And by adding it on, the fare will go up at least that amount, and maybe more. Now the cruise fare is higher, and any taxes and fees that may be required will also go up. And, if you purchase insurance, the higher fare might put you in a higher price bracket, so you might also pay more for insurance.
Bottom line, you may think you are paying the same, but it could be hundreds of dollars more to cover the added fees and insurance costs if the new price surpasses a certain price point that allowed lower fees and insurance to be assessed.
When Azamara decided to include gratuities in the base fare, the fare went up much more than the cost of the tips. People ended up paying more just for the convenience of having it included. Seems like that is an expensive way to save a moment's worth of math.
I prefer that they keep it the way it is. If the math to figure out the total cost is too complicated for someone to figure out, they will have much worse problems in life than worrying about the cost of tipping on a cruise.
The fees and taxes are based on the ports and not on the price of the room. The cheapest room pays the same in the fees and taxes as the most expensive room. If they raised the price of the cruise more than the tips it was because the took advantage of the tip increase to also increase the price.
I don't mind doing the math but I do think that the cruise lines do it the way the do so they don't have to disclose it in the original price and cannot advertise the really low fares.
Tipping is just a way for the cruise line to charge you for something without it being in the price of the cruise. Here is why I say that:
1. If you eat in an anytime dining situation they charge you automatically. It is not based on any specific service or person providing a service, it is just a mandatory charge to pay people with. So it is really a service charge.
2. Some people don't tip so the amount they expect you to pay is higher because of that. The people who do tip end up paying for the people who don't. That is not fair on my book. If it was in the price, everyone would have to pay.
3. There are lots of people on the ship who "serve" you that are not tipped, they are paid out of the cost of the cruise. The service desks, entertainers and a host of others are paid to "serve" you. It may not be as direct as a waiter but it is a direct as someone who works at the buffet. The whole ship is there to serve you, in a general sense.
4. If everyone stopped tipping, they would raise the price of the cruise, pay the "servers" about the same as the get on tips, but then they wouldn't be able to advertise there low price.
5. I have done some research on this and the cruise line often guarantees the "servers" a certain amount in tips. If they don't get that amount the cruise line pays them the balance.
6. The "servers" deserve a good salary that is certain and regular. Think of some poor waiter who does a great job all week and then no one tips him. If the cruise line is not paying him he makes nothing for the whole week. That is not fair but a very real possibility in the current system.
7. I am not wanting to pay less, and I think the "servers" should make more than they do. The way to make everyone pay there fair share and for the "servers" to get a fair wage, is to stop the current system of "optional" tipping and pay them a decent wage by increasing the cost of the cabin.
Tipping on the cruise
in Ask a Cruise Question
Posted
The fees and taxes are based on the ports and not on the price of the room. The cheapest room pays the same in the fees and taxes as the most expensive room. If they raised the price of the cruise more than the tips it was because the took advantage of the tip increase to also increase the price.
I don't mind doing the math but I do think that the cruise lines do it the way the do so they don't have to disclose it in the original price and cannot advertise the really low fares.
Tipping is just a way for the cruise line to charge you for something without it being in the price of the cruise. Here is why I say that:
1. If you eat in an anytime dining situation they charge you automatically. It is not based on any specific service or person providing a service, it is just a mandatory charge to pay people with. So it is really a service charge.
2. Some people don't tip so the amount they expect you to pay is higher because of that. The people who do tip end up paying for the people who don't. That is not fair on my book. If it was in the price, everyone would have to pay.
3. There are lots of people on the ship who "serve" you that are not tipped, they are paid out of the cost of the cruise. The service desks, entertainers and a host of others are paid to "serve" you. It may not be as direct as a waiter but it is a direct as someone who works at the buffet. The whole ship is there to serve you, in a general sense.
4. If everyone stopped tipping, they would raise the price of the cruise, pay the "servers" about the same as the get on tips, but then they wouldn't be able to advertise there low price.
5. I have done some research on this and the cruise line often guarantees the "servers" a certain amount in tips. If they don't get that amount the cruise line pays them the balance.
6. The "servers" deserve a good salary that is certain and regular. Think of some poor waiter who does a great job all week and then no one tips him. If the cruise line is not paying him he makes nothing for the whole week. That is not fair but a very real possibility in the current system.
7. I am not wanting to pay less, and I think the "servers" should make more than they do. The way to make everyone pay there fair share and for the "servers" to get a fair wage, is to stop the current system of "optional" tipping and pay them a decent wage by increasing the cost of the cabin.
Thanks