Tips Pooled or not? Lets find out once and for all

[Kurbanfan]

I would like to see a policy statement that shows that if you tip in cash you are stiffing the workers. I always tipped with cash. The auto tipping on the S&S card was put into place because people where to cheap to tip and didn't show up in the DR the last night. It wasn't because of the people who did tip, in cash.

 

I haven't seen anyone in this thread saying they aren't tipping the $10 or more a day. They just do it in different ways.:)

 

There is no such policy..........

[caribbean dreams]

Does HA have auto tipping now? When a co-worker went he said tipping was op.

]

I don't know pesonally, i was just looking at the site i mentioned earlier and this is what it said:

 

Question:

When tipping is done via the folio (i.e., your onboard account), how and when is the person being tipped notified?

 

Holland America: Shortly into the next cruise.

 

 

That led me to believe, they are now doing auto tipping.

 

Also RCCL's answer was:

Royal Caribbean: No later than the last night of the cruise. There are lists prepared by the Pursers' Office stating the guests who have paid onboard gratuities on their folio. These lists are also available in the crew working areas. Also, vouchers for prepaid gratuities are given to each guest so that they can slip the voucher into the tipping envelopes to hand to the crew members on the last night of the cruise.

Summary:

 

 

I don't know how true it is but the editor said he asked the major cruise lines to detail some of their policies.

[caribbean dreams]

Oh heck, let me just copy the whole thing, remember this is not me talking, i am only stating what has been posted.

 

Here's an inside look at how the major lines handle automatic gratuity collections. In addition to the always-interesting reader comments on the message board regarding tips, I've been getting lots of e-mail via my column on the subject. Not all of it is positive; there seems to be a growing feeling that the tips are not going to the person who should be rewarded. So I've asked the major cruise lines to detail some of their policies. answers.

 

Here are the policies directly from Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL, Princess and Royal Caribbean on some of the key issues:

Who Gets What?

 

 

Question:

When a guest provides tipping via his on-board account, going along with the line's suggested amounts, do those amounts go only to the people on the list, or is part of the total siphoned off for other personnel?

Carnival: On the first night of the voyage, guests receive a letter explaining the distribution of the suggested tip amounts ($10 per person per day divided between cabin steward, dining room staff, etc.) and are made aware of what amount goes to whom. They are also advised that they have discretion as to the amounts and the distribution of the tips themselves.

Celebrity: The amounts go only to the people on the list, with the exception of "stateroom attendant" tips, as staterooms are typically cared for by two people each.

Holland America: It goes to the crew at percentages, already determined, to areas such as cabin stewards, dining, room service, laundry, etc., that have a direct impact on guest service.

NCL: The service charges of $10 per adult per day ($5 per kid) are automatically added and are divided among a pool of crew members.

Princess: The discretionary hotel and dining charge is distributed to all crew members who serve the guest directly, in food service and staterooms, as well as a portion to those crew not usually seen by the guest - in the galleys for instance - who support those staff in their efforts to serve guests. Princess distributes all money to the aforementioned crew members.

Royal Caribbean: The gratuities are only given to the crew members who were serving the guest.

Direct Tipping

 

Question:

When a guest gives cash directly to a crew member, is that person required to report that they have received the money, including how much they got and from whom?

Carnival: No. Shipboard employees can keep all cash gratuities without reporting it.

Celebrity: No, our shipboard colleagues are not required to report that they've received it, nor how much.

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).

NCL: No.

Royal Caribbean: No.

Notification

 

Question:

When tipping is done via the folio (i.e., your onboard account), how and when is the person being tipped notified?

Carnival: Shipboard employees are notified of their tip amounts the day after the cruise ends (as to not impact service standards) and are paid about a week later.

Celebrity: Any guests who opt for tipping via the folio receive printed cards/vouchers acknowledging that their gratuities have been prepaid. Envelopes are provided with the vouchers so the guests can present them to tipped personnel to assure them suggested gratuities have been handled, and to allow guests to offer additional amounts if they wish.

Holland America: Shortly into the next cruise.

NCL: They're not, but this is partially based on the Freestyle Concept since virtually all guests do not dine with the same wait staff every night.

Royal Caribbean: No later than the last night of the cruise. There are lists prepared by the Pursers' Office stating the guests who have paid onboard gratuities on their folio. These lists are also available in the crew working areas. Also, vouchers for prepaid gratuities are given to each guest so that they can slip the voucher into the tipping envelopes to hand to the crew members on the last night of the cruise.

Summary:

 

As with any policy, there's no complete agreement as to how things are done. I still believe the amount of tips suggested by the line is nowhere near the overall service levels given on board. That's why it's a great feeling to tip extra when it's deserved.

[Mikew0805]

If everyone says it is none of our business...then why do some make it their business to tell us how we should tip......

 

 

Perfect! :D

[sharecruises]

When you "tip cash" you skip some of the people who gave you service...

 

the staff PREFERS the auto tips....

 

that way they do not have to divy them up, no hard feelings, more fair

 

the sfaff PREFERS THE AUTO TIPS.....

 

when tips are removed, for whatever reason, it can "look bad" for them...

 

even if it is not their fault

 

They prefer the auto tip

 

why the big need to tip in cash...??? One guy who thought he was soooo high and mighty planned to do this.....and he lordly tipped...less than the standard amount in fact....his "way" was not stiffing them, just tipping less for his fairly large family.

 

Just as others feel perfectly fine with their decision to remove their kids tips and leave the parents on....or remove all the tips and tip for the parents only...

 

maybe some do tip as much or more...however, once again, the staff prefers cash...that way they have no "hard feelings" with each other, they all get their fair share

 

Of course you can easily leave the $10 on and tip cash for good service..IMHO that is the best way

 

I really think that we get a good deal on a cruise....the other night I tipped $1.80+ a little airhead who brought out my "to go" order at Applebee's....

 

she basically thrust the big bag in my window...

 

good thing I checked ...she forgot the salad dressing...it took her a long while (10 minutes) to bring it out after I phoned in to them again, food getting cold...I had already tipped her but I really felt like asking for it back when she almost threw the salad dressing in my window and muttered "He said he was bringing it out"....about another server who was outside smoking....she and he then yelled back and forth at each other...no apology at all!

 

so much for Applebee's LOL.....compare that to the service we get onboard...no comparison IMHO

 

$10 a day really isn't that much. I am a pretty "good tipper" IMHO...but if I get another pick up carry out at Applebee's I think I will check my order BEFORE I pay!

[Cuizer2]

If everyone says it is none of our business...then why do some make it their business to tell us how we should tip......

 

Because some people know how to run your life better than you do. If you don't believe me, just ask them. :rolleyes: Even Bill Gates receives e-mail on how to make more money and how to get out of debt.

 

I'll bet that even the US Mint receives e-mail on how to make more money.

[Cuizer2]

People, if this question is so important, then one of you apply to Carnival, one apply to HAL, one apply to Princess, one apply to Royal Caribbean and one apply to Celebrity. Then in eight months you can all come back here and post your findings, which you learned first hand.

 

Otherwise, if you ask three people, you are going to get four different answers.

[PINEVIEW01]

People, if this question is so important, then one of you apply to Carnival, one apply to HAL, one apply to Princess, one apply to Royal Caribbean and one apply to Celebrity. Then in eight months you can all come back here and post your findings, which you learned first hand.

 

Otherwise, if you ask three people, you are going to get four different answers.

Good plan! But, would we be believed!

 

I will just have to agree to disagree. My experience with what the staff PREFERS (auto tips)....

has not been the same as what others have stated the staff PREFERS (the auto tips)....

[R We There Yet?]

:( OMG, you ppl are too much! I've read this whole thread and most of you act like a bunch of first graders on the playground! No, I take that back, I've seen first graders on a playground and they act better! Lately, these boards have become a freakin wrestling match and God forbid if you have a legitimate question to ask, someone will surely have a smart aleck answer for you. So adios, I've had my fill...... :mad:

[PACURN]

I would like to see a policy statement that shows that if you tip in cash you are stiffing the workers. I always tipped with cash. The auto tipping on the S&S card was put into place because people where to cheap to tip and didn't show up in the DR the last night. It wasn't because of the people who did tip, in cash.

 

I haven't seen anyone in this thread saying they aren't tipping the $10 or more a day. They just do it in different ways.:)

 

And those "cheap" people still remove the tips. I am amazed at the amount of people who don't tip. I have cruised with a couple who never tip any tour driver or waiter. The funny thing is that one of them used to be a dealer in a casino and enjoyed tips. Things that make you go Hummmmm.

I don't think anyone is going to admit they tip less than the usually amount. People would think they are cheap.

[PINEVIEW01]

:( OMG, you ppl are too much! I've read this whole thread and most of you act like a bunch of first graders on the playground! No, I take that back, I've seen first graders on a playground and they act better! Lately, these boards have become a freakin wrestling match and God forbid if you have a legitimate question to ask, someone will surely have a smart aleck answer for you. So adios, I've had my fill...... :mad:

Did you read what the OP posted? This is a rhetorical question based on past threads. It was not put as a straight forward question. It is presented to be open for debated. There is no reason to be upset about it. Just go onto a topic that interests you. Only someone that works for carnival can answer the op's question anyway

[Mikew0805]

I don't think anyone is going to admit they tip less than the usually amount. People would think they are cheap.

 

That may be true, but I would also think ( and I may be wrong about this ) that most people don't care what others think. I know for the most part I don't and if I did something that was out of the "norm" I would have no problem saying so.

 

Life is too short to care what others think.

[ParrotRob]

Geeez......why don't you guys get a room:eek:

 

Only if he pays for it. He's the one with the thing for me, apparently.

[dzcruisers]

Would one of the hotel managers on the ship be able to tell you how the tips are divided? Or someone other than staff dependent on the tips? We leave the tips on and tip extra for really superior service.

[big_duck]

Would one of the hotel managers on the ship be able to tell you how the tips are divided? Or someone other than staff dependent on the tips? We leave the tips on and tip extra for really superior service.

 

 

No doubt they could, but like any manager they (should) be disinclined to discuss HR policies with people outside the company.

[Kurbanfan]

That may be true, but I would also think ( and I may be wrong about this ) that most people don't care what others think. I know for the most part I don't and if I did something that was out of the "norm" I would have no problem saying so.

 

Life is too short to care what others think.

 

That works for me:D Life's way too short......there are alot more important things in the world to focus on. Maybe some need to redirect all their time and energy LOL!

[georgiacruizer]

Question:

When tipping is done via the folio (i.e., your onboard account), how and when is the person being tipped notified?

Carnival: Shipboard employees are notified of their tip amounts the day after the cruise ends (as to not impact service standards) and are paid about a week later.

 

Isn't that the point of the tip in the first place? to impact service standards? Or is it more for a job well done, after the fact? Maybe both.

 

When giving cash, there is the immediate satisfaction of rewarding someone for their hard work. When paying tips strictly on the S&S, you lose that 'personal' touch, especially if they don't see it until you're off the ship. I like the idea of being able to hand them a voucher listing the tips for the week so they know whats coming and that I didn't stiff them.

[Bren31]

I had planned on bringing 4 or so of those prepaid gift cards that have a visa logo would they have to pool that, or a phone card worth 25 dollars? To me tipping them this way allows them to continue the use of our gift?

[Givemestuff]

If everyone says it is none of our business...then why do some make it their business to tell us how we should tip......

 

By far the best post I've seen on this subject :D . The op's question was valid since he advocates removing auto-tips and tipping in cash. Many have stated that when you do that they must pool. If you leave them on and tip extra in cash they get to keep it, according to many on here. Steveaaaa is only suggesting we try to find the answer once and for all instead of the jr high school arguing that these threads always seem to breed!!:p

[caribbean dreams]

Steveaaaa is only suggesting we try to find the answer once and for all instead of the jr high school arguing that these threads always seem to breed!!

 

As you will see, different lines have different ways.

these are not my words, just copied it from the site.

There was another cruise site that asked each of the cruiselines how their tipping works and the answer was:

 

The Ins and Outs of Tipping Policies

 

 

Here's an inside look at how the major lines handle automatic gratuity collections. In addition to the always-interesting reader comments on the message board regarding tips, I've been getting lots of e-mail via my column on the subject. Not all of it is positive; there seems to be a growing feeling that the tips are not going to the person who should be rewarded. So I've asked the major cruise lines to detail some of their policies. answers

I'm not judging the merits of one versus another other (although obviously I have my personal opinions); I'm just doing it so readers have a good handle on the issues. It's up to each line to determine what's best for them, and as long as the guest knows what's going on, it's perfectly OK.

Here are the policies directly from Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL, Princess and Royal Caribbean on some of the key issues:

Who Gets What?

 

Question:

When a guest provides tipping via his on-board account, going along with the line's suggested amounts, do those amounts go only to the people on the list, or is part of the total siphoned off for other personnel?

Carnival: On the first night of the voyage, guests receive a letter explaining the distribution of the suggested tip amounts ($10 per person per day divided between cabin steward, dining room staff, etc.) and are made aware of what amount goes to whom. They are also advised that they have discretion as to the amounts and the distribution of the tips themselves.

Celebrity: The amounts go only to the people on the list, with the exception of "stateroom attendant" tips, as staterooms are typically cared for by two people each.

Holland America: It goes to the crew at percentages, already determined, to areas such as cabin stewards, dining, room service, laundry, etc., that have a direct impact on guest service.

NCL: The service charges of $10 per adult per day ($5 per kid) are automatically added and are divided among a pool of crew members.

Princess: The discretionary hotel and dining charge is distributed to all crew members who serve the guest directly, in food service and staterooms, as well as a portion to those crew not usually seen by the guest - in the galleys for instance - who support those staff in their efforts to serve guests. Princess distributes all money to the aforementioned crew members.

Royal Caribbean: The gratuities are only given to the crew members who were serving the guest.

Direct Tipping

Question:

When a guest gives cash directly to a crew member, is that person required to report that they have received the money, including how much they got and from whom?

Carnival: No. Shipboard employees can keep all cash gratuities without reporting it.

Celebrity: No, our shipboard colleagues are not required to report that they've received it, nor how much.

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).

NCL: No.

Royal Caribbean: No.

Notification

Question:

When tipping is done via the folio (i.e., your onboard account), how and when is the person being tipped notified?

Carnival: Shipboard employees are notified of their tip amounts the day after the cruise ends (as to not impact service standards) and are paid about a week later.

Celebrity: Any guests who opt for tipping via the folio receive printed cards/vouchers acknowledging that their gratuities have been prepaid. Envelopes are provided with the vouchers so the guests can present them to tipped personnel to assure them suggested gratuities have been handled, and to allow guests to offer additional amounts if they wish.

Holland America: Shortly into the next cruise.

NCL: They're not, but this is partially based on the Freestyle Concept since virtually all guests do not dine with the same wait staff every night.

Royal Caribbean: No later than the last night of the cruise. There are lists prepared by the Pursers' Office stating the guests who have paid onboard gratuities on their folio. These lists are also available in the crew working areas. Also, vouchers for prepaid gratuities are given to each guest so that they can slip the voucher into the tipping envelopes to hand to the crew members on the last night of the cruise.

Summary:

 

As with any policy, there's no complete agreement as to how things are done. I still believe the amount of tips suggested by the line is nowhere near the overall service levels given on board. That's why it's a great feeling to tip extra when it's deserved.

[MARRIEDATSEA]

we leave the 20 dollar a day on the sail and sign account AND tip in cash to room steward...usually about 75 bucks cash. We usually do not tip extra to DR waiter because we don't eat there (buffet usually)...