Expat Cruise

Having worked in the service industry for years, any “additional” cash tips are appreciated. Here is how I view the pre paid gratuity. The cruise lines added the compulsory gratuity due to cultural differences. I always pay the compulsory gratuity.

 

I tip when someone provides exceptional service. I think a lot of people forget what TIPS stands for:

To

Insure

Prompt

Service

 

When service warrants, I tip. How much you tip is totally up to you.

No such thing as compulsory gratuity, a gratuity by definition is voluntary. Everyone needs to stop lying and ms representing Gratuities, if it is mandatory and require it is a service fee.....

I will keep removing them every single time and fight until the end to not let people steal money from me. Please post how wrong I am it only makes me more committed to never pay.

The Seabourn Odyssey is only about 33,000 tons with 450 passengers, it was a great ship to cruise on, prefect service and staff. Small ships can be very enjoyable it all depends upon what you are looking for. If you want great service I would look at smaller ships. They also can enter many small ports that the big cruise ships cannot or stay away from. I have cruised on the largest ship in the World and many in between, for overall value, service, etc I like the mid size ships 70,000 to about 100,000 tons.

The cruise industry needs to stop this and change. They offer a inclusive product and then throw these fees on top of that price. They need to set the price and pay the staff. But that would means paying taxes, fees and showing a higher cruise fare. It will happen it has happen in other business, airlines are required to show the total fare. I believe it will happen with cruises in the future.

The 3% would be on the $500, or $15 of processing fees, leaving $75 of the $90 to go to the tip (75/500=15%). Agreed, though, the processing charge is probably lower due to volume

Sorry some may need to go back to basic math class. If the bill is $500 and the service fee 18% that is $90, so the total bill is $590.

The service fee is $90.00 the credit card processing fee 3% (agreed it could be less but max of 3%) 3% of $90.00 is $2.70 not $15.00. Which leaves $87.30 not $75.00.

The whole bill processing charge should not be charge to the service fee.... but with creative account that the cruise lines use they could say Total bill $590.00 3% is $ $17.70 and then take the whole processing fee from the tip $90.00 less $17.70 = $72.30. This could be one of the many ways a cruise ship shorts crew.

It depends upon where you are cruising. North American no you do not, other parts of the World you will not have your passport, the cruise line will collect at the start of the cruise and return at the end. And then some limited ports and cases you must carry passport with you.

Bottom line no set answer depends upon where you cruise, what cruise line, and what country your passport is from.

Likely, 3% of the 18% is going to the cruise line to cover the processing by costs of charging your card. That leaves 15% as the gratuity, I would probably question whether all of that actually makes it to the line staff. But, then again, I tend to be a skeptic

 

 

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This needs to be corrected. Credit Card Companies charge a fee to the business to process the card. Yes it averages around 3% but cruise lines with the volume of business they do and the average transaction size get a deep discount and pay much less.

But let's use 3%. If a person has $500 dollars of drink charges the 18% service fee is $90.00 the credit card processing fee 3% of $90.00 would be $2.70. That leaves 87% of the service fee after processing. It is 3% of 18% service fee not 18% service fee - 3% = 15%.

But the cruise line could tell the staff 3% and pay on only 15%. In truth I do not think the people you would ant tipped get even half of the service fee. This is a profit center for the cruise line.

OP the tip you leave is up to you. But if you ask me my opinion you are over tipping.

I wish I had those choices these are the packages on my next Princess Cruise, all per minute and costly compared to other lines.

Sun Princess Asia Cruise

Internet Access - Purchase Pre-Cruise And Save!

120 Minutes $69.00

This package includes 100 minutes for the purchased plan and an additional 20 bonus minutes.

240 minutes $99.00

This package includes 200 minutes for the purchased plan and an additional 40 bonus minutes.

460 minutes $159.00

This package includes 400 minutes for the purchased plan and an additional 60 bonus minutes.

680 minutes $199.00

This package includes 600 minutes for the purchased plan and an additional 80 bonus minutes.

Thank you for that reply...I actually just read the post below about change/cancellation so I think we could change to a cruise of higher value if we so desired...will have to wait and see what happens...

I would not worry about it you have protection if you need it from your credit card.

When Princess Cruise came to Australia they did lots of marketing and found that Australians would not believe the standard auto daily gratuities. They made a choice to improve business and get more bookings. It also did not help that credit card processing services in Australia will refund these charges without question if disputed.

So the American passengers booked through Princess USA still pay the fees. Really in this case the Australian guest are showing they will not allow this form of stealing. And yes the ship for PR can say they are paying more but I would like to see that proved. how would that work when the percent of non paying vs paying charges very cruise.

IF P and O take St Petersburg off our upcoming Baltics cruise what are the chances they will let us swap the whole cruise for a different one instead ? St Petersburg is the whole point we wanted that cruise so if it is off we would rather change and do a Med cruise instead later in the year. Bet there is no chance :(

If that happens and I do not believe it will you should talk to them. And see if they are willing to correct the issue. You could and should make a good case to your credit card company if the cruise line will not correct. Since you say the main reason you selected the cruise is interest in this port.

And yes fellow members here I know the cruise contract says they can do it. But the credit card companies rules are different and the cruise line agrees to follow the terms of the credit card processing agreement for all disputes. You would have a valid dispute. But as I already said I do not see it coming to this, it will not be canceled and if it is I believe they will work with you.

Thank you Expat for explaining.

 

I certainly didn't mean any disrespect to any religion. And I certainly don't profess to know the rules or nuances of Religious laws or customs.

 

I was just reporting on what I saw.

I can't judge nor will I do so.

I was not implying anything negative towards you or anyone. If it came across that way it was not the meaning. I just know that religion can be and is a topic that has lots of mis information and understanding. Yes I grew up Jewish, and my heritage is Judaism, but I respect all religions and believe that we can find good and bad ever where.

My posting was not to lecture or to try to move anyone just to provide information and let posts decide what to do with that information. If it came off another way that was not my intent.

Happy Passover to all Jews and Happy Holy Week to all Christian.

WithinJudaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. In it's basic form anyonewho has studied the Torah and teaches it to others can callthemselves a Rabbi. I could call myself a Rabbi because I havestudied the Torah, but I would never consider myself to be a Rabbi. This goes back to Pharisaic and Talmudic era, when these teachersassembled to codify Judaism's written and oral laws.

Theauthority of Rabbis' is neither nominal nor spiritual, it is based oncredentials. That the person has were they studied and the sec ofJudaism they are part of. True Rabbis (vs people who have learnedthe Torah and tech in some way) receives an institutional stamp ofapproval. It is this authority that allows them to engage in thehalakhic process and make legal prescriptions. I believe the Rabbiyou may have seen falls in this group. Or was just breaking therules.

I have been on the Spirit at Easter and Passover, it was several years ago.

There was a rabbi, who brought his wife, aboard. There was also a catholic priest.

Each led services and there was a Seder or Seders.

I didn't go to any of the gatherings, nor did I hear any reviews, except the crew were most appreciative of being able to attend mass.

 

On their off time, it seemed that the rabbi and his wife enjoyed the Spirit, as they were often in the hot tub with a flute of champagne, and the priest wore terrific Hawaiian shirts. We had drinks with him one night, and he was most convivial. He seemed to be enjoying himself as well.

Since the rabbi and the priest wore name tags, I am of the belief that they were considered members of the crew for the cruise.

The person could have been a cantor, who was acting as a Rabbi. Or a reform Rabbi, or a Conservative Rabbi Rabbi towards the reform side. But I guarantee you it was not a Orthodox Rabbi. It would never be allowed. Passover is a very important time in Judaism next to the high holidays it is as close as you can get > Jewish holy days of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah are high holidays.

 

I am not clear that the ship will know who are Jews and who are not and they certainly wouldn't be passing that information to another passenger. They would more likely indicate to all by way of the daily sheet where a service might be being held on the ship.

If people had a interest it seems to be logical they would ask guest services. It could also be posted in the daily ships notices. I am sure the ship will have some notice about Easter, and they could place in the same way. Also the dinning room staff would have some idea if people are asking about services. And the ship has less than 600 passenger if full so not really that many people. Not prefect but a start.

I travel a lot, and for every International trip, I buy a bottle of water, after I get through security. Why? Because the rules state you can't bring water on the plane unless it is purchased after security, and carefully checked. Did this dozens of times. So one day, I bought an overpriced bottle of water, in a country just like any other trip, and my water was taken from me. "No water on plane is allowed". But I bought it in the duty free shop. "No water Allowed, see the sign". Now I don't know if it was allowed or not allowed, or it was a person that just was taking it to the extreme, but If I wanted to get on the plane, I was going to hand over my water.

 

Moral of the story is, no matter what the rules are, and how much you want to argue, you can be denied boarding because someone decides on it.

 

A copy of a passport, will speed up getting a replacement, but it won't get you on a plane. I wouldn't travel with "copies" of anything, but it doesn't mean, it won't work, I just won't take the chance.

Agreed, Well stated and absolutely what I have found to be true, living and traveling the last 20 years outside the United States.

This is enough and going nowhere, if one person wants to use passport, use it. Another Original birth certificate, use that have fun, a copy, whatever you think, a note from your friendly expert, or board member, you can try....

But like many things in life just because it work once does mean it will work again by no one wants to change or move in this thread. Should be locked and close let people read and make a choice.

We have done two world cruises , both booked well in advance , there is a lot of planning , if you are visiting India visa s are a nightmare China as well......

Good News for US Passport Holders and these two countries. Some good changes have happen. China now offers a ten year multi entry visa t the same price s the single entry so the pain is only one time. And India now has opened the port to the e visa program, which must it much easier to get a visa.

Still a World cruise is lots of planning time and effort but two visas become less painful.

I am not the OP.

I'm sorry if you believed after reading that I was implying you were the original poster. If you believe that after reading it was a error in my wording. I replied to your comment about why you would not find a true Orthodox Rabbi doing a Cruise Passover Seder. Then in the second paragraph talked about having some form of Seder on the ship for the people on the ship who maybe interested.

Keith I provided a fuller explanation in the post that crossed. The kosher issue is relevant in respect to using an orthodox rabbi. A progressive or liberal rabbi is not a rabbi so far as orthodox jews are concerned but an orthodox rabbi is acceptable to most.

Youwill never find a true Orthodox Rabbi on a cruise ship for Passover, they are not allowed to so. And this year is a double down as the first night of Passover falls on Friday Night the start of the Sabbath, Orthodox Rabbis do not travel on the Sabbath.

Putting that aside you should check with guest services and see if other guest on the ship are Jewish, you can do your own Passover Seder without a Rabbi. The information and the questions all can be found on line but most Jews already know them. I know the line will help you with the elements to have a Seder. Happy Passover and safe trip to you and your family.

The two ships are the same class and almost the same age as others have said the ports and the time the ships are in ports is more important in my opinion. If you could post the cruises you are looking at with ports I believe you will get better answers. The port is not always the same as the area you want to see. The port for example the port for Taipei Taiwan is Keelung. So to go to Taipei 101 by car is 30 minutes no traffic and 1 hour with traffic, or over 1 hour 15 minutes by bus or train. The same type of deal with KL, city is not really near port. (Kuala Lumpur)

It is a great ship and crew you should have a good trip. You will have limited internet once you are a three to four hundred miles off Australia but it will get much better when you get closer to Singapore and stay good until Japan. Have a great trip nice reports.

I would contact one of the Chabad Houses in St Petersburg, understand they are a orthodox group so they will follow their rules but they will be very helpful and friendly. They may even have students availabe to provide a tour.Here is some basic contact information. Also pleas note you do not need to be Jewish for them to welcome you, Chabad is open to non Jews and respects everyone. If you are female you should contact the Rabbi's wife, male contact the Rabbi. I have not included email address because I believe it is not allowed but easy to find on google. Chabad does not charge for services provided but a small donation can be made. Also do not bring food or drink as gifts for them, they follow a very high level of kosher certification.

"Maor" Jewish Community Center of S. Petersburg

S. Petersburg, Russia

Phone: 7-812-703-37-67

Rabbi Ben Tzion Lipsker, Director

Mrs. Dvora Leah Lipsker

********

Beit Chabad

S. Petersburg, 190121 Russia

Phone: 7-812-320-13-28

Fax: 7-812-710-84-99

Personnel »

Rabbi Daniel Ash, Director

********

Jewish Community of S. Petersburg

190121 Russia

Phone: 7-812-713-62-09

Fax: 7-812-714-44-28

Personnel »

Rabbi Mendel Pewzner

Mrs. Sara Pewzner

Rabbi Zvi Pinsky

Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook

Rabbi Shmuel Mendelson

Mrs. Leah Goldberg

Mrs. Rachel Brook

Rabbi Shmuel Chitrik

Mr. Avroom Arshinov

Rabbi Refael Poltarak

Rabbi Moshe Mendel Treskunov

Rabbi Eliyahu Romanovskiy

Mrs. Rachel Leah Romanovskiy

Rabbi Shalom Pewzner

Note to Admin: This is not thread hijacking or off topic but a direct reply to the OP's request. Stating what I believe is the best way to have a tour here based upon the requirements. If other posters want to debate Chabad, Judaism, or Religion I will not reply or post

They will empty the fridge, but the contents will be stored somewhere in the stateroom. They don’t have anywhere else to put it. If you have the same attendant, you could ask to have the items stored in your stateroom. Asking to have the mini bar locked (if it does) is another option.

 

 

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You can have the contains remove from the cabin I have had it done. Only stored in the cabin if you allow it. Nowhere in the contract for passage does it say you must allow them to place items for sale in your cabin.

Originally posted by yankees111 Are you serious? Do you know what kind of a mess a 3 and 5 year old can make while eating? Who do you think cleans up after them? It isn’t the NCL fairy!

Are you serious? Do you know what kind of a mess a 3 and 5 year old can make while eating? Who do you think cleans up after them? It isn’t the NCL fairy!

 

 

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Cleaning up is part of the cruise fare charged for the guest. Stealing of funds and calling it a daily gratuity is not. The poster should removal all the daily service fees and only if a tip is earned.

Found this information:

Royal Caribbean drink prices,

DrinkPriceBeer$7.25 (American); $6.95 (Import)Glass of wine$10.00 - $16.00Bottled water$2.25Cocktail$10.00 - 13.00Hard Cider$6.50 - $6.95Can of Soda$3.25Drink of the Day$8.00Latte$4.25Bottle of water (500 ml)$3.25 updated: January 27, 2017

This information is valid for Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Vision of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

* priceshigher on Oasis and Quantum class ships