Gratuities

teacp · July 30, 2006

In that case I would agree with you Cheryl..........but we have not run into any of that yet..........We have always had above board service and I never thought anything was lacking in fact I always thought there was a camera in our room (lol) because everytime we left and came back either the bed was straightened from sitting or there was fresh ice, etc. so I guess when I run into those problems and I probably will one day I will feel differently.

Hansi. What do you consider a good tip for a weeks worth of cleaning your room, waiting on you hand and foot (some people can be really pains when it comes to dinner) and just the normal things that are taken care of for you?

JohnG · July 30, 2006

There seems to be some confusion on terms.

Prepaid gratuities are included with the final payment of the cruisefare. In fact, on 1 and 2 night cruises to nowhere, it is automatically included in the total required by the cruiseline at final payment.

The cruise lines have largely adopted the practice now, if you did not prepay the gratuity prior to sailing, of adding a fixed amount to the onboard account to cover the standard gratuity, and it is charged to your credit card or you pay it off in cash at the purser's desk prior to debarking. This is not a "prepaid gratuity."

It was done because the gratuity is such a large portion of the cruise employee earnings, and customers were "stiffing" them too often. And it is not, as the comments above point out, just college kids doing it. To keep good employees they wanted to ensure their total pay, salary and tips, was consistent week to week.

You can debate whether the service you get is any better or worse with the automatically added gratuity, but it has become a fact of life. I personally haven't noticed any difference. And, there is still nothing to stop you from tipping extra at the end if you wish. And most lines will let you adjust the gratuity that was automatically added during the cruise if your service was poor, by going to the purser's desk and requesting the adjustment. NCL doesn't like to let you adjust it; they would rather you tell them and let them try to correct the problem.

I personally hated carrying all that cash and locking it in the safe till the last night. With four in a cabin it was a lot of cash.

sailingrose · July 30, 2006

The only time I use this is on Princess. I like the personal touch of giving my gratuities. Many crew members have told me that they prefer cash as they have to wait for the money from the cruiseline.

A friend of mine tried to adjust the tip for her cabin steward since he was so bad but they told her that all her servers would be penalized. She felt like she was being blackmailed into leaving it alone since this one person didn't earn the money but she didn't want the others to suffer. I told her next time to adjust it and make up the difference with cash to those that gave her good service.

Gregswife · July 31, 2006

Although the guaranteed tips may insure that good employees stay with the cruise line, in some cases, I think it gives some the incentitive to let things slide and only give the minimal amount of service, as they will be getting paid the same anyway. We have never carried the full amount of tips onbaord and had to keep it in the safe. We use the ATM machine and also, on Carnival, you can cash a check if you have an American Express card, so we have always done that also. When we feel that we have received excellent service, we tip above the recommended amount and I think that those who receive it, have gone the extra mile to take care of their guests. As i said before, we tipped our room stewardess $250 when the recommended amount for the 2 of us was $140, but she earned it. I will always request that our tips be given to the ship's employees on the last night, in cash, instead of being pre-paid. I realize there is an abundance of opinions on the matter and everyone should do what they are comfortable with.

JoeyandDavid · July 31, 2006

and you have proceeded both ways?

JoeyandDavid · July 31, 2006

I just don't understand why the cruise lines just don't raise the fairs to included "suggested tips" the if we extend gratuities.. they would mean more jmo

eagleforest · July 31, 2006

We have never pre-paid. We also have cash left over as I take a briefcase of cash with us. You never know if you find a nice hut and palm tree to purchase.

On one of our cruises the service was so bad in the dining room that we ended up eating in the Windjammer after the 2nd night. The manager of the Windjammer even let us in one night as they were closing as we had run late. We tipped the staff at the end.

On another cruise I had asked for ice and by the 2nd night I had to go to a bar to get ice for the room. My cabin stewardess was basically MIA. I believe she made our bed only three times in 7 days.

I have no problem in tipping. In fact the first day onboard I give out $2 to $5 tips for good service. Depending on what we do it could be anywhere from $30 to $100 the first day. From bartenders to waiters to cabin Stewards.

On our last cruise we got to our cabin and we did not have robes. I asked the steward and within 15 minutes we had them. And then during the 3 days he made sure that our wine was on ICE everyday. ( Oh Yes we smuggled it onboard) But its the little extras that they do that make it special.

And what we do is split the tip. Give half midweek and then if the service continues then give them a bit more at the end.

If the service drops so does the other half.

I know we have been asked to pre pay. And I think its like any service any where. If you pre-pay and it does not meet your expectations then stand in that little line on the last day. Hope you have 2 - 4 hours to wait....

Manage your money and you will have $$$ to give out at the end.

When you take a cab do you pay before you get in or after you get there. If you pay before and say thats all you get they may get you there but just in time. If you tell them there is an extra 20 if you get me there quick. I bet you get there quicker.

JMHO

lvrodmic · July 31, 2006

My cruise in September will be the first time I will have my gratuity automatically put on my account. I will be anxious to see what difference it makes in the kind of service. Hopefully, it won't. I think most of the people who work on the ships work hard. I have been fortunate and received very good service on the 7 cruises I have been on. I hope it will be this way again. It was suggested on this site that if you want to give an extra gratuity to someone who has gone above and beyone to give them a phone calling card as they won't have to share that with anyone else. Thought that was a great idea.

frostyboy64 · July 31, 2006

I ALWAYS PAY CASH AT THE END OF THE CRUISE

HOW MUCH DEPENDS ON THE SERVICE

$50 TO THE MAID $40 TO THE PORTER

$50 TO THE WADER $20 TO THE HELPER

$10 OF EVERY$100 I WIN AT THE TABLES

$2 TIP TO MY BARTENDER OR SERVER PER DRINK

THIS IS THE NORM ON A 4 DAY CRUISE

ON 7 DAYS I ADD 50% MORE TO MY TIPS

TO THE MAID AND SERVERS

JohnG · July 31, 2006

Joey,

You asked if I have done it both ways, and the answer is yes. I have sailed with the gratuity automatically added to my account, and I have sailed where I paid the cash tips on the last night (and I was often the only couple at the table that night). I haven't personally noticed any difference. Even if they add it to your bill nothing stops you from giving something extra.

Maybe taking the time to speak with each service person who serves you, and getting to know them, asking about their home etc, as I do, results in the excellent service we receive, no matter what tipping system is in effect.

I won't use the ATM as I never use a foreign (not on my bank's network) ATM so I never pay any service fees. I don't have, nor need, an American Express card, so if that is the only way to cash a check, guess I can't do that either.

The following cruiselines include tips in the fare you pay in advance:

Regent (formerly Raddison)

Silverseas

SeaDream