About the Daily Service Charge

[Cruise Junky]

The last time I was in the YC we did not pay more for the butler, concierge, etc. and were told they were included in the daily charge (unlike NCL where they are not).

 

Thank you. I couldn't find anything on MSC's site.

[kerryincork]

It's true you don't have to pay the service charge. I have removed it when service has been horrendous.

 

But what you can do is remove the service charge from your restaurant bill and hand it directly to your server to keep. The restaurant can't do anything about this as this is who the money (staff) is meant to go to.

 

If you leave the service charge on your bill when you pay by cash or card, the restaurant is then meant to pass this on to the workers. There have been a good few restaurants who have been caught charging a large administration fee to their staff (for their convenience 😉) for processing the service charge managers were pocketing the whole lot.

 

Of course not all restaurants are this unscrupulous, but you can't really tell. I suppose the easiest way is to just ask your server which do they prefer cash or card.

 

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[SnwCruiser]

It's true you don't have to pay the service charge. I have removed it when service has been horrendous.

 

Are you talking about removing the charges at some MSC cruise?

[JosephMusk]

Wow, a lot of replies!

 

Well, as I said at the first post: "Without wishing to enter into the moral question of whether it is right to pay the service fee or not (because this is a personal matter) (...)".

 

 

So, guys, I've got ver different answers. If possible, if someone that already did it (on MSC Divina, preferably) can please tell me how it went... that would be great!

[mafig]

Wow, a lot of replies!

 

Well, as I said at the first post: "Without wishing to enter into the moral question of whether it is right to pay the service fee or not (because this is a personal matter) (...)".

 

 

So, guys, I've got ver different answers. If possible, if someone that already did it (on MSC Divina, preferably) can please tell me how it went... that would be great!

 

 

Do what? Cheat the workers?

[CGTNORMANDIE]

This is always an interesting conversation. I am always mystified when someone says that in their culture they do not tip or pay service fees. The fact is that when you step onboard a ship and the ship sails out to sea...you are no longer in your country...such is maritime law. “When in Rome...” You plan a trip and the expenses are laid out upfront so there will be no surprises. When it comes time to pay the bill is not the time to start advocating legislation for wage change. If you cannot afford to pay the bill then you should consider alternative vacation choices. If you are trying to make a political statement then write a letter to The Times. If you do not intend to pay the service fee then be honest and, in advance, inform the people who are waiting on you that you have no intention of paying the DSC. There is nothing like full disclosure to clear the air and level the playing field for all parties concerned. I am quite sure the crew will be most appreciative of your honesty once you have informed them of your intentions.

[C-sea]

I agree... can you imagine anyone has had the gumption to be so forthright?

[perakcruiser]

I am always mystified when someone says that in their culture they do not tip or pay service fees. The fact is that when you step onboard a ship and the ship sails out to sea...you are no longer in your country...such is maritime law.

All totally wrong. Certainly all cruise companies have to follow the law of the country where they sell cruises. The maritime law is relevant for running a casino on the sea. So it has nothing to do with "culture". You seem to have no knowledge about this topics, otherwise you would know about the many lawsuits that were going on in the European Union about this cruise companies "Service Charges". This is finished now as the cruise companies have lost them all and now even the US lines follow the respective law. By the way, after having lost some cases it was no other than MSC has sued Costa Cruises for the clause that you had to give a reason if you wanted to cancel the Service Charge.

 

And this brings us back to the question of JosephMusk which I answered already correctly. This all depends on Brazilian law and what MSC is writing in their T&C in the catalogue. So whatever people from other countries that never booked a cruise with MSC Brazil answer you ist not relevant. Honestly I don´t know if MSC now follows European law in all their markets. I doubt it. I am pretty sure everybody can cancel the Service Charge, but maybe with different conditions.

[Cruise Junky]

All totally wrong. Certainly all cruise companies have to follow the law of the country where they sell cruises. The maritime law is relevant for running a casino on the sea. So it has nothing to do with "culture". You seem to have no knowledge about this topics, otherwise you would know about the many lawsuits that were going on in the European Union about this cruise companies "Service Charges". This is finished now as the cruise companies have lost them all and now even the US lines follow the respective law. By the way, after having lost some cases it was no other than MSC has sued Costa Cruises for the clause that you had to give a reason if you wanted to cancel the Service Charge.

 

And this brings us back to the question of JosephMusk which I answered already correctly. This all depends on Brazilian law and what MSC is writing in their T&C in the catalogue. So whatever people from other countries that never booked a cruise with MSC Brazil answer you ist not relevant. Honestly I don´t know if MSC now follows European law in all their markets. I doubt it. I am pretty sure everybody can cancel the Service Charge, but maybe with different conditions.

 

It has everything to do with how staff receive their wages. It doesn’t matter one bit where you’re from or what the tipping culture is in your homeland. You sign up for a cruise that has a service charge, you pay it unless you receive terrible service from everyone. And explain to me how service charges are finished in Europe? They’re not.

 

Bottom line, want to cheapen out on the staffs wages, don’t cruise.

[Two Wheels Only]

This is always an interesting conversation.

No, it isn't. It never is.:(

 

 

Whatever people plan on doing before reading the thread (pay it or not pay it) is exactly what they will do after reading the thread. No one ever changes anyone else's mind.

[vea52]

I have been on MSC ships, fantastica experience and yacht club and paid the same daily fee on both. I realize it is a lot of money for some travellers, I have been happy with the services I received on my MSC cruises so I don't ask to remove it, our last cruise in yacht club I had a flare up of my arthritis and our butler assisted me getting off the ship to a taxi. Because of the excellent care I did tip our butler and room Stewart directly. I just don't think about it and enjoy my cruise.

 

As for tips being added to restaurant bills, we are currently travelling from Ontario to Florida, my husband and myself. We have had tips added to bills in the last couple of days, we have just paid it and kept traveling.

[perakcruiser]

You sign up for a cruise that has a service charge, you pay it unless you receive terrible service from everyone.

That is just your opinion, I pay the Service Charge if i think I should reward MSC for this cruise. If I already paid a price I think was not cheap at all, I will cancel it.

 

And explain to me how service charges are finished in Europe? They’re not.

Which other line apart from MSC is still collecting Service Charges? None of the three big competitiors Costa, TUI and AIDA.

 

Bottom line, want to cheapen out on the staffs wages, don’t cruise

Bottom line, want to tell other people what they should do, limit this to your family members.

 

Certainly Two Wheels Only is right anyway, no one ever changes anyone else's mind. The Europeans and the Americans anyway have both the strong feeling that they are the center of the world and must be right alone for this reason. But it is amazing, that some US cruisers want to tell the Europeans how to behave on European cruise ships :')

 

 

Non of both including myself have the slightest idea of Brazilian law and the T&C of MSC Brazil, unfortunately this are the only relevant things for the question of the thread opener.

 

 

That is at least the conclusion for me, know your rights, of cause not MSC or the international sea law sets the rules, it is the Government of your country that does. And then make your decision, if you are fine with the Service Charge, just pay it, if you think that it is too much, then reduce it or cancel it.

[toinoi]

Here you go !

The IRS defines tips as:

• Cash received directly from customers;
  
• Extra money from customers through electronic payment, including credit cards, debit cards and gift cards;
  
• The value of any non-cash perquisites, such as tickets or other items of worth; and
  
• Amounts received from other employees paid out through tip pools or tip splitting, or other formal or informal tip-sharing arrangements.
  

Tips differ from service charges in that they are made without pressure or coercion; the customer has the unrestricted right to determine the amount; the payment doesn't result from negotiation or employer policy; and the customer generally has the right to determine who receives the payment.

Examples of service charges include:

• Automatic gratuities (usually 18 percent or more) attached to large dining parties;
  
• Banquet event fees;
  
• Cruise-trip package fees;
  
• Hotel room service charges; and
  
• Bottle service charges by nightclubs and restaurants
  

 

Thank you manime! While I was indifferent to the discussion - appreciate your response.

 

 

Not only informative, but courteous. Unlike a previous respondee.

[kerryincork]

Are you talking about removing the charges at some MSC cruise?

Sorry for not making myself clear. Someone earlier in thread mentioned how in the UK and Ireland you can remove the service charge that was the main point if my response.

 

In regards to MSC I believe you can remove the service charge. In my experience the service on MSC has always been excellent and I haven't Felt the need to remove it. On the whole the crew works very hard especially the waiters and stewards.

 

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[mianmike]

 

Removing the service charge means you are under-paying for the cruise, and it is the hardworking crew that is bearing the deficit.

 

 

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I can't speak for MSC, but U.S. cruise line employees don't take a hit when someone removes their service charge. Crew pay does does not fluctuate on the whims on fickle passenger decisions to remove or not remove the service charge. The service charge is collected by the cruise line and then distributed however they see fit. In the old days the service charge was divided among X number of employees and was fairly easy to track and understand. Now days the crew is paid via a complex incentive pay schedule geared to promote productivity and lots of good comment cards. Additionally more behind-the-scenes crew have been included in the service charge pie. This is why cruise lines keep raising the service charge fees but crew members haven't been seeing commensurate pay raises.

[KiMnEvan]

The best thing to me and this is my opinion......Cruise lines just need to get rid of the service charge and just add it into the cruise fare. That way out of site out of mind.

[lifeasme123]

 

Bottom line, want to tell other people what they should do, limit this to your family members.

 

Certainly Two Wheels Only is right anyway, no one ever changes anyone else's mind. The Europeans and the Americans anyway have both the strong feeling that they are the center of the world and must be right alone for this reason. But it is amazing, that some US cruisers want to tell the Europeans how to behave on European cruise ships :')

.

 

Well said, esp the first sentence!

[Cafedumonde]

If you remove the service charge they will make it as uncomfortable for you to do so as they can. I have seen people try/remove service charges on 2 occasions while I was waiting in line at guest services the last night of a cruise (DCL and CCL). In my opinion, if it is legal to remove the charge they should not badger people about it. But in both instances the customers were grilled repeatedly about why they wanted the charges removed. The cruise staff argues back and wants you to address things specifically with the individuals who would receive the tip or with managers of departments. If you plan on removing service charges just be prepared to stand your ground. You might be best off not allowing them to push you into an argument about specifics and just repeat that you want it removed. We usually tip more than the service charge. But I am not a fan of it and do not like the way they treat people who want it removed.

[lifeasme123]

We usually tip more than the service charge. /quote]

 

In our many cruises we have never asked or had the gratuities removed, even on 2 of the cruises where it was really bad, we left the gratuities on there. DH always tip his favorite bartenders an extra $1-2 each time he gets a drink from them. That is just us and I would not chastise someone for doing differently, just like I would not want someone to lecture to me for doing what we do.

 

At the end of our cruises, we typically give our servers, asst server and cabin steward a little extra if it is warranted.

[sandpiper35]

Hello,

 

I am from Brazil and my family and I bought 4 cabins for the cruise MSC Divina that goes to Caribbean (departure day 01/25 from Miami). After the purchase we found out that we will have to pay a service fee of $ 12,50 per person per day.

 

Without wishing to enter into the moral question of whether it is right to pay the service fee or not (because this is a personal matter), I would like to know if it is possible not to pay this fee on board and if there is a need to justify the reason, and if they can refuse to withdraw the fee and etc.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

I suppose that that would depend on if these charges are fees or suggested tips. I always thought they were suggested amounts.

[sandpiper35]

We usually tip more than the service charge. /quote]

 

In our many cruises we have never asked or had the gratuities removed, even on 2 of the cruises where it was really bad, we left the gratuities on there. DH always tip his favorite bartenders an extra $1-2 each time he gets a drink from them. That is just us and I would not chastise someone for doing differently, just like I would not want someone to lecture to me for doing what we do.

 

At the end of our cruises, we typically give our servers, asst server and cabin steward a little extra if it is warranted.

 

We do the same we let them know from the beginning of the cruise that we will reward their efforts. For the most part we always end up tipping more than the suggested amounts, but I find it difficult to reward someone that does not provide adequate service, or to feel that I must reward them no matter how they behave.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

It has everything to do with how staff receive their wages. It doesn’t matter one bit where you’re from or what the tipping culture is in your homeland. You sign up for a cruise that has a service charge, you pay it unless you receive terrible service from everyone. And explain to me how service charges are finished in Europe? They’re not. Bottom line, want to cheapen out on the staffs wages, don’t cruise.

 

THANK YOU CJ,

As you can see...some of the reactionary responses are political...invested in all sorts of arbitrary rules and regulations recently enacted that people can hide behind. J. P. Morgan, the famous American financier, once said, “If you have to ask the price you cannot afford it”...so true.

 

Two Wheels,

LOL...where is your sense of humor? Relish the challenge!!;)

[lifeasme123]

 

but I find it difficult to reward someone that does not provide adequate service, or to feel that I must reward them no matter how they behave.

 

I understand and share the same feelings. However, for us personally, we tell ourselves that we cannot monetarily punish those behind the scene for what others do. For that we put in the surveys.

[lifeasme123]

THANK YOU CJ,

J. P. Morgan, the famous American financier, once said, “If you have to ask the price you cannot afford it”...so true.

 

How would one know if they cannot afford it unless you ask the price? When I buy a car, house, trip, go to a restaurant, etc...I want to know what it will cost me.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

 

I understand and share the same feelings. However, for us personally, we tell ourselves that we cannot monetarily punish those behind the scene for what others do. For that we put in the surveys.

 

Very well stated LAM,

I believe in rewarding excellence and I will continue to tip beyond the DSC whenever I feel it is well deserved. The people who advocate that the DSC should be included in the cruise fare do not realize that policy will lead to mediocrity...and we have enough of that in he world today. Again I repeat, the reward system at sea has been around for hundreds of years. It might not be the best system...but it works and nobody has come up with anything better.