Auto Gratuity Deadline Removal

[Orator]

What do you call "normal" service and what do you call "exceptional" service?

Thanks to whoever replies!

 

Just a few examples that we've experienced:

A group from Guest Relations bringing a birthday cake into Michael's Club and singing "Happy Birthday".

A Turkish Waiter knowing that you enjoy Turkish Delights brings you some at dinner.

A Cabin Attendant leaving a box of pillow chocolates on your bed.

A Restaurant Manager sending a special treat to your room every night.

A Hotel Director sending you flowers.

A Captain calling your cabin and welcoming you to the ship.

Moving a Chef's Dinner so that you could use the Wine Room for your anniversary dinner.

I could go on, but this should indicate some exceptional service we've experienced.

[marieps]

For those with more experience than I:

 

May I have a clarification? Those who get cash above the auto-tip. Do they get to keep it or is that pooled as well? I'd be upset to learn $$ I specifically gave to my wait staff in Blu had to be shared. I had the same pair most nights recently on Equinox and that were excellent, as was our wine staffer. Please tell me, since the auto tip was in force, that they got to keep the extra.

 

And what of the dollar or two we will give during the cruise to bar staff. Pooled or not?

Edited October 31, 2016 by marieps

[neverbeenhere]

According to staff I've talked with, they keep the tips above the automatic gratuity amount.

[vadell]

I was told when I booked my cruise by the agent that if we were considering ultimate dining (which we were) that the gratuities would be included in the price and that we would therefore not need to prepay, as we would be paying the gratuities twice. On this basis I changed UK pounds to dollars to leave in envelopes for the room staff and we also added extra tips to the bill in specialty restaurants. We went to guest services and asked if we could just pay some of the gratuities ie 5 nights worth, they said that it was okay to do this, but we then received a large bill for all the gratuities, including those we had added to the bills ourselves. We went back to customer services again and they then removed all of them which left us feeling that we might have somehow not covered everyone. It transpires that you cannot part pay, it is all or nothing,so they ended up putting gratuities on my bill and not my husbands to sort of equal it out. The whole thing was a total mess, I would rather just pay what I wanted to who I wanted and not be told how much to who and where. IMO it should be an increased price on cruise to cover a decent wage and if you want to you can tip further, not somehow end up with a very large bill just for tips. If they posted details of who had prepaid and who had had them removed, how can that be correct I could have left far more in my envelope than they would have actually received otherwise and we should not get substandard service either way.

[DYKWIA]

For what purpose does a cruise line produce a list which is circulated to staff identifying people they claim not to have paid gratuities?

 

What are they ultimately hoping to achieve by doing this?

 

What issues does it raise w.r.t privacy over financial transactions? What if someone pays at a later point.

 

We prepay our tips and don't pay extra tips or grease any extra palms, so I guess we're semi deadbeats

Edited October 31, 2016 by DYKWIA

[dkjretired]

I was told when I booked my cruise by the agent that if we were considering ultimate dining (which we were) that the gratuities would be included in the price and that we would therefore not need to prepay, as we would be paying the gratuities twice. On this basis I changed UK pounds to dollars to leave in envelopes for the room staff and we also added extra tips to the bill in specialty restaurants. We went to guest services and asked if we could just pay some of the gratuities ie 5 nights worth, they said that it was okay to do this, but we then received a large bill for all the gratuities, including those we had added to the bills ourselves. We went back to customer services again and they then removed all of them which left us feeling that we might have somehow not covered everyone. It transpires that you cannot part pay, it is all or nothing,so they ended up putting gratuities on my bill and not my husbands to sort of equal it out. The whole thing was a total mess, I would rather just pay what I wanted to who I wanted and not be told how much to who and where. IMO it should be an increased price on cruise to cover a decent wage and if you want to you can tip further, not somehow end up with a very large bill just for tips. If they posted details of who had prepaid and who had had them removed, how can that be correct I could have left far more in my envelope than they would have actually received otherwise and we should not get substandard service either way.

 

The problem was that you got bad advice from your agent who really should have known better. The standard gratuities are those that go to the dining room staff and the stateroom staff. If you go to one specialty, three specialties or whatever combination of specialties those tips are within your payment towards those specialties. They have nothing to do with your regular gratuities. It has always been that way. It is not your fault because you got bad advice but sometimes people just think too much about this tipping thing, its really quite simple.

[dkjretired]

Just a few examples that we've experienced:

A group from Guest Relations bringing a birthday cake into Michael's Club and singing "Happy Birthday".

A Turkish Waiter knowing that you enjoy Turkish Delights brings you some at dinner.

A Cabin Attendant leaving a box of pillow chocolates on your bed.

A Restaurant Manager sending a special treat to your room every night.

A Hotel Director sending you flowers.

A Captain calling your cabin and welcoming you to the ship.

Moving a Chef's Dinner so that you could use the Wine Room for your anniversary dinner.

I could go on, but this should indicate some exceptional service we've experienced.

 

Also think that perhaps you had that one cocktail waiter or waitress who took care of you during the week maybe a little better. Perhaps it was in the casino, the theater or in a lounge you may have frequented during the week.

Edited October 31, 2016 by dkjretired

[bayonnejoe]

Just off Infinity and I can tell you that I experienced exceptional service from a number of staff including Putu, my stateroom attendant, Lili, my server, Jovel, the Restaurant Maître 'd, Erick, the Michael's Club Concierge.

I agree about Putu. We must have been in the same area. He was the most efficient stateroom attendant we have had in a long time. We sent a shout out in the attention to detail cards provided.

[grandgeezer]

In my experience' date=' I am paying less for less. So it's fine. The early days of cruising prices were out of reach for most people. And yes, the service was better because the ships were not as big, so there were fewer passengers to the number of crew. Crew addressed us and our children by name, always remembering. Dinners served with white gloves, under a silver dome. Gourmet food in the MDR. On and on. HOWEVER, the prices are half what they were then, with more perks.

 

We are drifting away from the OP's question. That being said, I am happy to tip the suggested amount, and then some. I vote that they are no longer removable.[/quote']

 

I'm not talking twenty years ago, I'm talking 3-4 years ago. If you are paying half now, of what you used to pay, you grossly over paid then. My first cruise, over 13 years ago, I paid $90 per day for a balcony, I don't see any $45 a day balconys now. I don't think, since you pay for the free perks, they should be included with the example, that makes your comment about paying less even more strange.

There aren't tips, they are service charges since you are told how much before you even receive the service. That's probably why you allowed to lessen them or remove them completely if you aren't receiving service up to your expectations. The cost should be rolled into the cruise price, that would eliminate this point that comes up on a regular basis.

[CELTICGIRLCRUISER]

After reading through all of the posts, didn't I tell you that you would get a lecture and called names? All you asked for was if you could remove the tips the last day, and bang, you get lectured by very judgmental people.:eek:

 

No one likes a told you so either, even if it is obvious to a blind man what is coming:p

Edited October 31, 2016 by CELTICGIRLCRUISER

[Husky61]

No one likes a told you so either, even if it is obvious to a blind man what is coming:p

 

You are probably correct, but if one reads all of the posts, at least I was correct.:p

[Can'tstopcruising]

For what purpose does a cruise line produce a list which is circulated to staff identifying people they claim not to have paid gratuities?

 

What are they ultimately hoping to achieve by doing this?

 

What issues does it raise w.r.t privacy over financial transactions? What if someone pays at a later point.

 

We prepay our tips and don't pay extra tips or grease any extra palms, so I guess we're semi deadbeats

 

 

Sorry for digressing, but I see your location is Piz Gloria. Are you in Switzerland?

[spookwife]

Who said anything about not tipping? I simply asked when the deadline is for removing auto gratuities as I always tip in cash anyways and I"m not interested in waiting at guest services when we board as their is usually quite a long line. I thought it would be easier to do it later in the week. Some individuals on this forum need to calm down, who do think you are making assumptions of others and how they choose to go about tipping. These forums are becoming more and more unpleasant to visit as time goes by.

 

 

You are doing no one any favors by removing the auto grats. In fact you make more work for the staff.tipping in person in cash is only to make you feel superior. You are not rewarding the staff at all. Give extra cash in person to those who you feel deserve it. Leave the auto charges alone.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[spookwife]

"The staff is notified of who removes the auto tips."

 

 

 

I would like to see evidence of this.

 

 

I have seen the list with my own eyes. There is a code next to the name/cabin number.

 

 

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[Charles4515]

For what purpose does a cruise line produce a list which is circulated to staff identifying people they claim not to have paid gratuities?

 

What are they ultimately hoping to achieve by doing this?

 

What issues does it raise w.r.t privacy over financial transactions? What if someone pays at a later point.

 

We prepay our tips and don't pay extra tips or grease any extra palms, so I guess we're semi deadbeats

 

 

 

The list is so they know who auto paid or pre paid into the pool. The ones who removed and pay cash, that cash up to the suggested amount has to be turned into the pool. If you had paid an extra tip beyond the auto pay the crew member does not have to pool that. So they also need the list to know the cash tips are extra and don't have to be turned into the pool. They also need the list to know how much they are getting out of the pool.

 

You are not a semi deadbeat or deadbeat for not paying extra tips above what you prepaid.

 

Personally I have done and will do extra tips but only for extra services. For example last cruise we ended up spending a lot of time every day in Cafe Al Bacio. We had included specialty drinks and the servers there took care of us superbly. So the last day we gave them a cash gratuity. We don't extra tip as an obligation, only for extra service or a special service done for us.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited November 1, 2016 by Charles4515

[Fish Lover]

Instead of the pro-tipping brigade casting aspersions on the anti -tipping brigade perhaps someone could explain two things

 

1. Why do Celebrity allow (and making it clear how one goes about) the removal of Auto-Gratuities.

 

2. Why do I need to take cognisance of the remuneration of some of the staff on the Cruise? I dont believe any are press ganged to work for the cruise line. If I believe my employer is not providing sufficient rewards for my efforts I will seek alternative employment.

 

If I suggested that Customers should supplement my income I would be seeking alternative employment very quickly indeed.

 

The OP asked about removing the Auto-Grats , a practice that I have used on every cruise without any issues from either the GR staff nor any other Cel. X staff.

 

Perhaps the pro-tippers should try and persuade Celebrity to stop the process if it is so abhorrent ?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

My guess is that you have never been a waiter/waitress.

[caribill]

Although, the vast majority of the buffet staff work in the MDR on a rotational basis. I always see our waiter during the breakfast or lunch buffet.

 

Although you may see your waiter, he might not be the person providing service to you in the buffet area.

 

The "auto-tip" ensures that all waitstaff that may provide service to you will get their share of tips.

[Ladesign]

My guess is that you have never been a waiter/waitress.

 

 

I have worked as a Barman and also managed F&B operations - not that this makes me more or less qualified to comment on tipping.

 

I stand by my opinion that the remuneration of staff is no concern to customers and simply a matter between staff and their employer. No doubt the tipping culture us encouraged by the employer and the staff to avoid taxation issues. I have happily paid income tax since I was 16 and have no sympathy with tax evasion or avoidance , legal or otherwise.

 

If Celebrity allow me to remove the AutoGrats then I will continue to do so.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited November 1, 2016 by Ladesign

[dodger1964]

Just a few examples that we've experienced:

A group from Guest Relations bringing a birthday cake into Michael's Club and singing "Happy Birthday".

A Turkish Waiter knowing that you enjoy Turkish Delights brings you some at dinner.

A Cabin Attendant leaving a box of pillow chocolates on your bed.

A Restaurant Manager sending a special treat to your room every night.

A Hotel Director sending you flowers.

A Captain calling your cabin and welcoming you to the ship.

Moving a Chef's Dinner so that you could use the Wine Room for your anniversary dinner.

I could go on, but this should indicate some exceptional service we've experienced.

 

I would agree that those are "exceptional"...

 

We haven't experienced anything like those listed.

 

We do get invited to the art auction...Would that would be considered "exceptional"!;)

[villauk]

We do get invited to the art auction...Would that would be considered "exceptional"!;)

 

An 'exceptional' waste of paper :D.

Edited November 1, 2016 by villauk

[johnritt]

I have worked as a Barman and also managed F&B operations - not that this makes me more or less qualified to comment on tipping.

 

I stand by my opinion that the remuneration of staff is no concern to customers and simply a matter between staff and their employer. No doubt the tipping culture us encouraged by the employer and the staff to avoid taxation issues. I have happily paid income tax since I was 16 and have no sympathy with tax evasion or avoidance , legal or otherwise.

 

If Celebrity allow me to remove the AutoGrats then I will continue to do so.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Do you remove tips on the first day and let the staff know that they get the opportunity to serve you for little or no remuneration or do you remove them as late as possible and then sneak off the ship?

Edited November 1, 2016 by johnritt

[villauk]

For what purpose does a cruise line produce a list which is circulated to staff identifying people they claim not to have paid gratuities?

 

What are they ultimately hoping to achieve by doing this?

 

What issues does it raise w.r.t privacy over financial transactions? What if someone pays at a later point.

 

We prepay our tips and don't pay extra tips or grease any extra palms, so I guess we're semi deadbeats

 

I have also seen the list on a trolley, but this line from X's 'Essential Information' on your copy cruise invoice confirms your staff are notified:

 

'Please note, we no longer provide vouchers for you to present to the staff at the end of the cruise to show you have paid your gratuities, but staff will be aware on the last evening of those who have paid.'

 

How else would they know if there wasn't a list compiled? So if they know who has paid, they certainly will know who hasn't ;). Additionally, in order to stop your auto gratuities, I believe you have to notify GS by the 3rd to last day (only from memory from reading the dailies, but I may be wrong not having done it :confused:), easily enough time to produce a list.

[wendychloecruiser]

Do you remove tips on the first day and let the staff know that they get the opportunity to serve you for little or no remuneration or do you remove them as late as possible and then sneak off the ship?

 

Perfect comment. There's nothing that riles me up more than people who feel the need to have the ability to cheat others under the guise of "well it's their system." It's the whole concept of doing what's right even when no one is looking. In the same way it's the excuse that "we will never see these people again." Alas, they ARE looking.

[CELTICGIRLCRUISER]

I have worked as a Barman and also managed F&B operations - not that this makes me more or less qualified to comment on tipping.

 

I stand by my opinion that the remuneration of staff is no concern to customers and simply a matter between staff and their employer. No doubt the tipping culture us encouraged by the employer and the staff to avoid taxation issues. I have happily paid income tax since I was 16 and have no sympathy with tax evasion or avoidance , legal or otherwise.

 

If Celebrity allow me to remove the AutoGrats then I will continue to do so.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Whilst I don't disagree with you about employers should just pay a decent wage and do away with auto gratuities and additional tipping in general should be left down to the individual as a whole everywhere, land and sea but as we all know prices would rise and rise to cover this.

 

From someone, like you who has worked in the service industry I am really surprised to read you remove tips, I would have thought that you would be championing tips for low paid staff.

 

When you worked as a barman and someone said "and one for yourself" we all know generally bar staff don't take a drink they add something onto the bill and then get the cash. (I ran a couple of bars for a while so know how it works). Or did you say no thanks my employer pays me well and I would only have to pay tax on your offer!

Edited November 1, 2016 by CELTICGIRLCRUISER

[fshagan]

Instead of the pro-tipping brigade casting aspersions on the anti -tipping brigade perhaps someone could explain two things

 

1. Why do Celebrity allow (and making it clear how one goes about) the removal of Auto-Gratuities.

 

I have a theory about this (it is explained more fully below). I don't believe Celebrity can pass through "tips" if they are mandatory; they must be optional to pass muster for the benefit of the employees.

 

2. Why do I need to take cognisance of the remuneration of some of the staff on the Cruise? I dont believe any are press ganged to work for the cruise line. If I believe my employer is not providing sufficient rewards for my efforts I will seek alternative employment.

 

In many countries tips are not taxed as income. I'm more familiar with NCL, where quite a few of the crew are from the Philippines. Gratuity income is exempt from income tax there. The same is true in several other countries, notably some of the former "eastern bloc" countries like Romania, and someone told me (but I have not verified) even in Germany.

 

Now, if your employer said "I can structure your pay so you get your same weekly amount, but the government allows me to divide it up into taxable (wages) and non-taxable (tips) income" what would you prefer? Would you prefer he pay you a "living wage" that is taxable at a very high rate, or pay you a low wage and have the rest made up of non-taxable tip income?

 

On the one hand, many of your customers would prefer you earn less and have a "living wage" because it soothes their conscience, but you probably prefer to have more net income because, even though you are not from the West, you are not stupid.

 

And they do earn a living wage for their home countries. I compared the average of the wages reported on glassdoor.com with the average wages for workers in the Philippines. Room stewards earn about as much as accountants and teachers. Bar tenders earn as much as engineers. They deserve every penny, in my opinion, but we are not exploiting cheap wages for our own entertainment when we take a cruise. They earn a living wage.

 

Tip removers just want that living wage to be less by reducing the pool amount that can be split onto their checks as "tip income", thereby changing the ratio and subjecting the employee to higher taxes.