TandK0826

Wow, seems like everyone has taken this the wrong way. Not that I need to defend myself but I will anyways. The only reason the other thread is active again is because I posted my original question on this thread there first because I already had a tipping question thread started. Nobody answered on there because I was the last post and most people just see the first couple of posts. Hence why I started a new thread. Not sure why so many people get so bent out of shape about the way others tip. Sorry, but it is a little ridiculous and taken way to personal. If you read the other post I had a change of heart about the tipping of the babies due to others comments. This question has NOTHING to do with tipping for the kids. Someone else had a thread started about tipping and a lot of people mentioned the steward will give bad service because of it. I was curious if this happened to anyone because I found it kind of crazy if that was the case. My goodness, the tipping discussions on here are just taken way too personal in my opinion. I definitely will not start another thread about it nor respond to any more comments. I don't like discussions getting heated. You come on cruise critic to get opinions and thoughts and then discussions take this turn. So ridiculous AND over tipping.....really?????

You really seem fixated on this issue. You started a whole new thread to which I just responded AND have posted the question twice here. Just pay the recommended amount upfront either before you sail or onboard And don't worry about it further. If you find the staff goes over and above - which they tend to do for little ones - then give extra cash at the end - problems solved. Personally, I feel kids should pay more since they tend to make much bigger messes than most adults. It's all part of the cost of cruising, so just consider it as such - the staff considers it part of their paycheck.

I accidently posted the question on here when I was reading others responses. I did not mean to do that....sorry. Not even sure how I did it cause as you can see, I even put a title on the one on this thread. I tried to delete but could not figure out how. I am not fixated on it. I saw on a previous thread about the steward thing so it got me curious and I went to look back on my old thread I had started to see what people said again. I plan on taking off auto gratuities and paying at the end (no Im not trying to stiff anyone. That is just how I want to do it) so I wanted some opinions from people that do take off the auto gratuities is all.

I just read on here a post about having the tips removed and paying at the end may cause not so great of service by the steward. Really??? Has anyone actually experienced that? I would feel to be the opposite honestly. Do a great job and get a wonderful tip at the end. If they do a not so great job then I would think at that point people would try to stiff them. Im wondering if anyone has actually experienced this??

I just read on here a post about having the tips removed and paying at the end may cause not so great of service by the steward. Really??? Has anyone actually experienced that? I would feel to be the opposite honestly. Do a great job and get a wonderful tip at the end. If they do a not so great job then I would think at that point people would try to stiff them. Im wondering if anyone has actually experienced this??

Thanks for the replies!!! I do appreciate it. I did not realize you could get the guavaberry coladas at other places than the Emporium. That was the only reason I wanted to go there to be honest. Guess I will be getting one at the pier instead. Thanks for the info.

Has anyone been here? I heard the pina coladas are well worth going for!! I was trying to find online how to get there from the pier but could not find much info. Anyone know? I thought someone said water taxi but not sure?? Is it far from the pier and how much are the taxies or water taxies in St Maarten. There are four of us so I am sure they charge per person.

I just read on here a post about having the tips removed and paying at the end may cause not so great of service by the steward. Really??? Has anyone actually experienced that? I would feel to be the opposite honestly. Do a great job and get a wonderful tip at the end. If they do a not so great job then I would think people would try to stiff them. Im wondering if anyone has actually experienced this??

Thanks all!!!! Made me feel better. I will keep ya posted when I get back how the weather was! 3 more days to go!!

Thank you for trying to make me feel better!! I do appreciate it and hope you guys are right!!

So, we are cruising on Freedom next week and decided to look at the weather for Bahamas, St Thomas and St Maarten. It is suppose to be raining EVERY day at all three stops and it is like anywhere between 60-80% chance each day. REALLY?!?!?! This stinks!!!! And, if it is raining each day at the ports then I'm sure it will be out in the ocean on the ship too (kids will just love that on pool days) Ugh!! Now I am depressed. Anyone been on a cruise where it rained most of the time? Boy do I feel like a whiner right now....lol. Why did I look at the weather....grrrrr!

Sigh. What is "easiest" to you may or may NOT be "easiest" for others. The way you post around here with such exacts and how everything is YOUR way or no way absolutely blows me away. :rolleyes:

 

I know you wont reply to my post though.

 

 

Funny, I was thinking the EXACT same thing but did not want to start something on here. That would NOT be the easiest for me, hence the reason for my post. I am going to be using cash and credit card (if need be) so that is why I was trying to figure it all out!

They will let you go to $500 again before they ask for more money.

Ole Clarea, I just knew I would get a response from you ;) Can always count on a true and correct answer from you!!! Thanks for the response!

If you have a cash account, they will let you charge up to 500.00 on a 7 night cruise before asking you to pay it down. You can pay it in cash or credit card or both

So, if you pay down the $500, then it just starts all over again to the next $500 or at the point do you have to put a deposit down?

Question about the seapass account. When you get on board do you have to put a deposit down on the account or do you pay at the end of the cruise? If you pay at the end of the cruise, does anyone know if you can pay half of it with cash and the other half on credit card or do they prefer the payment be made with either cash or credit and not both.

I would say kids, maybe the husband.

Someone else said husband and maybe the kids.....I was thinking the same thing when he said it, kids and maybe the husband!! Hehe, thank goodness he does not read cruise critic ;)

Clarea, made me laugh!!!

My husband and two kids are leaving this Sunday on Freedom....yay!!!! Finally here!!!! This is my second cruise so I am not quite an expert yet on packing for the cruise, plus this is our first time bringing the kids. What are some must haves that I need to pack?????

Were there limes on board? Can't have my beer without limes!!! I kept hearing that the limes were back and then I would hear that there was none.

Thanks

Anyone been there? We are a family of four and was just wondering if it was worth doing? The taxi ride alone to and from port would be more than the admission if I am reading correctly online that it is $9 per person for taxi each way. Would appreciate any input. My daughters are 3 and 10. Just trying to find something to do besides going to beach. We are going to be out in the sun enough at Coco Cay and on board at the pools. Thanks!!!!

This has been discussed here many times and it is a sensitive subject for sure. I will try to say this gently and politely and hope you understand my heart in this - sometimes, it's the "babies" who make the biggest messes. ;):) I know you will find the staff and crew will go out of their way to make your cruise wonderful and that includes paying special attention to the children. The wait team in the dining room will absolutely cater to the little ones and after that will absolutely clean up their mess behind you. Right? If you are talking baby-babies, their diapers go in the trash like anyone else's trash... the cabin attendant cleans up after passengers of all ages. Children of any age are considered passengers, thus they are charged the auto-gratuities as such.

 

Having said this, yes you can remove the auto-tips and do as you please. Remember that the tips the crew make are considered to be a part of their wages. If you left everything "in place", not only would you not have to worry about it, but everyone who is supposed to be tipped, is tipped. You can always leave more in an envelope if you feel you received outstanding service above and beyond.

 

Have fun. :)

 

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Langley Cruisers - I appreciate your response and did not get offended in anyway. Actually, I think you made me see things alittle differently now and maybe the $12.00 per day is not that bad all in all for the little ones. That is why I come to cruise critic!! Thanks again! And thanks for everyone for your quick response! I appreciate it!!

You can go to Guest Services once you are on board and remove automatic gratuities.

Clarea - I knew I would get a response from you!! I just wanted to say that I think you are so sweet. You are always posting answers to everyones questions and sending links to direct people to the answers. You definately know about your cruises!!! Thanks for all of your quick responses!!! We at cruise critic appreciate them!

I do have one more question. So, if you have the tips removed at guest services, how does that work then? How do I give the tips at this point?

Do you have to have it charged to your seapass account? You can't do it any other way? I just think being charged $12.00 a day for the little ones is a bit much. Im not trying to be cheap by any means and I am good tipper but $12.00 a day for the babies is pricey to me.

I know this has probably been asked a gazillon times already and Im sorry but I do have a question about the tipping. How exactly does this work? This will be the first time that I am not doing the my time dining and prepaid gratuities. At the end, how do you pay? Do they leave envelopes and you can put cash in them? I know with prepaid they give you envelopes at the end if you want to leave extra. Do they charge it to your account? Im hoping you can do the envelope method because then I can just distribute and leave what I want. Thanks in advance for the answers!!! I appreciate it.

an interior room to an ocean view or balcony? I always see on here people getting upgraded in the balconies or suites but nothing on interior or ocean view rooms. Just curious. Has anyone had this type of upgrade?

Thanks guys!!! I can't wait!!