Tipping with Cheers Package?

[Elaine5715]

2 hours ago, Thenagers said:

I think tipping has gotten out of control since the service industry was having a hard time finding employees? I am amazed at the counter service places that now ask for a tip? And many have a default setting? If they bring it to you at the table, maybe I understand but otherwise it is just there so the employar can pass off the need to pay more. I usually tip 1-2 on top of every drink on my cruises but definitely more if they bring it to me. I am glad Carnival is starting to get soda machines on lido. It was crazy how the bartenders had to get everyone sodas. Little kids at the bars and all. 

Soda machines means CO2 canisters which are a potential safety hazard.  CO2 canisters in land fast food restaurants are chained upright because they can become torpedoes when damaged.  Popping a soda can does not present the same issues.   

[Elaine5715]

5 hours ago, sweaver69 said:

Tipping is immoral. 

I am already forced to "tip" 18%.

 

Either it's a fair wage, or don't work for them. Pretty simple. 

 

Said by every cheapo ever

[jsglow]

On 10/19/2022 at 4:21 PM, Colorado Cruzer said:

We just add a buck to every drink slip they give us and if we have a very good and attentive server or bartender, we give an extra $20 or so on last night. 18% isn't even full tip % for American standards and that is only 18% on the package price.  For us, that is 5 alchemy bar drinks each to put it into perspective so the extra buck helps even it out in my mind.

Last cruise was so crowded and I'm thinking they were very short staffed in March on Panorama because none of the bartenders were good and the service on lido was very slow for drinks. I hope our Deecmber cruise on the Miracle is a better situation.

So as other's have said, 'tipping creep' really bothers me.  Back in the day 10% was the norm, then 15%.  Now these darn computers START at 18%.  I too did extra tipping in the early months of the re-start on cruises.  But I'll be darned if I'll give some stateside counter server 20%+ for simply doing his job.  

[WKUTopperFan]

Just like voting... "Tip early, tip often!"

[cruisingguy007]

3 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Said by every cheapo ever

 

I'm certainly not a cheapo and tip very well, yet I agree with this assessment, tipping has gotten out of hand these days. I've seen automatic car wash attendants and take your own pizza home and bake it establishments asking for tips. It's tipped too far into an expectation now and disconnected from true service intentions it once was. It's essentially become a resort fee, aka a hidden tax, just another way for businesses to pass off employee costs on the public instead of rolling it into the price of the product/service. I'd much rather they raise prices to match costs and pay a fair wage, rather than guilting people into subsidizing employee costs for every single thing these days, even things that make no sense. 

[Elaine5715]

7 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I'm certainly not a cheapo and tip very well, yet I agree with this assessment, tipping has gotten out of hand these days. I've seen automatic car wash attendants and take your own pizza home and bake it establishments asking for tips. It's tipped too far into an expectation now and disconnected from true service intentions it once was. It's essentially become a resort fee, aka a hidden tax, just another way for businesses to pass off employee costs on the public instead of rolling it into the price of the product/service. I'd much rather they raise prices to match costs and pay a fair wage, rather than guilting people into subsidizing employee costs for every single thing these days, even things that make no sense. 

The traditionally tipped positions aren't responsible for the spread of gratuity jars but seem to be the targets for retaliation.  I think the spread is more due to the increasing demands of personalizing what should be routine and that tip smooths over the customer caused irritations.     In other words, if you were a b@!$& when ordering your half cream, quarter inch foam, two teaspoons caramel frappe but threw in $2 bucks tip, the frown gets turns upside down.  

[sparks1093]

14 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

The traditionally tipped positions aren't responsible for the spread of gratuity jars but seem to be the targets for retaliation.  I think the spread is more due to the increasing demands of personalizing what should be routine and that tip smooths over the customer caused irritations.     In other words, if you were a b@!$& when ordering your half cream, quarter inch foam, two teaspoons caramel frappe but threw in $2 bucks tip, the frown gets turns upside down.  

Most excellent point. 

[WAHMto5]

We always get the cheers program and tip a couple of dollars per drink. 

[vacruisin]

On 10/21/2022 at 2:03 PM, Elaine5715 said:

What does "tip culture" have to do with crew members on cruise ships?  What you pay for pest control could put a crew member's children through a year of school and you elect to punish cruise line wait staff by withholding a few bucks?  

I am not withholding anything from them.  I pay my cruise fare and gratuities in advance.  Choosing to not tip extra is not punishing anyone.  This is the mentality I am talking about.  If you don't tip EVERYBODY, ALL THE TIME you're somehow punishing them. 

 

You do you...I'll do me. 

[Elaine5715]

2 hours ago, vacruisin said:

I am not withholding anything from them.  I pay my cruise fare and gratuities in advance.  Choosing to not tip extra is not punishing anyone.  This is the mentality I am talking about.  If you don't tip EVERYBODY, ALL THE TIME you're somehow punishing them. 

 

You do you...I'll do me. 

Good tip

[ray98]

It's the internet....everyone is a big tipper.  Surprised some of you can even enjoy the cruise as busy as you are handing out cash.

[MauiWowie57]

On 10/18/2022 at 9:54 PM, jerseygirlinAZ said:

 

 

Agree with all of the above!

I've got a friend that goes by the bank and gets as many $2.00 bills as they'll give him. He uses those for cash tips on cruises because, well, they're a bit unusual. They definitely remember him.

[Elaine5715]

2 hours ago, MauiWowie57 said:

I've got a friend that goes by the bank and gets as many $2.00 bills as they'll give him. He uses those for cash tips on cruises because, well, they're a bit unusual. They definitely remember him.

Yeah, but not in the way he thinks

[Purvis1231]

On 10/20/2022 at 7:15 AM, vacruisin said:

I agree.  For all the people on CC who say they leave tips, I sure don't witness too many people tipping when I'm onboard.  I guess all the tippers come to CC to brag about it. 🙄

Right, I never see anyone other than myself tipping in cash. 

[sparks1093]

8 hours ago, Purvis1231 said:

Right, I never see anyone other than myself tipping in cash. 

I leave the extra tip on the receipt. I expect most others do, too. But as has been pointed out CC represents a very small percentage of the cruising public.

[dandeck]

On 10/18/2022 at 8:20 PM, handbellplayer said:

We normally cruise on Royal and don't buy a drink package because we get a certain number of drink coupons per day due to our status.  We tip a couple of bucks per drink, because we figure the servers don't get any kind of gratuity for these free drinks.  We have purchased the Cheers package for our upcoming cruise on Magic.  Should we tip for our drinks, or has the tip already been included in what we paid for the package?  Will tipping get us better service?

We are regular cruisers and if you want the best service on the seas, simply tip a $1 or two.  The answer to your question is absolutely!!  You will be sought out like a heat seeking missile!!  Some will say it's all ready included... ignore, if you want next level service!

[mom2tcdx2]

I am always amazed by those who tip with each drink and claiming they get better service?  Only once or twice have I had rather bad service, and have gotten to know quite a few bartenders.  Called by name, they would know little things like I liked a Mtn Dew chilled (I hate hot drinks poured over ice).  Always been able to find a bartender that would put them in the fridge for me to get cold.  On the Horizon the lady in the Pig and Anchor knew I didn't like the club soda added to Blackberry Bourbon Fizz (always ordered no fizz LOL). In the end we have tipped the last night servers who did great during the week with us.  While probably not equal to drinks consumed we generally gave around $30 to each bartender.  

 

I would say we have gotten really great service without tipping per drink.  Truly about the only time I tipped per drink was in the Casino with a drinks on us in the casino while playing promo.  

 

[MeganGC1983]

As I’ve said before… it’s your call as person. I enjoy taking care of those that take care of me. Top level service? Anyone else had a drink made for them while they were still at terminal check in?! 

[d12j28]

24 minutes ago, MeganGC1983 said:

As I’ve said before… it’s your call as person. I enjoy taking care of those that take care of me. Top level service? Anyone else had a drink made for them while they were still at terminal check in?! 

Once on the Splendor. Made friends with one of the casino bartenders and at the end of the cruise got a bounce back offer. Booked before we got off for 6 weeks later on the Splendor again and told him. We messaged him when boarding and he said come to the casino bar where he had our drinks waiting even though it wasn't open yet. LOL

[MeganGC1983]

1 hour ago, d12j28 said:

Once on the Splendor. Made friends with one of the casino bartenders and at the end of the cruise got a bounce back offer. Booked before we got off for 6 weeks later on the Splendor again and told him. We messaged him when boarding and he said come to the casino bar where he had our drinks waiting even though it wasn't open yet. LOL

That’s great service!! 

[Pellaz]

22 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

I leave the extra tip on the receipt. I expect most others do, too. But as has been pointed out CC represents a very small percentage of the cruising public.

Same here; I tip on the receipt.  Unless some busybody is peering at every receipt I sign, there would be no obvious way for them to see that I was, in fact, tipping.  $1 per alcoholic drink, 50 cents for a soda, $2 if they make my Miami Vice the "proper" way.  🙂  

And as I mentioned before, the bartender or server DOES get that tip directly.  

 

The way I see it, the day I can't afford to tip a little extra here and there is the day I have no business going on a cruise in the first place.  

 

[BoozinCroozin]

On 10/25/2022 at 9:24 AM, Elaine5715 said:

Said by every cheapo ever

What is the magic number where you are not a "cheapo"? Seriously, tipping is going insane now instead of paying a living wage. Everywhere you go, there is a tip jar. So, what is this mythical number to tip? 

 

In the end it is not just 18%. It is 18% on an inflated number to begin with. Plus, they raised the price almost $10/day which increases tips to an additional $2 per day. It sounds small, but it severely increases. A majority of people don't drink 10-drinks per day. That equates to $1 tip per drink pre-paid. Lets figure out the amount of tips per day for 2 adults, with Cheers: $12pp/day for Cheers, $15pp/day for room stewards. 7 (days) x $27 x 2 (adults) = $378. That is a lot of money in tips that are basically required. Then everywhere you turn there is a TIP line. And don't forget the baggage guys that literally take the luggage I wheeled to them, scan it, and have me put it in on the luggage cart. I did the work, why didn't they tip me?

 

All I would like is someone to put an EXACT number that is considered acceptable. Is it 18%, 25%, 50%, 2,000%, just tell us? I want to know what my new tips are for my salaried job. I would love that 18% tip. That would almost cover what we pay in taxes, so I actual get what I earn. So please, tell me the percentage or dollar amount. 

Edited October 28, 2022 by BoozinCroozin

[sparks1093]

56 minutes ago, BoozinCroozin said:

What is the magic number where you are not a "cheapo"? Seriously, tipping is going insane now instead of paying a living wage. Everywhere you go, there is a tip jar. So, what is this mythical number to tip? 

 

In the end it is not just 18%. It is 18% on an inflated number to begin with. Plus, they raised the price almost $10/day which increases tips to an additional $2 per day. It sounds small, but it severely increases. A majority of people don't drink 10-drinks per day. That equates to $1 tip per drink pre-paid. Lets figure out the amount of tips per day for 2 adults, with Cheers: $12pp/day for Cheers, $15pp/day for room stewards. 7 (days) x $27 x 2 (adults) = $378. That is a lot of money in tips that are basically required. Then everywhere you turn there is a TIP line. And don't forget the baggage guys that literally take the luggage I wheeled to them, scan it, and have me put it in on the luggage cart. I did the work, why didn't they tip me?

 

All I would like is someone to put an EXACT number that is considered acceptable. Is it 18%, 25%, 50%, 2,000%, just tell us? I want to know what my new tips are for my salaried job. I would love that 18% tip. That would almost cover what we pay in taxes, so I actual get what I earn. So please, tell me the percentage or dollar amount. 

They should outlaw that term "living wage" because it is going to vary region by region and even person by person. DW and I raised 5 sons and I suspect our living wage was higher than someone who was single, as only one example.

 

On a cruise they make it easy and give you the recommended amounts. Once you've paid those recommended amounts you have met your obligation. 

[Elaine5715]

4 hours ago, BoozinCroozin said:

What is the magic number where you are not a "cheapo"? Seriously, tipping is going insane now instead of paying a living wage. Everywhere you go, there is a tip jar. So, what is this mythical number to tip? 

 

In the end it is not just 18%. It is 18% on an inflated number to begin with. Plus, they raised the price almost $10/day which increases tips to an additional $2 per day. It sounds small, but it severely increases. A majority of people don't drink 10-drinks per day. That equates to $1 tip per drink pre-paid. Lets figure out the amount of tips per day for 2 adults, with Cheers: $12pp/day for Cheers, $15pp/day for room stewards. 7 (days) x $27 x 2 (adults) = $378. That is a lot of money in tips that are basically required. Then everywhere you turn there is a TIP line. And don't forget the baggage guys that literally take the luggage I wheeled to them, scan it, and have me put it in on the luggage cart. I did the work, why didn't they tip me?

 

All I would like is someone to put an EXACT number that is considered acceptable. Is it 18%, 25%, 50%, 2,000%, just tell us? I want to know what my new tips are for my salaried job. I would love that 18% tip. That would almost cover what we pay in taxes, so I actual get what I earn. So please, tell me the percentage or dollar amount. 

Please go back and look at the statement I was responding to.  

[Elaine5715]

3 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

They should outlaw that term "living wage" because it is going to vary region by region and even person by person. DW and I raised 5 sons and I suspect our living wage was higher than someone who was single, as only one example.

 

On a cruise they make it easy and give you the recommended amounts. Once you've paid those recommended amounts you have met your obligation. 

"Living wage" is code for Lifestyle wage.  People want to be paid, regardless of skill set, employer, job responsibilities to pay for a lifestyle they believe they are entitled to live.