duquephart Posted January 30, 2019 #1 Share Posted January 30, 2019 We are told that we will be billed an automatic gratuity on an upcoming cruise. I have a problem with this and view it as a thinly veiled forced fee. Viking says we can opt out of this program or make amends by visiting the front desk on the ship. Are there statistics or even guesses as to the percentage of cruisers who take advantage of the opt out option? I would prefer to tip as I please and, assuming great service, the crew would probably be better off that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruJeffie Posted January 30, 2019 #2 Share Posted January 30, 2019 If you search in this forum you can find many posts about this policy. It is pretty standard policy for cruise lines to either include gratuities in your fare or to automatically add them to your account. Please remember that a tip pool is shared by more than just the people that are customer facing. Dishwashers, cleaning staff etc. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropomo Posted January 30, 2019 #3 Share Posted January 30, 2019 A quick search of this forum will reveal that this is a hot button topic. To put is simply, you may opt out, change the amount, or tip individually at your discretion. Tipping is a personal matter and opinions cover the spectrum. You should let your conscience be your guide. No one will know what you did and you will not know what others do, as it should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted January 30, 2019 Author #4 Share Posted January 30, 2019 44 minutes ago, TruJeffie said: If you search in this forum you can find many posts about this policy. It is pretty standard policy for cruise lines to either include gratuities in your fare or to automatically add them to your account. Please remember that a tip pool is shared by more than just the people that are customer facing. Dishwashers, cleaning staff etc. I suppose that answers some question, but not the one I asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted January 30, 2019 Author #5 Share Posted January 30, 2019 43 minutes ago, ropomo said: A quick search of this forum will reveal that this is a hot button topic. To put is simply, you may opt out, change the amount, or tip individually at your discretion. Tipping is a personal matter and opinions cover the spectrum. You should let your conscience be your guide. No one will know what you did and you will not know what others do, as it should be. I suppose that answers some question, but not the one I asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Clay Clayton Posted January 30, 2019 #6 Share Posted January 30, 2019 No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiminyC_fan Posted January 30, 2019 #7 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Because it appears that you are wanting statistics to help with your view of tips, may I suggest you google. Many of us here believe in the tipping the staff and you seem not interested in the answers that you are getting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted January 30, 2019 Author #8 Share Posted January 30, 2019 1 minute ago, jiminyC_fan said: Because it appears that you are wanting statistics to help with your view of tips, may I suggest you google. Many of us here believe in the tipping the staff and you seem not interested in the answers that you are getting. I too believe in tipping the staff, that's not the issue. I am not interested in the "answers" I am getting because they do not address the question I asked. Is this difficult to understand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILCIANRQTS Posted January 30, 2019 #9 Share Posted January 30, 2019 You can tip as you please, so why seek data on what others do?? My sense is you don’t much care about others to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudychance Posted January 30, 2019 #10 Share Posted January 30, 2019 No, not at all difficult for us; it's simple. Follow recommended tips automatically placed on your charge ; give more to favorites, ie, those who go beyond. Wait, what is the problem? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broker1217 Posted January 30, 2019 #11 Share Posted January 30, 2019 There are no statistics on what % of people opt-out of the automatic gratuities on Viking Ocean Cruises. That is why folks recommended you try google---we simply can't answer your question. I HAVE read of many Viking customers who add additional, individual tips on top of the automatic gratuity (i.e.. room service, room steward, maitre d'). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted January 30, 2019 Author #12 Share Posted January 30, 2019 1 minute ago, broker1217 said: There are no statistics on what % of people opt-out of the automatic gratuities on Viking Ocean Cruises. That is why folks recommended you try google---we simply can't answer your question. I HAVE read of many Viking customers who add additional, individual tips on top of the automatic gratuity (i.e.. room service, room steward, maitre d'). Fair enough. Sorry to have turned this into yet another pissing contest on tipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txflood33 Posted January 30, 2019 #13 Share Posted January 30, 2019 The only place that would have accurate data is Viking. Feel free to ask them when you call them to drop your pre-paid gratuities. 2 friendly reminders... 1. The attitude you bring to these boards, more than likely, may be the attitude you receive in replies. 2. On some cruise lines, not sure if Viking is one of them, the service staff can usually find out what room has dropped the tips. It may affect the service you receive. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broker1217 Posted January 30, 2019 #14 Share Posted January 30, 2019 One other thought---when we research a cruise I make a matrix if comparing different lines. I include columns for prices for gratuity, excursions, internet, beverage packages, WiFi. Once I did this it became clear that Viking is a fantastic value and it also eliminated lines that had outrageous internet charges. For any future cruises, make sure you research all of the 'extras' before booking so you don't upset yourself. If gratuities are a problem for you---head toward a line that includes them and you will avoid this issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted January 30, 2019 Author #15 Share Posted January 30, 2019 2 minutes ago, broker1217 said: One other thought---when we research a cruise I make a matrix if comparing different lines. I include columns for prices for gratuity, excursions, internet, beverage packages, WiFi. Once I did this it became clear that Viking is a fantastic value and it also eliminated lines that had outrageous internet charges. For any future cruises, make sure you research all of the 'extras' before booking so you don't upset yourself. If gratuities are a problem for you---head toward a line that includes them and you will avoid this issue. I have no problem tipping. Viking could be a bit more upfront about their policy though since it is basically a part of the cost unless entirely voluntary. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiminyC_fan Posted January 30, 2019 #16 Share Posted January 30, 2019 (edited) I believe that Viking cannot be any clearer and upfront. It is on their website and I quote: "Our onboard staff is dedicated to providing you with the best cruise experience possible, and it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service. How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. To save you worry over whom to tip and how much, we automatically add a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $15.00 per guest, per day to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your cruise. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide your cruise experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. (Please note this charge excludes bar gratuity; a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs.) Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts or pay in cash, just stop by our Explorers’ Desk at any time. You may also wish to tip your local excursion guides or driver; we suggest doing so in cash at the end of each tour." Edited January 30, 2019 by jiminyC_fan 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broker1217 Posted January 30, 2019 #17 Share Posted January 30, 2019 9 minutes ago, duquephart said: I have no problem tipping. Viking could be a bit more upfront about their policy though since it is basically a part of the cost unless entirely voluntary. I think most cruise lines are very upfront about the gratuities, drink packages and internet fees. It is simply a cost of cruising that you need to assess prior to booking. Similar to looking into payment schedule and cancellation fees--it's part of travel planning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txflood33 Posted January 30, 2019 #18 Share Posted January 30, 2019 I think on my next trip, I will 'opt out' of the checked luggage fee. I would like to pay the ticket and baggage handler directly. 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imcpa Posted January 30, 2019 #19 Share Posted January 30, 2019 I think on my next trip, I will 'opt out' of the checked luggage fee. I would like to pay the ticket and baggage handler directly This made me LOL. Just wanted to state that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Clay Clayton Posted January 30, 2019 #20 Share Posted January 30, 2019 1 hour ago, duquephart said: I too believe in tipping the staff, that's not the issue. I am not interested in the "answers" I am getting because they do not address the question I asked. Is this difficult to understand? I answered your question as susinctly as possible. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ropomo Posted January 30, 2019 #21 Share Posted January 30, 2019 51 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said: 2 hours ago, duquephart said: I too believe in tipping the staff, that's not the issue. I am not interested in the "answers" I am getting because they do not address the question I asked. Is this difficult to understand? I answered your question as susinctly as possible. I too believe I answered your question 4 hours ago, ropomo said: you will not know what others do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyB Posted January 31, 2019 #22 Share Posted January 31, 2019 The OP is such a PHART that it is time to move on. I hope we never meet on any cruise ship. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Peregrina651 Posted January 31, 2019 #23 Share Posted January 31, 2019 MikeyB is right. We have been had. Mr. Fart tried the same game on the Ask a Cruise Question forum. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2629573-viking-ocean-cruise-automatic-gratuity/?page=2&tab=comments#comment-56681552 Time to say "Adios" to another One Hit Wonder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CILCIANRQTS Posted January 31, 2019 #24 Share Posted January 31, 2019 Not worth anyone’s time. Bye bye! 🔇🦆 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dauntless Posted January 31, 2019 #25 Share Posted January 31, 2019 21 hours ago, duquephart said: We are told that we will be billed an automatic gratuity on an upcoming cruise. I have a problem with this and view it as a thinly veiled forced fee. Viking says we can opt out of this program or make amends by visiting the front desk on the ship. Are there statistics or even guesses as to the percentage of cruisers who take advantage of the opt out option? I would prefer to tip as I please and, assuming great service, the crew would probably be better off that way. Though I don't think this will answer your question, you might gain some insight into how this is dispersed to the crew so you know how that might work The article is here on Cruise Critic. Rick Steve's also has a portion of his cruise books devoted to this. I do have friends that don't do the gratuities through the ship but for a week cruise they do $ 100 a piece to the various people they want to have it. as explained to me, this usually goes into a tip pool and is then relegated accordingly. TellUs@Vikingcruises.com might the exact information you are looking for, though I doubt they would think it is any of your business and not share it with you but give them a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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