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

[newmexicoNita]

dup again

[LaJollaCruiser]

Why not just include the service charge in the fare?

[gregandamy]

Why not just include the service charge in the fare?

 

It basically is. The problem starts when some cruiselines do and others don't, you're then comparing apples to oranges.

[Arwenmark]

This has to be one of the more stupid ideas I have ever seen suggested on here. the $10 per person per day is a KNOWN cost going in or it should be, if not included as a service charge then the person should know they are going to be expected to tip. If not they have no business cruising, cheap cabin or not it is a part of the cost of the cruise.

Everyone gets the same service and everyone should be paying for it the same minimum at least. Many people add tips of way beyond that but no one should pay less.

If you are too cheap to pay a very minimal tip then stay home!

[mbisson]

It might be possible for me to agree with the OP IF I didn't think that $10 per day was a bargain for what we get. How much would I tip if I vacationed in a resort and had 3 meals a day in a restaurant and maid service twice a day?

 

I could only guess it would be a lot more than $10 per day (per head)!

 

Even if it were different (per room category) it should probably be at least $15 per day AT THE LOW END!

 

-Monte

[angeljt]

I think we have scared the OP off!!!

[kimdave68]

The "SERVICE CHARGE" is NOT mandatory, it's voluntary which means you CAN adjust it or completely remove it if you so desire.

 

And yes I agree to have it proportionate to fare paid is too much like our U.S. Tax system. Too complex and destined to fail. KISS please. :p

 

Hey you in the corner with that flamethrower, close your fuel valve and save it for a real troll. I came in today donning high spec Nomex so I'm fireproof. :eek:

[smeyer418]

Why not just include the service charge in the fare?

For a number of reasons not the least being that tips would still be expected. Also if its included by the cruise line they have to report it as income. There is a cost for the homeoffice handling it as opposed to handling it on the ship and it would reduce the cruiselines profit margins unless it was marked up.

 

NCL does make it mandatory sort of. You can get it reduced or removed at the pursar desk but sometimes that is less easy than it sounds...

[hotspur]

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.

While I agree that the pro-rating of automatic gratuities based on cabin-type is a bad idea, some of what you wrote above is regrettably no longer true on NCL.

 

Certain suite passengers do get to eat breakfasts and, I think, lunches in dining rooms with special menus where "the rest of us" are not permitted to go (how tacky to be forced to eat with "the rest of us" :rolleyes: ). There is a reserved seating section on some ships for certain levels of suites and above. There is priority tendering for certain levels of suites. There is priority disembarkation. There are special parties. In many ways, NCL is clearly building a "class distinction" on some of its ships, and I, for one, don't like that idea at all.

[megessey]

I think they should do away with tipping altogether and establish certain fines on passnegers, that would then get pooled and divided among the staff:

• Bring an iron on board-- $10
  
• Smuggle liquor on board -- $30
  
• Hog a chair for more than 30 minutes -- $10
  
• Wear jeans in the dining room -- $20
  
• Accidental Nudity on your balcony -- $10
  
• Intentional Nudity on your balcony -- $20
  
• Sing an ABBA song at Kareoke -- $50
  
• Sneeze or cough into your hands and then grab a food item right out of the buffet -- $1,000

The crew would be rollin' in the dough

[Tarheelbelle]

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

An extreme version of the Cunard approach??!

[Don Haynes]

I have always said that $10 per day isn't enough, we all should tip a bit more when someone goes out of their way to please one of our requests.

 

I disagree with the OP. Almost all of the cabins are small, only a few suites have considerably more room. People can book the lowest cabin guarantee, and end up after the upgrade in a cabin above the promenade deck. Size matters none, being able to pay matters none.

 

If NCL did as she suggests, we'll end up with two classes on board the ship, those who dine in the main dining rooms and those who dine only in the buffet. Lously idea.

 

I much prefer booking cheap and enjoying all of the dining rooms, including the surcharged speciality restaurants.

[denims]

I think they should do away with tipping altogether and establish certain fines on passnegers, that would then get pooled and divided among the staff:

• Bring an iron on board-- $10
  
• Smuggle liquor on board -- $30
  
• Hog a chair for more than 30 minutes -- $10
  
• Wear jeans in the dining room -- $20
  
• Accidental Nudity on your balcony -- $10
  
• Intentional Nudity on your balcony -- $20
  
• Sing an ABBA song at Kareoke -- $50
  
• Sneeze or cough into your hands and then grab a food item right out of the buffet -- $1,000

The crew would be rollin' in the dough

Please add to above:

• Intentional nudity on balcony by a "10" -- $100 OBC:D

[Don Haynes]

You forgot the line cutters. At least a $15 fine.

[mpk218]

If you were to answer honestly. Which gruop do you think tips over and above the $10 (per person) a day rate? The inside cabin gruop or the AD and up gruop? As mentioned several times above , the $10 a day is a bargin. The $210 a week I pay, (myself, wife, 2 kids )(kids are 1/2)Barely figures into the equation. Because yes I do feel if your going to get the extra attention in a suite you should pony up. Should tips be based on what you paid for the cruise? I dont think so . The last cabin steward we had was so bad , she should have payed me. ( yes all those things we all rave about ) she couldn't manage one.. My rant is over, thanks ..:D

 

Stay cool

[shoreguy]

While I agree that the pro-rating of automatic gratuities based on cabin-type is a bad idea, some of what you wrote above is regrettably no longer true on NCL.

 

Certain suite passengers do get to eat breakfasts and, I think, lunches in dining rooms with special menus where "the rest of us" are not permitted to go (how tacky to be forced to eat with "the rest of us" :rolleyes: ). There is a reserved seating section on some ships for certain levels of suites and above. There is priority tendering for certain levels of suites. There is priority disembarkation. There are special parties. In many ways, NCL is clearly building a "class distinction" on some of its ships, and I, for one, don't like that idea at all.

 

So in your view everyone should fly coach :D Nothing extra for spending 3 to 15 times as much per person except a little more room. NCL better get back to the design table and stuff an extra 500 passengers on an F2 sized ship. The high end cabins will be sailing empty except very low cost upsold passengers. They should be able to stuff another 100 reguular cabins in the Courtyard/Garden villas space alone. AAs another 20, ACs another 20, ABs another 30, AD and AE another 10 for a total of 180 cabins stuffed with 3/4 passengers they can get the 500.

 

Now another 500 showing up for dinner might pressent a bigger problem:eek:

[NickNoraAndAstaToo]

Originally Posted by 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.

While I agree that the pro-rating of automatic gratuities based on cabin-type is a bad idea, some of what you wrote above is regrettably no longer true on NCL. Certain suite passengers do get to eat breakfasts and, I think, lunches in dining rooms with special menus where "the rest of us" are not permitted to go (how tacky to be forced to eat with "the rest of us" :rolleyes: ). There is a reserved seating section on some ships for certain levels of suites and above. There is priority tendering for certain levels of suites. There is priority disembarkation. There are special parties. In many ways, NCL is clearly building a "class distinction" on some of its ships, and I, for one, don't like that idea at all.

 

If The people in the expensive suites eat the same food in the same restaurants as those of us in the cheap cabins and see the same shows, enjoy the same entertainment, swim in the same pool, use the same gym etc, shouldn't there be a little something that they get besides a bigger room for their money? The "rst of us" pay our price and get our cruise, they pay up to ten times more so there have to be some special prevleges. They pay their extra help. on big tips, etc.

 

the problem here with the "class distinction" is reverse snobbery from the cheap seats. Anyone who wants extra can pay for it.

[RichNY]

While I agree that the pro-rating of automatic gratuities based on cabin-type is a bad idea, some of what you wrote above is regrettably no longer true on NCL.

 

Certain suite passengers do get to eat breakfasts and, I think, lunches in dining rooms with special menus where "the rest of us" are not permitted to go (how tacky to be forced to eat with "the rest of us" :rolleyes: ). There is a reserved seating section on some ships for certain levels of suites and above. There is priority tendering for certain levels of suites. There is priority disembarkation. There are special parties. In many ways, NCL is clearly building a "class distinction" on some of its ships, and I, for one, don't like that idea at all.

 

If someone pays more then they get more....you call it class distinction, I call it getting what I paid for....

 

We loved eating breakfast and lunch in Cagneys and Le Bistro I only wish it was fleet wide..on the Jewel is was everyone in a penthouse...People who book CV's OS's and GV's get more than I do and they deserve it..

[RSWBADGER]

While I agree that the pro-rating of automatic gratuities based on cabin-type is a bad idea, some of what you wrote above is regrettably no longer true on NCL.

 

Certain suite passengers do get to eat breakfasts and, I think, lunches in dining rooms with special menus where "the rest of us" are not permitted to go (how tacky to be forced to eat with "the rest of us" :rolleyes: ). There is a reserved seating section on some ships for certain levels of suites and above. There is priority tendering for certain levels of suites. There is priority disembarkation. There are special parties. In many ways, NCL is clearly building a "class distinction" on some of its ships, and I, for one, don't like that idea at all.

 

The Perks of paying more for a room, you get what you pay for.

By the way the breakfast at Cagney's was really good.

[smeyer418]

...

 

I believe it is bad business to walk someone past a long line of passengers crowded onto a stairwell waiting sweatily for a tender and escort them onto the tender while everyone else continues to wait. I believe it is bad business to have someone walk into what appears to be an open Cagney's or Bistro at breakfast time just to be told "your kind isn't welcome here." I believe it is bad business when the theater is filled for "Cirque" and passengers are being turned away to have others walk past them to the special "reserved" seating section.

 

....

 

someone should tell this to Disney but they do it at Disney too,,,,fast pass or something like that....

ah Massachusetts :)

[Holg]

Hi Folks!

 

I think we have scared the OP off!!!

 

No, this site is blocked at my office.

 

 

The "SERVICE CHARGE" is NOT mandatory, it's voluntary which means you CAN adjust it or completely remove it if you so desire.

 

Unless I'm crazy that is NOT the case with the cruises in Hawaii.

 

 

So in your view everyone should fly coach Nothing extra for spending 3 to 15 times as much per person except a little more room.

 

Thank you for that.

 

 

OK,

 

First of all, I don't think the steerage cabins should pay less than $10. I think the AD, etc cabins should pay that much more.

 

Perfect Example: Google "Shades of Green" It is a hotel on the Disney property that is exclusely open to members of the Military (active or retired... I think certain DoD Civilians can stay there also) All the rooms are identical... same showers, same bus to see Mickey, you name it... BUT people pay a rate that is based on their paygrade. So a Lieutennat pays more than a Private, but less than a General.

 

The manditory $10 per person per day on Hawaii cruises has been imposed to off-set the higher cost of American employees. Why not just engineer a sliding scale of 'gratuity' charge into the beginning cost of the rooms?

 

PS.... there has been a number of he/she's when referring to me... I am a 'he'

 

Cheers,

[mbisson]

someone should tell this to Disney but they do it at Disney too,,,,fast pass or something like that....

 

Except at Disney everyone can get a fast pass regardless of how much they paid.

 

I have no problem with separate dining rooms for the mucky mucks, or VIP tenders (prior to the "regular" tenders). But IMO-once those VIP tenders have departed it's just not right to walk in front of those who have been waiting in line any more than it would be to have VIP menus in the dining rooms. If ya want separate facilities thats one thing, but to make other passengers subordinate to the so called "VIPs" in the facilities available to everyone just isn't right.

 

Honestly, I can almost see a mindset of the old days of cruising, when many of us would be relegated to "steerage"

 

jmo

 

-Monte

[dwrist]

 

...OK,

 

First of all, I don't think the steerage cabins should pay less than $10. I think the AD, etc cabins should pay that much more.

 

Perfect Example: Google "Shades of Green" It is a hotel on the Disney property that is exclusely open to members of the Military (active or retired... I think certain DoD Civilians can stay there also) All the rooms are identical... same showers, same bus to see Mickey, you name it... BUT people pay a rate that is based on their paygrade. So a Lieutennat pays more than a Private, but less than a General.

 

The manditory $10 per person per day on Hawaii cruises has been imposed to off-set the higher cost of American employees. Why not just engineer a sliding scale of 'gratuity' charge into the beginning cost of the rooms?

 

PS.... there has been a number of he/she's when referring to me... I am a 'he'

 

Cheers,

 

But what happens when I paid less for my AD then you did? How can you expect the cruise lines to demand that clients pay more for the same service you receive in the lower cost AD? When we are in a suite, we expect the service to be great and tip accordingly. A couple of times my upsell has been less than booking that cabin on the orginal booking.

Isn't the price of the room already on a sliding scale? What you want is all people reporting income from prior year tax returns and disclose to the cruise line so they can charge the extra "gratuity" for the higher income.

Sorry but I think you are the one that is imposing a "steerage" class in cruising today. Pay the damm charges and tip according to the service you receive not what others have paid for their suite.

 

<again someone trying to get something for nothing:D >

[BeachBumMama]

One would think an experienced cruiser might understand the difference between an aircraft and a cruise ship, but, alas, it appears not so. On the former, multiple classes are kept separate. On a cruise ship, everyone mingles once they leave their cabin.

 

I believe it is bad business to walk someone past a long line of passengers crowded onto a stairwell waiting sweatily for a tender and escort them onto the tender while everyone else continues to wait. I believe it is bad business to have someone walk into what appears to be an open Cagney's or Bistro at breakfast time just to be told "your kind isn't welcome here." I believe it is bad business when the theater is filled for "Cirque" and passengers are being turned away to have others walk past them to the special "reserved" seating section.

 

If you have a supposedly "one-class" ship then all passengers should be treated equally once outside their cabins. If not, then be upfront about it and partition the ship like in the not-so-good old days. Having some passengers walk around with little signs on their chests saying "I'm better than other passengers so be sure to treat me that way" will present real problems over time. And I say this having cruised on both sides of what appears to be slowly becoming a much-too-visible fence. This is not sour grapes...it is a real concern as to the direction of cruising, especially on NCL.

 

RichNY's haughty posting, of course, was to be expected from him.

 

I don't understand the difference between aircraft and cruise. One pays for first class, they sit in the first class seats. One pays for a suite, they 'pay' the built in price for all that comes with it.

 

As for passengers walking around with their little attitudes, well, that's a personality trait. They're going to have 'high class attitudes' whether they're in the Garden Villa or sneaking in and out of the cheapest inside so people won't see them.

 

And passengers are treated equally once outside their cabins. If you're sitting at at the bar next to a suite passenger he doesn't get any more booze in his drink. At the same table? He's eating the same thing. Granted, the VIP tender tickets, reserved seats, etc. are different, but they've 'paid' for it in their cruise price. The same option is available to you if it's all that important to you. You have just as much right as they do to 'buy' those perks.

[firefly333]

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.

 

We were in only ocean view and my cabin mate had about $3,500 on her cruise charges, mostly spa charges. You dont have to be in a more expensive room to run up lots of charges obviously.

 

Maybe the poster only meant that bigger rooms should pay more tips than $10, not that inside cabins should pay less.

 

My personal theory is that the more expensive cabins have more experierenced room stewards. The time we booked last minute, we had a inside room with a very poorly trained steward, who only had 3 months experience....so maybe the cheaper rooms should tip less??? They service is not always up to par?

 

Im still testing out this theory. Ill let you know after another 10 - 30 cruises if I still think the cheaper cabins have less qualified room stewards.

 

Just kinda kidding...Im still laughing about the "size doesnt matter" comment. lol Hard to be serious after reading that. You guys are too funny.