Holy moly Batman, it's a good thing I bought some popcorn, I've missed quite a bit since I've been gone! My take on tipping: always leave the pre-paid grats/tips/service charge on (or whatever they are calling it now) don't be that person who waits on line to have them removed. Personally I always tip additonal, bartenders, wait staff, housekeeping, steward and butler, I only stay in suites and I always always have had great service from all the crew on-board. It works for me and I like doing it that way, endo of story for my way of doing it. Others feel the pre-paids are adequate for the service rendered and that is OK too, after all most lines do advertise tips/grats relax, don't worry, we've got you covered, it is included. That siad, many IMO pretend it is not in their culture, to which I say save it Sally, your on a ship, away (usually) from your culture, just as in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you don't want to tip additional that's fine, just please leave the autos there. Where a crew member lives and how much money they or their family make in said country is absolutely irrelevant and you know it. We are paying for superalative service, so wheter that person can earn $9000/year or $75000/year is neither here nor there. Well that i$ my $tory and I am $ticking to it!