Tipping for Children

[S.S.Oceanlover]

In all honesty I do feel it was a combination of the service AND it was too costly. I guess I don't think it's fair to tell folks to stay home from a vacation if they can afford the fare and port charges. Tips are not mandatory as are fare and port charges. In theory one should be able to cruise and if they choose not to pay the tip that's up to them. I'm not advocating this position, but given the profits that cruise lines make as evidenced by the information shared thru Carnival's appalling deal with FEMA, they should pay the workers more than $1.50 per hour, with no benefits, social security, etc. This is what's cheap in my view instead of trying to squeeze the customer for every extra penny they can.

 

The crew only gets about $50.00 per month plus room and board. I believe they also get medical.

If they paid them a decent wage as you suggest they'd add the price into the cruise price and you'd have no choice about paying for it except if you decided not to cruise.

 

Also by your way of thinking if I went to one of the major restaurant chains here in the U.S. and they are showing a nice quarterly profit should I not tip the server and just tell them sorry, you provided great service but I just feel your boss should pay you more to cover the tip.

 

I don't think you'd advocate that as you know full well going in that a tip is expected for good service, just as you know it going in about cruising.

 

Bill

[picklebongo]

Again, being new at this site I had no idea starting a thread on tipping with children would set people off to such a degree. In the future as I am trying to choose a cruise, cabin, etc. I will visit this site to ask pertinent questions, otherwise I am signing off. Sorry to have offended anyone by my presence, queries about what I should do regarding compensation on a nonfunctioning toilet and now tipping with children. I meant no harm.

 

Happy holidays everyone!! Renee

[BlueHerons]

Again, being new at this site I had no idea starting a thread on tipping with children would set people off to such a degree........ and now tipping with children. I meant no harm.

 

Happy holidays everyone!! Renee

 

Waitstaff doesn't want your children, they want money. Please tip with money instead of with children.

[big_duck]

How do others feel regarding this?

 

Well you asked!

[jckvpa0]

Is this a new policy not being able to adjust the gratuity, because I know my sister did on the Conquest.

 

 

As someone else said, I'm at a loss for words.

[jckvpa0]

Waitstaff doesn't want your children, they want money. Please tip with money instead of with children.

 

Now that was funny :D !

[GoinCruisin]

Whew! I was starting to think you were writing a term paper with the last couple of threads you had started... ;)

 

Ta-ta now :D

[jimc_usa]

I agree with Pickle on this. I have a 2 yo and a 9 month old. The 9 mo isn't going to use much at all. The 2 yo will, so I will tip accordingly. I went on NCL where they do the auto tip. We had bad dining room service so I adjusted that down to 0 and paid the helpful staff cash.

 

 

I agree with Parrothead - I am taking my grown-up children (tipping no problem) but a 14 month grandson? His fare is only $100.00 less than full price!

[jimc_usa]

OOPs!

[GoinCruisin]

I agree with Parrothead - I am taking my grown-up children (tipping no problem) but a 14 month grandson? His fare is only $100.00 less than full price!

 

Which is why Carnival states children under 2 don't have to tip... however, I have seen the waitstaff go out of their way for toddlers... I would hope that if they did provide a service to the child, a gratuity would be extended.

[basketsiam]

I'm not using this as an excuse, but being new I don't know the "hot button issues" yet, so I will try to avoid them in the future.

 

Pickle,

For being "new" to these boards you seem to have an unusual ability to bring up "hot button issues," ask others their opinions, and then defend your original position. I guess I have to wonder why such questions are asked when you've already made your decision?????:confused: Tips are an expected aspect of any service we receive, whether on a land vacation, a cruise, or otherwise. Budget tips appropriately and problems will be avoided.

[MrPete]

Join Date: Dec 2005

Leave Date: Dec 2005

 

Hot Topic Threads Started: 2

[mrdood]

2 posts started, two hot threads, hmmmm

 

Picklebanger, your two original stories were different, you can read'em. Other things keep changing as well, sounds like another dancing nancy...

 

Also, why is it that when someone asks for opinion and people provide a strong counter opinion the original poster is being flamed or people are attacking or rude???

 

If you ask for an opinion you are going to get all of them, be prepared or don't ask for an opinion. Or if you want an opinion that is just like yours, please be clear in your post so we we know... Geeez

[Cotton]

whereas some of the big spenders perhaps violate shipboard policy to save a few pennies and bring onboard water, soda and alcohol.

 

FYI - Carnival allows passengers to bring water and soft drinks on board with them. What is your point?

[Cotton]

As I said in reply #2 of this thread, I could elaborate, but I don't think she would even get it.

 

C'mon folks - this person is loving being controversial. I for one won't bother reading her future posts or any new threads. The pickle is history.:p

[tumeroll]

I thought it was only cow tipping that was in these days. How does one do tipping for children? Is sort of like bobbing for apples?

[Bobba22]

Goincruisin, I totally agree with you. On our last cruise on the Legend our steward, whom we came to know quite well, informed us that his salary was $90 per MONTH. Most of which he sent to his family in the Phillipeans. It was either that or work the fields from morning til night. Also, they work 7 days a week, for usually 7-9 monthes a year. A decent tip for service provided is the least I would do for them!

[joepeka]

[quote name='picklebongo']Interesting that you should note smuggling booze is a "hot button issue" because I was thinking that I am being slammed for not leaving a tip for services not rendered and being called cheap, whereas some of the big spenders perhaps violate shipboard policy to save a few pennies and bring onboard water, soda and alcohol. The same goes here too, if you can't afford these items mayhaps one should do a condo vacation.[/QUOTE]

Touche!

[Gregor4500]

[quote name='picklebongo']Is this a new policy not being able to adjust the gratuity, because I know my sister did on the Conquest.[/quote]

I can only guess which way she adjusted them.

[imsulin2]

picklebongo - on another thread you stated that you paid [B]7000.00[/B] for three of you in a Cat. 11 suite on the Conquest this past June. (and elaborated on the problems you had). Now, tipping for children has become too costly. Am I missing something here?

[dan40]

I can't believe it, this picklebooger trollknockered me on not just this thread, but on both her threads. I used to be sharper than that, I know I'm getting old but dang. Let let her story flexes and hyper active subjet changes go right by me. And my tro11 antenna never quivered.
But its OK, I've reported her to HQ so the mag strip on her future S&S cards will show the cheapo designation to all employees fleetwide.
Its not nice to mess with the old timers that are in the know.

Dirty Dan

[vbacht]

I wonder if she tipped the staff at Camp Carnival, I could be wrong but I don't think they are included in the $10 a day.

[picklebongo]

I said I wasn't going to post here again but it is so painful to see myself so maligned, even by strangers. I have been accused of starting two controversial threads without even trying. My first controversial thread apparently was just asking opinions about what to do about receiving compensation for a toilet that didn't flush properly. How in the world was I to know that this topic would spark a controversy? I am accused of being a "troll" and quite frankly I don't even know what that means, just like initially I didn't know what OP meant and someone was kind enough to explain what UB means. I am truly new at posting and for folks who don't have thousands of postings under their belt, how could I possibly know the unwritten rules. I did read the guidelines and one of them clearly states that making remarks about spelling and grammar is unacceptable. Well, my statement about "tipping with children" was clearly meant to say "tipping for children" as the title read, but fun was had by some with a play on words. That's ok, I like a good laugh too and found the responses amusing. I believe someone also stated my writing reads like I'm writing a term paper or something to that affect, my apologies again, this is just the way I speak. I'm not computer savvy enough to cut and paste, so don't know the exact quote.

I don't object to a diversity of opinions, but the thing that befuddles me is why some have to be meanspirited and nasty in the way they state their differences. I enjoy a good debate and exchange of ideas, but the snarling and belittling is simply not necessary. I just don't see the need to denigrate others and call them names to get my point across. That is not helpful.

It was several years ago that I sailed with children, on the Conquest in my suite we were all adults, My sister actually adjusted the tip upward because of the superior service we received in the dining area. In addition, we left the engineer from Peru $50.00 even though he wasn't one of the ones indicated that should be tipped. This man came to our room and worked valiantly, had a great sense of humor even though we were frustrated and often made us laugh about the situation, though it wasn't fixed until after the fourth day. We recognized his fortitude, diligence and overall jovial can do spirit.

Several people have graciously listed the "hot button issues" which is good for newbies because perhaps they won't broach them. Again, I am just a regular person from Wisconsin, no intent to come to your site and stir up trouble. I just happen to like to talk and I have a lot of time on my hands as I recover from surgery, not teaching at the moment. My sincere apologies again if I made someone angry regarding my views on tipping when we didn't eat in the dining room, though I totally understand the positions stated to rebutt what I said, though I don't agree.

[jckvpa0]

Is this a tennis match or am I watching ping pong!

[hstrybuf]

[quote name='picklebongo']Several years ago my sister and I took a total of four children on a cruise, well-behaved between the ages of 6-11. Some people feel that the standard tip should be given per person and children are no exception. How do others feel regarding this? I must admit we did not tip the full amount for our children because it was simply too costly.[/quote]

Poor pickle. You really got yourself in a "pickle" without even knowing.

To answer your original question, you should tip the full amount for children over 2. Unless you plan to pack sack lunches along, you will be eating somewhere on the ship at least 2 to 3 times a day. You will be receiving service at all those venues. Your waiters often work the buffet during breakfast and lunch. A space is reserved for you and your children every night in the dining room and staff is there to serve you whether or not you eat there. Tipping the full amount is expected.

NOW, I agree you should be able to adjust the final tips up or down depending on service, but not on the number of times you eat in the dining room.

Seasoned cruisers especially are appalled that anyone would tip less than the recommended amount for children for any reason other than bad service. Add that to a full moon and the few posters who always answer a post like this with harsh words, and you get what you got above. Tipping is considered a [B]known[/B] cost of cruising. You should budget for it at a minimum of the full amount.

Port charges, taxes and the cost of the cruise are all paid in advance. That's it unless you also prepay your tips. Everything else is extra and you need to budget for those: clothing, tips, shore excursions, trips to the casino, spa, drinks, shopping, specialty restaurants.

I hate to sound harsh, but I agree with the idea that if you can't afford the costs, you need to find another type of vacation or wait to cruise until you CAN afford it.