Gratuities to be added to sea pass account daily.

[hubofhockey]

I have read through 80% of this Thread and have never come across as many Hypocritical people in my whole life.

 

May I start by saying TIPPING is 2nd nature in the US, TIPPING is not an everyday occurance in the UK, out of the Cities. And In this Great Country we pay our people a wage they can live on, and treat everyone as equals.

 

To say all the name calling is from the US calling us Brits STIFFERS, yet post after post is US posters saying we like to do it our way, so much better to hand over Dollar Bills in person. But never state the quantity.

 

For people who have been groomed into thinking the US is the BE all and END all, you all sure are short sighted. Yes we love your Country and enjoy visiting it, Culture People and all. Met some wonderful people and hope the trend continues.

 

Start paying living wages, stop decrying people with different attitudes and beliefs.

 

We have always been in the MDR on the last night, always tipped, always gave a little extra. And I'm not Wealthy just an ordinary working person on an ordinary wage.

 

Now RCI should stop dictating and add the Surcharge into the price, stops all this animosity, and bad banter.

 

Roll on my next Cruise

 

RCI is a US cruise line. When you're on a US cruise line, it really is YOU who should adopt to the American culture of tipping and not expect American companies to adapt to your ways because that's not going to happen. This new policy evens it out for some Americans who just don't like to tip for whatever reason as well as non-Americans who might not adapt too well to the US ways of compensation of service employees.

[P&OMAN]

I have read through 80% of this Thread and have never come across as many Hypocritical people in my whole life.

 

May I start by saying TIPPING is 2nd nature in the US, TIPPING is not an everyday occurance in the UK, out of the Cities. And In this Great Country we pay our people a wage they can live on, and treat everyone as equals.

 

To say all the name calling is from the US calling us Brits STIFFERS, yet post after post is US posters saying we like to do it our way, so much better to hand over Dollar Bills in person. But never state the quantity.

 

For people who have been groomed into thinking the US is the BE all and END all, you all sure are short sighted. Yes we love your Country and enjoy visiting it, Culture People and all. Met some wonderful people and hope the trend continues.

 

Start paying living wages, stop decrying people with different attitudes and beliefs.

 

We have always been in the MDR on the last night, always tipped, always gave a little extra. And I'm not Wealthy just an ordinary working person on an ordinary wage.

 

Now RCI should stop dictating and add the Surcharge into the price, stops all this animosity, and bad banter.

 

Roll on my next Cruise

 

 

I could not agree with you more on every single word you have written and I think this sums it up for most UK cruisers.

[Scotland01]

I have read through 80% of this Thread and have never come across as many Hypocritical people in my whole life.

 

May I start by saying TIPPING is 2nd nature in the US, TIPPING is not an everyday occurance in the UK, out of the Cities. And In this Great Country we pay our people a wage they can live on, and treat everyone as equals.

 

To say all the name calling is from the US calling us Brits STIFFERS, yet post after post is US posters saying we like to do it our way, so much better to hand over Dollar Bills in person. But never state the quantity.

 

For people who have been groomed into thinking the US is the BE all and END all, you all sure are short sighted. Yes we love your Country and enjoy visiting it, Culture People and all. Met some wonderful people and hope the trend continues.

 

Start paying living wages, stop decrying people with different attitudes and beliefs.

 

We have always been in the MDR on the last night, always tipped, always gave a little extra. And I'm not Wealthy just an ordinary working person on an ordinary wage.

 

Now RCI should stop dictating and add the Surcharge into the price, stops all this animosity, and bad banter.

 

Roll on my next Cruise

Very well put! Totally agree as a Brit had given up in disgust with this thread but dipped in today. We are D+ and always prepay our tips with a extra when deserved. My goodness you folks are paying mega bucks for your cruise get a life and pay up the appropriate tips.

[Ocean Boy]

I have 3 up coming cruises all after March 1st . all have been pre paid in full

that includes MTD I am grandfathered and will not be charged the new rate since my balance has been paid.

 

Yes I know. I missed the part in your post where you said if you have already PAID for the cruise.

[joe6666]

I always tip the amount recommended to the people recommended by the cruise line.....

If I were to ever get a hint that some crewmember thought that wasn't enough, I would get it all removed from my account.

It's a recommended gratuity. And they better not make me feel bad about it in any way.

[Sutho]

I do not want to voice an opinion here on wether I support the following statement, but I found a photo on facebook that friends had been sharing. It is clearly to do with the US election last year. Not being American I do not follow their politics so have little interest in it. As the story is an anti-Obama policy issue, all I would say is I would rather have him in charge of our country than the lousy PM we have. Apart from that I have no side of American politics that I favour as both major parties are so different from ours.

 

Here is the story I found on facebook and I think it sums up the pro and anti automatic tipping debate:

 

Please I do not have an opinion of it so so do not shoot the messenger:

 

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had recently failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no... one would be rich, a great equalizer.

 

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".. All grades will be averaged and everyone will receive the same grade so no one will fail and no one will receive an A.... (substituting grades for dollars - something closer to home and more readily understood by all).

 

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy. As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.

 

The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

 

As the tests proceeded, the scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

 

To their great surprise, ALL FAILED and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed. Could not be any simpler than that. (Please pass this on) These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read and all applicable to this experiment:

 

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

 

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

 

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

 

4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!

 

5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.

 

Can you think of a reason for not sharing this?

Neither could I.See more

 

Something to think about right? I think this scenario gets right into the tipping debate at its core.

[Sutho]

RCI is a US cruise line. When you're on a US cruise line, it really is YOU who should adopt to the American culture of tipping and not expect American companies to adapt to your ways because that's not going to happen. This new policy evens it out for some Americans who just don't like to tip for whatever reason as well as non-Americans who might not adapt too well to the US ways of compensation of service employees.

 

Fact RCI is NOT, repeat NOT an American company. It is Norwegian. It was founded by Norwegians hence the title "Royal" as in the "Royal Norwegian". Yes Norway has a Royal Family, the US does not. It was based in the Caribbean selling to US passengers with the money going to Norway. Royal Caribbean currently has stoks on the Oslo Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.

 

To further flaw your argument Royal Caribbean sets up shop in non tipping countries and comes to non tipping countries and advertises to non tipping people who live in non tipping countries.

 

If you believe in the Saying when in Rome....then shouldnt RCI subscribe to that philisiphy and adhere to international pay schemes when operating international.

 

Then again if the Romans jumped off a cliff I suppose you would jump too.

[Aquahound]

If there is a category of thinking some folks make too big a deal out of this and I don't care, add me to it. I don't care, and some of you need to take a deep breathe.

[TheMiz]

Did Explorer cruise in Nov. 2012 and gave out tips last night as usual.

Did Enchantment 3 weeks later on 12-15-12, fresh from drydock, tips were added to sea pass acct. every day or every other day on new flat screens.

 

 

 

You could see your sea pass account on your flat screen tv on the Enchantment ?

[teajak]

If there is a category of thinking some folks make too big a deal out of this and I don't care, add me to it. I don't care, and some of you need to take a deep breathe.

Please add me to this category.Enough!!!

[seashells]

They are now doing this because of the waiters and the multiple dining areas to chose from, so the MAIN dining is getting less and less used.

 

Sometime in the future the ship builders will catch on, and build fewer MAIN dining rooms because people don't dine in the main dining room for every dinner anymore.

 

Look around when you're in there, and you will probably see some tables where people NEVER show up because they dine in the speciality dining, or in their suite.

 

Some generations don't want to dress on port days nor be on a schedule, and it's becoming more and more.

 

Waiters are paid about $2k a month plus tips and free room and board, and they're not getting as much, so it's a spread the wealth thing.

 

Cruise lines have people waiting on lists to get work on cruise ships so it's not about pay, it's all about tips.

[cruisenfever]

They are now doing this because of the waiters and the multiple dining areas to chose from, so the MAIN dining is getting less and less used.

 

Sometime in the future the ship builders will catch on, and build fewer MAIN dining rooms because people don't dine in the main dining room for every dinner anymore.

 

Look around when you're in there, and you will probably see some tables where people NEVER show up because they dine in the speciality dining, or in their suite.

 

Some generations don't want to dress on port days nor be on a schedule, and it's becoming more and more.

 

Waiters are paid about $2k a month plus tips and free room and board, and they're not getting as much, so it's a spread the wealth thing.

 

Cruise lines have people waiting on lists to get work on cruise ships so it's not about pay, it's all about tips.

:eek::eek: Really????? May I ask where you got your figure from?

[seashells]

:eek::eek: It's more like $50 a month from RCI. This applies to cabin attendants as well.

 

Do your homework.

 

All waiters are paid between $1800 and $2k a month plus tips.

 

The lowest paid without tips are the kitchen help you never see....$500 a month.

 

Cabin stewards HIRE help from below using their OWN funds on turnover days to help get the cabins ready in such a short amount of time.

 

Your cabin steward works LONGER hours than any other cruise member.

 

If the crew desires their own cabin to be cleaned while they work elsewhere on the ship they have to pay them or they clean their own on their free time.

[cruisenfever]

Do your homework.

 

All waiters are paid between $1800 and $2k a month plus tips.

 

The lowest paid without tips are the kitchen help you never see....$500 a month.

 

Cabin stewards HIRE help from below using their OWN funds on turnover days to help get the cabins ready in such a short amount of time.

 

Your cabin steward works LONGER hours than any other cruise member.

 

If the crew desires their own cabin to be cleaned while they work elsewhere on the ship they have to pay them or they clean their own on their free time.

I really don't need to do my homework. I'm very aware of what waiters, assistant waiters and cabin attendants make, plus what is provided for them while employed and what they have to pay for out of their pocket. I would just like to know where you get your figures from to substantiate your statement.

[seashells]

From crew members where I live and from being friends with working ship members.

 

Below deck is another entire whole other world.

[cruisenfever]

From crew members where I live and from being friends with working ship members.

 

Below deck is another entire whole other world.

OK whatever.

[ticktoneer]

Fact RCI is NOT, repeat NOT an American company. It is Norwegian. It was founded by Norwegians hence the title "Royal" as in the "Royal Norwegian". Yes Norway has a Royal Family, the US does not. It was based in the Caribbean selling to US passengers with the money going to Norway. Royal Caribbean currently has stoks on the Oslo Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.

 

To further flaw your argument Royal Caribbean sets up shop in non tipping countries and comes to non tipping countries and advertises to non tipping people who live in non tipping countries.

 

If you believe in the Saying when in Rome....then shouldnt RCI subscribe to that philisiphy and adhere to international pay schemes when operating international.

 

Then again if the Romans jumped off a cliff I suppose you would jump too.

I agree with you totally and that this simply slams hubofhockeys drivel !

[Stags14]

Hmmmmm....

 

Surely these new rules are not just for UK cruisers ?

 

I do not want to voice an opinion here on wether I support the following statement, but I found a photo on facebook that friends had been sharing. It is clearly to do with the US election last year. Not being American I do not follow their politics so have little interest in it. As the story is an anti-Obama policy issue, all I would say is I would rather have him in charge of our country than the lousy PM we have. Apart from that I have no side of American politics that I favour as both major parties are so different from ours.

 

Here is the story I found on facebook and I think it sums up the pro and anti automatic tipping debate:

 

Please I do not have an opinion of it so so do not shoot the messenger:

 

 

 

Something to think about right? I think this scenario gets right into the tipping debate at its core.

 

 

I happen to agree 100% with what you've quoted but that's another story and has absolutely nothing to do with the new tipping policy.

 

It doesn't matter where you are from, UK, US, Europe... whatever. RCI wants everyone to leave a small tip for the hard work of their crew and for those of you who decided they didn't have to leave a tip - there's even an increase now to fill that gap. Clearly it was an issue and this is how they are solving it!

[seashells]

Ship companies set up shop in other nations because of taxes, antiquated U.S. Maritime laws and the Jones act in the U.S.

 

Ships have 'tried' to do the Hawaii tour but almost all have pulled out except for 1 NCL ship. They HAVE to hire Americans and find they are too lazy to work the hours.

 

There is NO casino because of DUMB U.S. regulations and century old U.S. maritime shipping laws.

 

Disney 'chooses' to have no casino and Disney is NOT registered in the U.S. and fly's under another country.

 

The only regulation that ships who port in the U.S. has to comply with... is sanitation.

but that's for another thread.

[caddie1]

Fact RCI is NOT, repeat NOT an American company. It is Norwegian. It was founded by Norwegians hence the title "Royal" as in the "Royal Norwegian". Yes Norway has a Royal Family, the US does not. It was based in the Caribbean selling to US passengers with the money going to Norway. Royal Caribbean currently has stoks on the Oslo Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.

 

To further flaw your argument Royal Caribbean sets up shop in non tipping countries and comes to non tipping countries and advertises to non tipping people who live in non tipping countries.

 

If you believe in the Saying when in Rome....then shouldnt RCI subscribe to that philisiphy and adhere to international pay schemes when operating international.

 

Then again if the Romans jumped off a cliff I suppose you would jump too.

 

So very true.

[oneputt18]

Fact RCI is NOT, repeat NOT an American company. It is Norwegian. It was founded by Norwegians hence the title "Royal" as in the "Royal Norwegian". Yes Norway has a Royal Family, the US does not. It was based in the Caribbean selling to US passengers with the money going to Norway. Royal Caribbean currently has stoks on the Oslo Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.

 

If you want to be technical,RCI is owned by RCCL, RCCL is incorporated in Liberia, headquartered in Miami and is a publically traded company.

[Me 2]

OK whatever.

 

Type the words "cruise industry recruitment" into Google and see what you can find. I just did it and found enough to make me think seashells figures may be closer to the mark than the paltry amount you state :eek:

[cruisenfever]

Type the words "cruise industry recruitment" into Google and see what you can find. I just did it and found enough to make me think seashells figures may be closer to the mark than the paltry amount you state :eek:

I posted this earlier about auto tipping and used cabin attendants as an example.

 

Currently the suggested gratuity for Housekeeping Staff for non-suite guests is $5.00pp per day.

 

Out of the $5.00pp per day that the cabin attendant receives he gets 85% of that amount. 15% goes to other Housekeeping Staff. Those that help clean rooms on turnaround day or any other time during a 7 day cruise.

 

If the cabin attendant services 10 cabins with 2 people occupying each cabin and they all prepay for a 7 day cruise he would get $595 a week which is their salary and can be paid weekly or bi-weekly. His wage from RCI is $50 per month. Any additional gratuity that is received is theirs to keep.

 

Now let's reverse the picture and say that the 10 above mentioned cabins all payed in cash. RCI "assumes" that everyone is going to pay the "recommended" amount to the cabin attendant.

 

If they did he would receive $700 for the week and out of that amount he must give back 15% or $105 to cover the "other" housekeeping staff leaving him with $595. Anything over and above the recommended amount is his/hers to keep.

 

If he doesn't receive a total of $700 for the week, he still must give back 15% and thatt money would comes out of the "over and above" that he might have received or might not have received.

 

For waiters, assistant waiters and head waiters in MTD, if one signs up for MTD, prepays their gratuities, but never shows up, those gratuities are channeled to the WJ and Specialty Restaurant Servers. So their weekly/bi-weekly salary can fluctuate also.

[k9x8]

 

MTD is the only option remaining for our sailing. No doubt, some will see it as a ruse to get that pre-paid gratuity.

 

I sometimes get it right. As predicted....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1796597

[seashells]

I posted this earlier about auto tipping and used cabin attendants as an example.

 

Currently the suggested gratuity for Housekeeping Staff for non-suite guests is $5.00pp per day.

 

Out of the $5.00pp per day that the cabin attendant receives he gets 85% of that amount. 15% goes to other Housekeeping Staff. Those that help clean rooms on turnaround day or any other time during a 7 day cruise.

 

If the cabin attendant services 10 cabins with 2 people occupying each cabin and they all prepay for a 7 day cruise he would get $595 a week which is their salary and can be paid weekly or bi-weekly. His wage from RCI is $50 per month. Any additional gratuity that is received is theirs to keep.

 

Now let's reverse the picture and say that the 10 above mentioned cabins all payed in cash. RCI "assumes" that everyone is going to pay the "recommended" amount to the cabin attendant.

 

If they did he would receive $700 for the week and out of that amount he must give back 15% or $105 to cover the "other" housekeeping staff leaving him with $595. Anything over and above the recommended amount is his/hers to keep.

 

If he doesn't receive a total of $700 for the week, he still must give back 15% and thatt money would comes out of the "over and above" that he might have received or might not have received.

 

For waiters, assistant waiters and head waiters in MTD, if one signs up for MTD, prepays their gratuities, but never shows up, those gratuities are channeled to the WJ and Specialty Restaurant Servers. So their weekly/bi-weekly salary can fluctuate also.

 

 

lol

 

Only prepaid or tips added to your account are RE-DISTRIBUTED.

 

All cash given in hand to the person is kept by that person.

 

On turnaround days all personal except for those who have port passes for 1/2 day off ship WORK at several jobs.

 

Cabin stewards usually have 15 cabins and need to hire at their OWN expense those who work below to get their cabins cleaned within 3 hours.

 

People who work at the concession areas of the ship such as the shops, photo, spa, dive, casino, entertainment work and are paid by the agency who hires them.

 

The ship takes a CUT.

 

BJs, Sams Club, Costco have free passes to purchase goods and they are always in the electronic department and then the crew bus takes them on a loop to Walmart, the Mall where they receive a 10% discount.

 

Period