Is tipping optional??

[firefly333]

I thought the drink prices were raised by 15%, so it is paid, but isn't an extra line item like on other ships.

 

I dont know what lines you cruise. On Carnival, Princess and RCL it is a added 15%. Lets say the soda card is $6.00 per day X 7 days, the 15% is then added to the total amount. Water, they also add the 15% if you choose to drink bottled water .. or anything from the bar. The prices do not include the 15% tip.

[PACollegeCruisers]

While the phrases "If you can't afford to tip, don't cruise" and "if you can afford to cruise you can afford to tip" are somewhat harsh.. they are completely true.

 

Someone stated that their cruise for family of four would cost 5000-7500.. and tips are 200-300? Seriously, you couldn't afford the few extra hundred dollars? It's not too hard if you know how to budget. If you can save enough for the cruise, the extra tips aren't going to be what pushes you overboard (not literally of course:eek:)

 

It's most likely going to be your $400 drink tab, $600 bingo spending, $100 at the casino daily, $1000 in excursions sponsored by the cruiselines, $300 in photographs taken, $200 couples massage and other useless expenses that could greatly cover the tips.

 

When I set out the budget for our cruise it goes,

1. Base fare

2. Airfare

3. Hotel night before cruise

4. Tips

5. Insurance

6. Excursions

7. Coke cards/bingo/alcohol

 

that way I KNOW I have enough saved for what's really important. You can play bingo anytime, why not use that money to help somebody out who is RELYING on the tips they make?

[mckenna]

I know you really don't know, and I am not trying to be nasty here or anything (we are self-employed too and also cruise on a budget), but there is something you should know about these "tips".

 

The staff makes $ 50 per month, the rest they earn through their "tips". I do not know if you can live with yourself enjoying the wonderful service of these great people working 16 hours a day, 7 days a week for 9 months until they see their families again. It is up to you, but I sure know that I cannot. I rather have a few less drinks or do a DIY excursion. No, the crew will not treat you badly.

Why not opt for the auto tips, then you know that every staff member gets his fair share, and you know exactly in advance what you will be spending.

 

 

 

I have been on a few Cruises and the Waiters and Cabin Stewarts actually told me that they would rather have me tip them than the Auto Tip. I always tip the Cabin Stewart and the Waiters. If it comes out to be more than the Auto Tips then they definitely deserved it.

[mckenna]

I dont think its a case of 'stiffing them'!!

 

I work long hours and I dont get tipped nor would I expect it, I think it should be a personal thing based on what you can afford not what they tell you to give.

 

 

Totally agree. I don't like being told on how much to give. I am pretty generous on my own.

[staygulf]

I am just curious, would this apply to your customers too? If they can't afford to pay you they just take your product or service and say "Thank You" and walk away?

 

That's not really a fair comparison. A Pax enters into a contract with the cruiseline, not the service staff. The cruiseline's employees are contracted to provide the ship's services to the Pax. Therefore any additional tipping above the autotip should be based on discretion alone for good service. It is not mandatory nor should be expected.

[mafig]

Really?? I'll tell my child not to eat and drink for 10 days shall I ??

Get real...

 

 

You're doing the same thing by depriving your servers children. The cruisestaff have families who depend on the money they send to them. By you not tipping you have taken food from their child. Like that analogy? Same as yours!

[brfan]

I dont know what lines you cruise. On Carnival, Princess and RCL it is a added 15%. Lets say the soda card is $6.00 per day X 7 days, the 15% is then added to the total amount. Water, they also add the 15% if you choose to drink bottled water .. or anything from the bar. The prices do not include the 15% tip.

 

The reference was to one Royal Caribbean ship (I believe it is the Independence of the Seas) that sails out of Southampton. There was such a controversy regarding the 15% tip that they removed it, but I believe all they did was just raise the price by 15% and took off the tip line. So it's paid, but just hidden in the price.

[Poodle Lady]

OP, why don't you just call your travel agent and find out if your tips have already been included? If so, it's all good.

 

I don't think anyone is sticking pins into voodoo dolls. Bad karma is something a person brings on themselves. You may or may not believe in that. If not, ignore the naysayers and do it your way. Personally, I tip. I know that most of the workers come from very poor countries. They feel very lucky to have their jobs, even though they pay poorly. They know that their tips will round out their wages. You have the right to not pay the tips--it makes you look bad, but then, who cares?

 

Just check with the TA. Maybe this is all a tempest in a teapot.

[firefly333]

The reference was to one Royal Caribbean ship (I believe it is the Independence of the Seas) that sails out of Southampton. There was such a controversy regarding the 15% tip that they removed it, but I believe all they did was just raise the price by 15% and took off the tip line. So it's paid, but just hidden in the price.

 

People who live in the UK complain that they have to pay more than U.S. folks for their cruises.. maybe the cruiselines have built in the tip?

 

They know the pax from the U.K., on average, will tip less overall, so they have to build it into the fares. .. either way they are going to find a way to charge you in my opinion.

[Lynnees]

You're doing the same thing by depriving your servers children. The cruisestaff have families who depend on the money they send to them. By you not tipping you have taken food from their child. Like that analogy? Same as yours!

 

You're the one going overboard. You need to understand that NO ONE has to give a tip. That's why it's a suggested amount not a manditory. Your analogy is dumb. They get paid what they get paid. Anything else is a gratuity which is to say "thank you".

 

You have to stop pushing your american ways on others. You do what you want as an American as the rest of us will do what we want as NON- Americans.

[mafig]

It's not a "thank you."

 

It is part of their salary.

[Lynnees]

It's not a "thank you."

 

It is part of their salary.

 

No, it isn't. If it was called a service charge it would be - it's a gratuity and no one but no one is owed a gratuity unless the giver feels like giving one.

[jenrie]

People who live in the UK complain that they have to pay more than U.S. folks for their cruises.. maybe the cruiselines have built in the tip?

 

They know the pax from the U.K., on average, will tip less overall, so they have to build it into the fares. .. either way they are going to find a way to charge you in my opinion.

 

The tips are not built into the cruise fare in the Uk but when booking we always ask for them to be added on so we have one less expense to worry about when we get our final on board account.

[Ejas0973]

The tip on non tipcruise lines is included in the price and is what you call the living wage. Most cases the price of the purchase price is therefore also higher. Just remember if you go to reduce your auto tip then you remove it from all servers and not just say your steward or waiter as it is shared on a percentage basis. If you compare the price of a cruise to 7 days of flights and hotels it will usually still be cheaper. English say it is not part of there culture but then your not sailing in England with an English cruise line, so please learn and follow the culture of the country and the cruise line that you are actually spending your money with. Now start to think about having the best time possible with your family, that is the whole point of a holiday after all

[kitty9]

Obviously people are not going to give you the tips back... They probably thought you were very generous , and the whole point is THAT IS YOUR CHOICE!!

 

I think your attitude of things being beyond my means is rather rude and insulting... You certainly don't know me or know what my means are, my original point was I thought the level of tipping was excessive... Are you saying cruising should be reserved for the wealthy?? I just like a lot of other people who haven't cruised before , wanted to try something different...

 

Excuse me, but this is a quote directly from your first post

 

"We did book on a budget, and i do expect to give some tips, but cant afford what they expect."

 

Does this not say that you can't afford the tips they expect? Does this not imply that your budget is limited to the degree that you cannot afford the tips, or at least the tips that are recommended? Of course cruising isn't only for the wealthy, as evidenced by the very cheap fares on many cruises, but if one cannot afford the relatively small amount of money for tips, when compared to the entire cost of a cruise, one has to wonder. And as I pointed out, there are a lot of extra charges once you get on board the ship, not only the tips. Plus, you're cruising for 10 days, which, quite honestly, is longer than average for most passengers who have budget concerns. So, you can expect an even higher end of cruise bill, unless you plan on drinking tap water, basic coffee/tea, not taking any excursions, not purchasing one thing on the ship or in a port, and not spending much on entertainment.

 

As for giving tips back in the UK, they were not given because of generosity, but because it was added to my bill. Tip, service charge or whatever you call it, it's still a gratuity and it was still accepted by members of the UK, we do not tip, culture. Like it or not, Europeans are coming over to the tipping culture, and they seem to like the extra money.

 

But, just tip what you want, and expect to be labeled ........whatever. And, it's not Americans who foist this on anyone. As I posted earlier, British flagged ships ask for tips as do Asian flagged/owned ships. So, don't put all the blame on Americans.

[dolittle]

The staff will not treat you bad. Don't treat them bad .TIP If your honest you wll find they earn it.

[jadzhea]

 

 

 

Like it or not, Europeans are coming over to the tipping culture, and they seem to like the extra money.

 

 

Believe it or not, Tipping was not invented in America!!

 

Yes , we do tip, but it is not expected of us, it should NOT be used to pay someones wages, it should be a small token of appreciation

 

And yes, it should be based on what you can afford, for instance if I was a multi millionaire, I would expect to tip a lot more

[jadzhea]

You're doing the same thing by depriving your servers children. The cruisestaff have families who depend on the money they send to them. By you not tipping you have taken food from their child. Like that analogy? Same as yours!

 

No, because they are paid a wage, I dont know what it is, but I should not be paying their wage with tipping, as that should be a little bonus, a perk of the job, and I said that because someone told me I was basically not entitled to use the facitlities on the ship, even thought I paid for the cruise!! How ridiculous!!

 

And just for you info, I never said I wasnt going to tip, please read my posts properly... Thanks:D

[quincytoo]

No, because they are paid a wage, I dont know what it is, but I should not be paying their wage with tipping, as that should be a little bonus, a perk of the job, and I said that because someone told me I was basically not entitled to use the facitlities on the ship, even thought I paid for the cruise!! How ridiculous!!

 

And just for you info, I never said I wasnt going to tip, please read my posts properly... Thanks:D

 

I am sorry but I thought one of your first posts said you could not afford to pay what the cruise line wanted to charge for auto tips........I do travel a lot more then the average person but this would tell me that *I* was on over my head.....If *I* could not not afford to pay the staff what they were due then *I* could not book that vacation on good faith.

 

Please don`t throw (In my country we don`t tip well at me) I live in Canada we are not known for tipping well but *I* tip 20%+++++++.

 

When going on a cruise the mandatory tipping charge should not be taken away, people that do so are cheap and not cruisers *I* care to know.

 

That said, if all cruise lines made it a mandatory service charge and mak it payable at final payment then these threads would come to an end and we who tip 20%++++ can over tip to our hearts content :)

[jadzhea]

Whether you like it or not, cruising has been opened up to the masses, it is not just for you and your exclusive *I* club!!

 

Like I previously said but I will repeat myself... 1st cruise, not made aware of the extra gratuities expected... and yes, us brits are not used to that level of tipping, so what.?? I am still entitled to have my 1 holiday a year, and tip what I can afford

 

I am going to apply for membership of the *I* club right now!!

 

Cheers:D

[Gonzo70]

The recommended gratuities are basically the minimum amount that one should pay. The staff on the cruise ship only earns $50 per month in salary, so the tips are their pay. If you receive fair/average service, you would tip the recommended amount. If you have any servers who go above and beyond then you can add any additional amount you feel is appropriate to the recommended gratuities. To give less than the recommended gratuities (assuming one's service was at least average) is pretty much akin to stealing and is grossly inappropriate; it is basically treating the staff as though they were your slaves.

[SadieN]

I dont know what lines you cruise. On Carnival, Princess and RCL it is a added 15%. Lets say the soda card is $6.00 per day X 7 days, the 15% is then added to the total amount. Water, they also add the 15% if you choose to drink bottled water .. or anything from the bar. The prices do not include the 15% tip.

 

And if you buy drinks or a soda card at your embarkation port you could pay tax as well. In Los Angeles that's another 10%.

 

OP-Find out if your paid fare includes tips/gratuities/service charge. If not, leave it in place and ENJOY your vacation.

[bplazo]

I did not suggest that you not use the facilities on the ship, my idea was for you to make the beds in the cabin, clean the tub and sink and collect the trash in your cabin and use the buffet. That way you are limiting the work that the tipped employees are doing for you and your family.

 

You will find that they do alot of work for that recommended amout of tip requested. I really just wish that the cruise would just make this part of the fare as an add on like they do for port fees and taxes. It shows what it is and non-refundable.

[tenpin]

I am just curious, would this apply to your customers too? If they can't afford to pay you they just take your product or service and say "Thank You" and walk away?

 

What a stupid statement as anyone who has been S/E knows you give a price the customer then accepts it or not, we don't give a price then after suppling the service ask for extra because we performed our work well.

 

These crew members work on cruise ships because they can earn more in one day than they can earn in a week at home.

 

The OP was just asking a question yet is getting brow beaten like always by some members.

[Doug R.]

I think the bottom line is:

 

1. There are major cultural differences in tipping etiquette. There is no universally correct tipping convention.

 

2. You cannot view other nations tipping convention through the lens of your nation's practice. The other nation's convention is neither right or wrong, it is what it is.

 

3. The old saw "When in Rome..." applies. I would never tip in Japan where most tipping is considered an insult. I consult travel guides to determine the tipping convention in that society and follow it.

 

4. Arguing that you should not be forced to tip just because the cruise lines do not pay living wages is irrelevant and using it as justification to reduce or not tip hurts the very workers you are allegedly defending.