About tipping.....again!!

[barbyma]

I just remembered something that happened on the Serenade last week that made me think of all of you!

 

On "pirate night" in Adventure Ocean, my husband and I were in the Casino when we heard children chanting. I quickly got out my camera (I knew 2 of those kids were mine!) and caught some pictures of the "parade".

 

The kids were chanting, "TIP YOUR WAITER! TIP YOUR WAITER!"

 

:D:D

Barb

[Merion_Mom]

Funny!

[rsinj]

Actually, not so funny.

 

Our daughter participated in pirate night as well last week on the Voyager. The kids club staff coordinates what they chant and do. That the staff would have the kids chanting "tip your waiter" is ridiculous.

 

On our cruise, after they were done walking the kids through the promenade and the dining room, at 10PM (they started about 30 minutes late) they lined them up for the photographer - all 100 kids. "Those with brothers and sisters come to the front to get your pictures together". I was pretty shocked - this was all just another money-making opportunity. More than a few parents were pulling their kids out of that line.

 

 

Howard

[Merion_Mom]

And that is why, Howard, we were created with free will.

 

Some parents aren't interested in having their children's picture ("another money-making opportunity"), but some DO want a picture for the photo album, etc.

 

Is chanting "Tip your waiter" crass? Perhaps, but so is stiffing your waiter, and whether you believe it or not, many passengers do.

 

Feel free NOT to have any pictures taken while on board. Obviously, many people like them and buy them.

[PTarbay]

I look at all the pictures I bought on the cruises of my daughter when she was younger and am glad I bought every one of them.I am glad they took lots of pictures.You are under no obligation to purchase any of them.I think the tip your waiter chant was probably all in fun.I'm sure all of the kids had fun and the fact is cruise lines are a business.They make money on photos,drinks etc. but they are optional and it's up to you whether to purchase them.I hope you enjoyed the rest of your cruise.

[lil nemo]

I just remembered something that happened on the Serenade last week that made me think of all of you!

 

On "pirate night" in Adventure Ocean, my husband and I were in the Casino when we heard children chanting. I quickly got out my camera (I knew 2 of those kids were mine!) and caught some pictures of the "parade".

 

The kids were chanting, "TIP YOUR WAITER! TIP YOUR WAITER!"

 

:D:D

Barb

 

well considering they were piarates maybe they were talking literally! And everyone should have began "tipping" their wait staff!! Or walk the Plank Matey RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

[bigreid07]

Actually, not so funny.

 

Our daughter participated in pirate night as well last week on the Voyager. The kids club staff coordinates what they chant and do. That the staff would have the kids chanting "tip your waiter" is ridiculous.

 

On our cruise, after they were done walking the kids through the promenade and the dining room, at 10PM (they started about 30 minutes late) they lined them up for the photographer - all 100 kids. "Those with brothers and sisters come to the front to get your pictures together". I was pretty shocked - this was all just another money-making opportunity. More than a few parents were pulling their kids out of that line.

 

 

Howard

 

Wow....this guy's GOTTA be fun to cruise with!

 

Do they make money off of the pics? Yep. But you don't have to buy the pics, now do you? Heck no.

Oh, I bet the told the kids to say that since it has such a subconsious effect on the parents...it'll make them tip for sure. Better yet, maybe it'll instill a notion in those kids for them THEY start cruising so they'll tip well. It's all a conspiracy! Darn that RCCL company!

 

Lighten up, dude.

[TheWog]

Come on that was funny. I think it was intended to be humorous, which it was at least to me and a few others who didn't even witness it. I would have been laughing... and probably pretty hard at that.

[barbyma]

Boy, I didn't realize I would start another controversy!

 

Yes, the pictures are another money-making opportunity, BUT they could have taken A LOT more pics of my kids in the program and I WISH they had. Their pirate pics were wonderful!

 

BTW, they save the parents money by shooting the siblings together; we would have paid double if they'd shot my boys apart.

[digital_curator]

I think that is both very cute and funny. And I agree how it would be nice to have the pics- lots of opportunities in the main DR, formal portraits, and at port, but it would be nice to have ones of the kids when they are doing the really fun stuff....

 

At least they were saying "tip your waiters" instead of "tip the AO staff":D Seriously, I wonder how many people remember to tip these people, who work so hard and for long hours to make sure your children have fun on their cruise?

 

I don't have kids, but have never seen anything on documents with a recommended tip ammount for this hard working section of the crew. Does anyone know?

 

Cheers,

[barbyma]

 

I don't have kids, but have never seen anything on documents with a recommended tip ammount for this hard working section of the crew. Does anyone know?

 

Cheers,

 

This staff is actually paid a decent salary, so RCI doesn't recommend tipping them. One would think they could at least mention the option so those with children give it a thought. They could say something like, "tips for AO staff are not expected, but appreciated".

 

IMHO, however, they went above & beyond and all with a great attitude. We gave the group a $40 tip on the last night with a Thank You card.

 

Barb

[Nliedel]

I think it's cute. No one ever forced me to buy a photograph of myself,and boy am I glad cause most of those opportunities happen at races and I look like warmed over dog poo, but sometimes they get a good one and I have a precious memory to hang onto. I bought several photos from my last cruise and I cherish them. I look relaxed and happy and my husband is with me. Too neat.

[TheWog]

barbyma -

 

my wife would love your avitar. We have two bassets.

[barbyma]

barbyma -

 

my wife would love your avitar. We have two bassets.

 

We have a 2-year-old named Daisy Mae. My husband thinks everyone should be required to have them!

 

Barb

[TheWog]

We have a 2-year-old named Daisy Mae. My husband thinks everyone should be required to have them!

 

Barb

 

I love the name. We have a two year old also. His name is Buster (came with the name when rescued). We also have an older male named Leo who is between 10-12 years old (also rescued). They are great to have.

[PTarbay]

I don't have kids, but have never seen anything on documents with a recommended tip ammount for this hard working section of the crew. Does anyone know?

When my daughter was younger those of us with kids in the program received a tip envelope for the youth staff with our other envelopes.

[rsinj]

Unfortunately, as usual, most of you are quick to jump on anyone who might post anything less than favorable about the cruiseline.

 

I will be the first to stand up and purchase pictures that the professional photographers on-board take - how often do you get an opportunity to get the high-quality photos they take, and at a reasonable price? I think we spent approximately $100 on the photos and another $30 on the DVD.

 

However, you all missed the point of what I was saying - it was 10PM at night, they started 30 minutes late, and after they're all through parading the kids around, now, they are beginning to line them up to take photos. Mind you - there are kids 3 to 5 years old here. It could have been handled better.

 

Is chanting "Tip your waiter" crass? Perhaps, but so is stiffing your waiter, and whether you believe it or not, many passengers do.

 

And Merion_Mom - as always, tipping is a personal issue, whether you tip, and how much. Having the kids chant "tip your waiter" was indeed "crass" as you put it - thankfully, that chant appears to have been limited to the cruise the original poster was on.

 

Howard

[barbyma]

Unfortunately, as usual, most of you are quick to jump on anyone who might post anything less than favorable about the cruiseline.

 

However, you all missed the point of what I was saying - it was 10PM at night, they started 30 minutes late, and after they're all through parading the kids around, now, they are beginning to line them up to take photos. Mind you - there are kids 3 to 5 years old here. It could have been handled better.

 

And Merion_Mom - as always, tipping is a personal issue, whether you tip, and how much. Having the kids chant "tip your waiter" was indeed "crass" as you put it - thankfully, that chant appears to have been limited to the cruise the original poster was on.

 

Howard

 

Howard,

 

While I agree with you that many on this board are quick to criticize, I still disagree with you on the issue.

 

My kids are normally in bed by 8ish, but they were on vacation. They enjoyed the "late night party zone" activities and staying up late is part of the deal. Sure, I had to DRAG them out of bed every morning (it's usually the other way around), but that didn't keep them from behaving like angels and having a great time.

 

I wouldn't be so sure that this chant was limited to my cruise. The ship has run the same itinerary every week since May, with the same AO activities...

 

Barb

[Merion_Mom]

And Merion_Mom - as always, tipping is a personal issue, whether you tip, and how much. Having the kids chant "tip your waiter" was indeed "crass" as you put it - thankfully, that chant appears to have been limited to the cruise the original poster was on.

 

Howard

And rsinj - as always, buying photographs is a personal issue, whether you buy, and how many.

 

Taking offense at an OFFER to take photographs is a personal choice on your part, but PLEASE do not be offended or take it as a personal attack because the rest of us don't agree with you. We aren't "quick to jump on anyone who might post anything less than favorable about the cruiseline." We are jumping on YOU for wanting to foist YOUR preferences on US.

 

Carol Live Long and Prosper :D

[PTarbay]

However, you all missed the point of what I was saying - it was 10PM at night, they started 30 minutes late, and after they're all through parading the kids around, now, they are beginning to line them up to take photos. Mind you - there are kids 3 to 5 years old here. It could have been handled better.

Even if it was 30 minutes late why are 3-5 year olds still up and around?I don't understand the logic that it's alright to parade around until 10 but a few more minutes for a picture is so terrible.your other point is you didn't like the chant.I was pointing out that they were not soliciting it was all done in fun.I don't feel I "jumped" on you in any way.I politely expressed my opinion that happens to differ from yours.you expressed your opinion and others expressed theirs.If you feel your point was missed it is because you put so much emphasis on the money part of it not the time.

[tovin]

If I took my kids to a restaurant that handed out coloring books that said "Tip your waiter" I'd probably personally, be a little offended. But to each their own.

[Merion_Mom]

Yes, tovin, but if that same coloring book said "Eat your vegetables", you would probably NOT be offended and would probably think that it's cute. THAT'S the spirit in which these "pirate parades" are done.

 

(among other lines they have them chant are "There's the captain's wife." (wolf whistle, those who can)

 

Carol

[Nliedel]

My kids don't have a bedtime on vacation. Which is funny cause they are so tired by 10 that they are snoring away.

[rsinj]

Taking offense at an OFFER to take photographs is a personal choice on your part, but PLEASE do not be offended or take it as a personal attack because the rest of us don't agree with you. We aren't "quick to jump on anyone who might post anything less than favorable about the cruiseline."

 

Sorry Carol - this was not an OFFER to take photographs.

 

 

We are jumping on YOU for wanting to foist YOUR preferences on US.

 

Likewise for you with any thread that has anything to do with tipping.

 

I'm done on this one - you will argue it forever if given the chance as you now reply to anyone with a different view than YOURS.

 

Enjoy.

 

 

 

Howard

[TheWog]

Sorry, you didn't find the chant funny. I think it was obviously an attempt at humor and not an intentional display at shameless waiter promotion. It seems you jumped to the conclusion the cruiseline was trying to take more money from its customers. We just disagree.