The_Big_M Posted December 23, 2016 #26 Share Posted December 23, 2016 (edited) It is supposed to already be included so now it is a extra on top. Another reason to stay away from the Aussie Princess ships. It is already included. However, as tips have grown globally - and locals have travelled more - it seems they're re-evaluating what consumer acceptance is like. They haven't made a decision either way yet. Not sure why that's a reason to stay away. As ever, you book at the price that you find suitable for the ships, itinerary and so on. This doesn't change that. And given it's the way RCL and Celebrity have charged locally until recently, it's not a reason I've heard you say to not book with them... Edited December 23, 2016 by The_Big_M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted December 23, 2016 #27 Share Posted December 23, 2016 (edited) Yes, because Princess AU have adjusted local pricing to make it simpler for locals - which most prefer. Not sure why you're unhappy with that. Unhappy because it is already included but now they want to (possibly) add extra anyway. Edited December 23, 2016 by MicCanberra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted December 23, 2016 #28 Share Posted December 23, 2016 It is already included. However, as tips have grown globally - and locals have travelled more - it seems they're re-evaluating what consumer acceptance is like. They haven't made a decision either way yet. Not sure why that's a reason to stay away. As ever, you book at the price that you find suitable for the ships, itinerary and so on. This doesn't change that. And given it's the way RCL and Celebrity have charged locally until recently, it's not a reason I've heard you say to not book with them... I will stay away as they are old ships and they do not offer me any thing that I cannot get elsewhere for a better price even compared to Princess International. If they are going to add extras, their pricing is going to be even worse for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted December 24, 2016 #29 Share Posted December 24, 2016 Unhappy because it is already included but now they want to (possibly) add extra anyway. Just the same as the other gratuity increases that go on regularly... Not something to be happy about but the way of the world. Inflation, except in most of our pay packets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted December 24, 2016 #30 Share Posted December 24, 2016 I will stay away as they are old ships and they do not offer me any thing that I cannot get elsewhere for a better price even compared to Princess International. If they are going to add extras, their pricing is going to be even worse for them. Fair enough if you don't like the product. But I weigh up the cost and itinerary, and have had some good experiences on those ships, so all it is weighing up whatever the new cost will be against the value as in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted December 24, 2016 #31 Share Posted December 24, 2016 Just the same as the other gratuity increases that go on regularly... Not something to be happy about but the way of the world. Inflation, except in most of our pay packets! I know inflation happens and will increase the price, but why flag it as a gratuity to be added, why not just increase the fares by $2 a day and keep it included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted December 24, 2016 #32 Share Posted December 24, 2016 I know inflation happens and will increase the price, but why flag it as a gratuity to be added, why not just increase the fares by $2 a day and keep it included. I agree. Adding it as a separate will just spawn dissatisfaction and complaints from passengers, just like the credit card surcharge does - a local garden centre tried adding the credit card surcharge for a while but they got so much flak from it they have now stopped charging it, much to the relief of their checkout staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted December 24, 2016 #33 Share Posted December 24, 2016 I agree. Adding it as a separate will just spawn dissatisfaction and complaints from passengers, just like the credit card surcharge does - a local garden centre tried adding the credit card surcharge for a while but they got so much flak from it they have now stopped charging it, much to the relief of their checkout staff. I agree with your comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSWP Posted December 24, 2016 #34 Share Posted December 24, 2016 (edited) $2 a day? and the pax will still be lining up at the Pursers desk to remove it, as they did when auto gratuities were on Sun/Sea/Dawn Princesses. Carnival have increased per diem cruise costs to pay wages on Princess Australia ships and that is where it should stay, no extra tipping whether the $2 per day or cash in hand tips. This 'double tipping' should never have started, why pay double? (Auto tips and cash handouts.) We were recently on Island Princess doing Central America/Panama Canal out of LA. One of our favourite waiters in the Wheelhouse Bar said she was glad to leave Sea Princess because of her low wages...no 15% drink gratuity added to her basic wage, only a token allowance in lieu. She said made 25% more in wages by working on the Island Princess due to her 15% drink gratuities. As a couple we paid a total of US$600 in automatic gratuities for the 20 days, more than enough thank you. Standby for incoming. Another tipping thread. Edited December 24, 2016 by NSWP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted December 24, 2016 #35 Share Posted December 24, 2016 I just don't know why they couldn't just raise the prices, they have been moving away from the tips being separate, I don't know why they returned back to the old ways.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs and mrs Posted December 24, 2016 #36 Share Posted December 24, 2016 Fair enough if you don't like the product. But I weigh up the cost and itinerary, and have had some good experiences on those ships, so all it is weighing up whatever the new cost will be against the value as in the past. bingo, hit the nail with the hammer.:) And that is what it comes down to at the end of the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted December 24, 2016 #37 Share Posted December 24, 2016 I know inflation happens and will increase the price, but why flag it as a gratuity to be added, why not just increase the fares by $2 a day and keep it included. They haven't made a change yet; just assessing it. As said previously, possible factors are: - customer familiarity; if tips are more familiar to people from other cruise lines, there's less benefit from making it inclusive - financial cost; it's beneficial to cruise lines financially for tips to be paid separately instead of as a wage cost - marketing; if there's no benefit from having them included, then having to advertise a higher price to include them means that your product looks more expensive Just a few reasons... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted December 24, 2016 #38 Share Posted December 24, 2016 We were recently on Island Princess doing Central America/Panama Canal out of LA. One of our favourite waiters in the Wheelhouse Bar said she was glad to leave Sea Princess because of her low wages...no 15% drink gratuity added to her basic wage, only a token allowance in lieu. She said made 25% more in wages by working on the Island Princess due to her 15% drink gratuities. And that's exactly another reason; staff dissatisfaction. If they're not making as much then they'll leave. Nothing unique about Australian cruise ships; they'll just switch to others if they're not paid enough locally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Big_M Posted December 24, 2016 #39 Share Posted December 24, 2016 I just don't know why they couldn't just raise the prices, they have been moving away from the tips being separate, I don't know why they returned back to the old ways.:( They haven't decided to, and if customer acceptance is terrible, they'll surely stick with the current way. But there are competing reasons to go the other way too, which is what makes them look at that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted December 24, 2016 #40 Share Posted December 24, 2016 They haven't made a change yet; just assessing it. As said previously, possible factors are:- customer familiarity; if tips are more familiar to people from other cruise lines, there's less benefit from making it inclusive - financial cost; it's beneficial to cruise lines financially for tips to be paid separately instead of as a wage cost - marketing; if there's no benefit from having them included, then having to advertise a higher price to include them means that your product looks more expensive Just a few reasons... I agree that there may be many reasons, some of which you have posted. Although the first is exactly opposite as to where other cruise lines are headed, with both X and Royal including the tips in the fares for the aussie season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newport dave Posted January 7, 2018 #41 Share Posted January 7, 2018 We're sailing on the Sun this coming November, but, as we're from the UK and booked with a UK TA we still need to pay the daily grats. Does anyone know what the daily amount is in AUD. When I go onto my personaliser it just shows the total amount in £'s Many Thanks David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickays Posted January 8, 2018 #42 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Our first cruise was Dawn Princess in 2009. We had gratuities added to our account daily. This was the same for the next few cruises. I cant remember exactly when they included it in the booking price for Australian cruises. I doubt they would go back to charging a daily fee as most passengers are happy to have them included in the price. As far as the cabin stewards go, we have been told numerous times that they love being on the Australian ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted January 8, 2018 #43 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Princess took the auto gratuities off for Australians booking the Australian-based cruises, from 1st May, 2011. You are probably aware that we also do not pay the extra gratuity on top of the cost of drinks.:D However, the initial price of the drinks is higher than on the US ships. I cannot tell you what the current amount is in AUD, but it is probably what is charged in US$ on US-based cruises, converted to AUD. I suggest you keep in mind that, when the auto-gratuities were removed, the remuneration of the stewards was increased to what they would receive if the tips were in place. With this in mind, it is up to you if you prefer to remove the auto-gratuity, then tip those who serve you personally. They will be able to keep it all. If you leave the auto-gratuity on, I believe that the tips are distributed fleet-wide, not just to your stewards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newport dave Posted January 8, 2018 #44 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Princess took the auto gratuities off for Australians booking the Australian-based cruises, from 1st May, 2011. You are probably aware that we also do not pay the extra gratuity on top of the cost of drinks.:D However, the initial price of the drinks is higher than on the US ships. I cannot tell you what the current amount is in AUD, but it is probably what is charged in US$ on US-based cruises, converted to AUD. I suggest you keep in mind that, when the auto-gratuities were removed, the remuneration of the stewards was increased to what they would receive if the tips were in place. With this in mind, it is up to you if you prefer to remove the auto-gratuity, then tip those who serve you personally. They will be able to keep it all. If you leave the auto-gratuity on, I believe that the tips are distributed fleet-wide, not just to your stewards. No intention of removing tips, just wanted to be able to work if it was better for us to pre-pay in £ or just have it charged to our account daily in AUD. Sent from my VFD 900 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted January 8, 2018 #45 Share Posted January 8, 2018 No intention of removing tips, just wanted to be able to work if it was better for us to pre-pay in £ or just have it charged to our account daily in AUD. Sent from my VFD 900 using Tapatalk I am suggesting removing the tips, then tipping the stewards who serve you. It is your decision. :) I don't know if it would be better for you to pre-pay in pounds or have it charged in AUD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newport dave Posted January 8, 2018 #46 Share Posted January 8, 2018 I am suggesting removing the tips, then tipping the stewards who serve you. It is your decision. :) I don't know if it would be better for you to pre-pay in pounds or have it charged in AUD.We always leave the tips on, less hassle. Sent from my VFD 900 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted January 8, 2018 #47 Share Posted January 8, 2018 We're sailing on the Sun this coming November, but, as we're from the UK and booked with a UK TA we still need to pay the daily grats. Does anyone know what the daily amount is in AUD. When I go onto my personaliser it just shows the total amount in £'s Many Thanks David Do the conversion, 1 GBP = $1.73 AUD. example -if it is around 9 GBP it would be $15.56 AUD. We really don't know or care what it is as it is included in our fares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newport dave Posted January 8, 2018 #48 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Do the conversion, 1 GBP = $1.73 AUD. example -if it is around 9 GBP it would be $15.56 AUD.We really don't know or care what it is as it is included in our fares. Know how to do the conversion. But, without knowing how much I'll be charged daily onboard, the conversion is pointless. Great that it's included in your fares, just thought it might say in your holiday info how much it was daily, but it was all part of your cruise fare.. Sent from my VFD 900 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted January 8, 2018 #49 Share Posted January 8, 2018 I cannot tell you what the current amount is in AUD, but it is probably what is charged in US$ on US-based cruises, converted to AUD. I suggest you keep in mind that, when the auto-gratuities were removed, the remuneration of the stewards was increased to what they would receive if the tips were in place. With this in mind, it is up to you if you prefer to remove the auto-gratuity, then tip those who serve you personally. They will be able to keep it all. If you leave the auto-gratuity on, I believe that the tips are distributed fleet-wide, not just to your stewards. Really, so people on the other ships would get a portion of the tip, I find that hard to believe. Note that if you only tip your stewards then it is to the detriment of your waiters, etc that would normally get a portion and they will miss out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newport dave Posted January 8, 2018 #50 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Really, so people on the other ships would get a portion of the tip, I find that hard to believe. Note that if you only tip your stewards then it is to the detriment of your waiters, etc that would normally get a portion and they will miss out. Don't know how it works on Aus Princess ships, but, for the rest of the fleet, your daily gratuity goes to more than just the room steward and waiters. It goes to some of the backroom staff also. If you remove the daily grats and tip personally, then the staff have to hand that in and it gets distributed back into the tipping pool for ALL staff as if you'd left the tips on. If you leave the tips on, and then tip personally on top of this, then the staff get to keep it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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