Tipping Confusion all over again

[Djaye]

I thought I had the tipping thing all figured out. That adding it to your bill was better for the person receiving it - easier for them to send home, etc. Now I read on today's home page of CC an article that states that tipping on Celebrity tends to be the traditional way - handing envelopes to everyone the last night. Can someone who has recently returned share your observations????

 

Thanks!

[fllady]

It is easier and and you still give envelopes. The ship gives you envelopes with vouchers for those you tip when you add it to your account instead of cash.

[Shirley and Les]

I think the "how to tip" discussion has a lot to do with your personal feelings.

For my DW and me, we want to put the cash in the hands of the person providing the service. We do this with restaurant bills where we will charge the food but tip in cash.

On a cruise, we give tip envelopes to the individual waiters, assistant waiters, cabin servers, assistant maitre-des, etc. If they want to share the cash with someone else, that is their decision, not mine. In addition, I don't want to delay their tip or have their tip discounted by their employer.

Les

[jessemon]

We still tip the traditional way.

We put "green backs" in an envelope and hand it to that person which earned it. We don't just tip the recommended people either. There are many people that get a piece of the pie that make our vacations worth it.

I always take a little time before we cruise to make a little special card on the computer that goes hand in hand with the cruise and how much we appreciated the kind service.

 

Being a skeptic at times...I still don't trust the cruise lines when it comes to this issue. It still has to cut into the crews money. It costs to process the credit cards ( 1.5% and higher) depending on the credit card company. I am sure the cruise line is not going to make up the difference.

Just a thought. Say it is $10 per person per day and there are 2500 people on board and everyone tips just that on the on board account on a 10 day cruise. That's $250,000 for the staff. That means if the average credit card bank charge to the cruise line is 2% that means they would have to loose $5000.

In the bar and restaurant industry it is customary that if a customer includes the tip on a credit card there is a fractional charge take from that wait person to compensate on their tip.

 

The question always is...at work, which way would you prefer to be paid?

I'd take cash every time if I could.:D

JMHOCOLOR]

[Host Anne]

We agree with Les. We still prefer to put cash in an envelop and personally hand it to those who have provided service to us throughout the cruise. We like putting the cash in their hands.

 

Do what you feel comfortable doing....there is no right or wrong way.

 

Most of all....have a fabulous cruise!

[Shirley and Les]

...Do what you feel comfortable doing....there is no right or wrong way...

Thank you for putting into words the thought I was trying to convey.

With your attentiveness, I sure am glad my post wasn't a flame!:eek:

Les

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Do whichever you feel is best for you. They will get the money either way.

 

You will be offered the opportunity to have it added to your account sometime during the cruise by an envelope delivered to your cabin with the recommended amounts for each person receiving the tip. There is a space to add an additional amount for each person. You just fill it out and turn it in to Customer Relations Desk.

 

Also you can just give some additional cash to individual people on the last night as you see fit. If you need envelopes for this just ask Customer Relations.

 

Hey, just enjoy your cruise.

[fleckle]

The question always is...at work, which way would you prefer to be paid?

I'd take cash every time if I could.

While I, on the other hand, always prefer to have my salary deposited directly to my account. I dislike carrying around large amounts of cash that can be lost or stolen. There have just been too many cases of people who are paid in cash getting mugged. :eek:

 

We have asked several waiters and cabin attendants on cruise ships whether they preferred to receive their tips in cash or on their account. Two said they preferred the tips on their account, and the others said either way was fine.

 

I once asked Guest Relations how putting the tips on the account worked, and was told that each amount specified goes entirely to the person listed, with the exception of the cabin attendant. That tip gets shared with the cabin attendant's assistant, regardless of whether the tip is paid in cash or put on the account.

 

When the envelopes are handed out to everyone on the last night on Celebrity ships, unless someone tells you, you really don't know which envelopes contain vouchers, which envelopes contain cash, and which envelopes contain a combination of vouchers and cash.

 

This discussion raised an interesting question that I have never seen addressed before. Does anyone know of a case where a cruise line ever actually deducted a credit card fee from a waiter or cabin attendant's tip? I think a lot of people would probably like to know the answer to that question. :confused:

[DC2OC]

On our last cruise our butler and waiter said they get all the tip when placed in vouchers.Its easier not to carry around all the extra cash for me,but I want to make sure the workers get the tip I intend for them................................

Frank

[caviargal]

I am one who tips in cash even when out to dinner locally and paying by credit card.

 

Same on cruises.

[tarheelmjfan]

We have tipped both ways in the past. Because of the many discussions on here, my DH & I decided to ask our cabin attendant & waiter on our Apr. cruise which they prefer. Both of them said they much prefer their tips to be added to the guests accounts for the reasons mentioned in the OP. I suppose there may be some who prefer cash, but that wasn't our experience. We did give them extra in cash, which they seemed happy with. I think they just didn't want the income they depend on to pay the bills in cash.

[Blue46]

On our last cruise, 3 weeks ago, we added the tips thru the Celebrity Web site. Then on the last day we were given envelopes with cards in them to fill out for the various people. We added extra cash to the envelopes where we thought they had gone above and beyond. We also went by guest relations and got extra envelopes for those people we felt deserved a tip that was not the standard, such as the beverage server that took care of us every night in the dinning room. I prefered this way as I am sure to give at least the proper amount for each person. Then I can add as I see fit and I didn't need to keep an extra amount of cash just for the tips.

[jessemon]

 

This discussion raised an interesting question that I have never seen addressed before. Does anyone know of a case where a cruise line ever actually deducted a credit card fee from a waiter or cabin attendant's tip? I think a lot of people would probably like to know the answer to that question. :confused:

fleckle,

Glad someone noticed what I posted in part of my last post. Due to as I said earlier in the business I am involved in commission sales people have a % deducted from there commission due to credit cards. Here is the fun part. The average credit card processing fee through the banks is 2%...but the company also adds a 2% processing themselves because of accounting involved. But that is another story.

Let's use Carnival Cruise Lines as an example. All there major lines (CCL-HAL-Princess-Costa) all have a tipping automatically added per day to our bill. About $10.00 per person per day.

Every day they have about 100,000 people at sea. So let's try this and see what happens...that is $1,000,000.00 per tips a day. $365,000,000.00 per year. At a 2% bank processing fee that's $7,300,000.00. I really don't think the stockholders are just going to let that money go. Do you ? Oh, by the way we have to think about those 15% bar and wine tab add ons. They supposedly go to the bar staff and are split. (My calculator does not have that many numbers on it to figure that out.):p

Now the other side...if the cruise line does charge an additional fee on top of that it might not be that bad for the crew anyways...

They used to get paid in cash. At many ports there is what is called a "crew store." Not open to the public. Not owned by the cruise lines but by private owners. The crew gets off the ship and takes their cash there and it is wired home...of coarse at a nominal fee...:D They also have calling cards there and low priced internet service. Also daily toiletry needs and the like.

So the bottom line is that it is probably a wash or close to it.

The up side for the crew that makes tips is ...many people probably give them an in hand extra tip because they just feel funny about no money (greenbacks) changing hands.

Just a thought.;)

[Djaye]

I'm the OP of this thread. Looks like the tipping issue will always bring a mixed bag of opinions, so I guess it just boils down to a personal thing. I'm glad to know that the envelopes can contain vouchers, if that is the way we decide to go. I thought that "envelopes" automatically meant hard cash. Since we'll be on a land tour first and will have to carry cash for all those tips, using our Seapass account for the ship's tips would certainly be more convenient. I'm taking all comments under advisement and thank you all for your responses! Other comments still welcome! :)

[Shirley and Les]

... Other comments still welcome!...:)

You don't necessarily have to carry extra cash to tip in cash. You can get cash from the casino cashiers with your seapass card. This will show up as purchases on the credit card you used to establish the seapass account. If it is a Celebrity visa card, you get double points for Celebrity spending.

Les

[ali-ali-oh]

On our Century crusie 3 weeks ago we were informed that unless we went down to guest relations and requested not to, the tips for all personnel would be automotically added to our onboard account. They also gave us envelopes on the last night.

 

I know this caused an enormous amount of upset to some pax who had not read it would be an automatic charge until they received their final bills with it on. Many of them, because they received envelopes as well, put their tips in envelopes and ended up paying twice.

 

I don't know if this is a new policy by X, as I have not come accross it before as being automatic - it certainly wasn't on our TA in April.

[Magwa]

AliW I was on the same trip as you and reading this thread the other day I was getting a bit worried that I was supposed to have been given vouchers!

 

I prepaid and got an envelope with a card in it, saying thanks for pre-paying.. along with no less than 5 envelopes, all marked with who they were for [in pen and printed], touting for additional tips. I must admit I was more than miffed!!!!!!!! I gave an extra to those I wanted to by cash in hand or adding to bar receipt. Handing one envelopes, along with acknowledgement of prepayment is just way OTT!

 

When I read the above the other day I panicked, thinking perhaps I had had vouchers to hand out in those envelopes.. thankfully I had brought everything back with me; went through them all and nothing! phew... I would hate to think the staff thought I had ignored them... however I had also asked our waiter if he had had the auto tips, and he replied that "yes, we were on the list".. but one never really knows if they understand and just say some things anyway:)

 

Reading through all the piles of endless bits of paper from tha trip, there seems nothing in them about gratuities at all, unless I've missed it, so I can understand why some ended up paying twice:(

[Djaye]

S&L - I thought if you got cash in the casino from your SeaPass, there was some kind of extra charge?? Am I confused on this?? It wouldn't be the first time!

[DC2OC]

On our May 8 Mercury cruise we has to turn a voucher to guest relations to have tips charged to our accounts and the 200 dollars charged to sea pass at casino had no service charge,but from info on these threads it appears things may have changed or that policies differ ship to ship or by destination. Frank:)

[bonbon663]

Ok, I'm still confused about tipping. If I choose to automatically pay the tips...what are the voucher thingies for? I prefer to do the prepaid thing in this case because I'm travelling with my Mother, and feel uncomfortable handing people money because it's always been my husbands job.

 

What about the transfers? How much should I tip them? Thank you in advance....I'm soooooo confused.:confused:

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Ok, I'm still confused about tipping. If I choose to automatically pay the tips...what are the voucher thingies for? I prefer to do the prepaid thing in this case because I'm travelling with my Mother, and feel uncomfortable handing people money because it's always been my husbands job.

 

OK, do the prepaid thing. Just fill out the payment form that will be delivered to your cabin. It lists all you are requested to tip and the suggested amount. Also, has a place to add an extra amount for each.

 

Now with my experience with this form, which I have used a few times now, I would not call it a voucher to give in the envelope in place of cash. It is actually your receipt and thank you for the tip. I see no reason to give this in an envelope. The crew member gets a list of who has prepaid tips on their account before the last night.

 

If you feel like writing a note to express your thanks and/or putting some extra cash in the envelope, that would be fine also.

 

What about the transfers? How much should I tip them? Thank you in advance....I'm soooooo confused.:confused:

 

Never used them. I would probably tip $1-$2 per bag and an extra amount for any special services received.

[bonbon663]

Thank you.....it's clear as mud now....J/K:D

 

 

[C 2 C]

Ok, I'm still confused about tipping. If I choose to automatically pay the tips...what are the voucher thingies for? I prefer to do the prepaid thing in this case because I'm travelling with my Mother, and feel uncomfortable handing people money because it's always been my husbands job.

 

What about the transfers? How much should I tip them? Thank you in advance....I'm soooooo confused.:confused:

 

The voucher is a way to put something in the traditional envelope. The front desk produces a list of all guests prepaying their tips. They can see which of their guests should still provide them with cash on the last day. Some ships have not used the vouchers but merely inform the staff involved. Most passengers like the vouchers because it gives them proof and a chance to talk to their waiters and stewards prior to leaving for reality back home.

You can also go to the casino, withdraw some dollars, stuff your envelopes with cash, put them in your safe till the evening of departure and hand them out personally. The withdrawals from the casino are charged to your account and your credit card without a fee. (rolls of quarters are hard to stuff in envelopes though;))

 

From Chatham.. have a great trip.

[woodofpine]

There is no way that a passenger can tip 'the ONE who earned it'. You don't see half of them, it's a team effort. That's why tips are pooled (and they are ALL pooled - generally speaking).

 

IMHO - It's a hassle for the passenger to cash tip, especially on a longer cruise, and it's a hassle for the crewman to be responsible for carrying and depositing those tips with the purser. Believe me, by and large they KNOW who are tipping; but those that cash tip are a bigger collective question mark for a crewman.

 

The business of "I feel better about handing them cash" makes me laugh. Tipping isn't about making YOU feel better. ("I just love to see'em grovel, one last time" :D)

 

Then after handing a cash tip one asks, "How do you prefer it? Cash or on account?" and the crewman says, "Cash - is Great!". What do you expect them to say?! (It's a HASSLE! 'Ya clumsy, drink spillin' oaf! Get OFF my ship!) After all, they're hospitality pros... :)

 

I've tended to add and round up on account... let the chips fall where they may.

[rubrrick]

There is no way that a passenger can tip 'the ONE who earned it'. You don't see half of them, it's a team effort. That's why tips are pooled (and they are ALL pooled - generally speaking).

 

IMHO - It's a hassle for the passenger to cash tip, especially on a longer cruise, and it's a hassle for the crewman to be responsible for carrying and depositing those tips with the purser. Believe me, by and large they KNOW who are tipping; but those that cash tip are a bigger collective question mark for a crewman.

 

The business of "I feel better about handing them cash" makes me laugh. Tipping isn't about making YOU feel better. ("I just love to see'em grovel, one last time" :D)

 

Then after handing a cash tip one asks, "How do you prefer it? Cash or on account?" and the crewman says, "Cash - is Great!". What do you expect them to say?! (It's a HASSLE! 'Ya clumsy, drink spillin' oaf! Get OFF my ship!) After all, they're hospitality pros... :)

 

I've tended to add and round up on account... let the chips fall where they may.

 

You have this figured out! I have been using the voucher system for some time now, as everyone that I have asked about it.....prefers it. If someone has done something special for us........we add a bit of cash to their envelope.........or an international calling card.

 

On our last cruise.........I found out that the crew has their own machine for purchasing international calling cards at a discount, but passengers cannot purchase cards from the crew area to give out. NOT ALLOWED!

So.........anything extra.......give a little cash with the vouchers, or give a little extra before the end of the cruise!:)

 

Rick