daily service charge

[sparks1093]

Let me ask you a question before I answer yours. Before DSC and Automatically added gratuities the cruise lines always provided a break down of per diem suggestions for tips, usually to wait staff, room steward (or stewardess) as well as the head waiter. The cruise line did not get involved and you handed those people cash, above, below, or at the suggested rate.

 

Do you mean to tell me that the maintenance crew, laundry crew, dishwashers and cooks all worked for free then? No. Of course not. They were paid proper wages just like in every other industry. Do I feel like someone fixing a broken pipe is providing ME a service? No. I do not feel that way. That is not an amenity or feature of my vacation. They are taking care of a capital asset that is NCL's, repairs and maintenance which must be done for normal operations.

 

When we go to dinner we tip those that serve us, name the wait staff, and from time to time a restaurant may have a valet or a coat check person. We interact with these people and receive services from them. But the restaurant needs to wash dishes, cook food, and throw out trash. Those are services required to make the restuarant run. They do not interact with me and I do not believe they should be tipped. They should be paid proper wages. That said, we also always reserve the right to tip at our discretion. That means not all servers get the same tip from us. Lousy servers get a "base" tip, great servers get wonderful tips. That is exactly how the service industry works. I don't tip my mailman, the cable guy, the plumber...etc. I pay for those services and they are part of the infrastructure of life. It would be a crying shame if they were made to earn a living off of a tip instead of a wage.

 

Hopefully this illustrates my point a bit more clearly.

 

I expect that the service charge is distributed much the same way as tips are on the other lines- the lions share of it goes to the stewards (and those they have to tip out) and the waitstaff (and those they have to tip out) with a small portion going to staff that are called on to perform extra functions outside of their normal job (such as helping move luggage on embarkation/debarkation day, helping bus tables in the buffet, etc.). The fact is $12.95 a person doesn't spread that far.

[KeithJenner]

NCL has given me the option to leave a gratuity in the manner which I want to.

 

Have they?

 

From the FAQ's, it says this about removing the DSC's (I think this is from the US site):

 

" If there is a service issue can the service charges be adjusted on board? Guest satisfaction is the highest priority at Norwegian Cruise Line. We have structured a guest satisfaction program designed to handle any concerns about service or on-board product quickly and efficiently. However, in the event a service issue should arise during your cruise please let our on-board guest services desk staff know right away, so that we can address these in a timely manner. It is our goal to reach a satisfactory solution to any issue when it happens and make sure our guests can focus on enjoying their cruise. Should your concerns not be met with satisfaction you can adjust the charges."

 

I can't find any reference to being able to remove the DSC for any other reason, so I can see nothing to suggest that NCL are giving you the option to tip your way.

 

I'm interested to see if I've missed something. I appreciate that it is possible to get the charge removed without specifying a reason, but that in itself doesn't mean that NCL are giving the option, just that a practical decision has been made to avoid conflict.

[NLH Arizona]

When we go to dinner we tip those that serve us, name the wait staff, and from time to time a restaurant may have a valet or a coat check person. We interact with these people and receive services from them. But the restaurant needs to wash dishes, cook food, and throw out trash. Those are services required to make the restuarant run. They do not interact with me and I do not believe they should be tipped. They should be paid proper wages. That said, we also always reserve the right to tip at our discretion. That means not all servers get the same tip from us. Lousy servers get a "base" tip, great servers get wonderful tips. That is exactly how the service industry works. I don't tip my mailman, the cable guy, the plumber...etc. I pay for those services and they are part of the infrastructure of life. It would be a crying shame if they were made to earn a living off of a tip instead of a wage.

 

Hopefully this illustrates my point a bit more clearly.

Hopefully, this will make you understand how land restaurants work as far as what the servers do with their tips:

 

In most restaurants and bars, a server will be required to tip out to the kitchen, bar, and whatever other supporting staff help them during their shift. In some cases, it is at the server’s discretion. In most cases, it is a set percentage of total sales.

 

So the server does not tip out according to how much she made in tips. If the server sold $1,000 over her shift and the tip out to the kitchen is 2%, then she must give the kitchen $20 no matter how much she made in gratuities.

 

So the more she makes after that 2% (plus whatever she is required to tip out to the bar, etc.), the more stays her pocket. However, this is also the reason that getting stiffed for a tip hurts so much. Whether or not someone tips, the server is responsible for that 2% back to the kitchen.

[ColinIllinois]

[sparks1093]

NLH Arizona said "Hopefully, this will make you understand how land restaurants work as far as what the servers do with their tips:

 

In most restaurants and bars, a server will be required to tip out to the kitchen, bar, and whatever other supporting staff help them during their shift. In some cases, it is at the server’s discretion. In most cases, it is a set percentage of total sales.

 

So the server does not tip out according to how much she made in tips. If the server sold $1,000 over her shift and the tip out to the kitchen is 2%, then she must give the kitchen $20 no matter how much she made in gratuities.

 

So the more she makes after that 2% (plus whatever she is required to tip out to the bar, etc.), the more stays her pocket. However, this is also the reason that getting stiffed for a tip hurts so much. Whether or not someone tips, the server is responsible for that 2% back to the kitchen."

 

And in the US the employer will withhold taxes based on the total sales also, making it a double sting for the server.

[kba1988]

 

LOL!!!

 

We need a "LIKE" button in this forum...:D:D

[NLH Arizona]

 

And in the US the employer will withhold taxes based on the total sales also, making it a double sting for the server.

What does this have to do with the discussion at hand? The OP said she did not tip any one other than a server (and possibly coat check) in a land restaurant and I was just explaining to her that she does tip them through the tip she gives her server.

[Beaver1975]

 

...as soon as someone gets their little feelings hurt and whines to the mods and the thread is locked.

 

But, a new thread will start within a few days after that.

Edited February 25, 2015 by Beaver1975

[sparks1093]

What does this have to do with the discussion at hand? The OP said she did not tip any one other than a server (and possibly coat check) in a land restaurant and I was just explaining to her that she does tip them through the tip she gives her server.

 

Just a follow on observation to what you posted, nothing more and nothing less (and more than the PP is posting to this thread and maybe the info will be helpful to someone else). Sorry if I offended as I certainly didn't mean to.

[NLH Arizona]

Just a follow on observation to what you posted, nothing more and nothing less (and more than the PP is posting to this thread and maybe the info will be helpful to someone else). Sorry if I offended as I certainly didn't mean to.

No offense taken, just didn't understand how it had any bearing on the discussion.

[luddite]

I will gladly tell guest services as well as crew members why - The company gives me the option to pay how I wish. I am utilizing one of the provided options. I believe in the time honored way of tipping; guest to service provider. That way I have no qualms about the company delaying payments or keeping some of it. I am not doing anything underhanded, against the rules, and certainly nothing to be ashamed of. I'm selecting a choice amongst many and doing what I believe is best. It is probably also a fact that some people never discuss this topic, remove DSC, and pay nothing at all.

 

Until such time as I see proof that workers get to keep ALL of the DSC I consider all conversations where people "claim" to know one way or the other to just be opinions.

 

And for those who wish to berate me and be negative, I ask you, on your last cruise how much extra did you leave in tips? I always find it amusing to be scolded about tipping and then finding out those doing the scolding don't tip anywhere near the level we do.

 

Serious question here: Do you make them grovel?

[luddite]

They are paid as part of the cruise fare. Or should be. It's a downright shame that the cruise line is able to tie their pay package to discretionary tips when these workers don't interact with guests directly. Someone mopping a floor deserves a livable wage. They should not have to be tipped for what amounts to maintenance work. That surely isn't my fault though. I hate to sound callous about it, I really do, but you asked and I felt I should answer honestly. When you go to a restaurant do you look for the crew that throws out the trash and go tip them?

 

So you do not actually understand how the system works and you have spare time for agita on board?

[LoveyHowell]

Serious question here: Do you make them grovel?

What an awful thing to say. Of course not. We are very low maintenance. We appreciate good service and we tip accordingly, some may say heavily. I don't agree with the auto-tip method and prefer to do it in cash. When you start Luddite Cruise Lines you can dictate whatever you wish.

[luddite]

What an awful thing to say. Of course not. We are very low maintenance. We appreciate good service and we tip accordingly, some may say heavily. I don't agree with the auto-tip method and prefer to do it in cash. When you start Luddite Cruise Lines you can dictate whatever you wish.

 

Well then, pay the DSC (which isn't a tip) and then tip the guys you want to tip. It sounds very much like you need to lord yourself over the peons who take care of you. The crew is VERY happy when the DSC is paid, it means they are getting paid. Because that is how they are paid, not via a salary.

[hpecorari]

And for those who wish to berate me and be negative, I ask you, on your last cruise how much extra did you leave in tips? I always find it amusing to be scolded about tipping and then finding out those doing the scolding don't tip anywhere near the level we do.

 

How much do I leave extra? Well that actually depends. I've been known to leave anywhere from $30 to $75.00 depending on the room Steward.

 

When eating at specialty restaurants I usually leave anywhere from $5.00 to $10.00. I'm not a big drinker but when I do drink I'll give an extra $3.00 and when I used to get smokes in the Casino I'd give them $3.00. Room service, depending on what I order I'll leave them anywhere from $3.00 to 5.00 each time they come. When in a suite I'll leave anywhere from $150.00 to $200.00 for the Butler (I never order meals to be served in the room) and around $100.00 for the consignor who I only really use if there is a tender, for embarkation and disembarkation as I like to make my own reservations, excursions, etc....and don't really use him/her.

 

If I'm a winner in the casino I tend to be a bit more generous! LOL

 

That, of course, is on top of the DSC.

 

Harriet

[LoveyHowell]

Well then, pay the DSC (which isn't a tip) and then tip the guys you want to tip. It sounds very much like you need to lord yourself over the peons who take care of you. The crew is VERY happy when the DSC is paid, it means they are getting paid. Because that is how they are paid, not via a salary.

 

I don't know why you have that impression but you are very much wrong and if you can't carry on a conversation like an adult there is nothing more to discuss with you.

[mjkacmom]

I will gladly tell guest services as well as crew members why - The company gives me the option to pay how I wish. I am utilizing one of the provided options. I believe in the time honored way of tipping; guest to service provider. That way I have no qualms about the company delaying payments or keeping some of it. I am not doing anything underhanded, against the rules, and certainly nothing to be ashamed of. I'm selecting a choice amongst many and doing what I believe is best. It is probably also a fact that some people never discuss this topic, remove DSC, and pay nothing at all.

 

Until such time as I see proof that workers get to keep ALL of the DSC I consider all conversations where people "claim" to know one way or the other to just be opinions.

 

And for those who wish to berate me and be negative, I ask you, on your last cruise how much extra did you leave in tips? I always find it amusing to be scolded about tipping and then finding out those doing the scolding don't tip anywhere near the level we do.

 

We tip $1 per drink, even with the UBP (being from NJ, anything else just doesn't feel right). A few bucks for room service, $40 to the room steward, $10 at specialty restaurants. $2 per bag for the pier porters, although they are not NCL employees. Nothing crazy.

[KeithJenner]

The company gives me the option to pay how I wish. I am utilizing one of the provided options.

 

 

You seemed to have missed my previous question so I will ask again. Could you show me anything to back up the above post? I have only ever seen one reason given by NCL for being able to remove the DSC and it isn't so you can tip people individually.

 

As you are so keen that people back up their statements with proof then I assume that you made sure you had some proof before posting didn't you?

[judipa]

Yes you can go to guest services and have it removed no questions asked. I saw a lot of tips on dinner tables when I sailed in Dec. so I think many people remove those auto tips and tip the people that actually serve them.

 

 

But you should NOT do that. The way it operates now the tips are spread out to all who serve. Many people remove the tips because they are too cheap to tip. If you do it yourself then some below deck people who are included in the pool will be skipped. It was worked well for year - why mess with it.

[judipa]

It is not Mandatory. I'm thinking of buying the specialty restaurant package for my 7 night cruise so I will not double tip the MDR. With the implementation of this package they need to rethink a different daily tip amount because it's double dipping. I believe the package for the specialty restaurants include the tip but if not I need to know that.

 

So the people who serve you at lunch and breakfast get stiffed? Cheap, cheap, cheap.

[LoveyHowell]

I have only ever seen one reason given by NCL for being able to remove the DSC and it isn't so you can tip people individually.

 

Does NCL allow you to turn off DSC, yes or no? Yes.

 

It was worked well for year - why mess with it.

 

I feel like it worked a lot better when they provided guidelines for us to tip the workers that provided us services directly. No one ever mentioned behind the scenes people. Why mess with that? Did all of the behind the scenes workers work for free in the past? Or did the company just decide with the invention of DSC they no longer needed to pay them?

[JVilleGal]

So the people who serve you at lunch and breakfast get stiffed? Cheap, cheap, cheap.

 

 

Apparently all the behind the scenes crew get stiffed by this method!

 

Sad :(

[luddite]

I don't know why you have that impression .

 

Because that's how it comes across.

[luddite]

 

I feel like it worked a lot better when they provided guidelines for us to tip the workers

 

The crew would disagree with that statement.

[titangas]

 

And for those who wish to berate me and be negative, I ask you, on your last cruise how much extra did you leave in tips? I always find it amusing to be scolded about tipping and then finding out those doing the scolding don't tip anywhere near the level we do.

 

 

On our last 12 night cruise.

We didn't eat lunch on the ship on any of the port days, only on the 2 Sea Days.

We had such terrible service in the Main Dining Rooms on the first 2 nights we went to guest service to complain. We were all set to reduce the DSC if things didn't change. They did change and we left the DSC intact.

 

We ate twice at LeBistro tipped $10 once and $20 once.

We ate at Shogun twice tipped $5 once and $10 once

We ate at Cagney's once tipped $20

We ate at the Italian once, food was eh, service so -so (no tip)

We do not drink alcohol and didn't use bar waitstaff.

Cabin Steward was fantastic and left him extra $60

 

So for 12 nights we paid $288 in DSC and $125 in additional tips for a total of $413