Topic: My thoughts on this contentious matter

There's a thread on the other side at the moment about why Aussies are charged so much for a cruise. A senior manager of a cruise line says that over 90% of Aus. and NZ pax don't tip- he's given the break-down every week- and 50% of Brits. He speculates that that is the reason for the higher fares, as they're from a small market which is not particularily desirable. Japan's also charged more, as tipping is an insult in that country, but in fact the Japenese outside of their country are anxious to conform, so usually do tip.
He also explains that his crew have a contract of $1 per day, and a guaranteed salary if the tips don't come in, but that's only worth 60% of the tipping rate. All the rank and file are represented by several different maritime unions. Some crew will resign if they know the none tipping nationalities are joining the ship.
There's lots more on the thread, tho' the guy can't say which line he works for.
Jo.

QUOTE:

There's a thread on the other side at the moment about why Aussies are charged so much for a cruise. A senior manager of a cruise line says that over 90% of Aus. and NZ pax don't tip- he's given the break-down every week- and 50% of Brits. He speculates that that is the reason for the higher fares, as they're from a small market which is not particularily desirable. Japan's also charged more, as tipping is an insult in that country, but in fact the Japenese outside of their country are anxious to conform, so usually do tip.
He also explains that his crew have a contract of $1 per day, and a guaranteed salary if the tips don't come in, but that's only worth 60% of the tipping rate. All the rank and file are represented by several different maritime unions. Some crew will resign if they know the none tipping nationalities are joining the ship.
There's lots more on the thread, tho' the guy can't say which line he works for.
Jo.

Just goes to show that the US embassy (McDonalds) has not changed the world Not got to Cuba yet :D

QUOTE:

There's a thread on the other side at the moment about why Aussies are charged so much for a cruise. A senior manager of a cruise line says that over 90% of Aus. and NZ pax don't tip- he's given the break-down every week- and 50% of Brits. He speculates that that is the reason for the higher fares, as they're from a small market which is not particularily desirable. Japan's also charged more, as tipping is an insult in that country, but in fact the Japenese outside of their country are anxious to conform, so usually do tip.
He also explains that his crew have a contract of $1 per day, and a guaranteed salary if the tips don't come in, but that's only worth 60% of the tipping rate. All the rank and file are represented by several different maritime unions. Some crew will resign if they know the none tipping nationalities are joining the ship.
There's lots more on the thread, tho' the guy can't say which line he works for.
Jo.

Hi Jo

Interesting posting which explains a great deal to us as we are Brits living in Australia having European passports. We couldn't understand why prices varied so much for a quoted cruise. On the cruise we took last year we paid the requested amount which was added to our onboard account and also tipped personal waiters and cabin crew. Next year we should book through an american agent .

Thanks so much , Christiaan

QUOTE:

Hi Neil,
That is what I am trying to say, no-one should be allowed to remove the auto tip amount.
There would then be no issues, folks could then cruise on whatever cruiseline they liked.

How can you give a tip in advance if you do not know what service you will get? This forum has many mentions from people who get let down, and the only form of redress is "no tip". By paying in advance you "assume" you will get good service, but that aint correct in every case.

QUOTE:

How can you give a tip in advance if you do not know what service you will get? This forum has many mentions from people who get let down, and the only form of redress is "no tip". By paying in advance you "assume" you will get good service, but that aint correct in every case.

Sorry A V B we have discussed this ad nauseam and have said that because of the special commendation of the word as applied to cruising it has taken on a different meaning.

As for redress we have also said that the best redress is not necessarily to withhold tips but to speak to a senior person or to put it in the "How did we do" form because the ramifications of bad reports reach far higher than anything else and the more a person gets the worse job they are given until finally non-renewal of contract or even dismissal is certainly possible.

Bad service can be redressed. A point not mentioned is whether the service slips because there is no incentive when no tips are requested or required is that on ships where that is the case the service is normally exemplary so tipping as an incentive does not work.

I have tried not to decry what you say too much because these are points which are frequently raised. Many of us just hope that the whole thing can be resolved and the crew and passengers will all be happy, one must always assume that the cruise lines will try their best as well. ...Regards ....Neil

Must admit that I feel guilty missing one of the waiters in the Spa Cafe last year. First person I will look for this year when we go through the Panama Canal on the Constellation. He also worked in the Liners - we did give him a tip there but still feel guilty as he was so helpful.

QUOTE:

How can you give a tip in advance if you do not know what service you will get? This forum has many mentions from people who get let down, and the only form of redress is "no tip". By paying in advance you "assume" you will get good service, but that aint correct in every case.

I have been on many cruises and have never had intentionally bad service from any steward, waiter or barman.Maybe I am just lucky, but from reading many posts on this issue,IMHO this is many times used as an excuse for not tipping anyone.
And as I have said, all those on here who praise Thomson for their tipping policy are actually tipping in advance.
Tips are a part of cruising, if you don't want to- don't cruise.
PLease do not reply with I want to make sure I get good service etc etc, as has been said, if you have a problem with 1 particular staff member deal with it but dont use possible bad service as an excuse not to pay .

QUOTE:

Must admit that I feel guilty missing one of the waiters in the Spa Cafe last year. First person I will look for this year when we go through the Panama Canal on the Constellation. He also worked in the Liners - we did give him a tip there but still feel guilty as he was so helpful.

A couple of years ago we missed one waiter on the last night of the cruise and my husband felt really bad as the said waiter had been brilliant and we'd known him years. The following year my husband made a point of finding the waiter on the first evening, after the show, and giving him his previous year's tip. The chap was very suprised and very pleased.

Perhaps the quickest way of getting the cruise companies to change is for every cruiser not to pay any automatic gratuities at all full stop

QUOTE:

I have been on many cruises and have never had intentionally bad service from any steward, waiter or barman.Maybe I am just lucky, but from reading many posts on this issue,IMHO this is many times used as an excuse for not tipping anyone.
And as I have said, all those on here who praise Thomson for their tipping policy are actually tipping in advance.
Tips are a part of cruising, if you don't want to- don't cruise.
PLease do not reply with I want to make sure I get good service etc etc, as has been said, if you have a problem with 1 particular staff member deal with it but dont use possible bad service as an excuse not to pay .

If our experience with Thomson's is anything to go by, most people tip twice, it is included in the price and people also tip as usual at the end of the cruise as well., no wonder they are smiling!
Before I retired I was in Hotel management, so tipping just comes natural to me, its not something I give much thought to.;)