Tipping is American, but ships are not American?

[nomo4iz]

O.K., as a newbie who has yet to take the first cruise, I have read with interest all of the posts regarding tipping. I have a few questions that perhaps someone can help answer.

 

It's my understanding that no cruise ship in the world flies under an American flag. This is done in part to avoid compliance with U.S. labor law. Is my research accurate so far?

 

If so, why then, when most Celebrity ships fly under the flag of Malta, in part to avoid American labor laws, does Celebrity utilize the American system of tipping to compensate their employees? Why not use the system in Malta, which according to my guidebook is most often service that is included with the price, or if not, a 5% - 10% tip, which is customary for that country. Celebrity clientele seems to originate from all over the world, as do Celebrity employees, so why choose the American waitstaff compensation method?

 

Yes it is also common to tip in some other Western countries, but not in Asia, Australia or most of Europe (at least when we visited ten years ago). Just wondering why Celebrity imposes an American style compensation system while avoiding American labor laws (?)

[Ma Bell]

Because the vast majority of their passengers are American.

[Gonzo70]

The reason the ships are registered in countries in other countries than the U.S. is to save the cruise line money - especially labor costs and taxes. The reason the ships use the U.S. style tipping in which customers largely pay for service staff is to save the cruise line money. Simple as that.

[nomo4iz]

Yes, that is not difficult to figure out, I was being facetious. ;) But perhaps when in Malta (or in a ship bearing its flag), we should do as the Maltans do, lol.

[tom_uk]

Tipping is done universally, even on those cruise lines that weren't historically american (e.g. P&O) or which aren't in fact american now (e.g. Fred. Olsen or MSC).

[zalusky]

So they can advertise lower fares and compete with other travel products.

 

Different ports aside, if a customer were planning a vacation and they looked at the brochures it would never be apples and apples.

If the cruise line added drinks, tips, and other items you might get at an all-inclusive the rate would be much higher per day. That would take away a key marketing advantage.

 

The whole idea is to make it difficult to compare and make you decide on some vague gut feeling.

[dkjretired]

Gonzo is correct, in order to make money combined with the fact that most of their customers are American...

[Casino Player]

O.K., as a newbie who has yet to take the first cruise, I have read with interest all of the posts regarding tipping. I have a few questions that perhaps someone can help answer.

 

It's my understanding that no cruise ship in the world flies under an American flag. This is done in part to avoid compliance with U.S. labor law. Is my research accurate so far?

 

If so, why then, when most Celebrity ships fly under the flag of Malta, in part to avoid American labor laws, does Celebrity utilize the American system of tipping to compensate their employees? Why not use the system in Malta, which according to my guidebook is most often service that is included with the price, or if not, a 5% - 10% tip, which is customary for that country. Celebrity clientele seems to originate from all over the world, as do Celebrity employees, so why choose the American waitstaff compensation method?

 

Yes it is also common to tip in some other Western countries, but not in Asia, Australia or most of Europe (at least when we visited ten years ago). Just wondering why Celebrity imposes an American style compensation system while avoiding American labor laws (?)

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO nomo4iz: Ships are flying foreign flags because of insurence and labor practices. They choose the American style of compensation method of tipping because we are the most generous tippers in the world. Why not include a tip in the prices the way they do in Europe? or on Luxury Cruise Lines? Because it might put them at a competitive disadvantage when compared to other cruise lines.

[kelmac]

The tipping system allows the cruise line to discount low demand trips knowing that their labor costs are taken care of. By the way, most corporate offices are here in the US.

 

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[The_Big_M]

Yes, that is not difficult to figure out, I was being facetious. ;) But perhaps when in Malta (or in a ship bearing its flag), we should do as the Maltans do, lol.

 

But then you should pay in Euro too, as that is their currency.

[C 2 C]

O.K., as a newbie who has yet to take the first cruise, I have read with interest all of the posts regarding tipping. I have a few questions that perhaps someone can help answer.

 

It's my understanding that no cruise ship in the world flies under an American flag. This is done in part to avoid compliance with U.S. labor law. Is my research accurate so far? (?)

 

Do some research as well on the levels of service provided on NCL ships which were flagged in the US and working under US labor laws.

For those people who resent tipping, no matter what the flag, just imagine how much more you would need tip to bring the wages up to US standards.

We have found that the level of service provided by staff from lower wage countries is superior to that provided by North Americans unless the pay is substantially higher than that presently offered.

In Europe, 15% to 20% is (normally) automatically added to the bill as an inclusive price, therefore no further need to tip. Just like in Europe most taxes are included in the price, not shown separately on the invoice.

You can't have it both ways.. not included on an invoice but complain when it is added automatically afterwards.

[kitty9]

BTW, there are American flagged ships, one such is the Pride of Aloha. Another big reason they don't have US flagged ships is because, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, they cannot have casinos, which is a huge revenue boost for cruise lines.

 

If you don't agree with the wages the cruise lines pay to their employees, and therefore have a problem with tipping, I suggest sailing on one of the all inclusive lines where tipping is not a part of your cruise. BUT, be prepared to pay as much as four times the fares of the mass market lines.

[Bridge Maven]

I personally think that if Celebrity called it a service fee that is automatically added to your onboard account every night instead of a tip there would be a lot less controversy about this topic.

[ZiggyKeys]

To get the complete picture of these scenarios about the OP's question just Google "Flags of Convenience". Tons of articles about the reasons why ships use this system.

[jackdiamond]

Darcie,

You are totally correct.

[C 2 C]

I personally think that if Celebrity called it a service fee that is automatically added to your onboard account every night instead of a tip there would be a lot less controversy about this topic.

I also wish that pricing automatically included service fee or wage supplement.

However HAL used to have a "tipping optional" policy because the staff were paid by the cruise line. However many passengers believed the optional part, didn't tip, wages did not increase enough, and tipping was added.

I am sure that if there was a non-option out policy and tips were included in the ticket price that the envelopes would be back on the beds for those who wish to tip "exceptional" service.

There is a sign at the Port Everglades terminal that states "tipping not required". Try and find a guy who does not have his hand out when you give him your bags. The fear of never seeing your luggage again is too great and causes the mind to ignore the sign.

[ZiggyKeys]

Looks like this post is becoming just a "rehash" of an earlier Celebrity post about tip & gratuities, & that one became very contentious.

[Fam_Cruise]

Malta Tipping & Etiquette

 

Tipping or gratuity is not usually included in a bill, nonetheless, always check as some might take advantage and mis-lead you with the result that you end up tipping twice the amount.

 

If the service is good, then, a 15% tip is expected. This applies to restaurants.

 

Source: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g190311-s606/Malta:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

 

Sounds similar to the US method.

[excitedofharpenden]

There is a sign at the Port Everglades terminal that states "tipping not required". Try and find a guy who does not have his hand out when you give him your bags. The fear of never seeing your luggage again is too great and causes the mind to ignore the sign.

Now that's what I did wrong;)

 

Phil

[woodofpine]

If so, why then, when most Celebrity ships fly under the flag of Malta, in part to avoid American labor laws, does Celebrity utilize the American system of tipping to compensate their employees? Why not use the system in Malta, which according to my guidebook is most often service that is included with the price, or if not, a 5% - 10% tip, which is customary for that country. Celebrity clientele seems to originate from all over the world, as do Celebrity employees, so why choose the American waitstaff compensation method?

 

Yes it is also common to tip in some other Western countries, but not in Asia, Australia or most of Europe (at least when we visited ten years ago). Just wondering why Celebrity imposes an American style compensation system while avoiding American labor laws (?)

 

Celebrity - like most cruise line operators - avoids taxes via offshore ship registration.

 

But taking the axiom of your post to heart (although I think it's intended to be cynical rather than sincere) rest assured that Celebrity's tipping suggestions are 'thoroughly Maltese' in oriention...

 

You'll find the suggested tip is 5-10% of your cruise fare.;)

[donaldsc]

But perhaps when in Malta (or in a ship bearing its flag), we should do as the Maltans do, lol.

 

Is it "maltans" or "malts"?

 

DON

[Waterlily777]

Is it "maltans" or "malts"?

 

DON

 

Maltese?

[woodofpine]

Is it "maltans" or "malts"?

 

DON

 

According to Detective Sam Spade (and Dashiell Hammett) it's Maltese as in the 'The Maltese Falcon'

[KODA C]

DON,

 

When they dance are then called "malt shakes"

 

KC

[Karynanne]

Now that's what I did wrong;)

 

Phil

 

Hey Phil, you live 'n learn.