But why worry about what they think? I am sure they don't care about you. And the next cruise they have more victims! Sorry I mean Passengers

Regards Legless

I am disabled and confined to the wheel chair and so I see it from a different point of view. On all the cruises my wife and I have been on most of the staff only help you because they have to and not because they want do. We find P&O poor and we must have cruised 20 times with them. I know some of you out there would not agree but you can only speck as you find

Regards Legless

Legless, Have you thought about writing a book on your Cruising Experiences? Of course a section with Tips on how to avoid Gratuities would not go amiss

That sounds a great idea. You never know this time next year I could be a Millionaire !!

We cruised on the Golden Princess last month all around the British Isles and docked at Greenock. I did not tip the cabin steward because after the first night I told him my bed mattress was ready for the skip and said we would like new ones. He said they were none available. I just ask to see the deck floor manager and suddenly we have two new mattresses with him with a face like a monkeys bum. Don't leave your toothbrush around or he will clean the toilet with it!!

I am ashamed to say it was my first visit to Scotland and could not believe how beautiful the west coast is. In fact in my opinion if you get the weather it is better then the Caribbean. At least when you get off the ship you don't get all the the junky shops And you have my favourite shop in Greenock ( Poundland )

We have travelled all over the world and I think we get brainwashed by the TV into believing holiday country's are like paradise until you get there and then you see what it is really like.

Anyway enough

Legless

I forgot to say that I was born in 1949 as well

Well, don't I just live on the Ayrshire Coast! Came here from Glasgow 15yrs ago. It is a nice area. We are just south of Turnberry about 1/2 mile from Coast. The view out towards Arran on a good day is stunning. We even have a "Poundland" in Ayr
I will take your advice and examine my mattress on Sapphire Princess next month. I would not accept that...no wonder you did not "Tip."
I once had washing-up liquid added to my bottle of juice whilst on a Turkish Gulet Cruise I did not accept the amorous advances of a Crew Member
It got so bad my friend's Husband "bopped" him and the Turk pulled a Dagger. We threatened with Police and he witheld. He didn't get a Tip either! Only a Black Eye
I haven't been to the Caribbean yet, Hurricanes and Humidity put me off.
Anyway, You and your Dear Wife keep cruising as long as you can. I appreciate all your advice.
Yours Aye,
Jopa.

Agree Jopa, no one would want to miss last dinnner & brekkie, but for those who feel intimidated by the tipping thing it is an option!!

Yo need to agree your royalty rate with legless for your suggestion to write book on cruising!! He sounds an absolute hoot.

Would appreciate letting us know what you think of Princess as a line. We are looking to do a Baltic cruise next June and Princess are an option, along with Holland America. We have previously cruised with Island, Cunard (QM2) and Holland America (Noordam) and are going on the Island Star in October.

Hi Hamrag...Will try and do a Review of Sapphire Princess when I come back from Asia.
I have only done a couple of cruises in Med. Small ships. Really prefer the Turkish Gulets...more "Down to Earth" like me
Don't really know how I will get on, on Sapphire. I know I certainly won't lose any sleep over "Gratuities." They'll be lucky to get a T-Bag in their envelopes after they've taken the $10 a day and 15% bar charges from everyone on board

Hi again Legless here. I told you the first day go to the desk and remove the tips from your account

Hi Legless...I will visit Pursor and stop the Tips. I was reading on "Cruise Critics" that if you do that, they get the staff together and ask them what they have done/not done to offend you
Yours Aye,
Jopa.

If they do that then it is not our problem and has nothing to do with us and it should make them try harder to please the customer anyway. If it do's the reverse then complain. I am a nice person don't you think?

Legless

As far as Princess is concerned we think they are great but on the other hand we all like different things. My Brother in law is going on the Inland Star in November and he and his wife are big drinkers and the drinks will be cheap. We don't drink and on Princess the drinks are very expense so if you like a tipple then takes a bottle in your suitcase but don't let them catch you or they will take it off you

Sorry that should have bean Island Star

The last time we were away I reduced our on board tip account by 50% early on to give me the flexibility to reward excellent service from individuals, as appropriate. I ended up tipping no individual as the level of service, whilst good or very good, did not exceed my expectations.

That's the way to do it. And remember when you have got off the ship they will not even remember your name

Legless

When we were on the QM2 the service was truly excellent in every regard so the onboard account tips were paid in full , but no extra as excellence should be the standard.

Hi Legless and Hamrag...I think I should maybe take a second Toothbrush and hide it away...would "Turn my Stomach" if I thought they would steep so low as to clean toilet with toothbrush if they were not tipped enough!
Are toiletries supplied on Princess? It would save me carrying them if they are.
Yours Aye,
Jopa.

I can't remember which toiletries were provided by Princess, but if you read my review of the Sea Princess, I'm sure I mentioned them there.

luci