Emdia43.
Been here before and got told of by the MOD for inappropriate language.
Anyway that said I wasnt going to get involved but hey in for a penny etc.
I work in the Customer Service industry and I work a hard 12 hour day supplying a very good service.
1. None of my customers give me a tip and nor do I expect a tip because that is what im paid to do.
(Ensure my customers recieve a good standard of service)
Tipping should be a personal thing and not dictated by the Cruise Companies either by adding it onto your onboard account or adding it onto the price of the Cruise Holiday. We all know its an excuse for the Cruise Companies to pay their staff low wages and make their passengers feel guilty. Why should we feel guilty. We dont pay their wages - we are simply keeping them all in a job. If the public decided not to cruise then the ships will not sail. They would be all out of a job. So its about time the CC got their act together. I work hard and I have to save up for my 2 week holidays every year. Why should I be dictated to on how much tips I pay. If I do get good service I will (If I decide) give the individual a tip.
Colin B Northern Ireland

We've just got back from a fabulous Thomson cruise around the Caribbean where the service we received was FANTASTIC! The tips were included and there was nothing added every time we bought a drink. We were not put under any pressure to tip but we wanted to say thank you to our lovely cabin steward, our jolly breakfast waiter and the very professional evening waiters so we did. Last year we went on an RCI cruise where the tips were added to our account and we paid 15% every time we bought a drink and the service was fine but certainly no better than Thomson's staff. I would rather know up front what I am paying therefore if the cruise companies need to put up their prices to include tips, then so be it. Then I can decide with whom to cruise based on my budget and if I want to give a little extra then I will, but I don't think it is right to feel under pressure to do so!

I have no problem with people who take a principled view towards tipping and stick with their principles throughout a cruise. That is their choice and their right. What really galls me is when on a two week back to back cruise with a cruise company like Thomsons when on the last night of the first week at dinner you see couples whispering and trying to look at currency in their hands and working out how much to give the waiters, wine waiter etc. I have often heard others at the table be so crass as to ask other couples why they are tipping the waiters when the brochure clearly states that tips are included. When the reply is that the staff have given such good service they deserve something the questioning couples often agree - "of yes", "of course", "we are going to do that even though the brochure says its not necessary - we were just asking". Then when it comes to the last night of the second week and the couple who raised the question the previous week suddenly do not appear in the formal dining room for dinner.

Tipping - well I would rather that the base price of the cruise was raised to include tips. But for some lines that will never happen as the attraction is "tips included" and "all inclusive". On my last cruise to the Caribbean in December 2008 on the Island Star I did not tip at all - not even the cabin steward. None of the staff in my mind deserved anything. I have never done that before. At the minimum I tip the cabin steward but on this occasion I made it clear to mine that I did not need my cabin attending every evening. What I wanted of him was the ice bucket refilled and that was it. Once I said this he never once ventured near my cabin in the evening.

On cruises where there is a set amount I never have it removed because I had been informed that to do so would be related to the staff and I did not want a lesser service. However when I cruise with Thomson and similar companies I am on a more casual cruise, I don't make great demands of the staff but those who offer great service I reward. The only time I have regretted this was on the Thomson Emerald in 2005. One of the bar staff (now on the Spirit) not only asked me what I was going to give him as a "present" but set out to list those other bar staff I should tip and those who I should not tip. Now I bring the money for tips and if they are deserved I give them and if they are not I don't. I never tip at the start of a cruise so I base what (if anything) I give is based on service. So I am somewhere in the middle but I don't see my tips as paying the wages of the staff and so helping out the cruise company.

I don't have a problem with tips per and accept that it's how the majority of cruise lines operate but there's no denying they can be a significant extra to the published cost. For example, RCC's tipping policy suggests around $10 per person per day, including children, Over 14 days that equates to almost $600 for a family of four, and that excludes the 15% on top of drinks. Rather a lot, in my opinion, and I would prefer to see more transparency of this in the brochures rather than a footnote at the back. At least eveybody knows where they stand then.

Danger Man wrote:

I don't have a problem with tips per and accept that it's how the majority of cruise lines operate but there's no denying they can be a significant extra to the published cost. For example, RCC's tipping policy suggests around $10 per person per day, including children, Over 14 days that equates to almost $600 for a family of four, and that excludes the 15% on top of drinks. Rather a lot, in my opinion, and I would prefer to see more transparency of this in the brochures rather than a footnote at the back. At least eveybody knows where they stand then.

Yes, I agree, the details should not be hidden in the "small print". That way at least the "I didnae know" excuse could potentially be eliminated. Incidentally, with most cruiselines children are half the amount of adults....but even with that a family of four on for a fortnight adds up to a significant amount. Most people budget for drinks, tours etc. and can do the same for gratuities!

There is a constant debate on cruise critic about NCL who have incresded their gratuities to $12pppd, including children over 3 years of age. Previously, albeit before 2009 it was $10pppd and children were either excluded or half that amount. Anyone who booked a year ago with a few kids in their party are in for a real shock!!

hi, we had a shock on the ncl jewel in june $288 i went to the pursers deck the day before we left the ship and we had them all taken off, we like to tip as we go along to staff which deserve it,

Being new to cruising (about to take my second one) I don't have much experience but I'll chip in with my thoughts anyway.

I think there's something of a culture-clash involved when it comes to tipping. Most cruise ships seem to be American-owned and tipping is more-or-less mandatory in the USA. I remember being in a restaurant on the last day of holiday in Orlando. I only had a little currency left (not enough for a meal for 4) so opted to pay by credit card. I wanted to get rid of most of the dollars I had so I left a generous tip on the table and paid at the desk with the card. When I didn't add a gratuity the staff physically prevented us leaving. I explained that I'd left a cash tip but they wouldn't let us go until the waitress had been over and checked!

The cashier said that the staff were paid virtually nothing and the tips were their salary.

My guess is that the cruise comapnies take most of the (service) crews wages off them in return for their accommodation and board so the money from tips is the only cash they get there hands on. Maybe some former or current member of a cruise company could confirm or deny this?

Us Brits just do not get the tipping etiquette.

It has been the norm on cruises for many years to tip waiters and cabin stewards. Their wages are very low and they do rely on the tips to boost their income. They work long hours and support extended families in mainly third world countries. If they were paid a salary, cruise prices would increase to allow for this.

We just hate the thought of handing over pretty significant sums of money to staff that have given us a service, whereas our cousins across the water do it all the time and it is part of their culture.

Thomsons and the British market cruises include tips in the fare which is why you often pay a similar price for these cruises to those of an upmarket cruise line. They give the service staff so much money per day for each passenger.

If you want an upmarket cruise just factor in the tips in your overall spending and it will not be too much of a shock. Please do not stiff the staff, it isn't fair.

hi. i have already replied about the tipping, but just reading though the comments about how poor the staff get paid, i remember that when we docked at several ports on the baltic cruise there were lots of staff all ashore using their laptops and latest blackberries, so i don t think they are so bad off.

Remeber nobody ever tell the truth on a Cruise Ship. You have to feel sorry for all the people who fall for it. Can you just see all the staff after you get off the Ship saying to each other. Bring on the next lot

IvanM wrote:

My guess is that the cruise comapnies take most of the (service) crews wages off them in return for their accommodation and board so the money from tips is the only cash they get there hands on. Maybe some former or current member of a cruise company could confirm or deny this?

Accomodation and food are included also return flight to anywhere in the world for each contract, most go home.
Just look at cruise ship job sites to see the benifits.

There are also facilites as well, internet(still expensive), gym, bar(cheap), etc.

Remember also we are talking about 1000+ room hotel and this gives a lot of opportunities for promotion and learning that can set someone up for life, career progession is something the cruise lines are very keen on.

I have been told that you can opt out of the tipping with royal caribbean, which is £180 for 4 pre paid and opt to pay ur own tips at the end of the stay. Can anyone tell me if this is true. Don't want to opt out and then have it all added to my bill at the end of the stay. would just rather do my own tips. Thanks Diane.

Hi, on Princess you can join a long queue and opt out or reduce your daily charge.
They don't like it but, we British like to tip those who earn it They do accept it tho'.
I am sure all American cruise companies do the same.

We found it easeir and CHEAPER to pay upfront when we went with RCI

We also payed upfront, that way all staff have a share kitchen staff ect.we are cruising again with RCI
next month and have chosen My Time Dining our gratuities for this had to be payed with our final payment
annx

Merged with existing topic which has some information in earlier posts.

luci

I have opted to pre pay my tips with Celebrity when I cruised last October and had the very best service I have ever had from my Cabin Steward. This may have had nothing to do with the prepayment but I am opting to do the same this time around on my April cruise.
I did tip extra as I do most times but I felt that Jose well and truly deserved everything I gave him.
Fantastic Waiter and Assistant also and I never grudge my tips. If I were out in a restaurant getting a taxi or going to the Hairdressers then I would tip them so why not the Crew on board Ships.
I know that I will probably flamed for this is my opinion on the subject. I also have to pay the high single supplement but it is the price I have to pay for not being willing to share.
On my April cruise I am taking a friend and also paying for her room but I don't wish to share so I need to bite the bullet. I know that there are many who would not be able to afford to do this but I am only too happy to give this friend a holiday she would not be able to afford.

Sue

Joined: Thu May 13, 2004 5:47 pm
Posts: 162
We found it easeir and CHEAPER to pay upfront when we went with RCI

Cheaper than paying nothing?

Just because RCI insist on adding a daily tip and 15% to every drink it doesn't mean you have to pay it. Problem is being British we feel obliged to pay.