Gratuities

[Quay1]

6 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Most cruise lines  operated the same way

Many people skipped the dining room on the last  night  when the envelopes were handed out  to the waitstaff

The cruise lines then started with  adding the daily gratuity rate to  pax accounts

Pax  that did not want to pay those  went to the desk & asked to have them removed

 

Ever notice the long line at reception the last night of the cruise ...they were not lining up to say their goodbyes to the staff there 🙄

The advantage of building the gratuity into the cruise fare means no more long lines at reception. Many cruise lines are building the gratuities into the fare for the Australian market. 

[Harters]

Makes sense, Quay1. I know that Australia, like the UK, is a low/no tip country, so incorporating gratuities into the price is simply reflecting society. 

[Hlitner]

I have long (over 40 years) been an outspoken critic of the tipping systems used by the so-called mass market (and so-called Premium) lines.  The truth is that it is entirely unnecessary, creates complications and some bad feelings, and serves very little purpose other than the desire of cruise line's to market lower prices (which are phony) while maximizing onboard revenue.   Perhaps these tipping schemes are the most interesting when the cruise lines try to apply them to cultures where tipping is not the norm (i.e. Australia, the UK, etc).

 

As one who cruises many different lines (16 to date) ranging from budget to luxury lines, we really embrace the luxury line policies that discourage any tipping!  We still recall our first Seabourn cruise when I tried to hand a generous cash tip to a favorite bar tender, and she graciously. thanked me as she refused the cash (I am sure many crew members would have taken the cash).  On that line (and most luxury lines) the crew are properly compensated by the company and do not work for tips!  And the service/dedication of the crew on those lines is fantastic which is proof that you do not need tipping as an incentive.

 

When mass market lines started to offer alternative dining, team-driven cabin service, and open dining schemes, the traditional tipping scheme (envelopes of cash given to a few who provided direct services) collapsed.  Hence, we evolved into "auto tips," which some lines have no renamed "crew appreciation."   The system is terribly flawed to such an extent that most cruise lines refuse to divulge how they distribute the money raised from that scheme.   The crew is generally told not to discuss the matter (with passengers) at the risk of their job.  And lately, we see lines continuing to increase "crew appreciation" amounts while, at the same time, opening soliciting even more tips via a tip line on bar invoices (after already assessing a mandatory tip of up to 20%).  

 

Bless the luxury lines that simply discourage any tipping (and properly compensate crew).  Yes, we do pay more to be on such lines, but all the anxiety and bad feelings that surround tipping are gone!  The next time you go to the airport to fly consider that you do not tip the customer service folks, flight attendants, pilots, cleaning staff, etc.  Why not?  

 

Hank

[Redtravel]

You are going to be billed for the tips. It would make sense if tips were included in the basic cruise fare.  Many cruise lines do it.  On some we prepay tips.  

[LHT28]

You do not think the  higher fares  have the  Gratuities built into those prices for luxury lines 🙄

 

However you slice  & dice it  the crew will get paid  according to their contracts

Just add  the gratuity to the fare  & let the account dept  do the  creative  work  so the crew get their  funds

 

I am sure most people go into their local  business & demand to see the breakdown on how the gratuities are dispersed 🤔

 

 

[Harters]

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

However you slice  & dice it  the crew will get paid  according to their contracts

Agreed. And,  even though I have happily contributed to this conversation, it really is a non-story. Whether gratuities are included in the price or are treated as an addition, the customer is still going to be paying out the same amount and the crew are still going to be receiving their income as per their contract. 

[Vineyard View]

9 hours ago, LHT28 said:

You do not think the  higher fares  have the  Gratuities built into those prices for luxury lines 🙄

 

However you slice  & dice it  the crew will get paid  according to their contracts

Just add  the gratuity to the fare  & let the account dept  do the  creative  work  so the crew get their  funds

 

I am sure most people go into their local  business & demand to see the breakdown on how the gratuities are dispersed 🤔

 

 

Agree. It’s just easier if it’s all part of the price you pay up front. I personally think that was a miss in “simply more”. If you are going to do it as a company to make it simple, then just include all that non optional costing. 

[1985rz1]

6 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

Agree. It’s just easier if it’s all part of the price you pay up front. I personally think that was a miss in “simply more”. If you are going to do it as a company to make it simple, then just include all that non optional costing. 

But in reality, gratuities on Oceania are optional, in that you can have the gratuities removed should you so desire.  I'm not one to do so, as, to me, it's part of the service, but it can be done.

Edited July 21, 2023 by 1985rz1

[Harters]

3 hours ago, 1985rz1 said:

gratuities on Oceania are optional, in that you can have the gratuities removed should you so desire

I hadnt appreciated that. In which case, I withdraw my earlier remarks at post #81. 

[gcmv]

3 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

Agree. It’s just easier if it’s all part of the price you pay up front. I personally think that was a miss in “simply more”. If you are going to do it as a company to make it simple, then just include all that non optional costing. 

I fully agree with you. But the "hidden" costs for gratuities would then be obvious and directly increase the advertised price of the cruise - this is not in Oceanias intention ...

[pinotlover]

Those of us Silver and above receive free PPG as a perk. Others get the perk from their Travel Agency Consortium via the OCCAP program. I’m not sure what percentage of cruisers are actually paying grats, it varies obviously.

 

Would diminishing O Club perks = less cruiser loyalty? Don’t know.

 

Build grats into the advertised fares, then give silver and above a corresponding rate discount?

Edited July 21, 2023 by pinotlover

[Harters]

30 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Others get the perk from their Travel Agency Consortium via the OCCAP program.

Although as previously noted by me and other Britons, seemingly not available from UK cruise specialist travel agents 

[Quay1]

8 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

Agree. It’s just easier if it’s all part of the price you pay up front. I personally think that was a miss in “simply more”. If you are going to do it as a company to make it simple, then just include all that non optional costing. 

The reason that I made a comment about building/adding the gratuities into the fare is because for the Australian market, the cruise lines that we have travelled with include them as part of our fare. I would have no idea how much has been allocated per day for the crew. Yes, the fare is going to be more expensive, but I personally prefer it that way. We don't get extra credit from our TA, we pay more per cruise because of our lousy exchange rate, we don't have complimentary airfares. I'd rather have all expenses paid for except alcohol before I leave home.

[LHT28]

9 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

Agree. It’s just easier if it’s all part of the price you pay up front. I personally think that was a miss in “simply more”. If you are going to do it as a company to make it simple, then just include all that non optional costing. 

It is  still optional 😉

 

Many O cruisers  have the PPG included  either from their TA or  as part of the O club perk

 

[Vineyard View]

Did not know about that perk from O club. That makes more sense 

[LHT28]

8 minutes ago, Quay1 said:

, we pay more per cruise because of our lousy exchange rate, we don't have complimentary airfares. I'd rather have all expenses paid for except alcohol before I leave home.

You are not alone

 many Countries  pay  more in their local currency   than  the USA  market

At least you have cruise lines sailing from Australia  that  you can pay in local Currency

 

 

[LHT28]

Just now, Vineyard View said:

Did not know about that perk from O club. That makes more sense 

You can check the O club benefits perks

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/oceania-club-benefits

[Quay1]

6 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

You are not alone

 many Countries  pay  more in their local currency   than  the USA  market

At least you have cruise lines sailing from Australia  that  you can pay in local Currency

 

 

I'll correct my previous comment. I just looked at the Australian Oceania website and it states special offer, free pre paid gratuities plus the choice of credit, shore excursion or beverage package. I'm cynical and the gratuities have probably been factored into the fare because tipping is not part of our culture.  Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the cruises out of Australia, too many sea days. The one cruise we did to Noumea, the bar was packed before we left port. It was a cheaper cruise line and as we say in OZ full of 'yobbos'.

[LHT28]

2 minutes ago, Quay1 said:

I'll correct my previous comment. I just looked at the Australian Oceania website and it states special offer, free pre paid gratuities plus the choice of credit, shore excursion or beverage package. I'm cynical and the gratuities have probably been factored into the fare because tipping is not part of our culture.  Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the cruises out of Australia, too many sea days. The one cruise we did to Noumea, the bar was packed before we left port. It was a cheaper cruise line and as we say in OZ full of 'yobbos'.

My point was you have a option (like it or not)

In Canada  we have no options but to pay the  exchange rates  to cruise

[jonthomas]

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

You can check the O club benefits perks

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/oceania-club-benefits

 

we are 4 cruises away from having the gratuities as a perk from loyalty...until then, none of our TAs have given it to us as part of OCCAP program...and yes I have asked...seems they dont belong to the right consortia. 

[RJB]

On 7/3/2023 at 9:36 AM, pinotlover said:

😂

 

It happens regularly! People with a $200 bill plus $20 in taxes will tip on the taxes. Here’s an extra $5 tip for charging me tax! 😂🥂🥂

Will NEVER tip on tax. If it is not served to me i will not tip on it

[Harters]

1 hour ago, RJB said:

If it is not served to me i will not tip on it

In the UK, it's the norm for tips and service charges in restaurants to be calculated on the tax inclusive amount. That's simply because tax, at 20%, is built in to all prices. It's not shown separately as it is in America.  

[Hambagahle]

We tip the butler a minimum of $100 for a 10 day cruise.  Just how much depends on how good he is (actually we have only ever had one poor one!).  Steward/ess gets $50 or so, also "depending".  We are not used to tipping but we do understand that on a ship, even when tips are included, something additional for special crew members is appreciated.   For the rest we have given to the Crew Fund (via the Reception Desk).  Maybe $50/cruise.

[Classiccruiser777]

On 7/5/2023 at 5:38 PM, PinonNoir said:

This set amount of $23/person/day then get divided up among all the crew?  Does anybody tip on top of that, say to your butler?

So if a cruise occurs on which all the passengers are “silver” or above does the ship’s staff go without pay?

[basor]

3 hours ago, Classiccruiser777 said:

So if a cruise occurs on which all the passengers are “silver” or above does the ship’s staff go without pay?

No - the gratuities are still paid but by the cruise line....your bill will show the daily gratuities charged and then a credit for the same amount....