Another Tipping Question - Sorry

[bubbie617]

:o I apologize in advance because I'm sure this question has been asked over and over, but this is my first time reading the HAL boards. We've done most of our cruises on RCCL and Celebrity, so we've never had "auto tip".

I am seriously considering booking my next cruise on a HAL ship and I was wondering whether people "pre-tip". I don't ever do that on other ships, but on a ship where there may be less incentive to go above and beyond because the tips are added automatically, does an "incentive" at the beginning of the trip get you better service?

I don't know enough about the system to know whether the usually fine service on HAL has been affected by the auto-tipping.

Any advice or comments are appreciated. Thanks.

[Chivalrygirl]

[quote=bubbie617;10029136]:o I apologize in advance because I'm sure this question has been asked over and over, but this is my first time reading the HAL boards. We've done most of our cruises on RCCL and Celebrity, so we've never had "auto tip".

I am seriously considering booking my next cruise on a HAL ship and I was wondering whether people "pre-tip". I don't ever do that on other ships, but on a ship where there may be less incentive to go above and beyond because the tips are added automatically, does an "incentive" at the beginning of the trip get you better service?

I don't know enough about the system to know whether the usually fine service on HAL has been affected by the auto-tipping.

Any advice or comments are appreciated. Thanks.[/quote)

Has nobody ever told you, offering what you call an "incentive" at the beginning, is nothing more than BRIBERY & CORRUPTION :mad:

[MercedMike]

Tipping is a wonderful system. It allows the customer, who is directly receiving the service, to determine what that service was worth, and to pay the employee accordingly. For a long time it worked very well on cruise ships and produced the excellent service we are all used to.

Unfortunately, in this modern age, it is very difficult to identify all those who serve you directly. So many meals are taken at the buffet or other venues, for example, that it becomes difficult to figure out who gets tipped for what. Reluctantly I have come to understand that the "pooled tip," which is what "auto tipping" really amounts to, is really the only practical way to do it. The customer still has control over the tip and can, if service is really poor, decrease it. OTOH, if service is REALLY OUTSTANDING from certain servers, they can be given a small extra tip to show appreciation.

Now, in this system, I am absolutely unable to understand where the idea of giving somebody a tip in advance fits in. The only interpretation I can put on it is, "Pay more attention to me than you do to those other poor slobs and give me special privileges they don't get." Otherwise, why not just observe the service you get along with your cruise mates and then tip accordingly at the end?

[1cruiselvr]

I disagree. We always tip for extra service above and beyond what we would consider regular service. Keep in mind that evaluation is subjective. The auto tip doesn't satisfy our need to reward directly those that treat us well. Happy Sailing!

[rxralph]

:o I apologize in advance because I'm sure this question has been asked over and over, but this is my first time reading the HAL boards. We've done most of our cruises on RCCL and Celebrity, so we've never had "auto tip".

I am seriously considering booking my next cruise on a HAL ship and I was wondering whether people "pre-tip". I don't ever do that on other ships, but on a ship where there may be less incentive to go above and beyond because the tips are added automatically, does an "incentive" at the beginning of the trip get you better service?

I don't know enough about the system to know whether the usually fine service on HAL has been affected by the auto-tipping.

Any advice or comments are appreciated. Thanks.


Following your senario, what are you going to do if the service is not up to your standards? Will you take back some or all of your tip at the end of your cruise?

ralph

[SDHALFAN]

:o I apologize in advance because I'm sure this question has been asked over and over, but this is my first time reading the HAL boards. We've done most of our cruises on RCCL and Celebrity, so we've never had "auto tip".

I am seriously considering booking my next cruise on a HAL ship and I was wondering whether people "pre-tip". I don't ever do that on other ships, but on a ship where there may be less incentive to go above and beyond because the tips are added automatically, does an "incentive" at the beginning of the trip get you better service?

I don't know enough about the system to know whether the usually fine service on HAL has been affected by the auto-tipping.

Any advice or comments are appreciated. Thanks.



Hi Susan,

You asked a simple question which can be answered easily so there is no need to apologize for asking.

To try to keep it simple for you: NO, there is no need to "pre-tip" aboard a Holland America ship. I have over 300 days sailing with HAL and I have never, ever, pre-tipped, although I am always generous at the end of the cruise in tipping extra to those who I think have gone over and above "the norm" to make my cruise more enjoyable.

Pre-tipping is not expected and definitely not required. To be perfectly honest with you, I doubt that if you pre-tipped that you would get any better service than the people in the cabin next door who didn't pre-tip. The Indonesian culture embraces hospitality and these young men are proud to make you feel welcome. Just be sure to fill out the on-board survey at the end of the cruise and mention the names of those that you feel have given you exemplary service. If you feel that those individuals have gone over and above in the way of service then an additional monetary tip would be very welcomed by them.

Valerie:)

[midgecruiser]

Very well put Valerie and I agree completely. Wendy

[bubbie617]

Thank you Valerie for your thoughtful and cogent reply to my question. :) I didn't expect to be criticized for asking. As I said in my original post, I have no experience with automatic tips. I further stated that I have never pre-tipped but wondered if the staff still felt incentive to do the outstanding job they were reputed to do before the auto tips went into effect.

I'm sorry to say that a few of the brusque answers I got really turned me off. I hope that this is not indicative of the average HAL passenger.

Now I'll get some popcorn and wait for the show to begin. :rolleyes:

[Krazy Kruizers]

We never tip anyone at the beginning of the cruise for anything - JMO.

[serendipity1499]

Thank you Valerie for your thoughtful and cogent reply to my question. :) I didn't expect to be criticized for asking. As I said in my original post, I have no experience with automatic tips. I further stated that I have never pre-tipped but wondered if the staff still felt incentive to do the outstanding job they were reputed to do before the auto tips went into effect.

I'm sorry to say that a few of the brusque answers I got really turned me off. I hope that this is not indicative of the average HAL passenger.

Now I'll get some popcorn and wait for the show to begin. :rolleyes:

Hi Susan...Please don't consider those who answered you in such an abrupt manner as being indicative of the average HAL passenger or poster here..Most of us are happy to answer your questions without being critical of the question..

I completely agree with Valerie..We also have over 100 days on HAL & have never pre-tipped..We do however, give a little extra with a thank you note, to those who have gone out of their way to make our cruise so memorable..In addition, we mention them by name on our comment card which is one of the most important things you can do..Only on one occasion (one Steward) have we not added extra at the end of our cruise, but that was an exception to the rule..

Hope you enjoy your cruise...:) Betty

[Jo-Bob]

Chivalry: kindness and courtesy? :confused:

[earl_m]

I never pre-tip, You can't do anything if you don't like the service,

[Chivalrygirl]

Chivalry: kindness and courtesy? :confused:

Yep if thats your opinion, but I find the thought of greasing the palm of any living human being as abhorrent! I for the life of me cannot understand why anybody would want to do that before any service had been given.

I also spent four weeks on board a HAL ship and got very close to my cabin steward, and was able to discuss with him such issues. He told me that when a passenger tried to pre-grease his palm he actually felt physically ill. Hence my reaction to the OP assuming that she should on any count do just that. Its called Bribery and Corruption and maybe only in a small area but it seems to me in recent years that is exactly what is happening in the big picture in the US, quoting Amron (sp?) as a prime example.

[Jo-Bob]

My reply had more to do with the fact that your opinion could have been stated with kindness and courtesy, as your user name implies. I was confused. There is a way to express an opinion that not only convey's a person's strong feelings about a particular idea, but that is also less abrasive.

The point could have been made a little less personally. "Has no one ever told you..." seems pretty harsh when the point could have been made in a kinder fashion. You could have used your own legitimate example to illustrate or educate, but rather you chose to speak 'down' to the OP instead. Take this with a grain of salt, as I am hardly the 'appropriateness police'.

After all, the OP did only ask the question, did not imply this is her practise, or that she was about to make it such. When we wish to inform or educate, it is usually far more effective with less venom.

[NoNoNanette]

Hi there-

We ALWAYS slip our steward a $20 bill upon meeting him/her. (4 different lines, thusfar).

This is in addition to the "auto tip" that they'll receive.

Here's the way that I look at it.... I'm on vacation. I drop a $20 bill at the drop of a hat....whether it's a roll of the dice, a goofy souvenir, happy hour drinks, etc..... It makes ME HAPPY to see my STEWARD HAPPY. :)

It has nothing at all to do with bribery or treachery. :p

[seniormiss]

I agree with no no natette. You will have the same room stewart for the entire cruise, and if its bribery...so be it.

What is the reason for some of these harsh answers???

[MercedMike]

What harsh answers?

A few people agreed with the idea of pre-tipping, a few did not. That is what message boards are for. Somehow some people seem to think that any answer that does not agree with them is "brusque" or "harsh." It is neither -- it is just another opinion!

You run into all types on these boards. Some are short in their answers, some are verbose. Some are lovey-dovey with everyone, others are frank in their opinions and feel free to state disagreement. You don't get to choose who responds to you.

If your feelings are so easily hurt, you probably don't belong on internet message boards. Nobody was harsh here, nobody was insulting, nobody called names. That is far better than the average run of internet boards. A few people made short answers, but to call it "brusque" is simply not true -- they were just short expressions of personal opinion.

In any case, pre tipping or not, have a GREAT cruise!
:D

[NoNoNanette]

Oh, come on, Mike! :)

"What harsh answers?"

When someone is accused of contemplating "BRIBERY & CORRUPTION", and then that post emphasized with a "MAD" icon? :confused:

I find that extremely "harsh" as well as "unwelcoming". It's posts like the one that I was referring to that intimidate posters from asking questions on this HAL forum.

A year, or so ago, I made the horrid mistake about asking if there was a "TOPLESS DECK". Heads exploded. :rolleyes:

[Jade13]

We do not pre-tip. Btw, my Dh is in the hospitality industry and he won't do it.

Note, that when we go to resturants he always does 20% or even more when rounding up.

[RetiredMustang]

bubbie617,

It had not occured to me to tip before I've received service, but I am generally liberal with tips for people who give good service. I just read and posted to another active thread that talks about whether/how much to tip more than the auto-tip. You may gain some more thoughts from other CCers on that thread as well: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=547323

BTW, welcome to HAL! I hope you like it as much as we do!

Dave