Could this possibly be true

[Gracie115]

If they get as much as $3500 or more per month it's well earned. They are cleaning up other people's dirt(trying to be nice here). I run a hotel and to say that some people are pigs when away from home is very much an understatement. I hope the stewards make this kind of money because they have the TOUGHEST job on the ship, bar none. Try cleaning 17 rooms and bathrooms EVERY day for awhile and see how tough it is. They earn every penny they make regardless of what it is. I always tip more than the suggested amount for many reasons but also because I am well aware that there are those that tip NOTHING.

[cruisnfool]

My Son worked as a casino dealer for Princess foe 3 years. Their salary is higher than the wait staff and room stewards. While he never told me what the dollar amount was it was very low...just a stipend as has been mentioned. The bulk of hteir money comes from tips. When you do the math it sounds like a lot of money and it is in their country bu you also ned to keep in mind that many cannot work for the 6 weeks they are at home because there are few jobs and no one wants to hire them short term.

Many are also taking care of extended families.

 

My son had a salary of $350 which was direct depositied and taxed because we live in a country that taxes your income. His tips were cash at the end of each cruise.

 

The casino and shop workers had some of the best schedules because they were off anytime the ship was in port. They did however work 7 days week.

 

He did not have to pay his airfare back and forth but some lines do charge.

 

Overall it was a great experience for him because he saw so much of the world on their dollar plus he was exposed to so many cultures and made many lifetime friendships.

[cruiselvr04]

It upsets me to think that some people do not tip. To me this is part of the cost of cruising and something I figure into the budget. I tip extra for above and beyond. I always leave my room picked up to make their job a little easier. I'm on vacation but don't turn into a pig.

 

I didn't know until I found cruise critic that our comments are very important and now always try to praise those on the comment cards who have made my vacation so enjoyable.

[derf5585]

My Son worked as a casino dealer for Princess foe 3 years.

 

 

Casino Dealer/Croupier (roulette, black jack, baccarat) - Experience required. Good English Language skills required. Salary range: $1900-2600 US per month, depending on commission and gratuities. Possibilities for promotion to Assistant Casino Manager.

from

http://www.cruiseshipjob.com/casino.htm

[Gracie115]

If you read this website posted by derf5585 you see that the $1800-$2200 per month for a cabin attendant is DEPENDANT on how much in tips, so includes whatever salary is paid and the tips. $1800 a month is NOT much money at all for the amount of work involved. And just because they get room and board remember they are sharing their cabin with up to 3 other people, it's TINY and they get 1 day off a week, if lucky. So they aren't getting that much opportunity to "see the world." It really is mostly about sending money home to help much poorer relatives live a better life. It's a tough job and while there may be people waiting in line in those countries for jobs on ships it's a tough job and they earn every penny they make...

[Wilda]

Also. we were unable to go ashore at Mykonos due to the captain regarding the tender process unsafe. I had really based a lot of my decision to make the trip because of the stop at Mykonos. Has this happened before and does anyone know if RCI ever gives any form of compensation to passengers who miss out on a key stop like this.? i doubt it but i was just wondering.

 

regards

Ozziecruiser88:confused:

 

We were unable to visit Bermuda due to rough seas on the Crown Princess two years ago. We were charged port and tax fees as part of our overall cruise charge and were credited approximately $41 per person since the ship did not incur those fees. You might want to look into that....

[suziehmkr]

I personally feel that the liners should disclose to guests prior to travel that a component of their staff compliment will be trying very hard for the entire duration of the cruise to do what ever it takes to "encourage" the guests to give tips. if people come from a non tip paying culture and will feel awkward about being "worked" the whole time, they should have the discretion to select a cruise line that deploys a different policy. sometimes when people are on holiday they don't want to be worked over incessantly as this can detract from the holiday mode.

 

I have NEVER felt "worked over" for tips on ANY of my cruises (3 different lines). I knew in advance that tipping was recommened and on some lines charged directly to my account. If we have exceptional service we tip more and mention those employees by name on our comment cards. I have never felt hounded or harrassed (except for ONE port employee prior to ever setting foot on the ship.) I have felt the pressure to purchased drinks near the pool or too many bingo announcements. But not once has a tipped based employeed ever made me feel like they were "working me" for tips.

[Gracie115]

Never felt worked over tips either, only place I EVER feel pressure on a cruise is in the spa when they try to get you to buy products....but for tips? never.

[Mark_K]

They only get $ 50 from the cruise line and NO salary.

They get $50/month from the cruiseline, plus -- room, board, health insurance, up to 112 days of sick time, and a guaranteed minimum level of tips ($850/mo the last I knew) or the cruiseline will make up the difference.

[Gracie115]

Find it hard to believe that the cruiseline makes up any shortfall in tips...many tips paid in cash how does the cruise even know what they made?

[suziehmkr]

Never felt worked over tips either, only place I EVER feel pressure on a cruise is in the spa when they try to get you to buy products....but for tips? never.

 

 

Oh yeah - that!! My one & only trip to the spa (it was Carnival) left me feeling pretty "unrelaxed". :rolleyes: I will stick to port spa visits or get them done before leaving home.

[derf5585]

Q&A: The Controversy of Tipping

from

http://www.cruisecritic.com/features/articles.cfm?ID=263

 

Cruise ship Salary

from

http://www.cvtips.com/salary_of_staff_on_cruise_liners.html

[creampuff]

I think I may have been on the same cruise. . .I was on Brilliance for their July 4 cruise of the Med, and we were unable to tender in Mykonos. . .a member of the staff told us that it is rare (about 1/3 to 1/4 of the time) that they ARE able to tender. . .it is more common to NOT be able to go ashore for that particular destination.

 

I felt that was misleading on the part of RC. . .and that some sort of compensation should be made - or at least a policy stating that the chances are slim should be clearly stated, in more than just fine print!

[Hombre59]

Our waiter on Sovereign of the Seas was from I believe Venezuela and it's sad I can't remember his name. Our family and him and the asst. waiter became good friends and would literally talk with them about 15 minutes of our dinner when their other tables were set. They were fantastic people, he told us though that they only make money from tips. So if people don't show up to the dining room and eat dinner, then they most likely will not receive a tip and won't get paid. I thought they would get a salary of some sort (even minimal) but he assured me they did not.

[gerif]

thanks for the responses everyone. it was enlightening. I personally feel that the liners should disclose to guests prior to travel that a component of their staff compliment will be trying very hard for the entire duration of the cruise to do what ever it takes to "encourage" the guests to give tips. if people come from a non tip paying culture and will feel awkward about being "worked" the whole time, they should have the discretion to select a cruise line that deploys a different policy. sometimes when people are on holiday they don't want to be worked over incessantly as this can detract from the holiday mode.

 

Gosh, I've been on a number of cruises on four different lines and never felt like I was being "worked" by the staff for a tip. Each line has given a "suggested" tipping guideline and has provided envelopes but that's about it. Exactly how do you feel you were being "worked over incessantly" for a tip?

[Guest scfjjb]

Q&A: The Controversy of Tipping

from

http://www.cruisecritic.com/features/articles.cfm?ID=263

 

Cruise ship Salary

from

http://www.cvtips.com/salary_of_staff_on_cruise_liners.html

 

Thank you for continuing to post these links... maybe the "$50/month" people will do some real fact checking.

[suzyed]

While they don't make alot of salary, they AREN'T slave labor--they do get paid! If they don't get satisfactory evaluations, they get fired! Tips are an important part of their pay, but they do receive a pittance before tips--just like waiters/waitresses here on land!

You are right on! My three kids work/worked in the food service industry here in Florida. They are paid minimum wage plus tips. The paychecks they receive, after taxes, are typically about $5. They keep their tips, but have to declare 10% of that for tax purposes. In addition, the servers have to "tip out" (3%), to the bar tenders, the busboys and the hostesses. :eek:

[suzyed]

Yes, one cruise we were unable to dock in the Bahamas because their pier collapsed and there was no time to schedule another port. That was the only island that I had never been to, all the others were repeat islands. We all got free drinks for 2 hours. That was all. Then the ship was full of drunk people who didn't care that the island was missed!:eek:

We also missed docking in Nassau--because the seas were too rough. We each got a $25 OBC. We hadn't even really planned on going ashore, so it was a nice bonus for us. ;)

Uh-oh...now I will probably get flamed for "stealing" that OBC, since I didnt plan on going ashore. :eek:

As far as tendering islands...have never been given $$ for that. You know going in, that its a gamble.

[suzyed]

Really sorry to hear you were unable to go into Mykonos; I would have been very disappointed as well.

As for the staff, I agree with the comment from the poster referring to land-based wait staff; I believe the min. wage in Florida for wait staff is under $5.00 per hour (someone please correct me if I am wrong). Some days are slow and tips are low yet the staff still have to pay their accommodation costs, food, transportation, etc.

We follow the tipping guidelines on the ships, fill out the comment forms and tried to put in names of the staff, plus we tip additional amounts for special requests or just because the person made our trip a little brighter.

Kathy:)

It's $3.25/hr. and they have to buy their own shirts, pants and aprons, as well as a particular style of shoe. There are nights that they have worked for 8-10 hrs. and made $40 in tips, which I mentioned earlier, has to be partially split with the bartenders, busboys and hostesses. And at the end of the day...they still have to pay rent, food, utilities, car payments, gas, etc. So for my kid's sake, I hope you all take pity on the servers in the landbased restaurants that you frequent! ;)