Nasty comment from staff

[Happy2cruise]

We tip extra in cash if we get service deserving of more than automatic gratuity. Most of the time, it is just being nice and responsive.

 

Maybe we are everyone's problem. :) I doubt it though.

We do the same as you;) and see nothing wrong with it.

[kenevenpar]

 

On the bright side, one passenger brought me a couple of cocktails while sitting on the deck when he found out that I was paying for drinks. Why bother, he asked, when he got them for me for free. Very kind.

 

Where I come from, they call that stealing. Just sayin'

[CruisingChick]

The only time we tip bar servers in cash is in the Elite/Elite+ drink lounge. Otherwise the 18% gratuity is more than enough.

 

In any event, that comment was uncalled for and I would have brought it to the attention of her supervisor.

Edited April 14, 2015 by CruisingChick

[boscobeans]

And I'm glad you're happy with making the service just a little worse for everyone else while you try to get your 'perks'. I wish the line would outlaw additional cash tips, because it does cause people to play favorites and you get the kind of abuse people are posting about with glee in this thread of "shoving in".

 

My wife and I rarely deal with the same bartender or bar service person, aside from the dining room, throughout our cruise so we are not interested in "shoving in" or being treated as "favorites", but if we feel an extra dollar or two after a few drinks at a venue is not that big a deal and is in no way a bribe.

 

OMO

 

bosco

[julia]

We were sailing HAL recently with a beverage package. Two bartenders in one lounge were amazing (they made "name plates" for you and would put them on the bar while you were there). On the last night, we ordered two glasses of wine above our package, so I could have a ticket in which to leave them something extra. To my surprise, the ticket had NO line on it for gratuity! I asked them both "how can I leave you guys an extra tip?" and they both smiled and shook their heads "no, no, no... not necessary!" Moral of the story: Great service does not necessarily need to be "bought". :eek:

[4774Papa]

You tipped in CASH? That would certainly draw a comment. I don't think I've ever seen cash used as a tip on Celebrity.

I have been tipping an extra dollar or two for the last 13 cruises. I have always felt that it improves my service, but that is not the main reason that I tip on top of the service charge.

 

Still, If DW and I order two beers for $14, a dollar extra is not a bad supplement.

 

I have never had a waiter/waitress demonstrate as happened to you.

 

I particularly make a point to use cash at the elite happy hour, since not grats are added.

[parallax]

A quick calculation

 

Average spend per passenger on drinks per day = $25

( I'm sure it will be higher)

assume number of passengers is 2500(could be higher)

 

2500*$25=$62500

 

18% of $62500 =$11250 to split between wait staff

 

I don't know how many on the ship lets assume 100

( probably lower)

that would be $11250/100= $112.5 each per day in tips

 

or

if they worked this a full year

$41062.50

 

is that enough?

 

 

IThis math is ridiculous. It does not take into account so many factors like kids, non-drinkers, limited drinkers, whether the ship is full, port days, etc. In addition, I am not aware how the tips are shared. Are you? It is possible that other personnel like dishwashers, etc. receive a cut? Finally, they are not going to work 52 weeks a year so they are not going to make close to 41k a year.

 

Tipping is a discretionary activity. I do not understand why one cares if I tip the bartender something a little extra. I rather tip a little more at sea than on land where service is always mediocre.

 

Finally, the bartender's statement was inappropriate but it was not a capital offense. They are human and the level crap they deal with on a daily basis is incredible. Unfortunately, I have seen some terrible conduct with passengers berating or treating the staff extremely poorly. I guess I would have let the statement pass as I would assume if she/he had a bad day. If the conduct continued, then I might talk to someone. Other on this board sound like she/he should be in the brig.

[thatdarnpunk]

IThis math is ridiculous. It does not take into account so many factors like kids, non-drinkers, limited drinkers, whether the ship is full, port days, etc. In addition, I am not aware how the tips are shared. Are you? It is possible that other personnel like dishwashers, etc. receive a cut? Finally, they are not going to work 52 weeks a year so they are not going to make close to 41k a year.

 

Tipping is a discretionary activity. I do not understand why one cares if I tip the bartender something a little extra. I rather tip a little more at sea than on land where service is always mediocre.

 

Finally, the bartender's statement was inappropriate but it was not a capital offense. They are human and the level crap they deal with on a daily basis is incredible. Unfortunately, I have seen some terrible conduct with passengers berating or treating the staff extremely poorly. I guess I would have let the statement pass as I would assume if she/he had a bad day. If the conduct continued, then I might talk to someone. Other on this board sound like she/he should be in the brig.

I agree with a lot of your points. That's really the main reason I didn't bring it to anyone's attention on the ship. This is my first cruise and afterwards I decided to research what life is like for the crew and staff. And I understand it's tough and can be especially frustrating with some passengers. On the one hand, I want to be sympathetic and let it slide. On the other hand, I do get annoyed and feel insulted given how much we paid for this trip and celebrity's promise of exceptional service. I appreciate everyone's feedback - it has been an interesting discussion and I hope you can appreciate my thoughts regarding the service.

[mpace58]

Why does anyone else care if I am tipping an extra buck or two? I'm on vacation, having a great time, so what if I want to spread a little extra joy to the staff? If you think that 18% is fine, then great, don't tip extra. I see someone that is a little extra friendly or talks to me, rather grunts at me, which I have had a few do, then they are probably going to get an extra tip.

 

It's my money. If I wish to hand it out to people I think deserving, it's my business and my business only.

Edited April 14, 2015 by mpace58

[frteach]

So glad that you called the poster out on that math. I couldn't believe it was serious. I had service jobs when going to school, and I have become a lifelong tipper. Most of the staff you deal with would love to have the advantages that I was born with.

[TomTN]

I agree with you. We always tip in cash :D If the service is extra good at a bar or if we know that we will hang out at a bar as regulars during our cruise - we hand over cash tips and we've seen many others do it also. I will add that is has always been appreciated.

 

Had I have been the OP - and someone made a comment concerning the tip, I believe I would have said something in return, inquiring if there was an "issue" or would they prefer to return the tip. I've honestly never had a rude crew member on any cruise line I've been on - hard to believe.

 

We have had crew members who were new at their jobs, and somewhat lost. We have had one room steward(or helper) who did not seem to care. A mention to his supervisor, and he was replaced. Still though I have not had a single rude crew member. More than I can say about some of the people I deal with where I live.

[Orator]

I

 

Finally, the bartender's statement was inappropriate but it was not a capital offense. They are human and the level crap they deal with on a daily basis is incredible. Unfortunately, I have seen some terrible conduct with passengers berating or treating the staff extremely poorly. I guess I would have let the statement pass as I would assume if she/he had a bad day. If the conduct continued, then I might talk to someone. Other on this board sound like she/he should be in the brig.

 

Passengers have been put off the ship and in a few cases banned from Celebrity,Royal Carribean and Azamara because of their conduct to staff or other passengers. Unless this employee has a record of rude conduct they would probably get a sit down with their superior or,at most,sent for some retraining. When you see a member of the crew ask them what the STAR they wear means.

Celebrity will investigate any complaint to see if it is justified. The matter would be dropped if they find no fault. I don't know who is right in this case. I'm just suggesting that rude or disrespectful behavior by anyone on a ship is not to be tolerated.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Orator

[parallax]

I agree with a lot of your points. That's really the main reason I didn't bring it to anyone's attention on the ship. This is my first cruise and afterwards I decided to research what life is like for the crew and staff. And I understand it's tough and can be especially frustrating with some passengers. On the one hand, I want to be sympathetic and let it slide. On the other hand, I do get annoyed and feel insulted given how much we paid for this trip and celebrity's promise of exceptional service. I appreciate everyone's feedback - it has been an interesting discussion and I hope you can appreciate my thoughts regarding the service.

 

I'm glad you had a good cruise, but I understand why it is bothersome to you. The broad spectrum of positions are always interesting.

[Deeliteful]

I agree that the comment was unacceptable to the OP and certainly would have been to me and I wouldn't have been able to let it go - I would definitely have said something back, but that's just me.

To the UK posters who say we are not a tipping country -? We may not tip as often and as much as people in the US but I always tip in a restaurant, a bar, a taxi, my hairdresser, in the spa........at home as well as on cruises. No one has refused yet!

[gimletgal]

Where I come from, they call that stealing. Just sayin'

 

Those were my thoughts, exactly! :eek:

[rkacruiser]

The bartender was surely out of line. If I choose to offer an additional gratuity, I would tip $1.00 per service, maybe per drink, depending upon quality of drink served and the server.

 

I agree with others that the staff at that bar would not see again during the cruise.

 

And, a comment card would be completed and turned in at the Front Office.

[keithm]

How exactly would you add extra? You don't get a bill. We always gave cash with the drink package. I'd have gone Ballistic if I'd received that comment.

I don't know about you,but we always got a bill.Then again we don't use any of the packages. If we felt the service waas top notch I'd tip an extra 10-20%. I'm in the service industry & those of us who are, tend to be FAR more generous than those who are not!

[keithm]

IThis math is ridiculous. It does not take into account so many factors like kids, non-drinkers, limited drinkers, whether the ship is full, port days, etc. In addition, I am not aware how the tips are shared. Are you? It is possible that other personnel like dishwashers, etc. receive a cut? Finally, they are not going to work 52 weeks a year so they are not going to make close to 41k a year.

 

Tipping is a discretionary activity. I do not understand why one cares if I tip the bartender something a little extra. I rather tip a little more at sea than on land where service is always mediocre.

 

Finally, the bartender's statement was inappropriate but it was not a capital offense. They are human and the level crap they deal with on a daily basis is incredible. Unfortunately, I have seen some terrible conduct with passengers berating or treating the staff extremely poorly. I guess I would have let the statement pass as I would assume if she/he had a bad day. If the conduct continued, then I might talk to someone. Other on this board sound like she/he should be in the brig.

I dealt with a totally rude pax(thug is a better word,you had to be there)I'm in the hospitality field & when I'm on holiday I WILL look out for staff who are abused. I nearly got into a fight over this thug's behavior. Later the staff member(turned out to be the Captain's Club advisor)treated me & my partner to lunch & a bottle of wine. I was a bit embarassed about it. He said the staff had seen it all on security cameras(so be careful, you nasty ones out there)The cameras are not obvious like the "black balls" you see on the ceiling in the Casino.The staff was so pleased I stood up for one of their own.As it was dinner time, there was no one near the Guest relations desk where this took place. My partner always said I should be on the show "What would you do?"

[keithm]

Why the need to tip extra?

Each order has 18% already built in, that's £1.8 on a $10 drink

 

I assume in the US bars and restaurants don't have an auto tip built in hence the need to tip extra to the bill (18%?)

 

I assume the ships now have the built in tipping, so that all customers contribute to the tips and bar staff wages, otherwise those passengers from countries that don't have a tipping system (UK, Australia etc.) may not tip.

 

I much prefer the auto tipping system (coming from UK) it takes the stress out of the transaction. (am I over paying, am I paying enough, does the barman think I'm a pushover or a tight Ar$$.)

 

IF the auto tip went up to 25% would you still tip extra?

how high would it need to go before you would stop?

 

Another question

 

When visiting countries that do not need tips to pay staff do you still tip?

 

i.e UK, Australia, France, Italy etc?

When in Europe, I tipped for the service we got. Never found it "insulted" anyone!

[keithm]

The next cruise I go on in September will be the first one on which I am getting the beverage pkg and I was wondering about tipping extra in cash. Previously, we always added a few dollars to the bill that we signed. My understanding is that if you use your OB account for the tip it is added to the pot that is shared among all wait staff, but if you give it in cash the server is allowed to just pocket it. We have always given envelopes to the staff in the MDR at the last dinner (and to the room attendants) with cash. Anyone know about this?

We tip the staff as you do..with envelopes with extra$. Never had service to the standard that I only did the auto tip. Always had superior service. We've had staff who rememberd us on Cunard & would at times "buy" us a drink. Really very nice.

[keithm]

The beauty of the drink packages is that you are never presented with a printed slip to sign. With a drink package, it's easier to tip cash, either at the point of purchase or near the end of the cruise to your favorite bartenders. I have a feeling this particular bartender does not have much of a fan base.

We've not done the drink packages(soft drinks,excepted)So we always got a bill. If the service was very good, I'd add extra. The Sommelier, we always tipped at the end of the cruise.

[keithm]

I'm Australian. We don't tip, we just pay people decent wages and expect them to do what they get paid to do. It's simple and it works.

Tha's a really strange remark from him. I wonder why he said it.

Edited April 14, 2015 by keithm
Wrong posting

[DirtyDawg]

Wasn't this thread originally about a nasty comment from a staff member?

 

Of course it turned into a battle royale between the tippy and the anti-tippy crowds. Or is it the tippy extra vs. the anti tippy extra crowd. You can't follow the action without a programme.:rolleyes:

 

OP, that staff member was rude. I'd like to say I would have challenged the idiot, but I probably would be just be too in shock that someone would be so rude. Now if my DW experienced that, that particular staff member would have heard about it and then some.:D

[wwcruisers]

Nothing rude from any of the bar staff on our last cruise -- but, we did have problems finding a bar that consistently stocked the larger bottles of Evian and San Pellagrino (both on the Premium Drink pkge). After three days of getting run from bar to bar -- "Sorry sir, we don't have that today; try checking over at ..." -- my DH filled out an "Attention to Detail" card, describing the problem. The very next day, he was contacted by the Asst. Bar Manager, who was very apologetic. After that, we never had any problem, finding our bottled water of choice. :cool:

 

In the rare likelihood that we ever did encounter a rude (or blatantly flippant, as in the OP's case) bar server -- I would have no problem picking up the phone, and requesting a call-back from the ship's Bar Manager!

Edited April 14, 2015 by wwcruisers

[dgparent]

I wonder if it could been a language problem

 

We have a daughter in law , her first language was French , and some of her word selection in English is not the best choice

 

 

I agree she may of been trying to be funny and complimentary of the tip and it just came out wrong.

 

We always get a stack of 50 1's and 50 in 5's just for tips before a cruise, usually when I settle into our chairs in the smoking area on the back of the boat and get my 1st beer I tip $5 right away and never have bad service on the cruise.

 

As a former waiter, way back when, I am glad I was not subjected to this "pool" system of tips, if you work hard and are good you get tips if you are a slacker and don't pay attention you don't get tipped, why should I pool my tips with the slackers ?