Service charge

[Brian Raine]

During our Marina cruise in Dec 2007 we were advised that the 15% service charge PP was applicable, as well as the "suggested" gratuities.The gratuities can be reduced or removed from your onboard account as you wish however the 15% SC is entrenched, UNLESS you are a US passenger, when it can be removed on request. Like a lot of cruisers I like to keep my money and give gratuities etc as I see fit, but to lumbered with a 15% SC is too much and can amount to a fair sum on a 27 day cruise. The US passenger removal perogative remains a mystery to me and I don't know if it applies to all Costa Cruise's or just the Carribbean,where there is more competition.