Gratuities

There are reports that P&O are dropping their £7 gratuities charge from May 2019. The cut throat competition is hotting up. I wonder if FOCL will be following suit?

There are reports that P&O are dropping their £7 gratuities charge from May 2019. The cut throat competition is hotting up. I wonder if FOCL will be following suit?

I doubt it.

P&O shot themselves in the foot as the tips went up by massive percentage amounts each year for several years, way above inflation. Lots of people just stopped paying them at all.

Before they announced the ceasation of tips they made a few changes in advance, small rises here and there in drinks prices, room service is all now paid for, restrictions on alchol brought onboard which used to be unlimited etc. These changes and a small fare increase would probably be enough to cover the gratuities.

Fred meantime has raised the tips but never by a silly amount so people will probably be more inclined to pay them.

The real competition from P&O is newer ships and more reasonably priced balcony cabins. They do appear however to be aiming for the mass market family audience which does not suit everyone.