Will you reduce DSC

[tarheelmjfan]

Question is, are you originally from North Carolina?

 

You must be physic. How did you ever guess? :D

 

As for tips in other parts of Florida, we moved here from Tampa. (We left NC many years ago for DH's job.) Anyway, we didn't experience the auto tip on parties smaller than 6 in Tampa or Orlando, which is why it took us by surprise here. Down here, we've experienced it in Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale & surrounding areas) & Miami-Dade County (Miami area, obviously). I can't remember, if we've seen it as far up as Palm County. It wouldn't surprise me, if Disney & Universal started doing the same thing once they realize it's working in South Florida. Then again, South Florida doesn't have dedicated websites for rabid fans to lambast them on. :p

[vicocala]

That may be the case in Miami but not in Central or Northern Florida. Even at Disney, they only add the auto 18% gratuity on parties of 6 or more.

 

That is the situation in Ocala as well and only a couple of expensive restaurants have tried to pull that off.

[Out to sea!]

You must be physic. How did you ever guess? :D

 

As for tips in other parts of Florida, we moved here from Tampa. (We left NC many years ago for DH's job.) Anyway, we didn't experience the auto tip on parties smaller than 6 in Tampa or Orlando, which is why it took us by surprise here. Down here, we've experienced it in Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale & surrounding areas) & Miami-Dade County (Miami area, obviously). I can't remember, if we've seen it as far up as Palm County. It wouldn't surprise me, if Disney & Universal started doing the same thing once they realize it's working in South Florida. Then again, South Florida doesn't have dedicated websites for rabid fans to lambast them on. :p

 

I don't know......maybe because I'm from NC myself. Rocky Mount to be exact.....home of Phil Ford. :)

 

Yes, I've never seen auto tips on parties less than 6 in Tampa either (was stationed at MacDill for 4 years). What does irritate me with Disney is they charge the auto tips even at the buffet restaurants where you have to go get your own food. And even though they are "tips" you cannot adjust them downward, even for poor service. That's what really sucks.

 

So, do you think Dean Smith is trying to teach Jesus how to slam dunk? :D

Edited May 23, 2015 by Out to sea!

[zqvol]

I will eliminate my DSC and use cash only. I will leave $$ at dinner and pay my cabin attendant in cash. If they wish to turn it into a pool then it's their choice, I paid my tips to those that actually served me. Since it is still a suggested DSC and not mandatory it can be done my way.

 

 

Be sure and go to the laundry and tip the people who wash, dry, and fold your sheets and towels. Also don't forget to tip all of the servers in the buffet who clear your tables on those days when the MDR is not open for lunch, or when you eat breakfast there.

[ColinIllinois]

So you'll be tipping the folks at the buffet, going down to the laundry and tipping those that clean your sheets, and of course tipping the folks on deck who pick up after you? :rolleyes:

 

Yes, it CAN be done that way but that doesn't make it right just because it can be done that way.

 

 

Personally I always leave my DSC in place but rarely tip anything extra. However, if I didn't then I would not feel obligated to tip someone who worked in the laundry or the guy who puts the deck chairs away. Those things, in my opinion, are an expected services included in my cruise fare.

[cruzsnooze]

Be sure and go to the laundry and tip the people who wash, dry, and fold your sheets and towels. Also don't forget to tip all of the servers in the buffet who clear your tables on those days when the MDR is not open for lunch, or when you eat breakfast there.

I agree with you, the buffet should get a tip. The laundry, are you kidding. When's the last time you stayed at a hotel and went down to tip the laundry. Or tipped the laundry for your tablecloth at a restaurant. Some thing just come with the cruise, like sheets and pillow cases.

[luddite]

I agree with you, the buffet should get a tip. The laundry, are you kidding. When's the last time you stayed at a hotel and went down to tip the laundry. Or tipped the laundry for your tablecloth at a restaurant. Some thing just come with the cruise, like sheets and pillow cases.

 

You should tip everyone that you think deserves a tip.

After paying the Service Charge.

Which isn't a tip.

[LMaxwell]

You should tip everyone that you think deserves a tip.

After paying the Service Charge.

Which isn't a tip.

 

You are right. Tip everyone you think deserves a tip. The service charge is not a tip. The service charge is optional and discretionary and is not an obligation. Anyone may elect to leave it in place or not.

[luddite]

You are right. Tip everyone you think deserves a tip. The service charge is not a tip. The service charge is optional and discretionary and is not an obligation. Anyone may elect to leave it in place or not.

 

Ah.

I didn't that you didn't understand the situation either.

[LMaxwell]

Ah.

I didn't that you didn't understand the situation either.

 

Due to what I assume is a typo I am not sure what you were saying. But if anything I've stated was factually inaccurate please let me know. As far as I can tell from NCL policy my statements are factually correct.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Be sure and go to the laundry and tip the people who wash, dry, and fold your sheets and towels. Also don't forget to tip all of the servers in the buffet who clear your tables on those days when the MDR is not open for lunch, or when you eat breakfast there.

 

And don't forget to slip a few bucks to the folks who vacuum and clean the public rooms, corridors, and restrooms . They lose out when DSCs are lowered or cancelled, and they work so hard.

[Swells1]

I would never reduce DSC. People cleaning rooms and serving food have nothing to do with corporate decisions.

 

I have X amount of dollars set aside for each vacation, and that's all I'm going to spend (barring emergencies- of course!). That means money spent on room service fees can't be spent in the casino or the gift shops. Simple as that. I don't see this as an increase in prices. It's more of a redistribution. :D

[legion3]

I know who I won't be tipping.

 

 

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2213057

[Sara1975]

I'm going on my first cruise in 7 months. What is DSC. is it like tips. My mom went on a cruise when I was little and she said I will have to take money to tip at the end of the cruise. Was she teasing me.

 

Sorry I'm new to here and cruising.

[ColinIllinois]

I'm going on my first cruise in 7 months. What is DSC. is it like tips. My mom went on a cruise when I was little and she said I will have to take money to tip at the end of the cruise. Was she teasing me.

 

Sorry I'm new to here and cruising.

 

 

Sara, I would suggest you start at the NCL website's Frequently Asked Questions. Lots of good info there for newbies.

 

http://www.ncl.com/faq#service-charge

[NLH Arizona]

I'm going on my first cruise in 7 months. What is DSC. is it like tips. My mom went on a cruise when I was little and she said I will have to take money to tip at the end of the cruise. Was she teasing me.

 

Sorry I'm new to here and cruising.

 

The DSC means Daily Service Charge (it pretty much replaced the tips at the end of a cruise and is how many of the crew are paid). They add that to your shipboard account or you can pre-pay it prior to your cruise. It is either $12.95 a day if you are in a non-suite cabin or $14.95 if you are in a suite. You don't have to tip over and above the DSC, if you don't want to. Many people tip additional for above and beyond service. Keep in mind that for every soda, water or alcoholic drink you order (unless you have a beverage package, if so it will be on their when you purchase it or get it as a perk), they will add an automatic 18 percent gratuity, same holds true for spa treatments and specialty restaurants (unless you have a dining package, if so it will be on their when you purchase it or get it as a perk). Keep reading this site, as I'm sure there will be additional information about DSC and tipping prior to when you leave on your cruise.

[Sara1975]

Thanks to both of you for you help and especially for being so nice to this newcomer.

[packman1029]

When my wife and I booked our cruise with NCL, we booked with the understanding that....

 

• Room Service was Included - free of charge
  
• DSC's were "recommended" to be a certain amount.
  
• Gratuity was included for all dining options - including Specialty locations.
  
• Cagney's was included in our UDP
  

 

NCL decided in their infinite wisdom to change those 4 things to get more money from us AFTER THE FACT. THAT is what bothers me. I own my own business and I understand that NCL can do whatever they want to as well, on their ships, with their company.

 

That being said, I still have options as a guest.

 

That leaves me no choice but to totally remove the DSC from our upcoming cruise, and tip our cabin steward accordingly.

[legion3]

When my wife and I booked our cruise with NCL, we booked with the understanding that....

 

• Room Service was Included - free of charge
  
• DSC's were "recommended" to be a certain amount.
  
• Gratuity was included for all dining options - including Specialty locations.
  
• Cagney's was included in our UDP
  

 

NCL decided in their infinite wisdom to change those 4 things to get more money from us AFTER THE FACT. THAT is what bothers me. I own my own business and I understand that NCL can do whatever they want to as well, on their ships, with their company.

 

That being said, I still have options as a guest.

 

That leaves me no choice but to totally remove the DSC from our upcoming cruise, and tip our cabin steward accordingly.

 

Add in the kids club issue and I think this may be my route to. If I don't simply cancel altogether.

[NLH Arizona]

When my wife and I booked our cruise with NCL, we booked with the understanding that....

 

• Room Service was Included - free of charge
  
• DSC's were "recommended" to be a certain amount.
  
• Gratuity was included for all dining options - including Specialty locations.
  
• Cagney's was included in our UDP
  

 

NCL decided in their infinite wisdom to change those 4 things to get more money from us AFTER THE FACT. THAT is what bothers me. I own my own business and I understand that NCL can do whatever they want to as well, on their ships, with their company.

 

That being said, I still have options as a guest.

 

That leaves me no choice but to totally remove the DSC from our upcoming cruise, and tip our cabin steward accordingly.

Is it official that Cagney's is not included in the UDP any longer? Could you post where you found the official policy, so that some of us with UDP (if it is true) can cancel them?

[legion3]

I know who I won't be tipping.

 

 

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2213057

 

Or I now know whose DSC I will remove, my kids!

[cruzsnooze]

The daily service charge isn't going to the people who serve you. It's used for incentive programs, employee of the month, advertising and retirement accounts among other things . These are obligations of the company not the passenger.

As long as NCL allows me to remove their daily fee I will tip out those who serve me. I'm laughing people actually think I should tip the janitor or the people in public areas. As an example When I go grocery shopping I pay for my items at the checkout and don't tip out the person in the receiving dock, the stock clerk, the checker, the box person, the deli service person or anyone in the bakery.

I don't believe all the people who say they leave extra, it's their desire to seem like big shots on these boards bragging.

I will tip in cash for food service and cabin service, not the janitor or laundry, I'll let NCL do that.

[Out to sea!]

Personally I always leave my DSC in place but rarely tip anything extra. However, if I didn't then I would not feel obligated to tip someone who worked in the laundry or the guy who puts the deck chairs away. Those things, in my opinion, are an expected services included in my cruise fare.

 

If those positions are part of the DSC, then you opinion would be incorrect.

[luddite]

When my wife and I booked our cruise with NCL, we booked with the understanding that....

 

• Room Service was Included - free of charge
  
• DSC's were "recommended" to be a certain amount.
  
• Gratuity was included for all dining options - including Specialty locations.
  
• Cagney's was included in our UDP
  

 

NCL decided in their infinite wisdom to change those 4 things to get more money from us AFTER THE FACT. THAT is what bothers me. I own my own business and I understand that NCL can do whatever they want to as well, on their ships, with their company.

 

That being said, I still have options as a guest.

 

That leaves me no choice but to totally remove the DSC from our upcoming cruise, and tip our cabin steward accordingly.

 

Well, no. You have other options.

[luddite]

Due to what I assume is a typo I am not sure what you were saying. But if anything I've stated was factually inaccurate please let me know. As far as I can tell from NCL policy my statements are factually correct.

 

No. You don't understand how the system works.

Or,....the other option....which I am not allowed to write about......