happysnapper Posted March 25, 2016 #126 Share Posted March 25, 2016 The daughter of a very good friend of ours worked in a neighbourhood bar in Upper East New York. She said she received $800US in tips in just a weekend. Why would employers decrease their profits by increasing low wages when customers continue to make up the short fall! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adidas4fun Posted March 25, 2016 #127 Share Posted March 25, 2016 The daughter of a very good friend of ours worked in a neighbourhood bar in Upper East New York. She said she received $800US in tips in just a weekend. Why would employers decrease their profits by increasing low wages when customers continue to make up the short fall! the shortfall? sounds like your friends daughters must be midgets for that much shortfall! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tigerlily75 Posted March 25, 2016 #128 Share Posted March 25, 2016 You don't tip people like air hostesses etc because they are higher wage positions .. usually those you tip and those you don't have different wages, and the lower positions known as "tipping positions" earn a lot less before tips. I do believe the tips go to the staff, I don't think they could legally say they do when they don't. The amount would vary at the end of each cruise based on how many chose not to pay them. We can agree or disagree with them, but I'm a big believer of "when in Rome", and when I go to the US, I tip. (I feel the same about ships that are only in Oz seasonally, they're not "Australian"). It is their custom, it is how they do things, and it's been that way for a long time. Not related to cruising but an additional side note - There are also many states in the US where workers do have to pay tax on their tips - even if they don't receive them. The tax office assumes a minimum amount (incase you're not honest with cash tips) for each dollar amount paid by a customer, and taxes on that. So if you stiff a waiter, you actually cost him money for serving you. Now that really sucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted March 25, 2016 #129 Share Posted March 25, 2016 You don't tip people like air hostesses etc because they are higher wage positions .. usually those you tip and those you don't have different wages, and the lower positions known as "tipping positions" earn a lot less before tips. I do believe the tips go to the staff, I don't think they could legally say they do when they don't. The amount would vary at the end of each cruise based on how many chose not to pay them. We can agree or disagree with them, but I'm a big believer of "when in Rome", and when I go to the US, I tip. (I feel the same about ships that are only in Oz seasonally, they're not "Australian"). It is their custom, it is how they do things, and it's been that way for a long time. Not related to cruising but an additional side note - There are also many states in the US where workers do have to pay tax on their tips - even if they don't receive them. The tax office assumes a minimum amount (incase you're not honest with cash tips) for each dollar amount paid by a customer, and taxes on that. So if you stiff a waiter, you actually cost him money for serving you. Now that really sucks! I had not heard of that....it really does suck. As far as the staff getting the tips, dont forget that the ship runs an a bank account for each of the crew members and the computer can easily credit their account with whatever tips are due to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Kev Posted March 25, 2016 #130 Share Posted March 25, 2016 (edited) You don't tip people like air hostesses etc because they are higher wage positions .. usually those you tip and those you don't have different wages, and the lower positions known as "tipping positions" earn a lot less before tips. I do believe the tips go to the staff, I don't think they could legally say they do when they don't. The amount would vary at the end of each cruise based on how many chose not to pay them. We can agree or disagree with them, but I'm a big believer of "when in Rome", and when I go to the US, I tip. (I feel the same about ships that are only in Oz seasonally, they're not "Australian"). It is their custom, it is how they do things, and it's been that way for a long time. Not related to cruising but an additional side note - There are also many states in the US where workers do have to pay tax on their tips - even if they don't receive them. The tax office assumes a minimum amount (incase you're not honest with cash tips) for each dollar amount paid by a customer, and taxes on that. So if you stiff a waiter, you actually cost him money for serving you. Now that really sucks! Hi Tigerlilly. - Good post. Many newbys to international ships, and to o/s travel in general, do not understand the way things work outside of Australia. This is not the first time we have posted this link that may help those that have not travelled o/s lot.. International ships travelling the world use a similar model. (Note that each USA state also has differences) There is a lot of reading at this link which people should try and understand as a different system of renumeration. http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs15.htm This was a recent tip breakdown on RCI ships. The automatic gratuity is $12.95 USD, or $15.95 USD for suite guests, applied to each guest's SeaPass® account on a daily basis. Here's how it is shared between your onboard service team: •Dining & Culinary Services: $7.75 USD •Stateroom Attendant: $3.85 USD OR Suite Attendant: $6.10 USD •Other Housekeeping Services: $1.35 USD OR Housekeeping and Suite Services: $2.10 USD Some Aussies are also probably shocked to see that similar tipping expectations exist on coach tours around the world. Cheers, Sue and Phil Edited March 25, 2016 by Big Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted March 25, 2016 #131 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Many newbys to international ships, and to o/s travel in general, do not understand the way things work outside of Australia. I think a lot of the whingers dont even understand how things work in their own country.:eek: Tipping does not exist in Australia or NZ ?...Yeah right..:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted March 25, 2016 #132 Share Posted March 25, 2016 The daughter of a very good friend of ours worked in a neighbourhood bar in Upper East New York. She said she received $800US in tips in just a weekend. Maybe your friend needs to check out this "bar" ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happysnapper Posted March 26, 2016 #133 Share Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) Maybe your friend needs to check out this "bar" ;) Wrong slant. DH and I have already dined there. Lots of local residents and a few tourist like us. Edited March 26, 2016 by happysnapper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianaustralian Posted March 26, 2016 #134 Share Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) Hi We have our 10th cruise comming up, we have always prepaid tips but family of 4 in quad cabin this usually amounts to over $650 a cruise is there anyway to find out how many people are removing them, if its like 80% thinking I may start to as well. My next cruise is fully paid for do you think they will convert pre paid tips into OBC. If the staff are going to be unhappy with how many tips are removed in Oz may as well use some of that tip money at the bar as Im sure a waiter wont be nicer to me or happier at a table for 10 where 6 people may have removed tips even if mine are still on. Edited March 26, 2016 by canadianaustralian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted March 26, 2016 #135 Share Posted March 26, 2016 HiWe have our 10th cruise comming up, we have always prepaid tips but family of 4 in quad cabin this usually amounts to over $650 a cruise is there anyway to find out how many people are removing them, if its like 80% thinking I may start to as well. My next cruise is fully paid for do you think they will convert pre paid tips into OBC. If the staff are going to be unhappy with how many tips are removed in Oz may as well use some of that tip money at the bar as Im sure a waiter wont be nicer to me or happier at a table for 10 where 6 people may have removed tips even if mine are still on. I suspect it's more like 0.8%. If 80% of passengers removed their tips the cruise lines would soon move to malking them completely mandatory, if only because they couldn't handle the queues at the customer services desk. If it takes an average of 5 minutes to process the request for removal then on Celebrity Solstice, for example, it would take at least 186 man hours for 80% of the passengers. If you can't afford the gratuities on the USD cruise lines then either only cruise on AUD ships or don't cruise at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianaustralian Posted March 26, 2016 #136 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Actually that makes sense, the lines would be crazy but when you read the posts combined with agents saying its up to the cruiser if they want to tip it would be interesting to know the actual percentage that remove them. RCI would have those numbers any suggestions on how to find out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted March 26, 2016 #137 Share Posted March 26, 2016 I doubt that RCI would release that number. It's not really in their interest to encourage passengers to remove the gratuities. If too many people remove them then it will affect the crew's earnings to the point where the crew start looking for jobs elsewhere, and RCI already has a poor enough crew to passenger ratio without that happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted March 26, 2016 #138 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Wrong slant. DH and I have already dined there. Trust you gave a good tip then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swissmiss6253 Posted March 26, 2016 #139 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Where in Sydney can I get small denomination USD notes for bar and room service tipping on my upcoming Celebrity cruise? I may not use them but I want to have the option. Previously when I have needed foreign currency I have just used ATMs when I arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassamanda Posted March 26, 2016 #140 Share Posted March 26, 2016 I suspect it's more like 0.8%. If 80% of passengers removed their tips the cruise lines would soon move to malking them completely mandatory, if only because they couldn't handle the queues at the customer services desk. If it takes an average of 5 minutes to process the request for removal then on Celebrity Solstice, for example, it would take at least 186 man hours for 80% of the passengers. If you can't afford the gratuities on the USD cruise lines then either only cruise on AUD ships or don't cruise at all. Agree. Some remove prepaid tips but then tip individually which i can live with. Those that remove tips then dont tip at all should not cruise on US ships. As has been said, when in Rome... On the subject of small USD notes, probably only at the Airport or on board change at the Casino or line up at Guest services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted March 26, 2016 #141 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Where in Sydney can I get small denomination USD notes for bar and room service tipping on my upcoming Celebrity cruise? I may not use them but I want to have the option. Previously when I have needed foreign currency I have just used ATMs when I arrive. We didn't tip extra for bar service on Solstice. The listed price on cruises out of Australia already includes an 18% gratuity. I believe there is a good moneychanger somewhere near Chinatown. I think MicCanberra has mentioned it in the past. Another option would be to order some though your local Australia Post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mr walker Posted March 26, 2016 #142 Share Posted March 26, 2016 .....is there anyway to find out how many people are removing them, if its like 80% thinking I may start to as well. So it's like majority rules? I never thought of that as justification for anything - it's ok as long as others are doing it?? Or perhaps more accurately why should I do it if others are not. Do whatever you want, it's up to you at the end of the day. What others may or may not do means nought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swissmiss6253 Posted March 26, 2016 #143 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Thanks re the bar service. Good info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted March 26, 2016 #144 Share Posted March 26, 2016 So it's like majority rules? I never thought of that as justification for anything - it's ok as long as others are doing it?? Or perhaps more accurately why should I do it if others are not. Do whatever you want, it's up to you at the end of the day. What others may or may not do means nought. I so agree, i am not sure why so many people need validation, (everyone else.....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell21 Posted March 26, 2016 #145 Share Posted March 26, 2016 I so agree, i am not sure why so many people need validation, (everyone else.....) The current trend in most things, particularly in the younger generations, is to fail to take responsibility for ones own actions. As in "I'm suing the Council for my broken back because there was no sign saying I shouldn't jump off this cliff." Don't laugh, it happened in our shire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Kruzer Posted March 26, 2016 #146 Share Posted March 26, 2016 So it's like majority rules? I never thought of that as justification for anything - it's ok as long as others are doing it?? Or perhaps more accurately why should I do it if others are not. Do whatever you want, it's up to you at the end of the day. What others may or may not do means nought. Thats my motto for life... The Golden Rule. or as they say in the musical Hair... Do whatever you want as long as it does not hurt or offend anyone else. The other thing you hear these days... "Its my right...." Indeed it is...but with every Right goes Responsibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swissmiss6253 Posted March 26, 2016 #147 Share Posted March 26, 2016 I try to live my life so that I don't hurt or annoy anyone else (in general), which is why I seek advice on areas like tipping where I am uncertain of the rules. I think I have said before I hate the idea of my leaving a service person with the idea that I haven't valued their service if it is customary in those circumstances for one to tip at the time. That is why I want to know what "everyone else does". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted March 27, 2016 #148 Share Posted March 27, 2016 (edited) Where in Sydney can I get small denomination USD notes for bar and room service tipping on my upcoming Celebrity cruise? I may not use them but I want to have the option. Previously when I have needed foreign currency I have just used ATMs when I arrive. Plenty of money exchanges in Sydney but you can just get smaller notes at guest services desk once on board.:D Edited March 27, 2016 by MicCanberra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyinDubai Posted March 27, 2016 #149 Share Posted March 27, 2016 If you can't afford the gratuities on the USD cruise lines then either only cruise on AUD ships or don't cruise at all. Don't ever say that...apparently people cannot be told to look at other travel options which may suit their budget as it is a below the belt comment apparently..or so I read on FB..:p:D PS I agree - if someone cannot afford to tip with their budget, they should look for another travel option which suits their budget :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyinDubai Posted March 27, 2016 #150 Share Posted March 27, 2016 You don't tip people like air hostesses etc because they are higher wage positions .. usually those you tip and those you don't have different wages, and the lower positions known as "tipping positions" earn a lot less before tips. I do believe the tips go to the staff, I don't think they could legally say they do when they don't. The amount would vary at the end of each cruise based on how many chose not to pay them. We can agree or disagree with them, but I'm a big believer of "when in Rome", and when I go to the US, I tip. (I feel the same about ships that are only in Oz seasonally, they're not "Australian"). It is their custom, it is how they do things, and it's been that way for a long time. Not related to cruising but an additional side note - There are also many states in the US where workers do have to pay tax on their tips - even if they don't receive them. The tax office assumes a minimum amount (incase you're not honest with cash tips) for each dollar amount paid by a customer, and taxes on that. So if you stiff a waiter, you actually cost him money for serving you. Now that really sucks! Well said.. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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