tips

[Thorben-Hendrik]

15 Minutes at guest services - can save you 18% or more......:D;p

[cruzeluver]

Used to be that you tipped at the START of the meal. To Insure Prompt Service.

Exactly how long ago was that? I have been kicking around this marvelous little planet of ours' for nearly fifty years and have no memory of pre-tipping, bribing, whatever you want to call that being the norm. Pretty sure that was never the standard, and even if it was, who cares? That is not how it is now.

[Ocean Boy]

1912. :)

That was the year the Titanic sank. It would not have made much sense to tip at the end of that sailing.

[Ocean Boy]

Do you ever read other responses before you post? I think not.

Sometimes we all ask a question that we already know the answer to.:D

[Iamcruzin]

Well said. RCCL made a PROFIT of 1.28 BILLION in 2016. That's not revenue that's profit. I think they could afford to pay their people a little better and remove the burden and guessing game of "tips" from their guests.

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/tourism/fl-royal-caribbean-4q2016-results-20170126-story.html

 

 

 

There is no guessing game. It’s spelled out quite clearly. Pay the daily charge, reduce it or remove it. Very simple. I don’t need to be paying more tax on top of the gratuity if it were to be added into the price of the cruise. Also paying people more money won’t guarantee good service. Knowing that tips can be removed keeps them on their toes.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Cruisercl]

LOL. I brought this up yesterday but got scolded from bumping and old thread....

 

So if I leave my automatic tips on my room (I believe a 7 night Suite will now add $490 for four people) then I don't have to tip the "normal" people (room steward, waiters ...) but who doesn't get a piece of these tips that I should tip in cash? Obviously room service deliveries but where else?

 

I wish RCCL would just call this what it is. A service charge.

 

One of funniest things seen on these tip threads/posts is when people say/complain that they are having to spend a large amount of money for the service charge when there are many people staying in the cabin. It is still the same amount per person as the rest of the passengers so the point is mute.

Safe sailing!!

Edited June 1, 2018 by Cruisercl

[gerif]

Pay attention. It looks like he is gripping about an INCREASE in tip percentages. If they were already 18%, what are they now after the increase. What will they be after 3 more increases, 35% perhaps? Quit acting like you are better than others and bullying people on this thread. In short, contribute to the conversation in a POSITIVE way or simply IGNORE the thread and put your attitude back in your pocket.

 

There were plenty of constructive recommendations and yes, the OP can simply wait until the end of the cruise to remove the "automatic" tips and then he/she can tip in ANY amount or percentage in cash or otherwise HE/SHE feels is appropriate without having to endure YOUR "personal" opinion. ;p

You make no sense at all. While gratuities on beverages and other individually purchased items may be (and have been for quite some time) 18%, wherever do you get the idea that daily tips are charged at 18% or any percentage for that matter? Everyone pays a different amount for their cruise (suites excepted), yet you say they are each being charged the same percentage? Please tell me how that is possible? Where do you come up with such nonsense?

 

On thes boards everyone is entitled to an opinion, even you.

[Funbobby68]

15 Minutes at guest services - can save you 18% or more......:D;p

 

 

 

Now that’s funny

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Laurin612]

I know I've mentioned this before on another tipping related thread, but one time I overheard a couple who had way overspent in the casino discussing how they would offset their losses in the casino by simply going to Guest Services and removing tips. :mad::rolleyes: Not cool.

[ONECRUISER]

Well said. RCCL made a PROFIT of 1.28 BILLION in 2016. That's not revenue that's profit. I think they could afford to pay their people a little better and remove the burden and guessing game of "tips" from their guests.

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/tourism/fl-royal-caribbean-4q2016-results-20170126-story.html

Royal employees do/did get part of this Revenue. Been in many articles, just not one you posted

http://www.rclcorporate.com/royal-caribbeans-66000-employees-share-in-companys-success-with-surprise-bonuses/

[voyager70]

I know I've mentioned this before on another tipping related thread, but one time I overheard a couple who had way overspent in the casino discussing how they would offset their losses in the casino by simply going to Guest Services and removing tips. :mad::rolleyes: Not cool.

 

I'd call it sleazy. I once overheard an American couple at GS on a Med cruise ask to have their tips removed because they were on a tight budget. They could afford to travel to Europe for a cruise but they couldn't afford a couple hundred $$ to tip? Please.

[gerif]

I know I've mentioned this before on another tipping related thread, but one time I overheard a couple who had way overspent in the casino discussing how they would offset their losses in the casino by simply going to Guest Services and removing tips. :mad::rolleyes: Not cool.

Horrible. And since I lost my filter several years ago, I’m afraid I would have piped up and told them exactly what I thought of them.

[Thorben-Hendrik]

I know I've mentioned this before on another tipping related thread, but one time I overheard a couple who had way overspent in the casino discussing how they would offset their losses in the casino by simply going to Guest Services and removing tips. :mad::rolleyes: Not cool.

 

Sure - but it sure helped in their situation.....

[Thorben-Hendrik]

Horrible. And since I lost my filter several years ago, I’m afraid I would have piped up and told them exactly what I thought of them.

Do you really belive people care about YOUR oppinion?:confused::eek:

[retired067]

Royal employees do/did get part of this Revenue. Been in many articles, just not one you posted

http://www.rclcorporate.com/royal-caribbeans-66000-employees-share-in-companys-success-with-surprise-bonuses/

 

so, the service staff got a 5% bonus on what salary, RC compensation, or the total of their tips. just curious.

[webecruzin2]

Yikes, some of you (most) are really rude to each other.

I don’t remember it being this bad years ago here on CC.

I think social media has done serious damage to plain old civility.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[voyager70]

Yikes, some of you (most) are really rude to each other.

I don’t remember it being this bad years ago here on CC.

I think social media has done serious damage to plain old civility.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Actually most people on these boards are very pleasant and helpful.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

There is no guessing game. It’s spelled out quite clearly. Pay the daily charge, reduce it or remove it. Very simple. I don’t need to be paying more tax on top of the gratuity if it were to be added into the price of the cruise. Also paying people more money won’t guarantee good service. Knowing that tips can be removed keeps them on their toes.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Why would you be paying more taxes if the tips were included in the price?

 

There is no sales tax, just govt taxes/fees. They don't increase if the price is higher.

 

People in suites pay as much govt taxes/fees as someone staying in an inside cabin.

 

Bill

[compman9]

You pay for the "staff" of every business that you patronize. The cost of the goods that you purchase in a store cover the salaries of those who work there, plus profit for the corporation.

 

This fuss over "the ships should pay the staff, not us" is a result of serious misunderstanding.

 

You see, you have fallen into the trap of thinking your culture is the 'correct one'

 

The US is fairly unique in the world when it comes to a dominant tipping culture - in the UK, we tip in restaurants but not for [example] someone holding open a door in a hotel! Cruise from Australia and you will see giant queues of people getting their 'tips' back

 

Gratuities on ships is an 'extra' payment on all bookings - include it as part of the bill and Japanese guests (another example), who don't tip for anything in their culture, will not be confused

[TEXASMUNK]

My personal pet peeve: STIFF THE STAFF. And being righteous about it! Cheap! "I tip those that provide me a service" BOGUS! How about the people that share, the assistant cabin staff, the waiter who cleans a table for you in the buffet? The guys who keep the ice tea glasses filled? Stay home or go to the nearest KOA campground if you are too cheap to tip.

[Ocean Boy]

Why would you be paying more taxes if the tips were included in the price?

 

There is no sales tax, just govt taxes/fees. They don't increase if the price is higher.

 

People in suites pay as much govt taxes/fees as someone staying in an inside cabin.

 

Bill

It would, however, put more of your money at risk if everything was bundled into the price of the cruise. If for some reason you missed the cruise you would be paying a service charge (tips) for service you never received on a cruise you didn't take.

[RocketMan275]

There have been several restaurants that have done away with tipping by increasing prices. Multiple articles report these restaurants have experienced a decline in service. Furthermore, customers and staff do not like the new system.

[RocketMan275]

The only people short changing the crew are their employers

 

Guests pay for their cruise and seemingly pay for the cruise company's staff as well

 

It's a crazy situation that is now uniquely north American in an international industry

 

Increase the fares and lose the tips to eliminate confusion in a worldwide industry

How much of a fare increase would you expect? $14.50 PPPD seem too much?

Why is simply leaving the service charge in place confusing? Seems simple enough.

[Cruisercl]

You see, you have fallen into the trap of thinking your culture is the 'correct one'

 

The US is fairly unique in the world when it comes to a dominant tipping culture - in the UK, we tip in restaurants but not for [example] someone holding open a door in a hotel! Cruise from Australia and you will see giant queues of people getting their 'tips' back

 

Gratuities on ships is an 'extra' payment on all bookings - include it as part of the bill and Japanese guests (another example), who don't tip for anything in their culture, will not be confused

 

What I do not understand, as people from the USA, we are always told to adapt and be respectful to other countries when visiting them; the media stories of the ugly American sensationalizes this when it is believed the behaviors are wrong yet fine in the USA?

 

Yet when visitors from other countries come to the USA or travel with USA companies they believe it is not necessary to be respectful and adapt to the USA norms/culture. See it all of the time.

 

Just to add a note, I have never had a tip given back to me when tipping is not the norm.

 

Just a question.....no flaming please. :)

[voyager70]

What I do not understand, as people from the USA, we are always told to adapt and be respectful to other countries when visiting them; the media stories of the ugly American sensationalizes this when it is believed the behaviors are wrong yet fine in the USA?

 

Yet when visitors from other countries come to the USA or travel with USA companies they believe it is not necessary to be respectful and adapt to the USA norms/culture. See it all of the time.

 

Just to add a note, I have never had a tip given back to me when tipping is not the norm.

 

Just a question.....no flaming please. :)

 

I agree. I've traveled extensively and always do my best to adapt to the local culture and customs, even if it means going out of my comfort zone (which is often).