Gratuties

[Mrsg324]

NCL automatically charges it to your account.

 

Excellent! Thank you

[ShipShape4me]

Tip or Salary?I think it would really be nice if ALL the cruise lines incorporated a salary into the price of the cruise, vs. playing this silly game of pre-paid tips. Then.... if we the passenger wanted to tip for good service, so be it.The reality is..... We are paying thier salary, not recgonizing good service with pre-paid graturities.Let's really dream now.... The crusie lines need to also be a responsible employer and with hold appropoiate taxes and social security as per the county of origin.

[newmexicoNita]

Hello

 

We go on the Epic in four weeks time and can not wait. We have not pre paid our gratuties although now thinking we should? What are the thoughts...

 

Also our NCL agent told us to go to reception on first day and ask for them to be taken off and tip as we go along.. can we do this? As i would rather so the people that deserve it get it..

 

 

Hope someone can shed a light on this very confusing issue for me.....:D

 

An NCL agent told you that: OMG!! I find that almost impossible to believe, you don't just decide to do that and if you choose this method let me just say, be prepared to explain why, and possibly see your service suffer some, not to mention no matter how you do this, the tips will still be put into the pool. Individuals that do recieve gratuities that way are required to report them.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

I personally don't know this first hand, but it's repeated frequently here. If you remove the auto tip (service charge) and tip cash as you go, then the person you tipped is required to pass that money in to the same pool of money as where the service charge goes. Therefore, tipping that way gives no advantage at all to the person you tipped. On the other hand, if you leave the service charge in place, but tip cash above and beyond, then the recipient is allowed to keep the cash.

 

Again, this is just what I've read here. No idea if it's accurate.

 

I asked the hotel director about this on the Spirit the last night as we wanted to add extra for our wonderful servers in the Italian dining room. We were told, if you give them cash above and beyond the $12 per day they can keep it, if you add it to your cabin account or you tip them instead separately instead of the standard $12 per day they are required to put the money into the pool.

[ShipShape4me]

An NCL agent told you that: OMG!! I find that almost impossible to believe, you don't just decide to do that and if you choose this method let me just say, be prepared to explain why, and possibly see your service suffer some, not to mention no matter how you do this, the tips will still be put into the pool. Individuals that do recieve gratuities that way are required to report them.

 

Nita

 

Did you bother to read the OP's addition responses before you attack with opinions and not FACTS?

[newmexicoNita]

I find it very small of you to deny these workers their hard earned compensation because of a couple of rude remarks.

 

Did your room steward clean your room and make your bed every day? Did the food service worker serve you food/clean up your table the rest of the week?

 

There is only one reason people remove the auto-tip. And we all know what that reason is no matter how someone comes in here and tries to defend the indefensible.

 

My thoughts exactly: I wasn't going to flap my mouth on this, but can't help it: I think maybe someone slightly over-reacted..

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Did you bother to read the OP's addition responses before you attack with opinions and not FACTS?

 

nope and what I said still stands: BTW there was only one response I saw and she said she was going to call and have them added; good for her. I wasn't attacking her in anyway, I was questioning 1-why an agent would say that: shame on the agent and 2-explaining what would happen if she did decide to have the tips removed the first day. Did you read others views I will add. Most were identical to mine.

 

NIta

[monas queen]

The one thing that I can't understand about tipping cruise crews is that there are now so many companies that "demand" that each passenger "must" pay $xx per day, to be added to their account.

 

I realise that there is a historic basis, that crews have consistently been paid very little, and that they make up their pay to something a bit more like a living wage by collecting tips. Some companies also seem to believe that the crews will work better if they have to work for tips. You get some ships where the crews seem to do nothing but ask for tips, and there are requests for them in daily newspapers and announcements.

 

The trouble now is, if the tips are collected and therefore paid automatically, some of the crew may feel that they no longer have to try hard to please people, so standards could slip. I've certainly felt that on a ship I went on not so long back, that has recently introduced auto tips.

 

If it is to be added to your account as a standard amount, why not include it in the cruise fare, right at the outset? Pay the crews a proper wage, so they no longer have to worry about this.

 

If any crew member does give outstanding service, nominate them for company awards (most have "outstanding crew of the month", or some such). This will give them far better job satisfaction. And there's nothing to stop you giving them a reward of your own if they have really pleased you.

 

Please, shipping companies, make cruises tips inclusive. It would save one hell of a lot of hassle all round.

[njhorseman]

Tip or Salary?I think it would really be nice if ALL the cruise lines incorporated a salary into the price of the cruise, vs. playing this silly game of pre-paid tips. Then.... if we the passenger wanted to tip for good service, so be it.The reality is..... We are paying thier salary, not recgonizing good service with pre-paid graturities.Let's really dream now.... The crusie lines need to also be a responsible employer and with hold appropoiate taxes and social security as per the county of origin.

 

Cruise ship employees are working in international waters, not in any country. The cruise line is subject to the laws of the country in which the ship is registered, which for NCL is the Bahamas, (except for NCLA's Pride of America, registered in the US) and the employees themselves are subject to whatever the tax laws are in their home countries, not US tax law. Presumably they will pay whatever taxes they may owe to their homeland. As a self employed person, no one withholds taxes or Social Security from my earnings. I'm obligated to report my earnings to the IRS and pay my taxes and Social Security directly. The cruise lines are doing nothing illegal or underhanded, they are following whatever laws they are subject to. By the way, "Social Security" is a US government program. It's irrelevant for a someone who is not a US citizen or resident nor is working in the US.

 

PS: I don't disagree that it would be preferrable for the employees salary to be incoporated in the base fare, but competitive pricing pressure makes it unlikely that mass market cruise lines will ever do so. They want to be able to advertise fares that are as low as possible.

[marelind]

I asked the hotel director about this on the Spirit the last night as we wanted to add extra for our wonderful servers in the Italian dining room. We were told, if you give them cash above and beyond the $12 per day they can keep it, if you add it to your cabin account or you tip them instead separately instead of the standard $12 per day they are required to put the money into the pool.

 

Interesting, the front desk has a gratuity voucher which allows me to add a gratuity to my onboard account for a specific crew member/butler/concierge. They told me the entire amount would be added to their next pay envelope. Can you ask if this is true?

[che5904]

nope and what I said still stands: BTW there was only one response I saw and she said she was going to call and have them added; good for her. I wasn't attacking her in anyway, I was questioning 1-why an agent would say that: shame on the agent and 2-explaining what would happen if she did decide to have the tips removed the first day. Did you read others views I will add. Most were identical to mine.

 

NIta

 

Nita after reading this thread a couple of times, and the fact the OP hasn't come back on to defend or deny. Perhaps it was a word slip up from the OP. After rereading I'm wondering if he/she meant a travel agency in the U.K. and not actually someone who worked for NCL.

 

I'm just thinking that I know Canada/U.S./U.K./Australia etc all speak english but we all do phrase things a little different (actually even from different parts of our own countries :) ) that he/she may be thinking a TA as a "representative of NCL".

 

Still incorrect information he/she was given but it would make more sense if he/she was given from a non-NCL employee, doesn't it?

[njhorseman]

Interesting, the front desk has a gratuity voucher which allows me to add a gratuity to my onboard account for a specific crew member/butler/concierge. They told me the entire amount would be added to their next pay envelope. Can you ask if this is true?

 

First, the butler and concierge aren't DSC pool participants so their tips always go directly to them and wouldn't be put in the pool. I think Nita may have written her last sentence in a way that's possibly causing you to misread it. I think she's saying that the gratuity either given in cash or added to your account goes into the pool only if you don't pay the standard $12 per day, not that any tip added to your account goes into the pool. If my interpretation of what she's written is incorrect, then I'm with you...what Nita is saying is not what we've been told.

[mikenpatti]

My TA mentioned that the automatic gratuity added daily is now at $12 per person. Last time I cruised it was $10. Can anyone confirm this increase? Thank you.

[che5904]

My TA mentioned that the automatic gratuity added daily is now at $12 per person. Last time I cruised it was $10. Can anyone confirm this increase? Thank you.

 

Yes your TA is correct it is $12.

[mypleasure]

Nita after reading this thread a couple of times, and the fact the OP hasn't come back on to defend or deny. Perhaps it was a word slip up from the OP. After rereading I'm wondering if he/she meant a travel agency in the U.K. and not actually someone who worked for NCL.

 

I'm just thinking that I know Canada/U.S./U.K./Australia etc all speak english but we all do phrase things a little different (actually even from different parts of our own countries :) ) that he/she may be thinking a TA as a "representative of NCL".

 

Still incorrect information he/she was given but it would make more sense if he/she was given from a non-NCL employee, doesn't it?

 

I am absolutely convinced that this misinformation was dished out by a UK high street travel agent shop. They know little about anything at all. A specialist cruise travel agent in the UK would most likely have known better but it is possible they did not. I don't think an NCL UK agent would be that dumb and would probably have encouraged the OP to pre-pay the DSC at a rate of £6.50 pp per day. By the way that is LESS than $12 at the current exchange rate so she will be better off if she does prepay.

[che5904]

I am absolutely convinced that this misinformation was dished out by a UK high street travel agent shop. They know little about anything at all. A specialist cruise travel agent in the UK would most likely have known better but it is possible they did not. I don't think an NCL UK agent would be that dumb and would probably have encouraged the OP to pre-pay the DSC at a rate of £6.50 pp per day. By the way that is LESS than $12 at the current exchange rate so she will be better off if she does prepay.

 

Well I'm not familiar with the U.K. (LOL yes I know where it is, I mean what goes on there for booking travel :)) Nor am I familiar with TAs in any country (it's a control issue thing for me :eek:). But I just felt this may be a miscommunication on who actually said this.

 

As for the currency exchange I was thinking the same thing. I was getting somewhere around £6.50 = 10.60 U.S., quite a deal really!

[Army/Police Vet]

Something that does not make sense to me. If you choose to remove the DSC, you must do it on the next to last day of your cruise. If you were tipping people individually during the cruise, for good service of course, how would they possibly know those 'cash' tips were going to the tip pool since you obviously haven't removed the DSC yet? Do you honestly think the crew tags and accounts for every single tip, by passenger, during the cruise? Then if the passenger removes the DSC the crew member steps forward and surrenders any cash tips they received from that person during the past 6 days? Of course not. This would be almost impossible to track.

 

I have always paid the DSC and I also pass out cash tips many times per day during my cruises. The hogwash about collecting all those cash tips given by passengers who opted out of the DSC is just that, hogwash.

[sdmike]

Tip or Salary?I think it would really be nice if ALL the cruise lines incorporated a salary into the price of the cruise, vs. playing this silly game of pre-paid tips. Then.... if we the passenger wanted to tip for good service, so be it.The reality is..... We are paying thier salary, not recgonizing good service with pre-paid graturities.Let's really dream now.... The crusie lines need to also be a responsible employer and with hold appropoiate taxes and social security as per the county of origin.

 

That would only make the cruises more expensive, and put dollars in the pockets of government agencies, not more to the staff. I'm fine the way things are. I would clearly tip more than the $12 if I were having three restaurant meals per day, plus the cabin steward's tip, so I"m saving money having this spread across all passengers.

[njhorseman]

Something that does not make sense to me. If you choose to remove the DSC, you must do it on the next to last day of your cruise. If you were tipping people individually during the cruise, for good service of course, how would they possibly know those 'cash' tips were going to the tip pool since you obviously haven't removed the DSC yet? Do you honestly think the crew tags and accounts for every single tip, by passenger, during the cruise? Then if the passenger removes the DSC the crew member steps forward and surrenders any cash tips they received from that person during the past 6 days? Of course not. This would be almost impossible to track.

 

I have always paid the DSC and I also pass out cash tips many times per day during my cruises. The hogwash about collecting all those cash tips given by passengers who opted out of the DSC is just that, hogwash.

 

 

So, according to you the posters who have been told that by ship's officers are either lying or the ship's officers are themselves lying.

[sparks1093]

Something that does not make sense to me. If you choose to remove the DSC, you must do it on the next to last day of your cruise. If you were tipping people individually during the cruise, for good service of course, how would they possibly know those 'cash' tips were going to the tip pool since you obviously haven't removed the DSC yet? Do you honestly think the crew tags and accounts for every single tip, by passenger, during the cruise? Then if the passenger removes the DSC the crew member steps forward and surrenders any cash tips they received from that person during the past 6 days? Of course not. This would be almost impossible to track.

 

I have always paid the DSC and I also pass out cash tips many times per day during my cruises. The hogwash about collecting all those cash tips given by passengers who opted out of the DSC is just that, hogwash.

 

First, I doubt that so many passengers are tipping extra as they go along that the crew wouldn't remember, that's one reason why extra tips are given- to be remembered (this of course doesn't apply to bar servers because they aren't in the DSC pool, the gratuity is added to the bar bill).

 

Second, I would guess that most people that choose to have the DSC removed either walk off the ship leaving nothing for the crew or they give the crewmember cash on the last day.

 

Removing the DSC because of two rude comments is what is hogwash;).

[Swells1]

Originally Posted by Army/Police Vet

Something that does not make sense to me. If you choose to remove the DSC, you must do it on the next to last day of your cruise. If you were tipping people individually during the cruise, for good service of course, how would they possibly know those 'cash' tips were going to the tip pool since you obviously haven't removed the DSC yet?

 

I've wondered about that as well. I have this image in my head on one cabin steward with 15- 20 envelopes or a spreadsheet- trying to keep up with which cabin gave what amount. Not that I'm accusing anyone of fibbing. I just think that this way of doing things might be better in theory than in practice.

 

Another thing that I've never been able to understand is the thinking that pre-paying gratuities will lead to sub-par service. I am a cruising novice (at best) and even I know that the DSC can be removed at my request. One would assume that the staff onboard would be at least as informed about their own payroll policies as me. So the argument that the crew performs worse because they have no incentive is ridiculous to me. Of course, I'm not a very experienced cruiser, so I guess I could have it all wrong.

[smeyer418]

you notice that people tell you that others violate rules but they never do? Most crew members turn in all the cash for the same reason you don't want to keep large amounts of cash. Since most don't leave extra do you think its hard to keep track of who gave them extra?

 

Do the employees just pocket the cash? mostly no. If the auto-tip is removed and they don't turn it in(BTW I have been told by some staff they sometimes convert extra tips left by some which they don't have to turn in at all to pay for the cheapos/stiffers because they ARE marked down when people keep taking the auto-tip off and leave nothing or less than the suggested amount-rightfully or wrongfully its held against them). The employees live in close quarters 3-4 in a room and they don't want large amounts of cash lying around either. The employees know pretty quickly who are the slackers and pocketers and since the supervisor is one of the people being stiffed by the employees they get a. fired b. non renewed or c the worst assignments....and also have been known to be visited by their own countries of origin mafia on board.

 

 

 

does this mean every dime is reported? no I am not that naive but the vast majority is reported.

[che5904]

Something that does not make sense to me. If you choose to remove the DSC, you must do it on the next to last day of your cruise. If you were tipping people individually during the cruise, for good service of course, how would they possibly know those 'cash' tips were going to the tip pool since you obviously haven't removed the DSC yet? Do you honestly think the crew tags and accounts for every single tip, by passenger, during the cruise? Then if the passenger removes the DSC the crew member steps forward and surrenders any cash tips they received from that person during the past 6 days? Of course not. This would be almost impossible to track.

 

I have always paid the DSC and I also pass out cash tips many times per day during my cruises. The hogwash about collecting all those cash tips given by passengers who opted out of the DSC is just that, hogwash.

 

Actually the only way this would make sense to me is if all DSC eligible employees turned in all of their cash tips received because I to wonder how does the employee know that a particular passenger removed the DSC, to know whether to turn them in or not.

I really think this is why this policy/rule/statement whatever you want to call it gets questioned so much is the lack of logic.

[smeyer418]

Actually the only way this would make sense to me is if all DSC eligible employees turned in all of their cash tips received because I to wonder how does the employee know that a particular passenger removed the DSC, to know whether to turn them in or not.

I really think this is why this policy/rule/statement whatever you want to call it gets questioned so much is the lack of logic.

 

 

a list is circulated and the room stewards are notified. Most turn in ALL the cash as listed above and they don't know if they can keep it all until the cruise is over. then they are notified. Keeping track of this is a full time job for one person.

[ShipShape4me]

That would only make the cruises more expensive, and put dollars in the pockets of government agencies, not more to the staff. I'm fine the way things are. I would clearly tip more than the $12 if I were having three restaurant meals per day, plus the cabin steward's tip, so I"m saving money having this spread across all passengers.

 

OK.... But call it what it really is. SALARY SALARY SALARY - In no way is the $12.00 a gratuity if you are required to pay it. Nita states that you better be prepared to explain why you are removing the $12.00. Why do you have to explain the removal of a "Gratuity"???? gra·tu·i·ty (gr-t-t, -ty-) n. pl. gra·tu·i·ties. A favor or gift, usually in the form of money, given in return for service. [French gratuité, from Old French ...A tip (also called a gratuity) is a voluntary extra payment made to certain service sector workers in addition to the advertised price of the transaction.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratuity–noun, plural -ties. 1. a gift of money , over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip. 2. something given without claim or demand. 3 ...dictionary.reference.com/browse/gratuity