P&O Eliminating Daily Gratuity Charges

It is a  smart move to allow tipping to go back to what it should be, a optional payment made directly to those the guests want to tip.  Cruise lines have been using these daily  discretionary charges to pay people behind the scene that really should not be tipped positions.  When guest check into a hotel they may tip people they have direct contact with, they do not tip the laundry room staff, security,  dishwashers and management.  

Guest are becoming much smarter and the cruise industry really needs to update how they do business. Stopping these fees is a great first step in the right direction.

We are pretty good tippers, but I also like the idea of taking control of our own tipping.  

I think this is one of the smartest moves by the cruise industry.  Let's hope the trend spreads across all cruise lines.

There is a reason why cruise lines are now calling them "service charges" now, rather than gratuities. A gratuity or "tip" means showing appreciation to crew members for great service. When gratuities are an automatic, set rate, it sounds more like a service charge. Thus, the "service charge" was born.?

I read that these charges became auto due to passengers skipping out of paying the traditional tips. I would love it if the lines dropped it and paid the employees what the “tips” would have given them. I do wonder if prices will go up however.  Out of one pocket and dipping into another.