Forced gratuities

[sandancer]

I wondered the same thing! ;)

Me too, after I replied.

[arush5268d]

You have way way off.

 

1) It is not FORCED, you can remove tips at any time for any reasons - even if the only reason is that you are cheap cheap.

2) It is all well documented, nothing is a secret - all you have to do is read

3) The other cruise lines are per day, also.

[Kamloops50]

The OP just said no one advised him of the add on tips .. not that he couldnt pay them.

 

For some reason he also thought other cruiselines only charged like $11 tips for the entire cruise.

 

A good Travel Agent will explain all the charges that a cruise line chargers

 

including gratuities , bar tip (15%) and other misc charges. Sounds like they miss read or misunderstood what was written online or the brochure

[Bandman]

If you are a first time cruiser I can see where gratuities that are automatically charged to your account might seem strange. It's only been happening on carnival since 2004 and I remember all the consternation from seasoned cruisers about giving tips up front. Myself included. :rolleyes:

[csunshine860]

We have sailed with other cruise lines and never had terrible service. They work hard and the majority aim to please and deserve extra if one so desires.

 

Two years ago we were on the MSC on a 10 day cruise. Had fabulous time and service was great. We always tip extra for a job well done on the morning of departure and our last dinner. Well, last year, we cruised MSC once again ( though 2 with CCL also that December) and were surprised that the waiter the previous year remembered us by name and came to say hello (we were no where near his station) hugged us, told us to have a great cruise and he will see us around. Anytime he saw us around the ship he surely acknowledged us by name. He also sent cocktails to us on remembering my husband's BD. Something extra surely went a long way - straight to someone's heart and mind. :p

[katiel53]

The OP just said no one advised him of the add on tips .. not that he couldnt pay them.

 

For some reason he also thought other cruiselines only charged like $11 tips for the entire cruise.

 

 

I read what the OP said, but I do think he/she doesn't want to pay them as he thinks it's too much money. I think he/she needs to learn to read as others have posted and I also believe the posters on here advising he/she can remove them is giving him/her all the ammunition he/she needs to do so.

 

This poster would surprise me if he/she paid the full amount. Sorry, just my opinion. If I am wrong, I apologize, but I do believe this person is traveling on less than a shoe string.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I read what the OP said, but I do think he/she doesn't want to pay them as he thinks it's too much money. I think he/she needs to learn to read as others have posted and I also believe the posters on here advising he/she can remove them is giving him/her all the ammunition he/she needs to do so.

 

This poster would surprise me if he/she paid the full amount. Sorry, just my opinion. If I am wrong, I apologize, but I do believe this person is traveling on less than a shoe string.

 

you are probably right.

 

3 post from OP. One on tipping, the other how CCL sets up many traps on their internet packages and another about Spirit airlines.

 

Maybe it's Steveaaaaa reincarnated

 

Bill

[BarleyJack]

A hundred years ago I use to wait tables, and lived on tips. Just a preface.

 

My feeling is: if you can't afford to tip a measly 10$ a day, then you should really reconsider if you can afford to cruise.

 

Just saying.

 

Flame away.

[arush5268d]

you are probably right.

 

3 post from OP. One on tipping, the other how CCL sets up many traps on their internet packages and another about Spirit airlines.

 

Maybe it's Steveaaaaa reincarnated

 

Bill

 

I had hoped he drowned at sea.

[firefly333]

I think you'all forget how it is to book your first cruise. I thought $10 pp per day sounded like too much too, until I actually cruised.. this is obviously a new cruiser, or they would never have thought RCL tips are $11 per cruise.

[cruisenanny]

I think you'all forget how it is to book your first cruise. I thought $10 pp per day sounded like too much too, until I actually cruised.. this is obviously a new cruiser, or they would never have thought RCL tips are $11 per cruise.

Read the op's other two posts. I absolutely agree with what you say about first time cruisers but the op's post about Carnivals internet policy sounds very much like it's from experience to me...

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Read the op's other two posts. I absolutely agree with what you say about first time cruisers but the op's post about Carnivals internet policy sounds very much like it's from experience to me...

 

I was just going to say that. he knows all the workings of CCL's internet workings.

 

Just a pot stirrer.

 

Bill

[vols_159]

Inless you have horrible service And i mean horrible service no one should remove the daily tip charge.. and if you have that horrible of service guest service or hotel manager should have record of it... and if you have the daily charges removed because you are cheap.. the cruise line should ban you from future cruises.. 10 to 12 dollars a day is cheap especially if you eat in the mdr 2 or 3 times aday

[Essiesmom]

Inless you have horrible service And i mean horrible service no one should remove the daily tip charge.. and if you have that horrible of service guest service or hotel manager should have record of it... and if you have the daily charges removed because you are cheap.. the cruise line should ban you from future cruises.. 10 to 12 dollars a day is cheap especially if you eat in the mdr 2 or 3 times aday

 

I agree about banning people who remove tips...Like that group of 32 that John Heald mentioned. However, it's likely that these cheapskates prefer to spend their money in the bars and casino, both of which are heartily approved of by Carnival (and other lines). So, I guess the cruise lines have to weigh the risks/benefits. EM

[hubofhockey]

Royal Caribbean pre-charged gratuities to us (obviously we don't pay until final payment) for our Allure cruise two years down the road because we are choosing anytime dining. I have no issue with it and it wouldn't bother me if Carnival or Princess did the same.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Read the op's other two posts. I absolutely agree with what you say about first time cruisers but the op's post about Carnivals internet policy sounds very much like it's from experience to me...

 

You're catching on. Just sounds like a pot stirrer to me.

[lillian marie]

On all cruise lines the tips are $10 or more per day. It really is more of a service charge and is expected. Budget it into your vacation cost. I wish it was just added as a surcharge or placed into the cruise fare so there would be less confusion.

[firefly333]

I agree about banning people who remove tips...Like that group of 32 that John Heald mentioned. However, it's likely that these cheapskates prefer to spend their money in the bars and casino, both of which are heartily approved of by Carnival (and other lines). So, I guess the cruise lines have to weigh the risks/benefits. EM

 

Id think people who remove tips and cant afford them are the same people on CC bragging they can cruise and never spend a dime.

[vols_159]

why dont the cruise line include the tips in there prices?

[S.S.Oceanlover]

why dont the cruise line include the tips in there prices?

 

The lower the advertised rate the more fish they hook.

 

Bill

[dominichunter]

I agree about banning people who remove tips...Like that group of 32 that John Heald mentioned. However, it's likely that these cheapskates prefer to spend their money in the bars and casino, both of which are heartily approved of by Carnival (and other lines). So, I guess the cruise lines have to weigh the risks/benefits. EM

That group were all from one country. I don't believe they would spend $$ in the bars or casino either.

[dasmonkey]

Id think people who remove tips and cant afford them are the same people on CC bragging they can cruise and never spend a dime.

 

 

I have seen more people standing at the front desk at the end of the cruise holding their print out of charges that would choke a horse coming up with some lame reason to have the tips removed because they had spent too much.

[LHP]

Something that was not told to us when we booked is that Carnival automatically adds $10 per person, per day to your bill as a gratuity for the dinning and cabin staff. For us that's $250. I've looked at Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Disney - HA does the automatic gratuity for the stateroom, but it's only $11 per person per cruise, while Royal and Disney only recommend an amount to tip, $11-$12 per person, per cruise, not per day.

 

First of all am I reading this correctly on the other cruise lines (per cruise instead of per day) and do any other cruise lines do the forced gratuity?

 

Here's the part I find interesting as well. You have the option on your sign and sail card to deposit cash into the account, $100 at a time. But they didn't tell us that if we did that option to go ahead and put up $350 (the $100 plus the forced gratuity).

 

All cruise lines charge per person per day.

 

Yes, if you are going to cruise, you need to pay these tips.

 

If you are not going to pay the tips, don't cruise.

 

problem solved!

[rmacsc1401]

For my wife and I, we wish we could afford to give each of the staff that do such a wonderful job for us 50 dollars per day. Granted we can't afford to, but it sure would make us smile if we could!! I take my hat off to those hard working people that make all of us feel so great! I know not everyone agrees, but the staff tries really hard.

[perry36099]

My husband and I just got back from a Royal Caribbean cruise and they do not do the auto-gratuity. We have cruised 3 times with Carnival (the latest being last September on the Destiny) where the gratuities were added on.

 

I have no problem tipping for extraordinary service but I like to be able to hand my cabin steward or waiter the cash. On our last cruise on Majesty of the Seas we over-tipped our cabin steward $20 extra because he was awesome and our favorite bartender got an extra couple of dollars over the 15% auto-gratuity for drinks each time. There is something satisfying for rewarding good employees for their efforts.

 

Forcing the gratuity is unfortunate but my guess is that some people do not want to leave a tip unless they feel like they have to. If you ever read about cruise employees' work schedules, standard pay, etc I would think even the cheapest individual would be hard-pressed to deduct an auto-gratuity.