Has anyone openly not paid required tips at end of cruise?

[Leothelion]

I can honestly say that I have openly not paid the required tips at the end of the cruise!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

(I am going on my first cruise in about 42 days!);)

[CupKayke]

i was gonna say before you eventually said it, she sounds like she was an idiot ta.

 

glad you dumped her.

 

Would never use her or recommend her again. We paid $379 per person (with 4 in several rooms) for lowest-deck-possible interior rooms on a 4-night out of New Orleans going to Cozumel and back in the middle of September!! LOL!!

[Isasprings]

English is my second language forgive me is I spell something wrong.

I love Carnival auto tip.When we cruise with RCL I told my DH don't

worry at end of the cruise they are going to charge our tips.

To my surprise they din't do it that why the nice lady our cabin

steward when I gave her an envelope with $20 she was mad :mad:

when we got our bill I notice they do not charge the $40 each for tips

I found out you have to put them in the envelope so I run to the nice lady

I apologise and I gave her a bill of $100 and we gave another $100 to our nice waiters.

at the end we tip more but they gave us a good service :p

[H82seaUgo]

English is my second language forgive me is I spell something wrong.

I love Carnival auto tip.When we cruise with RCL I told my DH don't

worry at end of the cruise they are going to charge our tips.

To my surprise they din't do it that why the nice lady our cabin

steward when I gave her an envelope with $20 she was mad :mad:

when we got our bill I notice they do not charge the $40 each for tips

I found out you have to put them in the envelope so I run to the nice lady

I apologise and I gave her a bill of $100 and we gave another $100 to our nice waiters.

at the end we tip more but they gave us a good service :p

 

you are correct. on rccl, you must initiate the tip on your card by filling out a form, or you must pay cash in the envelopes. you must do this like two days before the cruise ends.

 

on ccl, they do it for you.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

I think it would be interesting to know, and I think this is what the OP meant by the thread,

 

Have you ever gone on a cruise, and at the end of the trip realized

"Crap, we are out of money" or "Crap, our credit card is messed up and we can't get any money for the trip home" so they go to the desk and have to reduce the tips to make ends meet on the way home, for things like the parking lot at their home airport, baggage fees for the flight home, or things like that.

 

Things happen, and sometimes things go wrong.

 

 

Perfect example of why Carnival should implement a service charge like some other cruise lines. Too many cheapskates that prioritize their bar bill and other non-essential S&S expenditures before considering taking care of those that made their cruise so enjoyable in the first place. Cut corners somewhere else, not by jipping those who work hard to ensure you have a great cruise. Additionally, Parking and baggage fees are essentials and should be budgeted for before hand and if necessary that amount should be set-aside to ensure it will be accessible when needed.

 

Rate of Cruise + tax and Gov't fees + pre-paid gratuities + cruise insurance = TOTAL PRICE OF THE CRUISE ....everything else= extras.

 

JMHO

[fototaker]

We always tip in advance! I have never had to remove any tips! Most incredibly, we have found that when you tip in advance the service seems to be stepped up, which always leads to a bigger tip for the wait staff and room stewarts! The Maitre D' tip is the one that kills me! I have never tipped him, in fact the only time i have ever had any interaction with him was on the final night with his hand out for an envelope! If i had a special request that required specific interaction from him i would tip for his service. In fact one in our group for august is going to have issues with gluten and other food issues! I think this time he may get a nice tip! :)

[Celticgent]

I agree that there will always be those that think stiffing the staff of tips when they have been earned are just that (thankfully) small percentage of arrogant and self-centered people. And most of us would address issues with the management if there were issues to be resolved rather than just passing along an empty envelope.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

We always tip in advance! I have never had to remove any tips! Most incredibly, we have found that when you tip in advance the service seems to be stepped up, which always leads to a bigger tip for the wait staff and room stewarts! The Maitre D' tip is the one that kills me! I have never tipped him, in fact the only time i have ever had any interaction with him was on the final night with his hand out for an envelope! If i had a special request that required specific interaction from him i would tip for his service. In fact one in our group for august is going to have issues with gluten and other food issues! I think this time he may get a nice tip! :)

 

If you never had that waitstaff before how do you know that the service is stepped up? Maybe they just work like that all the time because they figure they will get a bigger tip at the end. Or maybe they just take pride in their work.

 

Bill

[misguidedangel]

I would never dream of stiffing the staff of their tips, never!!! I usually, if the service is better than expected to phenomenal, give extra because I know how hard they have to work and deserve every penny!

 

Matire'd--I have only tipped three maitre'ds--Alex (Liberty), Miguel (Splendor), and Paul (Glory). The last two cruises the maitre'd never wandered around the dining room meeting the guests and didn't even do the usual last night "tip me" walk around.....Several maitre'ds shouldn't have been in their job...their hostess's did 10X more than they did. On my Liberty cruise last year I have the hostess a tip because she did an amazing job!!!!

[La-Artist]

My cabin steward on my Hawaiian cruise got 3 pennies. It was with Norwegian and the tips were automatic so we left 3 cents on the nightstand as a protest.

 

Did the cabin steward know why you did that, or did said cabin steward think it was an insult because of poor service? I'm thinking that Norwegian was never even aware of your protest.

[kayakittyyak]

In the US we are accustomed to tipping and the correct amounts to tip. However, in some countries the tipping customs differ. I have heard from some cruisers from other countries that prepaid gratuities were required. I've always wonderred if adding the tips to your sail and sign was initiated because of issues with tipping from some of these people.

[kyrisong1]

One person in our group requires a microwave for his medical needs and the microwave is located in staff area, so someone had to come and get the medicine and then microwave it... this guy got nothing but three hours wait and rolling eyes. That is only a fraction of everything.

 

Why would you call them wonderful if you were not even there? :rolleyes:

Ok this is just out of plain curiosity. What medication needs microwaved? I've never had to microwave anything at all, except in ER when people are hypothermic and they warm the IV medication. I think that perotineal dialysis also requires warmed solution, but never seen medication needing microwaved??? Thanks if you satisify this cats curiosity, I'm a nurse and just really can't think of anything needing it!!!

Cheers, Carole

[bdstrom]

Ok this is just out of plain curiosity. What medication needs microwaved? I've never had to microwave anything at all, except in ER when people are hypothermic and they warm the IV medication. I think that perotineal dialysis also requires warmed solution, but never seen medication needing microwaved??? Thanks if you satisify this cats curiosity, I'm a nurse and just really can't think of anything needing it!!!

Cheers, Carole

 

No problem. It's hearing aids. During certain type of weather and sweating, moisture can build up in the hearing aids and can eventually damage it. There is a special case to put the hearing aids in before putting in the microwave to eliminate the moisture build up.

 

The equipment costs over four thousand dollars, very nerve-wrecking and a lot of time wasted. As discussed earlier in this thread, PROMPTNESS!!!

 

I used a broad "medical" terminology because it was easier and more respectful way to explain the situation.

 

My wife and I were very embarrassed because it was this guy's first cruise and told him positive things about Carnival. :( There's more, a LOT more to add... but I would end up writing a novel.

[kyrisong1]

No problem. It's hearing aids. During certain type of weather and sweating, moisture can build up in the hearing aids and can eventually damage it. There is a special case to put the hearing aids in before putting in the microwave to eliminate the moisture build up.

 

The equipment costs over four thousand dollars, very nerve-wrecking and a lot of time wasted. As discussed earlier in this thread, PROMPTNESS!!!

 

I used a broad "medical" terminology because it was easier and more respectful way to explain the situation.

 

My wife and I were very embarrassed because it was this guy's first cruise and told him positive things about Carnival. :( There's more, a LOT more to add... but I would end up writing a novel.

Wow hearing aids in the microwave??? I've not heard of that either. I wear a hearing aid on one side and a cochlear implant on the other, I've never been tempted or had the nerve to put them in the microwave to dry them out. I did get an appliance that you plug in and at night they it will take the moisture out of the cochlear. Also in the case there is a little disc filled with absorbant material that gets changed when the color changes. Learn something new everyday :-)

Cheers, Carole

[bdstrom]

Wow hearing aids in the microwave??? I've not heard of that either. I wear a hearing aid on one side and a cochlear implant on the other, I've never been tempted or had the nerve to put them in the microwave to dry them out. I did get an appliance that you plug in and at night they it will take the moisture out of the cochlear. Also in the case there is a little disc filled with absorbant material that gets changed when the color changes. Learn something new everyday :-)

Cheers, Carole

 

Whoa, do not simply put the hearing aids directly in the microwave, LOL! It has to be inside a special dehumidifier cylinder. There is several different type of hearing aids dehumidifier and he had one that requires a microwave.

[kyrisong1]

Whoa, do not simply put the hearing aids directly in the microwave, LOL! It has to be inside a special dehumidifier cylinder. There is several different type of hearing aids dehumidifier and he had one that requires a microwave.

Oh don't worry, I'm a cochlear implant wearer since 2004, have had hearing aids since '97. I don't even use dehumidifiers, the ones I have are water resistant and I have never had a problem with them, there are little covers you can put on your hearing aid if you sweat a lot. I think your friend was being a little anal with thinking he needed the hearing aids in the dehumidifier daily, but I was not really going to say that because it's his property, but he could have made it easier for everyone and brought the little canister that leaches moisture.

I will say it's pretty high humidity in Nebraska in the summer and I've never had difficulty with the hearing aid deteriorating, but I would use one at home if I was worried about it. I don't think a week on a ship will ruin or deteriorate anyones hearing aids, also people could leave their insulin out too, it wouldn't hurt it, most hospitals don't refrigerate it at all, it extends the life of it though and because it's expensive I would keep in fridge at home, but I would let it stay out for a week of vacation.........just saying..... :-)

[MissDiva1]

you are correct. on rccl, you must initiate the tip on your card by filling out a form, or you must pay cash in the envelopes. you must do this like two days before the cruise ends.

 

on ccl, they do it for you.

 

We didn't fill out anything on our Monarch and Mariner cruise in 2004 and 2009. They were automatically deducted just like Carnival.

[thebill0322]

Are most of you talking about tipping extra over the auto assigned amounts?

 

Or do people get them removed and then tip in cash?

 

Personally I have always liked the idea of tipping in cash and in person but it does not seem like that is the consensus of everyone? Wouldn't want to be looked down upon for removing tips because I would have rather do it in cash.

[MissDiva1]

We didn't fill out anything on our Monarch and Mariner cruise in 2004 and 2009. They were automatically deducted just like Carnival.

 

Oops just remembered we pre paid our tips on the Mariner because we had anytime dining......so just on the Monarch it was a auto tip. That was back in 2004 so maybe it has changed since then:confused:

[Katiebug430]

But now we are feeling like cheapskates after reading this and other threads where people are talking about tipping an extra $50 to the steward, waiter and asst waiter. One guy said he always tips the steward $100 at the beginning of the cruise!!

 

Are we in the norm if we just leave the prepaid tips on and don't tip the steward and waiters extra at the beginning or end of our cruise?

 

I've also read this and while it's nice, we just don't have the funds to be handing out $20-50 or even more to everyone we encounter on top of the auto-tip. On this Glory cruise I saw at least one other guest who was slipping $20 bills to bartenders left and right - I wish my pocketbook was that ample! We have been on three cruises and did auto-tip each time.

 

The first two times we did not tip the maitre d' because we never even SAW them much less had any interaction until the final night of the cruises when they were standing at the front of the restaurant essentially with their hands out. :rolleyes: We had a very different and quite positive maitre d' experience on Glory this past week and it was the first time we felt prompted to tip the maitre d' - he went to every table every night to ensure guests were happy, and was very kind and sweet to our daughter.

 

With Your Time Dining we had three different waiter teams on a 5 night cruise - I don't even want to think about chasing around a bunch of busy waiters serving other guests their meals and trying to slip an envelope of cash to them. We did auto-tip and if we don't get a customer service survey we plan to write a letter to Carnival about two particularly good head waiters, to make sure their bosses are aware of how good they and their teams were!

[alreadypacked]

I have to ask two things...

What in the world did your whole group do to the wonderful staff that they would treat all in your group poorly???? I see though that you won't mention it so it was probably a way to not only beat the service staff out of their tips but also to stiff Carnival on a credit for another cruise....:rolleyes:

Second, let us all know how you avoid tipping all staff, waiters, cabin stewards and so on on your next cruise so we all can do the same thing and get a credit for our next cruise...:D

 

I too often wonder what people do to make the staff treat them so badly. I have received less than stellar service (but not really that bad or outright disrespectful or horrible) from time to time (on a cruise, in a restaurant, in a hotel etc.), but not enough to make me stiff someone. In fact I have never received service bad enough to stiff.

 

I can remember once when DH and I went to a popular chain restaurant and the server forgot to put in our order. He was clearly swamped and struggling and management was nowhere in sight to assist. When we mentioned to him that we had been waiting quite a while, he apologetically realized that he'd forgotten to put in our order. Actually, I wasn't a bit surprised by the management's inaction, because I worked with people who had previously worked for this restaurant chain, who already told me that the managers at our establishment were very supportive and professional compared to their previous restaurant. (In our restaurant, in a similar situation, a manager would have come to the table to smooth things over and take care of the guest, if need be, to make sure they'd want to return, which hopefully would safeguard the server's tip.).

 

The server was very nice (and mortified), however, and having worked in a restaurant where management gives the servers too large a station, or was new and training and/or help is inadequate, I sympathized. His mistake was not due to lack of effort. Believe me, I have been there.

 

We still gave him a $10.00 tip on a thirty-some dollar bill and he literally almost fell over. I have worked as a server and in customer service in general--it is not an easy job sometimes, and we are all human--people can have a bad day, or be inadequately trained, or have a death in the family, or who knows what. The vice versa is true too--you never know what a customer is going through either, but I try to remember that we are all human. It seems to have worked for me because I usually get good service. For me, service doesn't have to be great--just good enough to meet my needs--which it always has.

[conchead]

We are going on our first cruise on July 31st. We prepaid our tips and plan to just leave them as is.

 

But now we are feeling like cheapskates after reading this and other threads where people are talking about tipping an extra $50 to the steward, waiter and asst waiter. One guy said he always tips the steward $100 at the beginning of the cruise!!

 

Are we in the norm if we just leave the prepaid tips on and don't tip the steward and waiters extra at the beginning or end of our cruise?

 

Will they already know that we paid our tips in advance?

 

We do the same. I am fine with it.

 

Perfect example of why Carnival should implement a service charge like some other cruise lines. Too many cheapskates that prioritize their bar bill and other non-essential S&S expenditures before considering taking care of those that made their cruise so enjoyable in the first place. Cut corners somewhere else, not by jipping those who work hard to ensure you have a great cruise. Additionally, Parking and baggage fees are essentials and should be budgeted for before hand and if necessary that amount should be set-aside to ensure it will be accessible when needed.

 

Rate of Cruise + tax and Gov't fees + pre-paid gratuities + cruise insurance = TOTAL PRICE OF THE CRUISE ....everything else= extras.

 

JMHO

 

So if you get crap service..so what then?

[MyMoses]

I did tip the MD on our last cruise, because he was able to move us to the early seating dinner.

[JPH814]

I too often wonder what people do to make the staff treat them so badly. I have received less than stellar service (but not really that bad or outright disrespectful or horrible) from time to time (on a cruise, in a restaurant, in a hotel etc.), but not enough to make me stiff someone. In fact I have never received service bad enough to stiff.

 

I usually tip well - at least 25% in restaurants and often give additional tips to waiters and stewards on cruises. But to give you an example of a non-cruise nature: I was in a high end restaurant at a casino hotel in New Jersey. Our table for four was totally ignored by the waiter. He appeared once to take our order and we never saw him again. A runner from the kitchen brought our food. He never came back for a wine order. Never asked if we wanted dessert or coffee. A busboy dropped off the check. We realized there was a table of 8 VIPs next to us that was getting a ton of attention from him and all of the other wait staff.

 

When the meal was over, I walked to the MatreD and paid the check in cash and made a point of telling him the service was terrible and I refused to leave a tip. He apologized.

 

So it is exterme, but it can happen....and it was not beauase we did anything "to make the staff treat us so badly".

[Ceece911]

I have.