RyderJ201

If it's part of there salary, then I dare them to call it that. I know what it is. I'm not stupid. It's a word game to them (and apparently you). It's not about what's it's called in the end. It's about me paying salaries the business should. No other place like a restaurant or hotel do you tip "behind the scenes" people. It's a scam to save them money and us spend more. I won't. Again, make my bed, serv my meals, carry my bags and I tip. And tip well. Last cruise 2 adults, inside cabin, room attendant got $220 for a 7 night trip. But to participate in paying a share of the crews salary and calling it gratuities, No. It's not my job to pay a portion of salary to all.

If you haven't seen anyone saying people who remove automatic gratuities should be concerned with the "behind the scenes" people, then you really haven't been paying attention. That's the first, second, and third argument about removing them. And I do not acknowledge removing automatic gratuities is removing pay. It's removing gratuities. When they start calling it your share of the crews salary we can revisit it.

No bad faith. They expect from some, not all. And that's what they get. I don't believe in participating in a business getting away with not paying it's employees and trying to dump that responsibility on me. If you make my bed, serv my food, carry my bags etc I tip you. To concern yourself with the salary of all on board is just unfair to the customer. The folks who wash the sheets in a hotel are paid by the hotel. Not customer tips. Unlike a hotel, cruise lines get away with murder. Automatic gratuities is a scam to make the customers pay the salaries. I think being part of it is foolish. I cannot and will not be responsible for the entire staffs financial situation. What bothers me the most is when people acknowledge this is cruise lines not paying out like say a hotel has to, but yet try to guilt or shame people into participating in it.

It's a fluctuating bonus for them week to week. But in no means be counted on as a given. Do agree with me that people who opt out of the automatic gratuities are also a factor?

Again, there pay is not my problem. I literally could not care less. And 15 to 20% of all passengers remove the automatic gratuities and that's factored into everyone's figures and understood before they sign on. You cannot guarantee someone there tips. You can only give estimates based on the trends you have seen. And a percentage removing automatic gratuities has always been a factor.

In the US a waiter can get paid as little as $2.00 per hour and the rest is tips. This varies by state. Some as low as $2 per hour some as high as $14. But most are low. However, most prefer this system because they can make $20 to $60 on average per hour in tips. Depending on how many tables per hour, time of day, etc. Most make 20% tip off total of bill. Some more, some less. But 20% is customary and very very few people tip less.

And tipping the servers cash is fine with me. But not tipping automatic gratuities should have nothing to do with worrying about back of house "behind the scenes" people. There salary is not my business, concern, or problem. And I refuse to let Royal make it my problem. I tip my servers and my room attendant. "Behind the scenes" people get paid. And if they don't, they should move on. But truly tipping out kitchen staff is a lame duck argument around here tried by many. It doesn't happen very often except maybe mom and pop locations anymore.

I have NEVER tipped out the dishwasher in any land based restaurant I've ever worked in. Ever. Contact one popular chain restaurant and confirm this, then I will call and do the same.

No way!!! I never have to Demand. That's total bull. They just add your cabin to a long list of others. No argument.

Apologies.

My mistake then. Apologies. And Yes, pre paid cannot be removed once on board. Even if service is terrible. You have no recourse. Another reason to never pre pay.

This is not true. You can remove automatic gratuities at anytime during your trip. Many people do and have. Spreading false facts and information because you don't care for it is just plain sad.

Automatic gratuities can be removed at anytime for any reason (no reason ever ask for) by going to guest services or calling guests services from your cabin. It takes two seconds. No questions asked. Then you can tip what you want, to who you want, when you want.

They changed all but Mariner. This stinks.

Well folks here don't know you personally. They took you at your word. It was a bold statement. Reactions to it were inevitable. I agree though. It's been fully beaten to death. LOL. You have clarified. The end.

You asked a question, yes. However, you also made a comment about having people removed. Did you not think there would be a response?

Someone just told me Disney is rerouting it's Sunday departure from Bermuda to Mexico. Hoping we head to the gulf as well.

Boarding Mariner on Saturday and waiting (and hoping) for word of a change. Itinerary has us at Labadee Monday when storm passes. It may be off coast of Haiti but 5 ft swells are expected. This would make for rough seas, bad weather, and difficulty docking. Doesn't seem worth it. And then Jamaica the next day. If sea is so rough the pools have to close, we picked the wrong route. Hoping for a switch to Mexico to be farther away from it all. 🙏

LOL.

No. Only you.

It's amazing how on this subject everyone has worked in a restaurant at some point. LOL.

No. Only a cash in hand tip can do that.

Your honest opinion is all yours is as well.

Those people you talk about are no better. But I still think eating and touching the utensils is also gross. JMHO

I think everyone who thinks tips should be part of the fare price assume it would all then go to the crew. I wouldn't count on it.