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Gratuities

bushy tail

By bushy tail,
in Holland America Line

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jwm51

jwm51

Posted
Posted
We are not disputing the policy, we agree, but how do staff who are far removed from our cabin know whether or not we have cancelled. We wouldn't do it, just inquiring how they would know, so they wouldn't get into trouble for not pooling the tip.

 

All ships have a list of guests who remove gratuities...:D



 

A photo of this was posted not too long ago on CC.

 

It's usually in the kitchens or breakrooms...

 

Believe me when I tell you, THEY KNOW!:eek:;)

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kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
Posted
Are you sure that's true for the bartenders? I thought because of the 15% automatically added to the bar bill, the bartenders were not part of the HSC split.

 

Maybe the bartenders pool any additional tips and split them among them selves?

 

You may be correct. I just don't know how that works.

 

It has been my understanding that the bar staff get to keep the additional tips that are passed on. The 15% is pooled but I believe what you pass on to them is theirs to keep (at least that is what I was told once when I asked)

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feathersandnananose

feathersandnananose

Posted
Posted

And, BTW, after you've left on the service charge AND added extra cash to those people who have given stellar service, PUT IT IN WRITING!

 

They give you cards for comments during the cruise in addition to asking for comments at the end. If someone has made your cruise memorable, let the front desk know - it DOES get passed on, or so I'm assured!

 

It NEVER hurts to be grateful and nice......

 

Pollyanna

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HamOp

HamOp

Posted
Posted
Are you sure that's true for the bartenders? I thought because of the 15% automatically added to the bar bill, the bartenders were not part of the HSC split.

 

Maybe the bartenders pool any additional tips and split them among them selves?

 

You may be correct. I just don't know how that works.

 

My mistake. Thought the poster asking about the crows nest was talking about a bartender, he was speaking of a server.

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sail7seas

sail7seas

Posted
Posted
And, BTW, after you've left on the service charge AND added extra cash to those people who have given stellar service, PUT IT IN WRITING!

 

They give you cards for comments during the cruise in addition to asking for comments at the end. If someone has made your cruise memorable, let the front desk know - it DOES get passed on, or so I'm assured!

 

It NEVER hurts to be grateful and nice......

 

Pollyanna

 

 

HAL has started doing after cruise surveys electronically. We did not get the usual form we always received on last day of the cruise but received it by e-mail the day we returned home.

 

There is plenty of opportunity on the electronic form to name anyone special who deserves mentioning.

 

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GeriatricNurse

GeriatricNurse

Posted
Posted
When you think about it, the $11.50 or $12 pp, pd, that is charged to your account, is probably not even 10% of your daily fare, maybe not even 5%! For the accommodation, service, food, entertainment and activities, there is really no reason anyone would expect to pay less in a service charge. In fact, we always tip generously on top of that.

 

Most places I go, I just tip because it is expected. However when I am aboard a HAL ship I can honestly say that I add extra tips with pleasure because we are so well taken care of. My husband likes to joke about it and calls me the "tip lady" but I know he is only teasing and doesn't really mind.

 

Well, for me. the (daily) HSC, (tips), put in place by HAL works for me without having to "generously tip on top of that" & "add extra tips" works for me! :) But then again, I'm not one to look for bragging rights! ;)

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sapper1

sapper1

Posted
Posted
Well, for me. the (daily) HSC, (tips), put in place by HAL works for me without having to "generously tip on top of that" & "add extra tips" works for me! :) But then again, I'm not one to look for bragging rights! ;)

 

You could brag about being our very best Debbie Downer.

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jtl513

jtl513

Posted
Posted (edited)
Well, for me. the (daily) HSC, (tips), put in place by HAL works for me without having to "generously tip on top of that" & "add extra tips" works for me! :) But then again, I'm not one to look for bragging rights! ;)
Those that you quoted are generous people. Some are, some aren't. :rolleyes: Edited by jtl513
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adrift@sea

adrift@sea

Posted
Posted

All ships have a list of guests who remove gratuities...:D

 

 

 

 

A photo of this was posted not too long ago on CC.

 

It's usually in the kitchens or breakrooms...

 

 

Believe me when I tell you, THEY KNOW!:eek:;)

 

Lists are maintained by Dept. Heads (Chief Housekeeper), DRM, etc. and are posted so crew has access to this continously updated information. Yes, they absolutely do know!

 

There have been instances where passengers have removed the HSC telling the Front Office that they prefer to tip the staff directly--that info is recorded--but didn't. Situations like this put staff in a very difficult position with their supervisors. This was shared with us by several different Dept. Heads.

 

The shipboard community is a very small community and there are few, if any secrets, so passengers that think they no one is aware are mistaken.

 

And, BTW, after you've left on the service charge AND added extra cash to those people who have given stellar service, PUT IT IN WRITING!

 

They give you cards for comments during the cruise in addition to asking for comments at the end. If someone has made your cruise memorable, let the front desk know - it DOES get passed on, or so I'm assured!

 

It NEVER hurts to be grateful and nice......

 

Pollyanna

 

By all means, put it in writing, it is important and most appreciated when stellar service is acknowledged. It is passed on to all Dept. Heads and shared with the individual employees, and becomes part of their file. These surveys are reviewed and studied in depth and are taken quite seriously.

 

Passengers that have complaints (legitimate or not) usually do not hesitate to put this on their survey and staff/crew do not have the opportunity to address these issues until well after the fact. We always feel that commenting on outstanding service can help to balance those less than stellar comments.

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adrift@sea

adrift@sea

Posted
Posted
Well, for me. the (daily) HSC, (tips), put in place by HAL works for me without having to "generously tip on top of that" & "add extra tips" works for me! :) But then again, I'm not one to look for bragging rights! ;)

 

Really?......:confused:

 

Those that you quoted are generous people. Some are, some aren't. :rolleyes:

 

I agree, they are generous people and I don't think they are bragging! Since this thread is about gratuities, I believe their responses are totally appropriate and are on topic.

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jtl513

jtl513

Posted
Posted
The shipboard community is a very small community and there are few, if any secrets, so passengers that think they no one is aware are mistaken.

I've often wondered if there's an underground data base maintained by stewards listing the deadbeats, so they're known on boarding day! ;)
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Wakepatrol

Wakepatrol

Posted
Posted
Well, for me. the (daily) HSC, (tips), put in place by HAL works for me without having to "generously tip on top of that" & "add extra tips" works for me! :) But then again, I'm not one to look for bragging rights! ;)

 

 

It really does not hurt...You should try it some time.

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Davidson Duo

Davidson Duo

Posted
Posted

There are comment cards available at the Front Desk. I get a handful at the start of our cruise, and if someone does something that stands out, I fill out a card right away. On our Hawaii/French Polynesia cruise one of the fellows at the front desk really impressed me with his assistance in arranging meeting rooms a few times for our CC group for putting together health, school, and sewing bags for the residents of one of the islands we stopped at. He worked tirelessly for me with setting up rooms, removing boxes of prepared packages to their storage area, and meetings with various officers that I had. When I wrote a comment card about what a gem he was, I knew it was shared with him by his supervisor right away as he thanked me for my kind comments the very next day. He also told me how much he appreciated the opportunity to thank ME in person before we disembarked, as usually by the time they get feedback from the after cruise survey, it is too late for them to either thank the guest if the comments are positive, or to correct a behavior that may have annoyed a guest that they may have been unaware of. Most of the crew on HAL take great pride in pleasing the customer, and if you submit a comment card right away, many times the issue can be dealt with while you are still on board. Negatives often get pointed out. I like to also recognize the positives that happen frequently for us on HAL, which is what keeps us coming back to them.

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alwaysfrantic

alwaysfrantic

Posted
Posted

I "know" that if tips are removed they have to turn in cash.....but I "know" it from here. How do we "know" it as truth? I'm not doubting that it is, and I don't remove the charged amount so please don't make this an enlightening of alwaysfrantic. But does anyone "know" this from a source other than it being quoted here daily?

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kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
Posted
I "know" that if tips are removed they have to turn in cash.....but I "know" it from here. How do we "know" it as truth? I'm not doubting that it is, and I don't remove the charged amount so please don't make this an enlightening of alwaysfrantic. But does anyone "know" this from a source other than it being quoted here daily?

 

Is the crew good enough? That's what we have been told. I've seen the looks when people drop the hsc and pass them an envelope which will not cover it and I've seen their smiles when I give them extra:D

 

I've had a couple of frank chats in my time and this is what I was told by the crew. What others are reporting are also what they have been told by officers, crew, whatever, not to mention what Copper has posted here.

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jtl513

jtl513

Posted
Posted (edited)
But does anyone "know" this from a source other than it being quoted here daily?
While waiting at the front desk I heard it being explained to the man in the line next to me who wanted to remove the HSC. Edited by jtl513
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