% of guests who remove gratuities

[not-enough-cruising]

28 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

How wrong you are. When auto grats are removed the waitstaff and room stewards turn that amount you give them into the ships tip pool. Curious as how you get your cash to all the behind the scenes works who share in the tip pool. 

Urban myth

[not-enough-cruising]

30 minutes ago, RedIguana said:

Nothing Royal can do about this one, it is due to the PVSA. Although those of us in Florida within driving distance of 4-5 ports pretty much count cruises to coco cay and Nassau as cruises to nowhere

Not a PVSA issue, it’s a work Visa issue 

[ldubs]

59 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

I’d also suspect variation by region.

 

Agree. I think that would be a significant factor.  

[kruzerci]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

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

I do keep auto gratuities, but this argument is BS. More likely a thought process started on Cruise Critic or by the cruise line to keep people from removing.  I highly doubt people behind the scenes are receiving portions of the tips particularly since they shared the breakdown of what went to who until recently. 

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, kruzerci said:

Please keep the debate and thoughts on why this should not be done out- that topic has been beat to death. 

 

Well, that took all of 7 posts.   More than I thought it would.  

[not-enough-cruising]

4 minutes ago, kruzerci said:

I do keep auto gratuities, but this argument is BS. More likely a thought process started on Cruise Critic or by the cruise line to keep people from removing.  I highly doubt people behind the scenes are receiving portions of the tips particularly since they shared the breakdown of what went to who until recently. 

The break down is intentionally vague, and one of the reasons I refuse to participate 

[goldfish65]

I started a poll thread. So people can vote without being called out. 

Edited February 25, 2023 by goldfish65

[PhillyFan33579]

13 minutes ago, kruzerci said:

I do keep auto gratuities, but this argument is BS. More likely a thought process started on Cruise Critic or by the cruise line to keep people from removing.  I highly doubt people behind the scenes are receiving portions of the tips particularly since they shared the breakdown of what went to who until recently. 

It’s not BS. I have heard from several crew members on several different cruise lines that passengers who remove auto-gratuities really screw the people who depend on the gratuities but never interact with the public. So while a cabin steward or waiter in the MDR gets penalized when someone removes gratuities, they at least have the potential of getting a cash tip from a passenger. Workers who work behind the scenes who you never see are definitely screwed when you remove gratuities because you will never have the opportunity to give them cash. However, cabin stewards know when passengers remove gratuities and will often share cash tips they receive with others who should have received gratuities. 

[Mum2Mercury]

2 hours ago, soremekun said:

I would think it's a low number.  Perhaps 3-5%.

I also suspect it's a low number, but I don't know if it's THAT low.  I think most people do auto-tips because it's just easier.  

2 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

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

Yes.  You're skipping the people who wash your sheets, people who work in the Windjammer, etc. so that you can feel good about handing over cash to the people you see.  

1 hour ago, soremekun said:

... smoke-free casinos (I don't gamble but pass through for convenience)

I don't use the casinos specifically because of the smoke.  I do "cut through" them, but I always walk fast and hold my breath -- of course, I always "lose" in my attempt to make it through the casino on one lungful of clean air.  

34 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Urban myth

None of us have solid information /verification on this. 

Until we do, I'm more comfortable going with the system provided by Royal /the system the crew okayed when they signed on for the job.

[Husky1987]

Percentage of cruisers that remove auto gratuities:  10%

 

Percentage of cruisers that remove auto gratuities who tell everyone they tip in cash "to those who serve them":  100%

 

Percentage of cruisers that remove auto gratuities who tell everyone they tip in cash "to those who serve them", then actually do tip in cash to those who serve them:  10%

[Mum2Mercury]

2 minutes ago, Husky1987 said:

Percentage of cruisers that remove auto gratuities:  10%

 

Percentage of cruisers that remove auto gratuities who tell everyone they tip in cash "to those who serve them":  100%

 

Percentage of cruisers that remove auto gratuities who tell everyone they tip in cash "to those who serve them", then actually do tip in cash to those who serve them:  10%

I think we all believe this. 

[ante2001]

For the record I feel I’m not screwing anyone. A few years back the cruise line recommended gratuity for specific crewmembers. Apparently the other crew members were paid a different salary. I don’t feel bad at all, following the guidelines that the cruise lines recommended in the past. I just feel better knowing that my money is going directly to them, and not at the discretion of the cruise line.

[xtremegk]

2 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

This is where extra $ come in.  To those who personally served you or had direct contact with you..  What happens with removing all gratuities is you that $ away those people behind the scenes that helped make your cruise enjoyable.

 

Agreed entirely here. Will never remove grats, just consider them part of the fare (I research and plan our cruises, DW just asks the cost -- "That includes taxes, fees and gratuities?"). Extra cash to those who go above and beyond.

[Billy Baltic]

I’m baffled by the fixation with gratuities. Why does it matter? I don’t care how much luggage other people bring, what sun factor they use, how much alcohol they drink etc, etc. Their handling of gratuities is similarly none of my business. 

[klfrodo]

I'm just glad to see that post Covid, CC is getting back to normal.

 

Next thread, non-smokers walking thru designated smoking areas and complaining about smoke.

[lazygal]

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.

Edited February 25, 2023 by lazygal

[Ergates The Ant]

I suspect many of those who remove the auto gratuity might be from the UK. For most services here, the price we pay includes paying all the staff involved, including the behind the scenes ones. Tips are an extra thank you for going above and beyond the service paid for. It can be very confusing for us, especially as it’s illegal in the UK to price a product without including any compulsory extras. If the autogratuities are labelled as an extra and not included in the price of the cruise,  they are seen as optional and can be treated as such.

[TwoMisfits]

41 minutes ago, Husky1987 said:

Percentage of cruisers that remove auto gratuities:  10%

 

Percentage of cruisers that remove auto gratuities who tell everyone they tip in cash "to those who serve them":  100%

 

Percentage of cruisers that remove auto gratuities who tell everyone they tip in cash "to those who serve them", then actually do tip in cash to those who serve them:  10%

 

A truer post has never been written...

[kruzerci]

20 minutes ago, 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 believe that they wouldn’t get the full share of the tip, but I will not lie on a survey to protect somebody’s tips. If that is a pervasive issue, it needs to be negotiated with the staffing agencies and cruise lines if that is a major concern. That is not the consumer’s problem.
 

The food on the past several cruises has been truly poor- I am not going to leave a 10 rating and let Miami think that everything is grand with the cutbacks and staffing shortages. They need to know what is going on. It is not my responsibility to lie to cover for a crewmember. 

[kruzerci]

32 minutes ago, ante2001 said:

For the record I feel I’m not screwing anyone. A few years back the cruise line recommended gratuity for specific crewmembers. Apparently the other crew members were paid a different salary. I don’t feel bad at all, following the guidelines that the cruise lines recommended in the past. I just feel better knowing that my money is going directly to them, and not at the discretion of the cruise line.

I do wish somebody, an investigative reporter or otherwise, would do an in depth look into where auto gratuities are going. If it is true that crew members do not receive a full gratuity for less than perfect survey scores, I think it would be a very messy situation for the cruise lines. 

[davekathy]

I must be the only that doesn't care how much they make with and without gratuities and their workload. All between the employee and the employer. 

[ONECRUISER]

Managed Restaurants and Bars, more places Share/Pool Tips then many realize. Pretty Common among the Small and Large, Companies and Franchises...

 

Edited February 25, 2023 by ONECRUISER

[jean87510]

3 hours ago, kruzerci said:

Not a tipping debate thread. But curious to know if anybody had ever heard an approximation of what percentage of guests remove the automatic gratuities on Royal sailings. I overheard a number of requests on the last day of our most recent sailing. Please keep the debate and thoughts on why this should not be done out- that topic has been beat to death. 

It is a tipping debate question you raised.  You state you overheard a number of requests on your last cruise.  Then you say to keep the debate focused on why this shouldn't be done.  You try to sugar coat initially with what percentage of gratuities are removed.  That is really not your business or mine.  The employees salaries are between the employee and their employer.  

[rolloman]

Oh boy...personally I have never removed auto tips...probably should have a couple times in the past but that is another story in itself. I do find it annoying for those who are worried the guy in the boiler room should be getting tips from me. The whole premise of tipping is to reward someone who you have encountered during the cruise and who has gone above and beyond to take care of you. Let's face it, I am not privy to who is doing a good job in the boiler room. However, I am well aware of people who personally interact with me throughout the voyage and make my stay a pleasant one. I tip extra to those crew members. Royal needs to pay the guy in the boiler room...in my view I have already paid him via the cost of the cruise. If Royal feels the boiler room guy needs a raise... then Royal needs to raise the price of the cruise. Increasing tips to accommodate an employee raise is abusing the whole premise of tipping. This out-of-control tipping thing is reaching its breaking point. Those of you who think the removal rate is 3 percent lol...not even close...and as time goes by...that removal rate will continue to rise...trust me on that. 

[rolloman]

1 hour ago, Billy Baltic said:

I’m baffled by the fixation with gratuities. Why does it matter? I don’t care how much luggage other people bring, what sun factor they use, how much alcohol they drink etc, etc. Their handling of gratuities is similarly none of my business. 

With respect to cruising and assuming you actually cruise... when it comes to gratuities, it very much so is your "business". In essence, the cruise lines are putting the onus on the passengers. Sorry for you Viktor and Sanjid...the evil passenger removed the tips...nothing we can do...better luck next time, maybe you need to work on your panhandle technique. Personally, the game is getting old. Pay the crew what they should be paid and raise the price of the cruise if necessary. Quit trying to hide the cost of cruising by using the passengers as pawns. Just my two cents.

Edited February 25, 2023 by rolloman
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