WIFI PRICES AND RECOMMENDED GRATUITIES ADJUSTMENTS

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

That's the biggest problem on Virgin Voyages right now isn't it, lazy crew? Nothing could be further from the truth.

Challenges with crew is certainly one reason Virgin canceled cruises and postponed delivery of Resilient Lady. At least according to the company.

[CeleBrat]

We got a notification for our last cruise that tips  (among other things) would be increased, so it is a little frustrating to once again have a notification for our upcoming cruise that tips are increasing again.  Here's the last increase letter...

 

April 4, 2022

Dear Carnival Guest,

Effective with all cruises departing on or after May 1, 2022, we are making adjustments to our recommended onboard gratuity guidelines, as follows:  

-    Standard staterooms: $14.50, per person, per day
-    Suites: $16.50, per person, per day

[BlerkOne]

3 hours ago, sanmarcosman said:

The people we see removing tips are those who are newbs to cruising.

 

 

I see lots of VIPs in the priority line at Guest Services as well.

[Honolulu Blue]

1 hour ago, Eli_6 said:

Do we even know if the staff is getting more money in the end?  Or is Carnival just paying less "salary" to them and telling them they will get more "gratuity"? 

I'm going to assume they're getting all or nearly all the additional grats without any offset to salary.  Life is easier that way.

[Projunior]

We've been on 41 cruises, but never on Carnival. But taking three grandkids in June on a 6-day cruise on the Celebration. All five of us are staying in a Family Harbor Suite. Or should I say "Suite", since it doesn't even have a balcony. But because it's a "suite" we will be charged "suite" level grats. So for the five of us that comes to $540. And that's before adding internet. That's some substantial pain being inflicted on grandpa's wallet.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

Without a shred of evidence...

The cruise industry is not a great industry from a workers right point of view. Did you know that credit card fees are removed from the service charge pool? I worked guest services onboard NCL and have friends doing it with Carnival. The "flags of convenience" don't suddenly just become a part time perk for the cruise lines. I would bet money 100% of the extra grat increases don't go to the crew entirely OR their base pay is reduced, just like NCL announced with their service charge increases. 

[RoperDK]

5 hours ago, sanmarcosman said:

True. When I'm walking to/from our cabin and see a server with a trolley stacked with plates filled with cookies from the casino to their gambling guests I think: those cookies wind up costing the gamblers $10 per cookie. That's the way the cookie crumbles on Carnival. 

Lol, the gamblers refer to them as their "$1000 plate of cookies".  Not all casino offer cruisers actually get those cookies.  You have to hit a certain spending level to get any comped extras.    

[ninjacat123]

59 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

I see lots of VIPs in the priority line at Guest Services as well.

If you see me in the Priority line, I'm getting envelopes for gratuities on top of my prepaid.  I like writing "thank you" from me and my DH to the specific person.😊

[mz-s]

5 minutes ago, ohioNCLcruiser said:

The cruise industry is not a great industry from a workers right point of view. Did you know that credit card fees are removed from the service charge pool? I worked guest services onboard NCL and have friends doing it with Carnival. The "flags of convenience" don't suddenly just become a part time perk for the cruise lines. I would bet money 100% of the extra grat increases don't go to the crew entirely OR their base pay is reduced, just like NCL announced with their service charge increases. 

 

The tides are shifting worldwide...the cruise lines are not going to be able to rely on a nearly endless supply of cheap labor forever. Cutting salaries hoping to make up the difference by slamming guest bills with hiked gratuities won't work forever. Crew will move on to other industries and/or lines, like the guests can and do. Tipping culture has come to a head in the US in particular and by and large, people are sick of it. We are tipped to death in this country.

[ohioNCLcruiser]

Just now, mz-s said:

 

The tides are shifting worldwide...the cruise lines are not going to be able to rely on a nearly endless supply of cheap labor forever. Cutting salaries hoping to make up the difference by slamming guest bills with hiked gratuities won't work forever. Crew will move on to other industries and/or lines, like the guests can and do. Tipping culture has come to a head in the US in particular and by and large, people are sick of it. We are tipped to death in this country.

I agree with you 100%. It will be an interesting few years to see how it all plays out.

[BlerkOne]

Just now, ninjacat123 said:

If you see me in the Priority line, I'm getting envelopes for gratuities on top of my prepaid.  I like writing "thank you" from me and my DH to the specific person.😊

Pro tip - You can usually skip the line and walk up to counter display where they are available to pick up.

[RoperDK]

4 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

At least Carnival didn't increase gratuities 25% like NCL (more like 10% for Carnival). 

Whether a true perception or not, all of the add ons and extra costs on paid packages and specialty dining meal upgrade costs have kept us from cruising again with NCL.  We contemplate it, but always decide against it.  It's a fine line these cruise lines are walking when they increase pricing and cut back on services.  Loyalists may stay, but others will seek a home elsewhere. 

[RoperDK]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

I see lots of VIPs in the priority line at Guest Services as well.

Just because someone is at the guest services line, doesn't mean they are removing tips.  

[cruisingguy007]

9 minutes ago, ohioNCLcruiser said:

 

It is literally in NCL's press release as changing housekeeping roles with their service charge announcement. Just like everything, one cruise line usually follows the other..

 

Yup. Not hard to find. First three articles easy search:

 

https://www.cruisehive.com/norwegian-announces-9-staff-cuts-and-leadership-changes/90412

 

https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2022/12/articles/executives/nepotism-and-employee-firings-plague-norwegian-cruise-line-holdings/

 

https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-Cruise-Line-Holdings-cut-jobs

 

 

[cruisingguy007]

57 minutes ago, Projunior said:

We've been on 41 cruises, but never on Carnival. But taking three grandkids in June on a 6-day cruise on the Celebration. All five of us are staying in a Family Harbor Suite. Or should I say "Suite", since it doesn't even have a balcony. But because it's a "suite" we will be charged "suite" level grats. So for the five of us that comes to $540. And that's before adding internet. That's some substantial pain being inflicted on grandpa's wallet.

 

It's actually $577.50 for five (prices went up) and Family Harbor Suites do have a balcony, an extended cove balcony. I have two cruises booked in that category. 

[Projunior]

7 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

It's actually $577.50 for five (prices went up) and Family Harbor Suites do have a balcony, an extended cove balcony. I have two cruises booked in that category. 

New grat charge for suites $18pp/day times 6 days times 5 passengers equals $540.

 

Family Harbor Suite, Cabin 4330, on the Celebration - no balcony.

 

 

[cruisingguy007]

5 minutes ago, Projunior said:

New grat charge for suites $18pp/day times 6 days times 5 passengers equals $540.

 

Family Harbor Suite, Cabin 4330, on the Celebration - no balcony.

 

 

 

Oh sorry, I see, mine is a 7 day and then a 8 day. I overlooked that. No balcony on Celebration? That's strange, I agree, hardly a suite. I'll have to check that out and see what the situation is. I'm hoping one of those class comes out west eventually but no balcony is no bueno.