I think the service fee should be pro-rated based on cabin type...

[Holg]

Many people who cruise in 'cheaper' cabins do so for just that reason... they are cheaper. Many of these same people are in situations where they have to carefully budget their trip.

 

To book the 11-night Wind leaving April 14th right now an oceanview will cost you $829. Balcony will cost $2,399.

 

Yet people in both those cabins pay exactly the same service charge of $10 per person, per day. For an 11 night cruise that's $110.

 

$110 turns an $829 cruise into $939, or an increase of nearly 12%.

 

$110 turns a $2,399 cruise into $2,509... an increase of 4%.

 

For the record, I like the $10 thing just because it means all tips are 'taken care of' It just seems like the fee should be a percentage, not a flat fee for everyone.

 

I mean another example would be dinner at Bennigan's is $30. 20% tip is $6. Dinner at another place might be $200... 20% tip = $40.

 

hmmmmmmm

[Maryfrei]

I don't think I agree with this. The service charge covers gratuities for the hard working folks who clean our cabins and serve our food. These services are basically the same for each passenger, regardless of what they paid. Each cabin must be cleaned, and a body in a restaurant is a body in a restaurant. The only difference I can see is perhaps the size of the cabin, and that probably doesn't make a huge difference in most cases. Those that have suites and better and recieve extra services also tip extra for those services. I don't see how the charge could be lower, even for the least expensive cabin than $10 day.

[discjoker]

Many people who cruise in 'cheaper' cabins do so for just that reason... they are cheaper. Many of these same people are in situations where they have to carefully budget their trip.

 

To book the 11-night Wind leaving April 14th right now an oceanview will cost you $829. Balcony will cost $2,399.

 

Yet people in both those cabins pay exactly the same service charge of $10 per person, per day. For an 11 night cruise that's $110.

 

$110 turns an $829 cruise into $939, or an increase of nearly 12%.

 

$110 turns a $2,399 cruise into $2,509... an increase of 4%.

 

For the record, I like the $10 thing just because it means all tips are 'taken care of' It just seems like the fee should be a percentage, not a flat fee for everyone.

 

I mean another example would be dinner at Bennigan's is $30. 20% tip is $6. Dinner at another place might be $200... 20% tip = $40.

 

hmmmmmmm

 

I don't agree with this at all. The service provided onboard is exactly the same (or is supposed to be) whether you are in a balcony or in an inside. Those included in the service fee provide the same service for all regardless of cabin. Those is suites get butlers and private concierges however they are not included in the daily service fee. So, the $10pp/day covers the same service regardless of cabin booked.

[osiebosie]

But the stewards do the same amount of work, no matter what the cost of the room.

 

I see your point, as the waitresses/waiters do basically the same amount of work in each restaurant where the prices are different but the tip is based on the amount of your meal.

 

But that's not going to work on a cruise ship. However, you would think that people staying in a more expensive room would be able to add more to their $10 pppd at the end of the cruise.

 

The good thing about the tips being automatically taken out is that people can plan for this in their budget (not that they couldn't do so before auto tipping).

 

Shay

[lobobby]

I agree with Holg's view on a higher price tip for those who buy the balcony or villa suite, I mean their rooms are much bigger and there is way more room to clean. But I also agree with maryfrei about the restraunts servers, it's a tough call to make. A possible solution would be a maybe $5-10 more for those who have larger cabin, while the cheapest cabins remain $10, that might be a way to justify the price range in cabins.

[seahorse]

Now I have heard everything..........Why do you assume that people staying in "cheaper" cabins can`t afford the tips and people staying in "higher end" cabins are rich:confused: And why should more expensive cabins "subsidize" the salary of the crew that the lower end cabins don`t pay?

 

Balderdash........

[MrLee]

Now I have heard everything..........Why do you assume that people staying in "cheaper" cabins can`t afford the tips and people staying in "higher end" cabins are rich:confused: And why should more expensive cabins "subsidize" the salary of the crew that the lower end cabins don`t pay?

 

Balderdash........

 

 

Balderdash........??? :D

 

For the larger cabins that have butlers, people are already tipping more (appropriately).

[osiebosie]

No one said cheaper cabins can't afford tips and those in more expensive cabins are "rich". However, if I can afford Red Lobster rather than Captain D's, I know I will tipping more at Red Lobster over Captain D's (which I don't even tip at anyway). If I can't swing that tip, I won't go to Red Lobster.

 

I realize that some people in less expensive cabins have plenty of money to spare, and that some in more expensive cabins have scraped and scraped for that vacation.

 

And personally, having been in tiny cabins and much larger ones, I'd rather clean the larger ones than having to contort around in the smaller ones to make beds.

 

Shay

[seahorse]

Balderdash........??? :D

 

For the larger cabins that have butlers, people are already tipping more (appropriately).

 

Exactly. In a butlered cabin the cabin steward always refers to the Butler to do "special" things.........like get more glasses:D

 

And yes I agree, a smaller cabin does get more messy then a larger one most times and is harder to clean;)

 

As far as a balcony cabin there is not that much difference in size. I don`t think "size" matters:D

[discjoker]

...I don`t think "size" matters:D

 

:eek: :D :p :)

[SailAways]

Way too many assumptions here -

 

Bad idea all of the way around IMHO.

 

The theory has way too many holes.

[angeljt]

We have been in inside rooms to the owner's suite, and we have always tipped in addition to the auto service charge. We've always found the crew to go above and beyond in cleaning our rooms, working the dining rooms and the lounges.

The room stewards for the owner's suite have a lot more to clean, mirrors, furniture, glass, carpeting, 2 baths, 2 balconies, etc. They deserve an additional tip, at least in our eyes. The butler and concierge are not included in the service charge and we tip them accordingly also.

We cruise less often than we would if we booked inside rooms at a much lower cost. We can't afford an owner's suite every time, but the upsells sure allowed us to experience something we probably never would have otherwise.

I think $10 a day pp is very reasonable no matter what cabin you're in. Your room is cleaned twice a day, and you're served as many meals as you choose without spending another penny unless you decide to tip additionally. Where else could you get that kind of service for $10 a day in gratuities? I think most of the crew deserves that and more. Just my 2¢

Jackie

[shoreguy]

The thread is tooo funny. I could build an equally illogical position that those in the deeply discounted cabins pay a higher service fee. :eek:

 

One of the primary measures of success for a cruise line is revenue per passenger. Those booking expensive cabins contribute far more margin to the cruise line. Since they are making so much more they should wave/reduce the service charge for penthouse passengers.:) After all these are the passengers that will in most cases spend more onboard. They could take a little of the profit and provide enhanced compensation to the best staff members to support their best customers.:p

 

Those whose base fare is break even at best should be asked to cover the services provided onboard, maybe even pay more for the specialty restaurants since they only bought in for Bennigans ;) Those that spent $6,000 pp could easily expect better food then those that spent 800pp. If they pay for a first class seat on a plane they don't get coach food.

 

The OP should be careful and hope they don't get what they are asking for. What it would create once again is classes on a ship. Those in the the Owners Suites dining in the Queens Grill. Those in the inside cabins at the bottom of the ship dining in the mess hall :eek:

[gregandamy]

I think that people in the inside cabins should only be able to eat at the buffet and pay no tips and clean their own rooms

[shoreguy]

I think that people in the inside cabins should only be able to eat at the buffet and pay no tips and clean their own rooms

 

 

That could be a booking option - no service fee, rock bottom prices, for those on a very tight budget. ;)

 

Wait I think they already have that EasyCruise but I think they go one step further no food included pay for what you eat.

[discjoker]

That could be a booking option - no service fee, rock bottom prices, for those on a very tight budget. ;)

 

Wait I think they already have that EasyCruise but I think they go one step further no food included pay for what you eat.

 

How about even one step further....no use of tenders. If you want to go to shore you gotta swim. Brings new meaning to the NCL "Dive In" program, huh? ;)

[Homosassa]

Royal Caribbean already has a plan in place for this. You pay your bucks for a cruise, then you stand in line and pay a service charge to eat in a mall fast food hamburger joint (Johnny Rockets).

[RSWBADGER]

Shoreguy touched on this on his first post' this is from "Cunards Web-Site", showing different class levels on their ships. I don't think thats what we want for NCL.

 

Am I right in thinking that the stateroom grade I choose determines where I eat?

Only in respect of your formal dining arrangements. On both Queen Mary 2, QE2 and Queen Victoria, your accommodation is paired with a specific restaurant. To discover how it works in practice, please click here

 

All three ships offer alternative dining options available to everyone: Kings Court, Boardwalk Cafe, Golden Lion & Todd English Restaurant on Queen Mary 2, the Lido Cafe & The Pavilion on QE2 and the Lido Cafe, Golden Lion & Todd English Restaurant on Queen Victoria.

 

What about tipping? During your cruise, you will receive excellent service from many members of our staff in a variety of locations. Additionally, many more crew behind the scenes support those who serve you directly. For your convenience, a Hotel and Dining charge will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis.

The Hotel and Dining charge will be shared amongst those staff that helped provide and support your voyage experience, including the waiter staff, stateroom stewards and accommodations staff, buffet stewards, and others. Please note this is a discretionary charge which, should you wish to remove or make any adjustments, you may do so by contacting the Purser's Reception desk on board. Casino personnel do not share in the Hotel and Dining charge as not all passengers utilise this service. Amounts vary by stateroom category as follows:

Queen Mary 2

• Grill Categories

Q1 - Q7, P1 - P3

$13 (approx £7.00) per person per day

• Britannia Categories

AA - A3, B1 - B6, C1 - C4, D1 - D8

$11 (approx £6.00) per person per day

QE2

• Grill Categories

Q1 - Q4, QS, QG, P1 - P4, PG

$13 (approx £7.00) per person per day

• Caronia & Mauretania Categories

C1 - C6, CA, M1 - M7, MI, MO

$11 (approx £6.00) per person per day

Queen Victoria

• Grill Categories

Q1 - Q7, P1 - P4

$13 (approx £7.00) per person per day

• Britannia Categories

A1 - A7, C1 - C5, D1 - D8

$11 (approx £6.00) per person per day

[Maryfrei]

 

The OP should be careful and hope they don't get what they are asking for.

 

That says it all!

[SailAways]

The thread is tooo funny.

What it would create once again is classes on a ship. Those in the the Owners Suites dining in the Queens Grill. Those in the inside cabins at the bottom of the ship dining in the mess hall :eek:

 

Then, of course, the entire Dress Code would have to be reconsidered too. Let Us not even go there please.:eek:

 

I really needed a good laugh today, and OP has provided it well, along with all of the other contributors.:D

 

:D :D

[Dolphins]

I think the idea is absurd. The people in the cheap cabins eat the same food in the same restaurants as those in the suites. They see the same shows, enjoy the same entertainment, swim in the same pool, use the same gym etc. There is no class distinction on most cruise lines. I have heard many a passenger in an inside cabin boast, "I only change and sleep there, why should I pay more for the same benefits everybody else gets?"

[johnql]

I think the current system works just fine.

[Dolphins]

Sorry, double post.

[smeyer418]

I think the premise is flawed. Do you really expect the amount to be less than $10.00? Some people in different accommodations leave more. Should it be directly related to how much they paid? I have paid at other resorts a percent of the room charge as a service fee. But they don't normally discount or charge so many different rates as the cruise industry. Sure people in suites should leave more most of the time many do....but the amount the basic rooms pay shouldn't be reduced....

[newmexicoNita]

Many people who cruise in 'cheaper' cabins do so for just that reason... they are cheaper. Many of these same people are in situations where they have to carefully budget their trip.

 

To book the 11-night Wind leaving April 14th right now an oceanview will cost you $829. Balcony will cost $2,399.

 

Yet people in both those cabins pay exactly the same service charge of $10 per person, per day. For an 11 night cruise that's $110.

 

$110 turns an $829 cruise into $939, or an increase of nearly 12%.

 

$110 turns a $2,399 cruise into $2,509... an increase of 4%.

 

For the record, I like the $10 thing just because it means all tips are 'taken care of' It just seems like the fee should be a percentage, not a flat fee for everyone.

 

I mean another example would be dinner at Bennigan's is $30. 20% tip is $6. Dinner at another place might be $200... 20% tip = $40.

 

hmmmmmmm

I couldn't disagree anymore than I do. The service charge is for service you receive in the dining rooms, buffets, housekeeping, etc. This is the same whether you have a balcony or a upper, lower birth. You pretty much said it yourself when you mentioned food at certain restaurants: we all are eating at the same restaurants on ships regardless of where we live for the duration of the cruise. NMNita