The solution to the great tipping debate

[TEXASMUNK]

Let's face it, those that want it included, and not removable, are the folks that consdier the person doing the work to make their cruise a success.

The focus should not be on the methodology, but on the STAFF STIFFERS.

Add it in, and then you have the problem of turning it into income generated in (for example) the USA. If paid onboard, it is not subject to taxation. Also, the fare becomes part of the overall cost and thus becomes part of the base fair that the taxes and fees are based on.

 

I also do take exception to the claim of "fair wage" as some have said, they make considerably more than others when working in a service environment due to their work ethic. The comment smacks of a very socialist attitude thqat we all work to our capabilities and we all share equally..Well, guess what folks, we are not all equal. We may be born equal, but we make our own path in life. I have no desire to get an A in a college course and because some clown does not work and he/she gets and F, we both get a C..just to balance things out.

 

Leave it alone, and never stop harping on the STAFF STIFFERS.

[Newtoncruise]

Let's face it, those that want it included, and not removable, are the folks that consdier the person doing the work to make their cruise a success.

The focus should not be on the methodology, but on the STAFF STIFFERS.

Add it in, and then you have the problem of turning it into income generated in (for example) the USA. If paid onboard, it is not subject to taxation. Also, the fare becomes part of the overall cost and thus becomes part of the base fair that the taxes and fees are based on.

 

I also do take exception to the claim of "fair wage" as some have said, they make considerably more than others when working in a service environment due to their work ethic. The comment smacks of a very socialist attitude thqat we all work to our capabilities and we all share equally..Well, guess what folks, we are not all equal. We may be born equal, but we make our own path in life. I have no desire to get an A in a college course and because some clown does not work and he/she gets and F, we both get a C..just to balance things out.

 

Leave it alone, and never stop harping on the STAFF STIFFERS.

 

So it's ok to stiff the government but not the staff? Tips are taxable!

[TEXASMUNK]

NOt when paid offshore....

[Expo67]

tip is an expectation and not an obligation....In the direct person to person service industry, such as waiters, cab driver, hair barber/hair dresser, doorman, baggage handlers, and cruise workers giving a tip has become customary. Service industry employees have become accustomed to receiving that additional compensation. In most cases the additional cash is very well earned, and it should be left to the customer to determine if the person has earned a it or not. Unfortunately, some companies pay their employees so little that the employees have come to rely on the tip as if it were part of their yearly salary. I am from NYC, and we have been conditioned to be “tip happy.” We tip anyone we feel is doing their job. I am guilty of this, and can attest to the expectation having been on the other end. I drove a cab while going to school, and tips were well welcomed and I feel deserved.

 

With all of the above said, I don’t feel paying customers should have their arms twisted (cheapskates or not) into paying “suggested” tips, but I do feel that if you are happy with the good service why not give a good tip. If you have the cash to pay for the cruise, you could make available a few extra bucks to compensate good service.

 

I have never removed the auto tip in 4 cruises (we are going on our 5th this summer). We have always received very good service. Customers can moan and groan, but the bottom line is that, at least, with the auto tip you know about it. The flip side is that cruise lines eliminate the auto tip and get you another way or you receiving poor service.

 

Well stated. Its gotten to the point that even for poor service now people expect a Tip. As we have cruised for over 3 decades it been quite noticible that the levels of service have decreased while the % of tip have increased over that time. :(

[bigque]

Here is what I wish and yall can flame me if you want to.

 

I wish Royal Caribbean would call it a service charge, make it mandatory for everyone just like they do for the MTD customers and NOT give the option to remove them :o If you dont want to pay the service charge, then you simply dont cruise on Royal Caribbean. Period.

 

People would say that gives no ambition to give good service from the crew but I do NOT believe that for one minute. I have NEVER received anything other than excellent service on a Royal Caribbean cruise on the few I have been on anwway and I have always prepaid my gratuities.

 

I realize people have bad days and service may be off but I dont think it happens as much as some let on that it does. Thats where the comment cards can come into a bigger play and Royal caribbean can deal with the situation.

 

Thats JMO.

 

 

I agree with you 100%! And also even in land based restaurant, I have not received any less service from the servers when I am with a party of 8 or more and they tack on a automatic 18% gratuity just because they know that the gratuity has been already added to everybody's bill. I don't see why people think because it's acruise ship that it would be any different!

[Expo67]

As someone who works for tips (at my summer job) I do prefer tipping to the idea of a flat service charge. I do my job exceptionally well and bring home 25% more than the average person doing my job (50% more than the rookies and low performers). A flat service fee would reward those who don't do their job as well at the expense of the best.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk, please excuse all the typos.

 

Bingo as I could not agree more. Even in my conversations with staff over the last few years I have heard more complaints about equitable distribution of pooled tips. :rolleyes:

[Expo67]

 

I agree with you 100%! And also even in land based restaurant, I have not received any less service from the servers when I am with a party of 8 or more and they tack on a automatic 18% gratuity just because they know that the gratuity has been already added to everybody's bill. I don't see why people think because it's acruise ship that it would be any different!

 

I would tend to disagree and that is why this topic is always highly debated. On our last cruise 2 years ago we had late dining and were seated at a table for 8. Many tables in the service area we were in were never full and a few were completely empty. One night we asked our waiter in general conversation wasn't he discouraged by the lack of diners in his area. His reply was a resounding not at all as I will receive the same amount of tips whether every table is full or empty. This itself is one of the reasons why we still opt for the personal envelope tip even though we know its supposedly pooled just like the auto tip is. I also realize that with the newer ships on the market now and more flexibility in offerings with regards to dining that changes were necessary to accommodate the flexibility. As its been stated there is no good fix for everything but I believe one should still have a say in how a tip/service charge is handled. :o

[KeywestK]

As someone who works for tips (at my summer job) I do prefer tipping to the idea of a flat service charge. I do my job exceptionally well and bring home 25% more than the average person doing my job (50% more than the rookies and low performers). A flat service fee would reward those who don't do their job as well at the expense of the best.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk, please excuse all the typos.

 

We do MTD, so our tips are automatically added onto our invoice at the outset. That said, we ALWAYS give additional tips to waiters (we often request same waiter/same table with MTD, if possible,) and to our cabin steward if we feel it's appropriate. I know many others do this as well. So I am rewarding outstanding service with additional tip monies to those who go above and beyond.

 

you got it :) Hi Karen, hope you're doing well!

 

Hi Stacey! I am, thank you!! Hope you are enjoying your summer happily planning your next cruise adventure;):D We are counting down the days to our Grandeur Bermuda cruise. I am super-excited!!

[bigque]

I would tend to disagree and that is why this topic is always highly debated. On our last cruise 2 years ago we had late dining and were seated at a table for 8. Many tables in the service area we were in were never full and a few were completely empty. One night we asked our waiter in general conversation wasn't he discouraged by the lack of diners in his area. His reply was a resounding not at all as I will receive the same amount of tips whether every table is full or empty. This itself is one of the reasons why we still opt for the personal envelope tip even though we know its supposedly pooled just like the auto tip is. I also realize that with the newer ships on the market now and more flexibility in offerings with regards to dining that changes were necessary to accommodate the flexibility. As its been stated there is no good fix for everything but I believe one should still have a say in how a tip/service charge is handled. :o

 

:confused::confused::confused: Uhmmm! I'm confused...you disagree with what??? I don't see anything in your reply that has anything to do with what you quoted me saying! :confused:

[Expo67]

:confused::confused::confused: Uhmmm! I'm confused...you disagree with what??? I don't see anything in your reply that has anything to do with what you quoted me saying! :confused:

 

Guess I did babble on so I will try it again.

 

Here is your original post.

 

I agree with you 100%! And also even in land based restaurant, I have not received any less service from the servers when I am with a party of 8 or more and they tack on a automatic 18% gratuity just because they know that the gratuity has been already added to everybody's bill. I don't see why people think because it's acruise ship that it would be any different!

 

What I was saying is that from my observations there is more likely to be a downslide in service on a cruise ship when the tip/gratuity goes from non guaranteed to guaranteed portion of the workers tip. Obviously this does not happen all the time but in my opinion there is a much better chance of it happening. I believe we are much better off still being in control of our tipping measures to make sure TIPS relate to their exact definition which is To Insure Prompt Service.