CILCIANRQTS Posted November 25, 2021 #201 Share Posted November 25, 2021 4 minutes ago, uktog said: Please tell me that is not required or expected That is not required or expected, but it works and enhances my cruise experience. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted November 25, 2021 #202 Share Posted November 25, 2021 2 minutes ago, uktog said: Please tell me that is not required or expected Not required or expected. We do not "pre tip" but do give extra as we feel the need. Tipping is a very personal thing and complicated by the add on gratuities. I have always felt that Viking, at their price point and with their ambitions should include tips in the fare. Then we all are free to follow our conscience as to extra gratuities. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBs mum Posted November 25, 2021 #203 Share Posted November 25, 2021 2 minutes ago, uktog said: Please tell me that is not required or expected It is not, and will make no difference. Being polite and pleasant to the bar staff as you usually would is all that is needed. Think UK 4/5 star hotel only one that floats. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted November 25, 2021 #204 Share Posted November 25, 2021 (edited) 4 minutes ago, KBs mum said: It is not, and will make no difference. Being polite and pleasant to the bar staff as you usually would is all that is needed. Think UK 4/5 star hotel only one that floats. Perfect, I would never "pre trip" there 🙂 I may be stressing too much, I am so used to Azamara where it is a no tip culture (all wrapped into the price) and no special areas for some but not others - we like that style even though we are usually in a suite. We tried the ship within a ship concept on MSC this summer and hated it. Just want a relaxed time being well but not over looked after. Getting mixed messages though as some seem to say they find this pre tipping makes a difference. Edited November 25, 2021 by uktog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBs mum Posted November 25, 2021 #205 Share Posted November 25, 2021 3 minutes ago, Jim Avery said: Not required or expected. We do not "pre tip" but do give extra as we feel the need. Tipping is a very personal thing and complicated by the add on gratuities. I have always felt that Viking, at their price point and with their ambitions should include tips in the fare. Then we all are free to follow our conscience as to extra They are usually included for UK pax. After the suggested gratuity amount (if not included we pre pay) I give it no further thought. We only pay that in case not doing so reduces crew renumeration. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted November 25, 2021 #206 Share Posted November 25, 2021 22 minutes ago, uktog said: Please tell me that is not required or expected In our experience, it is most definitely not required, nor expected. Based on the service we experienced on Viking Sun, I don't see how a bribe would enhance the service. Viking Bars stock different products, but I never knew which bars carried a specific brand, as the crew always had bottle's of my preference at each bar. They were often referred to as Andy's bottle. Also when we got low on IPA, a 1/2 dozen would be delivered to our cabin's fridge. Same great service for DW, as every morning she dropped her mug on the Living Room Bar and it was filled with a steaming hot cup of English Breakfast. In the Theatre, our favourite waiter would deliver drinks shortly after we sat down. Just before the lights went down, 2 more drinks arrived. Nothing was ordered, they just arrived. Yes, we did provide additonal tips to many of the crew just before disembarkation, but when we invited many of our favourite hotel crew to have lunch or dinner with us in Manfredis - that was a real highlight for them. They could order anything from the menu and were also able to request complimentary beer, wine or other drinks. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBs mum Posted November 25, 2021 #207 Share Posted November 25, 2021 24 minutes ago, uktog said: Perfect, I would never "pre trip" there 🙂 I may be stressing too much, I am so used to Azamara where it is a no tip culture (all wrapped into the price) and no special areas for some but not others - we like that style even though we are usually in a suite. We tried the ship within a ship concept on MSC this summer and hated it. Just want a relaxed time being well but not over looked after. If the gratuities weren't included in the price you were quoted, it's up to you if you pre pay the suggested amount, tip as you go or at the end, or don't tip at all. Some of the US contingent get worried about tips as they're embedded in their culture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted November 25, 2021 #208 Share Posted November 25, 2021 29 minutes ago, uktog said: Perfect, I would never "pre trip" there 🙂 I may be stressing too much, I am so used to Azamara where it is a no tip culture (all wrapped into the price) and no special areas for some but not others - we like that style even though we are usually in a suite. We tried the ship within a ship concept on MSC this summer and hated it. Just want a relaxed time being well but not over looked after. Getting mixed messages though as some seem to say they find this pre tipping makes a difference. I certainly didn't note a "Tipping" culture on Viking. On the shorter cruises, if you pre-pay, I am not aware that this information is passed onto the crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted November 25, 2021 #209 Share Posted November 25, 2021 Thanks for the reassurances, yes the tips were included in the price we paid - we always check at the time of booking if they are included and if not, we get them added at that point of time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted November 25, 2021 #210 Share Posted November 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Jim Avery said: Not required or expected. We do not "pre tip" but do give extra as we feel the need. Tipping is a very personal thing and complicated by the add on gratuities. I have always felt that Viking, at their price point and with their ambitions should include tips in the fare. Then we all are free to follow our conscience as to extra gratuities. " --- Viking, at their price point and with their ambitions should include tips in the fare --- " This is the bottom line on the whole issue. "Gratuities" are clearly nothing more than thinly veiled service charges --- why not treat them as such? Aren't "resort fees" basically the same thing? Who likes those? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBs mum Posted November 25, 2021 #211 Share Posted November 25, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, duquephart said: " --- Viking, at their price point and with their ambitions should include tips in the fare --- " This is the bottom line on the whole issue. "Gratuities" are clearly nothing more than thinly veiled service charges --- why not treat them as such? Aren't "resort fees" basically the same thing? Who likes those? They are included for passengers from countries that don't have a 'tipping' culture. I have no idea what impact this has on price, given flights and transfers are automatically included In the brochure price for us as well. Only extras are, if you want them, extensions, flight upgrades to business, and the drinks package (which is often also included. Resort fees are also included if applicable if booked through a UK site or agent, even if hotel in US Edited November 25, 2021 by KBs mum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBs mum Posted November 25, 2021 #212 Share Posted November 25, 2021 31 minutes ago, KBs mum said: They are included for passengers from countries that don't have a 'tipping' culture. I have no idea what impact this has on price, given flights and transfers are automatically included In the brochure price for us as well. Only extras are, if you want them, extensions, flight upgrades to business, and the drinks package (which is often also included. Resort fees are also included if applicable if booked through a UK site or agent, even if hotel in US Sorry, the optional excursions are also not included in the brochure price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted November 25, 2021 #213 Share Posted November 25, 2021 2 hours ago, duquephart said: " --- Viking, at their price point and with their ambitions should include tips in the fare --- " This is the bottom line on the whole issue. "Gratuities" are clearly nothing more than thinly veiled service charges --- why not treat them as such? Aren't "resort fees" basically the same thing? Who likes those? The only market that Viking includes added tips is the North American market and that is to accommodate the tipping culture. UK, NZ and Aus markets do not include tips, as they have a different culture. If sufficient US pax complain, hopefully Viking will change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackduck59 Posted November 26, 2021 #214 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Interesting shift off topic. Legend has it that "tips" (to insure proper service) was a practice started by the well to do so they could feel special about themselves believing a bribe was the best way to be above the rif raf. It seemed to work and now it's a thing. Keeping in mind that "tips" are given before service as a bribe for better service. Gratuities are given in appreciation of exceptional service, a thank you as it were. Unfortunately these little "thankyous" became expected and now they are embedded in many cultures. Many servers expect 20% even for the most mediocre service. We give a nice gratuity for outstanding service, sometimes if the service is bad the gratuity is very small or not at all. For cruises I would just prefer they pay a living wage and include that in the price. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zalusky Posted November 26, 2021 #215 Share Posted November 26, 2021 Tips/Fees/... have morphed into a technique by businesses to advertise a smaller base price. All these companies whether be airlines with baggage fees, hotels with resort fees, cruising with gratuities, and many more are just advertising a lower base fare. It's all about obfuscation. It's not about encouraging/rewarding service! If the companies they would rather be completely out of the service salary business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted November 26, 2021 #216 Share Posted November 26, 2021 6 hours ago, zalusky said: Tips/Fees/... have morphed into a technique by businesses to advertise a smaller base price. All these companies whether be airlines with baggage fees, hotels with resort fees, cruising with gratuities, and many more are just advertising a lower base fare. It's all about obfuscation. It's not about encouraging/rewarding service! If the companies they would rather be completely out of the service salary business. Car dealers in the US used to be notorious for such nonsense - which is why we now have the Monroney Label. Before that an agreement on price would be followed by: "It's a deal! Now, would you like tires and wheels with that?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBee51 Posted November 26, 2021 #217 Share Posted November 26, 2021 "For cruises I would just prefer they pay a living wage and include that in the price" By which country's standard would that living wage be? I thought I'd just add fuel to the tipping fire and perhaps throw in a "are jeans acceptable at dinner if they are black" question. Its fun and early here on the west coast and I am NOT going anywhere near a store today or anytime soon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBs mum Posted November 26, 2021 #218 Share Posted November 26, 2021 23 minutes ago, BigBee51 said: "For cruises I would just prefer they pay a living wage and include that in the price" By which country's standard would that living wage be? I thought I'd just add fuel to the tipping fire and perhaps throw in a "are jeans acceptable at dinner if they are black" question. Its fun and early here on the west coast and I am NOT going anywhere near a store today or anytime soon. No idea about wages, but I got away with black jeans. Packing snafu, no slacks. Tunic top to cover the pocket stitching, smart shoes, nobody noticed. It's a cold wet afternoon here in England, fire lit, sun over yardarm (probably, can't see it through the clouds) not going out again today. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackduck59 Posted November 26, 2021 #219 Share Posted November 26, 2021 37 minutes ago, BigBee51 said: "For cruises I would just prefer they pay a living wage and include that in the price" By which country's standard would that living wage be? I thought I'd just add fuel to the tipping fire and perhaps throw in a "are jeans acceptable at dinner if they are black" question. Its fun and early here on the west coast and I am NOT going anywhere near a store today or anytime soon. I think in many ways the gratuity culture in North America is really fueled by the workers. They hold up the "Minimum wage" card which is over $15,00 an hour here in BC (NOT a living wage but still paid to many non tipping jobs). But if you think about gratuities anywhere from 10 to 25% of the bill by how many tables in the section and it doesn't take long for that "minimum wage" position to be $25.00 per hour or more. Of course that is on shore in North America. We are talking about service staff on a high end cruise line which charges a premium price for their product, Customers expect and by most accounts receive premium service. I'm going to stop commenting on "tips" and "gratuities" in the Silver Spirits drinks thread...we already have a Gratuities thread on this board. Back to the actual subject of the thread, I notice no Ron Zacapa rum on any menus. That's unfortunate but I'm sure I'll find something to enjoy for the occasional drink outside of lunch and dinner. My blue collar tastes are flexible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitchly Posted November 26, 2021 #220 Share Posted November 26, 2021 11 hours ago, Blackduck59 said: Interesting shift off topic. Legend has it that "tips" (to insure proper service) was a practice started by the well to do so they could feel special about themselves believing a bribe was the best way to be above the rif raf. It seemed to work and now it's a thing. Keeping in mind that "tips" are given before service as a bribe for better service. Gratuities are given in appreciation of exceptional service, a thank you as it were. Unfortunately these little "thankyous" became expected and now they are embedded in many cultures. Many servers expect 20% even for the most mediocre service. We give a nice gratuity for outstanding service, sometimes if the service is bad the gratuity is very small or not at all. For cruises I would just prefer they pay a living wage and include that in the price. Tips are so embedded in the US that many (most?) restaurants pay their servers less than minimum wage with the assumption that they will make up the difference (and then some) through tips. Which is why we always tip at least 15% at restaurants (usually 20% unless the service is poor). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selion Posted February 26, 2022 #221 Share Posted February 26, 2022 Reviving this old discussion, since it's SBP related. Got my final cruise docs today, and the promotional/complimentary SBP wasn't listed on the Pre-Purchased Excursions & On-Board Experiences document. It's on the Guest Statement/confirmation after I made the final payment. Should I be concerned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BornLucky Posted February 26, 2022 #222 Share Posted February 26, 2022 4 hours ago, Selion said: Reviving this old discussion, since it's SBP related. Got my final cruise docs today, and the promotional/complimentary SBP wasn't listed on the Pre-Purchased Excursions & On-Board Experiences document. It's on the Guest Statement/confirmation after I made the final payment. Should I be concerned? No 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunaman2011 Posted March 3, 2022 #223 Share Posted March 3, 2022 Greetings If the Silver Sprits package covers drinks up to 15 euro and you wish a drink that is 16 euro do you pay the difference or the total price? Thanks Good Sailing Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imcpa Posted March 3, 2022 #224 Share Posted March 3, 2022 Total price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVTAM Posted March 8, 2022 #225 Share Posted March 8, 2022 We are on 80 day cruise in 2024. Question for Jim or Heidi. We where on the 2019 run with you doing the South America leg. We have bought SSP on 2 week cruise and enjoy it. Don't feel 80 days of drinks is justify for ones health. The question is can we buy the pack say on the 60 day of the cruise and pay for the 20 days until the cruise ends.???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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