glad that they post a list of people who remove their tips. These people get what they deserve.

 

 

LOL! What do they "deserve"? Piano wire around their fingers? Walking the plank over shark-infested waters? Cabins in steerage? No place in a lifeboat?

 

And if someone removes tips the night before disembarking, what good is a "list"? Are they blackballed for future cruises?

 

If someone thinks putting my name on a list will cause me some epic shame and guilt for removing optional gratuities.....oy. This is really going a bit far.

 

To each his/her own. Bon voyage. :)