"Tippping" answers straight from Carnival Resolution Dept

[GoinCruisin]

I know its been said before, but tips are supposed to be for service beyond the ordinary. If everyone gets paid regardless of performance, and its being charged to your ss, it not a tip anymore. Raise the ticket price by the $70 and and raise the crew's salary! Then no one could complain about how its distributed or take it off their ss. We could all get back to giving "TIPS" to those who go beyond the ordinary when they are deserved.

 

Some cruise lines still do that, but I guess that Carnival finds that they can get more customers by advertising a lower price and then sticking on the service charge regardless of the service. These threads are full of complaints, but the offending employees still got their share of the so-called "tip".

 

I would guess the majority are okay with how it is now... it isn't charged until AFTER the cruise... and it's generally less than the standard gratuity here on land... I don't give tips for people going above and beyond here on land, I tip, regardless... for SERVICE. If they go above and beyond, they get more, if they perform below average, they get less... but I certainly don't only tip when they shock me.

[marty30907]

I read somewhere on here where a lady on a ship had given a cruise worker a key chain, and that the key chain was from their home state, and that person treasured that more than anything, that someone thought enough to bring small gifts from their state.

 

Ya know, we go to their countries and wanna bring stuff back, am sure they love getting things from ours as well.

 

Debbie

 

That is a great idea! I am going to Wally World this evening and getting 4 Georgia key chains and Thank You cards!

[habby]

IMO one of the best things you can do for servers beyond tipping extra cash is to write a letter to Carnival. Be specific about the server's name and any other details. The employee and their supervisor will be notified.

[KBD627]

Here's STEVEAAAA's post on another board where she posted this and dared him to call Carnival.:p

 

"I just called and talked to Marta and told her that another rep named Josie was involved in a discussion that included the Resolution department regarding gratuities and I was transfered to another department in public relations in Carnival corp, and spoke with Gabriel who informed me that each ship in each line has a hotel manager and cashier on board and that they are responsible for those type of issues on a per ship basis.

 

So, I think it is back to a different answer each time you call. I do have phone numbers including extensions for each but last time I posted such info it was deleted by the host."

 

Steve

Include it in the fare!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=9391632&postcount=98

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[tinkerbelle32]

kurbanfan- Good one!!:D

[Kurbanfan]

kurbanfan- Good one!!:D

 

 

:D :D :D

[KBD627]

Just got off the phone with Carnival Customer Service Agent Josie....

who also put us thru to the RESOLUTION Dept to further clarify things

 

 

1) The standard $10 per day tip is divided among many people, the staff prefer it, more stable they know pretty much what they will earn this way

\

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2) EXTRA /cash tips above and beyond the standard $10 on account per day are find and much appreciated and prized by the the workers....they keep any tips ABOVE the $10 per day

 

3) IF people remove the tips, and tip cash to individual/s that worker MUST turn in the tip to "pool" it.....to fail to do this would anger co workers and can result in termination

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4) Altho the supervisors do know that some people are simply cheap, if by some unlucky draw of fate they get a bunch of "remove the tip" folks they can be questioned by the their supervisors.....in addition, they do LEARN WHO REMOVED THE TIPS...... there can be some bad feelings among the staff for this too..... ie, cruisers felt they had bad service from room steward so they take off all the tips, the dining staff learns this and is angry etc........most times there is really no explanation......

it does just cause uneeded stress tho from what they said.....

 

So there you have it.....speak to the RESOLUTION dept.....

 

it tells me....1) keep the $10 per day on the account

 

2) tip extra if you get good service and feel like it, tip room service

 

3) IF there is some RARE unfixed problem with a particular staff member have the offending person's tip removed ONLY....and give reason why to to the purser office so other staff members do not suffer

 

\4) Eating at buffet? Leave tip on .....but you would not be expected to tip maitre d since you did not use them..\

\

 

Don;t believe me? CALL CARNIVAL

 

taking off the the tips hurts the workers.....period

 

Here is a post from her on another thread 2 days ago. Either she is psychic or she told carnival how it worked and they agreed!!! By the way the article she was referring to was dated 2006 notice she aged it 2 years to make her opinion seem stronger.

 

 

And....since that was written in 2004, it may not be up to date...

 

now they can keep any 'extra" tips we give them....but if the standard tip is removed from the account, then they must turn in the cash (replacement) tip to be pooled....

 

more like Holland America did in 2004...

Holland America: If a guest asks that the amount on the folio be removed so tipping can be done directly, the steward, waiters, etc. are required to report that amount for pooled tips (but most guests keep tips on the bill).

 

That is the way Carnival does this now...

 

cash tips they keep...at the bars, tables, a "pre tip" to servers or stewards

 

if you KEEP the mininimum on your account and then tip them a bonus, they can happily keep that

 

but if you remove the minimum tip then they must TURN in the cash tip and have it pooled...

 

too many tips removed?? Raises questions what they are "doing wrong"..when they are probably not doing anything wrong they just got unlucky with the guests assigned to them

 

and of course, much of the info on how to "remove" tips is just to avoid paying them...."we eat at the buffet"...."I don't think I should have to tip for my kids" , "I am on a budget" or whatever...which I find pretty disgraceful. If you think it is ok, fine.

 

and yes, I do wish they would just make the tip mandatory....part of the fare. I will continue to write this on evaluation card at end of cruise, thanks for reminding me.

__________________

Cheri

Imagination May 8-13 2006 G Cayman/Ochos Rios

 

:D Upcoming : Carnival Glory, Western May 5 2007

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=9370675&postcount=52

[fig414]

On one of our cruises we became friendly with a drink server who took care of us on the Lido as well in the disco. We hit him with a couple of 20's along the way and he told us he puts any cash tips he gets in a special account to buy his son and daughter a computer. We thought that was rather nice and were glad we gave him cash.

[Moondawgie]

I can see it now ... "Do you believe Carnival just jumped their rates by $140 per cabin?" "What nerve!" "And they say it's because tips are now added to the cost of the cruise!" "Why should I have to pay extra so the staff gets paid?!?!?!" It will never end ... just like the chair hogs, towel policy and formal wear.

 

When Carnival changes a policy to help solve a problem, another crops up! Jeesh!

[SonnyandCher]

I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone can not feel that $10 a day is a BARGAIN for the service you receive. Think about the last meal you ate at a restaurant and the $10 or $20 bill you left for the server for that meal alone!

The best bet is to leave the $10 pp on the sail and sign and back it up with cash to the people who go "above and beyond". We back it up with nice comment cards which we have heard are much appreciated by the staff.

[bethaniesmom]

we always leave the tips in place and then write a thank you card with an additional cash tip for our servers and room steward....i just don't think the standard tip is anywhere near enough for what they do, and we aren't ones to make much in the way of demands on these people...I know we would tip more at home for these services!

 

Beverly

[markandstacie00]

So many people on these boards think the set pre tipping policy is a great idea, I have a new idea. How about we come up with a set amount for the job you do and that is what you will receive basically no matter what you do. Your employer can pay you more (a raise) or less ( you're fired) but they wont because all are equal. What kind of employee works under these conditions; the least qualified! If anyone told me they would rather work for some pre set amount, I'd question their abilities or enthusiasm as a person in the service industry.

 

I worked for years in this industry, working hard for tips made me a better worker. CCL system may be easy, but it sends the wrong message. As a capitalist I say include all services in the cost of the cruise or promote tipping for great service.

[sharecruises]

I did not think up the system....Carnival "agreed" with me because that IS their policy....I only "reported" it

 

leave the tips on and the workers are happy

 

leave the tips on and tip extra in cash, workers keep the tips and they are very happy :)

 

take the tips off....and 'tip in cash" the workers must POOL THE TIPS...

it does NOT look for them..and I imagine it can cause some hard feelings

 

a good example of this is the people who took tips off all together cause they had a "bad apple" room steward....their dining staff was fine but they took off the tips

 

another person is mad at his travel agent for "not telling me about tips" so he is taking the tips off....ouch

 

I think the 'system" is not perfect and could be improved....however, taking your tips off is NOT the answer...I think it has been stated before..and I will be happy to call again, also to write to the NCL guy on the other board and I will try to find that carnival employee on here to ask also....he is a guy in the "lighting" dept, stage lights...so he should be able to give an unbiased view

 

I agree to all those who say...$10 is NOT much...the service I have had is much better than I would get in most USA restaurants or in most hotels, and the crew is nothing but smiling.

 

Most of the reasons for "taking off the tips" are not that good...for those who "just want to tip cash" I fail to understand the logic of taking it off only to give it back...especially when it even MIGHT hurt the workers

 

If the workers are happy with this system, why the urge to get around it??

 

These people work hard and it just seems incrediably mean to try to short them in any way or make their lives harder or to encourage other people to do so. I am happy to keep 'checking' on info tho. Thanks

[KBD627]

I did not think up the system....Carnival "agreed" with me because that IS their policy....I only "reported" it

 

leave the tips on and the workers are happy

 

leave the tips on and tip extra in cash, workers keep the tips and they are very happy :)

 

take the tips off....and 'tip in cash" the workers must POOL THE TIPS...

it does NOT look for them..and I imagine it can cause some hard feelings

 

a good example of this is the people who took tips off all together cause they had a "bad apple" room steward....their dining staff was fine but they took off the tips

 

another person is mad at his travel agent for "not telling me about tips" so he is taking the tips off....ouch

 

I think the 'system" is not perfect and could be improved....however, taking your tips off is NOT the answer...I think it has been stated before..and I will be happy to call again, also to write to the NCL guy on the other board and I will try to find that carnival employee on here to ask also....he is a guy in the "lighting" dept, stage lights...so he should be able to give an unbiased view

 

I agree to all those who say...$10 is NOT much...the service I have had is much better than I would get in most USA restaurants or in most hotels, and the crew is nothing but smiling.

 

Most of the reasons for "taking off the tips" are not that good...for those who "just want to tip cash" I fail to understand the logic of taking it off only to give it back...especially when it even MIGHT hurt the workers

 

If the workers are happy with this system, why the urge to get around it??

 

These people work hard and it just seems incrediably mean to try to short them in any way or make their lives harder or to encourage other people to do so. I am happy to keep 'checking' on info tho. Thanks

 

 

Here's another "straight from Carnival" report on another thread in response to your "report", reported by Mountaingurl::p

 

I just got off the phone with carnival and spoke with Carol. If anyone would like her extension my e-mail address is knightrazor1949@yahoo.com. She said that removing the automatic tips would not penalize ANYONE. She also stated that they would not have to share their tips with anyone, nor would the tips have to be reported. Thanks for suggesting I call and check for myself. I am completely comfortable with my decision to tip on my own now. Again, thanks for everyone encouraging me to do this. :D

__________________

Fantasy 9/22/07

We can't wait!!!!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=9393580&postcount=100

[sharecruises]

Wow....$10 bucks per day must really get some people angry

 

well I am requesting the info in writing from Carnival ...the poster who posted this has been posting that she wanted to 'remove the tips" and tip in cash...yeah

 

well...they do have to pool the tips IF you remove the tips...but not if you tip cash above and beyond...

 

and this has been stated various times...

 

yes..I want the extension number...you can email it to me at sharecruises@aol.com

 

I will call it tommorrow and go further if needed.

 

I think we all need to know their policy as it stands...no reason Carnival should refuse to give it. Please email that extension to me...

sharecruises@aol.com

[mountaingurl]

For the record, I am not above admitting when I am wrong. If you do recieve something in writing, I will happily change my position. I also DO NOT believe you or anyone else is lying. I believe all of us are being told something diferent. The only offense I take is being called cheap. I am one of the most generous people I know. You don't have to believe that, but anyone who knows me would tell you that. I just have a different opinion than you do, and that is okay. I have no problem with what you choose to do as far as tipping. I also have no problem with you disagreeing with my opinion, but I do think implying that I am trying to get out of tipping is way out of line. That being said, I am sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings, stirred anything up, or made any insinuations(which I don't believe I did, but hey, I'm human). Let's just agree to disagree and all be friends (but I will be e-mailing you Carol's extention lest I be called a liar:p)

[henepup]

Where do I start, I was once a tipped employee and now work in Food and Beverage as a supervisor (non-tipped) in a casino. I can't believe that cruiseline employees would tell other employees that they were given cash tips. Cash tips can't not be traced. A $10 tip split amongst how many employee! That sounds horrible. People, in general, don't know how to tip. It really gets me that people are sooo cheap. Server and bartender make so little on the hour, they live off of the tips.

[jimc_usa]

Mabe it's just me, but I tip attitude as well as service.

[MikeyP]

[quote name='jimc_usa']Mabe it's just me, but I tip attitude as well as service.[/quote]

I agree, though I feel that attitude is technically a component of the service.

Oh yeah, just throwing my hat into the ring... I also agree that $10pp/day seems to just not be a lot of money and a tremendous bargain for what you get for it.

[KBD627]

[quote name='sharecruises']Wow....$10 bucks per day must really get some people angry

[COLOR=red][B][I]well I am requesting the info in writing from Carnival[/I][/B][/COLOR] ...the poster who posted this has been posting that she wanted to 'remove the tips" and tip in cash...yeah

well...they do have to pool the tips IF you remove the tips...but not if you tip cash above and beyond...

and this has been stated various times...

yes..I want the extension number...you can email it to me at [EMAIL="sharecruises@aol.com"]sharecruises@aol.com[/EMAIL]

[COLOR=red][B][I]I will call it tommorrow and go further if needed.[/I][/B][/COLOR]

I think we all need to know their policy as it stands...no reason Carnival should refuse to give it. Please email that extension to me...
[EMAIL="sharecruises@aol.com"]sharecruises@aol.com[/EMAIL][/quote]


Wondering if you "went further" with Carnival. Please post your latest "report".

[markandstacie00]

14 Hours until my first "forced tipping" cruise. I will be removing it by tomorrow night! This system just does not promote the best servers and reduces all to about the same.

[KBD627]

[quote name='sharecruises']Wow....$10 bucks per day must really get some people angry

[COLOR=red][B][I]well I am requesting the info in writing from Carnival[/I][/B][/COLOR] ...the poster who posted this has been posting that she wanted to 'remove the tips" and tip in cash...yeah

well...they do have to pool the tips IF you remove the tips...but not if you tip cash above and beyond...

and this has been stated various times...

yes..I want the extension number...you can email it to me at [EMAIL="sharecruises@aol.com"]sharecruises@aol.com[/EMAIL]

[COLOR=red][B][I]I will call it tommorrow and go further if needed[/I][/B][/COLOR].

I think we all need to know their policy as it stands...no reason Carnival should refuse to give it. Please email that extension to me...
[EMAIL="sharecruises@aol.com"]sharecruises@aol.com[/EMAIL][/quote]

Sheri... Still waiting to hear how you made out when you called Carnival one week ago????

Please post your lates "report"

[Guest YesitDonna]

I think it is easier to have the tips on the S&S no doubt but it is far less personal and I think the service on cruises has faded since. They figure they will automatically get it and don't put all the little "finishing touches" on things like they used to when I first started cruising. At least on Disney you can have it charged to your account but you get these coupons stating you did, that you then put in a envelope and give to the crew members that you are rewarding for good service. This gives me the ease of having it on my account AND the personal touch of that person knowing how much I have given them personally. I think that is a much better system.