Tipping Policy

[caribbean sailor]

The bottom line is that removing the auto tips, you inadvertently take away tip money from those you received service from but chose to ignore because she thought she was taking care of those she SAW perform the services.

 

Lines, staff, and passengers all prefer the system designed and approved by all parties but some feel they know better.

 

I'll stick with my opinion that most folks walking away from the auto tips are looking to avoid tipping properly rather than being generous. Spotting those with alligator arms isn't that difficult

 

Stick to your opinion,still does not mean that you are right.Why is it that so many people worry what other people do with their money.Tip what you want. :confused: :)

[Merion_Mom]

Bottom line here is you took the liberty of deciding the "best" way for you, not all the parties involved. What is wrong with leaving the auto tips in place so every one that the cruise line decided would be compensated that way do get paid? Then, you could always leave extra "cash" for your favorites. I haven't seen any of the parties still using envelopes address this practice. Answer, (A.) Because they have no good reason. Answer (B) they are cheapskates, Answer © they know more than the lines, staff and everybody, (D) All of the above

 

And lets all remember, the cruise lines do not want to use the word "mandatory" tipping or "service charge" because they don't want to seem pushy or that you must tip regardless of service. You seem to think the staff didn't mind, they are trained not to show disapointment or being dissed, they are there to make you happy. Trust me, they know who removes the tips and they hope that others will pick up the slack. If you receive poor service, speak up, but don't cheat those deserving (and you may not know who is) of a wage designed by them and their employers.

 

Times change, methods change, change along with it or get out of Dodge. This "new" method of tipping is almost 10 years old, thats enough time to adjust. By your own admission, your a great tipper, I consider myself a good tipper but I've never left a $5 or $10 in the Windjammer for the servers, to me that is almost excessive. Now, if you liked the service at the end of the week you could always take care of those with an envelope. And if anyone believes that cash tips are shared as is the lines custom, you obviously have never worked for tips, that just doesn't happen.

 

Ah. Interesting. Frankly, I see nothing wrong with the customer doing things in a way that suits the customer.

 

:)

[Merion_Mom]

If this were the equivalent of a land vacation, tip etiquette in the US would be $2-$5 per day housekeeping, and 10%-20% waiter (before taxes and excluding alcohol).

 

$24 Autotip for two per day

-$5 Housekeeping tip per day for "excellent" service

==============

$19 for your waiter

 

Assuming your waiter is "excellent", then a $19 (20%) tip would equate to $95 per diem for meals. If you feel you are getting excellent service and $95 worth in food, then keep the tips in place, otherwise feel free to adjust.

 

Using the same guidelines, children should not be paying the same auto-tip as adults. Parents with two young children are not eating $190 in food a day. I can definitely see parents with children adjusting the auto-tip.

 

Since when has it been customary to tip these "other" dining and housekeeping staff on a land vacation. Concierge, butlers, porters are tipped directly. Bar staff are tipped by a 15% auto gratuity added directly on each bar bill.

 

Of that $24 (since you insist on making this about two passengers), $10 is for the cabin steward. That leaves $14.

 

That $14 goes to a waiter who waits on two people, an assistant waiter who waits on two people, and a headwaiter who takes care of two people.

 

Would you like to try your numbers again?

[Debde]

I totally understand why people like the convenience of the auto tips and think it is great that they offer that as an option for people who don't want to deal with cash. I also think it was a good idea to implement it as the default option in order to help with collecting tips from people who live in non-tipping cultures. What I don't get is why it bothers some people so much that others still choose the cash option. I do know for certain, that the staff were definitely happy to have the cash in their pocket.

 

And, your post in red to one of the posters above:

big LIKE again!!

 

I will tip in cash, until I can no longer do so. Meantime-they give me the option to tip in cash so I will continue to do so.

[yregrus]

I worked exclusively for tips, bagging groceries as a teenager at the commissary on Little Rock Air Force Base, eons ago. Thus in later life have always had a sensitivity for those working hard and appreciating a small reward. A year ago I tried to exit the cab of a Cantonese speaking Taxi driver in Hong Kong and it turned into a thrash. He was trying to return my tip while my Mandarin speaking wife was trying to explain something hard to explain, a tip. I don't mind tipping. I think Royal Caribbean is further compounding the confusion with their separate policies while trying shifting labor costs to the unknowing passenger. Anyway, we are sailing Sunday on the Allure. We will tip well and have a great time.

[Morecruisesplz]

Times change, methods change, change along with it or get out of Dodge. This "new" method of tipping is almost 10 years old, thats enough time to adjust. By your own admission, your a great tipper.

 

What has not changed is that RCL gives customers the choice to accept auto tipping or to opt out and pay in cash with the envelopes provided.

 

I'm wondering if you take the same hard-nosed, "take no prisoners" approach to every other recommendation by RCL during your cruise? Do you always dress in suit or tux and/or a gown on formal nights? (Don't know if male or female.) Have you ever worn shorts or flip flops into the MDR? Have you ever carried an apple off the ship in your bag for a snack during an excursion?

 

I'm just saying "people in glasses..."

[BekkaW]

I have just disembarked from 14 nights on voyager and the auto gratuities system was in place (added daily to sea pass card)

 

On the final day envelopes were also available and we used these to give some extra cash to our cabin steward, waitress and assistant waiter along with a handshake and "thanks for looking after us and making our vacation great"

 

We also tipped a few dollars here and there to bar servers, casino dealers etc

 

All in all it was very convenient and hassle free.

[Paul65]

Ah. Interesting. Frankly, I see nothing wrong with the customer doing things in a way that suits the customer.

 

:)

 

Really? I do. "The customer is always right" was just something made up as a marketing ploy. In this case, RCI has set out a clear procedure for making sure that all employees get adequately paid for their service. For various reasons, whether it be cheapness or wanting the satisfaction of personally handing out cash or thinking they know better than RCI how employees should be compensated or any of several other reasons, some people insist on doing it their own way.

 

Thankfully, most people are not so worried about second-guessing the compensation system, so the percentage of the stubborn ones who don't want to play along probably don't mess things up too much.

[LMaxwell]

Really? I do. "The customer is always right" was just something made up as a marketing ploy. In this case, RCI has set out a clear procedure for making sure that all employees get adequately paid for their service. For various reasons, whether it be cheapness or wanting the satisfaction of personally handing out cash or thinking they know better than RCI how employees should be compensated or any of several other reasons, some people insist on doing it their own way.

 

Thankfully, most people are not so worried about second-guessing the compensation system, so the percentage of the stubborn ones who don't want to play along probably don't mess things up too much.

 

I find this topic endlessly fascinating. There are so many different perspectives and no truly right or wrong answer. But, in your opinion, which is the better way to do things? (and for brevity, I will use round numbers)

 

A. Leave Autotips of $12 per person, per day in place; and do no more

B. Remove Autotips, but substitute $14 per person, per day in place; split equally amongst only room steward and main waiter; paid in cash at the end?

 

I'm genuinely curious to hear your answer and reasoning; I'm not trying to bait you into a fight, I just like to hear what others thoughts and opinions may be.

[Merion_Mom]

Really? I do. "The customer is always right" was just something made up as a marketing ploy. In this case, RCI has set out a clear procedure for making sure that all employees get adequately paid for their service. For various reasons, whether it be cheapness or wanting the satisfaction of personally handing out cash or thinking they know better than RCI how employees should be compensated or any of several other reasons, some people insist on doing it their own way.

 

Thankfully, most people are not so worried about second-guessing the compensation system, so the percentage of the stubborn ones who don't want to play along probably don't mess things up too much.

 

1. That's not what that phrase means.

 

2. Cheapness is not a factor unless the passenger is undertipping or not tipping.

 

3. What is wrong with wanting the satisfaction of personally handing out cash?

 

4. Actually, RCI setting out a clear procedure for making sure that all employees get adequately paid for their service would be PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES ADEQUATELY.

 

5. As long as RC is, in fact, leaving it up to "us" (as in the Royal We) to pay their employees, then, YES, we get to pick how we pay them.

[Paul65]

4. Actually, RCI setting out a clear procedure for making sure that all employees get adequately paid for their service would be PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES ADEQUATELY.

 

That's not the only way to do it. It would work fine with people paying the normal gratuities, as well. Either way, they get paid and it ultimately comes from the passengers, one way or another.

[Paul65]

I find this topic endlessly fascinating. There are so many different perspectives and no truly right or wrong answer. But, in your opinion, which is the better way to do things? (and for brevity, I will use round numbers)

 

A. Leave Autotips of $12 per person, per day in place; and do no more

B. Remove Autotips, but substitute $14 per person, per day in place; split equally amongst only room steward and main waiter; paid in cash at the end?

 

I'm genuinely curious to hear your answer and reasoning; I'm not trying to bait you into a fight, I just like to hear what others thoughts and opinions may be.

 

Well, seems like an odd choice, but I suppose (A) would be better overall, as everyone would get their fair share. (B) might be better for the room steward and main waiter at the expense of the assistant waiter and anyone else who might normally get a cut of the daily gratuities.

[jwm51]

FYI: If you take off the auto-tip, they CANNOT keep the cash!:(

 

They have to turn it in or face possible termination!:eek:

 

They have to divide the money anyway...Just sayin'.:p

[musicfam]

OP here. I guess I did not make myself clear. I am not referring to pre-paid tips. That is something you agree to in advance. Unless you have cruised since June, you may not know about this. We didn't. Our RCL booking agent did not tell us about it. On the Compass, maybe Day 2, there was a small paragraph on the cover that stated that they would be putting $12 per day per person on your Seapass card for gratuities. It says nothing about opting out. We were pretty excited about tipping. We always bring plenty of cash to tip with. It is part of the tradition for us. We did not know that you could opt out until we talked to another passenger who happened to know that you could. Most of the folks we asked about it were not aware of the new gratuities. I just want folks to know about the new system. BTW, we tipped seven employees very well. I guarantee you that their smiles told us they were not concerned with our messing up RCL's system. I cannot believe how ugly some of you get on here! Lighten up!

[LMaxwell]

Well, seems like an odd choice, but I suppose (A) would be better overall, as everyone would get their fair share. (B) might be better for the room steward and main waiter at the expense of the assistant waiter and anyone else who might normally get a cut of the daily gratuities.

But doesn't the waiter have to pool with the rest of the wait staff? Meaning the asst waiter gets tipped out anyways?

[Paul65]

1. That's not what that phrase means.

 

2. Cheapness is not a factor unless the passenger is undertipping or not tipping.

 

3. What is wrong with wanting the satisfaction of personally handing out cash?

 

4. Actually, RCI setting out a clear procedure for making sure that all employees get adequately paid for their service would be PAYING THEIR EMPLOYEES ADEQUATELY.

 

5. As long as RC is, in fact, leaving it up to "us" (as in the Royal We) to pay their employees, then, YES, we get to pick how we pay them.

 

Just to respond to your other points:

 

1. I don't know what you're talking about here.

 

2. I cheapness is a factor, when it's a factor. I only listed it as one of several possible reasons.

 

3. I didn't say there was anything wrong with that. Again, I just listed it as one of several possible reasons.

 

5. Never said you didn't get to decide. I expressed my opinion that people doing things there own way is likely to cause problems, except for the fact that it's only a relatively small percentage who insist on doing so. There are lots of things that we have the ability to make choices on, but that doesn't mean that every person's choice is the right one.

[Paul65]

But doesn't the waiter have to pool with the rest of the wait staff? Meaning the asst waiter gets tipped out anyways?

 

I don't know. I wouldn't think so, necessarily, since the asst waiter is normally tipped by the passengers. How would the main waiter know that you stiffed the assistant? I suppose if you made a point of telling them that you were not tipping the assistant waiter, then the main waiter may have some obligation to do that.

 

But I don't feel the need to worry about such details on my vacation. If I follow the convention of auto-gratuities, then they will all get distributed to the right people. If someone gave me extra good service, I will still give them a little extra as a thank-you.

[LMaxwell]

I don't know. I wouldn't think so, necessarily, since the asst waiter is normally tipped by the passengers. How would the main waiter know that you stiffed the assistant? I suppose if you made a point of telling them that you were not tipping the assistant waiter, then the main waiter may have some obligation to do that.

 

I was under the impression that anyone tipped at the end with cash would be pooling it all together any way and then broken up in a proportion RCI designates based on job title; thus the asst wouldn't be getting stiffed.

 

But I don't feel the need to worry about such details on my vacation. If I follow the convention of auto-gratuities, then they will all get distributed to the right people. If someone gave me extra good service, I will still give them a little extra as a thank-you.

 

Agreed; similar mindset.

[springfire]

FYI: If you take off the auto-tip, they CANNOT keep the cash!:(

 

They have to turn it in or face possible termination!:eek:

 

They have to divide the money anyway...Just sayin'.:p

 

Once I give them the tip, I really don't care what they do with the money.

[critterchick]

FYI: If you take off the auto-tip, they CANNOT keep the cash!:(

 

They have to turn it in or face possible termination!:eek:

 

They have to divide the money anyway...Just sayin'.:p

 

And you know this how, pray tell? I have been told this by crew on Princess, but haven't heard that RCI has also adopted this approach.

[davenew]

Were you writing the 15% (for a total of 30%) on the wine tab? I thought with wine & bar tabs that tip ends up going to benefit the sommelier, assistants, and the bar staff, versus when you tip to the dining staff they get more of that.

This was on the sign off roll presented when returning the Seapass card. 15% added automatically, then another line for additional tip!!:eek:

[davenew]

There is no sommelier, there are no assistants, and wine is not a function of the bar staff.

 

Tips on wine go to the waiter and/or assistant waiter.

So why did he (the waiter) tell me they did not get this money? the indication was that they would get a small amount of it only.

[Debde]

FYI: If you take off the auto-tip, they CANNOT keep the cash!:(

 

They have to turn it in or face possible termination!:eek:

 

 

They have to divide the money anyway...Just sayin'.:p

 

Please............:rolleyes:

 

Royal still calls it a gratuity and tell me what company makes you hand in a tip or face termination.................come on now!!

[04cruises]

Can somebody produce a cruise contract so we can "see" how tips are really distributed? If not, isn't this just a waste of time?

[Paul65]

I was under the impression that anyone tipped at the end with cash would be pooling it all together any way and then broken up in a proportion RCI designates based on job title; thus the asst wouldn't be getting stiffed.

 

If you read enough of these discussions, you'll see that claimed, as well as the complete opposite of that and several variations in-between, all by people who think they know exactly how it works.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Paul65