Making the most of OBC

[Henderson1]

I'd have no trouble spending it, nice piece of jewellery and some perfume!

[Glenndale]

From P&O website:

On board spending money may not be used against:

Purchasing shore excursions prior to embarkation via Cruise Personaliser

Purchasing restaurant cover charges prior to embarkation via Cruise Personaliser

Purchasing Spa treatments and services prior to embarkation via Cruise Personaliser

Visas that require payment

Medical charges (including services, prescriptions and supplies)

Cash back

Future Cruise Down payments

As full or part payment against a future cruise or charter flight seat reservations and upgrades.

Ad hoc gratuities

Foreign currency

On board gaming (including the casino)

Charitable donations

 

Seems you cannot pay forward your gratuities :(

[Bacardi..]

I think they mean that you say I want pay cabin boy £x as a one off. You can go down to reception and decrease or INCREASE the gratuities. I did not understand why earlier in this thread it was said it would not get to the cabin boy

 

 

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[jeanlyon]

I'd have no trouble spending it, nice piece of jewellery and some perfume!

 

sorry, but have you actually seen a decent piece of jewellry on P&O, cos I haven't. Perfume is OK.

[Florry]

sorry, but have you actually seen a decent piece of jewellry on P&O, cos I haven't. Perfume is OK.

 

 

I know what you mean Jean it's usually tat. Having said that they did a trial on a ship a couple of years ago and had some real jewellers on board selling unique handcrafted pieces, which were beautiful.

[Florry]

I think they mean that you say I want pay cabin boy £x as a one off. You can go down to reception and decrease or INCREASE the gratuities. I did not understand why earlier in this thread it was said it would not get to the cabin boy

 

 

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It's all very complicated and to do with pooled tipping and the fact we all think it works in different ways. Hopefully this won't turn into a big tipping disagreement, but this is how I think it works: 1) We pay tips into the pool 2) We rate the performance of the individuals on the questionnaire 3) P&O share it out and the % each employee gets is dependent on their rating - if you don't give a top score they don't get all the tip 4) The tip % is fixed for each rating, if there is not enough in the pool to cover this P&O pay in the difference 5) If you tip a member of staff in cash they are required to put it in the pool, this is to avoid them receiving double tips both in cash and from the pool, the reason P&O tell staff who has removed tips is not to shame passengers - but to make it clear they expect cash tips to be pooled if received and they are being watched! 6) The more people who remove tips (I don't judge this it is personal choice) the more likely there will be frequent shortfalls and the more likely the recommended amount will increase.

So if this is the case the individuals will get their tip based on your rating whether you pay on one cruise or the next - the question is whether P&O will let you. I would have thought it wouldn't make much difference in the big scheme of things as the pool must have a regular shortfall. Sorry if I have just added confusion to the subject, it took me ages to work it through in my head, must be time for a weekend!

[jeanlyon]

I must have missed that. I have been looking out for a necklace and the jewellry I have seen on the ships is, as you say, total tat! I did buy one on Fred O which I love, but since then, nothing.

[Gymbod]

We also baught Costa Coffee card on our B2B on Britannia on the first week and carried it over to the second leg of our B2B. You are allowed to carry coffee cards over to next cruise. We also purchase some duty free drink from the duty free shop on the first leg of our B2B and picked it up on the Thursday evening before our second leg of the B2B started and took it to our cabin to use up on the next two weeks of our B2B cruise. You could think about that. See you onboard the Britannia in December . OR what about purchasing two Retreat/ spa packages for you and your husband they cost £200 each but you would only be paying for 1 week each Total £200 what a lovely treat .Pat

 

Love the retreat idea - we usually book a package before we leave to ensure we get in the retreat - but wonder if they will have availability as we're joining half way through the normal 2 weeks if you see what I mean? A costa card is a good idea too - thanks - yes we'll see you in December 😆

[Bacardi..]

It's all very complicated and to do with pooled tipping and the fact we all think it works in different ways. Hopefully this won't turn into a big tipping disagreement, but this is how I think it works: 1) We pay tips into the pool 2) We rate the performance of the individuals on the questionnaire 3) P&O share it out and the % each employee gets is dependent on their rating - if you don't give a top score they don't get all the tip 4) The tip % is fixed for each rating, if there is not enough in the pool to cover this P&O pay in the difference 5) If you tip a member of staff in cash they are required to put it in the pool, this is to avoid them receiving double tips both in cash and from the pool, the reason P&O tell staff who has removed tips is not to shame passengers - but to make it clear they expect cash tips to be pooled if received and they are being watched! 6) The more people who remove tips (I don't judge this it is personal choice) the more likely there will be frequent shortfalls and the more likely the recommended amount will increase.

So if this is the case the individuals will get their tip based on your rating whether you pay on one cruise or the next - the question is whether P&O will let you. I would have thought it wouldn't make much difference in the big scheme of things as the pool must have a regular shortfall. Sorry if I have just added confusion to the subject, it took me ages to work it through in my head, must be time for a weekend!

 

 

I understand what you are saying, and perhaps auto tipping and cash tipping does work this way.

 

The only thing I don't understand is when asked a few attendants they said they prefer cash. If they were pooling it why bother saying cash

 

 

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[cruisebore]

I understand what you are saying, and perhaps auto tipping and cash tipping does work this way.

 

The only thing I don't understand is when asked a few attendants they said they prefer cash. If they were pooling it why bother saying cash

 

 

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Presumably because they don't disclose it unless they are seen receiving it.

[Florry]

Presumably because they don't disclose it unless they are seen receiving it.

 

 

And get two lots!

[Mysticalmother]

Unfortunately i dont think any of us actually know for a fact what happens to the cash tips! Or the pooled ones! We have probably all read everyone's theories....but P &O do not actually publish the precise facts - they just say the gratuities go to the waiters and cabin staff. But in what proportions, who knows.and some cabin staff have said that cash tips have to be pooled and others have said not!:confused::confused::confused:

[Florry]

Unfortunately i dont think any of us actually know for a fact what happens to the cash tips! Or the pooled ones! We have probably all read everyone's theories....but P &O do not actually publish the precise facts - they just say the gratuities go to the waiters and cabin staff. But in what proportions, who knows.and some cabin staff have said that cash tips have to be pooled and others have said not!:confused::confused::confused:

 

 

Very true, but the staff say their rating determined their tip. This is pretty much like most reward schemes these days, my end of year rating affects my bonus. P&O needed to implement something after the dockside protests. Anyway enough of tipping, happy weekend!

[balf]

Very true, but the staff say their rating determined their tip. This is pretty much like most reward schemes these days, my end of year rating affects my bonus. P&O needed to implement something after the dockside protests. Anyway enough of tipping, happy weekend!

 

 

In my experience the staff each tell a different story whenever you ask re tips. The percentage one is a new one to me and would be grossly unfair even if it was true.

 

Truth is we don't know but the most likely is the P&O official line that all tips are shared among the staff.

 

David

[GUT2407]

I've read that you will lose any obc between b2b cruises. We are doing 3 weeks on Britannia in Dec and have £480 obc on our first week and only £250 on the next 2 weeks.

We will never spend that amount in our first week and don't want to lose it so could I increase my gratuities on the first week to cover the following weeks and remove them on the next weeks? ;) also if we buy a wine package on the first week can it be carried over to the next 2 weeks? Thanks for any ideas that may help :D

 

Never had too much OBC, but then I've got Mrs Gut.

[SteveH2508]

In my experience the staff each tell a different story whenever you ask re tips. The percentage one is a new one to me and would be grossly unfair even if it was true.

 

Truth is we don't know but the most likely is the P&O official line that all tips are shared among the staff.

David

 

We just received our luggage label booklet and it does state that 100% of tips are shared between the staff (no breakdown however).

 

More open about it than NCL are.:(

[Florry]

We just received our luggage label booklet and it does state that 100% of tips are shared between the staff (no breakdown however).

 

More open about it than NCL are.:(

 

 

There is no doubt they are shared 100%, but I am sure that is proportioned according to the rating. If they didn't do that there would be no performance incentive.

[jenny wren]

[quote=jeanlyon;49140256]sorry, but have you actually seen a decent piece of jewellry on P&O, cos I haven't. Perfume is OK.

 

There are usually some very nice quality diamond rings on board ( I know I was bought one!!!) and, when using loyalty discount of 10% and 15 % tax off, an extremely good price!!

 

Another good idea is to get a decent watch or leather handbag and, if you don't want it, sell it on Ebay or the like!!! :)