Tipping

[doog442]

Some friends of us are cruising with NCL next month and their tips are included. They neither know or care if it is included in the fare but they are happy with the amount they are paying for the cruise so feel it doesn't matter. So everyone is happy.

 

Hence their prices don't appear that competitive compared to P&O.

 

I'm guessing plenty of savvy people are being very selective over P&0 auto gratuities. We met three couples on our recent cruise where the subject arose, all had opted out and there was no way in a million years they were tipping cabin staff or waiters £168...and that's the uncomfortable truth or am I just being a cynic.

 

I mean how do you tip waiters in Freedom dining when they rarely serve you twice over 14 nights.

 

I reckon opting out of auto gratuities is pretty wholesale based on my experience yet the people making that decision were quite assured in their decision making process.

[grapau27]

and embarkation times !!

But then there would be nothing left to debate lol.

 

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[grapau27]

Hence their prices don't appear that competitive compared to P&O.

 

I'm guessing plenty of savvy people are being very selective over P&0 auto gratuities. We met three couples on our recent cruise where the subject arose, all had opted out and there was no way in a million years they were tipping cabin staff or waiters £168...and that's the uncomfortable truth or am I just being a cynic.

 

I mean how do you tip waiters in Freedom dining when they rarely serve you twice over 14 nights.

 

I reckon opting out of auto gratuities is pretty wholesale based on my experience yet the people making that decision were quite assured in their decision making process.

We mainly do 7 night cruises so the total tip doesn't seem much but anyone on 14 or above nights it must seem a lot so it is no wonder this is a hot topic.

 

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[brian1]

Hi,we done Dubai to Singapore this year on the Aurora.About 350 of us joined the ship after a golden triangle landtour.Most of the people we spoke to were going to remove the grats.Some only gave the guide and driver a fiver after a 7 day escorted tour.We kept the grats on and gave our steward a score (how uncouth to say that).But I must admit after sailing with Princess loads,the interaction with P&O wait staff was nonexistant,perhaps they are instructed not to be too friendly,but this does them no favours.These,perhaps,newcomers will probably think twice about even giving anyone cash at the end of the cruise,its a Brit thing,some are tighter than others,cheers,Brian.

[Presto2]

Don't laugh or groan, but we are thinking that we may split the difference in our next 17 day cruise. Hubby will keep the auto gratuities on, but I will not. He will sign for all drinks etc. I will then use my gratuities (taken in cash) to pay additional tips for those crew member that we would want to say a special thank you to. We then feel that we will give something to those that we only see once, but also get the chance to say thanks to those we meet the most....

 

It also means that we are not dodging out 'tips' ......

 

To be honest, even as I type this we are torn about what to do and don't feel happy with any option .... I just wish that P&O would get it sorted out ...

 

Do I keep them on and then pay extra when others pay none at all???

Do I penalise the staff for a rubbish system?

I feel really guilty ---- does P&O?

 

The whole system is a mess ------

 

And a PS for anyone who thinks that we are just uncaring and should not book a cruise ------ you don't know us at all, so please no judgements.

[pisces14]

Don't laugh or groan, but we are thinking that we may split the difference in our next 17 day cruise. Hubby will keep the auto gratuities on, but I will not. He will sign for all drinks etc. I will then use my gratuities (taken in cash) to pay additional tips for those crew member that we would want to say a special thank you to. We then feel that we will give something to those that we only see once, but also get the chance to say thanks to those we meet the most....

 

It also means that we are not dodging out 'tips' ......

 

To be honest, even as I type this we are torn about what to do and don't feel happy with any option .... I just wish that P&O would get it sorted out ...

 

Do I keep them on and then pay extra when others pay none at all???

Do I penalise the staff for a rubbish system?

I feel really guilty ---- does P&O?

 

The whole system is a mess ------

 

And a PS for anyone who thinks that we are just uncaring and should not book a cruise ------ you don't know us at all, so please no judgements.

 

I'm not judging you at all as I feel the same as you I think. The whole system is wrong. I am so fed up of reading on this forum and other forums, people making every excuse under the sun as to why they remove the tips. IMO no-one should be allowed to remove them without a very good reason. We have always left the auto tips on and also given extra, so it's annoying to think that we are subsidising others. P&O should include them in the price of the cruise. The reason they don't of course is because they want to sell all the cabins. So they are happy for those who pay the tips to subsidise those who don't. Why should we??? We have never removed the tips and I know I said we'd pay those who give good service by envelope but I'm guessing on our next cruise my husband won't remove the tips and I too would feel like a cheapskate. So what do we do??? I suppose we'll continue subsidising the cheapskates.:(

I really don't know why I got involved with this thread it doesn't do my blood pressure any good.:D

[Goosebear Mum]

Your Indian colleagues are paid Indian wages because they are based in India.

 

Strange. I thought I was in the UK, and that I see and speak to them every day. I must be mistaken, I must teleport to India every day. I know my commute is long, but I didn't know it was that long ;)

 

Nah, they are often having to come over here for many months (up to 2 years now) and can be away from their families for weeks or months before their families can join them.

[Krissyboi]

I always leave the auto tips on because the colleagues work so god damn hard 24/7 and deserve every penny.

 

I also tip at the end of the cruise giving an envelope to the cabin steward the main dining waiters and the wine waiter. As they consistently give us a great service on the traditional dining and nothing is ever too much!

 

Hope this is of use!

 

Kris ⛵🚢😎🌴⚓

[Presto2]

I'm not judging you at all as I feel the same as you I think. The whole system is wrong. I am so fed up of reading on this forum and other forums, people making every excuse under the sun as to why they remove the tips. IMO no-one should be allowed to remove them without a very good reason. We have always left the auto tips on and also given extra, so it's annoying to think that we are subsidising others. P&O should include them in the price of the cruise. The reason they don't of course is because they want to sell all the cabins. So they are happy for those who pay the tips to subsidise those who don't. Why should we??? We have never removed the tips and I know I said we'd pay those who give good service by envelope but I'm guessing on our next cruise my husband won't remove the tips and I too would feel like a cheapskate. So what do we do??? I suppose we'll continue subsidising the cheapskates.:(

I really don't know why I got involved with this thread it doesn't do my blood pressure any good.:D

 

We feel like we are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea .....

If we keep the gratuities on just who gets the money if it doesn't go to our staff???

If we could guarantee that those poor hard working staff could get it 100% then we would be more than happy to continue paying the automatic gratuities and extra as we have in the past.

It is when we read of staff not being given the tips if they didn't get 100% on the feedback ....... let's be honest, some passengers are a pain and are just plain unfair. You'd have to be Mother Theresa to get a 5 there!!!

 

I just wish that someone from P&O would let us know how it all works

 

We are genuinely uneasy about all of this and want to do what is best for the crew ---- without being 'taken for a ride' by P&O.

 

We also feel uneasy that lots of passengers don't pay anything at all ......... I don't like to subsidise those who don't pay ...............

 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Presto2]

I always leave the auto tips on because the colleagues work so god damn hard 24/7 and deserve every penny.

 

I also tip at the end of the cruise giving an envelope to the cabin steward the main dining waiters and the wine waiter. As they consistently give us a great service on the traditional dining and nothing is ever too much!

 

Hope this is of use!

 

Kris ⛵🚢😎🌴⚓[/quote

 

We have always done this until we have read more background on this forum ... now we are confused ....

[doog442]

I'm not judging you at all as I feel the same as you I think. The whole system is wrong. I am so fed up of reading on this forum and other forums, people making every excuse under the sun as to why they remove the tips. IMO no-one should be allowed to remove them without a very good reason. We have always left the auto tips on and also given extra, so it's annoying to think that we are subsidising others. P&O should include them in the price of the cruise. The reason they don't of course is because they want to sell all the cabins. So they are happy for those who pay the tips to subsidise those who don't. Why should we??? We have never removed the tips and I know I said we'd pay those who give good service by envelope but I'm guessing on our next cruise my husband won't remove the tips and I too would feel like a cheapskate. So what do we do??? I suppose we'll continue subsidising the cheapskates.:(

I really don't know why I got involved with this thread it doesn't do my blood pressure any good.:D

 

Someone further up mentioned that P&0 will subsidise gratuities that are withdrawn.

 

If that's the case I guess none of the staff lose out, the only winners are those who don't pay it and I daresay shareholders in their dividend . I would hate for my cabin steward, restaurant manager to know that I wasn't paying it which might explain us getting granted that window seat most nights when our cabin number was punched into the system....probably wishful thinking.

[claudiniusmaximus]

they are often having to come over here for many months (up to 2 years now) and can be away from their families for weeks or months before their families can join them.

 

 

 

They are here for up to two years or longer and they get paid Indian wages?

 

 

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[Presto2]

But then there would be nothing left to debate lol.

 

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You've forgotten the dreaded dress code ........................................:eek:;p

[Florry]

And nobody has even mentioned those who mainly eat in speciality and room service (esp short cruises) who pay gratuities via cover charges [emoji2]

 

 

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[Presto2]

And nobody has even mentioned those who mainly eat in speciality and room service (esp short cruises) who pay gratuities via cover charges [emoji2]

 

 

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Oh Florry, now my brain is aching ......................................

[grapau27]

You've forgotten the dreaded dress code ........................................:eek:;p

OMG forgot about that one.

 

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[terrierjohn]

OMG forgot about that one.

 

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If you ban all these contentious topics what on Earth are we going to write about?:cool:

[Presto2]

The problem of Brexit ... ha ha ha .... sorry folks :-)

 

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[grapau27]

If you ban all these contentious topics what on Earth are we going to write about?:cool:

That's what i originally said.

 

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[wowzz]

This is a topic that will never end, as everyone has their own opinions, and there is no right or wrong.

Our last cruise was with Princess, and the auto tips were around £11 each per day, so quite a lot over 17 days. However, during the course of the cruise, without exception, the crew were brilliant, either in the buffet at breakfast or lunch, or in the mdr for dinner. If I had removed the auto tips, how could I possibly have have tipped each of the 60 or so individuals that served me so well? Not forgetting our cabin steward.

I am more than happy to leave auto tips on - they are part and parcel of the cruise price, and to imply otherwise is disingenuous . My only issue is what do you do in the unfortunate instance of having a particular waiter/ steward that is not of the same standard as his/her colleagues?

[insanemagnet]

Our last cruise was with Princess, and the auto tips were around £11 each per day, so quite a lot over 17 days. However, during the course of the cruise, without exception, the crew were brilliant, either in the buffet at breakfast or lunch, or in the mdr for dinner. If I had removed the auto tips, how could I possibly have have tipped each of the 60 or so individuals that served me so well? Not forgetting our cabin steward.

I am more than happy to leave auto tips on - they are part and parcel of the cruise price, and to imply otherwise is disingenuous . My only issue is what do you do in the unfortunate instance of having a particular waiter/ steward that is not of the same standard as his/her colleagues?

 

On Princess whether you pay the service charge or give money to individual crew members who served you makes no difference, as the staff have to hand the money in; as you can see from this document -

 

http://www.crew-center.com/princess-cruises-crew-wages-details

 

The relevant section is -

 

E. DISCRETIONARY HOTEL & DINING CHARGE POOL

 

Now that is Princess, but is it really likely things are different in the other brands in the Carnival group.

Princess Cruises Crew Wages Details _ Crew Center.pdf

Edited August 9, 2017 by Host Sharon
Contravening copyright - link sufficient

[wowzz]

I did know that. Another reason to leave the auto tips in place.

[grapau27]

This is a topic that will never end, as everyone has their own opinions, and there is no right or wrong.

Our last cruise was with Princess, and the auto tips were around £11 each per day, so quite a lot over 17 days. However, during the course of the cruise, without exception, the crew were brilliant, either in the buffet at breakfast or lunch, or in the mdr for dinner. If I had removed the auto tips, how could I possibly have have tipped each of the 60 or so individuals that served me so well? Not forgetting our cabin steward.

I am more than happy to leave auto tips on - they are part and parcel of the cruise price, and to imply otherwise is disingenuous . My only issue is what do you do in the unfortunate instance of having a particular waiter/ steward that is not of the same standard as his/her colleagues?

You are right to leave the autotips on.

If any waiter or any crew member is poor or rude tell his Head waiter, supervisor,manager or guest services what the problem was and let them deal with it.

All of the crew are excellent so don't let one bad egg spoil your cruise.

 

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[Florry]

This is a topic that will never end, as everyone has their own opinions, and there is no right or wrong.

Our last cruise was with Princess, and the auto tips were around £11 each per day, so quite a lot over 17 days. However, during the course of the cruise, without exception, the crew were brilliant, either in the buffet at breakfast or lunch, or in the mdr for dinner. If I had removed the auto tips, how could I possibly have have tipped each of the 60 or so individuals that served me so well? Not forgetting our cabin steward.

I am more than happy to leave auto tips on - they are part and parcel of the cruise price, and to imply otherwise is disingenuous . My only issue is what do you do in the unfortunate instance of having a particular waiter/ steward that is not of the same standard as his/her colleagues?

 

 

 

I'm not saying people should do one thing or another but I have it in writing from P&O that the crew don't have to hand it over. Whether I believe that is another matter - lots of reports to the contrary.

 

 

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[insanemagnet]

I'm not saying people should do one thing or another but I have it in writing from P&O that the crew don't have to hand it over. Whether I believe that is another matter - lots of reports to the contrary.

 

Including an employment contract from another Carnival brand which says they do have to hand it over.

 

Logically it would make no sense for the staff to keep tips given to them.

 

If they did they might get paid twice - once through the tip pool and once through the tips handed to them, or they might only get the tip pool, which has been reduced because of people removing the service charge that feeds the tip pool.