cruzsnooze

But it's not a land based and US values don't apply as has been brought up over and over again. The crew come from countries where the dollar goes much farther and the tax structure is not like ours. The crew get room and board and transportation to the ship.

I don't have to go to any other cruise line since the crew appreciation is merely a suggestion and I go to guest services and reduce it to a reasonable amount. The exception to reducing them is if it's bundled into a beverage package which is one reason these packages are pushed so aggressively.

The money goes first to Princess who deducts an adm fee. The money we pay as Americans supplements the fleet wide areas such as OZ and New Zealand who don't tip. The money does not go to the crew on the ship who serviced you. Onboard revenue includes shop keepers, cruise director and their staff (think revenue Bingo) and shore excursions , photo's and on and on............most everything is revenue generating

Everyone else has been deceived about these tips too. I've been beating a dead horse about this rip off for years because the crew gets the same regardless of what amount you give in the name of gratuity. The crew salary is based on longevity, reviews, department and incentives. The number of crew now added to the list is quite large.

Interesting article on MSN today. I'm not voicing an opinion merely posting the link. https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tips/cruises-are-increasingly-adopting-the-strategy-of-budget-airlines-get-ready-to-pay-more-for-all-the-extras/ar-AA1exFvA?ocid=mailsignout&pc=U591&cvid=981b4405140740858e75eab304a349e0&ei=11

I was merely pointing out that Americans perceive tips differently then Princess as per IRS definition. The operative word being Perception. Since we do not have any say in who gets our gratuity or in what amount it is really not a gratuity. My perception is the crew appreciation is a fare increase with less transparency.

It was never free but it was included in your cruise fare, now it is not if you call or use the TV it is $5 per order. The room service paper menu for breakfast will still be included with no extra fee.

The IRS does not have jurisdiction but the cruise caterers to US and is head quartered in SoCal and relies on US VALUES. I was pointing out what we consider a tip is not what we anticipate with the cruise.

Crew appreciation went up too if you allow Princess to do the daily automatic. $16 - $17- $18 . Get less service for higher crew appreciation. .

Crew Appreciation What does one category get over another to warrant a tiered approach? I've googled and researched who really gets this money and the cruiseline uses a lot of it for their own bottom line and calls it adm fees and account fees. I'm reading that crew are gty'd a certain salary and the gratuity only serves to bring it up to that salary and does not increase or decrease their salary. I'm not sure how to interpret this paragraph but it seems that Princess is using a service fee model and calling it tipping so they determine how much to distribute but I'd like to hear from someone who knows more. The IRS explained that in order for a charge to be qualified as a tip, it must be determined by the customer, who decides who receives the tip and how much to pay. A tip must also be made free from compulsion and should not be the subject of negotiations or dictated by employer policy. On the other hand, service charges include automatic gratuity placed on large dining parties, banquet event fees, cruise trip packages, hotel room service charges and bottle service charges. What is “Crew Appreciation”? A crew appreciation is a daily amount added to your onboard account, which is shared among the many members of our crew in hotel, dining and entertainment throughout the fleet who help make your cruise experience special. The daily amount of the Crew Appreciation is based on stateroom category. Stateroom Category Daily amount per guest Interior, Oceanview and Balcony $16 Mini-Suite and Reserve Collection $17 Suites $18

Hopefully we follow suit and charge Europeans

I had that cabin on the discovery earlier this year. I disliked it and tried to change cabins but it was a full sailing. The slanted ceiling made the cabin feel small. There were 2 very small closets. You couldn't sit at the desk and have someone get onto the balcony without getting up it's so small. The walk to the concierge was a mile long. The walk to anywhere was quite long. You may love it but I didn't.

So you're repeating what was stated, Americans are over charged on crew appreciation to supplement other countries. The dining room was never empty on any of my cruises when we tipped in cash, quite the contrary we were happy to see our tip going to the crew that deserved it. Now the pool has expanded to entertainment, revenue generating areas such a shops and shore excursions.

Chrome pens with that pad of paper leather like room key holders Umbrella in closet Satin sleep bags with bath bomb, sleep mask, other goodies Sewing kits Gold mesh bags in bathroom with nail files, q-tips, linen spray, loofah sponge, gel eye mask, lip balm More I just can't remember it all

The biggest cut now is not combining the military and Stockholder credit. The loyalty credit which was incremental starting at 25 cruises. Now the charge for room service. other charges/cutbacks are as follows and not a full list Delivery/Mailing of the medallion Loss of upgraded bathroom amenities lack of tote bags lack of slippers most of full suite amenities charge for second entree in MDR

No you can't. You'll have to look at the total of the Package VS what you would spend if you give a crew appreciation of YOUR choice. Also how many people need more then one devise but get two because of the package. I keep my computer on in the cabin and both of us use the one device. I can't imagine wanting to drink mocktails all day with the excessive sugar and calories nor the included desserts on the premiere packages. Everyone should do the math and see what works for them best. Cruising may still be a good option but you need to take a pencil to paper to see if it works for you.

Everyone is over paying with the crew appreciation which doesn't all go to crew. Why should we supplement other countries like OZ and New Zealand who don't have a tipping culture since the tips don't stay on the ship but get distributed fleet wide. Your tips don't go to the crew that served you. With all the new upcharges it's ridiculous to tip room service when they get a $5 fee now. The new fees are getting out of hand and cheapens the Princess brand. They really would avoid a lot of complaints if they just raised their prices a bit and kept the food venues as included. Because they over charge on excursions people go private, a wasted opportunity for them to get your business by staying competitive. The duty free shops are more expensive then land based stores, my perfume is $10 more on the ship so of course I don't buy it on board. There are opportunities for Princess to make more money without gouging on what cruising is known for - Food!

I called and asked and they yes i would pay $5 just for calling to get an ice bucket.

I am a full suite passenger that does not drink. I am booked and paid in full for a 28 day cruise this November. I am very unhappy with changes made when it is too late for me to cancel my cruise. H*ll will freeze over before I tip the "suggested" $924 for 28 days and another internet $7.50 X 28 = $210 and pay for pizza too! What am I getting for my standard cruise fare at over $12,000 per person plus $340 port fee PP and $$89 transfer PP ? I'll be better off looking at a premium cruise line in a balcony cabin. So if I call room service for a bucket of ice is that $5? What about the elite high tea in the suite? Will suites keep the specialty restaurant on embarkation night? Lots of unanswered questions. Princess suites have been a poor value to begin with but this is the straw that breaks the camels back. Suite bathroom amenities are non existent along with most other amenities we've come to count on. To my way of thinking Princess has priced itself to close to a more inclusive premium line but in a sneaky Nickle and dime way.

I bought a pack of 10 RFID blocker for my credit cards on ebay. I use one to keep my medallion from being read unless I choose to remove it from the sleeve. I know the block works because I had to take it out of the sleeve to unlock my cabin door.

Based on what's posted here I would pay $5 for calling to get an ice bucket.

I sure won't be booking full suites anymore since I get nothing for it. I liked room service as included but that take away is a deal breaker. I don't drink so no packages meet my needs. I have a few more cruises booked then I will be looking at other ways to travel. I took some bus tours and liked them and will be looking more closely at them again. Flame away but my daily gratuity will be cut in half on my next cruises. I had reduced it by 20% now it will be 50%. With all this gouging Princess can compensate their crew.

Princess suites have never ben a good value as compared to other cruise lines like RCL or Celebrity. By Attrition they get worst. Full suites should have reserved seating at shows (they do on RCL) but Princess gives that perk to those that drink alcohol in their package. Mini suites are a much better value.

The amount of crew they have added to the tipping pool is also out of hand. Do I get better entertainment in a suite or from the revenue dept or guest services that They ask for more then lower cabin categories. Tipping went beyond over board and out of hand, I wear a flame suit to post on this blog---------------I reduce my tips at guest services to $10 PP PD. That can't be done if you have the gratuity in a package or prepay. CREW APPRECIATION PAYMENT INFORMATION To simplify the tipping process for our guests, a discretionary crew appreciation payment will be automatically added to your shipboard account.Crew appreciation amounts will increase starting with voyages sailing on or after 2/20/23 to USD $18 Suites, $17 Mini-suites, Cabanas and Club Class, $16 for Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony Staterooms per day (including children). This crew appreciation payment will be shared amongst those staff that help provide and support your cruise experience, including those in the Bar, Dining, Entertainment, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Galley and Onboard Revenue areas.