Topic: My thoughts on this contentious matter

Playing devil's advocate here on my first attempt at posting on this forum, do we really think there is a chance huge US corporations will take any notice of this very worthwhile attempt to change 'the system? Whilst I am in total agreement with the inclusive service charges ideal, I am also cynical enough to believe that if the gratuity system 'works' in the US then the only eventual change will be that automatic gratuities will no longer be discretionary but will be non negotionable. J

QUOTE:

Assuming that service charge had been included in the price I'd paid for the cruise, I'd tip Cabin Steward, Waiter and Busboy, wine waiter (we drink a lot), favourite barman and bar waiters and any other staff who have been particularly helpful. This does not have to be a huge amount of money, it is a gift to show appreciation. Other people will, of course, have a different opinion. Judith

This is just my point, Judith, The cruise compnaies will be in a WIN WIN situation and we the customers will be worse off as we will end up paying even more.

QUOTE:

Playing devil's advocate here on my first attempt at posting on this forum, do we really think there is a chance huge US corporations will take any notice of this very worthwhile attempt to change 'the system? Whilst I am in total agreement with the inclusive service charges ideal, I am also cynical enough to believe that if the gratuity system 'works' in the US then the only eventual change will be that automatic gratuities will no longer be discretionary but will be non negotionable. J

I am sure both the sites in the UK and USA are looked at by the companies to see what past cruisers are saying, business is business even looking at gratuities we now have the option to prepay; Celebrity responding to anytime dining how well it works their way we wait and see and a good few years ago on a Celebrirty ship the Captains' club member's debated is it a good idea on every dinner menu to have a fixed selection there every night and that is there now as well so there is feedback which they take note of...Bill

QUOTE:

This is just my point, Judith, The cruise compnaies will be in a WIN WIN situation and we the customers will be worse off as we will end up paying even more.

I see no 'obligation' to pay more, although I probably would to one or two, but your missing the point. There are thousands out there who don't want to pay, be that partly or at all, so the 'WE' would be a smaller percentage who go beyond the requisite amount......Wilba

QUOTE:

Playing devil's advocate here on my first attempt at posting on this forum, do we really think there is a chance huge US corporations will take any notice of this very worthwhile attempt to change 'the system? Whilst I am in total agreement with the inclusive service charges ideal, I am also cynical enough to believe that if the gratuity system 'works' in the US then the only eventual change will be that automatic gratuities will no longer be discretionary but will be non negotionable. J

The time is ripe for change, with the introduction of more and more "anytime dining" and the reluctance of many to pay little or nothing because "times are hard" and the underlying dis-satisfaction of the staff who really are suffering financially because of it ....now is the time to press home the message that the current system is falling over and that a whole revision and analysis of what will be the best and most suitable way for the future to take place. I am convinced that if we can get the changes we want applied here the cruise lines will see the major advantages and apply it elsewhere. I know Americans believe that whatever they do is right, I've had more discussions about this than I care to recall, but eventually the tide will turn and they will believe that they thought up the idea. Remember that it was we, the British, who invented tipping in the days of The British Empire and now America claims it as its own. WE CAN DO IT. .....Neil

I don’t actually run with concept that these are American companies so we must comply with their ‘way of life’. We purchase their product in the UK, through UK agents &/or through their subsidiary Head Offices in the UK at a different pricing structure to the US or any other nation for that matter. So if we accept that the price structure is different, government taxes an example, the grats could easily be included in these non commissionable charges for British Pax. I do agree with Mrs Morton that unless this is really pushed, grats will become an additional non negotionable charge. The only upside I see of that is, if every company takes this route, there is a good case for The Advertising Standards Agency to be pressed into action and force them to show the true cost……Wilba

QUOTE:

i agree with majority here, lets have an all encompassing cruise price, i pay grads upfront and automatically consider it part of the price. i do question bradbury, he may want to tip the waiter etc but not the engine hand, a ships is the sum of all parts and not just the front facing staff. How do we get the cruise companies to change?

Alas with difficulty. I just could not believe one reviewer this week who joined Grand Princess for 15 days, with just $300 to spend, and spent a considerable amount of their time in a queue to 'opt out' of the gratuities. I don't know about anybody else, but I actually feel good myself when I have tipped well.

Oh so do we Richard. It's not a self satisfied glow either, it's a sort of 'yes, we really appreciate what you've done for us and this is the only way we know how to show it' kind of feeling. We chased our under waiter around the ship last Feb as he was 'assigned' different duties after the pudding had been served on our last night!!!! and that was additional to the 'automatic' gratuities on our account which we kept on.

I subscribe to the 'one price for the cruise' option. I really do not like being told to pay additional charges which are loosley defined as being 'service'. Especially 'upfront' ! It simply, in our culture, makes us suspicious. The cruise price should cover all aspects of the cruise. I recently booked a hotel room and the price quoted is what I paid. If this can cover all the many staff who catered for my stay then why can it not be so on a cruise. With a couple of notable exceptions. Tipping should be at ones discretion as it has always been in the past. I derive pleasure in rewarding those who have gone out of their way to make my holiday extra special or have gone the extra mile and I will continue to reward. Lets get together and demand that this hidden agenda is brought to the fore so that all understand exactly what the cost of their cruise is going to be. Down with small print !

QUOTE:

Alas with difficulty. I just could not believe one reviewer this week who joined Grand Princess for 15 days, with just $300 to spend, and spent a considerable amount of their time in a queue to 'opt out' of the gratuities. I don't know about anybody else, but I actually feel good myself when I have tipped well.

Sadly, and this is a point rarely mentioned in this debate, snobbery is rife amongst cruisers. Plenty of people want us to know (or believe) they've got 'loadsa money' and get a warm glow when they dish it out to maids and waiters who catered for their every whim.

However, many people have to work and save hard for a two-week annual holiday. Perhaps your 'queuers' felt that every $100 given away would be $100 less in their bank account when they got home. Or perhaps they didn't feel the service warranted any monetary gifts. Whatever the reason, it was their choice and I think it is disgraceful for this cruise line to operate a policy intended to encourage such 'looking on in disbelief'.