Topic: My thoughts on this contentious matter

QUOTE:

I have heard tales of people not turning up to Dinner on the final night to avoid having to tip - I love all these lurid tales (what a gossip)

Has anyone else got any good anecdotes about people avoiding tipping ?

I was genuinely shocked when our waiter on our last cruise told me that he has found torn-up newspaper and even tea-bags in the tips envelope! :mad:

I have heard tales of people not turning up to Dinner on the final night to avoid having to tip - I love all these lurid tales (what a gossip)

Has anyone else got any good anecdotes about people avoiding tipping ?[/QUOTE]


There were people on our last cruise who only used the dining room for 3 nights the rest of the time they never bothered to turn up and 1 of them was the last night so no tips there

QUOTE:

I was genuinely shocked when our waiter on our last cruise
told me that he has found torn-up newspaper and even tea-bags
in the tips envelope! :mad:

Now that's downright class-less, un-necessary and curmugeonly.

I mean...what would it take to put a Fiver in there, eh?
Really.

.

QUOTE:

I too joined in on that particular comment session, and as it happened for the first time ever, yesterday I reported a thread about myself which was removed within minutes of my complaint. I am quite prepared to take the flack thats due to me, as I'm no angel when it comes to dishing it out, but when someone makes a direct accusation such as, "An alcoholic, which you clearly are" I get more than just annoyed. To make matters worse he used a 'one off' user name purely for the attack, showing the gutlessness of his pathetic comments. There seems to be a little gang of predators out there who make little or no contributions to the site, but watch & wait for one wrong word to stab you in the back, hidden behind yet another cloak & dagger 'username'............Wilba

Gosh, I missed all that while on 14 days 'shore leave' in Cephalonia. Keep it up Wilba, I too have noticed these predator types. Their comments usually show their incredible lack of cruising expertise.

I'd just like to mention ( and stir the pot!) that the gratuities given to the staff are tax free which to us who pay tax is worth at least 20% more than that which is given!

QUOTE:

I'd just like to mention ( and stir the pot!) that the gratuities given to the staff are tax free which to us who pay tax is worth at least 20% more than that which is given!

An interesting point and one I've not come across before!

We have a simple system which I've not heard mentioned by others (although I'm sure it must have been): We generally accumulate a lot of unspent notes which we use for tips. Our last cabin stewardess received around ten different currencies - I wonder how long it took her to work out how much she had? ;)

QUOTE:

Our last cabin stewardess received around ten different currencies
- I wonder how long it took her to work out how much she had? ;)

I very much doubt she spent the time to do so.
It all went under her mattress (or wherever)
to be spent in some future port of call, where that currency would then be relevant!


In a way, it makes them save some of it -or slog it to the Bank to exchange it?
.

It is my belief (as stated by others) that "The Price You See is The Price You Pay"

The Cruise Companies should pay the staff a living wage and if that means the price of the Cruise goes up so be it.

The reccomended tips as a percentage of the cruise cost are often a marginal amount so and I cant understand why it would result in a big increase in prices to just raise the wages by the same amount with the same net effect for the staff - perhaps even an increase if there as many opt outs as suggested with the current system.

I have read that a "comment card system" exists where staff get extras for positive feedback thus retaining the need to provide good service in order to benefit.

As Alexsandr Orlov would say ...SHIMPLES:p

Also ditch the drinks surcharge while they're at it:D

Our gratuities worked out at 10% of the price we paid. Not sure I would consider that marginal.

Hi All. I can't believe how the forum has taken off in the few weeks I've been away. Just back from an eventful trip on Ocean Majesty - last with Page & Moy. The request for anecdotes re. avoiding tipping on the last night reminded me you might like to hear about my husband's first night. Last year after finding our friends amongst the crew who we usually tip, one was missing. Alan felt really bad as this guy was an absolute star and had looked after us really well. This year after the show the bar waiter (Nelson) was in the Show Lounge so Alan went to speak to him and gave him his tip from last year, with a short explanation. I have never seen a waiter look so suprised, and pleased. A small gesture, but it obviously made the guy's night! Review to follow.