Tipping procedures

[learning]

I have been on some cruises where the tips are automatically put on the credit card and others where at the end of the cruise we are expected to divide up the tip money and give out. Does anyone know the policy of Poesia and also if we pay the $12 per day for children?

[taszmom]

Originally Posted by learning

I have been on some cruises where the tips are automatically put on the credit card and others where at the end of the cruise we are expected to divide up the tip money and give out. Does anyone know the policy of Poesia and also if we pay the $12 per day for children?

Gratuities are automatically added to your onboard account at $12 per person/ per day. Can't answer about the children. Would assume the same. I will be on the Poesia tomorrow and will ask that question!

[atleetalie]

The exact tips depend on your cruise region, carribean 12$. Children under 18 pay 50% of this. You are obliged to pay these tips, or service charges.

[learning]

I am well aware that the tips are mandatory. Just wondering if they are automatically charged to the credit card or we are supposed to bring enough cash on board to hand out in the envelopes on the last night.

[pctravler]

I was on the Orchestra last May and they added the tips to our account. I asked for envelops to give out extra tips like they do in the US. It seems, I was the only one at dinner that gave any extra money. It does not look like the Europeans give this extra. I gave each person 50.00 extra and they seemed surprised.

[boca7]

Tipping is actially not mandatory, if you feel the swervice does not warrant the amount withdrawn you can tell them to reduce it, in retrospect you can offer the individuals who do offer good service an additional amount. True, Europeans are not used to tipping as we do in the US where its considered not if but how much.

[gotksgirl]

My parents changed their tip a little on the MSC cruise they went on. They just talked to the purser I think. Otherwise it is automatically added to the onboard account.

Kids are 50% of the adult price - so $6 a day. I just hope they do not expect me to pay for our baby. I think kids under 2 or 3 are normally free on NCL. I have not seen a minimum age on MSC, though.

I am wondering if the workers in the children's program are in the tip pool. I tried asking on here, but I think my question got lost. Anyone know if cash envelopes are given out for those workers? NCL had envelopes, and I had heard that those workers were not in the normal tip pool.

-Kristen

[Evelyn & Bob]

Originally Posted by atleetalie

The exact tips depend on your cruise region, carribean 12$. Children under 18 pay 50% of this. You are obliged to pay these tips, or service charges.

We are on the Poesia Dec 10 -20. I had some questions and called MSC. The rep told me that tips are automatic, but that if for some reason you decided not to pay them you could remove them the last day of the cruise. I prefer automatic tipping so we don't have to be concern about carrying extra cash with us.

Evelyn

[AmoMondo]

MSC have up until now allowed you to vary the automatic tip by completeing a form at the accounts desk. People at my table did this only last week. However if you look atleetalie's thread about 15% being added to drinks - it appears from info on the Dutch website that they may be changing this policy.

I did notice for the first time, that they were asking passengers not to tip staff in cash. However I still tipped a few of the crew extra who had looked after me exceptionally well.

[Jax_Cruiser]

Poesia is $12 a day. Not sure if you are charged the same for a child. They also add a $1.50 UNICEF charge.

[hihosilvers]

Originally Posted by Jax_Cruiser

Poesia is $12 a day. Not sure if you are charged the same for a child. They also add a $1.50 UNICEF charge.

As already stated correctly, kids are 50%, so $6/day.

$1.50 Unicef charge what? per person per day, or entire cruise? I think that's BS of them to do that by the way.

[Travalot]

We had a one Euro charge per person for UNICEF, but it was just once in the cruise. They sent a notice, which I did not read carefully, which allowed you to OPT OUT if you did not want to pay it by signing the notice and returning it. Otherwise the charge was automatic.

[Misty1937]

We had E1 added to our account on both Musica & Opera. While I do not begrudge the E1 I was most annoyed that they added the donation without even consulting us. To my knowledge and our fellow diners there was no notification of this and we were all annoyed that it was taken for granted we would pay it. It's the old story, it's not the amount it's the principal. Had we been asked I would have willingly given a larger donation. As far as the E6 per day per passenger tip there was no problem on either ship if you wished to vary this.

Cheers, Misty

[Thecat123]

I seemed to remember getting a piece of paper saying they were going to add the UNICEF donation to our account the day before the end of each cruise we did

[AmoMondo]

Originally Posted by hihosilvers

$1.50 Unicef charge what? per person per day, or entire cruise? I think that's BS of them to do that by the way.

It is per person per cruise. 1 euro on other cruises. MSC has signed up with UNICEF for a 3 year programme aimed at providing education for street kids in Brazil, in the hope that this will transform their lives, They are also committed to making donations themselves over and above the donations they collect from passengers. I personally believe that anyone fortunate enough to be able to afford to cruise, should barely "miss" $1.50/1 euro to enable kids much less fortunate to have what we all take for granted - the right to an education. For those of you who believe it to be BS - well you can remove it at the accounts desk. For those who are happy about it - it will automatically be added to your bill. For those that think it a laudable initiative and wish to support it more - you can increase the donation at the accounts desk.

I had a little UNICEF/MSC booklet in my cabin on arrival that explained all of this. There was alos one of the TV Channels telling you all about the programme and its aims with officials from both organisations appearing on it.

[Misty1937]

Originally Posted by Thecat123

I seemed to remember getting a piece of paper saying they were going to add the UNICEF donation to our account the day before the end of each cruise we did

Hi there Cat

I hope Lucy has finished rearranging your home for you!!!!. Perhaps I had better add for the other readers that Lucy is his new kitten not a new live in lover!!, or so he tells me.

We didn't receive a "piece of paper" on either Musica or Opera, perhaps something was written in the UNICEF brochure but I must admit we didn't read that. While we were waiting in the theatre to disembark Opera the crowd around us were all complaining about the "forced" donation and the general comment was they could have had the courtesy to tell us. Not 1 of them minded in the least donating, it was the way it was done. Perhaps MSC could increase it to E5 but make sure people are made aware as it really is a wonderful cause and I'm sure every passenger could afford it. Still I guess MSC had to fall down somewhere so I will forgive them as everything else was so wonderful on the cruise.

Cheers, Misty

[pctravler]

Did anyone leave tips above the amount that MSC takes automatically. It seems Europeans do not tip extra. Is it because they have a higher per day charge? The waiters acted like they never received an extra tip.