jarand Posted September 26, 2015 #1 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I was notified this by my online Travel Agency: Starting on December 1, 2015 the standard service charge is increasing from $11.50 to $12.50 per person, per day for Inside, Ocean-view, and Verandah categories. Suite category service charges will be increased from $12.00 to $13.50 per person, per day. Any guest that sails on or before November 30, 2015 will have the option of paying their service charges at the current rate onboard. Please note that Holland America's call center does not have the option to pre-pay service charges before embarkation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hows the Serenity Posted September 26, 2015 #2 Share Posted September 26, 2015 New it was coming Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjw869 Posted September 26, 2015 #3 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I was notified this by my online Travel Agency: Starting on December 1, 2015 the standard service charge is increasing from $11.50 to $12.50 per person, per day for Inside, Ocean-view, and Verandah categories. Suite category service charges will be increased from $12.00 to $13.50 per person, per day. Any guest that sails on or before November 30, 2015 will have the option of paying their service charges at the current rate onboard. Please note that Holland America's call center does not have the option to pre-pay service charges before embarkation. This was discussed extensively earlier this month in a previous thread. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2259833 The $1.50 PP increase is well deserved. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles83 Posted September 26, 2015 #4 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I was notified this by my online Travel Agency: Starting on December 1, 2015 the standard service charge is increasing from $11.50 to $12.50 per person, per day for Inside, Ocean-view, and Verandah categories. Suite category service charges will be increased from $12.00 to $13.50 per person, per day. Any guest that sails on or before November 30, 2015 will have the option of paying their service charges at the current rate onboard. Please note that Holland America's call center does not have the option to pre-pay service charges before embarkation. my bold/italics - the option ? Are we to assume if you sail before November 30th then the charge will be 11.50$ pp ? Just the wording of the "option" part has got me wondering. Not that it really matters, an extra dollar a day is not going to change much for me just thought that the wording was a bit curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 26, 2015 #5 Share Posted September 26, 2015 my bold/italics - the option ? Are we to assume if you sail before November 30th then the charge will be 11.50$ pp ? Just the wording of the "option" part has got me wondering. Not that it really matters, an extra dollar a day is not going to change much for me just thought that the wording was a bit curious. I think it's just poor wording. It should just say that guests sailing before the 30th pay the current rates - and then list them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted September 26, 2015 #6 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Agree -- it is poor wording. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topsham Posted September 26, 2015 #7 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Got to be that way. Can't you just so many people coming to Front Office for ANOTHER reason to complain about removing the HSC. It is 'wages' for crew. About time the crew had an increase for them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted September 26, 2015 #8 Share Posted September 26, 2015 (edited) Is it possible that on December 1 the HSC really increase? If you board November 26 for a 10-day cruise you pay 11.50/12.00 for the first 5 days and 12.50/13.00 for the last 5, but you can keep the lower rates for the entire cruise without needing to give a reason? In any case, what happens on a Collectors Cruise where the first leg starts in November and the second leg in December? Roy Edited September 26, 2015 by rafinmd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 26, 2015 #9 Share Posted September 26, 2015 In any case, what happens on a Collectors Cruise where the first leg starts in November and the second leg in December? Roy Hopefully happier employees because they just got a raise. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BumperII Posted September 26, 2015 #10 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Hopefully happier employees because they just got a raise. :) Well deserved and Long overdue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted September 26, 2015 #11 Share Posted September 26, 2015 (edited) Is it possible that on December 1 the HSC really increase? If you board November 26 for a 10-day cruise you pay 11.50/12.00 for the first 5 days and 12.50/13.00 for the last 5, but you can keep the lower rates for the entire cruise without needing to give a reason? In any case, what happens on a Collectors Cruise where the first leg starts in November and the second leg in December? Roy As another poster mentioned this was discussed extensively in a previous thread.. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2259833 Your question is answered in the OP's first post of that thread from the "Know Before You Go" Info.. Quote --- Just reading "Know before you Go" and noticed this. Our crew works very hard to make sure that every aspect of your cruise meets the highest standards. This includes those crew members who serve you directly, such as Dining Room wait staff and the stewards who service your stateroom each day. There are also many others who support their efforts whom you may never meet, such as galley and laundry staff. To ensure that the efforts of all of our crew members are recognized and rewarded, a daily Hotel Service Charge is automatically added to each guest’s shipboard account. The daily Hotel Service Charge*, per guest per day, is: Staterooms (interior, ocean-view and verandah) on sailings departing on or prior to November 30, 2015 US$11.50 Suites on sailings departing on or prior to November 30, 2015 US$12.00 Staterooms (interior, ocean-view and verandah) on sailings departing on or after December 1, 2015 US$12.50 Suites on sailings departing on or after December 1, 2015 US$13.50 *The charges are subject to change without notice. Unquote Edited September 26, 2015 by serendipity1499 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted September 26, 2015 #12 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Well deserved and Long overdue. Absolutely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted September 26, 2015 #13 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I'm happy to hear the crew will get a bit more. They more than deserve it and it is but a small increase. I'd be fine if the increase was a bit more generous. Who doesn't want/need an increase in their wages these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted September 26, 2015 #14 Share Posted September 26, 2015 And much easier for us mathematically challenged to figure out how much the HSC will come to! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalliekae Posted September 26, 2015 #15 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Well, that explains it. I was wondering why my invoice showed an increase. You would have thought that HAL would have sent an explanation along with the invoice. I don't mind the increase. I just think HAL should explain it when sending a bill for a paid in full cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momatibm Posted September 26, 2015 #16 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Well, that explains it. I was wondering why my invoice showed an increase. You would have thought that HAL would have sent an explanation along with the invoice. I don't mind the increase. I just think HAL should explain it when sending a bill for a paid in full cruise. The HSC is not on the invoice for the cruise -- it only shows up on your onboard account daily. You probably have an increase in port fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted September 26, 2015 #17 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Well, that explains it. I was wondering why my invoice showed an increase. You would have thought that HAL would have sent an explanation along with the invoice. I don't mind the increase. I just think HAL should explain it when sending a bill for a paid in full cruise. Hotel Service Charge is never reflected on the invoice for our fare. It is only on the invoice for On Board Account. It is likely a small increase on your invoice is for a change in port charges which is out of HAL's control. The port dictates what those fees will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmieepoo Posted September 26, 2015 #18 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I was notified this by my online Travel Agency: Starting on December 1, 2015 the standard service charge is increasing from $11.50 to $12.50 per person, per day for Inside, Ocean-view, and Verandah categories. Suite category service charges will be increased from $12.00 to $13.50 per person, per day. Any guest that sails on or before November 30, 2015 will have the option of paying their service charges at the current rate onboard. Please note that Holland America's call center does not have the option to pre-pay service charges before embarkation. You can take it off and not pay anything if you want. I don't like the cruise companies telling me what I have to tip.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pv girl Posted September 26, 2015 #19 Share Posted September 26, 2015 You can take it off and not pay anything if you want. I don't like the cruise companies telling me what I have to tip.. get out the popcorn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeta3 Posted September 26, 2015 #20 Share Posted September 26, 2015 (edited) You can take it off and not pay anything if you want. I don't like the cruise companies telling me what I have to tip.. You can also choose another form of vacation if you disagree with the operating procedures. Stiffing the crew is not an appropriate response. Edited September 26, 2015 by Zeta3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
take us away Posted September 26, 2015 #21 Share Posted September 26, 2015 In any case, what happens on a Collectors Cruise where the first leg starts in November and the second leg in December? Roy Would guess if 1 booking number, you would pay the Nov rate - but one never knows until it happens. Please let us know when you get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles83 Posted September 26, 2015 #22 Share Posted September 26, 2015 You can take it off and not pay anything if you want. I don't like the cruise companies telling me what I have to tip.. wow .. every time. Its impossible to have a tipping thread without it taking this route eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Scupper Posted September 26, 2015 #23 Share Posted September 26, 2015 1. The new rate is good, but you never have to wait for the cruise line to dictate; you are free to increase your gratuities to what is fairly deserved. 2. Another good thing: With a strong U.S. dollar, the staff will enjoy an additional bonus for the cash that gets sent or taken back home Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ithaca gal Posted September 26, 2015 #24 Share Posted September 26, 2015 You can also choose another form of vacation if you disagree with the operating procedures. Stiffing the crew is not an appropriate response. I like the way you think. And write! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YubaSutter Posted September 26, 2015 #25 Share Posted September 26, 2015 (edited) 1. The new rate is good, but you never have to wait for the cruise line to dictate; you are free to increase your gratuities to what is fairly deserved. 2. Another good thing: With a strong U.S. dollar, the staff will enjoy an additional bonus for the cash that gets sent or taken back home nevermind Edited September 26, 2015 by YubaSutter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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