ilikeanswers

12 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

Or they could take a cruise on the Alaska Marine Highway where they let you tent camp on deck.

 

If you are looking for fresh air that is unbeatable. 

If keeping the balcony door open is so important to you. Perhaps you should consider a freighter/cargo cruise? Aranui allowed us to keep the balcony door open probably because we could not control the A/C so perhaps other freighter/cargo cruises have the same allowances.

2 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

I can understand people wanting to sleep out of doors while cruising, but surely the promenade is better than on the balcony.

You need the privacy. Last thing one wants is some kids taking a picture of you sleeping ugly and turning it into a viral pic😂.

I think ultimately health would stop most people from travelling. However having money can extend your travel as you can pay for upper class flights and services that can help with health related issues. I know of a woman in her 80s who has some severe mobility issues and she was able to work with a travel company that makes arrangements to help with her mobility issue while overseas. She even managed to travel to Tanzania because of them. But eventually ones health can become so impaired even these services can't help, unless of course you had the money to afford a private jet😉.

My mum really pushed the me to travel now not later. She always thought she would travel when retired but then a string of health problems and she found her travel options limited. So she tells me travel now while you have all the options available to you. It is one of the reason I try to travel to as many obscure and hard to reach places as I can. Overall my family hasn't had the best luck in the genetic lottery so I try to look after my health as best I can (in many ways travel motivates me to keep healthy)  but if the time comes where I am severely limited at least I will have a stockpile of photos I can look through and remember my amazing adventures🤗.

9 hours ago, chipmaster said:

Sorry what role model are you if you don't love what you do and do what you do with love.  When one measures vacation or work by days o or hours then that indeed is a very sad state, I can appreciate why with that kind of bean counting we end up with the posts/replies I see here,  LOL

To be fair not everyone gets a chance to do what they love. In an ideal world we would all work for the love of it but sometimes circumstances just get in the way and it comes down to needing the money. I don't think it should make you a bad role model😳.

2 minutes ago, K32682 said:

 

Now you are grasping at straws.  If anything in ten years the information would be more available to the crew with advancements in technology. 

 

The people who cancel the auto gratuities on the last day should realize that if they travel again on the same line the person delivering their food on their next cruise could well know their history and reasonably conclude they are likely to do the same again.   You can run but you can't hide.

Still I always think it is worth inquiring if there is more recent information especially one with working links😋. Nothing more disappointing on the internet then clicking on a link and finding yourself on a totally different page😉.

28 minutes ago, cb at sea said:

What you are hearing in your cabin is the wind...not the waves.  Even 12-15 ft. seas, you won't hear waves "breaking"...as the ship is plowing thru them....it's not like being on a beach!

True it is not technically waves breaking but the water hitting the ship sounds a lot like it and personally for me it was a pleasant sound, so I understand the appeal.

3 hours ago, TxCityKat said:

For those that think the "list" is just an urban myth, Cruise Critic member Wennfred  (aka Fred) is the person that photographed the e-mailed list on display in the Carnival Splendor galley and posted it on the Carnival forum. See mention of the incident in the Cruise Critic article titled The Truth About Gratuities at https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=298.

 

AND HEEEEEERRRRRE'S....... WENNFRED!!!!!  

 

 

Cruise Critic Host Randy, now known as Randy & Carmen, was contacted by Carnival. He posted their remarks in post #248 at https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/930627-the-prepaid-gratuities-removed-list/page/10/?tab=comments#comment-18158247. And then per Fred's request, Host Randy locked the now archived thread.

 

Kat 🐱

The link to the photo seems to be expired or at least it doesn't seem to be working for me. I don't suppose there is a more recent reference to this list? Ten years is a long time a lot can change.

On Aranui there was a lock (I don't know if this the right word) on the balcony door that allowed you to keep the door opened even when the ship was rocking. I was surprised because I always assumed that you weren't suppose to keep the balcony door open. It turned out to be a good thing for us as the room had uncontrollable A/C and was freezing especially at night. But I am curious has anyone else come across balcony doors like this on other cruise ships? 

13 minutes ago, SantaFeFan said:

 

At least one person on this thread has mentioned seeing the list, and over the years others have also reported it. There are cruise industry insiders who sometimes post comments and they have also confirmed the existence of these lists, not only on Carnival, but others as well. And I expect this to be on worldwide cruises, not just Caribbean cruises. 

Well I seem to have missed any reference to this list, and all my cruises have been ones where tipping is not customary so maybe there is no list on those ships. Is there any other information on these lists or is it just for reporting the tipping situation? 

14 minutes ago, SantaFeFan said:

 

So all the people who have reported seeing this list on ship tours during the cruise are liars? 

 

That quote is in reference to those who remove the tips on the last day, which according to the same person you are quoting, "is 85 percent, maybe even more". The list is posted on a daily basis with updated information, including on the remaining 15% who remove them earlier, as the cruise progresses. 

I was unaware of ship tours or that anyone has seen a list of any sort until now. The article made no mention of a daily list so I could only assume all this information was available at the end of the cruise. You have to remember I have never been on a Caribbean cruise so I'm relying on other peoples experiences to understand how it works. Why I have to ask so many questions🤣. 

As for the 85% my understanding was the interviewee was saying that it was 85% of the people in line at the end of  the cruise not 85% of the cruise population. 

On 8/27/2019 at 12:04 AM, yorkshirephil said:

https://cruiseradio.net/from-gratuities-to-sex-cruise-ship-crew-member-tells-all/?fbclid=IwAR2g1uho1uWw_a-TSLNDwPImbUi7zQFTS-OYT88VeS2EdpKSENKlxAjD7W0

 

Picked this up from another site.

"At the end of the cruise, when guests leave the ship, we are provided with lists of our guests who paid and those who removed gratuities."

42 minutes ago, sloopsailor said:

 

 

Clearly ilikeanswers doesn't actually like answers if they don't agree with his opinions. 😲

 

The list is posted daily. It is updated each morning and posted in crew areas where any crew member can see it. Makes no difference when you remove the gratuities - the crew will know as soon as it is done, whether the first or last day, or any day in between. This is standard practice of virtually all cruise ships - whether ilkeanswers likes that answer or not. 😉 

I was going on what the previously posted article was saying. If this is wrong then it seriously needs corrections. And yes I love answers 🤗. That is why I ask lots of questions🧐. 

On 8/27/2019 at 12:04 AM, yorkshirephil said:

https://cruiseradio.net/from-gratuities-to-sex-cruise-ship-crew-member-tells-all/?fbclid=IwAR2g1uho1uWw_a-TSLNDwPImbUi7zQFTS-OYT88VeS2EdpKSENKlxAjD7W0

 

Picked this up from another site.

"At the end of the cruise, when guests leave the ship, we are provided with lists of our guests who paid and those who removed gratuities" .

1 hour ago, Aquahound said:

 

That's the first I'm hearing the staff finds out afterwards.  I've always heard to the contrary.  In fact, I remember someone here posting a list they saw on a behind the scenes tour....I think it was Carnival....of the people who removed their gratuities. 

The information I got was from the article posted by a another commenter. If the information is incorrect someone needs to correct it😳. 

4 hours ago, SantaFeFan said:

 

The name list also includes the cabin numbers. 

The cabin numbers are irrelevant if the staff get the information after the cruise has finished. 

1 hour ago, K32682 said:

 

On a cruise ship you dine in the same place for a set period of time whether it's a few days or many weeks.  Servers get to know you.  Furthermore, there is a client file held by the line with your preferences and past cruises. Skinflints should not take for granted their cruise line server isn't aware of their miserly past. 

 

Do all the crew ship staff have access to the client file? It sounds like something only management would have access to. Also aren't there more than one dining option these days on most ships? If people keep dining at different places you would less likely form any relationship with server staff. Another thing I can't help wondering in comparison to a restaurant, the service staff there know at the end of the meal if you tipped or not whereas according to the article the information isn't provided till the end of the cruise. You would have to try and remember who is who long after they have left. 

One last question but do the auto gratuities go to house keeping staff as well? I know because of the OPs question a lot of the comments have been focused on restaurant servers but since we are discussing auto gratuities I just want to check if they apply to staff that don't generally have face-to-face contact with the customers? 

2 hours ago, K32682 said:

 

But they do know and could reasonably be expected to remember them should they come back.  I worked in restaurants going through university and we remembered the people who stiffed the servers for a long time.   It might be prudent for the cheapskates who pull the auto gratuities at the end of a cruise to not sail the same line twice or at least let sufficient time pass to ensure a crew turnover.  

I would be impressed if they did remember. Some of these cruise ships hold upwards of three thousand passengers and the passengers are always changing. The average cruiser might do one a year at most so if they do return it would be at least a year before they are seen again (that is tens of thousands of passengers later). On top of that I doubt all the crew members have personal interactions with all the customers. A name on a list isn't enough lots of people have the same name and as a crew member would you really want to risk making that mistake? 

6 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

Papers are full of it nowadays, not much reporting being done, just stories on what people believe is happening.

There are still some good reporters out there, the problem is you have to search through mud to find the gold. Doesn't help that Google puts them far down the list. It seems opinions earn more money than facts these days. 

53 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Depends upon how much you have to pay for that extra person.  There's a big difference between $2. and $15 per hour.  Plus it very much depends upon the type of business.   If say it's a restaurant and you're paying $2 an hour and business is slow that's a different situation if you're paying $15 an hour.  You can afford to keep paying $2/hour if business is slow.  Not so if the rate is $15.

You might be able to afford it but not employing someone you don't need is still more money in your pocket. I just can't see why any business would be motivated to employ more people then they need. 

16 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

There have been many articles about the push to raise service industry base pay in the US to $15 per hour.  It has had devastating effects on employment levels.  

I always hear that argument but I do wonder if that is true? If I am running a business I would employ the number of people I need. I would not employ an extra person I don't need that I have no tasks for just because the wage is less. 

5 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

No, he just said that he wants a raise.

"Gratuities should exist like this, and it is okay if guests remove them. But we crew members believe that our basic salary should be provided by the company, and it should be higher. Then these issues with gratuities would not be a problem."

I understood that the crew member wanted a raise but from the statements above I thought the crew member was saying it would be preferred to gratuities because of the inconsistent nature of  the current payment system. Maybe I have misunderstood, unfortunately I can't ask the interviewee to clarify😕. 

It interesting that in the point o

1 hour ago, yorkshirephil said:

https://cruiseradio.net/from-gratuities-to-sex-cruise-ship-crew-member-tells-all/?fbclid=IwAR2g1uho1uWw_a-TSLNDwPImbUi7zQFTS-OYT88VeS2EdpKSENKlxAjD7W0

 

Picked this up from another site.

It interesting that that the crew member says that it would be better to have higher salaries than gratuities. I guess the tax exempt status of the gratuities does not make up for the people who remove them.

11 hours ago, SantaFeFan said:

 

There is much more than just receiving the food!

 

Good service would be not having to wait more than a few minutes to be acknowledged after being seated and a few more before being waited upon. 

 

Good service would be the server being attentive and occasionally coming by to ask if everything is satisfactory and if I needed anything else.

 

Good service would be the server removing the used dishes soon after I finished my meal and bringing the check right away so I do not have to wait an extended time with dirty dishes in front of me. 

 

Good service would be the server appearing to appreciate that I am there by displaying at least a cursory smile and a welcoming attitude.

Thanks for this, I always wondered what other people look for in their service. I must seem very uncouth to you😜. The only thing I relate to is waiting too long for something. I agree that is bothersome. Otherwise the other stuff isn't really a deal breaker for me. Even leaving empty plates I have had that happen at lots of tapas and yum cha places and unless it is actually making the table too crowded which by then the servers have always removed them I never really thought twice about it and to be honest I personally prefer it when they don't ask if everything is alright in the mddle of a meal. My impression has always been that it is disingenuous. You last point reminded me of something I was told about South Korea that the attidude is that it is the customer who should appreciate being serviced whereas the server has no obligation to reciprocate it. Apparently it is why Westerners complain about Korean restuarants being rude😂.

15 minutes ago, SantaFeFan said:

 

What you described is what I have experienced on many occasions. Yes, they do not have a tipping culture and seem to be proud of it with so many "we are better than you because of it" comments on tipping threads. But the service provided is inferior to anything I experience in other parts of the world, tips or no tips. It must be a national badge of honor to provide surly, barely adequate service. 

 

Sorry if feathers have been ruffled. I wish I couldn't report such observations. My comment may upset you, but that experience directly affected my enjoyment of meals in your country.  

I am curious but what is considered "good service"? I see this comment a lot but I always wonder what it is people expect from their servers. I don't know if I have low expectations but I'm just happy to recieve my food. As long as that happens service is good as far as I'm concerned🤗.

3 minutes ago, SantaFeFan said:

We get it. You aren't a generous person.

I think it is a little unfair to call someone ungenerous because they limit where they give extra tips. This commenter isn't the only one who picks the staff they choose to give extra tips I've seen plenty of comments on this thread where they say there are certain staff they give extra money and I have yet to read anyone who said they give to the whole crew extra tips. At the end of the day we all have limited funds so all of us can only be so generous.

44 minutes ago, banzaii said:

Exactly my point.  There are no facts only feelings when it comes to climate change!

 

There are some facts that suggest human kind is quickly contributing to degredation of the planet.  Deforestation through logging and fire, both natural and intentionally lit; Destruction of natural habitats through 'development'; Pollution of waterways and the atmosphere and unsustainable population growth.

 

But over millions of years, man has only truly evolved to be a realistic threat to the planet over the past 100 years.  We truly have no idea how, if, when and at what rate climate has and will change.  It's just a popular band wagon invented by scientists to attract funding. 

 

We can throw money at a barely tangible concept and support these 'experts' or we could focus funding and attention on something real like the issues themselves.

Disagree with the data is one thing but to say it doesn't exist is an insult to the decades of data gathering and millions of hours scientists have poured (a lot of it on volunteer basis) into analysing and corroberating all the evidence. The data has been gathered from all around the world by different scientists in many fields. It is out there as public information for people to anaylse themselves. Read the research papers, look at how the results are consistantly repeated. It is one of the few fields of science where the experiments are actually repeated. There is no field of science more heavily scrutinised and overflowing with data points than climate science. We have used less data to create human medicine than the data that is coming out of climate science. Humans created a hole in the ozone layer why is it so hard to believe that we can change the climate? At the end of the day it is the same basic concept about the changes we make to the composition of the atmosphere and how it reacts. Simple chemistry on a world wide scale. The sad thing is climate change is actually really simple science in comparison to something like quantum physics and yet for some bizarre reason it is so hard for people to get their head around.

7 minutes ago, sloopsailor said:

 

Do you also obsess with how the cruise fare you are paying is distributed or how the taxes, fees and port expenses you pay are distributed? I'll bet not. Your comment is just another example of anti-tipping attitudes, with people complaining that they don't like it rather than accepting that things aren't always done the way it is back home.

I think you have misunderstood my comment as I was actually refering to the cruise fare. And yes I do wonder where it goes, as I wonder when I pay for a tour where it goes or things like resort taxes or even all the taxes you get with an airfare. I am always wondering where my money is going and personally I think it is good to be informed about what happens to your money, then you can make informed decisions about how you want to spent your money. Transperancy isn't a bad thing.

7 minutes ago, sloopsailor said:

If the buffet is entirely self service, with the staff only replenishing the items at the counters and not bringing items to you at your table, then a tip is not needed. The key is whether you are being served at your table by someone or not.

See that is the assumption I was working with. Because no one had brought anything to my table and the whole thing was self service I thought must be no tip but the cashier infomed you indeed tip 20%. So the rules are obviously not consistant. And I know people talk about 20% but when you leave a tip for a hotel cleaner are you suppose to leave 20% of your nightly rate? And why do they say 10% -20% for a taxi? Is 10% for bad and 20% good? or is 10% the standard? When you tip for luggage handling when is it $1 a piece and when is it $2? Or should it be 20% of the cost of a transfer or could I just grab my luggage myself so I have one less mathematical caculation to work out at the airport😂. Tipping must keep American minds sharp having to constantly work out the percentage of everything. My brain is so lazy I need a calculator for everything (thank goodness for the phone😋)

14 minutes ago, sloopsailor said:

It really isn't rocket science. Certainly not nearly as difficult as having to learn how to drive on the wrong side of the road in your country. 😉 😁

Driving on the other side of the road is easy for me compared to tipping😜. Even in the USVI I had no problems with driving. But then I have tens of thousands of kms of driving experience around the world to give me the confidence compared to tipping which I only freak out at when in USA or Canada (most of my travelling has been around Europe). Maybe if I visit that part of the world more often I will gain the confidence but for now the public shaming that comes from getting it wrong is something that will leave me panicking when it is time to pay.