I started cruising long before the cruise lines came up with auto tips. In the “old” system envelopes were left in your cabin toward the end of the cruise. An envelope for your waiter, your assistant waiter, room steward, assistant room steward and the dining room maitre’d. There weren’t envelopes for every crew member. Then (and now) I tipped our steward during the cruise and also at “envelope time”. I have always given bartenders and pool servers cash tips at the time of service.
I far prefer the old system. The cruise lines now have control of our money and there is no way for us to know how much of this actually makes it to the intended party(s). Additionally, they diverted our tip pool to staff that previously were paid by a portion of your cruise fare. When you consider the many increases recently, it is a LOT of money. They raise the “crew appreciation” amount, they are reducing the service. (Once a day cabin service…..)
I do understand that cruising is a for profit enterprise but the continual nickel and dime changes are making me think hard after 50+ cruises. Just my personal thoughts.