Tipping Observation

[kroozers]

First of all...the OP is a troll. He was neither looking for info or offering any with his post - just throwing a grenade and running. Secondly - even if he was serious, I'd suggest he's simultaneously thinking too much and not enough about what he's saying. He's not capable of understanding the economics involved in explaining it to him so I won't even waste my time. I'd encourage CCers not to get sucked in to his attempts to rile us up.

[usafchick1980]

I'm truly just curious, is this something you have put into practice just since you turned 18 in May, or something your parents have done on your 8 or so other cruises before you were 18? Either way, you have read enough here to know you will just get flamed, so what was your point in starting this thread?

 

That was my thought exactly

[okgirl]

I'm all for cruise lines to just start calling it a service charge. I don't want them to start paying the workers more because ulimately that charge will be passed on to me and then I'll be expected to tip on top of that. I tip on the top of auto gratuities at the time of service.

 

I don't agree with removing tips because I don't believe anyone who does so actually hands an individual tip to the 3 people in the MDR that it's split up between, the 2 people servicing their cabins and just how do you identify and tip the other people that are covered by the extra $1.

[H82seaUgo]

I'm all for cruise lines to just start calling it a service charge.

 

i'm not. we just had a place we went to go from tipping to a service change, and now charge 15% of the total bill.

[Elmer McCurdy]

I'm a little confused why some posters are attacking the OP for not tipping. I don't see it anywhere on OP's post that he/she is not planning to tip. The OP said he/she didn't agree with the cruiseline dictating the exact amount of gratuity and automatically charging it to the passenger's account. Why can't it be like in restaurants where you determine the tip based on service and give the tip after service has been rendered except if you're a big group?

 

 

Well, that's not how it works. You see, the tips don't get charged until the end of the week and you have plenty of time to go and adjust them accordingly. Most people don't because they don't feel strongly enough to actually do anything about it. And I'll be honest with you, $10 a day in gratuities isn't a lot of money. (Sorry folks, but it's not. Especially not if you eat out a lot. It's not like you're ordering Domino's Pizza here.) But taking the tips off for no other reason to take them off usually points to someone who's either not going to tip or going to not include everyone providing service.

[bighairtexan]

Regarding auto tips. I've been cruising for about 30 years. When tipping used to be handled w/ an envelope of cash passed to the service person on the last day of cruising it was simply ghastly how many folks opted to eat room service or buffet or who knows what on that last day to avoid facing the wait staff and having to tip them. I'd say approximately 25% (sometimes more) didn't show up to the dining room the last night. Sure sure sure. Everyone was too busy packing to do the dining room. Right.

[JoFromFL]

Regarding auto tips. I've been cruising for about 30 years. When tipping used to be handled w/ an envelope of cash passed to the service person on the last day of cruising it was simply ghastly how many folks opted to eat room service or buffet or who knows what on that last day to avoid facing the wait staff and having to tip them. I'd say approximately 25% (sometimes more) didn't show up to the dining room the last night. Sure sure sure. Everyone was too busy packing to do the dining room. Right.

 

In spite of the reason for the OP's post, there are some very good reasons for the auto-gratuity practice that I'd like to point out.

 

First, the quote above: Absolutely true!!! It's been a few years since I sailed RCCL, but the last time with them, the second to last night they distributed luggage tags, a sheet with guidelines and envelopes for waitsaff and stewards, plus the maitre d. The MDR was at best, half full. There was no automatic gratuity. I felt bad because I knew those empty seats equated to no tips.

 

My first cruise, I was 19 and not with parents. We were part of a group of about 80 people (a bowling league.). None of the information given pre-cruise mentioned tips. Even though I had a job working for tips, and generally tipped very well, I never thought about having to tip. The final morning of the trip, we received envelopes for tips along with the daily actvity sheet. Fortuately, I still had enough cash to cover the tips. My boyfriend however, lost ALL his money by the second night in the casino. How many other first-time cruisers may not be aware of the tipping policy? I'm reasonably intelligent, yet because we were told everything except alcohol was included, I assumed I'd be tipping for cocktails, but assumed everything else was taken care of with the price.

 

I agree that I find the automatic tips convenient. I also like knowing when planning for the trip, that we need $X for tips. (And personally, I think $10 pp/pd is a bargain!) Now, we also tip the room steward and waiter on the first night. Why? Because it let's them know we appreciate them and we make any special requests at the same time. We also tip on the last night based on the service received. We've had outstanding service EVERY cruise, even to the level meriting a letter to HQ to rave about an employee. With service that good, something extra is appropriate as well.

 

While I agree in theory that employers should have to pay service personnel at least minimum wage, it isn't going to happen. And any good server would probably tell you they'd rather work for the tips.

[1midsun]

Don't agree. For example, I walk into a sit down restaurant knowing I will be tipping. I walk in the door with a 15% attitude. That 15% is for average service. For good service, I give 20%. For great service, I increase to 25%. For below average, I decrease to 10%. And for horrid, I leave a penny so the server knows they were horrid and not just being stiffed.

I like the convenience of having gratuties added - that way I don't have to seek out everyone who serves me (unless they provided better than average service - so I can give them extra) and have to worry about taking all that extra cash and time.

Furthermore, if the industry starts paying them a higher wage, they will raise the base fare to cover this. Then people will complain they are charging too much.

 

I agree with this post, as this is what I do. I start at 15% and the tip goes up or down from there!!!

 

Happy Cruising!!

[luddite]

Hello

 

I know I am going to get flamed for this and going to be called a troll. Just because my post count is low, doesn't mean I am one. I am a long time reader, just don't post often. I have been a member since December of 2009.

 

One of the first things I do when I get onboard is remove my automatic gratuities. I do know the crew works hard, but I don't appreciate a company telling me how much to tip. A tip is given when you get good service and you are at the discretion of you, only to decide on what to give. The company should pay the employees a salary that doesn't rely on customer's tips.

 

All of this wrong on several levels.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

They actually AREN'T paid in advance. They are charged to your card at the end of your vacation, AFTER you have recieved days of service. And it's only $10 per day, to be served good food, your room cleaned TWICE a day, and many other needs you may have. Whats the big deal about $10, if you've allready spent $$$$$ on the cruise/airfare? :confused:

 

We have been back since saturday and it still hasnt hit my card. lol

 

Speaking of the amount of the cruise/airfare compared to the tips how about the one's who tell you to not buy the soda sticker until the ship leaves port? I believe it's $3 and some change in tax.

 

After spending all that money on the cruise I'm certainly not worrying about that little amount and I'm as cheap as they come.:p

 

<No offense intended to anybody who doesn't buy the soda sticker until the ship departs.>

 

Bill

[Silverman]

I just dont understand why people get in such a hissy fit over tipping. Tip if you want to, dont tip if you want to. Who cares. There shouldnt be 3 to 4 pages on the subject. Get over it already!!! Yes I do tip good if the service warrants it. The key word there is "if".

[slotten]

Don't agree. For example, I walk into a sit down restaurant knowing I will be tipping. I walk in the door with a 15% attitude. That 15% is for average service. For good service, I give 20%. For great service, I increase to 25%. For below average, I decrease to 10%. And for horrid, I leave a penny so the server knows they were horrid and not just being stiffed.

I like the convenience of having gratuties added - that way I don't have to seek out everyone who serves me (unless they provided better than average service - so I can give them extra) and have to worry about taking all that extra cash and time.

Furthermore, if the industry starts paying them a higher wage, they will raise the base fare to cover this. Then people will complain they are charging too much.

 

Haven't read the entire thread yet, but I agree 100%!! Servers are paid based on their tips, how much they earn corresponds with how well they do their job. From what I have read previously on other posts, other than simply removing your tips, why not just change them to suit what you feel is appropriate on the last day? For me, the convenience of having them already worked in is a bonus. I had the option to prepay mine when I booked my cruise yesterday and I did that. One less thing to worry about having to carry cash for!!

[slotten]

We have been back since saturday and it still hasnt hit my card. lol

 

Speaking of the amount of the cruise/airfare compared to the tips how about the one's who tell you to not buy the soda sticker until the ship leaves port? I believe it's $3 and some change in tax.

 

After spending all that money on the cruise I'm certainly not worrying about that little amount and I'm as cheap as they come.:p

 

<No offense intended to anybody who doesn't buy the soda sticker until the ship departs.>

 

Bill

 

What is the soda sticker and how do I go about purchasing it?

[cardqb]

Saw a lot of posts concerned about a living wage.. but the big questions is to what standards? American living wage? Mexican? Iraqi? They don't need to earn the median income for the Unitied States to make a decent living.

 

Sure, we shell out our American dollars here and there and they might mean little to us. But just a few dollars adds up to a lot more in other countries where some of the crew are from. Depending on where they are from, they can live pretty well from the money they get from Carnival plus the tips they receive.. probably why so many send money home back to their families! They become the rich uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, etc. that works on the ship.

 

I too disagree with the pre-paid gratuities, as it doesn't give the crew any incentive to perform above and beyond to provide great service. If they know they are working for tips at the end of the cruise, they will do a better job. Now hopefully they have pride and do a great job no matter what, but I'm sure there are some that don't. Just read some posts and complaints on the boards.

 

That's just my 2 cents... and don't bother flaming me, I don't care and won't read it anyway. If you disagree, then we agree to disagree. Peace!

[capndinghy]

People who remove the automatic tips are out and out Cheapskates. If you cannot or will not give the proper gratuity you should NOT be Cruising, plain and simple.

I am so sick of seeing these self important deadbeats trying to justify their actions.

[okwriter]

There shouldnt be 3 to 4 pages on the subject.

 

Ah, but it's so entertaining! :D

[gsxr_moe]

Regarding tipping.. Why do they charge me a 15% when I get a drink.. SHouldn't that be covered in my auto tip???? I'm just sayin..:D

[gsxr_moe]

People who remove the automatic tips are out and out Cheapskates. If you cannot or will not give the proper gratuity you should NOT be Cruising, plain and simple.

I am so sick of seeing these self important deadbeats trying to justify their actions.

 

Who died and made you God of who should and shouldn't be crusing???. Obviously they should be cruising, because they are..ON the cruise ship.. Now if that person chooses not to tip, that is their choice... Cheap or not...

[quickrate]

Regarding tipping.. Why do they charge me a 15% when I get a drink.. SHouldn't that be covered in my auto tip???? I'm just sayin..:D

Buying a drink is an"extra"-just like buying a drink in a restaurant. so, no that wouldn't be covered by auto tip. Just saying!

Pat

[golfb4cruzing]

Somebody please shut off the lights and let the troll go back to the woods.

[joeyancho]

People who remove the automatic tips are out and out Cheapskates. If you cannot or will not give the proper gratuity you should NOT be Cruising, plain and simple.

I am so sick of seeing these self important deadbeats trying to justify their actions.

 

To quote Lary King;

"Well said"

[love2sale]

I'm truly just curious, is this something you have put into practice just since you turned 18 in May, or something your parents have done on your 8 or so other cruises before you were 18? Either way, you have read enough here to know you will just get flamed, so what was your point in starting this thread?

 

 

They were bored and wanted to see the reaction of people.. Y else would you start a thread with I know I'm gonna get flamed????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All, I have to say to the OP is live in your room for a week or however long and tell your steward not to worry with your room. Don't eat in the dining room and have people waiting on you. Might not be up to your specs but, hey they have more tables than just yours! You goof ball......... Figure what they really work for an hour with your little teeny tiny tip! $10's per day for like 4 people.......... WOW!!!!!!!!!! That's pennies!

[Daisydaisy20]

Let's accept blame where it's due. The travel industry is largely driven by the lowest price. We want the lowest airfare, the best rate on a hotel, the cheapest cruise fare. Who can blame cruise lines, really, for hiding the true cost of a cruise in "optional" gratuities and other add-ons? Sure, it's not above board, but who's the problem in this scenario, the cruise line, the passenger, or the hard working stiff who's waiting on you hand and foot and who hasn't had the same opportunities you have as an American? If your problem is the automatic gratuities, boycott the cruise line that charges them! Don't stiff the poor kid who works hard for whatever he can get. By doing the latter, you allow the cruise line to cast you in the role of the bad guy, while it deflects blame from itself. Consider the standard gratuity to be part of the cost. If you don't want to or can't pay it, stay home or cruise with a truly all-inclusive line. Otherwise, accept the fact you're making yourself look like a jerk.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

What is the soda sticker and how do I go about purchasing it?

 

the soda sticker is available at any bar the first 2 days of the cruise and it cost $6 per day, per person plus 15% gratuity for adults 18 and up.

 

17 and under it's $4.50 per day, per person plus $15% gratuity.

 

It was $51.66 for a 7 day cruise because we purchased before the ship left port.

 

If you wait until the ship hits international waters you will save $3.36.

 

Bill

[gsxr_moe]

Buying a drink is an"extra"-just like buying a drink in a restaurant. so, no that wouldn't be covered by auto tip. Just saying!

Pat

 

 

Do they charge extra if I buy a special coffee, Cake or candy in the candy shop????? I've never ordered any so I wouldn't know..... Oh and the tip is included when eating in the steak resturant, the tip should just be included in the price of the drinks as well............