First HAL cruise, I prefer to tip all cash, whats my options?

[surfergirle]

Hi there,
My first HAL cruise,
I prefer to pay everything cash, including tip in person,
what is the best way to handle this, I know HAL does an auto tip...

Is auto tip for the dining room as well?

How much is the auto tip?

How much is required to place on my account for cash? Our usual bill at the end of a cruise is $300, and we usually pay that in cash too, (we pre pay a lot of stuff before leaving)

What should I do? How is HAL different from RCCL in this matter?

Thanks!

[Tailskid]

$11 per person per day is added to your bill automatically. If you tip personally you will still get billed unless you can give cause why the service was lacking in some way. They will demand a credit card at the beginning of the trip and then automatically process the total of your bill on the last day. To pay your on board account in cash you will have to line up at the Pursers office as everyone is disembarking and try to get them to cancel the credit card charge and accept cash instead - an almost impossible situation!
tailskid

[English_in_Spain]

$11 per person per day is added to your bill automatically. If you tip personally you will still get billed unless you can give cause why the service was lacking in some way. They will demand a credit card at the beginning of the trip and then automatically process the total of your bill on the last day. To pay your on board account in cash you will have to line up at the Pursers office as everyone is disembarking and try to get them to cancel the credit card charge and accept cash instead - an almost impossible situation!
tailskid

I disagree with this.

You can ask for the auto tipping to be removed but if you do so anything you tip in cash the person with have to put in to the shared tipping.

They do not demand a credit card at the start of the cruise. You can place a cash amount (can't remember the amount). When that it used up you will need to place more cash or you will not be able to charge to your account.

If you do register a credit card and then decide to pay by cash (this is what we did). We went to front desk on the last full day and paid the cash. There was absolutely no problem with this.

If after having settled your bill with the cash, you make a purchase with your onboard account then this last small amount will be charged to your credit card.

[ironin]

This thread (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1208845&highlight=gratuities) should supply the answer to your question WRT the automatic hotel service charge of $11/day.

(BTW, if you do somehow reverse the automatic hotel service charge, it is common practice in the industry for those who deal with you on a daily basis (your room attendants and waiters, etc.) to be called in to meet with their supervisors for an explanation. At that time, they will be asked to agree that all cash tips you give them be surrendered for deposit into the hotel service charge fund for normal disbursement. IOW, you won't be doing them any favors.)

[Jade13]

Hi there,
My first HAL cruise,
I prefer to pay everything cash, including tip in person,
what is the best way to handle this, I know HAL does an auto tip...

Thanks!

I recommend you don't do this. How ong is your cruise? HAL now has the "hotel charge" go towards your extra Mariner points. If your cruise is 7 nights you will get 7 points. For every $300.00 spent (including prepaid tours and hotel charges) you will get an additional point. This amount is per folio and extra points will go to both people on that statement. It is better explained on HAL's website.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Be advised -- if you choose to have the $11 per day per person Hotel Service Charge removed -- any cash tips that you personally give to anyone at the end of the cruise must be turned into the pool -- the crew are not allowed to keep it!! It will be pooled among all the crew members. The supervisors are notified of this and they in turn inform those working under them. The crew are on the honor system to turn in cash tips from people who have removed the Hotel Service Charge -- they do not want to lose their jobs.

[peaches from georgia]

For what it's worth, if you like to pay your account off in cash, which some people do, I would put a cash deposit down at the front desk when you embark, leave the auto-tip on, and then just pay off the whole account in cash the last night or early on the morning of disembarkation.

If you want to tip your stewards with some extra cash at the end of the cruise you can still do that, of course, and they will be able to keep the extra amount themselves since you paid the auto-tip which is shared among all. Of course there is no obligation to tip extra unless you wish to; your stewards will receive their portion of your auto-tip through the ship's system of sharing.

[jhannah]

I must agree that you will not be doing the stewards any favor by removing the auto-tip. I suggest letting it stand then handing out extra in person as you see fit. I take envelopes with me for this purpose. They contain a phrase that includes, "... in addition to the standard gratuity."

[sail7seas]

You most certainly can pay your onboard account in cash so your tipping will, in effect, be the cash you say you wish to pay with.

Your cabin and dining stewards will be questioned by their superiors if there is something they could have done to make their service more to your liking as it is thought you removed the tips due to dissatisfaction with the service provided.

Go ahead and pay with cash as you wish but please don't remove the hotel service charge (automatic tips) unless you truly are displeased with the service. If that is the case, speak with supervisors, Guest Relations Manager etc to have the deficiency corrected.

Have a great cruise.

[kazu]

I absolutely agree with JHannah on this too. Leave the auto tip in place and add to it if you want. There are a lot of people who help make your cruise smooth that you don't see (kitchen, laundry, cleaning, etc., etc.). The auto tip helps compensate them. We leave it in place and then give the extra to those who have impressed us whether it be Pinnacle, Wine Steward, waiters, steward, etc.

As to the on board account, I find it easier to register my credit card on line, let them charge and then take some travelers cheques. I can use these if I need more cash and the rest I apply to the balance a day or two before disembarkation. Helps ease the pain.

[surfergirle]

This thread (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1208845&highlight=gratuities) should supply the answer to your question WRT the automatic hotel service charge of $11/day.

(BTW, if you do somehow reverse the automatic hotel service charge, it is common practice in the industry for those who deal with you on a daily basis (your room attendants and waiters, etc.) to be called in to meet with their supervisors for an explanation. At that time, they will be asked to agree that all cash tips you give them be surrendered for deposit into the hotel service charge fund for normal disbursement. IOW, you won't be doing them any favors.)


Its not to do them favors, its just my own personal pref.

[kazu]

Its not to do them favors, its just my own personal pref.

I like handing out envelopes too, with the extra. But if you do your own personal preference, none of the people you are handing the envelopes to will be able to keep the money. They will have to pool it and it will be divided among everyone. So, they will most likely end up getting less than if you had done the automatic charge.

The automatic charge makes sure everyone is getting thanked for making your cruise wonderful. Your stewards, waiters, etc. get the standard amount that you would have given in your envelope.

[BaltiGator]

I like handing out envelopes too, with the extra. But if you do your own personal preference, none of the people you are handing the envelopes to will be able to keep the money. They will have to pool it and it will be divided among everyone. So, they will most likely end up getting less than if you had done the automatic charge.

The automatic charge makes sure everyone is getting thanked for making your cruise wonderful. Your stewards, waiters, etc. get the standard amount that you would have given in your envelope.

I've always assumed this information is accurate because I've seen it repeated over and over in these forums.

But does Holland America make it clear to their customers? It seems that maybe they don't, and the vast majority of people who never use forums like this might not know any better. The OP apparently didn't understand how it works, that's why she wanted to pay cash.

I think HAL should make it very clear that the automatic tips are pooled and not really "optional" - well, technically they are optional, but only to the same degree that tipping in an American restaurant is optional. No American who gets satisfactory service in an American restaurant would dream of not tipping appropriately. (And by the way, a lot of restaurants pool their tips too.)

One way to make it more transparent would be to eliminate the percentage breakdown of the automatic charge per staff member. Just call it a hotel service charge that covers everyone. That would still let people pay extra to those individuals they felt were deserving. But it might also help eliminate the confusion of someone trying to give the tips individually, thinking they are doing the staff a favor when in fact they may be creating some trouble.

[ironin]

I've always assumed this information is accurate because I've seen it repeated over and over in these forums.

But does Holland America make it clear to their customers? It seems that maybe they don't, and the vast majority of people who never use forums like this might not know any better.

FYI: from the Holland America website (http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard+Life&contentMenu=Money+Matters&contentSubMenu=Hotel+Service+Charge):

HOTEL SERVICE CHARGE

Our crew works very hard to make sure that every aspect of your cruise meets the highest standards. This includes those crew members who serve you directly, such as our dining room wait staff and the stewards who tend to your stateroom each day. There are also many others that tend to your care that you may never meet, such as galley and laundry staff. To ensure that the efforts of all of our crew members are recognized and rewarded, a daily Hotel Service Charge of US$11 per passenger is automatically charged to each guest's shipboard account. If our service exceeds or fails to meet your expectations, you are free to adjust this amount at the end of the cruise. The Hotel Service Charge is paid to Holland America Line crew members, and represents an important part of their total compensation package. A 15% service charge is automatically added to bar charges and dining room wine purchases. In terminals, airports, ports of call and on shore excursions, we suggest that you extend gratuities consistent with customary local practices.


Seems pretty straightforward to me :)! (YMMV)

The OP apparently didn't understand how it works, that's why she wanted to pay cash.

I'm even less sure about that than you are ;). (FWIW, the OP's question about shipboard accounts is clearly answered right here (http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard+Life&contentMenu=Money+Matters&contentSubMenu=Shipboard+Account) on the HAL website as well. Both sections are easily accessed via the Planning & Advice for Booked Guests tabs.)

...Just call it a hotel service charge that covers everyone...

They already do that (see above).

[jhannah]

Its not to do them favors, its just my own personal pref. You will be free to do that. I think that we're just trying to let you know that your intent to reward might not have the outcome you desire.

[BaltiGator]

Seems pretty straightforward to me :)!

Thanks. Yes that does seem clear. Has that language been changed/added to their web site/cruise literature relatively recently? I recall that it used to show a breakdown of the daily charge per staff member. I could be mis-remembering, but I also recall that when we were onboard last time there was still some kind of paper document that showed the breakdown per staff member. If they've completely done away with that, it should certainly clear up some confusion, not only on the part of newbies but also some of us not so newbies. :o :D

[ironin]

Thanks. Yes that does seem clear. Has that language been changed/added to their web site/cruise literature relatively recently?

I'm afraid that I don't know when it was changed as I didn't look at that section until a few months ago, once we got serious about booking our upcoming HAL cruise.

I recall that it used to show a breakdown of the daily charge per staff member. I could be mis-remembering...

I have a similar problem! I've looked at so many different cruise line websites in the past few months that do describe things differently, that I can't always remember which one says what and how ;).

[BaltiGator]

I have a similar problem! I've looked at so many different cruise line websites in the past few months that do describe things differently, that I can't always remember which one says what and how ;).

True!

[RevNeal]

When you process your on-line check-in you will notice that you are given the option to register a credit card at that time or select "Cash onboard." If you prefer to fund you onboard account with cash, select the second option. Then, once you've boarded -- the evening of the first night is certainly soon enough -- you can go to the front desk, give them cash, and have them use that to fund your onboard account. Usually they ask you for an amount equivalent to $60 per-person/per-day for the length of the cruise, but if you assert that you know you will not be spending that much you can have them deposit a lower amount. If your account runs low/out the front desk will contact you to let you know that you need to come and add more cash to your onboard account.

Here is what HAL's website has to say about the onboard account and how it is funded:

Shipboard Account

Our cashless society is designed to make your life on board as simple as possible. When you board the ship, your account has already been activated and you may make purchases by simply showing your guest identification card and signing a receipt. On embarkation day, you will need to register your credit or debit card (Holland America Line Rewards™ Visa®, Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express®, Discover®) in order to use your onboard account for shipboard purchases. Your card will be pre-authorized for US$60 per person for each day for cruises up to 25days and US$30 per person per day for cruises longer than 25 days. If you charge in excess of the held amount, the accumulated excess charges will be added to your pre-authorized amount at the end of each day. At the end of your cruise, you will receive a final statement, and your card will be charged only for the actual amount of your purchases. Please inform your credit or debit card issuer in advance that your card will be used on a Holland America Line ship. This will help prevent delays in obtaining pre-authorization on board. Some banks may keep the pre-authorization in place for up to 30 days. If you do not want to use a credit or debit card, the ship will collect a cash deposit from you at time of boarding in the same pre-authorization amount. Any excess deposit will be refunded to you at the end of the cruise. Travelers checks may be cashed at the front office to make your deposit. Personal checks are not accepted on board.

As for tips, I really would encourage you to leave the auto-gratuity (aka "The Hotel Service Charge") in-place on your account. This makes sure that everybody who is supposed to be tipped is tipped. If you wish to tip an additional amount in-person to staff who have gone over-and-above in serving you, then please feel free to do this and they will be able to keep what you give them. OTHERWISE, if you take the auto-gratuity (the "Hotel Service Charge") off your onboard account, those whom you tip directly will be required to pool their tips and the result is that they usually end up getting less. In other words, an attempt to punish someone for poor service by not tipping them will result in those who gave you good service also being punished by receiving a smaller portion of the tip-pool (unless your overall tip was higher than the auto-tip would have been parceled out to all those who receive income from it ... something that is usually not the case in such circumstances).

[1char]

When you tip for room service, do they get to keep the tip, or required to also pool that tip?

[KAYEF]

I always take a small package of "Thank You" notes and write a note to our room stewards and waiters if they've been really great and enclose EXTRA money. I learned it's important to put my Cabin # on the envelope when the Matire d saw me do this and came over to make sure our # was there BECAUSE they check to make sure we've not withdrawn our daily hotel charge. If we HAVE, the money must be pooled; if we have NOT, the individual gets to keep the extra tip.
The "honor system" must work because NO one wants to lose his/her job.;)

[Jade13]

For what it's worth, if you like to pay your account off in cash, which some people do, I would put a cash deposit down at the front desk when you embark, leave the auto-tip on, and then just pay off the whole account in cash the last night or early on the morning of disembarkation.

If you want to tip your stewards with some extra cash at the end of the cruise you can still do that, of course, and they will be able to keep the extra amount themselves since you paid the auto-tip which is shared among all. Of course there is no obligation to tip extra unless you wish to; your stewards will receive their portion of your auto-tip through the ship's system of sharing.

This is the perfect solution for OP and those who wish to pay in cash. The only ones it will not help are those whose original intent was to leave less than the amount of $11.00pp per day.

[Jade13]

Speaking of the auto Hotel charge, can any OBC's be used for this (HAL, TA, book on board, stock holder)?

I know they could in the past because one shows up on the statement as a credit and the other as a daily charge, but just checking to see if there have been any changes in the past year.

Thanks.

[kazu]

I always take a small package of "Thank You" notes and write a note to our room stewards and waiters if they've been really great and enclose EXTRA money. I learned it's important to put my Cabin # on the envelope when the Matire d saw me do this and came over to make sure our # was there BECAUSE they check to make sure we've not withdrawn our daily hotel charge. If we HAVE, the money must be pooled; if we have NOT, the individual gets to keep the extra tip.
The "honor system" must work because NO one wants to lose his/her job.;)

what a great idea!! :) Our waiters know what room we are in as does our steward, but the others might not.

thank you. I am going to prepare some envelopes before i go and If I use the ship's I am going to be sure to put our names and stateroom number on them so there is no question.

wonderful idea. thank you again.:):)

[kazu]

This is the perfect solution for OP and those who wish to pay in cash. The only ones it will not help are those whose original intent was to leave less than the amount of $11.00pp per day.

and unfortunately if you tip your stewards, your waiters, etc all individually then the others lose and so do those people.

I don't think the $11 per day is unreasonable considering the service I have on HAL. If I have an isssue I will happily talk to them about it so it can be improved.

think about it, in restaurants, etc. we leave around 15%. It is no near that amount and good service deserves to be rewarded. Just my thoughts.