SINGLE HSC/TIPPING THREAD (Previously "Why are gratuities not included in Fares?")

[serendipity1499]

Personally, I offer a $10/person gratuity in the PG and a $5/person at Canaletto.

 

That is exactly what we do too..

[RuthC]

Do servers in the Pinnacle pool their tips? Service there seems to be such a team approach that I'm not sure who should get what.

My understanding is that the Pinnacle workers do pool the additional tips that passengers leave. That sort of thing has been a common practice in the lounges and dining room for decades, either between a couple of people, or larger groups working the room.

[RocketMan275]

Do servers in the Pinnacle pool their tips? Service there seems to be such a team approach that I'm not sure who should get what.

 

We had the breakfast in the Pinnacle perk on our last cruise. We had multiple servers. Our service was wonderful and we wanted to leave something extra. The matre'd that anything we left would be pooled among all the staff.

[Appalachian Mountain Mama]

This topic has always confused me. What is the difference? If the gratuities are included in the fare you pay them. If they are a separate line item you pay them. To me it is the total that comes out of my pocket. How the cruise line breaks it down for their accounting purposes doesn't make any difference to me.

 

 

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[3rdGenCunarder]

My understanding is that the Pinnacle workers do pool the additional tips that passengers leave. That sort of thing has been a common practice in the lounges and dining room for decades, either between a couple of people, or larger groups working the room.

 

We had the breakfast in the Pinnacle perk on our last cruise. We had multiple servers. Our service was wonderful and we wanted to leave something extra. The matre'd that anything we left would be pooled among all the staff.

 

Thanks. I was pretty sure breakfast is pooled, since it's a multi-day and varied server thing. On the last morning of our fall cruise, we left an envelope for "Pinnacle staff" but I wasn't sure about dinner since we haven't had dinner in PG in a while.

[kazu]

Thanks. I was pretty sure breakfast is pooled, since it's a multi-day and varied server thing. On the last morning of our fall cruise, we left an envelope for "Pinnacle staff" but I wasn't sure about dinner since we haven't had dinner in PG in a while.

 

We tipped our waiter the night of PG /Le Cirque dinners. I'll leave it to him to split it ;)

 

For the breakfasts, we did the same thing, gave an envelope at the end of the cruise/segment with a thank you card and some $ for the staff.

[RocketMan275]

This topic has always confused me. What is the difference? If the gratuities are included in the fare you pay them. If they are a separate line item you pay them. To me it is the total that comes out of my pocket. How the cruise line breaks it down for their accounting purposes doesn't make any difference to me.

 

 

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There really isn't a difference even though some wish to pretend otherwise.

[dccruisin]

This is a well beaten topic here. Long responses are seldom read but here is an explanation from a member here how was worked on ships for over 30 years:....

 

Thanks for the explanation. Taxes drive what people do the world over.

[richwmn]

please tell me what is the advantage of prepaying gratuities? Why not pay off your credit card balance when you are finished cruising, before your credit card payment due date?

 

I am with you in that I don't see an advantage. Some people apparently like the feeling of not ending the cruise with a big bill--but they start with one. :rolleyes:

 

Different strokes for different folks. One nice thing is that we can each handle this the way we want and others don't have to like it or understand why we do it. People have different comfort levels and each should do what to them feels right.

[prescottbob]

Probably old news to CC folks here but I just got the 'official' note today.

 

"Holland America Line is adjusting its daily Hotel Service Charge for all sailings beginning on or after May 1, 2017. The Hotel Service Charge will increase as follows:

 

US $13.50 per person per day for staterooms (interior, ocean-view and verandah) which is a total increase of $1.

 

US $15.00 per person per day for suites which is a total increase of $1.50.

 

To ensure that the efforts of all crewmembers are recognized and rewarded, a Hotel Service Charge is automatically added to each guest's shipboard account on a daily basis. If Holland America's service exceeds or fails to meet expectations, guests are free to adjust this amount at the end of the cruise.

 

The 15% service charge that is automatically added to beverage purchases (wine, beer, liquor, soft drinks, etc.) remains unchanged."

 

Safe Travels,

Bob:)

[Alberta Quilter]

Thanks for posting. I hadn't heard about this increase. Not surprised, though.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Thank you for your post!!

I believe it is fare and our stewards are wonderful and deserve the pay increase. My opinion.

Denise:)

[erewhon]

Was unaware of the changes.

Thank you for posting this information

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for letting us know -- I had not heard about this.

I wonder if people will start to give less extra tips with this increase???

[Krazy Kruizers]

Probably old news to CC folks here but I just got the 'official' note today.

 

"Holland America Line is adjusting its daily Hotel Service Charge for all sailings beginning on or after May 1, 2017. The Hotel Service Charge will increase as follows:

 

US $13.50 per person per day for staterooms (interior, ocean-view and verandah) which is a total increase of $1.

 

US $15.00 per person per day for suites which is a total increase of $1.50.

 

To ensure that the efforts of all crewmembers are recognized and rewarded, a Hotel Service Charge is automatically added to each guest's shipboard account on a daily basis. If Holland America's service exceeds or fails to meet expectations, guests are free to adjust this amount at the end of the cruise.

 

The 15% service charge that is automatically added to beverage purchases (wine, beer, liquor, soft drinks, etc.) remains unchanged."

 

Safe Travels,

Bob:)

 

 

With this new format for CC -- what font and size are you using?

Yours is easy to read compared to others on here.

Thank you.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Thank you for letting us know -- I had not heard about this.

I wonder if people will start to give less extra tips with this increase???

 

KK! I sure hope not!!! We will still give extra

Tips.

Denise:)

[Platoon Leader]

Seems fair to me. I still will give extra at the end for these hard working people.

 

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[kazu]

Thanks so much for the heads up. I hadn't received an e from HAL and we do have a cruise booked for 2018.

 

I don't have an issue with the increased HSC overall, but I have always wondered why all suites are charged the same price??? The Vistas, SS's are not the same size as a Neptune Suite.

 

[cbr663]

Received an email from my TA today advising me that HAL is increasing the HSC effective May 1, 2017.

 

For all sailings beginning on or after May 1, the HSC is increasing to $13.50 US per day for staterooms and $15.00 US per day for suites.

 

The 15% service charge added to beverages remains unchanged.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Okay -- multi quote doesn't work for me.

If I am able to cruise again some time, we would still give extra tips.

[Appalachian Mountain Mama]

Being a novice cruiser...we received prepaid gratuities as a perk, will that hold true or will we have to pay the difference between the old and new amount.

[DeeniEncinitas]

I'm telling you guys I want the old forum back!

Why would they place 2 quotes in my reply back to KrazyKruser

When I was responding to her last quote!!!!

I dooooo not care for this and I do not like how I have to maneuver to get to the HAL site!

Denise:(

[cbr663]

I would expect that you should be okay and that pre-paid gratuities would include the increase.

[Appalachian Mountain Mama]

Thanks cbr663, it's not a big deal even if I have to pay the difference but I don't like surprises unless they are wrapped in sparkly paper and have a bow[emoji14]

 

 

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[jhannah]

I still have not gotten word of the service charge increase. I guess it will come some day. I did find it on the HAL website. I, too, will assume if your booking package includes prepaid gratuities that this increased amount will still be covered. If I ever get a notice, I will ask the question to be sure.