Princess increased auto tipping

[mph045]

I just found out the auto tip for a mini suite went from $11pp to $12pp.

 

While I do not have a problem with this increase and the crew deserves it-I was surprised to find out the increase here on Cruise Critic vs recieveing something from Princess Cruises.

They also failed to tell me the change in itinerary from Belieze to Costa Maya Mexico for Dec 10th Voyage on Crown Princess.

 

Princess needs to improve there communication to those who booked already on changes.

[Toto2Kansas]

Hummmmm, first I have read of this, I must have missed the annoucement. But it's such a small amount, and IMHO it's about time they increased the auto tip amount. ;)

 

Edited: Yes, just found it on the Princess website.

To simplify the tipping process for our passengers, a discretionary gratuity of $12 per person for mini-suites and suites, and $11.50 per passenger in all other staterooms per day (including children) will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. This gratuity will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, and housekeeping staff across the fleet.

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/onboard/experience.jsp

 

All category stateroom auto tips have been increased, from what it says.

[mph045]

Like I said earlier-I have no problem on the increases-

 

Just that Princess needs to notify those who have booked Cruises in advance as well as Port changes.

[mycruz]

Just curious, did you book through Princess or us a TA? I got notification of an itinerary change for a 2012 cruise several weeks ago. Booked direct though.

 

As for the tips, yes it is minimal, and they do so deserve it.

[mph045]

I booked directly through my TA-see was not notified either.

[johnmik1]

I just found out the auto tip for a mini suite went from $11pp to $12pp.

 

While I do not have a problem with this increase and the crew deserves it-I was surprised to find out the increase here on Cruise Critic vs recieveing something from Princess Cruises.

They also failed to tell me the change in itinerary from Belieze to Costa Maya Mexico for Dec 10th Voyage on Crown Princess.

 

Princess needs to improve there communication to those who booked already on changes.

 

I am disembarking Grand tomorrow and the tip is showing as $11 in our mini.

[mii]

Just got off of th Coral yesterday was was still 11.00pp for mini's. When does this go into effect.

 

Marilyn

[Toto2Kansas]

I checked the Princess website and can not find a date when this is to take effect, it doesn't mention anything except the increased amounts in the link I posted, that I can find.

[compozer]

They also failed to tell me the change in itinerary from Belieze to Costa Maya Mexico for Dec 10th Voyage on Crown Princess.

 

Princess needs to improve there communication to those who booked already on changes.

 

 

We booked a Christmas cruise on the Crown mainly because of Belize. I'm going to be upset if they change it. On the Grand last November - we also booked because of Belize and they they canceled it and added Princess Cays - wasn't pleased but didn't let it ruin the trip.

[SwissDave]

Additional $1 per day wont make any difference to me. I think it's the first increase for many years and since RCI (I think) increased their tip charges it was only a matter of time before others started to as well.

 

If people have not been notified of it, then perhaps it will only be for new bookings?, but a bit remiss of Princess not to give the effective date in the announcement.

[Toto2Kansas]

My travel agent hadn't even gotten the word about this yet, I just asked. But I was told Celebrity increased their's also, so it seems that most (if not all) of the main stream cruise lines are increasing the tip amount, so it isn't just Princess. ;)

[Loonbeam]

My TA thinks she saw something buried in an email but can't find it.

 

I agree, no problem with the change, but they could have communicated it better.

[isujim]

We paid $11.00pp on the Star the first week of April. Not surprised of the increase. Royal Caribbean is increasing theirs and I think the date for their implementation is July 1, although I could be wrong on the date. Probably long overdue.......I think Royal said it was their first increase in about 15 years.

[Toto2Kansas]

I asked Princess reps on facebook, and this is the answer they posted to me:

 

The discretionary gratuity of $12 per person for mini-suites and suites, and $11.50 per passenger in all other staterooms per day will be implemented on the following ships and sailing dates...Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Diamond Princess, Coral Princess on May 21; Crown Princess on May 22; Ocean Princess on May 27, Sea Princess on May 20. The change has already occurred on the following ships: Caribbean Princess, Island Princess, Emerald Princess, Pacific Princess, Ruby Princess, Sapphire Princess, and Star Princess."

 

[califgary]

I booked directly through my TA-see was not notified either.

 

So they say anyway....I used a TA that was really so busy that items like this would slip by them and they'd say they werent notified - a big reason why I now deal directly with the cruiselines.

[KaththeTaff]

No doubt I will be called cheap and flamed for this, but I will be reducing the amount to the $10.50 it stated when I booked.

[Coral]

No doubt I will be called cheap and flamed for this, but I will be reducing the amount to the $10.50 it stated when I booked.

 

You may want to wait and evaluate your service on board and then decide.

 

For example - we have always paid the auto-tips but always thought they deserved more then what was recommended so we always tip extra because they sincerely earned more then what is allocated to them. For example - a room steward who cleans my room 2x in a day deserves more then $3.50 per person IMO. You may be surprised at how low the recommended amounts truly is for the work they do.

[KaththeTaff]

I may decide to icnrease the amount after I have experienced some of the service. As a starting point, the amount that was stated when I made the booking, is good enough for me.

 

It's a matter of principle. Princess have not informed me that the increase will take place, as has been mentioned earlier.

[oskidunker]

You can always reduce it.15 day cruise in a mini for 2 will now cost $360.00 instead of $315.00. Its fine to say they deserve it but my income has been going DOWN the last 4 years, so its something to think about. Everyone wants you to pay more but unfortunately companies are doing their best to pay us less. Something has to give eventually.

 

the service will have to be excellent for me to pay this.

[bjkTX]

So they say anyway....I used a TA that was really so busy that items like this would slip by them and they'd say they werent notified - a big reason why I now deal directly with the cruiselines.

 

That's like saying I just paid sticker price for my new car at the dealer because they told me gas was going up....

[caber]

I don`t actually remember ever been informed of the auto tip at all by Princess. I first read about it on this site and then looked it up in the "frequently asked questions" on the Princess website.

 

We have not been told of it ever by any of the travel agents we booked with.

[Coral]

You can always reduce it.15 day cruise in a mini for 2 will now cost $360.00 instead of $315.00. Its fine to say they deserve it but my income has been going DOWN the last 4 years, so its something to think about. Everyone wants you to pay more but unfortunately companies are doing their best to pay us less. Something has to give eventually.

 

the service will have to be excellent for me to pay this.

 

If one can't afford the recommended tips, I am guessing one probably can't afford long cruises. As far as something has to give, my recommendation is to take shorter cruises as opposed to not paying the workers the recommended tip.

 

The cost of tipping is part of the cost of cruising.

[Toto2Kansas]

If one can't afford the recommended tips, I am guessing one probably can't afford long cruises. As far as something has to give, my recommendation is to take shorter cruises as opposed to not paying the workers the recommended tip.

 

The cost of tipping is part of the cost of cruising.

 

Perfectly worded Coral! ;)

[isujim]

I don`t actually remember ever been informed of the auto tip at all by Princess. I first read about it on this site and then looked it up in the "frequently asked questions" on the Princess website.

 

We have not been told of it ever by any of the travel agents we booked with.

 

It is certainly in the Princess brochures.............I have found not ALL TA's are up to speed on the changes that occur in the cruise industry. Even TA's that are "cruise specialists" are having trouble keeping up with the sometimes monthly changes that occur.

 

I always get a brochure, check cruise critic, and any other resource I can find to try and keep up to date as much as possible. It might not be practical for a lot of people..........but doing research without ANY TA input is invaluable.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I've felt that Princess has really increased communication for those about to cruise -- at least that was my experience for my December cruise, compared to our previous cruise five years prior. Maybe, for the OP, you haven't yet started receiving your emails that are specific for your cruise.