Topic: My thoughts on this contentious matter

I have just finished a telephone call to family in Brazil. They have an in-law staying with them that works on Royal Caribbean and has been doing so for two years. I had a brief chat with her and told her that I belong to a forum and we were discussing whether the people working on the ships would prefer auto-tipping or not.

I didn't get an answer that I thought I would. She would not tell me what ship she was on or what her wage was because she was scared she might be traced by that info. She is a cleaner but not for the cabins. She said "what tips?" She has never received any part of the Auto tips in the two years she has been on there!!!! She said that she knows that the cabin staff and restaurant staff get tips but she doesn't get any.

There is little else I can say (apart from the fact that I'm disgusted) as she wouldn't tell me anything else.

The post above highlights the main problem about who actually get this money.

I have been told that the fixed gratuities on Costa are shared between all crewmembers.
So far so good. But

Except Entertainment staff
Casino staff.
Shops staff.
Beauty and Spa staff.
Officers and Maitre’D’s and head chefs.

So now instead of a ratio of 3 to 1 we have a ratio of 5 to 1. Crew to passenger.

So the remainder get around 227.50 Euros each week in tips.

But this is not the case if what we are told by stewards and wait staff.

SO WHO GETS IT?

That is something we have all been wondering about

QUOTE:

Chalk and cheese comes to mind. Good dissertation though, regards. ... Neil

'As different as'? you obviously haven't tasted American supermarket cheese!;)

Just a few thoughts that are slightly off topic but relevant to some of the current discussion:

Although the majority of cruise lines nowadays are owned by USA companies it was not, and never has been, the case in the past. Therefore any reference to historical/traditional customs of tipping bring into question whether they should be based on US or UK traditions.

A Potted History of Cruising.

In the early 19th century the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company started (English and Scottish owned) and in 1840 (I think) became the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navogation Company - now known as P & O.

In the mid 19th century the Southampton Steamship Company was formed and eventually became The Union Castle Line. They merged with the Clan Line (formed in the early 20th C by the Cayzer family) and a number of other shipping lines and became the British and Commonwealth Shipping Company. Eventually this company owned many other companies as well - including British United Airways and Caledonian Airways (who remembers them?).

By the mid 20th C these two massive companies vied for who was the largest and both tried to buy the smaller company Cunard (also formed in early 19th C) who started the first world cruise in 1922 with its ship Laconia - not to be confused with the Lakonia cruise ship that caught fire and sunk in 1963 with the loss of 167 lives (I was on one of the ships that was called to the rescue).

These three British companies (together with companies like Shaw Saville, Elder Dempster, White Star Lines etc) dominated world passenger travel until the late 60's early 70's.

British and Commonwealth sold off its ships and planes and concentrated on its financial companies. P & O became P & O Princess and in the early 21st C merged with Carnival Lines.

Sorry if I have bored you :D

QUOTE:

'As different as'? you obviously haven't tasted American supermarket cheese!;)

I have tasted US supermarket cheese and although it tastes of very little it is still a long way from tasting like chalk. Neil

The situation still remains, to my mind, simple. The whole scene has changed onboard ships, it had to in order to keep up with the required preferences of it's new passsengers.

There is no reason why we should stick to the traditional ways of tipping when there is so much dislike, shirking and unfairness with those schemes. It is far simpler and easier and would placate many and produce a fair system to change to a solid one off price that included taxes, port charges and a service charge. This can be laid on for the UK passengers, and any other nationality that prefers it, without causing one single problem. .....Neil

QUOTE:

The situation still remains, to my mind, simple. The whole scene has changed onboard ships, it had to in order to keep up with the required preferences of it's new passsengers.

There is no reason why we should stick to the traditional ways of tipping when there is so much dislike, shirking and unfairness with those schemes. It is far simpler and easier and would placate many and produce a fair system to change to a solid one off price that included taxes, port charges and a service charge. This can be laid on for the UK passengers, and any other nationality that prefers it, without causing one single problem. .....Neil

Just got back from a night out with a group of friends, one couple have been to TC to book there first cruise. thinking of the P&O Ventura Feb.
The TA told them to save money (on most cruise lines) to cancel the tips as it is not compulary.

When i mentioned about staff on cruises expect this, was told, i dont get tipped in my job, so why should i tip them?

Ist cruise 40th wed anniversary, on a budget and thinks the cruise is expensive enough.
I was on a loser, one couple who have been only on OV and THOMSON agreed that they should not tip,
The other couple who had been on a Costa said that they wont go back on them because of the Compulsary tips.

Now these people are not tight but cannot understand why.
Especially if the TA say so.

As one put it, tell me another type of holiday where I am told or expected to tip a minimum per day?


I like MTD on RccL but Beginning to wonder if i have MUG written on my forehead.
First by the cruise line as they have the money upfront and secondly by the non/low tippers.

Now I Know why I want tips included in the fare!!!

I agree, that tips should be includedin the base price, but maybe give a small tip or gift for exceptional service. There are other types of holiday where tips are expected such as coach tours which we do a lot of, again their recommendations for courier and driver are OTT so all we do is pile all our loose change and small notes in an envelope and give it descretely as we leave for the airport

My 7 year old son had a comment about tipping on our recent cruise on IOTS. He said "mum, it's terrible, they are making the staff act like slaves just so they can get a tip at the end of the cruise". He had heard someone talking about tipping and got quite upset that someone was expected to serve us and if we did not like the way we were served they would not get any money.