Prepaid Gratuity???

[AmyW820]

Also all Drinks will incur a 15% gratuity at time of ordering.

 

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but if you get the Cheers package, you don't really have to worry about the 15% gratuity do you? Is the package just a flat fee where you don't have to worry about paying for the drinks, tip and all?

[firemanbobswife]

They know who has prepaid at the beginning. They find out who has removed them from their S&S account after the cruise.

[torcruise]

We prepay, but porters for your luggage don't even work for Carnival, at least in Galveston port. We tip $3- $4 a bag, as we travel heavy, and I have seen how often they get stiffed and see them shaking their heads. Makes me nervous as to how those bags are treated!

 

Are luggage porters not paid? or do the make a low tippers wage?

[cruzelover55]

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but if you get the Cheers package, you don't really have to worry about the 15% gratuity do you? Is the package just a flat fee where you don't have to worry about paying for the drinks, tip and all?

 

I addressed this in comment #13. If (just for example) you paid $50. to drink 15 drinks, the gratuity on that would be $7.50. And that's not counting all the coffee, milkshakes etc... without liquor you may consume. It's totally up to you. We, however feel that they lose out, they would get normally $1.50 on each $10. drink. We give an extra cash $1. about every other drink. It won't kill us and it certainly helps them out. Again, not mandatory, totally up to you.

[StolidCruiser]

No they don't. A myth per Heald.

 

Yes, they do. A myth per you.

 

They know who has prepaid at the beginning. They find out who has removed them from their S&S account after the cruise.

 

In more than two dozen cruises across several mass-market lines, I can state with confidence what I have learned through my travels.

 

They know who has removed the service charge (whether it be before, during or after) and it goes on your "permanent record".

 

For anyone to think otherwise is deluding themselves.

Edited April 5, 2016 by StolidCruiser

[Florings]

We always pay the tips in advance so they are paid before we cruise.

 

Still, we tip the luggage porters on arrival and on departure. Always tip our cabin steward in advance ($20); more at the end if he/she has been exceptional. Tip our waitstaff at the end of the cruise (set dining time), both head waiter and assistant/s. Never the maitre'd....he doesn't do any service, personally, for us. Ordering drinks, always give an extra dollar or two.

 

None of these extra tips are required. We just do it when for excellent service.

Edited April 5, 2016 by Florings

[cruzelover55]

Are luggage porters not paid? or do the make a low tippers wage?

 

I can't really answer that. I know the longshoremen here in Galveston do it as a second job. Doubt anyone could live on it full time, as it is not full time. I do know they take the job with the expectation that tips will be given. So, doubt they get full pay. Just like servers at a restaurant. Now, you have got me wondering how much they do make. Next time I see one I will ask.

[firemanbobswife]

Yes, they do. A myth per you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In more than two dozen cruises across several mass-market lines, I can state with confidence what I have learned through my travels.

 

 

 

They know who has removed the service charge (whether it be before, during or after) and it goes on your "permanent record".

 

 

 

For anyone to think otherwise is deluding themselves.

 

 

Oh I totally agree.

[Elaine5715]

No they don't. A myth per Heald.

 

Yes, they do. The GS staff live with the rest of the crew and there is no confidentiality agreement about PITA or cheapskate guests.

[cruzelover55]

Yes, they do. The GS staff live with the rest of the crew and there is no confidentiality agreement about PITA or cheapskate guests.

 

I'll bite. What's PITA? I know PETA. All I can guess is Politically Incorrect Total A$$....

[Savlamara]

I'll bite. What's PITA? I know PETA. All I can guess is Politically Incorrect Total A$$....

 

Pain in the arse...

[LMaxwell]

and it goes on your "permanent record".

 

Then what happens? You won't graduate?

[torcruise]

but don't some people take their tips off so they can pay in cash? But that will shows on their record negatively?

[LMaxwell]

but don't some people take their tips off so they can pay in cash? But that will shows on their record negatively?

 

We are all just booking numbers in a big CRM database on a server in a data center. Nothing more or less. There is no record positive or negative.

[Trumpster]

Yes, they do. A myth per you.

 

 

 

In more than two dozen cruises across several mass-market lines, I can state with confidence what I have learned through my travels.

 

They know who has removed the service charge (whether it be before, during or after) and it goes on your "permanent record".

 

For anyone to think otherwise is deluding themselves.

 

 

 

Permanent record :D right up and until I whip out my payment for 3K for another cruise.

 

Then all will be forgotten :cool:

 

That is what I have learned in more than 2 dozen cruises and everywhere else in the service industry.

 

So my cabin steward will know what? I'm a deadbeat...so he will not do his job?

 

Rubbish.

[Trumpster]

but don't some people take their tips off so they can pay in cash? But that will shows on their record negatively?

 

Yes they do but on the record negatively? Unlikely!

[Trumpster]

Are luggage porters not paid? or do the make a low tippers wage?

 

The porters are paid a salary and deserve tips, especially for lots of heavy bags.

[firemanbobswife]

We are all just booking numbers in a big CRM database on a server in a data center. Nothing more or less. There is no record positive or negative.

 

They can pull up everything you have charged, reversed, etc onboard based on your VIFP, folio, and sailing numbers. You do in fact have a history. How do you think they keep track of your cruises for your VIFP number? Or pull up any disputed charges when you're back on land? It's all part of your file.

 

Who has access to it and what they do with it should be the only part up for discussion. But rest assured Carnival knows exactly what you have spent in the onboard shops, what you have had reversed on your accounts, what you have spent in the casino, etc. That info doesn't go away.

[Trumpster]

Yes, they do. The GS staff live with the rest of the crew and there is no confidentiality agreement about PITA or cheapskate guests.

 

 

They will remember my name, booking #, cabin #, after seeing 200 people that day before me, and 200 after me, all of whom removed gratuities for some reason, or complained about this or that or who knows what?

 

I feel honored. Truly amazing.

 

So what? Am I a deadbeat? Do they not do their job the next time I show up?

[Trumpster]

They can pull up everything you have charged, reversed, etc onboard based on your VIFP, folio, and sailing numbers. You do in fact have a history. How do you think they keep track of your cruises for your VIFP number? Or pull up any disputed charges when you're back on land? It's all part of your file.

 

Who has access to it and what they do with it should be the only part up for discussion. But rest assured Carnival knows exactly what you have spent in the onboard shops, what you have had reversed on your accounts, what you have spent in the casino, etc. That info doesn't go away.

 

Again, so what?

 

What do you suggest they do with that info?

[ImaginationCruiseBride]

I would not prepay because there are ways you can save some money and when the charges are applied on the cruise come out ahead.

 

Open a Carnival credit card and get 10K points; can be used for Onboard Credit.

Purchase Carnival giftcards at 90 cents on the dollar; use them for onboard charges. like getting a 10% discount.

 

Etc.

 

So I'm not saying don't pay them; I am just saying shop around and find out how to maximize onboard credits for minimum dollars out of pocket prior to the cruise and let the charges fall against those.

 

This isn't quite accurate. We buy the 10% cards from Verizon and have a cruise that we have budgeted about $12,000 (Vista Mediterranean) including gratuities, flights (through the Carnival new flight program about half the price we could get on our own), 2 nights in Barcelona pre cruise, and excursions, transfers, etc....because we booked everything through Carnival we have been able to pay for everything with the gift cards. 10% of $12,000 is A LOT of money!....that $1200 is now available for our Hawaiian cruise next year!

[islacruzer]

I went through a travel agent and so if there is such a selection to auto tip or not, she must have done it for us.

 

I will tell you this. Just off a 4 day cruise in Bahamas aboard the Victory, we were set to auto tip $12/day per person. On our final bill, we noticed four $48 charges (2 adults, 2 kids). After a request for explanation, we were given a breakdown. At the bar, I noticed the tips were around 10% per drink.

 

I spoke to several of the stewards and bartenders. They all were "bubbly" happy. But sadly, they work 7 days a week for 8 months and don't get off the boat during port. I mean I didnt cry like my grandmother does when she watches the "feed the children" commercials with Sally Duncan, but it was enough for me to feel that the tips were worth giving.

 

Try going on HULU or youtube and search for "CNBC - big money on the high seas." Parts of it highlight the people and what they go through. Parts of it only.

[Savlamara]

I spoke to several of the stewards and bartenders. They all were "bubbly" happy. But sadly, they work 7 days a week for 8 months and don't get off the boat during port. I mean I didnt cry like my grandmother does when she watches the "feed the children" commercials with Sally Duncan, but it was enough for me to feel that the tips were worth giving.

 

Try going on HULU or youtube and search for "CNBC - big money on the high seas." Parts of it highlight the people and what they go through. Parts of it only.

 

Love your comment! And I've seen this documentary and though it is excellent, only the tip of the iceberg...

[firemanbobswife]

Again, so what?

 

What do you suggest they do with that info?

 

Don't know for sure, but it's there.

 

I'm not really too concerned as I always prepay (with the exception of once when we were moving people around but I did let the RS know why we didn't prepay when he introduced himself - just in case). I always get great service and usually tip above and beyond. Now maybe because I prepay, my room steward is happier and more attentive knowing I won't stiff him. Or maybe not. Maybe I get assigned better tables/waiters in the dining room or I get better service there because they know I won't stiff them either. Or maybe not. Some could argue the opposite as well. Saying since I already paid, they got their money and can just skate by. I don't know or really care. That hasn't been my experience, though. All that matters is that I have had no reason to remove them and never will unless someone is so rude or incompetent that it would push me over the edge.

 

As far as crew not remembering guests, how many times have you heard stories about crew and guests seeing each other after years, even on different ships and they remember not only their names but details about their families? It happens all the time.

 

It's a small world. News travels fast.

Edited April 5, 2016 by firemanbobswife

[gosaints2006]

Does Carnival still have the envelopes for handing out tips at the end of the cruise? What's the process if you do pre-pay? Do you still get the envelopes for anything additional?