Yet another “live from” report...Escape - 1/20 - 1/27/18

[bucfan2]

I don't care how much cash you tipped, removing your pre-paid gratuities while getting great service is pathetic.

 

Couldn't agree more!

[njmomof2]

Whether I agree or not doesn't matter, I can see your point. How many of us tip the Waiter / Waitress at a restaurant, and not the cook or dishwasher ?.

 

I would suspect that you never waited tables in the past. When I worked as a server while working full time and going to school, our tips were pooled and we had to tip out the kitchen, bartender and bus staff. Everyone got a piece.

 

So tipping the server gets everyone (in most cases) who helped make a great meal. Just like auto-grats go to everyone that has a hand in making a great cruise.

 

I get that you're withholding auto-grats to make a statement. Unfortunately, what you did was stiff a lot of people you didn't see who helped make your cruise great. And if what I've read is correct, if you withhold the auto-grats, any cash that is received must be turned in. So I'm thinking that all that cash you handed out (probably besides the $1 per drink you gave) was turned in by the recipient or they could face termination.

 

Whether I agree with you or not, cancelling auto-grats is not the way to get things changed. The cruise lines are not American companies, and they can structure their wages any way they want. We go into a cruise knowing this, and that's why we pay the grats or tips. If you don't agree, maybe try an all-inclusive, where tips are included and you don't have to give anyone anything extra.

[Brooklyn1119]

I have never sailed with NCL only Carnival (where you are able to remove gratuities if you prefer) but I thought you were not allowed to remove gratuities onboard? that it had to be done through writing after the cruise?

[ClarkBHM]

Whether I agree with you or not, cancelling auto-grats is not the way to get things changed. The cruise lines are not American companies, and they can structure their wages any way they want. We go into a cruise knowing this, and that's why we pay the grats or tips. If you don't agree, maybe try an all-inclusive, where tips are included and you don't have to give anyone anything extra.

 

Totally agree. This isn't the way to get the cruise lines to change their fare structures. If you want to make a change, boycott that line entirely and stick with the ones that DO do it right. Get others to do it too. If enough people do that, you'll see some change.

 

In the meantime, you're just hurting the people that you're proclaiming to support.

[Beer Belly]

I would suspect that you never waited tables in the past. When I worked as a server while working full time and going to school, our tips were pooled and we had to tip out the kitchen, bartender and bus staff. Everyone got a piece.

You are correct, never waited tables, my Wife did in her dad's restaurant, and they had it structured where the wait staff kept thier tips, and everyone else behind the scenes were paid a decent wage. In some states, wait staff make below minimum wage and depend on tips. Not saying I would hold back on pre paid gratuities, but can also see his side.....to each his own.

[Drivencruise]

I’m sorry , but it is not up to the customer to pay the wages of an employee of a huge Organisation . It’s their responsibility . Period . The more we subsidise underpaying businesses the more they will make us feel guilty for not doing so.

I don’t withdraw my grats, but I don’t critisize anyone who does . Your responses are not fair. Each to their own .

[Bklynjo]

I would suspect that you never waited tables in the past. When I worked as a server while working full time and going to school, our tips were pooled and we had to tip out the kitchen, bartender and bus staff. Everyone got a piece.

 

So tipping the server gets everyone (in most cases) who helped make a great meal. Just like auto-grats go to everyone that has a hand in making a great cruise.

 

I get that you're withholding auto-grats to make a statement. Unfortunately, what you did was stiff a lot of people you didn't see who helped make your cruise great. And if what I've read is correct, if you withhold the auto-grats, any cash that is received must be turned in. So I'm thinking that all that cash you handed out (probably besides the $1 per drink you gave) was turned in by the recipient or they could face termination.

 

Whether I agree with you or not, cancelling auto-grats is not the way to get things changed. The cruise lines are not American companies, and they can structure their wages any way they want. We go into a cruise knowing this, and that's why we pay the grats or tips. If you don't agree, maybe try an all-inclusive, where tips are included and you don't have to give anyone anything extra.

I agree 100%. $15.00 a day goes a long way to all those workers who work behind the scene. They are the backbone of your cruise who make it wonderful!

[smplybcause]

Removing the DSC in "protest" to make cruise lines pay them a "fair wage" is like leaving no tip at an American restaurant to protest that the restaurant pay them fair wages. It does nothing to change anything except cause the person who waited on you to make less money that day.

 

If you truly want to make changes then the way to do it is to push for changes in laws and/or only patronize establishments and companies that pay the fair wages in the structure you think is right.

 

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[marktwothousand]

At the end of the day, the contract is between the employees and the corporation and the corporation is responsible for making the decisions on what and how to pay its employees. It is a pretty cheap shot for a business to finger or shame customers who don’t pay fees which aren’t even mandatory.

 

“Stiffing” would be if a customer was required to pay something they agreed to and were required to.

[OceansMotion]

I’m really sorry you feel that way. As members of Cruise Critic, We need to hold the cruise industry to account, not just for the standards they provide to us as customers, but for the way these billion-dollar corporations pay their workers. We need to call on them to make these fees mandatory, and include them in fares.

 

These workers deserve to be paid the same at the end of the day, whether customers decide to keep the auto-grat on there or not. If we all decide to withhold the auto-grat, the cruise industry will finally have no choice but to integrate this into their fares, lose money, or pay workers less. Those are the options.

 

Ultimately, I am not the one who is withholding wages here by making the decision to hold the auto-grat...that is up to the cruise line to decide.

 

 

 

Next time you cruise on NCL, think about taking the ‘behind the scenes’ tour. There you’ll see the conditions that the crew have to work in especially in the laundry. These are the ones that you don’t ‘see’ face to face. They’re the ones helping with washing, drying and piling in hot cramped areas so you will have clean sheets and towels when ever you want them. Plenty of clean, dry towels by the pool if I remember correctly. Ever think who does that part of the job? Is it fair to them to lose out? What about the cooks who work near those hot ovens all day? Wouldn’t you like that little extra incentive doing that job? I gladly give the service charge as well as giving very generous tips to the staff that I come in contact with even though we pay higher in the Haven.

 

 

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[ClarkBHM]

If you truly want to make changes then the way to do it is to push for changes in laws and/or only patronize establishments and companies that pay the fair wages in the structure you think is right.

 

This. If you don't like the way NCL does it, don't cruise NCL. Plain and simple. If enough people protest, they'll change the practice. In the meantime, this is how NCL operates and I'm happy to tip good service on top of the DSC.

[rbschultz]

At the end of the day, the contract is between the employees and the corporation and the corporation is responsible for making the decisions on what and how to pay its employees. It is a pretty cheap shot for a business to finger or shame customers who don’t pay fees which aren’t even mandatory.

 

“Stiffing” would be if a customer was required to pay something they agreed to and were required to.

 

I'm going to go ahead and disagree with you here. The cruise lines are paying around industry standards. Industry standard is that the cruise line pays their employees a base salary and then the rest comes from the guests. Each of the employees are in the service industry where are large chunk of your take-home is in tips/gratuities. It is the same across all of the major cruise lines and won't change. Why? Because the system works. The gratuities that we pay allow the lines to hire excellent talent in the front of the house AND the back. From the people that you interact with on a daily basis to the people that make sure the toilets are cleaned daily for guest enjoyment all get a piece. What happens if people stop paying? Well the talent goes to another line and the cruise lines hire worse people to do the same job and guest enjoyment goes down. Companies don't just magically change their compensation practices...it doesn't work like that.

[SMSACE6]

Thank you for your review of Escape. It is a ship that I will hopefully cruise on some day. Also admire you for sticking with the review, regardless of criticism of removing auto gratuities. I am sorry, to add to the other posts re the tipping, but I just wonder why not leave them in place, and then tip those who provided extra special service a few bucks more in cash where you feel it is deserved.? Then at least the unseen folks who have worked for you will get their due, and you still can press a few more bucks in the hands of those you have seen, and appreciated their service.

 

I do appreciate the review and thank you for it. Escape is still one ship high on my bucket list of cruises.

[fabnfortysomething]

I usually avoid posting on what looks to be a tipping thread but this review is in danger of being sidelined

 

mark 2 thousand if you are still on board please ask at guest services if your cancelling daily service charges means the extra cash you have handed to cabin steward has to be handed over thereby meaning they will be worse off

 

drinks already have an 18% "tip " added so flinging extra cash at them means they can keep but inour experience the exceptional servers perform whatevrer

 

we are from UK and mostly non tipping culture but understand the rationale for the DSC

we would never remove DSC and understand AI UK concept to eliminate this perception that Brits remove "grats" to save money

 

we keep the DSC and fill in vacation hero cards for those who went over and above

 

sometimes you can over complicate things

[nursemommy7578]

Thank you for the review.

 

Im still shaking my head that people honestly believe its their business how someone else tips. Lol

[packer99]

Thank you for the review.

 

Im still shaking my head that people honestly believe its their business how someone else tips. Lol

 

If he didn't want to be questioned about it, he shouldn't have posted it. The review of the ship has nothing to do with the grats.

[SweetLauria13]

Yet another live trip report... from the Escape. it’s coming... but for now, my internet is spotty, so I’m going to have to take a page from Trump’s book and “keep you all in suspense for a little longer” :)

 

in the meantime, if you have questions, get ‘em ready.

 

Hi Mark!!

Wondered why we hadn't seen you after the Craps table. Hope you are feeling better.

It was great to meet you and your travel family member.

We really enjoyed cruising on the Escape.

We enjoyed our day in Jamaica. Called Re-Peat at Peat Taylor Tours and he picked us up at the pier in Falmouth. Went on an Island tour and to Dunns River Falls. Did not walk up the Falls but watched others attempt the climb. The Beach at the bottom of the stairs was Beautiful!

Hope to meet up with you on another cruise.

Stay in touch.

Cheers!

Lauri and Dave

[SweetLauria13]

How does the Slot Pull work ?

 

Hi There Beer Belly,

The answer to your question:

 

This is what I posted to our Roll Calls.

Hope this helps.

 

Slot Pull - $15 per person .

 

After the M&G, We will have a list of all participants (and of course if others wish to join at that time they will be added) and we will collect the money at that time too. Once at the casino, the Casino host will direct us to different machines to choose. (Hopefully there is a Wheel of Fortune) we put all the cash into the machine. Then we will call each person on the list up to do their spins . Number of spins will be determined by the machine ( $3 or $5 per spin)

We will total each persons spin separately to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place(Optional)

(We were fortunate to have bottles of wine and/or Champagne as prizes)

After everyone has done their spins, we have a choice to cash out the VLT Voucher or continue playing. The winnings will be divided evenly by the casino. No worries there will be a server to attend to our thirst.





Cheers!

Lauri

[Gimmiethebeach]

Hi There Beer Belly,

 

The answer to your question:

 

 

 

This is what I posted to our Roll Calls.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

 

Slot Pull - $15 per person .

 

 

 

After the M&G, We will have a list of all participants (and of course if others wish to join at that time they will be added) and we will collect the money at that time too. Once at the casino, the Casino host will direct us to different machines to choose. (Hopefully there is a Wheel of Fortune) we put all the cash into the machine. Then we will call each person on the list up to do their spins . Number of spins will be determined by the machine ( $3 or $5 per spin)

 

We will total each persons spin separately to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place(Optional)

 

(We were fortunate to have bottles of wine and/or Champagne as prizes)

 

After everyone has done their spins, we have a choice to cash out the VLT Voucher or continue playing. The winnings will be divided evenly by the casino. No worries there will be a server to attend to our thirst.

 



 



 

Cheers!

 

Lauri

 

 

 

SweetLauria13 do you need to contact anyone prior to the cruise to set this up?

 

 

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[Beer Belly]

SweetLauria13 do you need to contact anyone prior to the cruise to set this up?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

....and does NCL handle the activity in whole ?....where did the prizes come from ?......was thinking of purchasing items myself for our group

[SweetLauria13]

SweetLauria13 do you need to contact anyone prior to the cruise to set this up?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

When I contacted NCL for the M&G's I inform them that we would like a slot pull after the M&G.

We do talk to the Casino host the night before and the Day of the event we see the Casino host again to try and get the VLT's we would like to spin. They do suggest to have a couple of volunteers sit at machine to hold it.

The casino is pretty darn good about Slot pulls.

 

 

 

....and does NCL handle the activity in whole ?....where did the prizes come from ?......was thinking of purchasing items myself for our group

We handle the Slot Pull ourselves.

We have a list with the names, Paid, Total spin, Paid out Amt.

 

As for the "Prizes" the casino has donated wine or champagne and we have donated a bottle also. we have never asked the casino for the donation, they just seem to come thru with the wine or champagne.

Very supportive of Slot Pulls.

We have also had Poker Runs with Trivia Questions about the Ship. Had prizes for this too.

 

 

I hope this helps.

If you have more questions let me know!

[Gimmiethebeach]

 

 

When I contacted NCL for the M&G's I inform them that we would like a slot pull after the M&G.

 

We do talk to the Casino host the night before and the Day of the event we see the Casino host again to try and get the VLT's we would like to spin. They do suggest to have a couple of volunteers sit at machine to hold it.

 

The casino is pretty darn good about Slot pulls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

We handle the Slot Pull ourselves.

 

We have a list with the names, Paid, Total spin, Paid out Amt.

 

 

 

As for the "Prizes" the casino has donated wine or champagne and we have donated a bottle also. we have never asked the casino for the donation, they just seem to come thru with the wine or champagne.

 

Very supportive of Slot Pulls.

 

We have also had Poker Runs with Trivia Questions about the Ship. Had prizes for this too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope this helps.

 

If you have more questions let me know!

 

 

 

Thank you!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[marktwothousand]

As promised, Dailies posted here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=55289816#post55289816

 

Enjoy

[lvcrzn]

Hi Mark...if you’re still on CC since you returned from your cruise....THANK YOU for your review. I loved the Escape but am going on the Getaway soon. I do not know how well attended it is, but because of your review, I will be attending the 80s party. (I wasn’t sure about packing the extra clothing with the weight restriction for air travel.) again, thanks!

[bucfan2]

Hi Mark...if you’re still on CC since you returned from your cruise....THANK YOU for your review. I loved the Escape but am going on the Getaway soon. I do not know how well attended it is, but because of your review, I will be attending the 80s party. (I wasn’t sure about packing the extra clothing with the weight restriction for air travel.) again, thanks!

 

Have a great time. If you have the opportunity to do the Meet & Mingle, I highly suggest it as well....we just did our first one, and it was awesome. Take care. Mark