Estimate tips for cabin and wait staff for 7 day cruise

[Expat Cruise]

My understanding is even when you tip individually, those individuals are required to put those tips into the shared pool. So even though you may think you are only rewarding those individuals that earned the tip, it may not be working out the way you think.

 

I have talked to Royal Crew members off the ships when they are back home here in the Philippines. And they tell a different story they do not like the auto tipping because so many people get a cut of their tips and somehow whatever goes in the top what comes out the bottom is much smaller. A few believe the Cruise lines are taking a cut. Given a choice they said cash in hand. Now maybe they are lying to me the American.

 

But I have had my wife (Filipino) ask the same questions and she has talked to them and the answers are the same. One thing you need to understand is the culture here, if a fellow Filipino or Filipina lies to another they loose face, and that is very very bad. These families are very close and what one family member does reflects upon the whole family.

 

Some of the nicest, friendliest, hardest working people I have found in the World are here. People who by our Western Standards have nothing, but are happy and love live. Auto tipping hurts the workers ability to earn money, therefore I do not contribute to abusing the workers with auto tipping. Cruise lines just pay your employees a fair wage.

[champagne123]

I have talked to Royal Crew members off the ships when they are back home here in the Philippines. And they tell a different story they do not like the auto tipping because so many people get a cut of their tips and somehow whatever goes in the top what comes out the bottom is much smaller. A few believe the Cruise lines are taking a cut. Given a choice they said cash in hand. Now maybe they are lying to me the American.

 

But I have had my wife (Filipino) ask the same questions and she has talked to them and the answers are the same. One thing you need to understand is the culture here, if a fellow Filipino or Filipina lies to another they loose face, and that is very very bad. These families are very close and what one family member does reflects upon the whole family.

 

Some of the nicest, friendliest, hardest working people I have found in the World are here. People who by our Western Standards have nothing, but are happy and love live. Auto tipping hurts the workers ability to earn money, therefore I do not contribute to abusing the workers with auto tipping. Cruise lines just pay your employees a fair wage.

 

I think all around, it is just a lose-lose situation. It is very divided with opinions on tipping. I, myself do not like the auto tips. I enjoy the last evening in the dining room, shaking hands with our servers.....saying thank you for your wonderful service and handing them an envelope. Seems more personal to me.

On the other hand, the empty dining rooms on the last evening, it is very apparent that those people are stiffing the waitstaff...BUT....now, the way it is set up, they are also the people that are standing on line at guest services having the auto tips removed.

[LizzieandLuke]

we find Filipinos to be the NICEST workers on every cruise ship we have been on.

 

I agree with this - they seem to understand guest service better than everyone else.

 

 

On the other hand, the empty dining rooms on the last evening, it is very apparent that those people are stiffing the waitstaff...BUT....now, the way it is set up, they are also the people that are standing on line at guest services having the auto tips removed.

 

We leave our auto tips on and tip extra if they earned it. If you are removing the tips are you tipping the required amount? If not you are STEALING.

 

I think Royal should make it extremely difficult to remove the auto-tips. It is in the cruise documents what you should be tipping - any less that you are stealing directly from the person who needs it the most - not Royal Caribbean. If you can't afford to tip - don't go on a cruise.

[champagne123]

I agree with this - they seem to understand guest service better than everyone else.

 

 

 

 

We leave our auto tips on and tip extra if they earned it. If you are removing the tips are you tipping the required amount? If not you are STEALING.

 

I think Royal should make it extremely difficult to remove the auto-tips. It is in the cruise documents what you should be tipping - any less that you are stealing directly from the person who needs it the most - not Royal Caribbean. If you can't afford to tip - don't go on a cruise.

 

Amen and two thumbs up

[Expat Cruise]

I agree with this - they seem to understand guest service better than everyone else.

 

 

 

 

We leave our auto tips on and tip extra if they earned it. If you are removing the tips are you tipping the required amount? If not you are STEALING.

 

I think Royal should make it extremely difficult to remove the auto-tips. It is in the cruise documents what you should be tipping - any less that you are stealing directly from the person who needs it the most - not Royal Caribbean. If you can't afford to tip - don't go on a cruise.

 

It has nothing to do with how much people can afford. How much money I have has no bearing on this subject. It is about Royal employees these workers and should pay them. Tipping is not to pay workers for doing a job, it is about rewarding sometime for doing something extra.

 

In many places around the World it is not even allowed. You would think Taxi Drivers should be tipped right? Do you know that in Singapore the Airport has a ban on tipping of Taxi drivers because they seen the visitors are not responsible to make subjective payments so the drivers earn a wage.

 

Several cruise lines have already gone to no tipping policies, many other all inclusive vacations have no tipping policies. Studies have been done that show tipping does not improve the quality of service. Royal needs to pay the workers a fair wage.

[korysax]

This will be our first cruise, so this might be a silly question. On an 8 night cruise do you pay auto gratuities for 8 or 9 days? I wasn't sure if the final day is included as you pretty much just wake up and leave. I just want to make sure I've budgeted for everything and am not surprised!

[Expat Cruise]

This will be our first cruise, so this might be a silly question. On an 8 night cruise do you pay auto gratuities for 8 or 9 days? I wasn't sure if the final day is included as you pretty much just wake up and leave. I just want to make sure I've budgeted for everything and am not surprised!

 

Payments are based upon the nights, not the days, auto tips, internet, drink packages, etc.

[LizzieandLuke]

It has nothing to do with how much people can afford. How much money I have has no bearing on this subject. It is about Royal employees these workers and should pay them. Tipping is not to pay workers for doing a job, it is about rewarding sometime for doing something extra.

 

In many places around the World it is not even allowed. You would think Taxi Drivers should be tipped right? Do you know that in Singapore the Airport has a ban on tipping of Taxi drivers because they seen the visitors are not responsible to make subjective payments so the drivers earn a wage.

 

Several cruise lines have already gone to no tipping policies, many other all inclusive vacations have no tipping policies. Studies have been done that show tipping does not improve the quality of service. Royal needs to pay the workers a fair wage.

 

I don't disagree with this - I would love to see the employees paid an honest wage. However, the vacation you signed up for includes gratuities. If you don't want to pay gratuities - GO ON A DIFFERENT VACATION. Don't take it out on the employee.

[Expat Cruise]

I am not naive enough to believe that if I hand a 20 or a 50 dollar bill to a server or room attendant that it's not going straight into their pocket and not to some "tip jar".

 

I've never heard it mentioned, but just how much does a server or room attendant make on these ships, before tips?

 

These are industry averages not RCCL. So even if you cut to $2000 per month, which seems like it is low it is in fact very high. In the Philippines $2000 USD would be about 95,000 PHP month. A 20 year bank manger here makes 35,000 PHP month, Call center Worker 25,000 PHP Month, Nurse in Hospital 30,000 PHP Month, Police Officer 15,000 PHP Month. Non skilled worker or what the cruise ship workers do in the PI would be 10,000 PHP month.

 

It clear to see that based upon then wages earned in the Philippines Cruise Crew are highly paid.

 

Room Service Attendant Salary Range:

 

$2200-2800 U.S. per month depending the cruise line, size of ship and gratuities (tips).

 

Room Service Attendants can be for promoted from Room Service Attendant to Dining Room Waiter/ Waitress position.

[mjkacmom]

It has nothing to do with how much people can afford. How much money I have has no bearing on this subject. It is about Royal employees these workers and should pay them. Tipping is not to pay workers for doing a job, it is about rewarding sometime for doing something extra.

 

In many places around the World it is not even allowed. You would think Taxi Drivers should be tipped right? Do you know that in Singapore the Airport has a ban on tipping of Taxi drivers because they seen the visitors are not responsible to make subjective payments so the drivers earn a wage.

 

Several cruise lines have already gone to no tipping policies, many other all inclusive vacations have no tipping policies. Studies have been done that show tipping does not improve the quality of service. Royal needs to pay the workers a fair wage.

 

In some industries, tipping pays the wages. In my state, the minimum wage for servers is $2.13 an hour, same as it was decades ago. If you don't agree with this practice, don't eat in restaurants that continue to do business this way. Just don't stiff the employees. It's not illegal to tip in most places, and it's expected in many places. When in Rome...

[Expat Cruise]

I don't disagree with this - I would love to see the employees paid an honest wage. However, the vacation you signed up for includes gratuities. If you don't want to pay gratuities - GO ON A DIFFERENT VACATION. Don't take it out on the employee.

 

Sorry not does not include gratuities, they are not required under the cruise contract. The companies may try to shame the sheep into paying these auto stealing fees but not required. I will remove the auto gratuities and have always done so-AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU CAN STAY OFF THE SHIP IN PROTEST IT WILL NOT EFFECT ME. Yes I to can use all caps....

[champagne123]

These are industry averages not RCCL. So even if you cut to $2000 per month, which seems like it is low it is in fact very high. In the Philippines $2000 USD would be about 95,000 PHP month. A 20 year bank manger here makes 35,000 PHP month, Call center Worker 25,000 PHP Month, Nurse in Hospital 30,000 PHP Month, Police Officer 15,000 PHP Month. Non skilled worker or what the cruise ship workers do in the PI would be 10,000 PHP month.

 

It clear to see that based upon then wages earned in the Philippines Cruise Crew are highly paid.

 

Room Service Attendant Salary Range:

 

$2200-2800 U.S. per month depending the cruise line, size of ship and gratuities (tips).

 

Room Service Attendants can be for promoted from Room Service Attendant to Dining Room Waiter/ Waitress position.

 

Those salaries ARE ridiculously low, but in comparison with the "cost of living" in the USA, it may be relative. I have no idea....just bringing up another aspect.

Edited March 28, 2016 by champagne123
vvvvv

[Expat Cruise]

In some industries, tipping pays the wages. In my state, the minimum wage for servers is $2.13 an hour, same as it was decades ago. If you don't agree with this practice, don't eat in restaurants that continue to do business this way. Just don't stiff the employees. It's not illegal to tip in most places, and it's expected in many places. When in Rome...

 

The minimum wage in the Philippines is about $8.00 per day. These are not US Flagged Ships, they do not operate under US Wage rules and laws. When will the American public learn that US Standards are not World Standards? So at $2.13 per hour they would be overpaid by the pay standards in the countries most workers come from.

 

More to the point if Royal offered a flat $2000 dollars per month they would have more employees than they require. The Cruise lines are pulling the biggest con and the public is buying into it.

[Expat Cruise]

Those salaries ARE ridiculously low, but in comparison with the "cost of living" in the USA, it may be relative. I have no idea....just bringing up another aspect.

 

That is the point they do not live or work in the US. They also have all fees paid for them. If the wages were not fair the workers would not take them.

[LizzieandLuke]

Sorry not does not include gratuities, they are not required under the cruise contract. The companies may try to shame the sheep into paying these auto stealing fees but not required. I will remove the auto gratuities and have always done so-AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU CAN STAY OFF THE SHIP IN PROTEST IT WILL NOT EFFECT ME. Yes I to can use all caps....

 

You sound like a wonderful person. Best of luck to you.

[lainielove]

New to cruising but decided to book one room (instead of two adjoining rooms) for my family of 4 (girls will be 11 and 9) - Is the tipping amount the same either way? Seems like it should be less if they are in a room with us? Please advise.

[champagne123]

New to cruising but decided to book one room (instead of two adjoining rooms) for my family of 4 (girls will be 11 and 9) - Is the tipping amount the same either way? Seems like it should be less if they are in a room with us? Please advise.

 

Everyone pays the same, regardless of how many people are in your cabin or their ages.

[Expat Cruise]

New to cruising but decided to book one room (instead of two adjoining rooms) for my family of 4 (girls will be 11 and 9) - Is the tipping amount the same either way? Seems like it should be less if they are in a room with us? Please advise.

 

Sorry but no discount Royal will tell you the Auto Gratuity is $12.95 x 4 = $51.80 per day. Now I asked you does that seem fair? It's only one room the work load is not 4 times one person. IT should be less but they are trying to get every dollar they can Almost $365 dollars for 7 days. But only if you let them, you can remove or adjust the gratuity as you see fit.

[lainielove]

Sorry but no discount Royal will tell you the Auto Gratuity is $12.95 x 4 = $51.80 per day. Now I asked you does that seem fair? It's only one room the work load is not 4 times one person. IT should be less but they are trying to get every dollar they can Almost $365 dollars for 7 days. But only if you let them, you can remove or adjust the gratuity as you see fit.

 

I agree - I think it isn't fair - I might adjust it somewhat or bring cash to tip those who really deserve it. Clearly the room cabin steward deserves cash. Still trying to fully wrap my head around the dining options and therefore the tipping regarding that (We are going in Feb 2017, so I have plenty of time to read and memorize these boards ;-)) So confusing - lol.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Just DO be aware that if you remove the gratuities, you may be approached by crew such as the head waiter and the head housekeeper for your area to find out what the problem is because they DO get a list and the assumption is that something is wrong - which leads to issues for the crew member(s) assigned to you.

 

Happened to me on the last running cruise I was on to Alaska - the gratuities were included as part of our package, but the ship started deducting them. Our group escort went to her people and had all the auto-grats reversed so we were not paying double and that evening the head waiter AND the dining room manager were over to our tables to find out what was wrong and how they could correct it. Also at least those of us on the section of hall I was on received multiple messages from the housekeeping area manager to find out what was wrong.

[Paulxyz2004]

New to cruising but decided to book one room (instead of two adjoining rooms) for my family of 4 (girls will be 11 and 9) - Is the tipping amount the same either way? Seems like it should be less if they are in a room with us? Please advise.

 

It´s the same amount, as it´s broken down per Person per day. If you think about it, you will realize that it makes sense. Even if it´s just one cabin there is 4 beds to be made up every day and actually the 3rd and 4th bed are most likely be more work, as they might have to convert a Sofa bed back and forth between bed and Sofa every day, or stow away the Bunks.

 

However not all of the tip goes to the cabin attendant and there is part of it going to all the wait Team around the ship. So I guess all 4 of you will utilize the various eating venues, which are covered in the Auto tip.

[Grandma Dazzles]

New to cruising but decided to book one room (instead of two adjoining rooms) for my family of 4 (girls will be 11 and 9) - Is the tipping amount the same either way? Seems like it should be less if they are in a room with us? Please advise.

 

Tips are per person per day (even for babies and very young children). Keep in mind your room steward will have four beds to take care of, and if you have four people in one cabin, the cabin can get pretty messy, plus for times the garbage, etc.

 

Also, the gratuities cover all eating venues, not just the main dining room, plus are shared with some behind the scenes workers.

 

It is far simpler to leave the automatic gratuities in place. It sounds like a large amount when you multiple it out, but I can't think of many places where you get all that service for $12.95 per day. It is basically just part of cruising, and definitely unfair to not pay the staff, who depend on tips for their salary, just like service workers in the US. If you leave in place you are done with.

[peteukmcr]

These are industry averages not RCCL. So even if you cut to $2000 per month, which seems like it is low it is in fact very high. In the Philippines $2000 USD would be about 95,000 PHP month. A 20 year bank manger here makes 35,000 PHP month, Call center Worker 25,000 PHP Month, Nurse in Hospital 30,000 PHP Month, Police Officer 15,000 PHP Month. Non skilled worker or what the cruise ship workers do in the PI would be 10,000 PHP month.

 

It clear to see that based upon then wages earned in the Philippines Cruise Crew are highly paid.

 

Room Service Attendant Salary Range:

 

$2200-2800 U.S. per month depending the cruise line, size of ship and gratuities (tips).

 

Room Service Attendants can be for promoted from Room Service Attendant to Dining Room Waiter/ Waitress position.

Are these salaries tax free?

 

Those salaries ARE ridiculously low, but in comparison with the "cost of living" in the USA, it may be relative. I have no idea....just bringing up another aspect.

Very interesting information re average salaries for room service attendants. I make less than that per month as a business travel consultant and still have to pay a mortgage, buy food and pay for all the necessary utilities to run the home.

 

I was always led to believe that the salary was far less than that, albeit this is for a 7 day week over a long continuous many month contract.

 

Oh btw we pre pay gratuities and never remove them.

Edited March 28, 2016 by peteukmcr

[Paulxyz2004]

Are these salaries tax free?

 

 

Very interesting information re average salaries for room service attendants. I make less than that per month as a business travel consultant and still have to pay a mortgage, buy food and pay for all the necessary utilities to run the home.

 

I was always led to believe that the salary was far less than that, albeit this is for a 7 day week over a long continuous many month contract.

 

Oh btw we pre pay gratuities and never remove them.

 

 

Don´t be too quick here. The crew has to take into account that they won´t be employed for some month a year (between contracts). I´m pretty sure they have to pay a martgage as well. After all These are not homeless People and they have a home somewhere that costs Money. Many of them have families at home, so just as many of us they work in their Job to feed their Family and give them a home. So it´s not like they don´t have the same cost we do. Yes they don´t have to pay for Food onboard and they don´t have to pay for their cabin, but they still have many other cost just like we all do. They do Need toiletries, telephone, Computer, Internet, just to Name a few. All of these cost them Money and probably more than they do for us on land.

 

They do make some good Money, especially in comparison to the average in their respective countries, but we shouldn´t be so quick and think they don´t have about the same cost every month we do, just because they are gone for month in a row.

 

ETA: I fully agree with your last sentence. It´s the same I do and to me that´s their salary for being their and doing their Job. If they go above and beyond they get some extra.

Edited March 28, 2016 by Paulxyz2004

[Miryam1234]

Rci is selling cruises with different tactics in different areas. Like in EU, a company has to include taxes & fees and show a total price, unlike in US where one first sees a base price and then it grows with taxes &fees. Likewise, these auto gratuities are included into the price on some areas. I kind of like that, since I am used to seeing a complete cost of everything. Easy to know if ai can afford a thing or not.

. But I do agree that one has to settle into the habits of certain areas while traveling. Leaving the question why we are followin American habits let's say in Europe or Asia on a Bahama flagged ship?

I choose to autotip, knowing that I am then doing what I am supposed to do by the standards of the majority. I only add something if I really think the person has done something truly special. Sometimes there is reason to do so, sometimes not.