Just off the Jewel

[sjbdtz]

A little pause for thought

 

It would appear that they had between 30 and 50 staterooms to look after between them.

 

I believe they have 25 rooms per 2 stewards.

 

 

(And so the maths start!)

 

Assuming an average of 3 people per state room

 

Try an average of 2, and you'd be closer to reality.

 

 

 

with 2 guys working on 40 rooms and allowing the $4 per person per day as suggested by the executives advertising cruises.

 

3 people per stateroom x $4 per person = $12 per stateroom per day

$12 x 40 staterooms = $480 per day

$480 x 7 days = $3360 per week

$3360 / 2 staff = $1680 per cabin steward per week

$1680 x 52 weeks = $87360 per year in tips for each cabin steward

 

Okay...so let's do the math one more time, but with reasonable numbers (not expecting them to work 7 days a week, and 52 weeks a year... :rolleyes:

 

2 people per stateroom x $4 per person = $8 per stateroom per day

$8 x 25 staterooms = $200 per day

$200 x 5 days = $1000 per week

$1000 / 2 staff = $500 per cabin steward per week

$500 x 50 weeks = $25000 per year in tips for each cabin steward

 

 

All this post is for, is to bring some people who have posted back to earth in relation to tipping.

 

Back at ya! ;)

[Manxcruiser]

I believe they have 25 rooms per 2 stewards.

 

 

 

 

Try an average of 2, and you'd be closer to reality.

 

 

 

 

 

Okay...so let's do the math one more time, but with reasonable numbers (not expecting them to work 7 days a week, and 52 weeks a year... :rolleyes:

 

2 people per stateroom x $4 per person = $8 per stateroom per day

$8 x 25 staterooms = $200 per day

$200 x 5 days = $1000 per week

$1000 / 2 staff = $500 per cabin steward per week

$500 x 50 weeks = $25000 per year in tips for each cabin steward

 

 

 

 

Back at ya! ;)

 

My turn again...

 

To get an average of 2, you have to have staterooms with less than 1 for the maths to work on the deck we were on

The excellent guys who were with us, were seen every day, and they worked more than the 25 staterooms you sugessted

If however they work 5 days a week, then they have 2 days free cruising a week as well! That's gotta be worth a couple of hundred bucks a week....LOL

 

This is like internet tennis! :p

[Vyhanek]

I have small children as well but I couldn't imagine NOT tipping for my children. I think it is rude and cheap and I honestly can't imagine anyone trying to justify their way out of not tipping for children!

 

First lets talk about the dining room. Children get special menus and the wait staff goes out of their way to please and accommodate the children. Furthermore, there are no passangers more messy than children. They spend EXTRA time cleaning up around the table from the scraps, spills and mess kids make. They also have to fetch highchairs or boosters for some kids. If anything, parents should be tipping DOUBLE for bringing a child into the dining rooms. Again, justifying not tipping just sounds horrendous to this fellow parent!

 

So then, lets move on to the poor cabin steward that gets jipped in all this. He has a room jammed with several passangers and has to fumble his way around this crowded cabin to keep it clean. Perhaps he has to empty trashcans with dirty diapers even. He has to vaccuum up cherios off the carpet and goldfish crackers out of the seat cushions. If anything, these room stewards deserve double for cleaning rooms with young children.

 

Then to think about these poor people who are working thousands of miles away from their homes. Many are parents with young children who need the money they earn to send home so their own children can have 3 meals a day. Imagine working for months at a time away from your children to be assigned passangers so horrible as to justify their way out of paying what they owe.

[Yellowjacket1]

For me, I go back to what "tips" are for: To Insure Proper Service. If the service I receive is average I give the advised rate. If the service goes beyond average, I give more and if it is substandard I give less than average. If the "tips" are shared between multiple crew members, then that is the perogative of those receiving them or something they agreed to as a condition of employment (i.e., their responsibility, not mine). I don't tip because it is expected, but because it is deserved (or undeserved as the case may be). In restaurants, I've tipped as much as 50% and I've tipped as little as 5 cents. I've written letters and advised management when I've received good service, much more than I've done so with poor service. On ships, I typically give more than what is "suggested" but that's because I have usually been very well served. However, for some, their tip was much less than what they may have expected. I do agree with other posters, however, that you should not reduce a tip just because the individual being served is a child (frequently, this is a cause for tipping more, not less). However, I also disagree with those who think you must tip to ensure the others not being tipped are also getting their share.

 

IMHO,

 

Steve

[sjbdtz]

For me, I go back to what "tips" are for: To Insure Proper Service. If the service I receive is average I give the advised rate. If the service goes beyond average, I give more and if it is substandard I give less than average.

 

Tips USED to mean To Insure Proper Service, though that has always been poor English. To "insure" means to protect against loss. To "ensure" means to make certain. So, they should be called TEPS. :eek:

 

What you say makes sense, with a caveat. If you have poor service with a waitress, but the table was clean when you arrived, cleared when you finished your meal, and the bread, etc. was delivered by the breadboy / busboy, I hope you take the time to tep them individually. Their incomes are directly linked to how you tep the server.

 

 

I do agree with other posters, however, that you should not reduce a tip just because the individual being served is a child (frequently, this is a cause for tipping more, not less).

 

Hear, hear.

 

 

 

However, I also disagree with those who think you must tip to ensure the others not being tipped are also getting their share.

 

And here I disagree. Since we are ultimately talking about cruise tepping, and NCL’s service-charge methodology in particular, the idea of eliminating or reducing the service charge, EVEN due to sub-par service in a particular area (i.e. poor experience in dining room), can damage the income of people whose work was absolutely acceptable.

 

A FAR better way of dealing with this sub-par experience is to report it on the spot, and then to follow-up with a mention on the comment card. That way the tep-pool remains intact, but the offending worker’s portion may be re-allocated.

[sjbdtz]

My turn again...

 

To get an average of 2, you have to have staterooms with less than 1 for the maths to work on the deck we were on

The excellent guys who were with us, were seen every day, and they worked more than the 25 staterooms you sugessted

If however they work 5 days a week, then they have 2 days free cruising a week as well! That's gotta be worth a couple of hundred bucks a week....LOL

 

This is like internet tennis! :p

 

Okay...I'm not one to let the ball drop... ;) so I'll revise with your math.... Since 1 child = 1/2 tip, and since anecdotally we hear tales of 500 - 600 kids on a ship of 2200 passengers, we'll assume 550 kids on 2200 passengers, which is 25%.

 

So, 75% of rooms have the standard 2 people per room, whereas 25% of the rooms have 2 + .5 passengers per room.

 

 

....let's split the difference in the number of rooms attended, and say that each pair of stewards manages 32.50 rooms.

 

75% of 32.5 rooms = 24.38 rooms with 2 people each, and 8.12 rooms with 2.50 people ($8 and $10 in tips per room)

 

Since they actually DO work 7 days a week, I'll give you that back...BUT they work for 10 month contracts, not 52 weeks per year.

 

SO....

 

$8 x 24.38 staterooms = $195.04 per day

$10 x 8.12 staterooms = $81.20 per day

Total daily income per team: $276.24

$276.24 x 7 days = $1933.68 per week

$1933.68 / 2 staff = $966.84 per cabin steward per week

$966.84 x 43.33 weeks = $41,893 per year in tips for each cabin steward

 

EVEN if they didn't work 7 days per week, it's not as though the other days are vacation days....they still have to get their hair cut, do their banking, catch up with family back home, deal with the loneliness of being at sea for 10 months at a time, pay their bills, do the laundry, etc.....it's not as though 2 days a week they get to relax in a penthouse suite with butler & concierge.... :rolleyes:

 

All this to say that deducting kids' service charge is really unfair to the people who are NOT room stewards, as well as those who are.

 

Also, you've used $4 in your calculations....everything I've read about NCL distribution of service charges, says $3.50 for the cabin stewards... Which changes the numbers to...

 

 

$7 x 24.38 staterooms = $170.66 per day

$8.75 x 8.12 staterooms = $71.05 per day

Total daily income per team: $241.71

$276.24 x 7 days = $1691.97 per week

$1691.97 / 2 staff = $845.99 per cabin steward per week

$845.99 x 43.33 weeks = $36,656 per year in tips for each cabin steward

 

which is not exactly a gold-mine, considering the hard work they do, and the positive attitudes they maintain.

[Manxcruiser]

$845.99 x 43.33 weeks = $36,656 per year in tips for each cabin steward

 

which is not exactly a gold-mine, considering the hard work they do, and the positive attitudes they maintain.

 

Extract from the US government immigration site setting out amounts required to live!

 

2006 Poverty Guidelines*Minimum Income Requirement For Use in Completing Form I-864

For the 48 Contiguous States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam:

 

Household 100%Poverty Line 125%Poverty Line

2 $13,200 $16,500

3 $16,600 $20,750

4 $20,000 $25,000

5 $23,400 $29,250

6 $26,800 $33,500

7 $30,200 $37,750

8 $33,600 $42,000

 

Just another thought.....

 

When was the last time you tipped your friendly greeter at your local WalMart, getting your trolley, and helping you make your purchases?:rolleyes:

 

What happened to the good ole way of tipping after good service??

Where has the incentive gone?

:D

 

With regard to the comments about clearing up after children...

 

If you are prepared to let your children make a mess, then walk away for someone else to clear up, then your should be made to pay extra. I was brought up to at least make an effort to clear up, and I have brought my family up the same way!

Perhaps it is just me that I don't expect someone to be rushing around after me.

Plus, a thank you goes a long way! The numbers of people just getting up from tables without even an acknowlegement to the clearing staff was embarrassing to say the least, and the mess they left was appalling!

 

Hi-Di-Hi from the UK!

[RLP817]

Amazing what this thread has turned into, lol. Listen... I think what matters is how you feel you were treated. Personally if the services I received were what they should be I would leave the $10 tip alone. I actually tipped our room stewards extra because I felt they went out of their way to make our vacation enjoyable... not only for me and my husband but for our 4 year old as well. I leave them what I feel they deserve without being concerned about what everyone else is giving them. The last thing I'm going to do on vacation is sit and calculate how much I THINK THEY MIGHT BE GETTING.

[garycarla]

the thread title is "Just off the Jewel"

 

How did we get into a discussion about poverty line in the US?

[Manxcruiser]

the thread title is "Just off the Jewel"

 

How did we get into a discussion about poverty line in the US?

 

Just go with the flow, don't feel limited by non-existent boundries!:cool:

[garycarla]

I don't feel limited, but.... I click on this topic to read about someone that was "Just off the Jewel" to learn about their experiences and find I am in the middle of a long tipping discussion instead. Which seems to repeat itself and tend to go around in circles anyway.

 

Oh well. Before somebody says "Don't read it then" - I will try not to.

 

Thanks

[Manxcruiser]

I don't feel limited, but.... I click on this topic to read about someone that was "Just off the Jewel" to learn about their experiences and find I am in the middle of a long tipping discussion instead. Which seems to repeat itself and tend to go around in circles anyway.

 

Oh well. Before somebody says "Don't read it then" - I will try not to.

 

Thanks

 

Please DO read it!! We had a great time on board and we are looking forward to our next on on Dream in November!

The thing with the tipping is a bit silly really as it is entirely up to the individual!

Maybe the moderators should move the portion pertaining to tipping to another thread, and leave this one to experiences!

 

And..... lighten up people... its a holiday!!!!

Relax, enjoy, and chill out!:cool:

[topekacruiser]

We have never adjusted tips downward for our kids! In our experiences, people have always gone above and beyond to take care of the kids. They often provide ADDITIONAL service to accomodate our kids...not only in the dining room but also the cabin!

[juliefpc]

Somewhere on these boards last week (or perhaps AOL cruise boards) I read that on Sunday night on the Jewel, they offer their specialty restaurants at half price but that the two main dining rooms are serving an excellent lobster dinner that night. Does anyone know more about this? I am assuming by Sunday night, they meant the night the cruise left Barcelona. Also, is it advisable to make all dinner reservations for the specialty restaurants for the entire week immediately upon arrival? Are the specialty restaurants always booked up? Thx for any help past Jewel cruisers can provide, we leave August 13th. Can't wait!!!!

[sbncl]

Wow....

 

I opened this board thinking that I was going to get the scoop on the Jewel. I was interested in reading about the nightly entertainment. I was wondering if NCL brought on any local entertainment? I know when we were on the Star in Hawaii, they brought on local hawaiian dancers. It was great, so I was hoping they would do the same in Italy.

 

I can't help myself and have to comment with regards to the tipping debate. I'm very upset to hear about people reducing or eliminating the automatic tips of $10 pp p/day. This number should be used as a minimum guideline. When you do the breakdown of who gets what, it's really not a lot at all. Especially, when you figure in appx. 3 meals (I say appx. because you know how it can be onboard...food food food... lol) & your room cleaned twice a day. I understand that there are certain unique situations where adjusting tips may be necessary, however, this happens quite often, for a wide variety of reasons. So I'm not trying to offend anyone & I am not targeting anyone in specific. I just want everyone to see the real problem here.

 

I've been on line sometimes at the credit desk on various cruises and have overheard people asking for the tips to be removed, even for the ADULTS. Not because of bad service or anything in specific, just because they thought by spending $70 p/p over the course of a 7 night cruise, is too much money to pay for tips. You'd be suprised of some of the reasons... Like... They didn't feel they had to tip because they dined at the buffet every night or couldn't afford to tip because of a gambling loss in the casino. You name it, I'm sure it's been used as an excuse not to tip. PLUS, not ALL countries find tipping customary. I know that in Australia, they do not tip. Gratuity is all built into the price for everything, so it's not common for them to tip. So when I see the salaries that are being estimated, you need to know how inflated these numbers really are. First, you are assuming that all cabins are sold out & everyone is tipping, for the entire duration of their contract. These cabins stewards/waiters are lucky to take home about $20K p/contract. Granted, this may be a decent salary to take home to their country, but they deserve WAY more for the service they give. I've never had better service than on a cruise ship. Not in one restaurant across the US, and I've dined in many!!!

 

Please everyone.... Reward good service!!! :)

[RLP817]

Somewhere on these boards last week (or perhaps AOL cruise boards) I read that on Sunday night on the Jewel, they offer their specialty restaurants at half price but that the two main dining rooms are serving an excellent lobster dinner that night. Does anyone know more about this? I am assuming by Sunday night, they meant the night the cruise left Barcelona. Also, is it advisable to make all dinner reservations for the specialty restaurants for the entire week immediately upon arrival? Are the specialty restaurants always booked up? Thx for any help past Jewel cruisers can provide, we leave August 13th. Can't wait!!!!

 

When we sailed the Jewel the specialty restuarants were half price for the first hour each night (Happy Hour 5-6). We ate in the main dining room for the Lobster night. Keep in mind the lobster you get for Lobster Night in the main dining rooms is VERY SMALL! We got 2 TINY lobster tails each. It is by no means the size of a lobster tail you are probably used to. Cagney's is a great choice for lobster too! We did the Happy Hour there so it was half price. And, honestly, even if it wasn't half price it still would have been worth the extra charge. I would suggest making your dinner reservations as soon as possible. Yes you could get lucky and wait but why chance it. The other thing to keep in mind is if you do make reservations and want to cancel for some reason you must do it, I believe 24 hours in advance, or you will be charged regardless if you go or not.

 

Have a great trip!

[hotspur]

I have small children as well but I couldn't imagine NOT tipping for my children. I think it is rude and cheap and I honestly can't imagine anyone trying to justify their way out of not tipping for children!

I couldn't agree more. "Cheap" is too kind. Some people will rationalize anything to avoid spending a buck.

[MBMiner]

I suspect they will not be all that welcome on their next cruise after stiffing the staff with 50% of their tips.

John

[Sideways]

Wow....

I opened this board thinking that I was going to get the scoop on the Jewel. I was interested in reading about the nightly entertainment. I was wondering if NCL brought on any local entertainment? I know when we were on the Star in Hawaii, they brought on local hawaiian dancers. It was great, so I was hoping they would do the same in Italy.

That's a great question. One that I have wondered about. So to anyone that has been on the Jewel this summer in Europe. Did NCL hire any local entertainers? Listening to Jamaican steal drums or Mexican mariachi music by the pool would be a disappointment while cruising the Med.

 

Also.... the recorded music that they play by the pool.... Was it the usual American top 40 or was the paylist more international?

[vikielynne]

I was on the Jewel on the 18 June sailing. They didn't have local entertainment on board much, it was the typical cruise music. By the pool caribbean style & some American top 40 with a bit of a caribbean touch. The group singing in the atrium was nice & the female group in the disco / spinniker lounge was very good but no it didn't have more European / International feel to it.

[cynbar]

Here's a thought.... try NOT stiffing the help, and having the kids go without the soda card....:eek:

 

Kids make messes, and the stewards, busboys, cleaners, etc. have to work EXTRA because of your kids.

I'm sorry, but this is just unbelievably CHEAP!! I honestly thought I had read it wrong, until I got to the post by the OP that justifies it by saying the staff makes too much money ???? They also work harder than pretty much anyone I've seen. And, I have a daughter of my own, I'm sure those girls were work for the steward and the waiters and the busboys .... I could go on and on. What kind of example does this set for the kids --- stiff the people who work the hardest, because you can ?? I've been looking at the Jewell because we had a lovely cruise on the Sun a couple years back, but if this is typical, I think I'll reconsider.

[garycarla]

I'm sorry, but this is just unbelievably CHEAP!! I honestly thought I had read it wrong, until I got to the post by the OP that justifies it by saying the staff makes too much money ???? They also work harder than pretty much anyone I've seen. And, I have a daughter of my own, I'm sure those girls were work for the steward and the waiters and the busboys .... I could go on and on. What kind of example does this set for the kids --- stiff the people who work the hardest, because you can ?? I've been looking at the Jewell because we had a lovely cruise on the Sun a couple years back, but if this is typical, I think I'll reconsider.

 

Why would you reconsider sailing on the Jewel because somebody is PERONALLY yacking about the help? I would think every single cruise would have a few folks like this. Still, why would you consider or not consider a cruise for because of these comments?

[Zeno]

Having the service charge removed for two teens when you were given good service! I am actually shocked at the cheapness of it (no matter how it is justified) BTW I am not an especially generous tipper - I only tip extra for really excellent service but I would never think of withdrawing the service charge when I was quite satisfied with the service. IF anything teens and children create MORE work than adults (and having spent one of my college summer vacations as a maid at a resort, I KNOW this).

BTW cabin stewards work contracts - often only 6 months long and usually no more than 10 months long.

[sjbdtz]

I'm sorry, but this is just unbelievably CHEAP!! I honestly thought I had read it wrong, until I got to the post by the OP that justifies it by saying the staff makes too much money ???? They also work harder than pretty much anyone I've seen. And, I have a daughter of my own, I'm sure those girls were work for the steward and the waiters and the busboys .... I could go on and on. What kind of example does this set for the kids --- stiff the people who work the hardest, because you can ?? I've been looking at the Jewell because we had a lovely cruise on the Sun a couple years back, but if this is typical, I think I'll reconsider.

 

 

Apparently you DID read it wrong! I was also commenting that the post I was REPLYING to, was incredibly cheap.

 

They said (I'm paraphrasing) "we stiffed the help because we had to save money to buy our kids a soda card"

 

To which I replied "try NOT stiffing the help, and let the kids go without soda!"

 

 

And you called me cheap? I'm confused.

[hotspur]

Apparently you DID read it wrong! I was also commenting that the post I was REPLYING to, was incredibly cheap.

 

They said (I'm paraphrasing) "we stiffed the help because we had to save money to buy our kids a soda card"

 

To which I replied "try NOT stiffing the help, and let the kids go without soda!"

 

 

And you called me cheap? I'm confused.

I don't think cynbar was referring to you as cheap, even though it was your posting that was quoted. Sounds to me like he/she was agreeing with your posting.