Gratuities going up...minimally

[rvsullivan]

Just curious if anyone knows offhand which lines do charge a DSC?

When we cruised RCL and Celebrity some time ago they didn't.

We sailed Disney several times and to my knowledge they still do not (albeit the suggested tips equal $12 pppd) and the last Carnival cruise a few years ago they also did not.

 

I understand the need for it on NCL because of the "freestyle" and not having the same servers every night and that is the genesis for the DSC. Without it you would have a lot who would not tip via eating at the buffet often or just not leaving one in a restaurant and under rewarded and unhappy wait staff.

 

What I do not understand is why the cabin stewards are involved in it? We are getting a direct service from the cabin steward and I feel it would be more appropriate to tip them. It would make more sense to me if the DSC were explained as an effect of freestyle dining, only $7-8 ppppd and still offer the suggested tip to the CS of $4 pppd.

 

 

It is sad to say, but I really think in cases like this it ends up hurting the employees pocketbooks. I know many people who are like me and when any establishment forces the gratuity on me I do not leave extra. I can tell you I always leave above the standard % for good service when left the opportunity and not forced.

 

As far as the solo traveler. No way they should pay more, although it is tricky because they are getting less from the wait staff, but in theory the cabin stewards workload does not really change with how many are in the room it may increase a little per person depending on the family but not 2x for 2 people or 4x for 4.

 

While I enjoyed my last NCL and have to more booked -- I really do like the more traditional dining and handling gratuities myself better.

 

 

I always struggle with type of reasoning? A company does something you don't like, so you punish the employee who has no way of affecting the policy. If you feel this strongly about the corporate policy, why not punish the cruise line by not sailing. When enough feel the way you do, they will change the policy.

[triptolemus]

I always struggle with type of reasoning? A company does something you don't like, so you punish the employee who has no way of affecting the policy. If you feel this strongly about the corporate policy, why not punish the cruise line by not sailing. When enough feel the way you do, they will change the policy.

 

Easy. Immediate satisfaction trumps their long-term conscience.

[njhorseman]

If you don't understand the difference between fares and tips, I don't know what to tell you.

 

Fares are always variable based upon many factors.

 

Tips are given in relation to quality of service.

 

The tip you leave a service employee should not have anything to do with when you booked or when you paid for your room.

 

When the bellman brings your bags to your room in a hotel, do you tip him more because you booked your hotel yesterday, while the guy in the room next door is expected to tip less because he booked 6 months ago?

 

No.

 

You tip the bellman based upon how many bags he has to carry, and his demeanor/helpfulness throughout the service he's providing. The date you booked and paid for the hotel is irrelevant, and the bellman would laugh at you if you said, "I'm giving you a dollar less because I booked 6 months ago when the going rate for tipping bellmen was less."

 

NCL employees should not get tipped more or less based upon when someone booked their room, or when they prepaid their DSC.

 

If the service from NCL staff is worth $12.95/person, then everyone should tip $12.95/person (or more at their discretion).

 

If it's worth $12/person, then everyone should tip $12/person (or more at their discretion).

 

They should not be tipping more or less based upon the date they booked or prepaid their DSC. That defeats the entire concept of tipping. The date you booked pr prepaid should never have to do with the amount of tips you leave.

 

I'm shaking my head about how much angst a $6.65 weekly increase in service charge seems to be creating for you and leading you into a long-winded explanation of your theories about how we should base our tipping.

 

Perhaps the problem stems from your failure to recognize that the service charge isn't a tip. Once you understand the differences between the service charge and tips, your argument ceases to have any validity. I guess you don't understand that if you believe your statement "Tips are given in relation to quality of service" to be correct, it proves that the service charge isn't a tip, because the amount of the service charge has nothing to do with "quality of service"...it's a flat charge per person per day. Since you have no idea of how much of your service charge dollar goes to whom, and because not all of the service charge goes into crew pay, it can't be a tip because it doesn't meet your criterion of "tips are given in relation to quality of service".

Edited February 22, 2015 by njhorseman

[Trevor Fountain]

Njhorseman, you say in one of your previous posts that "if you don't know the difference between DSC and tip", or words to that effect, well this is taken directly from the NCL (UK) website FAQ's;

 

What about tipping?

You will have either pre-paid the service charge on your holiday invoice or it will be charged to your on-board account. In addition, a suggested gratuity of 15% on drink bills and 18% on spa and salon bills will be added automatically and charged to your on-board account.

 

As far as I'm concerned the British Cruisers are paying tips in the DSC. That is clearly what we are being told by NCL.

[Demonyte]

Njhorseman, you say in one of your previous posts that "if you don't know the difference between DSC and tip", or words to that effect, well this is taken directly from the NCL (UK) website FAQ's;

 

What about tipping?

You will have either pre-paid the service charge on your holiday invoice or it will be charged to your on-board account. In addition, a suggested gratuity of 15% on drink bills and 18% on spa and salon bills will be added automatically and charged to your on-board account.

 

As far as I'm concerned the British Cruisers are paying tips in the DSC. That is clearly what we are being told by NCL.

 

Where in that text it says that British Cruisers pay tips in DSC? The text only speaks about service charge and gratuities that are charged in addition to service charge.

[Trevor Fountain]

What about tipping?

You will have either pre-paid the service charge on your holiday invoice or it will be charged to your on-board account.

 

 

So we ask the question "What about tipping"? The answer is as above. Where in the full text does it advise of tips that "we" have asked about?

[Out to sea!]

Just curious if anyone knows offhand which lines do charge a DSC?

When we cruised RCL and Celebrity some time ago they didn't.

We sailed Disney several times and to my knowledge they still do not (albeit the suggested tips equal $12 pppd) and the last Carnival cruise a few years ago they also did not.

 

I understand the need for it on NCL because of the "freestyle" and not having the same servers every night and that is the genesis for the DSC. Without it you would have a lot who would not tip via eating at the buffet often or just not leaving one in a restaurant and under rewarded and unhappy wait staff.

 

What I do not understand is why the cabin stewards are involved in it? We are getting a direct service from the cabin steward and I feel it would be more appropriate to tip them. It would make more sense to me if the DSC were explained as an effect of freestyle dining, only $7-8 ppppd and still offer the suggested tip to the CS of $4 pppd.

 

 

It is sad to say, but I really think in cases like this it ends up hurting the employees pocketbooks. I know many people who are like me and when any establishment forces the gratuity on me I do not leave extra. I can tell you I always leave above the standard % for good service when left the opportunity and not forced.

 

As far as the solo traveler. No way they should pay more, although it is tricky because they are getting less from the wait staff, but in theory the cabin stewards workload does not really change with how many are in the room it may increase a little per person depending on the family but not 2x for 2 people or 4x for 4.

 

While I enjoyed my last NCL and have to more booked -- I really do like the more traditional dining and handling gratuities myself better.

 

I don't know what "some time ago" is to you but when I sailed RCCL in 2005 and 2008 they did. They don't call is a "DSC" but it's the same thing and usually about the same amount.

Edited February 22, 2015 by Out to sea!

[Out to sea!]

I suspect you haven't cruised recently on any line other than NCL because all the cruise lines you've named...Royal Caribbean, Disney,Celebrity and Carnival, plus every other mass market cruise line (for example Holland America, Princess) cruising from the US now automatically adds either a service charge, hotel charge or gratuity to your on board account. Royal Caribbean was the last mass market cruise line to adopt the practice...perhaps about two years ago.

 

They may have adopted the automatic portion 2 years ago but they were doing tips at least 10 years ago.

[Out to sea!]

I'm shaking my head about how much angst a $6.65 weekly increase in service charge seems to be creating for you and leading you into a long-winded explanation of your theories about how we should base our tipping.

 

Perhaps the problem stems from your failure to recognize that the service charge isn't a tip. Once you understand the differences between the service charge and tips, your argument ceases to have any validity. I guess you don't understand that if you believe your statement "Tips are given in relation to quality of service" to be correct, it proves that the service charge isn't a tip, because the amount of the service charge has nothing to do with "quality of service"...it's a flat charge per person per day. Since you have no idea of how much of your service charge dollar goes to whom, and because not all of the service charge goes into crew pay, it can't be a tip because it doesn't meet your criterion of "tips are given in relation to quality of service".

 

The problem many may have understanding the difference is that a true service charge is non-negotiable. If NCL would adopt that policy instead of this wishy-washy "it's a service charge but you can adjust it" nonsense, the world would be a better place.

 

Then again, there would be a lot fewer posts on CC as well. :(

[Out to sea!]

Njhorseman, you say in one of your previous posts that "if you don't know the difference between DSC and tip", or words to that effect, well this is taken directly from the NCL (UK) website FAQ's;

 

What about tipping?

You will have either pre-paid the service charge on your holiday invoice or it will be charged to your on-board account. In addition, a suggested gratuity of 15% on drink bills and 18% on spa and salon bills will be added automatically and charged to your on-board account.

 

As far as I'm concerned the British Cruisers are paying tips in the DSC. That is clearly what we are being told by NCL.

 

Wonder how you come to that conclusion when it clearly states a service charge is being paid. In addition, you can tip on top of the service charge if you so desire. It's in plain English!

[njhorseman]

They may have adopted the automatic portion 2 years ago but they were doing tips at least 10 years ago.

 

Royal Caribbean gave you recommended tipping amounts 25 years ago, too...as did NCL and every other cruise line I sailed on.

[njhorseman]

Njhorseman, you say in one of your previous posts that "if you don't know the difference between DSC and tip", or words to that effect, well this is taken directly from the NCL (UK) website FAQ's;

 

What about tipping?

You will have either pre-paid the service charge on your holiday invoice or it will be charged to your on-board account. In addition, a suggested gratuity of 15% on drink bills and 18% on spa and salon bills will be added automatically and charged to your on-board account.

 

As far as I'm concerned the British Cruisers are paying tips in the DSC. That is clearly what we are being told by NCL.

 

Obviously I'm discussing and quoting the US/Canada website, the US/Canada contract and the US/Canada procedures. For a variety of reasons including cultural preferences or traditions and legal constraints such as consumer protection laws in various countries, website FAQs and contractual language in the UK, EU and US may each be distinct.

 

Since the vast majority of NCL passengers and posters on Cruise Critic are from the US and Canada my posts are aimed at that audience.

[newmexicoNita]

Just curious if anyone knows offhand which lines do charge a DSC?

When we cruised RCL and Celebrity some time ago they didn't.

We sailed Disney several times and to my knowledge they still do not (albeit the suggested tips equal $12 pppd) and the last Carnival cruise a few years ago they also did not.

 

I understand the need for it on NCL because of the "freestyle" and not having the same servers every night and that is the genesis for the DSC. Without it you would have a lot who would not tip via eating at the buffet often or just not leaving one in a restaurant and under rewarded and unhappy wait staff.

 

What I do not understand is why the cabin stewards are involved in it? We are getting a direct service from the cabin steward and I feel it would be more appropriate to tip them. It would make more sense to me if the DSC were explained as an effect of freestyle dining, only $7-8 ppppd and still offer the suggested tip to the CS of $4 pppd.

 

 

It is sad to say, but I really think in cases like this it ends up hurting the employees pocketbooks. I know many people who are like me and when any establishment forces the gratuity on me I do not leave extra. I can tell you I always leave above the standard % for good service when left the opportunity and not forced.

 

As far as the solo traveler. No way they should pay more, although it is tricky because they are getting less from the wait staff, but in theory the cabin stewards workload does not really change with how many are in the room it may increase a little per person depending on the family but not 2x for 2 people or 4x for 4.

 

While I enjoyed my last NCL and have to more booked -- I really do like the more traditional dining and handling gratuities myself better.

well if RCI and Celebrity didn't do the DSC or whatever you want to call it when you sailed them it certainly was a long time ago, maybe 5 or more years. The DSC has been in effect for most lines for years including Disney. Regardless of what it is called,it is added to your account automatically daily. Like,NCL you can adjust it, but why anyone would, unless the overall serviec sucked is beyond me. We do add something extra, at the end of the cruise for our cabin steward. This is certainly up to each individual.

[Bases5]

We have been cruising since 1981 and there has always been a suggested tip/service charge for the various crew on the ship. (Envelopes handed out the last night)

More recently they have become automatically charged with the option to adjust,

But they have had them since our first cruise. NCL SYYWARD 1981

[Trevor Fountain]

Obviously I'm discussing and quoting the US/Canada website, the US/Canada contract and the US/Canada procedures. For a variety of reasons including cultural preferences or traditions and legal constraints such as consumer protection laws in various countries, website FAQs and contractual language in the UK, EU and US may each be distinct.

 

Since the vast majority of NCL passengers and posters on Cruise Critic are from the US and Canada my posts are aimed at that audience.

 

Thank you for your explanation.

[LMaxwell]

I don't know what "some time ago" is to you but when I sailed RCCL in 2005 and 2008 they did. They don't call is a "DSC" but it's the same thing and usually about the same amount.

Royal and Celebrity always had suggested gratuity amount but they were not automatically charged until recently. They were certainly not charged in 2005 or 2008

[bearette]

For anyone who cared I tried to prepay for my two year olds turning three and she told me the system wouldn't let me.

 

So they don't charge for the kids turning three during sailing. Though I did get a very judgemental comment because I didn't prepay on the family board. Even though I commented I could do it on board, but the pre system won't let me. I just get the popcorn out and watched her send hate comments even though I intend to tip on board. I just wanted to save the few bucks of it going up...remember guys if you can't say anything nice...

 

Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app

[3XX1XY]

They may have adopted the automatic portion 2 years ago but they were doing tips at least 10 years ago.

 

I cruised in 2001 with NCL. We paid one fee for gratuities. I can't recall at this point if it was paid up front, or at the end, but either way it was a flat per day calculated fee exactly the same as it is now. Didn't tip once (other than drinks) on the cruise as we were advised that the tips wouldn't be accepted due to the daily gratuity calculation.

[NMLady]

For anyone who cared I tried to prepay for my two year olds turning three and she told me the system wouldn't let me.

 

So they don't charge for the kids turning three during sailing. Though I did get a very judgemental comment because I didn't prepay on the family board. Even though I commented I could do it on board, but the pre system won't let me. I just get the popcorn out and watched her send hate comments even though I intend to tip on board. I just wanted to save the few bucks of it going up...remember guys if you can't say anything nice...

 

Sent from my KFTHWI using Forums mobile app

 

Ages for everything -- gratuities, kids club, drinking alcoholic beverages, casino gambling -- are all determined by age when boarding.

[Chuck2810]

Originally Posted by getupgo

Maybe they think those people are rich so they can afford it.

 

I can assure you they are not all rich. We save to afford our suites.

 

Indeed, Triptolemus! Me too. I could never afford even an annual cruise without busting my butt. I never seem to hear the last of folks worrying how I spend what I make.

[Turtles06]

My TA was told something quite different this morning. She was told that if they added the service charge to my (future) final payment, the invoice would automatically be recalculated at the new, higher rate after March 1.

 

In other words, she was told that I cannot "lock it in" unless I actually pre-pay before March 1.

 

OTOH, I received the same email everyone else got, which did not list any deadline for pre-paying at the current rate.

 

Disclaimer: your mileage may vary, my TA could have been talking to an NCL rep who made it up as s/he went along, etc etc. :)

 

So far, it looks like your TA was mistaken or given incorrect info. I contacted my PCC before Feb. 28 to "pre-pay" our DSC for a cruise booked in early 2016. He assured me that there was no need for us to actually pay MONEY now, he merely needed to mark our DSC as "pre-paid" on our reservation, and that would lock in the DSC at the pre-3/1/15 rates, and we'd pay them as part of final payment.

 

Today is March 2, 2015; I've just checked our reservation on line, including our invoice, and nothing has been "recalculated." The amount shown as "pre-paid" for the DSC is what it was in February.

[KeithJenner]

Today is March 2, 2015; I've just checked our reservation on line, including our invoice, and nothing has been "recalculated." The amount shown as "pre-paid" for the DSC is what it was in February.

 

Yes, that was always going to be the case.

 

People are quite rightly getting concerned about NCL saying that the DSC had to be prepaid, and taking that to mean that money needed to change hands, but NCL have always considered the charge to be prepaid once it is added to the booking.

 

I have many booking confirmations, myncl displays etc, which refer to my DSC as being prepaid, despite the fact that I haven't yet paid a penny towards it.

 

It's just the term that NCL uses.

[fstuff1]

did not know this but cruise directors don't get any piece of these tips.

I guess they're considered officers?

 

bartenders also don't get part of these tips either. their tips come from the drinks they sell.

 

now the question is do the waiters/waitresses that take your drinks at the casino share in the prepaid tips?

Edited March 8, 2015 by fstuff1

[hpecorari]

did not know this but cruise directors don't get any piece of these tips.

I guess they're considered officers?

 

bartenders also don't get part of these tips either. their tips come from the drinks they sell.

 

now the question is do the waiters/waitresses that take your drinks at the casino share in the prepaid tips?

 

When you order a drink there is an added 18% cost. There is no need to tip them extra unless you want to. Lots do give an additional $1.00. However, I don't believe they share in the DSC since I consider them bar staff and not Waiters/waitresses.

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

Yes, that was always going to be the case.

 

People are quite rightly getting concerned about NCL saying that the DSC had to be prepaid, and taking that to mean that money needed to change hands, but NCL have always considered the charge to be prepaid once it is added to the booking.

 

I have many booking confirmations, myncl displays etc, which refer to my DSC as being prepaid, despite the fact that I haven't yet paid a penny towards it.

 

It's just the term that NCL uses.

 

If your cruise was booked prior to March 1st as long as you pre-pay your DSC before you get on the ship you're grandfathered into the old DSC charge. IF you pay your DSC once on board and they take it out daily.....you are charged the new DSC.

 

Harriet