Norwegian Pearl Gratuities

[hamrag]

...and we all know that is just code speak.

 

At least with this new DSC system these people don't have to avoid the dining room on the last night of the cruise like they used to.

 

PE

 

Just to make a point here. The way that PE at #25 has quoted a quote by the OP from my post at #24 could imply that it is me who prefers to make cash gratuities, I will assume that this was accidental on his part.

 

Do you think, PE, that because you are now a member of the CC 5000+ club, that gives you the right to judge others on these threads?

[barbgazz]

Just to make a point here. The way that PE at #25 has quoted a quote by the OP from my post at #24 could imply that it is me who prefers to make cash gratuities, I will assume that this was accidental on his part.

 

Do you think, PE, that because you are now a member of the CC 5000+ club, that gives you the right to judge others on these threads?

 

The cruiselines went to a lot of trouble to figure out the fairest way to disperse the gratuity. Who are we to double think their effort. I don't want to work that hard on vacation. I leave the fee alone and never feel the need to add anything else, but if I did, I wouldn't hesitate to give a little extra if warranted. Why do some people feel the need to have someone grovel at their feet for a few bucks?

[newmexicoNita]

Just to make a point here. The way that PE at #25 has quoted a quote by the OP from my post at #24 could imply that it is me who prefers to make cash gratuities, I will assume that this was accidental on his part.

 

Do you think, PE, that because you are now a member of the CC 5000+ club, that gives you the right to judge others on these threads?

 

wow, you certainly seem to be getting a little defensive here, don't you think?

 

Nita

[crazymom107]

I cruised on the Pearl last Feb and we paid the service charge as suggested by NCL that was automatically added to our onboard account. We also ate at the specialty restaurants frequently and tipped the wait staff there as well.( Those tips were also added to our onboard account).

Now,after reading all of this I am wondering if the specific waiter or waitress actually got to keep it or was it put into the pool.

The NCL website states that you dont have to tip for any service (thats why you pay the service charge) But encourage you to reward good service if you want to. So when I eat at a specialty restaurant and if Iget great service ,if I tip them do they get to keep it?

[smeyer418]

I cruised on the Pearl last Feb and we paid the service charge as suggested by NCL that was automatically added to our onboard account. We also ate at the specialty restaurants frequently and tipped the wait staff there as well.( Those tips were also added to our onboard account).

Now,after reading all of this I am wondering if the specific waiter or waitress actually got to keep it or was it put into the pool.

The NCL website states that you dont have to tip for any service (thats why you pay the service charge) But encourage you to reward good service if you want to. So when I eat at a specialty restaurant and if Iget great service ,if I tip them do they get to keep it?

 

as long as you left the DSC on those which got extra can keep it.

 

There are lots of threads on this. The reality is that even though NCL says you can only adjust it if you have made a complaint that was not resolved to your satisfaction, generally so few try to take it off, that the front desk will just take it off if you ask and not make your jump through hoops to do so. If however it becomes a mass removal, they fall back on the rules.

 

To the original poster, under the old system when there was no DSC, the tipped employees tipped out of that money(some would say kicked back money) to other employees. That is the restuarant employees tipped the dish washers, line cooks and some other behind the scene people(as well as the maitre d/head waiter-these people are responsible for training and assignments in the dining room-they are considered lead positions and not management) and the room stewards tipped out the laundry, supply room personal and the asst head housekeeper. This behind the scenes tipping out was the norm. Under the NCL system all this tipping out is taken care of out of the DSC so anything extra they can keep as long as the DSC charge is left on.

What I have been told(repeatedly at the highest level) is that the Maitre d and asst head housekeeper get a list of those who remove the DSC. Normally the room steward is told as well. Since the Maitre D and Asst head Housekeeper are part of the pool any removal that doesn't result in money being put in comes partially out of these supervisors pocket.

I have been told that some stewards especially will put money back in even if they don't get any so they won't be looked as as not providing an acceptable level of service(which can go to reassignment to a less valuable assignment or failure to renew their contract).

 

As for employees just pocketing the money and not reporting it, you can see that there is an incentive to report it but the employees live in close quarters 3 or more to a room. They don't want to keep large amounts of cash and prefer to put extra tips in their accounts. The employees fairly well know who is shirking their duty and those who pocket the tips. It is also clear that if one of the stewards all their guests take the DSC off either they are providing lousy service or are telling the guests to take it off-so they will wind up serving the crews quarters- with lower tips.

 

For the traditional tipped employees 80-90% of the income comes from the DSC and tips. In fact their base salary will be something like $100 PER MONTH for the wait staff and room stewards....the rest coming from the tipping/DSC pool. While its true they also get room and board, healthcare and if they complete their contract the cruise line pays their airfare to and from their homes- this isn't cash to them.

 

This has been the traditional way its been done on cruise ships for more than 50 years. Whether we like it, agree with it or think its wrong it doesn't matter that is the way it is. If you use the DSC to protest this, all you do is hurt the mostly hard working employees.

 

Finally no matter what people say the reality is that 40% of the people who say that they will tip in cash instead leave less than the suggested amount or nothing at all even when they have no service related complaint.

 

So you can remove it and risk rightly or wrongfully risk being labeled a cheapskate or leave it on and go with the flow...

In reality this is the easiest for the employees who you wish to reward. In addition to cash the best way to reward those employees who do go the extra mile for you is to fill out a style card and mention them. They will get extra pool credit(more money) and promotions based on these extra evaluations.

 

I understand that some people don't like this system or the tipping system. But you aren't in Oz or Kansas anymore. When in Rome do what the Romans do. Cheap is as cheap does. Its $12 per day for cleaning your room twice a day and all your meals. You aren't required to tip extra and should not feel pressured to do so. Do it only if you want to.

 

BTW the following are NOT in the pool.

Concierge

Butler

Bar Staff(they are tipped out of the 15% added to the liquor bills/soda etc)

Spa Staff

Kids Crew...

 

Officers in general are not tipped.

 

me I leave the DSC on and call those who take it off cheap or sometimes worse-it may be wrong but I too am entitled to my opinion.

[Planer's Edge]

 

Do you think, PE, that because you are now a member of the CC 5000+ club, that gives you the right to judge others on these threads?

 

I am not judging others in this case. I was inferring that you are one of the biggest proponents of removing the DSC and distributing cash to whom you see fit. You spend so much time on these threads pointing out to others just how easy it is to go about removing the DSC from their on board accounts. I just assumed you were well versed in removing these charges and thusly assume that you just "prefer to make direct cash gratuities". :rolleyes:

 

Please point out where I am wrong in my assumptions. :confused:

 

PE

[Planer's Edge]

I cruised on the Pearl last Feb and we paid the service charge as suggested by NCL that was automatically added to our onboard account. We also ate at the specialty restaurants frequently and tipped the wait staff there as well.( Those tips were also added to our onboard account).

Now,after reading all of this I am wondering if the specific waiter or waitress actually got to keep it or was it put into the pool.

The NCL website states that you dont have to tip for any service (thats why you pay the service charge) But encourage you to reward good service if you want to. So when I eat at a specialty restaurant and if Iget great service ,if I tip them do they get to keep it?

If you did not remove or modify your daily service charges, your additional tips to crew members did indeed stay in their pockets and was NOT returned to the "pool".

 

PE

[newmexicoNita]

I am not judging others in this case. I was inferring that you are one of the biggest proponents of removing the DSC and distributing cash to whom you see fit. You spend so much time on these threads pointing out to others just how easy it is to go about removing the DSC from their on board accounts. I just assumed you were well versed in removing these charges and thusly assume that you just "prefer to make direct cash gratuities". :rolleyes:

 

Please point out where I am wrong in my assumptions. :confused:

 

PE

I happen to agree with you as I know it isn't just an easy thing to do. Either he/she has done this before or is taking someone's word for it. There has to be a reason for removing gratuities (not just saying I want to tip individually) To remove and tip directly isn't all that easy or acceptable as a matter of fact. It hurts everyone. That is why most lines have gone with the auto tipping.

 

Nita

[BIG_Steve]

In the USA before waiters, casino dealers, etc.... had to report tips as income, what ever a service worker got, they kept, period. If you got great service from Gertrude, she kept your big tip, and if Simon was in a bad mood that night, he suffered from your small tip. Now, the tips are pooled so the employer can report the amounts on the employees pay stub. In a land based restaurant or casino, I don't really know if Gertrude puts $100.00 into the pool, and Simon puts $10.00 in the pool if they share equally, or if they get back exactly what they contribute. But I think most folks assume they share equally. If I'm correct, I can see where someone like the OP would want to tip only good service, and be able to tell inferior service providers "maybe next time."

 

I can't see why the OP has to be pecked to death over that. But then, "peck parties" on the internet are to be expected.

[Planer's Edge]

 

I can't see why the OP has to be pecked to death over that. But then, "peck parties" on the internet are to be expected.

 

Are you calling us peckers? :eek:

 

PE

[mbisson]

if Simon was in a bad mood that night, he suffered

 

Only my wife has the right to say that ;)

[smeyer418]

In the USA before waiters, casino dealers, etc.... had to report tips as income, what ever a service worker got, they kept, period. ....

 

when was that? As far as I know it was ALWAYS reportable....whether they reported it or not, is a different issue. With credit cards tips became easily tracked. Its only the cash that is sometimes "forgotten". and whether it was reported to the IRS or not they were always expected to tip out the bus boys etc.....

 

They don't share equally senior waiters get more than junior ones and so does senior stewards vs junior ones.

[zqvol]

as long as you left the DSC on those which got extra can keep it.

 

There are lots of threads on this. The reality is that even though NCL says you can only adjust it if you have made a complaint that was not resolved to your satisfaction, generally so few try to take it off, that the front desk will just take it off if you ask and not make your jump through hoops to do so. If however it becomes a mass removal, they fall back on the rules.

 

To the original poster, under the old system when there was no DSC, the tipped employees tipped out of that money(some would say kicked back money) to other employees. That is the restuarant employees tipped the dish washers, line cooks and some other behind the scene people(as well as the maitre d/head waiter-these people are responsible for training and assignments in the dining room-they are considered lead positions and not management) and the room stewards tipped out the laundry, supply room personal and the asst head housekeeper. This behind the scenes tipping out was the norm. Under the NCL system all this tipping out is taken care of out of the DSC so anything extra they can keep as long as the DSC charge is left on.

. . .

 

 

 

 

This is a great post and it also describes how up scale restaurants in the US work. The servers tip the bar tenders, and the busboys/back waits from their tips. they do not keep everything that you give them and the amounts that they tip are specified based on sales.

 

What people don't realize is that in almost ever service industry the person that you think you are tipping is probably not keeping everything tha tyou give them. Same on the ships.

[smeyer418]

This is a great post and it also describes how up scale restaurants in the US work. The servers tip the bar tenders, and the busboys/back waits from their tips. they do not keep everything that you give them and the amounts that they tip are specified based on sales.

 

What people don't realize is that in almost ever service industry the person that you think you are tipping is probably not keeping everything tha tyou give them. Same on the ships.

yes thanks but lets remember that some people don't want to be confused by the facts.

NCL makes this very easy. Its only the die hard that have to give cash to those they think are deserving or the truly cheap that try to remove it. They want groveling or the cash left in their pocket. This method is so much more .....civilized.

 

I really hate telling them that they can remove it and helping those out.

yes masser it so nice that you give us slaves a couple of shekels now and then....

[Planer's Edge]

yes masser it so nice that you give us slaves a couple of shekels now and then....

They had slaves in Israel? :D

 

PE

[mbisson]

[QUOTE=Planer's Edge;22520151][COLOR=Black]
They had slaves in Israel? :D

PE[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Did I hear a drum 'rimshot' at the end of that? ;)
Look out everyone-PE is on a roll today! LOL
And that's a good thing because sometimes it gets too serious here

[smeyer418]

[quote=Planer's Edge;22520151][COLOR=Black]
They had slaves in Israel? :D

PE[/COLOR][/quote]


Yes Moses had slaves but they were supposed to be freed every seven years(more like indentured servants)...

are you padding your post count AGAIN?

[BIG_Steve]

[quote name='smeyer418']when was that? As far as I know it was ALWAYS reportable....whether they reported it or not, is a different issue. With credit cards tips became easily tracked. Its only the cash that is sometimes "forgotten". and whether it was reported to the IRS or not they were always expected to tip out the bus boys etc.....

They don't share equally senior waiters get more than junior ones and so does senior stewards vs junior ones.[/QUOTE]

Okay, so it was reportable, but not enforced. One could argue then that the de facto standard was that tips didn't need to be reported. Why are we splitting hairs? You clearly got the point.

[crazymom107]

[quote=Planer's Edge;22515909]
[COLOR=black]If you did not remove or modify your daily service charges, your additional tips to crew members did indeed stay in their pockets and was [B]NOT[/B] returned to the "pool".[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]PE[/COLOR][/quote]
Thanks for clearing that up for me. I am glad to hear it. When we ate at the french restaurant , I had the best waitress .She was just fantastic and I am glad she was able to keep the tip we left.
Thanks for all the info.

[smeyer418]

[quote name='BIG_Steve']Okay, so it was reportable, but not enforced. One could argue then that the de facto standard was that tips didn't need to be reported. Why are we splitting hairs? You clearly got the point.[/quote]


why bring it up at all?

[sjbdtz]

[quote=Planer's Edge;22515884][COLOR=black]I am not judging others [B][COLOR=red]in this case[/COLOR][/B]. [/COLOR][COLOR=black]PE[/COLOR][/quote]


There's a first time for everything, I guess. :p

[hamrag]

[quote=Planer's Edge;22515884][COLOR=black]I am not judging others in this case. I was inferring that you are one of the biggest proponents of removing the DSC and distributing cash to whom you see fit. You spend so much time on these threads pointing out to others just how easy it is to go about removing the DSC from their on board accounts. I just assumed you were well versed in removing these charges and thusly assume that you just "prefer to make direct cash gratuities". :rolleyes:[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Please point out where I am wrong in my assumptions. :confused:[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]PE[/COLOR][/quote]

OK, that is a simple one.....go back and read post #24 and then show me one single post anywhere I have made that even remotely suggests that I am a proponent of removing the DSC. To repeat, what I always seek to do is answer the question that the OP asks.....no matter the topic.

Late Edit...After posting this I recalled a post which I made some time ago, and went looking for it. I have 10 pages of posts, and on page 6 there are 4 posts made by me on 21st July 2009. If you are at all interested, go to the 3rd of my 4 posts that day and read it carefully....that is the reason I know that DSC can be removed without any real difficulty. You may wish to comment after that, but I will fully understand if silence then prevails!

Over and out.

[Planer's Edge]

[COLOR=Black]Hamrag...I will stand on my last statement. I can only think of one member that is more active on these DSC threads about it being completely okay to remove them and handing out the cash instead. Yes, you do answer the question as you see the answer to be. As I have said all along, the DSC can be removed/modified with just cause after you give them the opportunity to alleviate the concern. But, you always come back with "you can remove the DSC for whatever reason you choose", and on that we will continue to disagree. Now, do you have actual experience removing the DSC and did you hand out the equivalent amount of cash? Or are you just going on what you think can happen?

Now silence will prevail as it pertains to your take on this and specifically responses directed toward you.

Over and out.

PE[/COLOR]

[hamrag]

[quote=Planer's Edge;22522394][COLOR=black]Now, do you have actual experience removing the DSC and did you hand out the equivalent amount of cash? Or are you just going on what you think can happen?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Now silence will prevail as it pertains to your take on this and specifically responses directed toward you.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]Over and out.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=black]PE[/COLOR][/quote]

No, I do not and have not. If you cannot be bothered reading my historic post referred to in my post #47 above, it refers to a mass withdrawal of DSC mainly by Brits on the Jade sailing 30 May 2008 at which I was acutely embarassed and angry! Suggest you take the time to read it though.

Now that I have answered your final questions it is definitely over and out for this thread. Till the next time someone seeks to wind us all up...we never do learn!

[sottovoce]

[quote name='hamrag']If you cannot be bothered reading my historic post referred to in my post #47 above, it refers to a mass withdrawal of DSC mainly by Brits on the Jade sailing 30 May 2008 at which I was acutely embarassed and angry![/quote]
If in fact you were "acutely embarrassed and angry" at that "mass withdrawal of DSC," I would think when someone asks about removing the DSC you might want to see it explained to them why this is really bad form, instead of simply saying "of course, just go up to the main desk and ask--no big deal."

It puzzles me that, when others point this out to the questioner, you take them to task for doing so. Perhaps if the questioner were to understand how the DSC works and why it hurts the crew to remove it, as well as how they might specifically reward those who give them something special in the way of service, they might rethink what they'll do.