Service Charge Breakdown

I just recently returned from a cruise on the Spirit, and again was perplexed with a gratuity issue. Perhaps someone could shed some light! In the 'old' days, the gratuity was paid in cash and a recommended stipend was suggested for the room steward, the waiter, the assistant waiter (yep they had those then), the Maitre'D and perhaps others I have forgotten. You could then easily judge how much additional should be added to recognize exceptional service.

Now, for good reasons (I'm sure some skipped tipping, etc), the cruise lines have imposed a service charge to substitute for this initial cash gratuity, though some of us want to still recognize good service. The problem is that we no longer are told how much of that daily charge goes to the waiter or the room steward. Thus, it is harder to gauge the appropriate amount for an added stipend. I presume that they apparently have some algorithms that reward "vacation heroes" or others, but I'm just trying to get a handle on how many 'behind the scenes' people are diluting the pot - I'm not questioning the appropriateness of the behind the scenes people" being covered, just trying to assess who gets what!!

Good luck with that endeavor. No one here knows. It's one of the great mysteries of the universe.

This is the problem we have with how NCL tips the staff, we don't know the breakdown. I actually wonder how much if any of it goes to the staff.

NCL does not have a specific percentage that goes to each crew member The have an incentive program. https://www.ncl.com/faq#service-charge Services fees are NOT tips. Think of them as a hotel resort fee. We all hate to pay them, but we do. After you read who's included in service fees, you'll notice some crew members being excluded. Specifically The wait staff in specialty restaurants and bar tenders. If you get a drink or dining promo, you've already paid 18% gratuity on that. I haven't cruised on the Sky. So I'm not sure about bar tender gratuities there, since the drinks are included in the cruise price. But for the rest of the staff, it's up to each person whether they think someone performed above and beyond, and compensate them accordingly.

I don't understand why it matters. Just tip any extra that you are comfortable with.

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The DSC does not REPLACE tipping. Many here love to say it does however even according to NCLs own FAQ pages there are distinct entities. There is no requirement to tip at all and no suggested amounts. It boils down to giving tips to the person you want, at the time you want, in the amount you want. If someone gives you service that you personally feel is worthy of a tip by whatever means you measure that, then tip them. The only caveat I would add is that "not tipping because the DSC covers it" is weak at best. Akin to saying one will not tip a bar keep in a hotel at a Disney resort because the resort fees "cover it".

So you're saying the DSC should be paid in addition to tipping the staff? If so, then what is the DSC for?

I've read the FAQ's on the website and it's confusing.

The DSC does not REPLACE tipping. Many here love to say it does however even according to NCLs own FAQ pages there are distinct entities. There is no requirement to tip at all and no suggested amounts. It boils down to giving tips to the person you want, at the time you want, in the amount you want. If someone gives you service that you personally feel is worthy of a tip by whatever means you measure that, then tip them. The only caveat I would add is that "not tipping because the DSC covers it" is weak at best. Akin to saying one will not tip a bar keep in a hotel at a Disney resort because the resort fees "cover it".

Leaving on the Gem this weekend. So far I've paid $199.50 "service charge" with the UBP and $195.00 for pre-paid service charges. Total of $394.50. If this is not prepaid gratuities, then what is it for?

It boils down to giving tips to the person you want, at the time you want, in the amount you want. If someone gives you service that you personally feel is worthy of a tip by whatever means you measure that, then tip them.

I don't understand why it matters. Just tip any extra that you are comfortable with.

I'm with you guys. (y)

Leaving on the Gem this weekend. So far I've paid $199.50 "service charge" with the UBP and $195.00 for pre-paid service charges. Total of $394.50. If this is not prepaid gratuities, then what is it for?

The service charges replaced the direct tipping many years back so guests think of it as tipping automatically instead of tipping personally on the last night. Some posters just like to play semantics with the marketing language on the NCL web site.

Some like to argue about it but it's not really worth the keyboard ink.

The service charges replaced the direct tipping many years back so guests think of it as tipping automatically instead of tipping personally on the last night. Some posters just like to play semantics with the marketing language on the NCL web site.

 

Some like to argue about it but it's not really worth the keyboard ink.

For some reason it becomes a hot button topic for some folks. Everyone just needs to decide what they believe to be fair and reasonable for the services provided. If you want to give more than the daily charge, go for it. If you don't want to give more than the daily charge, fine. It's no one else's business what one does with their own money.

NCL keeps the distribution a secret to confuse the guests into tipping twice or thrice. When the Discretionary Service Charge was rolled out about 15 years ago, NCL made it VERY clear it was the tip or gratuity. Slowly over time NCL has allowed the definitions to get murky. This only benefits the crew and NCL. If you prefer the old way, simply cancel your Discretionary Service Charge at the end of your cruise and give cash to those that you feel need to be tipped. It's your money and you decide how to spend it.

NCL keeps the distribution a secret to confuse the guests into tipping twice or thrice. When the Discretionary Service Charge was rolled out about 15 years ago, NCL made it VERY clear it was the tip or gratuity. Slowly over time NCL has allowed the definitions to get murky. This only benefits the crew and NCL. If you prefer the old way, simply cancel your Discretionary Service Charge at the end of your cruise and give cash to those that you feel need to be tipped. It's your money and you decide how to spend it.

Don't you still have to get a form from Guest Services to send or email back then wait several weeks for a refund?

So you're saying the DSC should be paid in addition to tipping the staff? If so, then what is the DSC for?

I've read the FAQ's on the website and it's confusing.

DSC: Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports.

If you pay the DSC, you don't have to tip in addition, unless you are in a suite and you would tip the Butler and Concierge, because they are not included in the DSC or you would like to tip someone who you feel deserves a tip.

 

DSC: Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports.

So, the staff doesn't get any portion of the DSC, it just goes to supplying programs for them? Yet, also the website says no gratuities are required or recommended but you can extend a cash tip if you choose. It sounds to me like they want you to "tip" twice.

So, the staff doesn't get any portion of the DSC, it just goes to supplying programs for them? Yet, also the website says no gratuities are required or recommended but you can extend a cash tip if you choose. It sounds to me like they want you to "tip" twice.

If they are saying no tip is required, but if you would like to give a tip the crew member can keep it, how are you reading that to say they want you to tip. I read it to say, if you want to tip you can, but you are not required to do so.

The DSC IS the tip! They simply call it a "daily service charge", so they can collect it. There is no need to tip additionally. It's usually somewhere in the $3.75 pp per day for cabin attendant...and $7+ for the entire waitstaff in the eating venues....some of that may be shared with folks who help those people....like in restaurants....tips are usually "shared" with the hostess and bus people (who clean the tables)...or the casino, where all tips are shared with all dealers on that shift.

LOL....I will never understand this infatuation with employee compensation on cruises. Not one person on here would try to dissect the wages of any service based local business but on a cruise it is their mission.

I just recently returned from a cruise on the Spirit, and again was perplexed with a gratuity issue. Perhaps someone could shed some light! In the 'old' days, the gratuity was paid in cash and a recommended stipend was suggested for the room steward, the waiter, the assistant waiter (yep they had those then), the Maitre'D and perhaps others I have forgotten. You could then easily judge how much additional should be added to recognize exceptional service.

Now, for good reasons (I'm sure some skipped tipping, etc), the cruise lines have imposed a service charge to substitute for this initial cash gratuity, though some of us want to still recognize good service. The problem is that we no longer are told how much of that daily charge goes to the waiter or the room steward. Thus, it is harder to gauge the appropriate amount for an added stipend. I presume that they apparently have some algorithms that reward "vacation heroes" or others, but I'm just trying to get a handle on how many 'behind the scenes' people are diluting the pot - I'm not questioning the appropriateness of the behind the scenes people" being covered, just trying to assess who gets what!!

WHO THE HELL CARES:rolleyes:

I just recently returned from a cruise on the Spirit, and again was perplexed with a gratuity issue. Perhaps someone could shed some light! In the 'old' days, the gratuity was paid in cash and a recommended stipend was suggested for the room steward, the waiter, the assistant waiter (yep they had those then), the Maitre'D and perhaps others I have forgotten. You could then easily judge how much additional should be added to recognize exceptional service.

Now, for good reasons (I'm sure some skipped tipping, etc), the cruise lines have imposed a service charge to substitute for this initial cash gratuity, though some of us want to still recognize good service. The problem is that we no longer are told how much of that daily charge goes to the waiter or the room steward. Thus, it is harder to gauge the appropriate amount for an added stipend. I presume that they apparently have some algorithms that reward "vacation heroes" or others, but I'm just trying to get a handle on how many 'behind the scenes' people are diluting the pot - I'm not questioning the appropriateness of the behind the scenes people" being covered, just trying to assess who gets what!!

It is very simple. None of it goes to any worker. Unlike many lines they are paid salaries. The SC is used to offset a portion of their salary. A portion of it is used for incentives, but NCL has not revealed how much of it used for that purpose.

When deciding what to leave as a gratuity you should assume that the staff on NCL is paid a full salary and anything that you give them is over and above.

Wonderful, another DSC post. Don't think I've seen one this month.

I for one could care less how the funds are disbursed. It's above my pay grade. I will

continue to happily pay the D,S.C. and in some cases give extra for great service.

This is not some nefarious money-making scheme. The cruise lines went to this system to insure that employees get a reliably expectant amount of money each week.

I am sure there is no one out there who conveniently "forgot" to leave an envelope for the steward or passed up dinner the last night to shaft the waiter, assistant waiter or the maitre'd.

. I haven't cruised on the Sky. So I'm not sure about bar tender gratuities there, since the drinks are included in the cruise price. But for the rest of the staff, it's up to each person whether they think someone performed above and beyond, and compensate them accordingly.

The DSC on the Sky is $5 a day per person more than the other ships. I assumed that was for drink gratuities.

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The DSC is not relevant. You do not HAVE TO tip anyone, any amount, any time (other than the spa and some packages). It would be just as relevant for the first five words of your post to say "If you flew in early", "If you are named Chuck", "If you love to cruise", or "If you can read English".

First I would like to thank the person who posted the question. It is a good question and I was wondering it myself.

Next, to the couple of folks being all crabby about how they have seen this question too many times before. Maybe you have time to go through 1200 pages or maybe you go on a cruise every other week so you keep up....good for you. Some of us don't and come on in a few months or weeks before our cruise (or when we are looking to book) and appreciate some of these discussions. Sure I could search but well, sometimes you don't even think about things until you are on the ship. But thanks for making all of us nonregulars feeling sooo welcome. I am sure it would be so much better for cc without us stopping by and asking things you may have read about sometime in the past. SMH!

Next - To those who say it doesn't matter, yes...it kind of does. For those of us who want to tip extra for exceptional service it isn't an easy decision to decide how much is appropriate. As an example from home - waitresses make basically nothing while bartenders do get at least, usually above, minimum wage. I spent about 10 years in the service business I assure you I ALWAYS tip well however a waitress will get more for the serving me the same exact item as the bartender would...because the pay scale is different. And the pizza guy and the mailman gets different amounts at Christmas due to their wage differences. Knowing how the SC are allocated helps to make those distribution decisions.

To all of you wonderful helpful people on this thread and other threads - thank you so much for your help!! Many of us really appreciate the guidance you provide about so many things. To all of you who are more newbies like me - I hope you have so much fun on your next cruise you turn into one of the all knowing gurus on here :). To you crabby ones being rude to people for asking questions...go buy and read a book instead of logging on here for goodness sakes....

Next - To those who say it doesn't matter, yes...it kind of does. For those of us who want to tip extra for exceptional service it isn't an easy decision to decide how much is appropriate.

Actually, it IS an easy decision. It's whatever YOU decide. What a bunch of random internet forum strangers tip shouldn't influence how you tip just as it doesn't influence what I tip.

If everyone answered "I tip the steward $1000 per day..." would you do the same? No, you would decide for yourself.

The amount of benefits that reach a particular crew member is based upon NCL's evaluation of their job performance (a combination of their supervisor's observations, and submitted Vacation Hero cards from guests). The better they perform, the more benefit they receive. Simple as that.

It really does NOT matter how much they make, or what percentage they receive when calculating an appropriate tip...as NO tipping is required or even expected. The amount of an appropriate gratuity is based on a combination of the guest's financial status (you can't tip with money you don't have) and the degree to which the service received was exceptional and deserving.

Give what you think is appropriate given the service received (while considering your means). Or give nothing at all. Even a "Thank You" or a Vacation Hero card is appreciated. Don't worry about what other people do...or do not...give.