Cunard gratuities

[Alona]

Advice please on gratuities. I understand that Cunard charge 11$ a day per head on your onboard account. Is this optional.?

[William Dean]

Advice please on gratuities. I understand that Cunard charge 11$ a day per head on your onboard account. Is this optional.?

 

Yes. But why would you not want to give a tip?

 

WD

[Lanky Lad]

Advice please on gratuities. I understand that Cunard charge 11$ a day per head on your onboard account. Is this optional.?

 

They are added to your on board account automatically; however, you can go to the pursers desk and ask for them to be taken off / not charged. I would not want to, but it's an option that is available.

[dancer11]

Don't go if you can't afford to give the tips, because you will be mistreating hard working staff. We even have tipped some extra cash to our waiters on a longer cruise

[Betsy's Mom]

To my knowledge all cruise lines have a daily service charge and the amount is about the same across the spectrum.

B.

[Nippy Sweetie]

Don't go if you can't afford to give the tips, because you will be mistreating hard working staff. We even have tipped some extra cash to our waiters on a longer cruise

Thats a strictly USA based view. Check throughout the forum for the many and detailed posts on this topic.

[britsbest]

I agree with Nippy. I'll be removing auto tip with out a seconds thought. There will probably be a queue of pax on Day 1 asking to remove auto tip.

[Ray66]

But they'll be in the minority. I couldn't look the crew in the face knowing I'd removed it. They all work so hard and are so polite and friendly and helpful.

[SALAD MUNCHER]

Although I wrote this a couple of days ago on a previous thread I believe it is relevant to this thread also:

 

"Having read a number of posts on tipping I am always fascinated by the views of different people on the topic. However whilst on a recent trip on the QV I decided to look at the whole issue in more depth. I found out that on this particular trip there were circa 1850 passengers aboard and 998 crew.

If, as we have been led to believe, 25% of passengers opt out of auto tipping, this means that 1350 do pay. At $11 per day per person this equates to $14,850 per day plus another 180 x $2 extra from 75% grill passengers = $360 a total of $15,210 per day.

A 15% beverage levy is placed on all drinks bought aboard. If every passenger on average spends just $20 per day this would result in a “tip” of $5,400 per day. I know this is a vastly reduced amount as during the Chef’s parade we were told how many thousands of bottles of wine and champagne (not including regular drinks such as beer, cocktails and non alcoholic drinks) were consumed – the amount was staggering!

Adding the two amounts together you get a total of $20,610 per day to be shared (according to Cunard) amongst the restaurant staff, stateroom stewards, accommodation staff, buffet stewards and beverage staff. Casino staff as well as senior officers and certain other staff are not included.

If the excluded staff is circa 70 in number (this is a wild guess as I truly have no idea) it means each eligible member of staff receives a daily tip of $22 or $152 per week over and above their income from Cunard. Even if it is shared with EVERY crew member (including the Captain) it would equate to $20.5 per day or $144.5 per week!! This is quite a substantial amount in the general scheme of things, a sum many ‘ordinary’ low paid workers throughout the world would gladly give their right arm for.

Therefore I cannot see why there are so many members asking “how much extra should I give, I don’t want to appear stingy” etc. Next time you’re thinking about tipping – do the math!! :eek: "

 

 

I have no problem with auto tips - however, I hate the 15% added on to all drinks, both alcoholic and non alcoholic - particularly in the dining room as I believe wine with your meal is part of your dining experience and Cunard already charge a fairly large premium for each bottle. Suggestion - why don't they add an extra $1 per day to the auto tip and eliminate the 15% on beverage services? after all this would generate circa another $1800 per day - i.e. $2 extra over per EVERY crew member per day - is this not enough!!

[britsbest]

Do you feel bad when being served in a shop by staff on minimum wage? Do you give them an extra 15% for being pleasant and efficient. Don't answer because I already know, and by the way I am one of those on minimum wage, albeit part time!!

[Sauer-kraut]

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Because I generally don't order bar drinks/soft drinks on a daily basis, so why should I subsidize your bar tab by paying an extra dollar a day? You use it, you pay for it. SIMPLE

[Underwatr]

Even if it is shared with EVERY crew member (including the Captain) it would equate to $20.5 per day or $144.5 per week!! This is quite a substantial amount in the general scheme of things, a sum many ‘ordinary’ low paid workers throughout the world would gladly give their right arm for.

Seriously? $144 a week is a lot of income?

 

I figure that $20 means much more to the average cruise ship employee than it does to me...

[SALAD MUNCHER]

Seriously? $144 a week is a lot of income?

 

I figure that $20 means much more to the average cruise ship employee than it does to me...

 

This is NOT their income, this is their tips - the amount given to them over and above their income! I realise their circumstances are different from regular 9-5 employees, but my point is that $144 is a sizeable amount for most of the world (perhaps not in the USA?) and not that far off the average single pension for a UK pensioner. Also, you forgot that the $144 is assuming that all crew members are included when sharing out the auto grats - they aren't! So the figure will be quite a lot higher than this for those that are.

As I said I am not against auto grats but I cannot understand this never ending conversation about how much extra should be given over and above this amount. If what Cunard say is true then all the staff on board, from the lowest grade upwards, should do very nicely thank you on auto tips alone so please don't lose any sleep about it. Also If someone feels they want to give a particular crew member a little extra they should just do it and stop making such a song and dance about it on this board. after all cash is a personal thing, some of us have lots to spread around and others don't.

[Alona]

Having read the various comments to my original question. To the gentleman who says "that if I cannot afford it I should not cruise". What kind of world does he live in. When you have a large family on the cruise, it works out quite expensive. Taking into account we always tip generously our waiters, head waiter and cabin stewards etc. What I don't like is the manner that Cunard present it on your onboard account i.e.

"for your convenience we have debited your account".

[Jimsgirl]

I am a passenger who removes the auto tip. I tip those members of staff who go "beyond" average in their attitude and service.

 

If they choose to share it with others that is their concern, I do not feel Cunard (or any other entity) should automatically add to my bill and call it "for my convenience" .

 

I am not mean or stingy, I just do not think anyone else should put their hand in my wallet, or decide to give my money to someone I have never seen.

 

This of course is just my own personal opinion, which is that service has gone down since the introduction of the auto tip, why bother to do something extra when you can get extra money for doing nothing?

[southwestie]

Alona

 

Let me just say that those who think removing the auto tip is rare should stand near the pursars office and watch on the first/second day, the long line is people removing the auto tip, it is a far biger percentage than people will let on, I have many people who say they dont remove it and have seen them doing it, its an interesting subject.

 

other lines have auto tips that are no where near the $11 a day that cunard charge, both P&O and RCL are lower.

 

I am happy to tip on the auto tip, BUT would be more than happy not too for poor service, which Is rare on QM2/QV

 

Now while I pay the tips and I am to pay the tips, let ask, WHY should I be told to pay it and only be told in small print that it is optional.

 

Alona, if your have to pay the auto tip then do so, if you get any poor service you CAN remove it up until the last evening, if you dont want to poay it then pay those who have given good service to you and yours, if you really dont want to a tip at all, then its your choice, dont pay it, its your voyage, your money and dont worry about anyone who would make you feel guilty for not doing so.

 

are the crew underpaid, I cant say, but tipping should subsidise the wages that cunard pay the crew, the crew work and agree to the money they get, tips are an extra.

[southwestie]

Do you feel bad when being served in a shop by staff on minimum wage? Do you give them an extra 15% for being pleasant and efficient. Don't answer because I already know, and by the way I am one of those on minimum wage, albeit part time!!

 

 

Too right, I do a small part time job, on not much above minimum wage, but I love getting up , popping into work for a few hours, meeting people I know, I have a wonderful social life though it as well.

 

I am happy thats what I do/what i get, I get a lot more from my investments.

 

Do I get a tip, NO, do I want one, we cant take them if if I did:)

 

the lower paid crew get far more than would at home working as well, they send home a lot more money than family could earn.

 

so dont let people make you feel guilty about the auto tip, tip if you want to tip , and as I said before watch them line at the deck and remove them , you know they when the large white form is handed over the deck :)

[Norfolk Brit]

I agree with Nippy. I'll be removing auto tip with out a seconds thought. There will probably be a queue of pax on Day 1 asking to remove auto tip.

 

One problem with this attitude: if the majority starts doing it, Cunard will simply pay the staff more, stop the auto-tip, and add the additional cost to the bottom line.

 

Without being even remotely mystically inclined, I predict that the increase will be more than the auto-tip.

 

Mary

[britsbest]

A voice of sanity from Rob!

[goose30]

I always tip extra when they bring me the Clotted Cream.

[Ray66]

One problem with this attitude: if the majority starts doing it, Cunard will simply pay the staff more, stop the auto-tip, and add the additional cost to the bottom line.

 

Without being even remotely mystically inclined, I predict that the increase will be more than the auto-tip.

 

Mary

 

I wish they would do that and then that would be the end of it.

[Ray66]

That's fine. At present those who pay the auto tip are subsidising those who don't and that isn't right.

[britsbest]

That's fine. At present those who pay the auto tip are subsidising those who don't and that isn't right.

 

The answer, Ray, is in your own hands.....or wallet!

[pnhmrk]

I wish they would do that and then that would be the end of it.

 

Except then people would be asking do "I need to tip on Cunard?". And you'd still get people from countries where tipping is the norm giving away their dollars like they were going out of fashion :rolleyes:

[southwestie]

A voice of sanity from Rob!

 

 

LOL, your right, but I am afraid there are a few on here that will say different.

 

Besides I dont think the lines will increase the fares, many, many people tip.

 

I am not say dont tip, I am saying you tip if and only if you want too tip.and no one is subsidising anyone by not tipping, those who pay the auto tip then that goes to who ever around the ship, some pay a cash tip to who they get good service from, so just dont bother, all it means is that the tips are smaller-or-large depending on tips who-or, not, BUT no one will make me tip if I dont want too .

 

But I am pleased to say, so far I have always tipped and auto tipped:)