Topic: Should British pay what the Americans expect?

American cruise lines operate an automatic tipping and gratuity policy where that they will automatically add a certain amount (depending on which line) per person per day to your shipboard account. Along with that there is a 15% service charge on all drinks bills!

Being British, it is customary that we do not tip like the Americans do. It is just the way we are! Therefore, is it fair for us to be expected to pay what the American cruise lines charge??

What are everyone’s thoughts on this? Does it put you off booking with the American cruise lines i.e. Royal Caribbean?

if we set cruises aside,every country has it's own rules vis-a-vis tipping;
swiss; service included, no tips
france;service included, tip if you want to, small change
gb; goodness knows, read the small print but tipping gen. 10% if you like service !?!
usa ; megabucks unless you're feeling brave.
general consensus; tipping=good service.,not proven a good punch-up!
go for it....

QUOTE:

...Being British, it is customary that we do not tip like the Americans do. It is just the way we are! Therefore, is it fair for us to be expected to pay what the American cruise lines charge??

What are everyone’s thoughts on this? Does it put you off booking with the American cruise lines i.e. Royal Caribbean?

My immediate reaction is yes, it does put me off American cruise lines. It seems to me that if an American company wants to sell to American customers in the way that both parties see as normal, then that's fine. But if an American company wants to sell to UK customers then it is for the company to adapt its practices to its customers - not the other way round. After all, they need us more than we need them! ;)

QUOTE:

What are everyone’s thoughts on this?

Brits on board RCI ships (particularly IOS) have not be tipping very generously or at all. Therefore RCI are reviewing their tipping policy.

(The tips actually pay the staff's wages).

Your right they do, and thats whats a shame about it...of they were paid better maybe we wouldnt be expected to pay so much?

OR are we just being tight as they do generally do a great service for us?!

Julia
Right on both counts.
We always withdraw from the prepaid yet still end up tipping more than the minimum.
Should be left to the individual though there are some who are fixed diners who dont show their face on the last night and I think that is just pure meanness

Perhaps a British 'tipping enthusiast' will let me know if they've ever added a tip to a price of over £1000 (let's say) on the grounds that the workforce are underpaid (other than for a cruise of course). For example, has anyone ever bought a car manufactured in Brazil - where most global automotive companies have factories and where wages are extremely low - and added 10% (say) to the price in order to help the company pay its wage bill?

In Iceland it is an insult to leave a tip
You are saying they are not being paid enough
In India twenty rupees (seventeen pence) is very generous they think you are wealthy

Each culture has its own ways that is diversity it's bad enough that you see the American embassy (McDonalds) in every country except Cuba.
Although I prepay tips on American cruise lines we need to change things to including them in the price to bring things in line with our culture. (Something I have learned reading all the threads and reviews on this site)

No Diversity no point in travel

QUOTE:

Perhaps a British 'tipping enthusiast' will let me know if they've ever added a tip to a price of over £1000 (let's say) on the grounds that the workforce are underpaid (other than for a cruise of course). For example, has anyone ever bought a car manufactured in Brazil - where most global automotive companies have factories and where wages are extremely low - and added 10% (say) to the price in order to help the company pay its wage bill?

What about when you have a nice new bathroom? or a Central heating system installed?
do you not tip the poor plumber? :D
How can you expect me to afford the next cruise?

Julia & Julia
It is not customary for Aussie's to tip either, so we are reluctant to pay the included gratuities and if we do tip, we are the ones who choose where, how much and to whom it should go to. How does the cruise company know if your cabin boy or stewart did a good job worth tipping - they don't because they're not there in the cabin with you so it should remain each individual's choice to tip or not to tip.