Past Celebrity Employee - Answering Your Questions

[Ma Bell]

c2..

 

Pardon me for being a bit slow here today....

 

So what you are saying is that in general you have no objection to requesting extra service, and tipping well for it.... But you were offended that Cyber is announcing on the board his intention to tip well????

Cyber obviously knew the answer to his question before he asked. Just read the posts. That's what's driving everyone nuts. He even tells us himself that he always does this, so why keep asking the same question as if he doesn't know what to do.

 

I always go out of my way to be very nice to the people I come in contact with and treat them as new friends, not servants. I find we always get great service and at the end of the cruise I'm a great tipper.:)

[idssms]

Just as the poster above who was in the service industry stated:

 

Everyone gets special treatment but those that tip better get more than special treatment.

 

I believe in pre tipping because I want better service than the great standard service. If that denegrates the normal standard service than so be it.

 

This topic has been broached time and time again on this CC board.

 

There is no right or wrong answer here. The cruisers that chose to tip in advance or tip fives times the standard have that right. If the pre tippers feel they are getting better service because of it,, so be it.

 

I dont knock people that tip the "suggested" amounts and give the envelope at the end of the cruise to their service providers and I dont expect to be lambasted on here for pre-tipping. It's my hard earned money and I will spend it exactly as I see fit.

 

idssms

[Zigster]

PS...I do want to add that if the person tipping me was arrogant or miserable, it wouldn't matter how much cash they put in my hand...they wouldn't get the extra treatment...so all of you out there with big pockets should also wear big smiles. :D

GREAT ADVICE HALOS!!!!!

[cyberhankster]

Thank you to IDSSMS.

 

I am very appreciative of the many inputs which try to help with the issue. Your input is very balanced. I am always put off by those who offer nothing but name calling. I sure am glad I do not have to "serve" these folks.

 

Folks if you can't add anything to the debate beyond name calling....would you please post at the Carnival Board.....I'm thinking you would be in good company. Or....perhaps..... "you die your way"...and "I'll die my way."

 

Regards

[C 2 C]

Folks if you can't add anything to the debate beyond name calling....would you please post at the Carnival Board.....I'm thinking you would be in good company. Or....perhaps..... "you die your way"...and "I'll die my way."

 

You'll never get to heaven,

Putting money in the plate.

Can't bribe St. Peter,

When you're at Heaven's gate.

 

Name Calling?????:eek:

 

Why are you insulting Carnival cruisers....

You might not like their product but their customers allowed them to buy HAL Princess Cunard Costa etc...

[HeatherInFlorida]

My computer must not be picking up all the posts because I missed the name calling. I only read some good solid reasoning for not bribing people to do for you what you don't give them enough credit to do for you anyway. I always expect the best, usually get it and then I tip for it.

 

It's the old fashioned way ... they earn it. But I totally respect anyone's right to do whatever they see fit. This is, after all, America.

[Ma Bell]

Thank you to IDSSMS.

 

I am very appreciative of the many inputs which try to help with the issue. Your input is very balanced. I am always put off by those who offer nothing but name calling. I sure am glad I do not have to "serve" these folks.

 

Folks if you can't add anything to the debate beyond name calling....would you please post at the Carnival Board.....I'm thinking you would be in good company. Or....perhaps..... "you die your way"...and "I'll die my way."

 

Regards

As I said, the thing that's getting me is not that you pre-tip...you do whatever you want...but you very well know you never needed any "help" with the subject. ;) I didn't see any name calling either.

[Nancynurse]

Thanks cruise employee...you have been very informative! Looking forward to our first celebrity cruise in June. Hope everyone is as helpful as you have been!...Nancy

[cyberhankster]

For Ma Bell

 

You obviously haven't followed the entire post. I have been alluded to as "pretentious" and "pompous." And....if you had followed the entire thread you would know your assertion is wrong that I already knew the answer to my question. Why don't you read the entire post before you jump to hasty conclusions. Furthermore, if you had read the entire post you would also see that I have been "praised" by some for having tried to get some solutions on the issue.

 

This is simply not your issue.

 

For C2C.....I apologize for sending folks to the Carnival Boards. You are right...I don't know much about Carnival and it is true they bought out Seabourn. The reality is that there is a cruise out there for everyone. I have been extremely fortunate to cruise aboard some of the premium and luxury lines.

 

Finally, I am most appreciative to those who have tried to bring some balance to the issue without using terms like "bribe" and "no need to pay for services which you have already paid for." My intent was simply to find ways to let those "serving" to understand I truly value top quality service. And, I am indebted to Halos for laying it out on the line.

 

I will send a note to the appropriate folks (along with some good faith capital) to let them know how much I value their fine service throughout the cruise. I believe they will recieve the note with appropriate interest.

 

Let us all be grateful we live in such a great nation!

 

Regards

 

Cyberhankster

[hdawson]

cyberhankster. Have you ever been disappointed in the service received on a cruise where you did not pretip? Personally, I've always had excellent service in my 15 cruises. As for Carnival, they are the most sucessful and largest cruiseline in the world. They must be doing something right. Actually I've found their dining room food a tad better than Royal Caribbean.

[Ma Bell]

Dear Former Cruise Employee

 

Thank you for a "cracker jack" solution. Now that you mention it....I've written notes to staff on other cruiselines...and they really paid attention.

 

I like your suggestion that my note contain the importance of this cruise to our family. Now....how much money do you think I should enclose to get everyone excited?

 

Would you recommend one note for the main cabin attendant and one note for the head waiter?

 

I do appreciate your most courteous suggestion. What a nice way to get the ball rolling.

 

Cyberhankster

Sorry, I was just going by your own words. I guess it was just hard for me to realize that someone with your vast experience with cruising and tipping didn't already know the answer. As you said you've already written notes on other lines. If you sincerely believe this question should be answered by someone other than yourself, I apologize. Tipping is a personal thing and I doubt there is a dollar figure that is "correct" for any one person. As you said it's not my issue just as it really isn't anyone else's.:)

 

I have read every word.

[C 2 C]

 

Let us all be grateful we live in such a great nation!

 

PS: this poster is happy just to be the neighbour (note the avatar)

 

That having been said...

I think we need to move on.....

 

Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa

 

cruisemployee... if you're still around?

 

how many on board activities are directed from head office or are they determined by the cruise director?

[HeatherInFlorida]

C2C, you're one step ahead of me. I was just going to post that with all this rhetoric going on we're not likely to see our friend, Cruiseemployee back here anytime soon.

 

CruiseE, if you're out there, please forgive all of us for letting this thread go so far afield!:o

[PrincessMelody]

This has been a very informative thread. I appreciate all the insight.

Cruisee, I wonder if any of the crew ever had to leave thier job because of sea sickness? Did you ever suffer from it? Or do you get used to the motion?

Just curious...

[C 2 C]

trinity1

 

Another split from the purpose of this thread....

 

You have the Yahoo symbol in the top right hand corner of your post... link to MSN messenger.... is this something new or have I missed this in other posters :confused:

[halos]

deleted to keep the peace that has developed.

[PrincessMelody]

C2C, Those links are there should anyone wish to IM me off the boards. If you want to add this to yours, just click user CP at the top, then edit profile, then in the 2nd section under "instant messaging" add your "handle" for yahoo and msn and AOL if you wish. Then the icons will display whenever you post...allowing others to instant message you.

BTW, This feature is not new, I just don't see many people using it.

 

Hope that helps!!:)

[TwoCruisers]

Trinity1, thanks for the link to your pictures at Marriot Marina. I will be staying there pre-cruise in a couple of months.:D

[PrincessMelody]

You're welcome Two cruisers...glad you liked them!:D We really enjoyed the Marriott Marina, and would not hesitate to return. The view from the balcony of the inter-coastal waterway was very cool...we enjoyed getting up early and enjoying our Starbucks coffee out there! The pool was awesome, plus it was lit up for evening swims...very nice. They also offer poolside drinks, and lunch too. I'm sure you will like it there. We booked through priceline, and got it for 60.00. Enjoy your upcoming cruise.;)

[gkm]

Cruise employee. Did this thread get too far off of the mark? We haven't heard from you in days, and there are a lot of us that enjoy this thread and would like it to continue.

 

Garry

[cruiseemployee]

 

how many on board activities are directed from head office or are they determined by the cruise director?

Almost all the activities are directed from head office. We try to portray a one ship concept in that one celebrity ship is exactly the same as the other. Branding of the celebrity fleet if you will. The only problem with this is each separate celebrity ship loses some of it's character with a one ship concept. There are only a few activities which are different ship to ship; they are the trivia's and some of the games that are played. A Cruise Director doesn't have much freedom to design his/her own activity schedule; which is really sad when that's what a cruise director is there for.

 

Cruisee, I wonder if any of the crew ever had to leave thier job because of sea sickness? Did you ever suffer from it? Or do you get used to the motion?

Yes, some crew members do get seasick. It depends on the severity of the waters. I never did...Just was lucky I guess. It's really funny to see people on their first cruise when they think that the ship is rocking so bad; and it's hardly even moving. All guests think that their cruise is the worst for rockiness. In the back of the crew's minds we're thinking, "if you only knew how rough it gets". I saw it get so rough one time that a crew member who had been working on ships for 12 years and had never got sick before succumbed to it. You felt like you were weightless for a few seconds...It's insane. I've seen the front of the ship get dented from the waves hitting it. But never got sick.

[pa.cruisers]

You're doing a great job on this thread !!!

 

You say the C D has to follow the X policy,did yiu ever work with Nick Weir he is an old freind from our Costa days , before he went to England to host a tv game show. He maybe the only CD that wings it all the time. Maybe thats why he and his brother Simon are so good at it?

 

 

Thanks

and keep posting PA. Cruisers

[raudacruise]

CruiseEmployee,

 

We were only on one ship (Ocean Princess now departed?) that there was a lot of seasickness. 1/3 crew and about 1/2 pax. Unfortunately it came the day before disembarkation. Imagine packing your clothes up while vomiting.

 

MaryBeth got it, George didn't (too many days on Lake Erie).

 

After getting the dreaded packing done (even more dreaded under the conditions), George went down to the Casino for one last farewell. The dealers were so medicated they were making all sorts of crazy mistakes (they don't usually hit an 18). George stayed honest and pointed out the mistakes but left pretty early.

[POLSON]

CruiseEmployee -

 

Shore Excursion Manager or the person who books people on their next cruise on board. Which on is the better position?

 

Thanks,

 

Pamela

[Lois R]

Hi:)

 

Pamela.... I think they are totally different......so when you ask which position is better.....I would think it is sort of like apples to oranges.......

 

One area books upcoming cruises.......the other helps folks on that particular sailing with excursions. I can say on Constellation the Future Cruise Consultant is Umberto....fantastic person:)

 

But maybe cruise employee has a different take on it!