ROSEBASKETS

I guess that in England you don't usually tip servers? Here in the US we are used to tipping waiters/waitresses/bartenders/cocktail servers a minimum of 10% and usually 15% so we don't question the 15% gratuity charged by NCL. Since so many Americans, and maybe those from some other countries too, are used to the gratuity, I can't see NCL or other cruise lines removing it, and to be honest I wouldn't expect them too.

In England servers, et al are paid a minimum of $9.50 per hour, most will receive $11.00 per hour or more. In England we tip for service that is above the norm. If the service is poor or unfriendly no tip is left, if adequate about 5% depending on where in the country you are from and if excellent between 10 & 30% (but it is not expected or required) Outside of the capital if you were to tip the bar staff you would probably be looked at dumbfounded!

The Capital and tourist areas have started adding standard service charges to bills in reataurants and upmarket cafes but if the service has not been good people will not hesitate to have them removed.

If you were to eat anywhere in the UK and didn't leave a tip no one would consider it rude and not even raise an eyebrow.

In this instance the ship is as sovereign as any country and the onboard customs apply regardless of whose flag she is flying, what port she calls home, or what ports she is visiting.

Yes, I was joking, hence the little :p's

I was referring to the Bahamas being part of the British Commonwealth :rolleyes:

I guess the irony was lost, sorry!

Then we Italians promise never to tip your mama.

You're up awfully late for an Italian it's 2.40am! :rolleyes:

Ah, but it's Bahamas-registered, isn't it? ;)

Then the beer should be British, warm, and served in pint glasses and the price should be in £'s and with no 15% added :p:p:p;)

Well, not an insult in Italy. More and more Italians are tipping now, and while it's not expected of foreigners, no one looks askance at them for tipping.

My Mama disagrees and she has a Florentine accent :p

Sorry, but the cliche "When in Rome..." does apply and it certainly applies to cruising, too.

If you follow that logic surely on NCL you should pay your bill in Krone and pay $22 or a bottle of beer or $85 for a bottle of wine :confused: :D

Glad you took my post with a grain of salt :)

But NO, tipping is not always for something "extra."

Yes if someone goes the extra mile, it is a nice reward. But in the service industry on ships and in the USA, it is how people make a living. Those employees only make a few dollars per hour so tipping is a HUGE part of their income.

But we are raised in different countries so I understand the confusion. I once had a bartender in Germany give me back a 20% tip because he said it was too much and not called for.

Go figure.

It's an insult to tip in Italy in a restaurant or cafe (as the service charge is added to the bill) and in Japan if you leave money on a table the waiter is honour bound to return the money.:eek:

PLEASE NO - May I point you in the direction of a company called P&O who do not charge an additional 15% on their drinks prices, They don't charge gratiuties and tipping is completely optional. The charge for a fornights Caribbean Cruise including flights from London included starts from £700 per person ($1120 per person)

A bottle of Bud / glass of wine costs £2.60 (approx $4) though I don't know how this compares with the charges on American ships

They pay their staff a decent living wage and I believe standard drinks prices are generally significantly less than on NCL, RCI or Cunard. The only downside is that they serve English portions and measures and very few of our American cousins sail with them, so you'll have to put up with the moaners :D