Specialty Dining Tipping

[SuiteCruiser]

Guess you won't be using the phrase 'No skin off my ass!'

 

Sorry, had to. Thank you for the email addresses.

 

LOL (like really!) no problem, better luck to you :)

[electro]

I've had the same issues when following up on what that corrosive material that burned my skin off in the Escape bathtub was. Three emails and no reply. I also sent one to FDR and no reply. I sent one to guest services and received a form letter back saying I will hear from them in 8 weeks.

 

Customer service down the drain, along with my DNA, LOL.

 

Astuart@ncl.com. I also sent to Andy.stuart@ncl.com as that was another one posted.

 

Did Andy reply?

[hpecorari]

Isn't it kind of sad that a HD would "get in trouble" for being honest about a company policy that should be transparent in the first place!

 

Yes, it is. However, there seems to be some kind of 'NCL Agreement' (my assumption) that crew is not to tell us too much! For some reason, some are in fear of doing so. Must be a reason for that.

 

Harriet

[SuiteCruiser]

Not to mention that everyone 'thinks' that the 18% is going to the server, therefore, not tipping the server. When in fact, the 18% (maybe minus a little) is going into NCL's pockets and not the servers.

 

Harriet

 

This is the part I have the biggest issue with. We keep seeing in reviews that the staff aren't as happy. Why would they be, when their tips are now going to their boss?? It used to be give a great service at dinner, and get a little extra in your pocket most nights, plus you were getting the DSC. Now, you just get the DSC and maybe everyone who is a server gets a bit of the service charge that you earned, but a lot stays with NCL.

 

It became clearer to everyone when they added the service charge to a MDR lobster dish, and when they added the service charge to Vibe passes. It's just a new revenue stream and the staff are suffering because of it.

 

I know someone will jump in with "If the staff aren't happy, they should leave" and that's unfair because for many of them getting another job at home is more than just a little bit difficult, and many have families to support. Others know they are making a lot more than they would at home, so endure these things because of that, but they will also lose some of their joy at having these jobs when their money is being plucked from their pockets and put in the NCL coffers, and they appear less happy, because they are less happy.

[SuiteCruiser]

Did Andy reply?

 

Nope

[electro]

It became clearer to everyone when they added the service charge to a MDR lobster dish, and when they added the service charge to Vibe passes. It's just a new revenue stream and the staff are suffering because of it.

 

They've added 18% to vibe passes? What service are you tipping for?

That is a new low for NCL.

[NLH Arizona]

Not to mention that everyone 'thinks' that the 18% is going to the server, therefore, not tipping the server. When in fact, the 18% (maybe minus a little) is going into NCL's pockets and not the servers.

 

OTOH, I, for sure, don't wish to get this HD into any kind of trouble and/or backlash for being honest and upfront with me.

 

Harriet

 

Since the Hotel Director said it goes into the gratuity pool and didn't say any was taken off the top, then no one knows for sure that NCL takes any of it off the top for themselves.

Edited December 24, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[LMaxwell]

Since the Hotel Director said it goes into the gratuity pool and didn't say any was taken off the top, then no one knows for sure that NCL takes any of it off the top for themselves.

 

NCL administers the pool. The person that provides me service administers the cash in their pocket that I gave them. When people are charged an additional 18% at specialty dining most probably will assume that is an 18% gratuity for the person or people that served them; and not just an additional amount added to the crew-wide pool.

 

that's the difference.

Edited December 24, 2015 by LMaxwell

[NLH Arizona]

NCL administers the pool. The person that provides me service administers the cash in their pocket that I gave them. When people are charged an additional 18% at specialty dining most probably will assume that is an 18% gratuity for the person or people that served them; and not just an additional amount added to the crew-wide pool.

 

that's the difference.

 

The comment I made was regarding NCL taking any money off the top, which the Hotel Director didn't say the did, didn't have anything to do with who got the 18 percent.

 

But since you brought it up, I thought the 18 percent went to the server and other waitstaff in the restaurant and that is also the story NCL told me...so who really knows and I doubt NCL is going to tell us what is going on. Sometimes I think they are their worst enemy by not responding to these kind of issues.

Edited December 24, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[SuiteCruiser]

The comment I made was regarding NCL taking any money off the top, which the Hotel Director didn't say the did, didn't have anything to do with who got the 18 percent.

 

But since you brought it up, I thought the 18 percent went to the server and other waitstaff in the restaurant and that is also the story NCL told me...so who really knows and I doubt NCL is going to tell us what is going on. Sometimes I think they are their worst enemy by not responding to these kind of issues.

 

You've had countless people with direct information from the staff and now you have a letter from the HD showing that they are double dipping and you still think that they're giving all of the money to the staff? They never did.

 

My BFF from NCL just left the company, he's always spoken the truth and has been very open with me. I have shared directly the inner workings, and said that the wait staff did not just all get raises when the DSC increased. I was called a liar. I shared how the tips are divided in the casino, was told they were just trying to get more money out of me. Constantly being told that your facts are opinions is frustrating, and thankfully now one of my so called opinions has been clarified in black and white by the HD.

 

I don't expect anyone to be so forthcoming on the rest, as it really sheds a bad light on NCL.

 

Bottom line, if you want your servers to get tipped, tip them above and beyond a few bucks means a lot to them and they deserve it.

 

I'm sorry that people were duped into thinking that their server was covered, I think that was a poor decision by NCL.

[bobstheboy]

Why do people on here get so involved in the DSC and percentages added to drinks and dining ? If it is acceptable then just pay and enjoy the cruise, if not then don't give them your custom. If the staff are not happy they can find other cruise lines, but on my recent Epic voyage everyone seemed very happy and not looking for extra.

[KeithJenner]

Why do people on here get so involved in the DSC and percentages added to drinks and dining ? If it is acceptable then just pay and enjoy the cruise, if not then don't give them your custom. If the staff are not happy they can find other cruise lines, but on my recent Epic voyage everyone seemed very happy and not looking for extra.

 

 

Absolutely.

[NLH Arizona]

You've had countless people with direct information from the staff and now you have a letter from the HD showing that they are double dipping and you still think that they're giving all of the money to the staff? They never did.

 

My BFF from NCL just left the company, he's always spoken the truth and has been very open with me. I have shared directly the inner workings, and said that the wait staff did not just all get raises when the DSC increased. I was called a liar. I shared how the tips are divided in the casino, was told they were just trying to get more money out of me. Constantly being told that your facts are opinions is frustrating, and thankfully now one of my so called opinions has been clarified in black and white by the HD.

 

I don't expect anyone to be so forthcoming on the rest, as it really sheds a bad light on NCL.

 

Bottom line, if you want your servers to get tipped, tip them above and beyond a few bucks means a lot to them and they deserve it.

 

I'm sorry that people were duped into thinking that their server was covered, I think that was a poor decision by NCL.

Where did the Hotel Director say that NCL was taking any of the money for themselves, in the email? Nowhere!

[LMaxwell]

Where did the Hotel Director say that NCL was taking any of the money for themselves, in the email? Nowhere!

 

NCL might take some, they might not. Their guest ticket contract indicates that they may do so.

 

We do know that NCL is charging an additional service charge for the services of some workers already in the service charge pool. So if I go to specialty dining I am paying DSC into the pool (for a meal and service in the MDR that I skipped) and paying a separate 18% service charge for my specialty meal, also which goes into the pool.

 

Doesn't pass my sniff test.

[SuiteCruiser]

Where did the Hotel Director say that NCL was taking any of the money for themselves, in the email? Nowhere!

 

I never said the HD said that. I said they admitted they were double dipping. Charging a service charge and the DSC at the same time for the same people.

 

No one is going to admit the rest, it's fine if you don't believe me, but when they're pulling this on you, you'd think you'd start realizing that there's more to the story.

 

It sucks to know your server's not getting what you left for them.

[SuiteCruiser]

 

Doesn't pass my sniff test.

 

Exactly. If I didn't KNOW all that I do, I would at least be incredibly suspicious at this point.

[SuiteCruiser]

Why do people on here get so involved in the DSC and percentages added to drinks and dining ? If it is acceptable then just pay and enjoy the cruise, if not then don't give them your custom. If the staff are not happy they can find other cruise lines, but on my recent Epic voyage everyone seemed very happy and not looking for extra.

 

It's not, in my eyes. I do cruise and I give them the money that they used to get, as well as the service charge which now goes to the pool, that gets distributed by NCL.

 

I have encountered happy people as well, and the staff used to all be happy. There were a few doozies on the Escape though. As I said before, they can't afford to leave, but they're taking a pay cut because almost everyone thinks they're being tipped by the service charge.

Edited December 24, 2015 by SuiteCruiser

[brisco549]

Hi everyone,

 

Please remember that the servers in the specialty dining also work breakfast and /or lunch in either the buffet or the MDR's. The servers work longer hours than simply the specialty dinning hours. So possibly they deserve consideration from both pools of money?

[LMaxwell]

Hi everyone,

 

Please remember that the servers in the specialty dining also work breakfast and /or lunch in either the buffet or the MDR's. The servers work longer hours than simply the specialty dinning hours. So possibly they deserve consideration from both pools of money?

 

Sure they work hard; how about they get the whole 18% surcharge like most people would think they do? Instead the 18% surcharge gets thrown into the general pool and they get a sliver instead. Wow

[swedish weave]

I never said the HD said that. I said they admitted they were double dipping. Charging a service charge and the DSC at the same time for the same people.

 

No one is going to admit the rest, it's fine if you don't believe me, but when they're pulling this on you, you'd think you'd start realizing that there's more to the story.

 

It sucks to know your server's not getting what you left for them.

 

Suite -- Don't let them talk you down. I have info that supports what you are saying, but I won't post my source. I know I will be called a liar AGAIN, but it is true.

Edited December 25, 2015 by swedish weave

[SuiteCruiser]

Suite -- Don't let them talk you down. I have info that supports what you are saying, but I won't post my source. I know I will be called a liar AGAIN, but it is true.

 

Agreed Swedish, I am very happy though that the HD wrote this letter to give a glimpse. Tired of being called a liar, as I know you are.

 

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, whichever works best for you!

[brfan]

Sure they work hard; how about they get the whole 18% surcharge like most people would think they do? Instead the 18% surcharge gets thrown into the general pool and they get a sliver instead. Wow

 

Do you know that for sure? Isn't there a possibility that NCL has two pools - one for non-specialty work and one for specialty work so the speciality restaurant workers get the full share of the 18% and a portion (based on where they work) of the other pool when they work in the other venues?

 

I can't believe people are so hung up on what NCL does with the DSC and 18% service charges. If you don't trust the company or don't believe in their practices/policies why not take your business to a cruise line that has policies and practices you believe in/approve?

[Demonyte]

I can't believe people are so hung up on what NCL does with the DSC and 18% service charges. If you don't trust the company or don't believe in their practices/policies why not take your business to a cruise line that has policies and practices you believe in/approve?

 

 

People are hung up on that because the communication from the corporate is either inconsistent or appears fraudulent (because of double dipping) - personally I could not have cared less when the DSC officially covered all restaurant staff, that way it was fair and square, now it really is not (just like many other things recently introduced by the current management).

[LMaxwell]

Isn't there a possibility that NCL has two pools - one for non-specialty work and one for specialty work so the speciality restaurant workers get the full share of the 18% and a portion (based on where they work) of the other pool when they work in the other venues?

 

 

That misses the point; when a customer is charged 18% in a specialty restaurant for service they expect that 18% is going to their server or team of servers. They do not expect that it is taken and put into a larger pool, thereby rewarding the actual server at a much lower rate than the guest was lead to believe.

 

If I give a waiter on land 18% of my bill, the restaurant doesn't pool that and give it right back to the server. It's from my hands to the servers pocket. Adding a second pool only further complicates things.

[swedish weave]

Do you know that for sure? Isn't there a possibility that NCL has two pools - one for non-specialty work and one for specialty work so the speciality restaurant workers get the full share of the 18% and a portion (based on where they work) of the other pool when they work in the other venues?

 

I can't believe people are so hung up on what NCL does with the DSC and 18% service charges. If you don't trust the company or don't believe in their practices/policies why not take your business to a cruise line that has policies and practices you believe in/approve?

 

A better alternative to taking business elsewhere is to remove the DSC and if enough people do this, it should get the attention of NCL management to be more open and above board in their dealings with the money pools.

 

This is not to the detriment of the crew, but it is a wake up call to NCL management that some of us are aware of their shoddy practices.

 

They felt comfortable taking the money from the DSC and giving it as a booking bonus, but have since stopped that. They have obscured their handling of the 18% "service charge" aka gratuities so no one can figure out their distribution. That needs to be corrected. so the crew can be assured they will receive a fair share of the pool.

Edited December 25, 2015 by swedish weave