Beverage Package Gratuities Update: 15% to 18%

[20pluscruises]

I am going to upgrade now because I prefer to bring extra ones and five and tip extra to anyone who gives me great service.I am probably a 20 percent or more server!! :)

 

Do you know (or anybody here know) if the front desk will exchange a hundred dollar bill for 100 single one dollar bills? I really hate having a hundred singles taking up so much room in my bag. Thx!

[chamima]

Do you know (or anybody here know) if the front desk will exchange a hundred dollar bill for 100 single one dollar bills? I really hate having a hundred singles taking up so much room in my bag. Thx!

 

I've always done that on Princess but have found Celebrity (at least on our last 3 cruises) seems to have a limited supply of singles.

What you may end up with is a lot of twenties and 20 singles.

I found I had to go to Guest Services every other or every third day to replenish my singles. :confused: :( :confused:

[20pluscruises]

I've always done that on Princess but have found Celebrity (at least on our last 3 cruises) seems to have a limited supply of singles.

What you may end up with is a lot of twenties and 20 singles.

I found I had to go to Guest Services every other or every third day to replenish my singles. :confused: :( :confused:

 

Thank you! Maybe I'll just take a stack of 50 and then do the every other day thing. :)

[Celebrity Cruises]

Thank you! Maybe I'll just take a stack of 50 and then do the every other day thing. :)

 

Hi there,

 

Perhaps the casino would be able to assist as well?

[20pluscruises]

Hi there,

 

Perhaps the casino would be able to assist as well?

 

Thank you!!! I never even thought about the casino. I'm use to putting the cash into the machine...not so much with the cashing out. :o

Edited January 29, 2015 by 20pluscruises

[chamima]

Hi there,

 

Perhaps the casino would be able to assist as well?

 

Great idea!

Thanks!

I never thought of it either.

[Quitwhin'n]

I imagine with the popularity of the beverage packages these days, tips have probably decreased slightly for the staff. Without a package, $49 would get you 5-7 drinks. With the package, if you drink more than that, no tip because you've exceeded the base cost. It may be that the number of drinkers who consume more than the beverage package value exceeds those who do not thus the 3% increase in tips is necessary to maintain the before beverage package levels. Just a theory. I've had the package several times and between coffee, wine, water, drinks and martinis I averaged 7-10 beverages a day. I tipped extra because I knew that beyond a certain point, the tips associated with the package had been used up. I don't really want to hear how you have the package and only drink 2 coke a day because at the end of the day, the scale tips in one direction or the other. My money would be on the excess drinkers.

[ailetoile]

Do you know (or anybody here know) if the front desk will exchange a hundred dollar bill for 100 single one dollar bills? I really hate having a hundred singles taking up so much room in my bag. Thx!

 

I know this isn't quite what you're asking, but have you considered taking smaller denominations than a $100 bill? The front desk may not be able to change out a $100 bill into singles, but asking for $10 or $20 a couple times might be doable... Just an alternative selection if the casino wouldn't work :)

Edited January 29, 2015 by ailetoile

[Terpnut]

Hi I have to admit as an Australian tipping is just an alien concept for me anyway. Here we generally only tip people if the service was absolutely outstanding.

 

I understand that tipping substitutes the income for the worker due to low wages. Because I'm not used to it tipping actually impacts negatively on my vacation because I'm constantly stressing about 'do I tip, how much etc'. For me it also takes away from the feeling of genuine hospitality - for example locally in Australia if you make requests when on holiday you would not expect to pay people extra - people do it because of the pride in their job and they genuinely want to make your experience positive. When I'm overseas I sometimes feel like people are only doing 'nice' things to receive something in return (tip).

 

I also get though that Aussie wages are very good and people don't need tips to survive financially...

 

I would honestly prefer to pay a higher cost for my cruise and have the staff paid appropriate wages so these ridiculously high automatic gratuities are not added to the tab. 18% for drinks service - to me that is highway robbery.

 

I think the point is that the more 'exceptional' something is from normal, the more annoying it can be.

 

Paying 10% more when you're not accustomed to it can be tolerated under normal contingencies. Almost doubling that amount makes it more of an issue.

While I understand the frustration or stress of having to deal with such cultural differences, the one given of travel is that one must adapt to local customs--regardless of whether it makes sense to you personally. There are countless threads and topics where people use their personal perspectives to disagree with what is socially or culturally accepted or appropriate in a foreign country.

 

In this case, it really does not matter whether one agrees with US-style tipping, whether it makes any sense to personally, or if you are accustomed to it. All that matters is that it is normal, customary and expected. So you probably need to reset your "normal" to 15% tipping when traveling to the US and many countries, or onboard most cruise ships. A debate on whether the concept of tipping is good or bad will not be resolved in this forum.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Terpnut

[Orator]

PREDICTION: Within 2 years from today Celebrity will include the Classic Package for all passengers. The cost (plus profit margin) will be rolled into the base cost of the cruise. They will market the Premium Package as a valuable addition that can be purchased. The gratutity will be included in the price, so whether it's 18%, 20% or more won't matter since it will be hidden.

 

RATIONALE for Prediction:

1. In the RCL Conference call held earlier today, RCL CEO Richard Fain in discussing the 1-2-3 Promtion indicated that the success of this approach suggests that customers appear to favor the "value added" approach over the "budget" approach. TAs prefer it as well since the extra cost means extra commission. Like it or not,it appears to me that Celebrity is on the path to "all inclusive" pricing. I'm in the "not" camp as I favor a low base price and adding options as desired. Seems reasonable to me that beverages would be one of the current options most easily added to increase the base price and add to margins.

2. Will be including drink packages in the base price of higher end Suites in April. If it works there, it will find it's way into pricing for other categories and eventuall ALL categories.

3. They need to increase profit margins, especially in the weaker Caribbean market.

4. It makes good business sense in terms of reaching the double-double goal.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Orator

[richsea]

While I understand the frustration or stress of having to deal with such cultural differences, the one given of travel is that one must adapt to local customs--regardless of whether it makes sense to you personally. There are countless threads and topics where people use their personal perspectives to disagree with what is socially or culturally accepted or appropriate in a foreign country.

 

In this case, it really does not matter whether one agrees with US-style tipping, whether it makes any sense to personally, or if you are accustomed to it. All that matters is that it is normal, customary and expected. So you probably need to reset your "normal" to 15% tipping when traveling to the US and many countries, or onboard most cruise ships. A debate on whether the concept of tipping is good or bad will not be resolved in this forum.

 

Best post of the entire thread. Well said.

 

Though some may be chagrined to hear this, 15% is becoming a dinasour in the U.S., the norm is now more like 18-20%, at least in the NE US.

[GazW]

Best post of the entire thread. Well said.

 

Though some may be chagrined to hear this, 15% is becoming a dinasour in the U.S., the norm is now more like 18-20%, at least in the NE US.

Just wondering why the US is relevant in this discussion?

[Karynanne]

Just wondering why the US is relevant in this discussion?

 

 

The "tip" policy is the norm in the U.S. and this is the custom on Celebrity ships.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Big Feet]

Bar staff deserved it, they work there butt out

hey got no problem with grat-- but when i have to go to the bar and get my own cause there's no waiter or waitress-- i don't like that put on the tab. 18% is enough to share with everyone while a waiter staff is involved. Just as on land I would prefer a tip cup for the bar tender when i walk up.

As an employee you should not be allowed to post this comment. Work hard????? ya it's tough saying "what can i get ya"????????????

[Cruise Junky]

Just wondering why the US is relevant in this discussion?

 

 

Because Celebrity is a U.S. Company perhaps?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GazW]

Because Celebrity is a U.S. Company perhaps?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Perhaps.

 

"Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.*is a*Norwegian/*American*global*cruise*company incorporated in*Liberia"!! [wikipedia - my exclamation marks].

 

" In Norway, tipping is not required anywhere. " [Tripadvisor].

 

 

Edit: not too sure about the tipping situation in Liberia.

Edited January 29, 2015 by GazW

[Terpnut]

Perhaps.

 

"Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.*is a*Norwegian/*American*global*cruise*company incorporated in*Liberia"!! [wikipedia - my exclamation marks].

 

" In Norway, tipping is not required anywhere. " [Tripadvisor].

 

 

Edit: not too sure about the tipping situation in Liberia.

As Karynanne already said, the reason the U.S. is relevant to this discussion is because most major cruise lines run their business based on U.S. customs and practices, e.g. currency (always the US dollar), tipping (15-20% is "normal"), attire (what is formal vs. business casual), language (English), restaurant service, casino operations, credit cards accepted, etc. etc.

 

Again, it doesn't matter what an individual's personal opinion is on any particular custom or practice. What matters is that everyone understands what is customary and normal for the U.S., and thus most cruise ships, and then take the discussion from there. So FACT: 15%-18% tipping is customary, expected and normal for wait table and bar service in the U.S. and onboard most major cruise ships. OPINION: Tipping is a good and worthwhile system, or it's stupid and highway robbery. So we can debate the latter but not the former.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Terpnut

[richsea]

hey got no problem with grat-- but when i have to go to the bar and get my own cause there's no waiter or waitress-- i don't like that put on the tab. 18% is enough to share with everyone while a waiter staff is involved. Just as on land I would prefer a tip cup for the bar tender when i walk up.

As an employee you should not be allowed to post this comment. Work hard????? ya it's tough saying "what can i get ya"????????????

 

So when you belly up to a bar, & the bartender serves you, you don't tip? Or do you base your tips on the number of steps required to serve you?

[DancerOT]

Just to clarify, when you have the classic package and upgrade to the premium package, you only pay gratuities on the $10 difference, correct?

 

As an aside, I don't think it is fair to judge those that work in the service industry until you have worked in the service industry. There is a lot more to being a bartender or server than "what can I get you?" - much of which occurs behind the scenes without the customer seeing.

[ghstudio]

PREDICTION: Within 2 years from today Celebrity will include the Classic Package for all passengers. The cost (plus profit margin) will be rolled into the base cost of the cruise. They will market the Premium Package as a valuable addition that can be purchased. The gratutity will be included in the price, so whether it's 18%, 20% or more won't matter since it will be hidden.

 

RATIONALE for Prediction:

1. In the RCL Conference call held earlier today, RCL CEO Richard Fain in discussing the 1-2-3 Promtion indicated that the success of this approach suggests that customers appear to favor the "value added" approach over the "budget" approach. TAs prefer it as well since the extra cost means extra commission. Like it or not,it appears to me that Celebrity is on the path to "all inclusive" pricing. I'm in the "not" camp as I favor a low base price and adding options as desired. Seems reasonable to me that beverages would be one of the current options most easily added to increase the base price and add to margins.

2. Will be including drink packages in the base price of higher end Suites in April. If it works there, it will find it's way into pricing for other categories and eventuall ALL categories.

3. They need to increase profit margins, especially in the weaker Caribbean market.

4. It makes good business sense in terms of reaching the double-double goal.

 

You forget that people respond to "getting something for nothing" or thinking they "got a deal". Additionally, having an "end date" on a promotion creates the need to book now, don't wait. Celebrity would probably be making a business mistake to include a drink package in their base price. My guess is that the classic package actually costs celebrity less than free gratuities. I wouldn't expect either to be included in the base.

[GazW]

As Karynanne already said, the reason the U.S. is relevant to this discussion is because most major cruise lines run their business based on U.S. customs and practices, e.g. currency (always the US dollar), tipping (15-20% is "normal"), attire (what is formal vs. business casual), language (English), restaurant service, casino operations, credit cards accepted, etc. etc.

 

Perhaps...I have only sailed previously with P&O who were (obviously not now) a British company and they certainly had tipping in force then. I also believe that MSC & Costa have tipping.

 

I genuinely thought it was a cruising thing and not a specifically an Americanism. Hence my original query.

 

Again, it doesn't matter what an individual's personal opinion is on any particular custom or practice. What matters is that everyone understands what is customary and normal for the U.S., and thus most cruise ships, and then take the discussion from there. So FACT: 15%-18% tipping is customary, expected and normal for wait table and bar service in the U.S. and onboard most major cruise ships. OPINION: Tipping is a good and worthwhile system, or it's stupid and highway robbery. So we can debate the latter but not the former.

 

I believe it absolutely does matter what one's opinion on a particular "custom or practise" is...especially when it is forced upon somebody who does not normally expect to follow that "custom or practise" or feels that it is just plain wrong.

 

Just because the model the Norwegian/American/Liberian company decided to follow is 'immutable', doesn't mean I have to agree with it.

 

Whilst it is a FACT that I will be "expected" to pay my way gratuity-wise...It does not detract from the FACT that I believe it is a ridiculous way for an employee to earn a fair wage.

 

Sure, let people earn tips to bump up their 'fair' wage, but please let that be on merit.

[laslomas]

Best post of the entire thread. Well said.

 

Though some may be chagrined to hear this, 15% is becoming a dinasour in the U.S., the norm is now more like 18-20%, at least in the NE US.

 

Does this mean that the wages in the US service industry are going down requiring the customer to cover even more of the shortfall?? how can that be allowed to happen, and why keep tipping more? Surely this is a snowball effect that will just keep getting bigger.

[dandee2]

PREDICTION: Within 2 years from today Celebrity will include the Classic Package for all passengers. The cost (plus profit margin) will be rolled into the base cost of the cruise. They will market the Premium Package as a valuable addition that can be purchased. The gratutity will be included in the price, so whether it's 18%, 20% or more won't matter since it will be hidden.

 

RATIONALE for Prediction:

1. In the RCL Conference call held earlier today, RCL CEO Richard Fain in discussing the 1-2-3 Promtion indicated that the success of this approach suggests that customers appear to favor the "value added" approach over the "budget" approach. TAs prefer it as well since the extra cost means extra commission. Like it or not,it appears to me that Celebrity is on the path to "all inclusive" pricing. I'm in the "not" camp as I favor a low base price and adding options as desired. Seems reasonable to me that beverages would be one of the current options most easily added to increase the base price and add to margins.

2. Will be including drink packages in the base price of higher end Suites in April. If it works there, it will find it's way into pricing for other categories and eventuall ALL categories.

3. They need to increase profit margins, especially in the weaker Caribbean market.

4. It makes good business sense in terms of reaching the double-double goal.

 

Like your comment: Cruise lines know that in the short-mid term (especially in the Caribbean) they will face hard time with the opening of cheap travel to Cuba in the All-Inclusive Resort of this island. That is why the 123 Promo will be here to stay for awhile. While the food is average at best in Cuba, it will be hard to resist $400/week all-inclusive (air included) in low-season.

[The_Big_M]

As Karynanne already said, the reason the U.S. is relevant to this discussion is because most major cruise lines run their business based on U.S. customs and practices, e.g. currency (always the US dollar), tipping (15-20% is "normal"), attire (what is formal vs. business casual), language (English), restaurant service, casino operations, credit cards accepted, etc. etc.

 

Again, it doesn't matter what an individual's personal opinion is on any particular custom or practice. What matters is that everyone understands what is customary and normal for the U.S., and thus most cruise ships, and then take the discussion from there. So FACT: 15%-18% tipping is customary, expected and normal for wait table and bar service in the U.S. and onboard most major cruise ships. OPINION: Tipping is a good and worthwhile system, or it's stupid and highway robbery. So we can debate the latter but not the former.

 

They have historically, but the reality is that they are getting, and see their biggest future growth outside the US market.

 

Thus, they are finding they have to adapt to cater for those customers. Things change - not just inside the industry but also outside. Hence it's valid to point out that what was traditionally expected with one customer base, is not as willingly accepted with a different customer base.

 

The US share of the cruising market has been shrinking.

[The_Big_M]

I imagine with the popularity of the beverage packages these days' date=' tips have probably decreased slightly for the staff. Without a package, $49 would get you 5-7 drinks. With the package, if you drink more than that, no tip because you've exceeded the base cost. It may be that the number of drinkers who consume more than the beverage package value exceeds those who do not thus the 3% increase in tips is necessary to maintain the before beverage package levels. Just a theory. I've had the package several times and between coffee, wine, water, drinks and martinis I averaged 7-10 beverages a day. I tipped extra because I knew that beyond a certain point, the tips associated with the package had been used up. [/quote']

 

That doesn't really make sense, and nor have I ever seen reference to a cap on tips through the package.

 

There are many passengers who drink less than the package inclusions, so to be equivalent the line would need to top up tips for passengers who didn't consume so much. I equally don't believe that that is the case, so there aren't any grounds for them to cap it either.

 

It would also complicate things, as it would mean the system would need to calculate the total consumption per day, by package, then stop distributing at that point. Or even more complicatedly, pro-rate the tip share back throughout all drinks on the day.

 

There isn't any benefit in any respect for them to do that.