Laylam Posted June 15 #51 Share Posted June 15 9 minutes ago, johng75370 said: There are many forms of appreciation that can be shown apart from money. Others have mentioned that they bring small gifts from home (we often bring California chocolates), or simply asking if you can get things for them when onshore if they can’t get off the ship much. It’s also important to mention people by name in the post-cruise survey - we’ve heard that makes a big difference; better for their career growth than a tip. We’ve been delighted to see staff on Seabourn evolve and grow into new roles over time, and customer appreciation helps make that happen. YES, and I am always appalled at how many don't bother to say PLEASE or THANK YOU. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labonnevie Posted June 16 #52 Share Posted June 16 I absolutely love to mention stellar crew in my cruise surveys. I believe that is a very important way to reward them for their hard work. I also favor contributing to the crew fund because so many that I don’t see have helped make our cruise enjoyable and hopefully exceptional. I am worried that the propensity of, mostly US, passengers tipping will eventually change “tipping is not required nor expected “ to “tipping is expected but not required “. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted June 17 #53 Share Posted June 17 I believe the purpose of tipping is to reward exceptional service. The reason I rarely give to the crew fund is that my contribution would go to everyone, including those staff who may be underperforming, which is counterproductive and demotivating to other staff who are outstanding. This is why I mainly tip individuals. Having said that, I have on occasion also given to the crew fund when my entire cruise has been excellent. Otherwise, I just tip individuals. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utopia1 Posted June 17 #54 Share Posted June 17 I believe this roll call has reinforced our opinions as we have expressed them. It has shown me how others view this topic. For me that has been an education. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BasandSyb Posted June 17 #55 Share Posted June 17 On 6/16/2024 at 12:08 AM, johng75370 said: There are many forms of appreciation that can be shown apart from money. Others have mentioned that they bring small gifts from home (we often bring California chocolates), or simply asking if you can get things for them when onshore if they can’t get off the ship much. It’s also important to mention people by name in the post-cruise survey - we’ve heard that makes a big difference; better for their career growth than a tip. We’ve been delighted to see staff on Seabourn evolve and grow into new roles over time, and customer appreciation helps make that happen. This is the best response I’ve seen in a long time. I was getting very cross reading the responses thinking how the tipping culture is playing out through the world - with many nations now saying please don’t. We have recently spent some time Scotland and the enormous influx of people from the United States following the Outlander television series running amok looking for “Jamie” has got many locals riled up against tipping as tourists have over the last few years inflated prices across the hospitality industry to a point where they cannot afford a night out and hospitality staff are expecting tipping for the purchase of a pint in a pub. The price is the price. Pay it and be pleasant to staff and provide kind feedback. It’s service = charge. If not, let them know. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BasandSyb Posted June 17 #56 Share Posted June 17 5 hours ago, commodoredave said: I believe the purpose of tipping is to reward exceptional service. The reason I rarely give to the crew fund is that my contribution would go to everyone, including those staff who may be underperforming, which is counterproductive and demotivating to other staff who are outstanding. This is why I mainly tip individuals. Having said that, I have on occasion also given to the crew fund when my entire cruise has been excellent. Otherwise, I just tip individuals. The person who does your laundry has noted this for a high heat wash and extra starch. The kitchen staff… 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
branndie Posted June 18 #57 Share Posted June 18 (edited) Tipping is out of control now in the US. I've started paying cash for a lot of things now in rebellion. If you pay by credit card the server flips a tablet to you with 3 choices....20% tip, 25% tip, or 30 % tip. This for counter service of 1 drink. I'm not going to be pressured into tipping. The Seabourn website says tipping is neither required nor expected. I'm following Seabourn rules. Edited June 18 by branndie error 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted June 18 #58 Share Posted June 18 2 hours ago, BasandSyb said: The person who does your laundry has noted this for a high heat wash and extra starch. The kitchen staff… Thanks. That’s exactly why no one should contribute to the crew fund. It is a waste of money that has no correlation to the service one receives and only rewards mediocrity. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BasandSyb Posted June 18 #59 Share Posted June 18 Just to complete my education on this topic, where is the line in the sand for tipping. It seems to be a visibility factor and personal interaction. If this is the case, do you tip the CD, Captain and Hotel Director? I have personal interaction with them, and they have helped us out many times. Not to mention contributed significantly to our excellent cruise. Do you consider they are paid enough and don’t warrant tipping and is it only people in a subordinate role? Where does it end? Surely this is the point re the staff fund. I don’t think mediocrity would be tolerated for long in the cruise environment. They would be quickly outed by guests and other staff. FYI we saw an overt tip knocked back at the end of our previous cruise 8 days ago on the last night - thank you, but we have a crew fund if you would like to contribute, I can’t do my job without… and she turned around and indicated colleagues. Lovely young woman. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saminina Posted June 18 #60 Share Posted June 18 15 hours ago, commodoredave said: Thanks. That’s exactly why no one should contribute to the crew fund. It is a waste of money that has no correlation to the service one receives and only rewards mediocrity. The error is in taking filthy tipping habits from mass market lines with you as you move up the ladder. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted June 18 #61 Share Posted June 18 1 hour ago, saminina said: The error is in taking filthy tipping habits from mass market lines with you as you move up the ladder. If you read my signature, you would understand that I have taken mostly ultra-luxury cruises for many years. In fact, I started sailing with Seabourn before they were acquired by Carnival. Having said that, I have met many wonderful people on the mass market ships we have sailed with who would never descend to the level of calling someone else’s tipping preference as “filthy”. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joc123 Posted June 18 #62 Share Posted June 18 I promised myself not to comment on this subject but there is something I’ve always wondered about - when tipping is not required but given anyway, it is always stated that it’s for exceptional service or the person has gone above and beyond. What has been done that has been so exceptional? What was done that was above and beyond? I understand the importance of tipping in USA and Canada because that is the way it is but I do not understand why citizens from these countries insist on tipping when it is not part of the culture or required. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamrag Posted June 18 #63 Share Posted June 18 On 6/15/2024 at 1:14 AM, Laylam said: Or start paying fair wages in the USA....I am bowing out of this now. (A PROMISE) On 6/15/2024 at 11:20 PM, Laylam said: YES, and I am always appalled at how many don't bother to say PLEASE or THANK YOU. 🤔 🤨 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluewaters Posted June 18 #64 Share Posted June 18 Perhaps when you say PROMISE in all caps, it cancels itself out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted June 19 #65 Share Posted June 19 4 hours ago, Joc123 said: I promised myself not to comment on this subject but there is something I’ve always wondered about - when tipping is not required but given anyway, it is always stated that it’s for exceptional service or the person has gone above and beyond. What has been done that has been so exceptional? What was done that was above and beyond? I understand the importance of tipping in USA and Canada because that is the way it is but I do not understand why citizens from these countries insist on tipping when it is not part of the culture or required. Good question. For me, exceptional service is when my room steward, butler, waiter or bar tender anticipates my needs and/or makes helpful recommendations and suggestions. Yes, that doesn’t happen on every cruise from every crew member. And sometimes I do not tip anyone, and other times I do. And occasionally, and rarely, when all staff meet my expectations, I also give to the crew fund as well as individuals. While I cannot speak for others who tip, that is my criteria. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2SailingNomads Posted June 25 #66 Share Posted June 25 On 6/15/2024 at 3:20 PM, Laylam said: YES, and I am always appalled at how many don't bother to say PLEASE or THANK YOU. Exactly instead they say "I need" really you need or your life will end 2 minutes from now? Whatever happened to May I please have... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BasandSyb Posted June 25 #67 Share Posted June 25 Absolutely. We recently did a cruise, the first 14 days of which the majority on board was a particular nationality. Did not hear one please or thank you, just grunting and pointing - yes, the majority had excellent English, if not all of them, just not manners. Perhaps their brains were on holiday mode. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted July 4 #68 Share Posted July 4 CC has posted an opinion piece on tipping, While I am pro-tipping, I do not agree with the views expressed in this piece as the writer has conflated bribery with showing appreciation for good service after it is rendered. What do you think? https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/can-100-in-tips-make-your-cruise-1-000-times-better?lid=1ru18fozeaqn&crm_source=58226&crm_pos=uk&crm_cid=90e3e352-f62a-479f-920d-424de14f7e89&crm_rid=Bnb-uIoBtleMZ6TBBUIq&crm_cname=07.04.24 UK Insider - Can %24100 in Tips Make Your Cruise 1%2C000 Times Better - 6moLB&stay=1&posfrom=2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utopia1 Posted July 4 #69 Share Posted July 4 21 minutes ago, commodoredave said: CC has posted an opinion piece on tipping, While I am pro-tipping, I do not agree with the views expressed in this piece as the writer has conflated bribery with showing appreciation for good service after it is rendered. What do you think? https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/can-100-in-tips-make-your-cruise-1-000-times-better?lid=1ru18fozeaqn&crm_source=58226&crm_pos=uk&crm_cid=90e3e352-f62a-479f-920d-424de14f7e89&crm_rid=Bnb-uIoBtleMZ6TBBUIq&crm_cname=07.04.24 UK Insider - Can %24100 in Tips Make Your Cruise 1%2C000 Times Better - 6moLB&stay=1&posfrom=2 It seems ridiculous to make judgements about fellow cruisers based on gratuities. We are all entitled to tip or not to tip- -It irks me when a fellow cruiser says my gratuity is "bribery" when it is given for kindness or in appreciation for services rendered . From my observations everyone on Seabourn receives equal attention-- with one exception. The exception is the people who complain a lot seem to get more attention. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted July 4 #70 Share Posted July 4 15 minutes ago, Utopia1 said: It seems ridiculous to make judgements about fellow cruisers based on gratuities. We are all entitled to tip or not to tip- -It irks me when a fellow cruiser says my gratuity is "bribery" when it is given for kindness or in appreciation for services rendered . From my observations everyone on Seabourn receives equal attention-- with one exception. The exception is the people who complain a lot seem to get more attention. I agree. My point is that the author gave tips in advance of service on several occasions, which is bribery. In several other instances, she gave tips after good service to show appreciation for services rendered. That is tipping. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincslady Posted July 4 #71 Share Posted July 4 I fear that the different ways we express our wants in different countries can grate on others. The Brit. tendency is to say 'may I have', whereas others are more likely to say 'can I get'. I don't think either form is other than polite, but they just sound slightly different to one another. I really hate though to hear 'gimme', as do most other people. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted July 4 #72 Share Posted July 4 2 hours ago, commodoredave said: I agree. My point is that the author gave tips in advance of service on several occasions, which is bribery. In several other instances, she gave tips after good service to show appreciation for services rendered. That is tipping. How do you categorize, "pre-paid gratuities" which is part of packages on most of the mass market lines? Or 18% added on to alternative restaurant prices, drink prices, etc. Do you think that is appreciation for services rendered? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted July 4 #73 Share Posted July 4 1 hour ago, Hlitner said: How do you categorize, "pre-paid gratuities" which is part of packages on most of the mass market lines? Or 18% added on to alternative restaurant prices, drink prices, etc. Do you think that is appreciation for services rendered? Good point. There is no difference. In SB gratuities are built into the total price. It is just more gentile not to mention them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commodoredave Posted July 4 #74 Share Posted July 4 1 hour ago, Hlitner said: How do you categorize, "pre-paid gratuities" which is part of packages on most of the mass market lines? Or 18% added on to alternative restaurant prices, drink prices, etc. Do you think that is appreciation for services rendered? The difference with pre-paid gratuities and service charges on alternative restaurants is that the "tip" is shared among staff, and it is not given directly to a specific crew member to curry better service in future (e.g. reserve a pool chair, be served cocktails faster than others, etc.). In the story, the author actually says she tipped in advance sometimes as a means of getting better or preferential service in future and wanted to see if it worked. For me, when i tip an individual, I do so to show appreciation for exceptional service rendered. Having said that, I realize that some people tip in advance in the hopes of getting preferential treatment. That does not sit well with me. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conchyjoe Posted July 8 #75 Share Posted July 8 (edited) A few years ago on Seabourn Legend we booked a helicopter shore trip to overfly volcano ravaged Monserrat. I guess they didn’t have the required minimum number of participants so we found ourselves flying with a couple of cooks that normally prepare the crews meals. The unseen side of the Seabourn from a passenger perspective. The crew fares were paid by the Crew Fund since they rarely got off the ship in our ports of call. A very nice touch in the days of Captain Dag. Edited July 8 by conchyjoe 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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