RyderJ201

The toilets on Cococay in May were the worst. Filthy. No toilet paper by 1pm. It was absolutely disgusting. Saw one attendant the entire day. Not one every hour.

I think the gift giving thing is so self serving. It's all about the gift giver feeling special and connected to the poor little servants. Just give them a cash tip and let them get on with their job. They don't want to be your best friend. Nobody wants to put off cleaning 25 toilets to hear about where you come from. This isn't 1940s France. Leave the chocolate bars and nylons at home and just say hello, please, and thank you. And let them get on with their work. $25 in cash tips is better then $20 cash and $5 worth of candy.

I had morning service and cabin attendant did some light cleaning in the evening every time he dropped off ice. It was a nice touch and got him a $20 every day. Never asked, he just did.

The other thing I don't get is people who asks these workers about there pay? Would they ask an employee of any business they go into on land? I tip in restaurants at home but would never ask about salary etc. Just because I tip and purchase food doesn't give me the right to stick my nose in.

So if you tip cash, you know where it went. No automatic gratuities for me. And someone said automatic gratuities can be removed at any time for any reason by going to guest services. Tip cash in hand. Royal is skimming off the top of the auto grats.

$40k to $55k a year! Room, meals, and transportation included! Cost of living in there home country half or more compared to here. Average yearly salary a 3rd or a 4th of here! And we are still referring to these people as "those poor underpaid people"? $35k to $55k USD per year makes them no less paid then people in this country. Who I might add have a much higher cost of living. In there own countries this money per year is fantastic. Why are we endlessly worry about these folks? Feel guilty much cruise travelers?