Another tipping angle - Are the Cheapest Cruisers the most upset?

[Gypsywych]

I wouldn't have any issue with the increase except for the fact that it is going to people whom I think should be considered salaried by Carnival. Carnival is advertising it as the first increase in 10 years, but those tipped individuals really aren't seeing much of an increase. Instead, Carnival is spreading the tip pool among more employees so they can pay them less.

 

Now keeping in mind that the money for employee salaries is ultimately going to come from the guest in one form or another (tips or increased fares to pay increased base wages), I can't be that upset by it, but I would rather Carnival keep the old tipping structure in place (dining room and cabin staff) and spread the extra $1.50 amongst them rather than adding entertainment staff and guest services staff to the tip pool. The fact that Carnival is now including entertainment staff in the tip pool is only one step above allowing them to put a hat or violin case out in front of the stage.

 

I think that the staff deserves every cent of what amounts to a 15% increase over a 10 year period (averages out to 1.5% increase per year), but I'd rather see it go to the dining room and stateroom staff and have Carnival bundle the entertainment and guest services staff salaries into the base cost of the cruise.

 

Just my two cents.

 

 

EXACTLY! Thank you!

[ferfoodle]

Just to clarify this

but those tipped individuals really aren't seeing much of an increase.

 

Let's figure this out. Each steward has what- 10 cabins? 15 cabins? (I really don't know). But at a minimum 10 cabins, all with at least 2 people. That is another $300 a month ? ($1 a day x 10 cabins x 30 days). That is not so bad honestly.

 

I rather agree about where some of it is going, but a $300 a month raise x12 months =$3,600 a year.

 

(Which is more of a raise than many of them would be making in total at home)

 

The stewards are getting $0.20 per day per person increase. They average 20 rooms and they have assistants in which this also gets shared with. I think your math is too high for the stewards.

[iwannacruznow]

[rybreadsmomshubby]

You worry about how you spend your money and let others worry about how they spend their money.

 

Who are you to decide what others should or should or not be doing with their money?

 

Carnival's structure allows that this tipping be "optional" so, quite simply, the passengers have the option (as they see fit for themselves) to pay or not. :)

[steveNcindy]

Carnival's structure allows that this tipping be "optional" so, quite simply, the passengers have the option (as they see fit for themselves) to pay or not. :)

 

Sums it up perfectly...

[italianfemmy]

I always book the cheapest INTERIOR room. Why? Because it forces me to step out of my room and onto the SHIP. It forces me to mingle and interact and make new friends. It forces me to talk to the crew and get to know them better. It forces me to not hole myself up in the room.

 

I ALWAYS spend at least 2-3 times my cruise fare on other things. The cost to get on the Ship doesn't even scratch the surface. On our last cruise, we paid $850 for the two of us to sail. Total spent was $3,400. We didn't even have to fly as we live 4 hours from the port we sailed from.

 

We paid extra in gratuities.

We played several games of Bingo.

We gambled in the casino.

We bought gifts for our friends back home and their kids.

We did spa treatments.

We dined in the specialty restaurants.

We bought photos.

We bought soda cards.

We bought alcohol.

We paid for shore excursions for every single port of call.

And we bought fun items at each port of call too.

 

We don't rush back to the ship to eat the "free" lunch when in port. We don't worry about those things. I own 2 companies. I make more per hour when I am shooting than it costs me for one passenger ticket on a week long voyage.

 

Regardless of all of that, I still see both sides on the tipping issue.

I don't fit into your categories. But I think everyone has a right to their own voice.

[Vanessa L]

After reading through the cornucopia of tipping threads the last 2 days, I am starting to think:

 

a) People who don't book the cheapest cabin available and don't worry too much about the on board account are not too bent about this. It is $1.50 pp pd after all in extra cost - not a real deal breaker.

 

b) People who do book the cheapest cabin available and worry about the on board account are very upset by this. This change may make it impossible to vacation for less than $59 pp pd for a week.

 

c) People who are maybe possibly vacationing on a cruise ship when they shouldn't be as their finances don't allow it are very upset by this. When $3.00 a couple extra could make or break a vacation, another less expensive vacation may well be in order.

 

d) Many people seem to be deciding who this new redistribution of tips are going to and are very upset about it. I have read nothing, except here, that says the fella washing the towels is now getting extra. I have not read anything, other than here, that says the assistant to the assistant to the junior assistant cruise director in waiting is getting a cut to host Trivia. This seems to upset many people.

 

e) Some people just need to reinforce their tin foil hats, there is no conspiracy. Just an adjustment to bring the recommended gratuity amount in line with other lines. Maybe, just maybe, Carnival is losing good staff to competitors and that is another reason service seems to be slipping.

 

f) If all this bothers you too much, you maybe don't realize gratuities are still optional - both in the amount you tip and how you tip. You still have control - make your decision and do what seems right to you.

 

I personally, right or wrong, don't really care too much. If I cruise again, I will do what I have done in the past. Leave the auto tip alone, let Carnival divvy it up and go about my merry way. I am on vacation and am not going to stick money in 22 different envelopes and run around the ship trying to get everyone. I get one southern warm escape winter vacation per year and the extra $1.50 per person per day does not make me want to go to this trouble. If the staff don't like the way things are done, they are free to seek employment in greener pastures.

 

Love

Steve

 

We usually book an OV or BL. We did the Victory on 10/16 and with a $100 OBC from stock, our S&S bill was $160 for the week. Obviously, that included tips. We are not big spenders on board.

 

I do agree 100% that if anyone is cruising at a point in their lives where $21 for 2 or $42 for 4 is literally going to strain the budget completely out of the ballpark, I implore those people to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE rethink your vacation plans. If you have read this board for any length of time you know that 1 of a zillion what-ifs can happen that may cause you an additional output of money (such as lost luggage, missed flights, illness, injury, etc) and it seriously does not make any sense to sail that close to the budget edge. Anything can happen. If you cannot afford $21 or $42, something big would be beyond devastating. There are so many other affordable options (try a stay-cation!) that it makes much more sense to wait until one can budget for emergencies before heading out of one's country.

 

I do think that the only people whining about these changes are those who are vacationing above their means and literally do not have one cent above the basic cruise cost left in the bank to cover any incidentals, planned or otherwise. These are the people who also say, "Nothing is ever going to happen to me." I am not so old that I don't remember being young and naive and thinking the same thing.

[5waldos]

The stewards are getting $0.20 per day per person increase. They average 20 rooms and they have assistants in which this also gets shared with. I think your math is too high for the stewards.

 

Thanks- that is closer to $2,190 a year (assuming $.15 for steward, $0.05 for assistant). The average annual family income in the Phillipines (where many of the workers come from) 3 years ago was $4,001.40 USD.

 

Just saying.

[iTouch]

The stewards are getting $0.20 per day per person increase. They average 20 rooms and they have assistants in which this also gets shared with. I think your math is too high for the stewards.

 

20 cents now? It was reported earlier 50 cents.......oh I'm soooo cornfused.......thank goodness for the auto tips:D Now all I have to worry about is fun and sun......

[BeachChik]

a) b) People who do book the cheapest cabin available and worry about the on board account are very upset by this. This change may make it impossible to vacation for less than $59 pp pd for a week.

 

Some people need to be very careful about what they spend and cruising is a real treat for them. I think your comments are rather condescending. If there are more than a couple of you this can be real money if you are having to watch every penny.

 

And also interesting that you rarely hear this kind of statement when the issue of smuggling booze onboard comes up. Then- I don't even know what to say. In fact what are you really saving?

 

So true. I have no dog in the fight as I have nothing currently booked. But I also find it amusing that people are called cheap by the same ones that smuggle booze. Tad bit hypocritical IMO. I read a thread about a woman asking about sharing a soda card and was attacked to the point of people accusing her of stealing yet the booze smugglers get a free pass.

 

I don't see how changing your tips is cheap but smuggling isn't. When no matter how you rationalize it, you smuggle to save on your bar bill. And we could say in turn are cheating the bartender out of tips.

 

All in all I could care less what you do with your tips or booze. Its your personal choices not mine. You tip how you feel is fair ans others will do the same. End of story. Repeated threads will never change anyone's mind.

[italianfemmy]

20 cents now? It was reported earlier 50 cents.......oh I'm soooo cornfused.......thank goodness for the auto tips:D Now all I have to worry about is fun and sun......

 

Lol. You're such a smart butt... funny sometimes.. not so much other times. lol.

[kerrytens]

20 cents now? It was reported earlier 50 cents.......oh I'm soooo cornfused.......thank goodness for the auto tips:D Now all I have to worry about is fun and sun......

Have to agree - not really going to overthink things here. Pay the fee and add if I want. Seems simple to me.

 

Bring on the fun & sun folks ... that is what I'll worry about:D

[Kaseybear16]

My husband and I are careful with our money and the extra 1.50 isn't a huge deal but I can see it being a big deal to a large family on a tight budget. My only issue with this increase is how it was handled by Carnival. I worked for a tour company that had their own contracted air rates and and when fuel surcharges were going to increase the contacted all booked guests and gave them the option to make payment and not have to pay the increase. Yes, the company had to absorb some cost but it was good customer service and a lot of the guest come back year after year and expect that high level.

 

Yes, you can have your tip amount lowered or removed but it is inconvenient and I can't imagine doing it. I would have liked to have seen Carnival send out an email announcing the increase but saying to those already booked that they are grandfathered in at the 10pp, per day. Perhaps give the option to log in online and change it to the new higher amount prior to the cruise.

 

I would have opted for the higher amount but it would have been better if Carnival had gone about it in a better way. I feel they are lacking in customer service and going above and beyond to keep their guests happy.

[iTouch]

Just curious. If you smuggle booze on board is that not being cheap? Sure you spend a chunk on drinks but clearly you spend less than if you didn't smuggle.

 

Enjoy your drinks though. I will enjoy mine as well when Bon Voyage delivers them to my stateroom. :D

 

If you call a sail and sign bill of $1500 for 2 people on a 7 day cruise cheap.......than sure.....

[richstowe]

steveNcindy

Are the Cheapest Cruisers the most upset?

 

I don't understand your point. The cheapest cruisers won't have any problem with this increase because

they won't pay it! As you pointed out these tips are voluntary so regardless if it's 10 or 12 or 15 or 20, these people will deduct it.

How about leaving it as is and make it a mandatory fee. Frankly I am not thrilled with making up for the cheapest cruisers.

I am sure 10 PP from everybody is more then 11.50 from those who actually pay.Heck, it may be 13 or 14$'s.

Also you are free to tip extra to those you really appreciated.

 

I wouldn't have any issue with the increase except for the fact that it is going to people whom I think should be considered salaried by Carnival. Carnival is advertising it as the first increase in 10 years, but those tipped individuals really aren't seeing much of an increase. Instead, Carnival is spreading the tip pool among more employees so they can pay them less.

 

Just my two cents.

Like your 2 cents.

[iTouch]

Lol. You're such a smart butt... funny sometimes.. not so much other times. lol.

 

Sometimes my brother Scoot gets ahold of my computer:mad:

[ferfoodle]

From Carnival's FAQs:

 

TopWhat is the tipping policy onboard?

Service Gratuities

For your convenience, we automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $11.50 per guest, per day as follows(our recommended guideline effective voyages departing December 1, 2011 and onward):

$ 3.70 - Per Day Stateroom Services

$ 5.80 - Per Day Dining Room Services

$ 2.00 - Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to kitchen, entertainment, guest services and other hotel staff members.

For Cruises-To-Nowhere, gratuities of $11.50 per guest, per day must be prepaid.

Our Staff is totally committed to exceed your expectations in every way possible. If you are not satisfied with the service you receive, we encourage you to contact the Guest Services desk while onboard. This will allow us to address your concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time while onboard. Gratuities will be deemed undisputed unless a request to modify is received prior to disembarking the ship.

For beverage purchases, fifteen percent of the bill is automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge. Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered.

 

http://www.carnival.com/core/faq.aspx?icid=CC_Header_466

 

The stewards were $3.50 per day per person(old wording). Now it is $3.70 per day per person for Stateroom services. So that $0.20 may be going to more than just their assistants...

[trainerdude]

If you call a sail and sign bill of $1500 for 2 people on a 7 day cruise cheap.......than sure.....

 

If smuggling booze is not to save money then explain to me why one would do it?

 

No comment on your sign and sail

Amount. I think that is a private matter how you spend your money.

[Vanessa L]

My husband and I are careful with our money and the extra 1.50 isn't a huge deal but I can see it being a big deal to a large family on a tight budget. My only issue with this increase is how it was handled by Carnival. I worked for a tour company that had their own contracted air rates and and when fuel surcharges were going to increase the contacted all booked guests and gave them the option to make payment and not have to pay the increase. Yes, the company had to absorb some cost but it was good customer service and a lot of the guest come back year after year and expect that high level.

 

Yes, you can have your tip amount lowered or removed but it is inconvenient and I can't imagine doing it. I would have liked to have seen Carnival send out an email announcing the increase but saying to those already booked that they are grandfathered in at the 10pp, per day. Perhaps give the option to log in online and change it to the new higher amount prior to the cruise.

 

I would have opted for the higher amount but it would have been better if Carnival had gone about it in a better way. I feel they are lacking in customer service and going above and beyond to keep their guests happy.

 

You are living in a dream world if you think this would make any difference at all. I can read the posts now, "I missed it by ONE DAY, couldn't they make an exception? Carnival sucks!" "I was going to book tomorrow, but now, thanks to this $21 increase, I am not going to be able to. Carnival sucks." "My sister booked one day before me and even though she got in before me, and our reservations are linked, they are not letting me prepay because I missed the deadline. Carnival sucks." Sorry. The people who are b*tching about this now would find something else to b*tch about. Bank on it.

[honestguy]

I do think that probably more than would admit to it (especially in today's economy) have to watch what they spend very carefully. One of my group in my upcoming cruise is that way- he really is on the edge but wants very much to join in. Every extra $10 does mean something to him. I just don't think that everyone who is cutting corners Should Find Another Way to Vacation.

 

I'm no financial planner, but if a 1.50 a day is going to affect your budget you probably shouldn't be cruising.

[iTouch]

If smuggling booze is not to save money then explain to me why one would do it?

 

No comment on your sign and sail

Amount. I think that is a private matter how you spend your money.

 

They don't carry my brand of to- kill -ya........hey you are the one wondering if people were being cheap if they smuggled......thought giving you an example might help your curiosity........

[5waldos]

If smuggling booze is not to save money then explain to me why one would do it?

 

Ok- now that made me laugh.

[italianfemmy]

I'm no financial planner, but if a 1.50 a day is going to affect your budget you probably shouldn't be cruising.

 

I'm not a therapist but if you can't find something more productive to do with your time than go from thread to thread quoting people who have an issue with the tip increase and telling them how they should live their own lives, perhaps you need to get out more.

[ferfoodle]

You are living in a dream world if you think this would make any difference at all. I can read the posts now, "I missed it by ONE DAY, couldn't they make an exception? Carnival sucks!" "I was going to book tomorrow, but now, thanks to this $21 increase, I am not going to be able to. Carnival sucks." "My sister booked one day before me and even though she got in before me, and our reservations are linked, they are not letting me prepay because I missed the deadline. Carnival sucks." Sorry. The people who are b*tching about this now would find something else to b*tch about. Bank on it.

 

So very true, so very true.

[iTouch]

I'm no financial planner, but if a 1.50 a day is going to affect your budget you probably shouldn't be cruising.

 

And I would think most people would agree with that.......