£1,000 in gratuities??

[postmeome]

The under-7s probably make the biggest mess.

did you miss a zero?:rolleyes:

[Starry Eyes]

Yes I see those posts which are helpful and that is great to read and I thank those of you who are trying to help :D

 

But there are some uncalled for comments and those make me sad :(

 

Liz, I just hate to see this turn into a UK vs US thread. We have had enough of those, as you well know. Other than giving the cost in pounds, I think this exact thread could easily have been written by a US citizen taking a family of six on a long cruise and miscalculating the tip guidelines. That would cause sticker shock for a US family, too.

 

I paid tips for six on my last cruise...even at seven days, it added up fast....fourteen days would have been a pretty penny. Miscalculate the tips and my eyes may have bugged out. US people have issues with tipping for children...especially before the cruise. Once they see the attention given the youngsters, sometimes those concerns dissipate...not always. And that is US folks who are accustomed to the concept. I think a US person complaining about kid tips gets the same treatment (or maybe worse) than a UK person.

 

Working my way through school, I worked for tips, si I have been there. It motivates people to work harder. Those that do the job really well make much more money than those who do an adequate or poor job. those who are not suited to their tipped jobs tend to sort themselves out and leave. I can understand how the system may seem odd or cruel to others, but as both a tipper and tippee, I can say I believe the system works in our culture. Maybe we have a wider variation in work attitudes in our population than the UK. For the UK poster who critizes our system, please remember people choose tipped jobs...they are not forced into them. Set wage jobs are common at all levels. BTW, when I was a struggling student, I earned far more per hour working for tips than I would have earned at a set wage position with my level of education and training...I still appreciate a really good waitress, more than if I'd never done the job.

[trolleydolly]

We have per paid our tips (as we always do) and we are in a gs and have paid about £120 per person for a 14 night cruise. There are 3 of us. That works out £360 so yours (if you are in a suite) should be no more than double that - £720. And if you aren't in a suite it will be less.

[Kristi Williamson]

As a family with of six, we completely understand the moment of..."what the heck?!"....that goes along with seeing hundreds and hundreds of dollars going toward tips. With four children, we've learned to accept that if we choose to cruise, this is part of our cruise fare.

 

However, what irritates me are the people on here who constantly harp about how these poor, poor service people on cruises are just barely hand to mouth and how we, as wealthy Americans, simply must have compassion and fill their coffers. I'm not sure who the people on here have been speaking with, but we've spoken to many service members of cruise ships who blatantly acknowledge they work cruise jobs because it's a road to being financially secure in their own countries.

 

Last RCI cruise we spoke to a Russian couple (both casino dealers) who were leaving at the end of their contract to open their restaurant in Russia. They had saved enough money from their cruise positions to open the restaurant and not make one single penny for two years. They said they knew that it sometimes took a while to get off the ground and they didn't want to stress about it during the first few years. Think your job provides the ability to do that?

 

We've spoken to waiters who openly admit that they will be heading home soon to their new businesses that their families have opened due to the money they make on board the ships. So...no, these crew members aren't scrapping by. They may work long hours (although less that what some on here say), and they may work hard, but so does every other person who chooses service work and most don't make 1/10 of what cruise service members make. ;)

 

I think you should tip and if you don't for ALL members of your family then you're a jerk. Tipping is a part of cruising and that's just how it is.

[teajak]

Personally when travelling with our Grand kids I only pay for children over 7 years old. I go to the ront desk and ask them to make adjustments. Never had a problem. By the way, I always give additional when service warrants. samiii

Service sure warrants it for a 7 year old unless you are going to clean up after,make the bed, bring the linens,clean the BR,etc.,etc.:eek:

[postmeome]

As a family with of six, we completely understand the moment of..."what the heck?!"....that goes along with seeing hundreds and hundreds of dollars going toward tips. With four children, we've learned to accept that if we choose to cruise, this is part of our cruise fare.

 

However, what irritates me are the people on here who constantly harp about how these poor, poor service people on cruises are just barely hand to mouth and how we, as wealthy Americans, simply must have compassion and fill their coffers. I'm not sure who the people on here have been speaking with, but we've spoken to many service members of cruise ships who blatantly acknowledge they work cruise jobs because it's a road to being financially secure in their own countries.

 

Last RCI cruise we spoke to a Russian couple (both casino dealers) who were leaving at the end of their contract to open their restaurant in Russia. They had saved enough money from their cruise positions to open the restaurant and not make one single penny for two years. They said they knew that it sometimes took a while to get off the ground and they didn't want to stress about it during the first few years. Think your job provides the ability to do that?

 

We've spoken to waiters who openly admit that they will be heading home soon to their new businesses that their families have opened due to the money they make on board the ships. So...no, these crew members aren't scrapping by. They may work long hours (although less that what some on here say), and they may work hard, but so does every other person who chooses service work and most don't make 1/10 of what cruise service members make. ;)

 

I think you should tip and if you don't for ALL members of your family then you're a jerk. Tipping is a part of cruising and that's just how it is.

we are not all wealthy americans:(

[Jetdriver787]

This is the information provided by RCI when I logged in to my cruise account today;

*

$18.90 a day x 6 people = $113.40 a day x $18.90 14 nights = $1587.60 which equates to roughly £1,000

Suite attendant USD 7.25 a day per guest

Stateroom attendant USD 5.00 a day per guest

Dining Room Waiter USD 3.75 a day per guest

Assistant Waiter USD 2.15 a day per guest

Head Waiter USD 0.75 a day per guest

Note: These gratuities apply to guests of all ages. A 15% gratuity will automatically be added ro your bar or wine bill when you are served

 

With respect, the line which I have highlighted in bold script isn't included on your cruise account. That is your supposition. You either pay the stateroom attendent or if you are in a suite you then you pay the suite attendant. You don't pay both (unless you have two rooms and one of them is a suite,) it is one or the other.

 

What I would query is that a 5yr old child pays the same as an adult – if that was the case then a 5yr old child should pay the same fare as an adult

They do. If there is one adult and one child in a room they pay the two person charge. Any additional adults or children are charged the 3rd/4th person rate. It is usually exactly the same. The gratuity is a service charge in effect. The state room or suite attendent has to make 6 beds and clear up six persons mess whatever age those six people are.

 

I agree with the suggestion above, that this would be better re-titled as a "resort charge" or "service charge" and included with the final invoice. That would enable those who want to "tip" over and above to carry on as they already do. The staff would be happy because it would reduce the number of people who short change them in order to satisfy their own interpretation of the staff expectations and the recommended daily amounts. I suspect this is what will happen outside of the North American arena eventually. Of course it is already de-facto for those electing to take part in My time dining.

 

Whilst there is certainly an element of "cultural difference" to this whole issue of cruise ship tipping, the truth is that it is not unique to Royal caribbean. I cruised 25 years ago on that bastion of Britishness the Cunard Queen Elizabeth II. Even then our Liverpudlian Dining room server went to great pains to remind us what the recommended daily tipping amounts were.

[donaldsc]

We're cruising on IOS next month, 14 nights - 2 adults & 4 children (14,13,11&5). If we follow the guidelines our gratuities are £1,000!!!

 

This is more than the cost of one persons holiday!

 

We always pay gratuities at the end of the cruise but is it just me or do you think this is extortionate on top of all the other costs?

 

What is the total cost of the cruise for the 6 of you? What is the percentage of the cost that your tips will be?

 

If you can afford to take 6 people cruising, you can afford the tips.

 

DON

[MOSusan]

 

Americans are not the ones that need to learn to tip. Worry about your own side of the pond. :rolleyes: Seems that you have enough issues over there.

 

I was misquoted - looks like a bad cut and past job. That nasty comment should rightfully be credited to milliemine.

 

 

#39

Today, 09:55 AM

milliemine

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: May 2012

Location: birmingham

Posts: 9

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Host Elizanessie;33696794

And I am sorry to see that once again our "friends" across the pond come on here and have a go at UK Cruisers.:(

 

quote

Really? I saw people trying to educate someone who was calculating things incorrectly.

 

The sterotyping goes both ways on this board.

 

 

Really? Well, let's educate you then: Tipping is just an excuse to keep wages low, and the sooner Americans realise this, the better it will be, especially for those who work in the service industry.

[Kristi Williamson]

we are not all wealthy americans:(

 

LOL....yeah, that was my point.

 

I suppose the "sarcasm" doesn't come through as well on here. But, that's what some posters on here imply: Us wealthy Americans shouldn't gripe about the tips if we can "afford" to cruise. However, when your tips are hundreds and hundreds of dollars on top of the cruise fare that you've worked your bootie off to save for, then it's a shock to see those large tip amounts and I get that, while some evidently don't.

[MOSusan]

we are not all wealthy americans:(

 

Definition please? I need to know if I should agree with you or be offended.

[postmeome]

LOL....yeah, that was my point.

 

I suppose the "sarcasm" doesn't come through as well on here. But, that's what some posters on here imply: Us wealthy Americans shouldn't gripe about the tips if we can "afford" to cruise. However, when your tips are hundreds and hundreds of dollars on top of the cruise fare that you've worked your bootie off to save for, then it's a shock to see those large tip amounts and I get that, while some evidently don't.

you evidently don't

you called people "jerks":o

[Jumbiecruiser]

 

I was misquoted - looks like a bad cut and past job. That nasty comment should rightfully be credited to milliemine.

 

 

#39

Today, 09:55 AM

milliemine

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: May 2012

Location: birmingham

Posts: 9

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Host Elizanessie;33696794

And I am sorry to see that once again our "friends" across the pond come on here and have a go at UK Cruisers.:(

 

quote

 

Really? I saw people trying to educate someone who was calculating things incorrectly.

 

The sterotyping goes both ways on this board.

 

 

Really? Well, let's educate you then: Tipping is just an excuse to keep wages low, and the sooner Americans realise this, the better it will be, especially for those who work in the service industry.

 

I apologize. I just hit he quote button.

[postmeome]

Definition please? I need to know if I should agree with you or be offended.

look on the post i was replying to:rolleyes:

[Jumbiecruiser]

we are not all wealthy americans:(

 

There are many people who cruise and are not considered to be wealthy but there are some things that are expected when one does cruise and extending gratuities is one of them. It's not fair to stiff the ones who took care of you during your cruise. If people don't like the system then they need to find a way to get it changed. Until then either follow the system or find another form of vacation.

[Kristi Williamson]

you evidently don't

you called people "jerks":o

 

Yep...people who don't tip at all ARE jerks. If you go on a cruise, tipping is part of that. While I GET that it's a sticker shock for some, those that refuse to tip...and there's plenty on here who don't and yet continue to keep right on cruising...are JERKS.

 

Perhaps you should re-read the post since you keep referring to it outside it's context.

[postmeome]

There are many people who cruise and are not considered to be wealthy but there are some things that are expected when one does cruise and extending gratuities is one of them. It's not fair to stiff the ones who took care of you during your cruise. If people don't like the system then they need to find a way to get it changed. Until then either follow the system or find another form of vacation.

i wondered how long "stiff" would come out on this thread:rolleyes:

it doesnt matter cruise or land based holiday ,your getting same service ,pay your tips ,and we dont need to be told how much to pay,there is no system only in your mind

[Jumbiecruiser]

i wondered how long "stiff" would come out on this thread:rolleyes:

it doesnt matter cruise or land based holiday ,your getting same service ,pay your tips ,and we dont need to be told how much to pay,there is no system only in your mind

 

A typical response from people who need to find a reason not to tip. I know that when I leave a ship, restauarant or any other place where gratuities are extended, I can look at myself in the mirror knowing that I took care of those that took care of me. I guess the same can't be said for others.;)

[negc]

LOL....yeah, that was my point.

 

I suppose the "sarcasm" doesn't come through as well on here. But, that's what some posters on here imply: Us wealthy Americans shouldn't gripe about the tips if we can "afford" to cruise. However, when your tips are hundreds and hundreds of dollars on top of the cruise fare that you've worked your bootie off to save for, then it's a shock to see those large tip amounts and I get that, while some evidently don't.

 

Recheck the tipping guidelines and show me where the suggested tips are "hundreds and hundreds of dollars on top of the cruise fare". The only way that the tips would amount to that much (hundreds and hundreds) is if there were so many people included that the cruise fare was in the "thousands and thousands". At a cruise fare of $900 per person, the total fare for four would be $3600. The suggested tip for those four would be about $326 or about 9%. Hardly the "large" tip amounts that some seem to be conjuring up.

[postmeome]

Yep...people who don't tip at all ARE jerks. If you go on a cruise, tipping is part of that. While I GET that it's a sticker shock for some, those that refuse to tip...and there's plenty on here who don't and yet continue to keep right on cruising...are JERKS.

 

Perhaps you should re-read the post since you keep referring to it outside it's context.

i do tip:)

[postmeome]

A typical response from people who need to find a reason not to tip. I know that when I leave a ship, restauarant or any other place where gratuities are extended, I can look at myself in the mirror knowing that I took care of those that took care of me. I guess the same can't be said for others.;)

i do tip:)

[Kristi Williamson]

Recheck the tipping guidelines and show me where the suggested tips are "hundreds and hundreds of dollars on top of the cruise fare". The only way that the tips would amount to that much (hundreds and hundreds) is if there were so many people included that the cruise fare was in the "thousands and thousands". At a cruise fare of $900 per person, the total fare for four would be $3600. The suggested tip for those four would be about $326 or about 9%. Hardly the "large" tip amounts that some seem to be conjuring up.

 

I have six people in my family. We get adjoining rooms. The tips are in the hundred and hundreds of dollars. Our entire cruise for both rooms can sometimes be less than the 3600.00 that you quoted simply because we have the ability to cruise at off times...Sept., Oct., etc...and we don't feel as though we must be in suites every time we hit the ocean. Although, I will admit that Garden Villa on NCL spoiled us. :D

 

We tip and we tip heartily. I think people who don't tip are JERKS. However, to imply that the people that work on ships are just barely slugging along monetarily is bovine scatology. They're doing just fine.

[Kristi Williamson]

i do tip:)

 

Maybe I should type slower? Whether you, personally, tip or not has NOTHING to do with anything I've typed on any post.

 

You, specifically you, quoted part of a post and then replied with some arbitrary reply that had nothing to do with that post to which I replied to explain what you took out of context. Then, you did it again. Now, you've done it again with the "i do tip" reply. I don't care if you personally tip. However, those that don't are jerks. It's part of cruising. Period.

[richstowe]

I don't how many times I have read post on Cruise Critic about cruises I have been on that have been misleading or downright incorrectWe tip and we tip heartily. I think people who don't tip are JERKS. However, to imply that the people that work on ships are just barely slugging along monetarily is bovine scatology. They're doing just fine.

bovine scatology? Wow , thats a new one. Can I use it?:D

[Kristi Williamson]

bovine scatology? Wow , thats a new one. Can I use it?:D

 

lol...You can totally use it! It's so much prettier than the alternative, don't you think? ;):D