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% of guests who remove gratuities

kruzerci

By kruzerci,
in Royal Caribbean International

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Ryder101

Ryder101

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, jacelyn said:

 

Thats illegal to keep tips, how do they manage that? 

All part of the wonderful system and contract they have to sign. So even if you keep automatic gratuities on, if they don't get a perfect score of 10 they don't get all the money apparently.

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Ryder101

Ryder101

Posted
Posted
On 2/25/2023 at 12:41 PM, lazygal said:

My husband had in depth conversations with the head waiter every night and on the last night we asked how many people removed their tips and he responded with an overwhelming  "over 1000 people this cruise".  It was an Oasis class ship in Sept. and chances are still more were at guest services that night to do the same. Plus the  nagging persistence to score everyone a ten on the after cruise survey.  If they don't get tens, they don't get their full share of the tip.  Our waiters have told us that if there is a problem with the food on the survey that also screws their tip.  So the surveys are meaningless and I get so tired of the panicked speeches every cruise to score them with 10's.  BUT, the cruise question that asks if anyone discussed the survey with you, answer no.  All of this information has come from staff on numerous cruises.

I can't believe I missed this the first time I read it. If they don't score 10s they don't get their full share of the tips. And you people wonder why some want to tip in cash????

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not-enough-cruising

not-enough-cruising

Posted
Posted
7 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

I’d like that those who remove auto tips to do it on embarkation day VS the last night. I’ve seen it noted here on CC that they are concerned because they are concerned that they will get lesser quality service.  
 

If one is removing it preemptively in their minds before boarding the ship, then do it on boarding day. Go right to GS before the line is long.  Instead of waiting to the last day. Do it on day one, and own it. Maybe RC will learn something from this action as well. 

Day one is kinda crazy all around, for guest services and for me. Morning of day 2 is the most efficient time I have found to handle it. 

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rolloman

rolloman

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, fredmdcruisers said:

This over used threat is really a rude comment about hard working cabin attendants. Do you really think that an employee would act so inappropriately... or just being a smarty? Additionally, your half baked theory ignores that those who remove auto grats DO tip in cash at the point of service and often tip above the auto grats. Read the threads and learn.

You are basing your logic on a tiny sample of people who have access to this web site and narrowing it down further...the few commenting on this particular thread? Truth is that the vast majority of people on any given cruise have never heard of this website. Now, I do not dismiss the idea there are some who tip at or above guidelines with cash...however, going by human nature and vast experience in the industry.... those that remove auto tips proceed to tip less than suggested or nothing at all. The logical thinking comes into play as follows...at the end of the cruise, the average cruiser has spent their allotted discretionary cash on souvenirs, drinks and casino leaving zero behind to tip with (even if they wanted to). Again, I agree there are a few Mr. Got Rocks out there who skip down the passageways tossing 5 and 10s in the air...but those types are few and far between. Now to answer your question... Out of my many years of cruising, believe me I have seen a few cabin stewards who did not perform up to standards. I remember on at least one occasion a cabin steward being fired mid-cruise. There is a cruise true crime series with about 40 episodes playing out there on one of the popular apps...a lot of those incidents involve crew members...therefore...yes, of course I think an employee of a cruise line could act inappropriately...there are countless documented cases of it.   If someone feels cheated...history has proven anything can happen. Personally, I treat the crew with respect and go out of my way to engage them in a positive manner...I was once a sailor, so I can fully understand what they are going through. Unfortunately, this whole tipping thing, coupled with cheap fares, has evolved into a mess and the losers wind up being the crew. 

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Ryder101

Ryder101

Posted
Posted
On 2/25/2023 at 12:41 PM, lazygal said:

My husband had in depth conversations with the head waiter every night and on the last night we asked how many people removed their tips and he responded with an overwhelming  "over 1000 people this cruise".  It was an Oasis class ship in Sept. and chances are still more were at guest services that night to do the same. Plus the  nagging persistence to score everyone a ten on the after cruise survey.  If they don't get tens, they don't get their full share of the tip.  Our waiters have told us that if there is a problem with the food on the survey that also screws their tip.  So the surveys are meaningless and I get so tired of the panicked speeches every cruise to score them with 10's.  BUT, the cruise question that asks if anyone discussed the survey with you, answer no.  All of this information has come from staff on numerous cruises.

"If they don't get tens, they don't get their full share of the tip". 

And the cash tippers are the bad guys? Why don't you all flip out over this sick rule. Does the rest of the tips go to those who got all tens? Or does Royal just keep the difference? 

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Husky1987

Husky1987

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, Ryder101 said:

Why not quote everything I said?

 

Because the part I quoted was the only relevant part of your post that I responded to.

 

Just about everyone on here realizes that most (not all, most) of the people who use whatever reason/excuse they come up with to remove auto-grats and "tip in cash" actually don't tip anything in cash.  

 

To all the CC posters here that are exceptions to that?  Wonderful.

 

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LinRon3

LinRon3

Posted
Posted
On 2/25/2023 at 11:16 AM, PhillyFan33579 said:


You are screwing over a lot of people who work behind the scenes when you don’t pay gratuities.

You know, I always try and say an appreciative howdy do or something to the workers in coveralls etc.  The maintenance guys can be unsung heros sometimes [ever have a backed up toilet for instance?].  Anyway, I do hope some of the gratuities ends up in their pockets as well.  As well any staff behind the scenes.  (do they still have boiler rooms that the Steve McQueen's might've worked 🙂 ]

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Morecruisesplz

Morecruisesplz

Posted
Posted
50 minutes ago, rolloman said:

You are basing your logic on a tiny sample of people who have access to this web site and narrowing it down further...the few commenting on this particular thread? Truth is that the vast majority of people on any given cruise have never heard of this website. Now, I do not dismiss the idea there are some who tip at or above guidelines with cash...however, going by human nature and vast experience in the industry.... those that remove auto tips proceed to tip less than suggested or nothing at all. The logical thinking comes into play as follows...at the end of the cruise, the average cruiser has spent their allotted discretionary cash on souvenirs, drinks and casino leaving zero behind to tip with (even if they wanted to). Again, I agree there are a few Mr. Got Rocks out there who skip down the passageways tossing 5 and 10s in the air...but those types are few and far between. Now to answer your question... Out of my many years of cruising, believe me I have seen a few cabin stewards who did not perform up to standards. I remember on at least one occasion a cabin steward being fired mid-cruise. There is a cruise true crime series with about 40 episodes playing out there on one of the popular apps...a lot of those incidents involve crew members...therefore...yes, of course I think an employee of a cruise line could act inappropriately...there are countless documented cases of it.   If someone feels cheated...history has proven anything can happen. Personally, I treat the crew with respect and go out of my way to engage them in a positive manner...I was once a sailor, so I can fully understand what they are going through. Unfortunately, this whole tipping thing, coupled with cheap fares, has evolved into a mess and the losers wind up being the crew. 

OMG... now they are going to kill us! What BS.

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Ryder101

Ryder101

Posted
Posted
24 minutes ago, Husky1987 said:

 

Because the part I quoted was the only relevant part of your post that I responded to.

 

Just about everyone on here realizes that most (not all, most) of the people who use whatever reason/excuse they come up with to remove auto-grats and "tip in cash" actually don't tip anything in cash.  

 

To all the CC posters here that are exceptions to that?  Wonderful.

 

When I talk about those who tip in cash, I'm talking about those who tip in cash. I'm not speaking for everyone who removes auto gratuities, just those who choose to and replace with cash. We get a bad rap. And check out the posting I quoted from a few above on how scores of less then 10 don't get their full share of the automatic gratuities. It's a bad system. And the cash tippers get slammed. Slam Royal for screwing those with less than perfect scores out of their tips. Again, I'm only speaking for those cash tippers who do tip cash. But Royal not giving full automatic gratuities to those with scores less than perfect tens sucks as much as those who don't tip at all. At least cash tippers have good intentions. 

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Tatka

Tatka

Posted
Posted (edited)
22 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

That would not end tipping discussions.

People would discuss tipping above what was included in the fare.  People would discuss whether service suffered once crew knew tips were not at risk.  People would discuss whether the money really goes to crew… or the crew members they want their money to go to.  People would discuss this new policy compared to other cruiselines and the old way.  
 

If you don’t want to read tipping threads, you’ll have to stop yourself from reading tipping threads

 

They already do this. They will discuss additional tipping.

But additional is additional.

 

Money really go to crew as salaries are paid from autogratuities. Crew is salaried.

 

What I really want is to stop smarty pants from removing it. They enjoy whole system because majority of people do not remove auto gratuities, but do not feel like contributing. Some also say that this was unexpected charge (and yes for some it is) and this is why they are removing it.

 

This is why amount should be included.

Everything additional is your choice which is a choice right now.

 

I am especially concerned, because often I am witnessing discussion about removing autogratuities among people who I know for sure won't be doing cash tips. People teaching other people how to do this. I want them to pay what needs to be paid.

 

 

Edited by Tatka
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Ryder101

Ryder101

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Tatka said:

 

They already do this. They will discuss additional tipping.

But additional is additional.

 

Money really go to crew as salaries are paid from autogratuities. Crew is salaried.

 

What I really want is to stop smarty pants from removing it. They enjoy whole system because majority of people do not remove auto gratuities, but do not feel like contributing. Some also say that this was unexpected charge (and yes for some it is) and this is why they are removing it.

 

This is why amount should be included.

Everything additional is your choice which is a choice right now.

 

 

But why are the cruise lines or in this case Royal Caribbean OK with the current system? Maybe because it benefits them? They are paying themselves a fee just for processing automatic gratuities. AKA payroll. And part of the automatic gratuities pays that fee. That’s why we don't just get envelopes on the last night like years ago. The cruise lines wanted in on the action.

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Tatka

Tatka

Posted
Posted (edited)
9 minutes ago, Ryder101 said:

But why are the cruise lines or in this case Royal Caribbean OK with the current system? Maybe because it benefits them? They are paying themselves a fee just for processing automatic gratuities. AKA payroll. And part of the automatic gratuities pays that fee. That’s why we don't just get envelopes on the last night like years ago. The cruise lines wanted in on the action.

 

I am thinking that they try to keep visible prices competitive... comparing to other lines.

This way prices are lower.

 

I also heard that there is some sort of lower tax on collected autogratuities because they are gratuities...

 

If autogratuities are officially collected with a fare (or mandatory like resort fee in US) there will not be envelopes. As there are no envelopes now. People who want to pay additional tips manage it without envelopes.

Edited by Tatka
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Husky1987

Husky1987

Posted
Posted
51 minutes ago, Ryder101 said:

When I talk about those who tip in cash, I'm talking about those who tip in cash. I'm not speaking for everyone who removes auto gratuities, just those who choose to and replace with cash. We get a bad rap. And check out the posting I quoted from a few above on how scores of less then 10 don't get their full share of the automatic gratuities. It's a bad system. And the cash tippers get slammed. Slam Royal for screwing those with less than perfect scores out of their tips. Again, I'm only speaking for those cash tippers who do tip cash. But Royal not giving full automatic gratuities to those with scores less than perfect tens sucks as much as those who don't tip at all. At least cash tippers have good intentions. 

And I would pretty much agree with what you said there.  And I agree with the folks who think Royal isn't totally transparent about the gratuity process.  As for those (like you) who do remove auto-grats and then do actually tip...I really don't have any issue with who and how you do it.  

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IJustWantToGo36

IJustWantToGo36

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Ryder101 said:

The problem I see with that is if you pre pay and get bad service, you have no recourse. Also Royal is making money on your money instead of it being in your bank account earning money till trip time.

Doesn't youre  CC  cut-off date make a difference here.?  What is the 9 day interest for $300?

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Morecruisesplz

Morecruisesplz

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Tatka said:

If autogratuities are officially collected with a fare (or mandatory like resort fee in US) there will not be envelopes. As there are no envelopes now. People who want to pay additional tips manage it without envelopes.

Wrong about envelopes. See them being handed out at guest services. They are still available. 

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