PG contributing to the crew fund.

[catmommy]

Regent doesn't do tipping like the other cruise lines do. Tips are already part of your fare. I didn't find out how tips were distributed among the staff so I don't know who got what or how much.

 

It was refreshing to not feel as if staff members were grubbing for tips. I've sometimes felt that way on other lines.

 

But Bill and I did want to show our extra appreciation to the staff for their hard work. I'd heard mention of a crew fund as an alternative to individual tipping.

 

We went down to reception and asked about the fund. At first the desk person seemed confused by what we wanted but the other person did know what we were talking about.

 

To contribute to the fund in cash just stop at reception and give them the money and they will pass it on to the Human Resources Manager. If you want to have it added to your account they can do a "cash advance" on your credit card on account.

 

We handed in our contribution in to reception and that same night we got a letter from the HR person thanking us for contribution. The next day we were at reception and she actually came up to us and thanked us personally. It was very nice. And we didn't give them loads of money either; it turned out be less than the "standard" tip suggested by the cruise tip calculator for all of the lines we have sailed in the past.

 

The crew fund is used to buy things and sponsor events that make the crews' lives easier; for example the PG is now putting in DVD players in each crew cabin. They also have bikes for the crew members to use on the islands and they use the crew fund to purchase bikes and maintain them.

 

I had heard about the fund but not how to contribute. I thought folks might want to know.

 

Since the tipping policy in place on all of the Regent ships I imagine that the other ships in the fleet have similar funds and contributions work the same.

 

Caroline

[blackbird71]

Regent doesn't do tipping like the other cruise lines do. Tips are already part of your fare. I didn't find out how tips were distributed among the staff so I don't know who got what or how much.

 

Caroline

 

 

 

I know on Seabourn I always bring two Thank you cards. One for the room stewardess and one for the crew fund to go with the money.

 

On Seabourn Thank you cards are posted in the crew mess and I have had crew members thank me for my contribution. Plus like RSSC you get a thank you from somebody, in Seabourn's case it is the crew purser.

[OrpingtonT]

I don't know anything about Seabourn but I do congratulate catmommy on her sensible approach to the often acrimoneous subject of tipping.

[egret]

I did the same thing when on the PG last November. It must be a rare occurence as I experienced the same response from the reception desk. After I insisted that I really wanted to do it, they gave me a business envelope to seal my "contribution" in and told me they would pas it along. I guess they have been trained not to encourage tipping to the point they are uncomfortable with anything that resembles it.

[Admiral Horatio Nelson]

I work for Regent and yes there is a crew fund, but it's rare that passengers contribute to it. However I think it's more because it's not something that is advertised to passengers.

 

The tipping on cruise ships has always been a difficult subject in my opinion. As I come from a non tipping culture it's even more unusual to me. However, it does seem to cause problems on a regular basis on other cruise lines for which I have worked in the past.

 

Regent has the tipping issue sorted I believe, by removing it completely. Now all guests have the same experience as people from my country, you don't have to give it a thought as the 'service charge' is included.

 

Employees of Regent are paid well, and looked after to a much higher degree than any cruise line I have worked for before. This is part of the reason why Regent has such a high retention rate and a happy crew, they all get what they deserve and don't have to worry about tips. As a result everyone gets the same excellent service.

 

To anyone contributing to the fund, thank you it will be appreciated by the crew, and as someone who used to ride the bikes on the PG I can say it has by me!

[Dolebludger]

Admiral Nelson brings up an interesting and valid point on this subject. He says he is from a "non-tipping culture." Tips, as high as we customarily give here in the US, are unique to the US. Because Regent draws an international group of guests, it could not rely on mass market type tipping policy, as many of the guests from other countries just wouldn't do it, and the service crew would suffer financially. So Regent takes what I feel is a better approach; it includes what would be tips in the fare, and pays the service crew better. People who work in the service crew business on cruise ships must like it, as I hear there is a long waiting list for employment on Regent -- by such employees who are tired of "hustling for tips" in the mass market.

 

Similarly, Regent does not publicize the crew fund, as it does not want to be seen as also "hustling for tips." But most TA's who book guests on Regent know of it, and it has been mentioned on this board numerous times. I highly recommend donations to the crew fund, should service be such that you feel the need to do something extra. With Regent's set-up, it is preferable to offering individual tips -- which I have had refused, even for "above and beyond service."

[Iamboatman]

I think the American vs. Other Nationality point is very well expressed.

 

There are people that just do what they want because they perceive it to be the "right" way even though in reality it causes more issues than rewards. Just as there are those that won't follow a dress code (and complain that it exists even knowing about when booking), there are those that will infringe by tipping contrary to that code. (I'm not being the judge, just giving my opinion. I know those that tip believe it is the right thing to do...regardless.)

[Dolebludger]

Other posters and my TA have always told me that tipping is included, and further tipping should not be done, for the service crew's good performance of their individual assigned duties. However, if circumstances require me to request service above and beyond these assigned duties, I may offer a tip if I wish.

 

This happened on an '02 Mariner Nice to Rome cruise when our luggage did not arrive until day 2! I asked our stewardess if she could arrainge for "fast turn-around" laundry service for the clothes on our backs. She had them laundered and back to the room at no charge within the hour (even though the fault was the airline's) and refused the tip I offered to her. So I donated to the Crew Fund.

 

Our experience on Regent has indicated that service crew is more interested in having guests who are friendly to them, and (if they wish) make a donation to the crew fund.

[missouri_girl]

I had a similar experience on the PG in March. I went down to reception to make a contribution and the person "manning" the desk had no idea what I was talking about and absolutely refused to take my money. I did not contribute because of that and was frustrated. I now feel bad - I should have been more assertive.

 

Francine

[Dolebludger]

Don't feel bad -- you just encountered a person who was not properly trained. As a matter of fact, the PG ship's store sells maps (or used to) signed by the Captain, showing the PG's "regular" 7 night itenerary. They cost about $25, but cannot be bought other than with cash, bcause the proceeds go to the crew fund.

[Travelcat2]

As I learned this week, not all staff of the PG have the same employer -- so, who is this fund actually going to? Regent employees are "hotel" employees (guess that means food service as well as Stewards and Stewardess'). GCT (Grand Circle Travel) employees include the Captain and those who maintain the ship. As I understand it, the casino, shops and excursion personnel are not employees of Regent (on any ship) or GCT.

 

I am one of those who are very pleased that Regent employees receive better pay and benefits than other cruise lines and do not feel the "American" need to tip (I am American -- married to an Englishman who does not "get" the tipping thing"). So, again, who exactly does this fund go to?

 

Just curious:confused:

[Gail C]

Our butler on the Mariner told us, when asked, that the last thing bought with the "fund" were mini refrigerators for each of the crew cabins. He was most pleased about this.

[Dolebludger]

Well, I think Travelcat2's question is rather specific to the PG, and Regent's nebulous relationship with GCT on just that ship. So, I second the question! I have always believed that the crew fund went to the "service crew" (waiters, stewardess, etc.). If so, on the PG, it would benefit Regent employees (or contract personnel, as I understand it). If not, then not.

 

On Regent's other ships, I think we can feel confident that the crew fund goes to Regent employees (or contracted personnel). And I always assumed it goes to the service crew. But that could be wrong, so I am asking too.

 

And on the PG, the question is further complicated by the strange role that GCT plays regarding this ship.

 

Who knows?:confused:

[Admiral Horatio Nelson]

As I learned this week, not all staff of the PG have the same employer -- so, who is this fund actually going to? Regent employees are "hotel" employees (guess that means food service as well as Stewards and Stewardess'). GCT (Grand Circle Travel) employees include the Captain and those who maintain the ship. As I understand it, the casino, shops and excursion personnel are not employees of Regent (on any ship) or GCT.

 

I am one of those who are very pleased that Regent employees receive better pay and benefits than other cruise lines and do not feel the "American" need to tip (I am American -- married to an Englishman who does not "get" the tipping thing"). So, again, who exactly does this fund go to?

 

Just curious:confused:

 

I can understand how this might be confusing, I have worked for other lines and never come across anything like this.

 

Anyway, it's a simple answer, the money never leaves the ship, it is used to buy things for the crew, such as bikes, DVD players etc for cabins, all things that might be needed by crew onboard that are not covered by the contracts.

[DrHemlock]

Okay, here's another variation on the question. I seem to remember on a "tipping" thread not long ago someone saying words to the effect of, "The policy is not to tip so I don't tip...well, except for the spa personnel, of course, because they don't work for Regent."

 

Sorry to reveal the truth, but I didn't tip for my massage. I thought "non-tipping" meant the entire ship. Am I just an uncultured male clod who should be sentenced to purgatory or worse? What's the consensus on the spa?

 

I promise, if most posters say I should have tipped, I'll never be a cheapskate again! (Even though that was never my intention....)

[Iamboatman]

Dr., please keep away from the hemlock. One clod to another: You did wrong. :eek: The spa staff is separate and normally is tipped.

[Dolebludger]

I know I am carrying the crew fund questions to the point of the rediculous here, but I thought I knew all the answers with Adm. Nelson's last response, until spa personnel were brought up. Unlike the good Doctor, I have known that they were "tipped." But now this raises a question, Do they also benefit from the crew fund?

 

Thanks,

Richard

[catmommy]

Okay, here's another variation on the question. I seem to remember on a "tipping" thread not long ago someone saying words to the effect of, "The policy is not to tip so I don't tip...well, except for the spa personnel, of course, because they don't work for Regent."

 

Sorry to reveal the truth, but I didn't tip for my massage. I thought "non-tipping" meant the entire ship. Am I just an uncultured male clod who should be sentenced to purgatory or worse? What's the consensus on the spa?

 

I promise, if most posters say I should have tipped, I'll never be a cheapskate again! (Even though that was never my intention....)

 

I had a min-facial on the PG and two things happened that surprised me. 1. I did not get a sales pitch. In fact I didn't even have to say I didn't want a sales pitch; I just never got one. 2. When I got my reciept there was no place to put a tip and all they asked me to do was sign the form. So it did not seem like they were expecting a tip. On some other cruise lines I've had the tip be added without me even asking!

 

Also while the spa girls, as they call them, may not work for Regent they certainly live on the ship so I would think they get things like the DVD players and the use of the bikes. I know I saw several of the guest entertainers and lectures enjoying the bikes so I think they take crew to mean anyone working on the ship.

 

Also the photographer, Fraiser, does not work for Regent either. His company is a contractor like the spa and they have contracts with several cruise lines.

 

I look at this like this -- a gift of money is nice and can be sent home to family or used to buy stuff but then it is gone. But to get something that makes your life better every day? That is a real contribution. Those folks work hard, no matter who they work for, and if I can give them some relaxation or entertainment at the end of a hard day's work I think that is a good thing.

 

Caroline

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I wouldn't take the hemlock quite yet. I think the spa staff love tips, but they are quite gracious if you don't give them one. When I asked at the spa on Voyager about tipping, they said it was entirely at my discretion. Which it always is of course, when it comes to tipping anybody, for anything.

[Admiral Horatio Nelson]

It's true the photog doesn't work for Regent, the sub-contractor sends out a guy to fill that roll, I think they are there for about 6 months at a time. And the spa girls are provided by another sub contractor. However, once they board the ship, they are basically part of the crew, they are given ship's duties for emergencies and eat with everyone else. So to answer the question, they do benefit from the crew fund, as they occupy a cabin and can use the bikes, watch DVDs etc.

 

As for the spa sales pitch, you wont get that on Regent, it's just another part of the Regent experience. God forbid, it ever ends up like Carnival where sales pitches are done every 10 feet of deck space you walk. It's like going for a cruise in a Turkish Bazaar.

[Iamboatman]

A Turkish bazaar is fun. Being hawked on a cruise isn't!

[Travelcat2]

So, it sounds like the spa employees usually get tipped and also are part of the crew fund -- most of whom are not tipped -- so they do particularly well. Additionally, in spite of the fact that some employees are contractors, some are Regent employees and an ever-increasing amount are GCT employees, the crew fund is divided evenly? Somehow I'm not believing this.

 

I know this is only about PG so I'd like to make a few additional comments. The PG sails to two countries that I know are non-tipping countries (Fiji and Tahiti) and, as American's we feel some overwhelming need to tip them (perhaps we perceive -- true or not -- that they poor, starving, or, not as well off as we are?) When I began traveling in the 80's, the first thing I learned was to be respectful of people's cultures and not to expect the rest of the world to dress, behave or have customs like mine. Kind of the old saying "When in Rome............"

 

My London born and raised DH (U.S. citizen) has friends and relatives in Australia. Fiji is as big of a tourist destination for them as Hawaii and the Carribean is for American's. The fact that American's tip and Australian's do not has been a big issue and has affected how Australian's are treated (and many times ignored) in Fiji.

 

Are we trying to change how things are done in other countries? I don't really think we do it intentionally and we think we're doing the right thing. . . but, are we? JMO

[Admiral Horatio Nelson]

So, it sounds like the spa employees usually get tipped and also are part of the crew fund -- most of whom are not tipped -- so they do particularly well. Additionally, in spite of the fact that some employees are contractors, some are Regent employees and an ever-increasing amount are GCT employees, the crew fund is divided evenly? Somehow I'm not believing this.

 

There is no conspiracy here. The crew fund is not given to crew in cash or any other type of payment. The money goes to the improvement of crew 'facilities' on-board. So a DVD player in a cabin will stay in the cabin even after that crew-member leaves. You can't stick it in your bag when your contract is over. Same with the bikes, they stay on-board. Also nobody asks or expects any guests to pay money into it, most people are not even aware of its existence (even most of the crew).

 

I prefer a non-tipping culture, as a tipping one is confusing, awkward and unnecessary, it's just a way to pay people in the service industry less money. I would prefer Regent for that reason alone if I were a guest. As for the spa, tipping them is entirely at your discretion (which is the way tipping should be). Nobody is getting one over another on-board, and no-one is getting left behind. As I have said in previous posts, Regent takes care of it's employees very well. And I am sure if there was a study done, you would find Regent would lead in terms of employee retention.

 

Tip the spa if you wish, give money to the crew fund if you wish, that is all your call. If you don't give to either you wont be treated any differently, you will still enjoy the Regent treatment!

[Iamboatman]

I'm just wondering if the spa people are paid based upon the expectation of receiving tips (my impression/assumption) while the crew is paid upon the expectation there will be no tips. As the spa personnel are not Regent employees I think this might be a point for consideration.

[hvsteve1]

Rather than cash, I always understood some cruisers contributed their two bottles of liquor to the crew fund if they didn't use them or want to take them home. The crew supposedly has their own lounge and bar and the bottles go there. On my last cruise, I was given two bottles of rum at a timeshare presentation (yeah, I go to those things) and handed them over to our table captain, as he had been particularly good to us on this trip, with instructions that these were for the crew lounge.