Gratuity paid with unlimited beverage package?

[Always Cruising]

This may be for another thread, but on the Star last week, 5 different waiters made it clear to me that they got nothing out of the 18% gratuity that was included with our unlimited beverage package. I think I understand how the $12/95/$14.95 DSC is distributed (mostly into NCL's pockets - or as part of what NCL pays to its employees), but didn't realize the 18% on drinks was not seen by the waiters (except as part of their basic pay - or toward rewards earned by stellar employees). They all work so hard, and it seems unfair that what is presented to us as "gratuity" paid on our drinks doesn't go to them directly. The same goes with the new auto-grat added to up-charge dining restaurants.

[denatravels]

This may be for another thread, but on the Star last week, 5 different waiters made it clear to me that they got nothing out of the 18% gratuity that was included with our unlimited beverage package. I think I understand how the $12/95/$14.95 DSC is distributed (mostly into NCL's pockets - or as part of what NCL pays to its employees), but didn't realize the 18% on drinks was not seen by the waiters (except as part of their basic pay - or toward rewards earned by stellar employees). They all work so hard, and it seems unfair that what is presented to us as "gratuity" paid on our drinks doesn't go to them directly. The same goes with the new auto-grat added to up-charge dining restaurants.

 

 

I'd take SOME of this with a grain of salt-- but five waiters, that's a lot!

[NLH Arizona]

This may be for another thread, but on the Star last week, 5 different waiters made it clear to me that they got nothing out of the 18% gratuity that was included with our unlimited beverage package. I think I understand how the $12/95/$14.95 DSC is distributed (mostly into NCL's pockets - or as part of what NCL pays to its employees), but didn't realize the 18% on drinks was not seen by the waiters (except as part of their basic pay - or toward rewards earned by stellar employees). They all work so hard, and it seems unfair that what is presented to us as "gratuity" paid on our drinks doesn't go to them directly. The same goes with the new auto-grat added to up-charge dining restaurants.

 

Why do you think they were brining this to your attention? I'm guessing you gave them an additional tip and that is exactly what they were trolling for.

Edited May 31, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[triptolemus]

This may be for another thread, but on the Star last week, 5 different waiters made it clear to me that they got nothing out of the 18% gratuity that was included with our unlimited beverage package. I think I understand how the $12/95/$14.95 DSC is distributed (mostly into NCL's pockets - or as part of what NCL pays to its employees), but didn't realize the 18% on drinks was not seen by the waiters (except as part of their basic pay - or toward rewards earned by stellar employees). They all work so hard, and it seems unfair that what is presented to us as "gratuity" paid on our drinks doesn't go to them directly. The same goes with the new auto-grat added to up-charge dining restaurants.

 

*If* true, this is an issue with NCL's employee/contractor compensation policy and not a problem that the passenger should be expected to solve.

[Always Cruising]

I always add $1 per drink to a UBP drink, and waiters offered a thank you, and comments such as, "that's all I get from this order"...."glad someone gives at least a dollar"...."thank you so much, ma'am...that dollar appreciated because it is all I'm given from this order" etc. I asked the pit boss to clarify the policy (I was in the casino, but had the UBP for my drinks and used it because I thought the server would get a better gratuity), and he agreed (after much hemming and hawing) that they did not get the per drink gratuity. At the end of the month, NCL does something with the money in terms of extra bonuses, crew parties, etc. But it seemed that most people - guests and employees - thought it went to paying salaries. No one has seen an increase in compensation since the 18% has been added to drink and dinner packages.

[LMaxwell]

"We took money from the guest telling them it was for you. Surprise, here's a cake instead! Good luck mailing that home to your family."

[Always Cruising]

I'm afraid that pretty much nails it, LMaxwell. I didn't want to believe it - and I tried to get fellow cruisers up in arms about it....but no one seemed interested in pursuing it. I even took my questions to Guest Services (in the midst of correcting a bunch of billing errors), and could get no real answer.

[LMaxwell]

I'm afraid that pretty much nails it, LMaxwell. I didn't want to believe it - and I tried to get fellow cruisers up in arms about it....but no one seemed interested in pursuing it. I even took my questions to Guest Services (in the midst of correcting a bunch of billing errors), and could get no real answer.

 

I knew the moment that the gratuity increased it went to NCL and not the employees and I was berated and shot down here.

 

The employees work for an agency and are hired via contract by NCL (essentially subcontractors). The contracts state a guaranteed rate they get from NCL. NCL freely admits they collect gratuities and distribute as they see fit. NCL is under no obligation to distribute higher gratuity amounts collected. It is not like all of these subcontractors suddenly got a revised contract stating they'd earn more.

 

Again, the blind fanatics will say I am wrong and NCL looks our for their staff. :rolleyes:

 

This does not apply to NCL only. This applies to all cruise lines that have recently increased gratuities. Staff won't have an opportunity to get a piece of that until their contracts are renegotiated. Did everyone really believe staff were getting a 20% pay increase from gratuities (15% to 18% is a 20% increase).

Edited May 31, 2015 by LMaxwell

[triptolemus]

and could get no real answer.

 

Frankly, the likely reason you couldn't get an answer is because, as I alluded to above, NCL's compensation program is actually none of your business.

 

Why some people feel compelled to attempt to insert themselves into NCL's internal processes is a mystery to me. If it's presented as a gratuity, then accept it as a gratuity. If one wishes to tip more, then tip more.

[LMaxwell]

Why some people feel compelled to attempt to insert themselves into NCL's internal processes is a mystery to me. If it's presented as a gratuity, then accept it as a gratuity. If one wishes to tip more, then tip more.

 

I don't see it so much as trying to insert oneself into the company internal process, so much as to understand when a gratuity isn't a gratuity, and when a gratuity is. It is pretty easy to see contracts are not going to be unilaterally altered in crew favor just because the company charge more.

[Always Cruising]

I do tip more, and always have; but I think the workers are being screwed by NCL because 99% of the cruisers feel that the 18% "gratuity" is going to the server who brings the drink/food to them. Gratuity is usually defined as a tip for service (and an assumption is made that it goes to the one serving you). But assuming "makes an ass out of u and me" - so I'll continue to let people know that NCL is doing something a bit shadowy in relation to their gratuities.

And I thank Triptolemus for being the first to try to make me feel like an idiot on CruiseCritic. (Unsuccessfully, I might add) Usually it's my run on sentences that put me up for criticism....but today it's inserting my nose in the business of NCL and its compensation policy.

[triptolemus]

And I thank Triptolemus for being the first to try to make me feel like an idiot on CruiseCritic. (Unsuccessfully, I might add) Usually it's my run on sentences that put me up for criticism....but today it's inserting my nose in the business of NCL and its compensation policy.

 

I'm not trying to make you feel like an idiot. I'm participating in a discussion with you wherein I'm suggesting that you look at things from a different perspective.

 

The crew are not feeble minded slaves nor are they prisoners in a labor camp. They are capable of making financial business decisions for themselves. Consider that if NCL does not offer a competitive compensation package for their contract personnel, attrition will become a problem, service will suffer, and product quality diminishes accordingly.

 

Some crew will hustle passengers in the same vein as their counterparts in the land-based establishments the ships visit. Know it. That sad, sad story is good for an extra $5 or $10...

[Out to sea!]

This may be for another thread, but on the Star last week, 5 different waiters made it clear to me that they got nothing out of the 18% gratuity that was included with our unlimited beverage package. I think I understand how the $12/95/$14.95 DSC is distributed (mostly into NCL's pockets - or as part of what NCL pays to its employees), but didn't realize the 18% on drinks was not seen by the waiters (except as part of their basic pay - or toward rewards earned by stellar employees). They all work so hard, and it seems unfair that what is presented to us as "gratuity" paid on our drinks doesn't go to them directly. The same goes with the new auto-grat added to up-charge dining restaurants.

 

But supposedly the servers in the upcharge restaurants were removed from the DSC which is why they now add 18%.

[MCAT48]

I always add $1 per drink to a UBP drink, and waiters offered a thank you, and comments such as, "that's all I get from this order"...."glad someone gives at least a dollar"...."thank you so much, ma'am...that dollar appreciated because it is all I'm given from this order" etc. I asked the pit boss to clarify the policy (I was in the casino, but had the UBP for my drinks and used it because I thought the server would get a better gratuity), and he agreed (after much hemming and hawing) that they did not get the per drink gratuity. At the end of the month, NCL does something with the money in terms of extra bonuses, crew parties, etc. But it seemed that most people - guests and employees - thought it went to paying salaries. No one has seen an increase in compensation since the 18% has been added to drink and dinner packages.

 

 

I am one to over tip bar staff..but that is just awkward. I guess it's just the way I was raised but I'm not one to discuss what other people make..its not anyone's business except that persons. I would never discuss that with a customer in my job nor would I want someone to discuss that with me it's none of my business. I have discussed with a bartender how much things are in their home country but never did I ask how much they are getting from my transaction.

[hypercafe]

This whole tipping, service thing is really crazy on most lines. Why all the crazy ins and outs. Just pay the crew what is the going rate and include it in the cruise price. Then a tip is a tip. I would still pay the same price end of day without all the undercover bull.

 

 

 

 

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[NLH Arizona]

Frankly, the likely reason you couldn't get an answer is because, as I alluded to above, NCL's compensation program is actually none of your business.

 

Why some people feel compelled to attempt to insert themselves into NCL's internal processes is a mystery to me. If it's presented as a gratuity, then accept it as a gratuity. If one wishes to tip more, then tip more.

Totally agree. And I will add, any NCL crew member that discusses their compensation with a passengers, should be let go immediately, as it is totally unprofessional and looks like they are just trolling for tips. Folks have posted different things with regard to the automatic gratuity on bar service (some say they get the whole 18 percent and others say they don't), so who really knows what the real deal is, unless NCL wants to share.

[Always Cruising]

MCAT48 - I didn't start the discussion with the servers - they made my quoted comments above after I gave an extra tip on the UBP drink I had ordered. Each server seemed to want it known that they weren't getting the 18% - and I'm passing that on to Cruisecritic members. I know they aren't supposed to discuss these concerns with a passenger, but tips seemed few and far between on my Norwegian Fjords cruise.

[Out to sea!]

MCAT48 - I didn't start the discussion with the servers - they made my quoted comments above after I gave an extra tip on the UBP drink I had ordered. Each server seemed to want it known that they weren't getting the 18% - and I'm passing that on to Cruisecritic members. I know they aren't supposed to discuss these concerns with a passenger, but tips seemed few and far between on my Norwegian Fjords cruise.

 

The question is, how do you know it's true? They could have just been pulling on your strings which you are now passing along as well.

[GUT2407]

This whole tipping, service thing is really crazy on most lines. Why all the crazy ins and outs. Just pay the crew what is the going rate and include it in the cruise price. Then a tip is a tip. I would still pay the same price end of day without all the undercover bull.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my XT1032 using Forums mobile app

 

Now that'd be a good idea.

 

Trouble is we'd still have people here worrying about what other people tip.

[GUT2407]

The question is, how do you know it's true? They could have just been pulling on your strings which you are now passing along as well.

 

 

Mmmmmmmmmm will someone who relies on tips tell you that the line is already passing it all on.:confused::confused: Or will they tell you they get none of it in the hope you'll top it up.

[Out to sea!]

Mmmmmmmmmm will someone who relies on tips tell you that the line is already passing it all on.:confused::confused: Or will they tell you they get none of it in the hope you'll top it up.

 

No, actually someone relying on tips should just keep their mouth shut.

 

Personally, if a crewmember decided to tell me something like that in an effort to get more tips I'd report it GS as panhandling.

[GUT2407]

No, actually someone relying on tips should just keep their mouth shut.

 

Personally, if a crewmember decided to tell me something like that in an effort to get more tips I'd report it GS as panhandling.

 

 

One cruise that ended just before Christmas heard a Steward tell at least 5 people to

 

"Have a lovely Christmas with your family, I won't get the chance to because I will be here working to earn money for them".

 

It actually managed to reduce the extra we were planning on giving him.

[numberguy]

The employees work for an agency and are hired via contract by NCL (essentially subcontractors).

 

That's interesting. I had not heard that before.

 

--Michael

[hypercafe]

Thanks for those who replied. To the others who got upset... well... :rolleyes:

 

What's the deal with purchasing drinks on board while in port then. We are docked for 3 days in Bermuda. What sales tax is charged ? Also what tax is charged while still in port in NY ?

 

I was on the Summit two weeks with a drink pack. There was no extra charge in NY or Bermuda. NCL should be the same.

 

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[NYcruzzer]

I was on the Summit two weeks with a drink pack. There was no extra charge in NY or Bermuda. NCL should be the same.

 

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Summit leaves from NJ not NY