A new trend? Opt out of service for onboard credit?

[tx121]

So we recently went on a Disney vacation and stayed at one of the Disney resorts: Port Orleans. Upon check in, we were asked by the front desk if we would like to opt of house keeping services and receive a gift card as compensation. Of course we said we would like to keep the housekeeping services but I am just wondering if this will become a trend that will extend to cruise lines? 

Opt out of stateroom services and receive onboard credit? 

Do you think this will ever happen on cruise ships? Would you take the offer?

Personally I like having my room cleaned. I think twice a day is excessive. So I think if my room was only cleaned once a day and received half of the onboard credit, I would take that.

[KateQ22003]

I don't see how this would work on a cruise ship. The staff is already there; they still need to pay them. I see it working in a hotel because they can staff lighter if enough opt to take that deal.

[Mike D.]

I notice that the Caesars owned casinos/hotels are doing this also.  While I haven't opted out (yet), I could see the benefit if I'm traveling by myself and only for one or two nights.  On a cruise ship, like the previous poster, I'm not sure how practical it would be and, besides, I rather enjoy walking into a neat cabin.

[GeezerCouple]

1 hour ago, KateQ22003 said:

I don't see how this would work on a cruise ship. The staff is already there; they still need to pay them. I see it working in a hotel because they can staff lighter if enough opt to take that deal.

 

We've seen more and more hotels (typically not 5-star) offer something like a $5 per night savings if no housekeeping, but we'd have to hang a sign out (or call front desk) before midnight, precisely so they could properly schedule housekeeping the next day.

 

Yeah, harder to do on a ship!

 

Also, although we might occasionally ask housekeeping to skip us if we are having a lazy day (hotel or on cruise), that's at the last minute, not planned in advance.

And it would take more than $5 for us to plan in advance *not* to have housekeeping stop by.

 

OP:  Was this for each guest's entire stay?

 

GC

[Leosmom]

This may not Be such an outrageous idea.

On our carnival horizon cruise this past summer we were asked by our room steward if we wanted housekeeping services twice a day or once a day!

Once a day would be either morning or evening.  We opted for morning service

since we eat late and felt we didn't really need turn down evening service.  

 

No incentive was offered to us in return

such as reduction in service charges which I would go for if it became an option.  We were surprised but didn't think to ask if this was a new procedure.

Don't know if this was just our steward asking or if this was shipwide.

I could see how cruise lines could reduce the number of room stewards if this became the norm 😯

 

[cdnsteelman]

Many hotels offer bonus reward points for opting out of daily cleaning service now. It would be quite easy for the ships to adopt actually as they would soon get a sense for what percentage of cruisers would opt out of service and could easily just staff levels accordingly. It also wouldn't have to be all or none - it could be once daily (as a previous poster suggested) or even just two thorough cleanings / bed changes per seven days. Depending on the incentive I'd do this in a heartbeat - especially when cruising solo. 

[KeithJenner]

4 hours ago, tx121 said:

So we recently went on a Disney vacation and stayed at one of the Disney resorts: Port Orleans. Upon check in, we were asked by the front desk if we would like to opt of house keeping services and receive a gift card as compensation. Of course we said we would like to keep the housekeeping services but I am just wondering if this will become a trend that will extend to cruise lines? 

Opt out of stateroom services and receive onboard credit? 

Do you think this will ever happen on cruise ships? Would you take the offer?

Personally I like having my room cleaned. I think twice a day is excessive. So I think if my room was only cleaned once a day and received half of the onboard credit, I would take that.

 

When we stayed at Disney earlier this year, we opted out of housekeeping as we were only there for two nights, so decided we would rather have the credit.

 

When we got back to the hotel on the second day, we found that housekeeping had been. 🙂

[rtkenmore]

Marriott/Starwood Hotels does something similar if you opt out.  I think they will give you 250 or 500 points for making a "green choice".  They present it more as an environmental friendly thing than just opting out of room keeping services.

[melodyesch]

We do this with Marriott and for a weeks stay only have them come in a couple of times.  There’s just two of us and there are four towels so we are good for a few days.

 

ON our last NCL cruise, we told the steward that we did not need ice and did not need turn down service and that it was ok to just drop off the daily.  But the guy still did full turn down service with a towel animal, ice refreshed twice per day and he changed our towels completely out even though we had hung them for another use.

 

We had prepaid gratuities and really just thought we’d give him some time back since we don’t really need all of that attention.  But he would not be dissuaded. So we just went with it.

[GeezerCouple]

57 minutes ago, rtkenmore said:

Marriott/Starwood Hotels does something similar if you opt out.  I think they will give you 250 or 500 points for making a "green choice".  They present it more as an environmental friendly thing than just opting out of room keeping services.

 

At hotels we've seen with a "green/environmentally aware" approach, there is usually just a note card, with "Please place this on your bed if you would (for some, it's 'would not') like to have fresh linens; otherwise we will make up your bed but only provide fresh linens every other (or every third) day".  And in the bathroom, "Please re-hand towels that you do not need replaced; towels placed on the floor *will* be replaced".

But no 'incentive', which we've only seen when it is "full housekeeping", and that only when front desk (or door hanger) is done before midnight so they can schedule housekeeping staff, etc.

 

GC

[dolita22]

3 hours ago, Leosmom said:

This may not Be such an outrageous idea.

On our carnival horizon cruise this past summer we were asked by our room steward if we wanted housekeeping services twice a day or once a day!

Once a day would be either morning or evening.  We opted for morning service

since we eat late and felt we didn't really need turn down evening service.  

 

No incentive was offered to us in return

such as reduction in service charges which I would go for if it became an option.  We were surprised but didn't think to ask if this was a new procedure.

Don't know if this was just our steward asking or if this was shipwide.

I could see how cruise lines could reduce the number of room stewards if this became the norm 😯

 

 

That's fleetwide for Carnival. We were asked about service once or twice daily on the Glory in February and chose to keep both. I wouldn't be surprised if other cruise lines start offering housekeeping once or twice daily.

[Newleno]

we would like to opt out of almost everything, we would love to have no dining waiter fees, we never went to the dining room once on our last 2 cruises (that is 27 nights) and just use the buffet, we dont need the room done everyday, perhaps every 3 days, just have a place we can get towels.  This would save us a fortune.  Right now we are paying for what we are not using, we are subsidizing everyone else.

Edited November 14, 2018 by Newleno

[Homosassa]

2 minutes ago, Newleno said:

we would like to opt out of almost everything, we would love to have no dining waiter fees, we never went to the dining once on our last 2 cruises (that is 27 nights) and just use the buffet, we dont need the room done everyday, perhaps every 3 days, just have a place we can get towels.  This would save us a fortune.  Right now we are paying for what we are not using, we are subsidizing everyone else.

 

Don't kid yourself. You are using as much of the wait staff services and houskeeping as anyone else on the ship.

 Who do you think is busing the table so that there is a clean table to use when you walk in? Removing your used dishes as needed from the table as you eat? Offering the coffee, tea or water for the table as you eat?

 

And who do you think is going to give you those clean towels when you want them?  Keep the hallways and other public areas outside your cabin clean? Clean the accumulation of three days worth of cabin living?

 

 

[NYcruzzer]

Maybe I can opt out of eating on my next cruise ? That should be good for a nice gift card.

[boopsahoy]

Nope-love that they clean the room 2x a day. Love turndown service! I'm on vacation I want to be pampered!

[Newleno]

13 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

 

Don't kid yourself. You are using as much of the wait staff services and houskeeping as anyone else on the ship.

 Who do you think is busing the table so that there is a clean table to use when you walk in? Removing your used dishes as needed from the table as you eat? Offering the coffee, tea or water for the table as you eat?

 

And who do you think is going to give you those clean towels when you want them?  Keep the hallways and other public areas outside your cabin clean? Clean the accumulation of three days worth of cabin living?

 

 

Yes take plates and wipe table $1 per per person per meal, I eat 2 meals a day thats $2.  No one offers coffee, tea, water, I get it myself. I can exchange my own  towels just tell me where, just like you do at the pool.  yada yada etc...  basically the way I roll I should only pay about $7.50 per day in tips not $15.  Dont kid yourself I am subsidizing others extravagance because i dont use as much of the services,  if people used less like me then less employees would be needed, less cost less tips.  I only want to pay for what I receive in services..  In closing I love the opt out what a great idea by the OP, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can

[GeezerCouple]

1 minute ago, Newleno said:

Yes take plates and wipe table $1 per per person per meal, I eat 2 meals a day thats $2.  No one offers coffee, tea, water, I get it myself. I can exchange my own  towels just tell me where, just like you do at the pool.  yada yada etc...  basically the way I roll I should only pay about $7.50 per day in tips not $15.  Dont kid yourself I am subsidizing others extravagance because i dont use as much of the services,  if people used less like me then less employees would be needed, less cost less tips.  I only want to pay for what I receive in services..  In closing I love the opt out what a great idea by the OP, yes we can, yes we can, yes we can

 

Taking that to a not-much-further extreme, how about paying a fee every time one uses the pool or the hot tub.  How about per hour for lounge chairs.  Why not extra for desserts...  Pay for the shows (hey, we don't see them, so "why should *we* pay!???"), ... etc.

 

Sounds like a very pleasant "relaxing" vacation, with turnstiles and ticket takers everywhere.

Where do you end this?

It's already somewhat like this, compared with "all inclusive" lines, where specialty meals, booze, and excursions are all included.

We don't sail those, b/c we take private excursions and only drink nice wine that isn't included.

 

So maybe sometime soon, coming near you, there will be an UltraEconomyCruiseLine, where you can get sheets and towels if you want them (extra charge of course!!), etc...

I think most of us want a "vacation" when on a vacation, and don't want to do our own housekeeping or bus tables or get REALLY nickeled and dimed.

 

YMMV, and maybe there will indeed be something offered for those like you.

 

GC

[Newleno]

5 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

Taking that to a not-much-further extreme, how about paying a fee every time one uses the pool or the hot tub.  How about per hour for lounge chairs.  Why not extra for desserts...  Pay for the shows (hey, we don't see them, so "why should *we* pay!???"), ... etc.

 

Sounds like a very pleasant "relaxing" vacation, with turnstiles and ticket takers everywhere.

Where do you end this?

It's already somewhat like this, compared with "all inclusive" lines, where specialty meals, booze, and excursions are all included.

We don't sail those, b/c we take private excursions and only drink nice wine that isn't included.

 

So maybe sometime soon, coming near you, there will be an UltraEconomyCruiseLine, where you can get sheets and towels if you want them (extra charge of course!!), etc...

I think most of us want a "vacation" when on a vacation, and don't want to do our own housekeeping or bus tables or get REALLY nickeled and dimed.

 

YMMV, and maybe there will indeed be something offered for those like you.

 

GC

UltraEconomyCruiseLine as a backpacker who still will stay in hostels this sounds great,  A floating hostel that provides transportation.  We just have to make sure the new cruiseline has overnights, that is the key to see and enjoy new places,  you have a great winning idea!, thanks

[cdnsteelman]

I love how these threads become bun-tossing fights. The fact is many hotels have introduced an opt-in-opt-out housekeeping program with some incentive for those opting out. These are different from / in addition to the "green" programs many hotels have been offering for years. I happen to think this could be an appealing option for some and it shouldn't have any impact on those who still want that full service experience.

 

One thing is that we shouldn't kid ourselves - the hotels that are offering opt-out housekeeping are doing so because it is a profit centre. The incentives they offer cost the hotels far less than the money they save in reduced staff and laundry levels. Given there is a cost advantage to the hotels it will only be a matter of time before hotels on cruise ships start to adopt the concept en masse.

 

As for who is subsidizing whom there are two simple solutions - 1) find a provider that offers more what you want, or 2) reduce your DSC to the level of service you feel like you are using. Most would find the second option somewhat odious BUT you do have that choice.

[GeezerCouple]

2 minutes ago, Newleno said:

UltraEconomyCruiseLine as a backpacker who still will stay in hostels this sounds great,  A floating hostel that provides transportation.  We just have to make sure the new cruiseline has overnights, that is the key to see and enjoy new places,  you have a great winning idea!, thanks

 

For now, you could try the Alaskan Marine ships (not sure of proper name).  Some people pitch tents on the deck.

Yes, seriously.

 

GC

[cdnsteelman]

4 minutes ago, Newleno said:

UltraEconomyCruiseLine as a backpacker who still will stay in hostels this sounds great,  A floating hostel that provides transportation.  We just have to make sure the new cruiseline has overnights, that is the key to see and enjoy new places,  you have a great winning idea!, thanks

There are any number of local, regional and national ferry systems with overnighter options. Sounds like what you're looking for. Throw a tent in your backpack, hop off the ferry at the stop you're interested in, stay as long as you want, buy only the food you want, use only the services you want. Backpackers have been traveling like this for as long as there have been backpackers.

 

By the way - if this in any way seems sarcastic or tone-filled, I promise it's not. If you want to travel on the frugal and are a backpacker at heart it would seem like these ferry systems or more bare-bones expedition-style ships may be a good fit for you.

[Newleno]

6 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

For now, you could try the Alaskan Marine ships (not sure of proper name).  Some people pitch tents on the deck.

Yes, seriously.

 

GC

yes the ferry ships, they can be pretty pricey actually

[Newleno]

2 minutes ago, cdnsteelman said:

There are any number of local, regional and national ferry systems with overnighter options. Sounds like what you're looking for. Throw a tent in your backpack, hop off the ferry at the stop you're interested in, stay as long as you want, buy only the food you want, use only the services you want. Backpackers have been traveling like this for as long as there have been backpackers.

 

By the way - if this in any way seems sarcastic or tone-filled, I promise it's not. If you want to travel on the frugal and are a backpacker at heart it would seem like these ferry systems or more bare-bones expedition-style ships may be a good fit for you.

i have taken overnight ferries in europe as well as overnight trains, saves a bunch

[Georgia_Peaches]

I would entertain a partial opt out if it was offered.  I often hang the Do Not Disturb  sign on my door bc I don't really want anyone in my room.  Maybe halfway through the stay I'd like a visit for a tidy up and new towels.  I for sure don't need a visit twice a day.

Edited November 14, 2018 by Georgia_Peaches

[GeezerCouple]

1 hour ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

For now, you could try the Alaskan Marine ships (not sure of proper name).  Some people pitch tents on the deck.

Yes, seriously.

 

GC

 

Here is a link about this travel mode, in a current CC discussion:

 

GC