Topic: P&O Cruises Introduce Auto-Tipping Onboard

Seems reasonable to me and obviously a lot fairer to the crew, otherwise why would P&O need to implement it. It will take more guts for people to visit the Pursers desk and request that the auto tip be removed than for them to skulk off to the buffet on the last night. And for those wanting tips to be included in the price I understand that somehow this would result in cruise prices needing to be increased by more than the auto tip amount, but for those wanting this feature I am sure P&O would be happy for you to pre-pay your gratuities with your final cruise payment.

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It'sa 'CARNIVAL CRUISES' policy, nothing to do with the 'old' P&O.

Not necessarily, P & O have a certain amount of autonomy and I am sure that as far as tips go they can make their own choice of system. .....Neil

I think the Australians have won hands down as one shipping line has removed tipping while sailing in Australian waters due to the fact that Australians do not like tipping. I wonder if the staff are getting a pay rise to work on these ships?????
EDNA

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Seems reasonable to me and obviously a lot fairer to the crew, otherwise why would P&O need to implement it. It will take more guts for people to visit the Pursers desk and request that the auto tip be removed than for them to skulk off to the buffet on the last night. And for those wanting tips to be included in the price I understand that somehow this would result in cruise prices needing to be increased by more than the auto tip amount, but for those wanting this feature I am sure P&O would be happy for you to pre-pay your gratuities with your final cruise payment.

Nicely put but posssibly wrong on two aspects.

When including the tips with the cruise price the amount needed could be less than assumed because no one then escapes paying them.

Prepaying tips by those who would like that idea is not, and I think you know this, the same as having them included in the headline price where evryone would be subject to paying that. ....Neil

That was my point. Why?

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The engine room, deck crew and officers are on different contracts. CG

Agree exactly it's my choice to pay!

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The crew who have always been great will have no incentive to do a good job now if they will get tipped any way, although I am sure most will still be as good as ever.

This argument has been put forward by both some passengers and cruise lines but holds little water.

Firstly, there are plenty of cruise lines out there that do not require you to tip staff and the service on them is often some of the best.

Secondly poor service, when you find it is more likely to be down to bad management practice or on ships which have a high ratio of new cruisers who do not pay the normal amount of tips or pay none at all and the staff get very up tight about this; it would appear that IOS could be in this catagory. .....Neil

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I think the Australians have won hands down as one shipping line has removed tipping while sailing in Australian waters due to the fact that Australians do not like tipping. I wonder if the staff are getting a pay rise to work on these ships?????
EDNA

Ah!, but have they in fact just increased the headline price slightly and passed the money on to the crew? Who is going to notice the extra £50 or so when they have nothing to compare it with.

I think the best option is too have the tips included in the headline price but not itemised as a seperate item so they can't be removed by the stingey throng at reception. The crew should be happier as they have a guaranteed minimum amount and some passengers may well add a little extra anyway.

Neil , Neil. P&O have no more autonomy than any other cruise lines. No one cruise line can dictate the terms of cruises, unless of course, they are the only ones out there. (QUOTE=Neil Down, Southampton;341504]Not necessarily, P & O have a certain amount of autonomy and I am sure that as far as tips go they can make their own choice of system. .....Neil[/QUOTE]

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Neil , Neil. P&O have no more autonomy than any other cruise lines. No one cruise line can dictate the terms of cruises, unless of course, they are the only ones out there. (QUOTE=Neil Down, Southampton;341504]Not necessarily, P & O have a certain amount of autonomy and I am sure that as far as tips go they can make their own choice of system. .....Neil

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I think you have a mistaken idea of who owns what out there.
Carnival Cruises own many of the other cruise lines but P & O are in partnership with Carnival. Some of the cruise lines that Carnival own are on a tight leash but some are not and P & O are in a different situation to the others and do have autonomy to a large degree.

I am not quite sure what your point actually is as what you have said, " P&O have no more autonomy than any other cruise lines. No one cruise line can dictate the terms of cruises, unless of course, they are the only ones out there." is full of conflicting terms. Sorry, maybe it's just me but I cannot understand it. ....Neil