Prepaid Gratuity???

[LMaxwell]

They can pull up everything you have charged, reversed, etc onboard based on your VIFP, folio, and sailing numbers. You do in fact have a history. How do you think they keep track of your cruises for your VIFP number? Or pull up any disputed charges when you're back on land? It's all part of your file.

 

Who has access to it and what they do with it should be the only part up for discussion. But rest assured Carnival knows exactly what you have spent in the onboard shops, what you have had reversed on your accounts, what you have spent in the casino, etc. That info doesn't go away.

 

Like I said, all just numbers in a CRM database.

 

Of course they know what people spend and where; that's how their databases spit out things like casino offers, etc. It's not that I don't think they have data on people, I think the "boogeyman" tactic of saying things are on a permanent record like there is a negative repercussion are totally wrong.

 

I just got a targeted offer yesterday via email, and I get targeted offers in the regular mail about once a month. Of course they are linked to my spending habits, no doubt. They track numbers so they can figure out the best ways / promotions / targeted rates to get you back on board to spend more.

 

The only thing they care about is when you are going to stump up a payment to book again. This is a corporation and cash flow and revenue are the metrics that matter. No more, no less.

[LMaxwell]

Does Carnival still have the envelopes for handing out tips at the end of the cruise? What's the process if you do pre-pay? Do you still get the envelopes for anything additional?

 

You can get as many envelopes as you want at any time from guest services.

[LMaxwell]

This isn't quite accurate. We buy the 10% cards from Verizon and have a cruise that we have budgeted about $12,000 (Vista Mediterranean) including gratuities, flights (through the Carnival new flight program about half the price we could get on our own), 2 nights in Barcelona pre cruise, and excursions, transfers, etc....because we booked everything through Carnival we have been able to pay for everything with the gift cards. 10% of $12,000 is A LOT of money!....that $1200 is now available for our Hawaiian cruise next year!

 

The point was that by shopping around you can stretch your dollars and get the max value through gift cards, branded credit card promotions, etc. In fact, your scenario proves my point precisely. I agree, that is a huge savings!

[Trumpster]

Like I said, all just numbers in a CRM database.

 

Of course they know what people spend and where; that's how their databases spit out things like casino offers, etc. It's not that I don't think they have data on people, I think the "boogeyman" tactic of saying things are on a permanent record like there is a negative repercussion are totally wrong.

 

I just got a targeted offer yesterday via email, and I get targeted offers in the regular mail about once a month. Of course they are linked to my spending habits, no doubt. They track numbers so they can figure out the best ways / promotions / targeted rates to get you back on board to spend more.

 

The only thing they care about is when you are going to stump up a payment to book again. This is a corporation and cash flow and revenue are the metrics that matter. No more, no less.

 

Precisely.

 

No more no less.

 

I get offers galore from NCL and I can assure you their DSC has not always remained intact.

[Cushing985]

I went through a travel agent and so if there is such a selection to auto tip or not, she must have done it for us.

 

I will tell you this. Just off a 4 day cruise in Bahamas aboard the Victory, we were set to auto tip $12/day per person. On our final bill, we noticed four $48 charges (2 adults, 2 kids). After a request for explanation, we were given a breakdown. At the bar, I noticed the tips were around 10% per drink.

 

I spoke to several of the stewards and bartenders. They all were "bubbly" happy. But sadly, they work 7 days a week for 8 months and don't get off the boat during port. I mean I didnt cry like my grandmother does when she watches the "feed the children" commercials with Sally Duncan, but it was enough for me to feel that the tips were worth giving.

 

Try going on HULU or youtube and search for "CNBC - big money on the high seas." Parts of it highlight the people and what they go through. Parts of it only.

 

They do get off the ship in ports. Of course, not all of them and I'm unsure what their system is...take turns?

 

I confess I don't understand why people feel sorry for these workers. They do work hard and they are away from their families for months but it is their choice. I have no doubt they make a heck of a lot more onboard the ships than they would in their home countries. I do treat them with the respect they deserve and don't make more work for them by being a slob (leaving dishes in the elevators, living like a pig in your cabin, etc). But feel sorry for them? Never! Would you feel sorry for a person who has to spend 20 years in prison for a crime they committed? Being a criminal is a choice so why would you feel sorry for them?

 

People who pull tips or insist on paying with cash are beyond cheap. They have many excuses for doing it but in the final analysis, they are cheap.

[LMaxwell]

 

People who pull tips or insist on paying with cash are beyond cheap. They have many excuses for doing it but in the final analysis, they are cheap.

 

So a person that pulls them and gives nothing is equally as cheap as the person who doesn't pay Carnival, but pays the workers in cash? :confused:

 

If the person who pre-pays Cheers for a discount and constantly uses the program for 15 alcohol drinks per day and unlimited soft drinks "cheap" if they don't tip extra even though carnival charged them a tip up front?

 

Maybe you want to clarify your statement; it didn't make sense to me.

[Elaine5715]

They will remember my name, booking #, cabin #, after seeing 200 people that day before me, and 200 after me, all of whom removed gratuities for some reason, or complained about this or that or who knows what?

 

I feel honored. Truly amazing.

 

So what? Am I a deadbeat? Do they not do their job the next time I show up?

 

After working in the service industry, yeah, I remembered PITAs over thousands of guests.

I am also stopped on just about every cruise by a crew member who remembered me from a prior ship. So much so, I now write down all the names of any crew I had repeat interactions with so I also can also remember where.

[StolidCruiser]

Like I said, all just numbers in a CRM database.

 

Of course they know what people spend and where; that's how their databases spit out things like casino offers, etc. It's not that I don't think they have data on people, I think the "boogeyman" tactic of saying things are on a permanent record like there is a negative repercussion are totally wrong.

 

I just got a targeted offer yesterday via email, and I get targeted offers in the regular mail about once a month. Of course they are linked to my spending habits, no doubt. They track numbers so they can figure out the best ways / promotions / targeted rates to get you back on board to spend more.

 

The only thing they care about is when you are going to stump up a payment to book again. This is a corporation and cash flow and revenue are the metrics that matter. No more, no less.

 

I'll take ownership of that "boogeyman" colloquialism. You may think it to the contrary, but there IS a negative repercussion to removing the service charge and not providing any gratuity regardless of quality of service.

 

Again, if you think these guest metrics aren't tracked you have never worked in the service industry.

 

A crude analogy (but one just the same): I overheard a discrete conversation between two service staff at the local restaurant. One said to the other "That lady at Table 22 never tips... you might not want to bend over backwards for her. I've tried and it never works." Guess what? Table 22 got basic service while those around her were graciously and quickly served.

 

In the service industry, nothing is as secret as you think it is and I say that from a very long family history in the business.

 

Those who are fundamentally gratuity-averse dislike the process immensely. Those who understand the service industry and provide appropriate gratuities in appropriate situations love the process.

[islacruzer]

Thank you for all your responses! I definitely will take all this into account. I want to make sure I was doing things right and didn't want to leave anyone out! [emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Hey RiceCake,

 

You're probably reading all the responses that people are giving each other. This is a time when this thread might just veer off into the tipping topic wastelands. Here's my question to you: If you "had" to pay for a kinder and gentler and more pleasant service experience, and even though you shouldn't have to, would you?

 

My last cruise, which was last week, I had auto tipped activated, which was done by my travel agent I guess because I didn't opt for this, but If my experience that I had this last cruise was a result of the auto tipping, I would do it again.

 

There's so many ways to look at this.I tip when I feel like someone deserves it. Not everyone will agree but that's what I do. You don't HAVE to tip, but do realize the difference of the level of service you will have between cruises when tipping and not. If that doesn't bother you then don't worry about tipping extra and enjoy your cruise.

[loxley]

I went through a travel agent and so if there is such a selection to auto tip or not, she must have done it for us.

 

I will tell you this. Just off a 4 day cruise in Bahamas aboard the Victory, we were set to auto tip $12/day per person. On our final bill, we noticed four $48 charges (2 adults, 2 kids). After a request for explanation, we were given a breakdown. At the bar, I noticed the tips were around 10% per drink.

 

I spoke to several of the stewards and bartenders. They all were "bubbly" happy. But sadly, they work 7 days a week for 8 months and don't get off the boat during port. I mean I didnt cry like my grandmother does when she watches the "feed the children" commercials with Sally Duncan, but it was enough for me to feel that the tips were worth giving.

 

Try going on HULU or youtube and search for "CNBC - big money on the high seas." Parts of it highlight the people and what they go through. Parts of it only.

Go to YouTube and search for. Toughest place to be.

 

Check out some of the places they come from and what they could be doing for a living.

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[ricecake]

Hey RiceCake,

 

 

 

You're probably reading all the responses that people are giving each other. This is a time when this thread might just veer off into the tipping topic wastelands. Here's my question to you: If you "had" to pay for a kinder and gentler and more pleasant service experience, and even though you shouldn't have to, would you?

 

 

 

My last cruise, which was last week, I had auto tipped activated, which was done by my travel agent I guess because I didn't opt for this, but If my experience that I had this last cruise was a result of the auto tipping, I would do it again.

 

 

 

There's so many ways to look at this.I tip when I feel like someone deserves it. Not everyone will agree but that's what I do. You don't HAVE to tip, but do realize the difference of the level of service you will have between cruises when tipping and not. If that doesn't bother you then don't worry about tipping extra and enjoy your cruise.

 

 

My reason for posting this is because I had no clue how the prepaid tips work. After reading through these comments I now have a better understanding. I know how tipping works. The best services gets the best tips. My main concern was that I wouldn't tip someone that needed to be tipped.

 

We are planning on doing the cheers program as well. From what I've read they don't charge the 15% percent on drinks so we will be tipping for that.

 

My point of the post was not to find out who I could get away with not tipping. It was to find out who still needed to be tipped because, like I said, this will be our first cruise.

 

Thank you everyone for your wealth of information.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[LMaxwell]

 

We are planning on doing the cheers program as well. From what I've read they don't charge the 15% percent on drinks so we will be tipping for that.

 

 

You will be charged up front 15% of the cost of the cheers program as a gratuity.

[Elaine5715]

Go to YouTube and search for. Toughest place to be.

 

Check out some of the places they come from and what they could be doing for a living.

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

And if we were born in another country?

[RiotAct]

Looked at the thread title, and then the page count. Thought to myself, "This can't be going well". I see I was correct.

[islacruzer]

My reason for posting this is because I had no clue how the prepaid tips work. After reading through these comments I now have a better understanding. I know how tipping works. The best services gets the best tips. My main concern was that I wouldn't tip someone that needed to be tipped.

 

We are planning on doing the cheers program as well. From what I've read they don't charge the 15% percent on drinks so we will be tipping for that.

 

My point of the post was not to find out who I could get away with not tipping. It was to find out who still needed to be tipped because, like I said, this will be our first cruise.

 

Thank you everyone for your wealth of information.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Make sure you double check that because I think they do add a gratuity for the cheers program. But in any case, valid question. Hopefully everyone's answers helped.

[ricecake]

Make sure you double check that because I think they do add a gratuity for the cheers program. But in any case, valid question. Hopefully everyone's answers helped.

 

 

I was told that they do charge gratuity which is fine. I just needed information about how prepaid gratuity worked.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[firemanbobswife]

I was told that they do charge gratuity which is fine. I just needed information about how prepaid gratuity worked.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Yes. It's included in your total - $49.95 per day plus 15% gratuity. All paid upfront. If you want to leave extra for your Bartender you can, but it's not necessary.

[martinchem]

I don't know what a good tipper is but usually during a cruise I find one or two awesome alcohol servers that I give an extra $10 to in cash because they always take such good care of my needs.

[Monthend]

We were just on the Elation and they had envelopes on the guest services desk. I always tip a little extra to my room steward and wait team.

[cruzelover55]

And if we were born in another country?

 

HUH!!!??? Your reply doesn't make any sense to me!:confused:

[spiritkat090909]

As a first time cruiser, you will probably be getting off the ship and doing shore excursions. EVERY bus driver & guide will expect a $1 tip per person.:)

[LMaxwell]

As a first time cruiser, you will probably be getting off the ship and doing shore excursions. EVERY bus driver & guide will expect a $1 tip per person.:)

 

Depends where they are going. Try to tip a bus driver in St. Maarten and they will hand you the money back. They are government employees.

[Galatz]

One thing you may want to keep in mind is that by tipping on board you really have a lot of flexibility in how you want to alter your tipping. If the state room attendant goes above and beyond you might want to up their tips.

 

For example, as a kosher cruiser the Maitre D takes my order every night for the following day, not the waiter. The waiter brings me everything and ensures the paper plates are set up instead of real ones. I feel that I should add a bit to the Maitre D and do a little less to the waiter, since it matches the added/less work they do. You might have some special request that you feel this would be important for as well.

[CruzinKittie]

I'm confused. Can you call and request that they not automatically add gratuity to your sign and sail account???

[Schoifmom]

I'm confused. Can you call and request that they not automatically add gratuity to your sign and sail account???

 

No. You can prepay the $12.95 pp per day gratuity or they will add it to your S&S account. Having said that, you can go to GS and have it removed, but I don't advocate that.