Beverage Package Gratuities Update: 15% to 18%

[tgmtgm]

I just had a totally random thought.

Let's say you upgrade your package today at 15% and I upgrade on board Monday (which is what I plan on doing) at 18%.

Won't it be a nightmare trying to figure out internally what the crew members get ?

(I'm still the person who thinks the increase may not be passed on to crew. :rolleyes: )

 

 

I actually asked a bar server on board the Equinox last year how they are compensated tip wise on the drink packages. According to him, it's a flat rate per drink. They receive a credit per drink they sell, not the 15% amount. Not so with the paid drinks- those are credited the full 15% gratuity to the server.

 

Tony

[wwcruisers]

Just called the Captain's Club, and upgraded the drink package on both of our cruises, at the current gratuity rate. Although the rep we talked to could not confirm the rate increase tomorrow, she did verify that our upgrade was at the 15% included grat. rate. Just got our receipt, and are awaiting our updated guest confirmation copy. Saved a few $$ -- and, that's one less thing for me to do at final payment! :cool:

 

(And yes, count us in as members of the "crisp $-bill club" -- we've found that it does make a difference in the level of service -- even with the premium package! :D)

[NLH Arizona]

We are from England and although we don't have the same tipping culture as our cousins across the pond and pretty much only tip in England if we go out for a meal we would never dream of removing our tips, we are aware we are cruising on an American brand ship and having travelled to the states quite a bit we fully understand the tipping culture in American...

 

We have never met a member of the crew that didn't deserve the minimum tip charged, we have met loads that deserve more and we do indeed tip extra when we come across these crew members! It's not in our culture to tip bar people but we don't give it a second thought on board 🍸😎

Love your style and wish all those from non-tipping countries felt the same. I'd bet that if the prices were increased to include the tips, those that remove them would be the first to complain about the higher prices, as I feel it is more about being cheap than about the tipping culture.

 

When I'm in another country, I try to follow their customs without complaining and wish others would do the same about our tipping culture with complaining.

[phoenix_dream]

I hate the tipping paradigm in general, and wish everyone would be given an appropriate, living wage at the start. It seems to me it has gotten worse over the years rather than better. I am talking about tipping in general; not tipping on cruises. Years ago (ok, maybe I am dating myself, but it was not THAT long ago), a tip of 15% was considered the standard. Except sometimes for large parties, tips were never automatically added to the bill. If a waiter/waitress was exceptional of course you gave more. If I had counter service I was not expected to tip as I was the one going up and getting the food or drink myself.

 

These days, 18-20% is the norm, and automatic tips are not uncommon for parties as small as six. Practically every counter service area I go to has a tip jar out, from Starbucks, to the local gyros joint I frequent. Really?!?! Somehow back when I worked those counters we never even considered getting a tip for working at Kentucky Fried Chicken!

 

Got that off my chest, so back to cruising. I am not happy about having Celebrity add an 18% surcharge automatically to my bill instead of 15%. I was not happy with them adding 15%. I am old school - to me a tip is supposed to be OPTIONAL. If it is not optional it is not a tip, it is a part of the cost that is being used to partially pay for a salary. If it is not optional, let's just include it in the price and the cruise line can allocate it as they see fit. Let's stop pretending, and just call it what it is - part of the price.

 

And before the flames begin, of course I believe the crew deserves to make a decent salary for their hard work, of course I will often tip more for exceptional service, and of course while it is the paradigm I will go along with it so as not to cheat anyone. I just would rather the paradigm change, and I don't like Celebrity deciding 15% isn't good enough anymore. That is a decision I prefer to make on my own for this 'optional' charge.

[crash3x]

I have the Classic drink package on a upcoming cruise. This will be our first with Celebrity. Is the mini bar in our stateroom and bottled water included in our drink package or do we have to go up on deck every time we would like something?

 

 

Forums

[Pfeilm]

Phoenix_dream.........

 

Clapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclap........... You get the idea. Well said.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Pfeilm

[Orator]

I have the Classic drink package on a upcoming cruise. This will be our first with Celebrity. Is the mini bar in our stateroom and bottled water included in our drink package or do we have to go up on deck every time we would like something?

 

 

Forums

 

Mini Bar not included in drink packages. Nor is room service.

[LuckiePuris]

Hi there,

 

We are looking into this, and will advise.

 

Does anyone have an email address I can email to get a prompt response on this? Thank you

[LuckiePuris]

I have just emailed two contacts I have regarding clarification on the changes.

 

- will the menus onboard australian cruises be updated to include the 18% gratuity.

 

- will the allowance on the classic and beverage packages be increased for australian cruises to account for the increased beverage prices.

 

- will there be less inclusions for those traveling on the classic package.

 

I will update when I have a response.

[Pushka]

I'd be perfectly happy for the cruise price to be increased up to the amount of the auto tip and know that crew were receiving correct wages at the get go. And then if I received exceptional service I'd tip extra.

[dandee2]

It doesn't just happen (low pay) on cruise ships...in the USA the wait staff are paid well under minimum wage ...about $3.00 an hour and depend on the tips.

 

...and I agree, rude waiter equals lower % tip.

 

Please move to Ontario. The minimum wage is close to $10/hr :)

But of course, you would be stuck here as the $CA is 25% below the $US.

[uktog]

You still have today...

 

Nope, missed the boat

[neverbeenhere]

The crew is receiving "correct" wages. That is what the daily and T.I.P. service charges insure.

[Adidas4fun]

The crew is receiving "correct" wages. That is what the daily and T.I.P. service charges insure.

 

"T.I.P. service"? = to insure prompt service I take it.

 

To insure = to guarantee against loss or harm. (Dictionary.com)

 

Yep, if you pay the servers peanuts no wonder you have to take out insurance.

[neverbeenhere]

:d:

(

i'd be perfectly happy for the cruise price to be increased up to the amount of the auto tip and know that crew were receiving correct wages at the get go. And then if i received exceptional service i'd tip extra.

[The_Big_M]

I just had a totally random thought.

Let's say you upgrade your package today at 15% and I upgrade on board Monday (which is what I plan on doing) at 18%.

Won't it be a nightmare trying to figure out internally what the crew members get ?

(I'm still the person who thinks the increase may not be passed on to crew. :rolleyes: )

 

I'm sure the line will credit the gratuity in effect at the time of processing, rather than at the time it was paid. The package purchase is already a group item - the gratuity you pay on purchase is extremely unlikely to be the same amount disbursed when consumed (given how people buy varying numbers of drinks).

[The_Big_M]

This situation was raised earlier and Celebrity Cruises recognized this had potential implication in Australia where the tip is included in the price.

 

One specific example in Australia was wine had a $10.50 limit which included the tip. This allowed for a pre-tip wine cost of $9.00 which is the limit for the classic package. Now with the 18% tip, the $9.00 pre-tip wine would not be included in the $10.50 limit. The classic beverage info on the celebrity site clearly states that one is entitled to wine up to $9.00 pre tip. Something's gotta give. Already there are very few wines available on the classic pkg, so to lose even more would not be good.

 

Celebrity Cruises said they would look into it and report back. I have not been able to see any update from Celebrity Cruises as yet.

 

Given they originally adjusted the amount on local sailings to include the gratuity, since they are changing the gratuity amount, it would be expected that both amounts would similarly change.

 

The drink prices, plus the cap is only worked out based on base price + gratuity, not any other calculation.

[The_Big_M]

Wonder if those who remove gratuities because it is not the norm in their countries, would have an issue if cruise fares were raised to include the gratuities, thus not giving them the option to remove them.

 

No they wouldn't.

 

Other cruise lines did that very thing, and have continued quite happily with bookings in fact rising.

 

I'm not sure why you think they would have an issue.

[The_Big_M]

When I'm in another country, I try to follow their customs without complaining and wish others would do the same about our tipping culture with complaining.

 

It's interesting the number of complaints I see from US folks about prices being high here, ignoring that they aren't changed a separate tax, as well as gratuities when it comes to pay.

 

In the end, after converting and without those extras, we're generally cheaper in cost of living (although of course some things are higher and some lower). But still it's a frequent enough complaint from the US visitors...

[Big_G]

This is a subtle attempt at forcing People to upgrade to the premium package as something as a 3% change will bump most Classic package beverage who was at the tipping point be over the limit.

 

Let's seenof celebrity cruises will change the classic package limits to compensate

 

More conspiracy theories.

[Adidas4fun]

It's interesting the number of complaints I see from US folks about prices being high here, ignoring that they aren't changed a separate tax, as well as gratuities when it comes to pay.

 

In the end, after converting and without those extras, we're generally cheaper in cost of living (although of course some things are higher and some lower). But still it's a frequent enough complaint from the US visitors...

 

Its interesting isnt it. The ticket price on the shelf is never what you pay and the americans are quite happy with this deceptive practice. But tell them the real price and they complain.

 

Yet supposedly the moaners are those from civilised countries that pay their workers real wages.

[A Sixth?]

Its interesting isnt it. The ticket price on the shelf is never what you pay and the americans are quite happy with this deceptive practice. But tell them the real price and they complain.

 

Yet supposedly the moaners are those from civilised countries that pay their workers real wages.

 

There is not one person posting here that could live on these wages.

 

Stop insulting the wages of hard working crew making 20X these numbers in their own countries

 

Many here have got to travel more

 

State

2014

Minimum

Wage

Minimum Wage

As of 1-1-15

Future

Scheduled

Increases

Indexed

Automatic Annual

Adjustments

Alabama

none

none

 

 

Alaska

$7.75

$7.75

$8.75 eff. 2-24-15

$9.75 eff. 1-1-16

Indexed annual increases begin Jan. 1, 2017. (2014 ballot measure)

American Samoa

varies 1

varies 1

 

 

Arizona

$7.90

$8.05

 

Rate increased annually based on cost of living. (Ballot measure 2006)

Arkansas

$6.25

$7.50

$8.00 eff. 1-1-16

$8.50 eff. 1-1-17

 

California

$9.00

$9.00

$10.00 eff. 1-1-16

 

Colorado

$8.00

$8.23

 

Rate increased or decreased annually based on cost of living (Constitutional amendment 2006)

Connecticut

$8.70 2

$9.15 2

$9.60 eff. 1-1-16

$10.10 eff. 1-1-17

 

Delaware

$7.75

$7.75

$8.25 eff. 6-1-15

 

D.C.

$9.50 3

$9.50 3

$10.50 eff. 7-1-15

$11.50 eff. 7-1-16

Indexed increases begin July 1, 2017

(2014 legislation)

Florida

$7.93

$8.05

 

Annual increase based cost of living. (Constitutional amendment 2004)

Georgia

$5.15

$5.15

 

 

Guam

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Hawaii

$7.25

$7.75

$8.50 eff. 1/1/16

$9.25 eff. 1/1/17

$10.10 eff. 1/1/18

 

Idaho

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Illinois

$8.25

$8.25

 

 

Indiana

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Iowa

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Kansas

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Kentucky

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Louisiana

none

none

 

 

Maine

$7.50 4

$7.50 4

 

 

Maryland

$7.25

$8.00

$8.25 eff. 7-1-15

$8.75 eff. 7-1-16

$9.25 eff. 7-1-17

$10.10 eff. 7-1-18

 

Massachusetts

$8.00 5

$9.00 5

$10.00 eff. 1-1-16

$11.00 eff. 1-1-17

 

Michigan

$8.15

$8.15

$8.50 eff. 1-1-16

$8.90 eff. 1-1-17

$9.25 eff. 1-1-18

Annual increases take effect Jan. 1, 2019, linked to the CPI. Increases not to exceed 3.5%. (2014 Legislation)

Minnesota

$8.00/$6.50 6

$8.00/$6.50 6

Large Employers:

$9.00 eff. 8-1-15

$9.50 eff. 8-1-16

Small Employers:

$7.25 eff. 8-1-15

$7.75 eff. 8-1-16

Indexed annual increases begin Jan. 1, 2018.

(2014 legislation)

Mississippi

none

none

 

 

Missouri

$7.50 7

$7.65 7

 

Minimum wage increased or decreased by cost of living starting Jan. 1, 2008. (2006 ballot measure)

Montana

$7.90/$4.00 8

$8.05/$4.00 8

 

Increases done annually based on the CPI and effective Jan. 1 of the following year. (2006 ballot measure)

Nebraska

$7.25

$8.00

$9.00 eff. 1-1-16

 

Nevada

$8.25/$7.25 9

$8.25/$7.25 9

 

Increases subject to the federal minimum wage and consumer price index. Increases take effect July 1. (Constitutional amendment 2004/2006).

New Hampshire

repealed by HB 133 (2011)

repealed by HB 133 (2011)

 

 

New Jersey

$8.25

$8.38

 

Indexed annual increases based on the CPI, effective Jan. 1, 2014. (Constitutional Amendment 2013)

New Mexico

$7.50

$7.50

 

 

New York

$8.00

$8.75

$9.00 eff. 12-31-15

 

North Carolina

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

North Dakota

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Ohio

$7.95/$7.25 10

$8.10/$7.25 10

 

Indexed annual increases based on the CPI. (Constitutional amendment 2006)

Oklahoma

$7.25/$2.00 11

$7.25/$2.00 11

 

 

Oregon

$9.10

$9.25

 

Indexed annual increases based on the CPI, rounded to the nearest five cents. (ballot measure 2002)

Pennsylvania

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Puerto Rico

$7.25/$5.08 12

$7.25/$5.08 12

 

 

Rhode Island

$8.00

$9.00

 

 

South Carolina

none

none

 

 

South Dakota

$7.25

$8.50

 

Annual indexed increases begin Jan. 1, 2016. (2014 ballot measure.)

Tennessee

none

none

 

 

Texas

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Utah

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Vermont

$8.73

$9.15

$9.60 eff. 1-1-16

$10.00 eff. 1-1-17

$10.50 eff. 1-1-18

Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, minimum wage increased annually by 5% or the CPI, whichever is smaller; it cannot decrease. Note: Vermont started indexing in 2007. (2014 legislation)

Virgin Islands

$7.25/$4.30 13

$7.25/$4.30 13

 

 

Virginia

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Washington

$9.32

$9.47

 

Annual indexed increases began Jan. 1, 2001. (ballot measure 1998)

West Virginia

$7.25

$8.00

$8.75 eff. 12-31-15

 

Wisconsin

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Wyoming

$5.15

$5.15

 

 

 

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Labor, http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm; and state web sites.

[Adidas4fun]

There is not one person posting here that could live on these wages.

 

Stop insulting the wages of hard working crew making 20X these numbers in their own countries

 

Many here have got to travel more

 

State

2014

Minimum

Wage

Minimum Wage

As of 1-1-15

Future

Scheduled

Increases

Indexed

Automatic Annual

Adjustments

Alabama

none

none

 

 

Alaska

$7.75

$7.75

$8.75 eff. 2-24-15

$9.75 eff. 1-1-16

Indexed annual increases begin Jan. 1, 2017. (2014 ballot measure)

American Samoa

varies 1

varies 1

 

 

Arizona

$7.90

$8.05

 

Rate increased annually based on cost of living. (Ballot measure 2006)

Arkansas

$6.25

$7.50

$8.00 eff. 1-1-16

$8.50 eff. 1-1-17

 

California

$9.00

$9.00

$10.00 eff. 1-1-16

 

Colorado

$8.00

$8.23

 

Rate increased or decreased annually based on cost of living (Constitutional amendment 2006)

Connecticut

$8.70 2

$9.15 2

$9.60 eff. 1-1-16

$10.10 eff. 1-1-17

 

Delaware

$7.75

$7.75

$8.25 eff. 6-1-15

 

D.C.

$9.50 3

$9.50 3

$10.50 eff. 7-1-15

$11.50 eff. 7-1-16

Indexed increases begin July 1, 2017

(2014 legislation)

Florida

$7.93

$8.05

 

Annual increase based cost of living. (Constitutional amendment 2004)

Georgia

$5.15

$5.15

 

 

Guam

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Hawaii

$7.25

$7.75

$8.50 eff. 1/1/16

$9.25 eff. 1/1/17

$10.10 eff. 1/1/18

 

Idaho

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Illinois

$8.25

$8.25

 

 

Indiana

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Iowa

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Kansas

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Kentucky

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Louisiana

none

none

 

 

Maine

$7.50 4

$7.50 4

 

 

Maryland

$7.25

$8.00

$8.25 eff. 7-1-15

$8.75 eff. 7-1-16

$9.25 eff. 7-1-17

$10.10 eff. 7-1-18

 

Massachusetts

$8.00 5

$9.00 5

$10.00 eff. 1-1-16

$11.00 eff. 1-1-17

 

Michigan

$8.15

$8.15

$8.50 eff. 1-1-16

$8.90 eff. 1-1-17

$9.25 eff. 1-1-18

Annual increases take effect Jan. 1, 2019, linked to the CPI. Increases not to exceed 3.5%. (2014 Legislation)

Minnesota

$8.00/$6.50 6

$8.00/$6.50 6

Large Employers:

$9.00 eff. 8-1-15

$9.50 eff. 8-1-16

Small Employers:

$7.25 eff. 8-1-15

$7.75 eff. 8-1-16

Indexed annual increases begin Jan. 1, 2018.

(2014 legislation)

Mississippi

none

none

 

 

Missouri

$7.50 7

$7.65 7

 

Minimum wage increased or decreased by cost of living starting Jan. 1, 2008. (2006 ballot measure)

Montana

$7.90/$4.00 8

$8.05/$4.00 8

 

Increases done annually based on the CPI and effective Jan. 1 of the following year. (2006 ballot measure)

Nebraska

$7.25

$8.00

$9.00 eff. 1-1-16

 

Nevada

$8.25/$7.25 9

$8.25/$7.25 9

 

Increases subject to the federal minimum wage and consumer price index. Increases take effect July 1. (Constitutional amendment 2004/2006).

New Hampshire

repealed by HB 133 (2011)

repealed by HB 133 (2011)

 

 

New Jersey

$8.25

$8.38

 

Indexed annual increases based on the CPI, effective Jan. 1, 2014. (Constitutional Amendment 2013)

New Mexico

$7.50

$7.50

 

 

New York

$8.00

$8.75

$9.00 eff. 12-31-15

 

North Carolina

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

North Dakota

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Ohio

$7.95/$7.25 10

$8.10/$7.25 10

 

Indexed annual increases based on the CPI. (Constitutional amendment 2006)

Oklahoma

$7.25/$2.00 11

$7.25/$2.00 11

 

 

Oregon

$9.10

$9.25

 

Indexed annual increases based on the CPI, rounded to the nearest five cents. (ballot measure 2002)

Pennsylvania

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Puerto Rico

$7.25/$5.08 12

$7.25/$5.08 12

 

 

Rhode Island

$8.00

$9.00

 

 

South Carolina

none

none

 

 

South Dakota

$7.25

$8.50

 

Annual indexed increases begin Jan. 1, 2016. (2014 ballot measure.)

Tennessee

none

none

 

 

Texas

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Utah

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Vermont

$8.73

$9.15

$9.60 eff. 1-1-16

$10.00 eff. 1-1-17

$10.50 eff. 1-1-18

Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, minimum wage increased annually by 5% or the CPI, whichever is smaller; it cannot decrease. Note: Vermont started indexing in 2007. (2014 legislation)

Virgin Islands

$7.25/$4.30 13

$7.25/$4.30 13

 

 

Virginia

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Washington

$9.32

$9.47

 

Annual indexed increases began Jan. 1, 2001. (ballot measure 1998)

West Virginia

$7.25

$8.00

$8.75 eff. 12-31-15

 

Wisconsin

$7.25

$7.25

 

 

Wyoming

$5.15

$5.15

 

 

 

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Labor, http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm; and state web sites.

Thank you for your incredibly long post, do you have a point?

[A Sixth?]

Thank you for your incredibly long post, do you have a point?

 

Liveable wage

 

Travel more

 

Celebrity and most cruise lines provide it

 

Stop bad mouthing what the crew sees as a great job

Edited February 1, 2015 by A Sixth?

[Adidas4fun]

Liveable wage

 

Travel more

 

Celebrity and most cruise lines provide it

 

Stop bad mouthing what the crew sees as a great job

Yawn.

 

You really want to try understanding the world properly rather than seeing things from your very narrow point of view.