P&O Eliminating Daily Gratuity Charges

[Jason]

P&O Cruises will scrap the daily service charge onboard its entire fleet next year.

The move, which will come into effect from May 2019, means passengers’ bills will not include a discretionary charge – currently £7 – for service received onboard.

If passengers want to pay a service charge they can visit reception during their cruise.

P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow said: “We take huge pride in giving guests a holiday experience that’s truly memorable and special.

“By removing the daily discretionary service charge, P&O Cruises will make enjoying a cruise holiday an effortless experience, knowing that great service comes as standard.”

Crew pay will not be affected by the decision, the line has confirmed.

The news comes after the line raised its recommended daily gratuity from £6 to £7 earlier this year.

The increase came just 12 months after P&O Cruises had upped gratuities from £5 to £6.

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises increased grauities rates in January and now charge between $14.50 and $18, depending on the cabin grade.

By Harry Kemble, Travel Weekly
Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more
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[ExpatCruise]

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.

[Shari2]

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

[zebra]

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

[Jan115]

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.?

[jacketwatch]

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.