Tipping on-board Carnival Breeze

[Sue Do-Over]

Some of the people who get a share of the tips, you never notice. They're the staff that clears the buffet mess from the previous guest, pick up abandoned glasses and ice cream cones all over the ship, and set out the beach chairs.

 

You COULD cancel the auto-tip, and only gift the people who personally wait on you... but the ones who work 'invisibly' get overlooked.

 

Personally, I prefer to leave the auto-tip, and then add more in cash to the handful of people who know me by name by the end of the trip.

 

BTW, we are often the only ones tipping the dealers in the casino.

[Superstargum]

Some of the people who get a share of the tips, you never notice. They're the staff that clears the buffet mess from the previous guest, pick up abandoned glasses and ice cream cones all over the ship, and set out the beach chairs.

 

You COULD cancel the auto-tip, and only gift the people who personally wait on you... but the ones who work 'invisibly' get overlooked.

 

Personally, I prefer to leave the auto-tip, and then add more in cash to the handful of people who know me by name by the end of the trip.

 

BTW, we are often the only ones tipping the dealers in the casino.

 

I spoke with my father on this matter and he also gave me the same advice... I was overlooking some key aspects of who were benefiting from autotipping. I agree that Autotipping is the only way to cover all bases =)

[4merlurker]

First of all, I tip the recommended amount on a cruise - always.

 

I know there's a breakdown somewhere but for argument sake:

 

If a steward makes $2 per person in a 4 person filled room on a 7 night cruise that's $56 per cabin.

 

If that steward has 20 cabins that's $1120 per week. That's just his/her "steward" portion. If he/she works the buffet etc there may be more? (not sure if they do multiple positions) so, $1120/wk X 6 months = $26,880 (+ cash tips "above & beyond)

Are they paying rent? Do they pay for food?

 

Everyone keeps talking about the workers behind the scenes.........Do you tip the cooks and line cooks at the restaurants you frequent? How about the stock boys at the local grocery store.....someone mentioned McDonalds....most of these people work for minimum wage!

 

UPDATE: Just looked at the carnival website. Steward tips are $3.70/day/pp. I'm not going to redo the math and I'm sure Carnival gets a piece but my numbers are probably pretty close.

 

I don't think its as bad for them as people are led to believe. I know it sucks to be away from their families and they bust their asses but there are people that do that all the time. (my own dad lived in a hotel for 10 months while working out of state)

 

JMHO. :o

Edited December 5, 2013 by 4merlurker

[RWolver672]

So I know that they have an autotipping option set at 11.50 per day per person but want to tip in cash based on services received not on services that I already paid for. So pretty much I dont mind tipping an average of $20 a day for my wife and I but want it to be based on good service received rather then the employees thinking it's a right to get tips. I think in general people have lost the true purpose of TIPS (To insure prompt service) and rather think it's a right and part of their pay. So here is my question.

 

I know you can opt out of the autotipping but was told that when you do you get crappy service. So should I opt out on the last night and tip in cash? Can I do that and not get charged for the autotipping? Or do I have to opt out on the first day?

 

Thank you for all the replies in advance =)

 

Why are you even worring about getting crappy service? You said in a later posting that you had good service on your last cruise. We've been on seven cruises and have never once received crappy service.

 

I have always said that they would be a lot better off just paying their workers more and adding it on to the price of the cruise. In the end you pay for it anyway so why not just include it as part of the cruise fare.

[4merlurker]

Why are you even worring about getting crappy service? You said in a later posting that you had good service on your last cruise. We've been on seven cruises and have never once received crappy service.

 

I have always said that they would be a lot better off just paying their workers more and adding it on to the price of the cruise. In the end you pay for it anyway so why not just include it as part of the cruise fare.

 

Amen!

[pmang]

First of all, I tip the recommended amount on a cruise - always.

 

I know there's a breakdown somewhere but for argument sake:

 

If a steward makes $2 per person in a 4 person filled room on a 7 night cruise that's $56 per cabin.

 

If that steward has 20 cabins that's $1120 per week. That's just his/her "steward" portion. If he/she works the buffet etc there may be more? (not sure if they do multiple positions) so, $1120/wk X 6 months = $26,880 (+ cash tips "above & beyond)

Are they paying rent? Do they pay for food?

 

Everyone keeps talking about the workers behind the scenes.........Do you tip the cooks and line cooks at the restaurants you frequent? How about the stock boys at the local grocery store.....someone mentioned McDonalds....most of these people work for minimum wage!

 

UPDATE: Just looked at the carnival website. Steward tips are $3.70/day/pp. I'm not going to redo the math and I'm sure Carnival gets a piece but my numbers are probably pretty close.

 

I don't think its as bad for them as people are led to believe. I know it sucks to be away from their families and they bust their asses but there are people that do that all the time. (my own dad lived in a hotel for 10 months while working out of state)

 

JMHO. :o

 

Your numbers aren't close at all.....

 

First of all, most cabins would have 2 people, not 4.... no steward will get 20 cabins with 4 people nor will stewards work in the buffet where they'll be making more tips.

 

Second, they will have 1-2 assistants that they pay themselves out of the tips they get.

 

Third (and this one really bugs me)... saying they don't pay rent or food. This is a necessity of working at sea, not a bonus. Food isn't part of compensation and to think that it is is quite demeaning. Does anyone here work for food? As for rent, don't you think there are quite a few crew members (especially those over 30) that have homes? Crew members aren't homeless vagabonds! Mortgage/rent and utilities are still due every month regardless if you are at sea.

 

The $11 a day really should be viewed as part of your fare. If you have a VALID reason for poor service, adjust away... But if any of you don't agree with the system that cruise lines set up years ago, seriously, pick another way to spend your vacation and don't take it out on the little guy on the corporate ladder.

Edited December 5, 2013 by pmang

[4merlurker]

Your numbers aren't close at all..... I was trying to put it in perspective for myself and thought maybe others never did the math - geez. Like I said, I pay the tips -

First of all, most cabins would have 2 people, not 4.... no steward will get 20 cabins with 4 people nor will stewards work in the buffet where they'll be making more tips. Ok, relax dude. I said I wasn't sure if they had multiple positions....and are you sure that NO STEWARD has 20 cabins of 4? maybe they have 10 cabins of 4 and 2 cabins of 3 and 4 cabins of 2.......hmmmmm. They still make a pretty good living for what they do....much better than a hotel maid I would think. :rolleyes:

 

Second, they will have 1-2 assistants that they pay themselves out of the tips they get.

 

Third (and this one really bugs me)... saying they don't pay rent or food. This is a necessity of working at sea, not a bonus. Food isn't part of compensation and to think that it is is quite demeaning. Does anyone here work for food? As for rent, don't you think there are quite a few crew members (especially those over 30) that have homes? Crew members aren't homeless vagabonds! Mortgage/rent and utilities are still due every month regardless if you are at sea. Ya know what bugs me? The fact that you cant read! I DID NOT say they don't pay for food or rent - I was asking the kind all-knowing people,:rolleyes: like yourself, if they do. I was not belittling them or being demeaning.

 

The $11 a day really should be viewed as part of your fare. If you have a VALID reason for poor service, adjust away... But if any of you don't agree with the system that cruise lines set up years ago, seriously, pick another way to spend your vacation and don't take it out on the little guy on the corporate ladder.I hope you aren't directing this comment at me!

 

DISCLAIMER: no stewards were harmed by the response to this post.

[pmang]

DISCLAIMER: no stewards were harmed by the response to this post.

 

Well.... my reply wasn't totally intended for you... Only the math part was. It was wrong and didn't take into account that they pay assistants out of their tips.

 

As for the room/board.... I do apologize as that was a response to a general theme that pops up here a lot. Almost every tipping thread, someone will chime in that they don't have to pay for food or housing on board. Yes, it is demeaning (not directed at you) to assume that anyone should be paid with food.

 

Yes, they do earn more than a hotel maid... The maid also doesn't work 12-14 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 8 months strait.

 

My last statement was not directed at you... I should have made that more clear.....

[English Tim]

Slightly O/T, but on a recent Princess cruise, at the Q&A session, I asked about the effect on employees of people removing auto-tip. Apparently crew are guaranteed a minimum and if not enough is received in tips the cruise line will top it up.

 

Several cruises in Australia include the tips in the fare, due to many people removing the tips.

 

We leave the auto-tips on, but resent the auto 15% on drinks and the 18% in the spa and if service levels weren't up to the usual high standard, I'd have no hesitation in reducing or removing them. The crew work as a team and if a bad apple lets them down, it's up to them to sort it out.

[boo214]

Well Thanks for your sermon which I didnt appreciate but oh well you took the time to type it out so I might as well appreciate it for what it's worth... In anycase, If you believe paying a tip even when your service sucked well that's your opinion and yours alone... Just because other's feel different doesnt make them any lesser or better than you. If they want to call it a service charge then they should call it that and not call it a TIP. I understand fully what the cruise lines are aiming for and the only people suffering from this horrible practice are the employees of those cruise lines and Im also quite aware of this... So if I dont feel the same way as you, your only suggestion is "Dont cruise"?

 

So if you get crappy service from the staff do you believe I should tip them just the same as some people that work very hard to make your trip enjoyable? Or should I have to go above and beyond and tip an extra 200 to those who provide great service to show that there is a difference in TIPS?

 

People work for minimum wage at McDonalds in Maryland and if you know the cost of living expenses here that is not even close to enough to put decent meals on the table for your children so they end up pulling 3 jobs working 18 hrs a day to provide for their families but do we TIP those that work at those establishments cause we feel bad about their circumstances? Dont pull the "Oh but they dont make much we should help them out" card... Like I've stated before they dont make much but they make a hell of a lot more than they would at their respective countries and in much better work environments... You can say Im cold hearted but like I stated before I have no problem giving TIPS when appropriate, meaning when I've received great service... Hell last cruise I gave every last dollar I had to my room steward before leaving as well as a Thank you card. But dont get it twisted I didnt TIP because it was a part of their business model, I TIP'd because he deserved every penny and probably more for the service he provided my wife and I.

 

My original question was what if I get crappy service what can I do to show how I appreciated that type of service. If you think even then I should TIP them well then you and I are on different pages of life. I will not TIP for horrible service regardless of some corporations business model. We can only hope that they provide services that deserve TIPS so that we may never have this conversation again.....

 

Hope you like my sermon =) Have a great day.

actually, it wasn't. your original question was about removing tips but you were concerned you would get crappy service if you did. you also seemed to object to the auto gratuities. as others have said, even with the auto gratuties the crew does not get that until after the voyage so if you have issues and address them and are not satisfied with the resolution you may adjust your gratuities. so, in essence, you have not tipped before the service was rendered.

[Thebosn1]

Tips are part of the cruise companies' business model. If you don't like that, don't cruise.

 

Advertising the lowest fares and piling on the cabin upsells, port charges and taxes are part of the cruise companies business model. If you don't like that, don't cruise.

 

The cruise lines will try to pry every last $ out of you they can by selling you jewellery, inflated shore excursions, pictures, drinks and art. If you don't like that, don't cruise.

 

Despite the forgoing, cruising can still be a wonderful cost-effective way to travel and see the world.

 

If you choose to cruise and accept the cruise lines business model, and THEN make the conscious choice to subsidize your vacation at the expense of the lowest paid employees, whose job security is almost non-existent and who work under difficult conditions to improve their station in life, then shame on you.

 

Don't cruise, save your tips and spare us your sermons, hypocrites.

 

A little over the top, but I agree. For the most part these crewmembers work like dogs, including the ones you never see. Regardless if you want to say it is or is not part of their salary, I feel very strongly that they EARN my $11.50 a day.

 

I have seen plenty of people on these boards who feel that "poor service" is when they take their lobster out of the shell for them but they have to peel their own shrimp, or when they don't get enough towel animals. In fact I am blown away at some of the things people complain about.

 

Pay the darn $11.50. If it makes you feel better to actually hand the people the cash then go for it, just make sure you don't miss anyone. If you usually tip more than that anyway why don't you just leave it and tip on top of it for exceptional service?

[Thebosn1]

I prefer to pre-pay the tips ahead of time, that way I don't see at on my bill at the end of the cruise.

If excellent service is delivered, then an additional tip is given to the party directly.

 

But, to each his own!!! :)

 

Mike

 

Me too. Good plan.

[boo214]

A little over the top, but I agree. For the most part these crewmembers work like dogs, including the ones you never see. Regardless if you want to say it is or is not part of their salary, I feel very strongly that they EARN my $11.50 a day.

 

I have seen plenty of people on these boards who feel that "poor service" is when they take their lobster out of the shell for them but they have to peel their own shrimp, or when they don't get enough towel animals. In fact I am blown away at some of the things people complain about.

 

Pay the darn $11.50. If it makes you feel better to actually hand the people the cash then go for it, just make sure you don't miss anyone. If you usually tip more than that anyway why don't you just leave it and tip on top of it for exceptional service?

that is the question of the day right there :D

[YubaSutter]

Does anyone here work for food?

 

Everyone with a job works for food. They also work for clothing and shelter.

[irishnyc]

Pay the darn $11.50. If it makes you feel better to actually hand the people the cash then go for it, just make sure you don't miss anyone. If you usually tip more than that anyway why don't you just leave it and tip on top of it for exceptional service?

 

A-freaking-men. But, some people like the drama of handing out cash. Reminds me of the Copacabana scene in Goodfellas. ;)

[pmang]

Everyone with a job works for food. They also work for clothing and shelter.

 

I'm sorry for not making my point easier to understand.... Of course I meant to ask is anyone here PAID in food and shelter?.... No

 

All I wanted to point out is posters here always bring up "but crew don't have to pay for food or their cabin" in justifying whatever their agenda is.... Food and a room is not relevant to compensation.. It comes with working at sea.... And yes, many still pay for a home where ever they come from. Banks and landlords still expect their money while the sailor is at sea....

Edited December 5, 2013 by pmang

[Rogueperson]

The breakdown is 3.70/day per person for the stateroom attendant. That's a $7.40 tip per day based on double occupancy for them to clean your room two to three times a day, make your bed, give you that little chocolate on the bed and don't forget, THE TOWEL ANIMALS!. The animals by themselves are worth the tip. What other hotel room you've been to will do that for you. Motel Six won't, and you might tip them a dollar or two and they probably hadn't clean the room for days. I once had a stateroom attendant notice my glasses were broken, and attempted to fix them for me!!! Unfortunately, he left his little tools on the table, but he had little tools!!! In this instance, I can see how poor service can be directly attributable to a bad stay. If nothing goes wrong, then your room steward is doing a good job, and a lot of times, we don't notice it. Its easy to forget that.

 

The breakdown for the waitstaff is $5.80/per person per night. That's 11.60/day as a tip for the restaurant for double occupancy. If you were to eat that much on land, a normal 15% tip of $11.60 means you spent $77.00 on a meal. Normal means, nothing was wrong, but nothing out of the ordinary. A "standard" tip at a restaurant. I know I can spend that much money at Fridays if you did the 4 course, appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. But that's one meal. You're doing this probably two, or even three times, if you have a sea day. This tip breakdown if you look at it this way, the minimum tip is far below what you would tip in the states.

 

The remaining $2.00 per person is for everyone else. Yes, this is supplementing their income from our pockets. But, $4.00/day for all the people around you that you would not normally tip, but still provide an awesome service? This portion is probably never increased as this is the invisible people we've been talking about. Oh, if you haven't worked in a restaurant. Many of them do what is called a tipshare. The host staff gets a cut and the bus staff also gets a cut. You're not just tipping your wait staff at restaurants.

 

Bottom line, the autotip should be the beginning. It is on the low end of the tip scale for the services rendered. I have never seen a reason on all my cruises to adjust the tip down. If that's the case, then autotipping should be a no-brainer. They give you the option if need be to adjust. That's what guest services is there for. But if this irks you, then blame all the people before you, who think that tipping is not necessary. Blame all those people who skip out on dinner the last night to avoid showing appreciation where it really counts. They instituted this policy because of them. And who pays the price? The guy who busted his butt to give you the vacation of your dreams because your table mates decided they didn't want to tip. And after your gone, they continue to do that with a new set of people,over and over. How demoralizing must it be to keep up that level of energy, 12 - 13 hours a day, for 8 months, knowing that 1 out of 5 (I'm guessing here) parties you will get will try to stiff you. The autotip, gives them some peace of mind.

 

I think the reason why people balk at this, is that on longer cruises, these charges add up. On a 10 night cruise, for a family of four, the idea of dropping almost $500.00 as a "tip", is probably appalling. But, it is no different if you did it every day in cash for other kinds of vacations. My family of four routinely drops 20 dollar tips or more when we go out to dinner. You're on vacation, you're doing that every night. It does add up. I read a review on here somewhere where someone complained exactly that. "they didn't do anything worth $500.00". It was a 14 night cruise somewhere.

[irishnyc]

"Thumbs up" to Rogueperson.

[Superstargum]

Why are you even worring about getting crappy service? You said in a later posting that you had good service on your last cruise. We've been on seven cruises and have never once received crappy service.

 

I have always said that they would be a lot better off just paying their workers more and adding it on to the price of the cruise. In the end you pay for it anyway so why not just include it as part of the cruise fare.

 

Totally agree they should just include it in the price... And Im only worried cause I have been reading up on various different forums/reviews and apparently the great service I recieved isnt the norm 100% of the time.

[Superstargum]

Well I agree and disagree with certain aspects but no matter what I say or explain from my past experiences and where I come from will matter because you all are comparing the wages/tips and overall work environment to the US. If I only look at it from a perspective of a person from the US and your comparing everything to how things are run here then I must agree you are correct. So a person from a different country where TIP'ing in general is unheard of except our TIP'ing customs? Should they accept it for what it is when they have lived 40-50 years in a country that doesnt practice this?

 

The simple way to fix this is just jack up the prices of cruises and include it in the price of the fare. Oh wait if they do that the Cruise lines may lose business? It's a horrible business practice and like I said before it only hurts the employees and Im aware of that. I will probably start looking for cruise liner that include all service charges in their price in the future.

 

Oh and for the individuals that think the employees have it bad should research the great opportunities they are missing out on if they would of taken the jobs available to them close to home and family. Humans do what is necessary to make it in life. Some people have harder decisions to make then others. This is a decision they made for themselves to better their families lives. It is a choice they made and honestly knowing the average male in the phillipines makes $150 US dollars a month working 12+ hr shift at a factory... do the math and tell me they have it bad? I have family members that work in such conditions and it is what it is... They would kill to have a job on a cruise boat but not everyone is so "lucky" at least from their perspective.

 

So with all that said I will pay the autotipping and extra is warranted. I overlooked the behind the scene personnel that I would miss if I would tip in cash. Thank you for all the advice given and all advice was well taken and still seeping in.

 

Also my apologize if I have offended anyone in the process. We all have our differences I suppose.

 

Happy Cruising to all!

[Rogueperson]

Doesn't the Australian Market price their cruises differently? I heard that tipping is different down there so their pricing is different? Not sure of there are any Australians reading this to se3 if there's confirmation.

[English Tim]

The breakdown is 3.70/day per person for the stateroom attendant. That's a $7.40 tip per day based on double occupancy for them to clean your room two to three times a day, make your bed, give you that little chocolate on the bed and don't forget, THE TOWEL ANIMALS!. The animals by themselves are worth the tip. What other hotel room you've been to will do that for you. Motel Six won't, and you might tip them a dollar or two and they probably hadn't clean the room for days. I once had a stateroom attendant notice my glasses were broken, and attempted to fix them for me!!! Unfortunately, he left his little tools on the table, but he had little tools!!! In this instance, I can see how poor service can be directly attributable to a bad stay. If nothing goes wrong, then your room steward is doing a good job, and a lot of times, we don't notice it. Its easy to forget that.

 

The breakdown for the waitstaff is $5.80/per person per night. That's 11.60/day as a tip for the restaurant for double occupancy. If you were to eat that much on land, a normal 15% tip of $11.60 means you spent $77.00 on a meal. Normal means, nothing was wrong, but nothing out of the ordinary. A "standard" tip at a restaurant. I know I can spend that much money at Fridays if you did the 4 course, appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert. But that's one meal. You're doing this probably two, or even three times, if you have a sea day. This tip breakdown if you look at it this way, the minimum tip is far below what you would tip in the states.

 

The remaining $2.00 per person is for everyone else. Yes, this is supplementing their income from our pockets. But, $4.00/day for all the people around you that you would not normally tip, but still provide an awesome service? This portion is probably never increased as this is the invisible people we've been talking about. Oh, if you haven't worked in a restaurant. Many of them do what is called a tipshare. The host staff gets a cut and the bus staff also gets a cut. You're not just tipping your wait staff at restaurants.

 

Bottom line, the autotip should be the beginning. It is on the low end of the tip scale for the services rendered. I have never seen a reason on all my cruises to adjust the tip down. If that's the case, then autotipping should be a no-brainer. They give you the option if need be to adjust. That's what guest services is there for. But if this irks you, then blame all the people before you, who think that tipping is not necessary. Blame all those people who skip out on dinner the last night to avoid showing appreciation where it really counts. They instituted this policy because of them. And who pays the price? The guy who busted his butt to give you the vacation of your dreams because your table mates decided they didn't want to tip. And after your gone, they continue to do that with a new set of people,over and over. How demoralizing must it be to keep up that level of energy, 12 - 13 hours a day, for 8 months, knowing that 1 out of 5 (I'm guessing here) parties you will get will try to stiff you. The autotip, gives them some peace of mind.

 

I think the reason why people balk at this, is that on longer cruises, these charges add up. On a 10 night cruise, for a family of four, the idea of dropping almost $500.00 as a "tip", is probably appalling. But, it is no different if you did it every day in cash for other kinds of vacations. My family of four routinely drops 20 dollar tips or more when we go out to dinner. You're on vacation, you're doing that every night. It does add up. I read a review on here somewhere where someone complained exactly that. "they didn't do anything worth $500.00". It was a 14 night cruise somewhere.

 

You mention the 'others' who are now included in the auto-tip, but didn't used to be in the days when most of us only tipped the room stewards and wait staff. Why are we now supplementing their wages?

 

There are different cultures in the cruise industry, presumably earning different amounts for doing similar jobs, so we are never going to agree on what's right and what's fair. All that any of us can do is act according to our beliefs and consciences.

 

I believe the cruise market will always be dominated by Americans so us Europeans, for example, should never make much of an impact, certainly on the large portion of Caribbean cruising.

 

I do sincerely believe that we pay more for our cruises than USA customers, directly due to lower tipping levels, resulting in higher cruiseline subsidies.

[evandbob]

Well I agree and disagree with certain aspects but no matter what I say or explain from my past experiences and where I come from will matter because you all are comparing the wages/tips and overall work environment to the US. If I only look at it from a perspective of a person from the US and your comparing everything to how things are run here then I must agree you are correct. So a person from a different country where TIP'ing in general is unheard of except our TIP'ing customs? Should they accept it for what it is when they have lived 40-50 years in a country that doesnt practice this?

 

The simple way to fix this is just jack up the prices of cruises and include it in the price of the fare. Oh wait if they do that the Cruise lines may lose business? It's a horrible business practice and like I said before it only hurts the employees and Im aware of that. I will probably start looking for cruise liner that include all service charges in their price in the future.

 

Oh and for the individuals that think the employees have it bad should research the great opportunities they are missing out on if they would of taken the jobs available to them close to home and family. Humans do what is necessary to make it in life. Some people have harder decisions to make then others. This is a decision they made for themselves to better their families lives. It is a choice they made and honestly knowing the average male in the phillipines makes $150 US dollars a month working 12+ hr shift at a factory... do the math and tell me they have it bad? I have family members that work in such conditions and it is what it is... They would kill to have a job on a cruise boat but not everyone is so "lucky" at least from their perspective.

 

So with all that said I will pay the autotipping and extra is warranted. I overlooked the behind the scene personnel that I would miss if I would tip in cash. Thank you for all the advice given and all advice was well taken and still seeping in.

 

Also my apologize if I have offended anyone in the process. We all have our differences I suppose.

 

Happy Cruising to all!

 

So yes, consider that 60% of cruiseline workers come from somewhere in the Phillipines and have family there. They recently had several islands devastated by the cyclone and storm surge. Perhaps they had no word about their loved ones or their homes for several days afterwards and yet the workers continue to offer their services with a smile. Could you do the same?

 

If you do happen to receive poor service, then inform guest services of the name of the worker and what failed to meet your expectations.

Otherwise, prepay the service charges until the cruiselines adjust and include these fees in the cruisefare.

[English Tim]

So yes, consider that 60% of cruiseline workers come from somewhere in the Phillipines and have family there. They recently had several islands devastated by the cyclone and storm surge. Perhaps they had no word about their loved ones or their homes for several days afterwards and yet the workers continue to offer their services with a smile. Could you do the same?

 

 

Princess Cruises and I assume all others, made special provision for their Filipino workers, giving all an opportunity to contact their loved ones and if directly affected, a plane ticket home.

 

I will always consider a person who removes auto-tip as cheap, nothing less.

 

Your prerogative. I try not to judge.

[Superstargum]

So yes, consider that 60% of cruiseline workers come from somewhere in the Phillipines and have family there. They recently had several islands devastated by the cyclone and storm surge. Perhaps they had no word about their loved ones or their homes for several days afterwards and yet the workers continue to offer their services with a smile. Could you do the same?.

 

Consider this... Our military members that serve their country in far worst conditions and schedules while their families have at home continue on their lives trying to keep a smile on their faces... Its a choice we all make and no I dont need your or anyone sympathy or care for it. I do what I do cause I believe in what I do and my family understands that. Does it suck sometimes? yes but like I said before it is life and all we can try to do is smile and continue trucking on.