First, I guess. would be that I have heard the same rumor for the past 40+ years of cruising. And I can't confirm the rumor nor deny it, but, my tipping method is probably more generous than many people's. I auto tip, give the cabin steward a $20 on day one and another $20 on the final day, before disembarking the next morning. I tip $20 each extra to the MDR waiter and assistant waiter. If I have had any special requests for the MDR Maitre'd I will them $10 or $20 depending on what the request was. I don't typically use room service but when I do, for coffee in the morning, I give them $2. I am not rich by any means but I figure if I can afford to take a cruise and can spend $10 - $12 a time or two or three a day for drinks that I can afford $100 - $150 extra for tips. The people on the ships work long hours each day and much of the time it is on broken shifts, 4 hours on 4 hours off then 6 - 8 hours more that day. So they deserve every penny they get as do the people you don't see on a daily basis. People in the laundry, kitchens, cleaning crew, bathroom attendants, etc. So please don't remove the auto tip and if you can and want to throw around a few more dollars. State room attendants are totally surprise when I hand then a $20 on the first day, before the ship has even left the dock. And you can bet they are very grateful for it.