Rare TPKeller Posted April 9, 2005 #26 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Check this one out http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-zcarn08apr08,0,5316641.story?coll=sfla-business-headlines Wow, that's a very interesting article... I would assume the terms of the contract are true... wouldn't submitting a false supporting document in a lawsuit essentially be a form of perjury? That does work out pretty close to the commonly held $50 per month salary. Scottie99, Some folks here would no doubt agree with your plea to do away with tipping and just pay a living wage. However, I'd like to point out that the culture you disagree with is not a USA thing, but a cruise line thing. The marketers do everything they can to keep the published fares and actual ticket prices as low as possible. The tips are extra, and they are in reality the salary of those folks who are working so hard to make your cruise a great experience. Please don't blame the United States for the business model the cruise line management has chosen to use. We may tip more than Europeans, but we aren't responsible for the level of imbalance (between wage and tip) that you find on most cruise lines. By the way, for those who do choose to tip in cash, the calculator found at the link below is a big help in preparing the envelopes... it'll help you get all the right bills with only one trip to the casino/purser's desk, whatever your source of cash is! :) Theron http://members.aol.com/CruiseTip/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nho9504 Posted April 9, 2005 #27 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Can I be controversail? Do all you Americans realise the rest of the civilised world find your tipping culture uncomfortable to say the least ( if not downright insulting and patronising to the workforce of the worlds richest country). Yes , in the UK we do tip people but not in the mindless way you folks in the USA fell compelled to. If a waitress brings a drink to our table we give a tip but if we go to the bar and collect a drink ourselves we do not feel compelled to give the barman a couple of pounds (or dollars). In the UK (worlds 4th richest economy) we try to pay a living wage (governed by a Statutary Minimum Pay as decided by the Government) so we do not have the undignified spectacle scenario of coach drivers, porters etc touting for tips. I realise market forces will drive a workforce to the cruise industry from ''third world economies' ( currently East Europe) but PLEASE pay a decent wage. Treat them with dignity. Dont have them performing like trained animals to earn their tips. If this is insulting to your people, how come on every and each occasion, in restaurant, theatre, bar, taxi ride, everyone is happily accepting tips ? I can tell you the only places that are truly not accustom to tipping are : JAPAN, AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND. In Japan, tipping is indeed a no no. However, in better hotels and restaurants, an automatic 10 to 15% service charges are added to your bill. In Australia and New Zealand, no one expects tips but when you do tip, say, in restaurant, you should leave cash, like the small changes, but not to leave as a % of the bill and add to your credit card. We did not realize that and left it on the credit card as we normally did in U.S. Later we found out the employer had to separate the tip amount from the bill and did the credit card charges accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted April 9, 2005 #28 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Hey Phil:D you won't win this one;) you can keep trying, but I know you better~you may try to come across to others as crass, but you really have one of the biggest HEARTS in the world.:) And if you didn't Marti would fix that quick LOL So, have you thought anymore about sailing to Bermuda with me? I keep telling you, I have the wine for the first 2 nights:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveweese Posted April 9, 2005 #29 Share Posted April 9, 2005 I would not stress about paying in either fashion. Both will work out fine and benefit the employee. I myself enjoy tipping for the wonderful service, but would not be afraid to cut it down if the service was poor. Which has never happened yet on any cruise lucky for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottie99 Posted April 9, 2005 #30 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Actually I have cruised on P&O and other UK lines several times but surely thats not the answer. Is it unreasonable to to give an observation on how a lot of the rest of the world view some aspects of American culture (in this case, tipping) Can you guys not handle any criticism? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TPKeller Posted April 9, 2005 #31 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Actually I have cruised on P&O and other UK lines several times but surely thats not the answer. Is it unreasonable to to give an observation on how a lot of the rest of the world view some aspects of American culture (in this case, tipping) Can you guys not handle any criticism? As I said: Cruise tipping is set up by the management of the cruise line. American culture has nothing to do with it. Tipping in general in American culture is not really on topic here. Theron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising with marti Posted April 9, 2005 #32 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Lois, Ok, I give up,but can't you please stop spreading the rumor that I am a good guy, it interferes with the image I am trying to create;) Scottie As other posters have stated, tipping on cruise ships is not an American thing and by the way we are not mindless. I have yet to travel in Europe or the U.K. where tipping was not required or at least expected. Phil Lois, yes we are still considering your Sept. cruise, but Geeze no balconies, not even in suites:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prewelli Posted April 9, 2005 #33 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Scottie is talking rubbish but that is because the scots are incredibly 'careful' - an anachronism for mean. We come from Devon in England and respect that when in a foreign country you respect the culture of that country. People do like tips in England I can assure you - we were in the leisure industry for 20 years and know that tips represented the difference between breadline and cakes! Interestingly after 7 cruises when we booked this time it was a fait accompli that the service was added to our bill at the TA. Maybe they get extra commission - by the time we got the account we felt that to change it would be too much hassle! We will tip extra for good service as we would have done under the old system. The staff work incredibly hard to ensure guests have a good time and appreciation sghould always be rewarded. If someone in my village does me a favour in my village on Dartmoor I always say thank you with flowers or chocolates this is the same principle. When last on Summit the young lady in the hairdressers refused to take anything for 'snipping' my fringe but I made sure she got a bottle of wine. If we all appreciated each other more the world would be a better place. As an accountant though it occurs to me that Celebrity will get the benefit and extra interest of the cash flow generatged by adding tips to the bill..................... Happy cruising all........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruising with marti Posted April 9, 2005 #34 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Thank you Prewelli Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFT_LOVER Posted April 9, 2005 #35 Share Posted April 9, 2005 We do the same & they enjoy the little giggle written in the card with the cash. I always watch them put it in their inside pocket like it is special to them. Now I am hearing the competition is adding gratuities onto cruise rate so no tips given........... to me that is crude. Always cash from me as well. And I don't use those envelopes they supply either.I bring Thank You Cards with me and the cash goes inside with a small note. I always feel better doing things that way. Just a bit more personal (to me anyway). The wait staff and cabin attendants always take such good care of me~I feel like a card is the least I can do in return.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted April 9, 2005 #36 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Hi Phil:) No balconies, sorry:( Awwww......bet you will have fun anyway:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newmexicoNita Posted April 9, 2005 #37 Share Posted April 9, 2005 We do the same & they enjoy the little giggle written in the card with the cash. I always watch them put it in their inside pocket like it is special to them. Now I am hearing the competition is adding gratuities onto cruise rate so no tips given........... to me that is crude. I don't think I would use the term Crude, but I do love to do the tipping. We can always, still give a few extra $$ and make the crew happy that way. NMnita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casavaha Posted April 9, 2005 #38 Share Posted April 9, 2005 It is my understanding that if you put the tip on your account the employees do not receive it right away. Sometimes as much as two weeks. I like cash, and the face to face. If the service is poor I like to inform the person why my tip is low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judyfssw Posted April 10, 2005 #39 Share Posted April 10, 2005 I usually place my tips in envelopes before I leave home. I place, in the envelope, the minimum amount suggested by the cruiseline. If I've received service that I feel warrants a larger amount (and it always happens), I add to the envelope. Lois, I do like the idea of the note card. From now on, I will place our money in one and bring with us. Great idea!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcrandle Posted April 10, 2005 #40 Share Posted April 10, 2005 Actually I have cruised on P&O and other UK lines several times but surely thats not the answer. Is it unreasonable to to give an observation on how a lot of the rest of the world view some aspects of American culture (in this case, tipping) Can you guys not handle any criticism?I can, if it is based on fact. The fact is that the custom of tipping, particularly in regards cruise line personnel, is world-wide, not USA only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brigittetom Posted April 10, 2005 #41 Share Posted April 10, 2005 [quote name='cruising with marti'] [b]Lois, yes we are still considering your Sept. cruise, but Geeze no balconies, not even in suites:confused: [/b][/QUOTE] There is ONE balcony. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesp Posted April 10, 2005 #42 Share Posted April 10, 2005 DW and I used the ship account charge for tips on S/S Norway. We went to the pursers office and purchased what vouchers that looked like gift certificates. We told them the number of vouchers we wanted and in what amounts. We put those vouchers in the tip envelopes on the last evening. It worked for us and the staff seemed happy when we saw them later. Celebrity did not offer this service when we were on Galaxy in 2002, so we used cash. As for tipping in general, our on cruise on the Delta Queen and the Independence, we tipped one of the lounge solo piano players on each ship! They both provided that extra touch in talent and atmosphere on our cruise and we wanted to express our thanks to them on tip night. ;) Wesley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catmommy Posted April 10, 2005 #43 Share Posted April 10, 2005 When DH and I cruised on the NCL Crown last May the woman who did my nails in the spa told me she had all of her tip money stolen. I have no reason not to believe her so that might be one more reason to not give direct cash tips. Based on what I've read here we may try the "pre-tipping" that other folks have mentioned to the room steward and/or dining room waiter. Of course I don't know if we can do it as smoothly as som of you seem to; I don't want to offend someone by accident. Calm seas, Caroline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.