not-enough-cruising

Finally, something we can agree on, you should move on. Your repetitive misunderstanding of even the basics of this discussion make it very difficult to have any meaningful debate with you. For the record, yes, I do tip at a land base restaurant, just like I tip my waiter in the main dining room. As stated earlier, these individuals can have a direct influence on my experience. How much they are tipped is based on merit and performance. I NEVER tip before service, and I NEVER allow a corporation to tell me how much I should tip. This is the crux of the entire discussion, a fact that seems to have completely alluded you.

Your perception of the entire argument is sadly lacking. I tip for service above and beyond expectations. No one behind the scenes does anything above or beyond for me. If the room steward just comes in once a day and makes the bed and empties the trash I won’t tip them either. I stand behind my statement, NEVER sign a contract expecting more than why is spelled out.

In Indonesia a housekeeper makes far less than the median, firstly. Secondly, I tip my room steward, so that argument is moot.

ALL mainstream cruise lines pay according to the same scale. It’s an international standard, there is no way around it.

But cruise ship pay is very competitive.

Who determines what is and is not a tipped position? hint; it’s up to each individual

You are confusing “guaranteed salary” with “minimum wage”

Comparing this situation to a land based restaurant is like comparing apples and artichokes; no where near the same. Land based restaurants do not give the “behind the scenes” people the same guaranteed wage contract as public facing staff. This salary is quite fair, and is paid for with your cruise fare. There is no reason to tip anyone who doesn’t go above the normal expected behavior. Dishwashers and laundry get paid to just do dishes and laundry; there is no way to go above and beyond in any capacity that enhances my experience. I also disagree with your assessment that the base minimum isn’t what gets the crew to sign the contract. This base amount isn more than they can ever think to make at home in years; let’s not pretend it is a paltry amount.

Give it up man; they are OPTIONAL, and I call BS on your need to speak to a supervisor to get it done.

I have never had to wait more than a few minutes when calling from my stateroom. Another quick way to do it is to approach the I-Pad holding GS staffer that is roaming up and down the line.

Once again, proving that when one has run out of useful information in a discussion, one resorts to insults.

Yes, I am having a real internal struggle

Of course they don’t make it obvious, they (cruise line) wants your money

Royal makes it vague on purpose, which is one of the reasons so many of us choose not to participate in the program.

It could not be any easier, I have it accomplished within 30 minutes of boarding.

Trust me, I can EASILY afford the auto gratuity; but there is no chance I’ll pay them. I can afford them because, in addition to other reasons, I don’t allow someone to dictate to me how I spend my money, and I am very particular about my wallet

Excellent definition, which proves gratuities are optional

Generally not when there is an international labor rights board overseeing the books.

This discussion has absolutely nothing to do with one can or can not afford.

I don’t think you understand what optional means.

Just go to guest services upon boarding and tell them not to bill your account for the daily charges. Easy

What’s so hard to understand? For 9 months work on the ship the guaranteed wage is 2X-3X what they could make at home in a full year. No one said anything about being paid to be at home.

While I agree with most of your post, I must point out, gratuities, by definition are ALWAYS optional.

The crew signed a contract for a guaranteed minimum. If they weren’t happy with that sum, they should not have signed the contract. No one should sign a contract “hoping” for discretionary income. I am sorry, but no one is screwing anyone

Hospitality service providers, the world over, perfect the art of working a customers emotions and telling them the story they need to hear, on an effort to increase discretionary compensation. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with that, but I take everything a crew member tells me about their personal life with a grain of salt; and I never let it influence my gratuitous offerings.