tipping - tradional or automatic

[miandsh2000]

just heard that when using the automatic tipping method that crew doesnt actually see the money until about 4 weeks after cruise ends. we will probably never eat in the dinning room and cant see tipping for a service we don't use. would rather give to cabin guy/gal. anyone know if you can change from the automatic tipping to traditional prior to being on the ship. if not, who do you see on the ship to change this?

[tef43]

Gratuities are added to your S&S account on the first day. You may have them removed by going to the Purser's Desk.

Just a personal note, but if you are contemplating taking all of your meals at the buffet, then Carnival is probably not the cruise line for you. The buffet food is dreadful compared to what is served in the dining room.

[B]Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas[/B]

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Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
TBA

[miandsh2000]

good to know - thanks.

where is the pusers desk usually?

anyone else have the same opinion about the buffet?

i also hear there is a sushi bar on ship. anyone have any experience with it?

[tef43]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by miandsh2000:
where is the pusers desk usually?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Depends on the ship. Oftentimes referred to as the "Information Desk," it is usually located in the main lobby area of the ship.

Don't get me wrong about the buffet food. It's tolerable, but pales in comparison to the dining room fare. And I certainly would never onsider eating it exclusively on a cruise.

Two words: "Hash browns."


[B]Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas[/B]

[img]http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg[/img]

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
TBA

[keysjohnson]

miandsh, I don't agree with the above post. We never go to the dining room, on any of our cruises. We usually eat our main mean at lunch time, when you can dress casually for the restaurants, and then for the evening meal we either utilize room service, pizza, or the buffet. We have never been disappointed with that arrangement. And we don't have to pack any formal clothing. And I don't feel like I'm "missing out" on anything as far as the cruise experience is concerned. We all plan our vacations with our own wants and needs in mind. As far as the tips go, we take the tips off of the S & S account and tip accordingly ourselves. And we do NOT forget the buffet people. Have a great cruise! Triumph May 1st!

[keysjohnson]

Sorry for the typo, that would be "main meal".
HA! Glad it's Friday

[jfritz126]

We normally eat in the dining room only once...the first night (so we can get our drink coupons). The food in the buffet line is every bit as good as the dining room and we don't have to change out of shorts, jeans or whatever to eat. And there is a variety on the buffet line.

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Until the Miracle May 9, 2004
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Until the Legend Party October 22, 2004

[CruiseFever]

Since you are asking these questions and making these comments I'm sure you want to do the right thing so the below is not for you.

From time to time, though, this topic comes up and turns ugly so here's MHO on it all:

[B]Eat where you want but don't forget that tips are part of the deal[/B]

For some it's tempting to rationalize not tipping by successfully avoiding as many traditional tipping situations as possible, brainwashing yourself into believing you know better or just dreaming up "problems" that justify your position but you'd be really wrong for doing it.

Tipping is how the crew makes their money and they work hard for it.

I am in no way asking anyone to feel sorry for the crew; they signed up with eyes wide open and Carnival does not operate slave ships.

But tipping is part of the deal

IMHO the automatic tips might as well be added on to the price of the cruise. Tipping [I]more [/I]for exceptional service above and beyond the call of duty is nice too.

But tipping is part of the deal

Here's more:
[url="http://www.lifeiscruising.com/tipping"]http://www.lifeiscruising.com/tipping[/url]

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/04
Star Princess 10/04
Carnival Spirit 12/04

[oceantravel]

You see the information desk to change this however:
I would never take my waiters tip away because I made a [B]choice[/B] not go to the dining room to eat. We never ate breakfast or lunch in the main dining room and would never have thought of decreasing my waiters tip by 2/3. They count on those tables being full to earn their living. Are you choosing buffet to save the tip? Just curious why you wouldn't want to eat in the dining room? Besides, we saw both our waiter and assistant waiter helping out in the alternative dining spots on the ship. You are only talking around $24 here. If you feel as though your cabin steward is deserving of more gratuity then give it them, but don't take it away from someone else to do so. JMHO...and you have a right to yours.

PS We enjoyed the food on the lido deck. There are so many choices!

Patti

[img]http://images.animfactory.com/animations/animals/dolphins/dolphins_jump_md_wht.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.gifs.net/animate/aadog.gif[/img]

Conquest...Waiting for the time of my life!

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[miandsh2000]

you are correct that i want to ensure that i do what is appropriate. and i agree that tipping is part of the deal but why tip for a service that is not rendered?

my original reason for this post was to decide if i wanted to be a little more personal and provide gratuties for services rendered at the time they are rendered. not have to have the crew wait for their tips 4 weeks later.

thanks keys for the tip on the buffet staff. wouldnt have even thought of that.

thanks to everyone for their input and keep it coming.

[oceantravel]

I never realized that crew had to wait soooo long for their tips. Is that information from a reliable source? If so I'm tipping the traditional way next time.

The only reason I would tip for services not rendered is because they count on me being there to make their money. If I make a conscious decision not to eat in the dining room I would feel guilty taking their tip away. Why should they suffer the consequences for my choice? I do see your point, I would just feel bad ‘cause it’s not their fault. They did not choose not to serve me.

Patti

[img]http://images.animfactory.com/animations/animals/dolphins/dolphins_jump_md_wht.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.gifs.net/animate/aadog.gif[/img]

Conquest...Waiting for the time of my life!

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[miandsh2000]

hey ocean - choosing buffet to save the time getting ready. will be traveling with 3 young girls and wife - thats lots of time showering and changing. and they like a variety of foods. wife and i just thought easier to please everyone.

keep 'em coming.

[L2J]

I've only cruised once before but IMO the dining room was part of the "cruise experience". I can't speak for Carnival but the lunch and dinner buffet on the Sky to be honest was awful - I'd feel guilty feeding it to the dog. Besides it would be a good experience for your girls.

Like another poster said they count on those tables being full/tips and it would be a shame to remove (stiff) them because one chooses not to utilize the service.

I have no idea if the 4 week wait is true.

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!


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Until the SINsational Cruise from the Bayou


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Talk about SCD!!
NCL Sky 2/02

[oceantravel]

That makes lot's of sence to me. Having 3 kids (older now) I can relate. I would probably eat at the buffet also. Have fun!

Patti

[img]http://images.animfactory.com/animations/animals/dolphins/dolphins_jump_md_wht.gif[/img]

[img]http://www.gifs.net/animate/aadog.gif[/img]

Conquest...Waiting for the time of my life!

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<param name="font" value="lcdb0">
<param name="year" value=2004>
<param name="month" value=3>
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[keysjohnson]

When I plan and pay for my cruise, I tell my TA that I do not want a dinner seating, that we will not be going to dinner in the main dining rooms. We do not leave empty spaces in the dining room and we do not leave someone waiting for us to appear. If tipping were part of the cruise price, then I would not complain. But since I still have a choice as to how my funds are distributed, I would like to do those honors myself.

[dan40]

keysjohnson,
Are you saying that you get a S&S card that has NO table# or seating on it? I find that extremely hard to believe.

I have to agree with Chris, tipping IS part of the deal. The single reason to change/reduce/remove auto tips is if an individual server provides poor service.--only once in 40+ cruises--I think anything else is a rationalization to stiff the help. JMO
Dan

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Till 9/5 Paradise Panama Canal

[miandsh2000]

dan,
are you saying that you don't change tips upward for exceptional service?

personally, i think that the automatic tipping seems low - ecspecially on the waiter side. i typically can not get away from a meal for less than $10. at that rate, ships policy seems low.

my intentions in starting this thread where to get thoughts on automatic vs. in person at the end of the cruise. the later seems more personal and heart felt.

keep the comments coming. loving the different opionions.

[Jasonsterling]

This was touched on above and had been mentioned on other posts-the wait staff at the buffet are often the same people who work the dining room. So, you are still using the same server you would have in the dining room, just in a slightly different venue. Hence you should leave the tips as they are unless you experience just horrible service. Carnival really needs to simply add tips into the price or establish a general "dining staff" tip that covers all dining venues on the ship to cut down confusion.

Sensation Feb 2002
Conquest Feb 2003
Elation Sept 2003

Destiny- May 2004!!!

[hilltopfamily]

IMO, I have to agree that not eating meals in the dining room is not sufficient reason to remove tips for wait staff. We're just back from our cruise and our servers also were in the buffet at breakfast, clearing ours and everyone elses tables & replacing silverware settings. They also assisted in setting up the many late night buffets---our head server (and certainly MANY others) put in a very long day each cruise when they do the gala buffet!!! May be wise to consider this when determining where to place your $$$.

Penny
Disney Magic Eastern 7/2003
Spring Break 5 days onboard Celebration! Mar 22 '04
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Aug 1 '04 Carnival Elation--Our 3rd Cruise!!!
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[britt-britt]

I think that there is a lot to be debated on the tip issue. But I don't think you will be missing out on the cruise experience by not eating in the dining room. My husband and I enjoy it. My DD, DS, DM and MIL don't. And to be honest some nights the food was better in the alternative dining than it was in the dining room.

[keysjohnson]

When I make my reservation, the PVP has to put in a dining preference or the computer will not take it. However, he has a seperate "list" as you will, which is given to the dining rooms so they are aware. I do this as a courtesy to the dining room staff and tablemates. The choice of where to dine is mine but I do not want to inconveninence people. That also frees up table space for people who are unhappy with their arrangements and want to change tables, dining rooms, times, etc. I was merely answering the posted question, this seems to have gotten a little off course. I don't worry about where everyone else dines. Or what they tip. I do not "stiff" anyone. I cannot imagine doing that.

[dan40]

miandsh2000,
Shouldn't have put the word "change" in there, I was talking about removing or reducing the auto tips-shouldn't happen. I tip more for exceptional service as anyone should. The auto-tipping is so convient for me and I do not care about sincerity or heartfelt. I greatly appreciate what they do for me and good tips [however received] are my way of showing it. So they get the recommended amount thru my S&S account and the extra I hand to them and thank them. When I find MY good bartender I tip him/her in cash up front each day. And get killer drinks in return.
Tipping posts cause me to go over the deep end sometimes. Now in my 4th decade of cruising, I had to see the period where all tipping was done at the final dinner. And sat thru some of those dinners with well less than half the tables occupied. It was an embarassment to me for all the cheap screws in the world. I understand the reasons behind auto-tips and agree with them.
Dan

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;9;5;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Till 9/5 Paradise Panama Canal

[tedjazz]

Give them all they want and more, [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] they are worth it. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[miandsh2000]

well, i want to say thanks to everyone in this thread. there was a lot of different points of view on the subject and gives me a lot to t hink about when i make my decision. sounds like this is a subject that can really get heated - quick.

once again, thanks to all.

[crusingchicks]

I too like the idea of auto tipping. We always added to the auto tip to the wait staff and room steward. But now that I found out they do not get their tips for 4 weeks I am considering removing the auto tip and give them their entire tip in cash.
This was a good thread.

Till we cruise on Glory again
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Till we cruise on Carribean Princess
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