Todd the cavachon

I pre-booked last year on the day the shows became available. we had the best seats. we enjoyed the evening so much we booked another night whilst on board and although the seats were fine definitely not as good. 

I would always pre-book as early as possible if we are on Britannia again

We were on Arcadia two night cruise 7th -9th December and had the usual twice a day service.

The auto tips are £7 each, so if you give the wait staff £5 between you, will your steward get the other £9 ?

I take it you feel this would be 'tight'

As i understand it the breakfast waiters and buffet staff are also tipped along with the cabin steward.

the auto grats is discretionary and the amount is also discretionary so i could if i wished increase the auto grats.

as the lowest denomination of 'notes' in sterling is £5 i would prefer to use notes so daily it would not be inconceivable to tip more than the total of the auto grats by the end of the cruise.

As first time cruisers due on Britannia in June, I have been following this thread. I notice that P&O have informed us by email of policy changes since we booked (alcohol fancy dress) however they have made no mention of the increase in auto grats. I have no problem paying tips for service and would have been happy with the situation but after following this thread now feel that I will probably remove the auto grats and tip in cash. I feel that I may feel dammed which ever way we do it..... embarrassed if others give envelopes and we continue with auto grats, or sent a letter on board saying that we are being mean if we take them off.

If we tip in cash (we are freedom dining) would the expectation be for us to both tip? in normal restaurants we leave a tip for the meal we both had, but as P&O expect tips for our service individually (both charged auto grats) would it be considered 'tight' to tip the waiter £5 for both of us?

Thanks a lot for the advice everyone. the Personaliser just says 4 black tie nights but not when. I've gone ahead and booked the cookery club evening as that is a port day and will book the limelight when available to book and not worry about being dressed up if it happens to be a formal night.

we are booked on Britannia in June for our first cruise (and really our first proper holiday!) after reading lots of forums am I right in thinking pre-booking the limelight club is a good idea? if yes this is where the confusion comes in.... if I pre book and it then happens to be a formal night will we be over dressed if we go formal or would we be able to change the booking once on board?

I know I'm probably overthinking things but I've also looked at the cookery club and fancy booking an evening session there again I'm hesitant just in case that is a formal night too. you might have gathered I'm looking forward to the formal nights:D. :D:confused: