So, how is auto-tipping working out?

[jhannah]

In previous discussions on the topic, some said they would not tip extra since HAL was instituting auto-tipping. If HAL said that $10 pp/pd was appropriate, then so be it. Others said they would continue to tip extra based on quality of service rendered. And still others said they would tip additional amounts regardless of the personal service given.

So, now that it's been in effect for a while, how's it working out? Has anyone quizzed the staff on whether or not they're better off/same/worse under the new arrangement?

[dakrewser]

In previous discussions on the topic, some said they would not tip extra since HAL was instituting auto-tipping. If HAL said that $10 pp/pd was appropriate, then so be it. Others said they would continue to tip extra based on quality of service rendered. And still others said they would tip additional amounts regardless of the personal service given.Gee, has it been too quiet here for you lately? :)

So, now that it's been in effect for a while, how's it working out? Has anyone quizzed the staff on whether or not they're better off/same/worse under the new arrangement?I called my old friend Ramelan aDingDong who's a Dining Room steward on the Notredam. You know, the one who hands you the plates in the Lido while making a circle of his thumb and index finger and calling you "Mr. Ballentine"? I always bribe the maitre d' so that I can be seated in Ramelan's section in the Dining Room. Well he says that, while the forced tipping has improved his take home, the additional charges from the company store (they now have to pay for food and lodging, he says) means that there's less net pay to send home to his 3 wives (he's Muslim) and 15 children - and his aged parents. So I send him a Western Union Moneygram for a couple hundred the week before I get on (that way I get first choice on everything in the dining room, plus all the lobster tails I can stuff in my tuxedo) Then what I do is to cancel the automatic charge, but meet Ramelan on shore on his day off and slip him a couple hundred in cash. If more folks did that, then HAL might catch on and go back to crusing the Way It Used To Be. Next cruise Ramelan has promised to introduce me to his cousin, Dian, who has even more wives and children. It's a good thing I take a pack of hundred dollar bills with me on every cruise!

-dave

Do note that this is what is referred to as satire. It is not true, and does not remotely resemble my actions on a cruise. There is no "Notredam" in the HAL fleet. Ramelan and Dian are Indonesian names, but the characters I mentioned are not based on any actual stewards. Your mileage may vary. Void in Jakarta. Flame me and I'll tell you to Get a Life - or worse! :rolleyes:

[bepsf]

Dave--

Fumes from the fires in Napa been gettin' to you lately? Or did you find an 'interesting' new plant in your backyard?;)

Tipping in general just confuses me - I never know if i'm being a cheap-o slob or being waaaaaay too generous.

[the2ofus]

Dave, I love your disclaimer! The name of your DR steward has such a musical ring to it, one would almost think it was a song lyric. Shaboom, shaboom........ :D

[dakrewser]

Dave--

Fumes from the fires in Napa been gettin' to you lately? Or did you find an 'interesting' new plant in your backyard?;)

No, but I did sleep in Santa Cruz this weekend!

:rolleyes: -dave

[ekerr19]

Gee, has it been too quiet here for you lately? :)

I think Jim has asked a legitimate question - and I would also be interested in hearing the observations of fellow cruisers who have cruised recently...

Personally, I have an interest in how happy the crew are with the new policy - ridiculing others for how they choose to tip doesn't seem right, IMO - even if the post was meant to be "tongue-in-cheek" :)

IMO, there is nothing wrong with showing satisfaction or extending thanks by giving a gratuity... :(

[dakrewser]

I think Jim has asked a legitimate question - and I would also be interested in hearing the observations of fellow cruisers who have cruised recently...

Personally, I have an interest in how happy the crew are with the new policy - ridiculing others for how they choose to tip doesn't seem right, IMO - even if the post was meant to be "tongue-in-cheek" :)

IMO, there is nothing wrong with showing satisfaction or extending thanks by giving a gratuity... :(
Yes, it is a legitimate question. My only interest in the crew, though, is if they continue to do the wonderful job they're known to do. Frankly we have no way of knowing what the effect of the new policy is on their bottom line. It's my considered opinion that people who try to become friendly with the crew, or 'get to know' them appear condescending to the crew member while keeping them from doing their job efficiently. They are all too polite, of course, to ever object to a passenger who wants to stop and talk. And given that they now have more to do, every second is important. After all, the amount of their tips can be directly proportional to the quickness and efficiency of their service.

There is nothing wrong with tipping for service which goes above and beyond. What I find objectionable is the whole 'ugly American' scenario of "here's 50 bucks. Make sure I get everything I want. First. There's a lot more where that comes from."

-dave

[marybeach]

jhannah had a legitimate question. I'd also like to see what recent cruisers have encountered. Is the crew winning or losing? What about service? Is the money really being spread to background people, or is it going to the ship's bottom line? Most crew members are very discrete, but someone may have a relationship with one that gets real answers from them. What is happening with the supplemental tip above auto-tip? Do they have to pool it? We've had conjecture on this board. Maybe it is enforced more strictly from ship to ship.