P&O tipping

[kruzseeka]

Gosh this article blows the lid on P&O's tipping policy - plus the dire wages their crew members are paid. I'm horrified on more than one level.

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/news.cfm?ID=4816

Thank goodness we're not faced with this situation on Thomson.

With this set-up I'd be left with a dilemma - do I pay the auto gratuity and not know whether that will actually be paid to the crew or not (if they don't reach their targets?) or do I opt out and tip those who have given me good service (but what about the behind the scenes guys who indirectly serve my needs but I don't see?). And an interesting thought, what happens to the auto tips if the crew fail to meet targets - where does it go?

Also, reading the article P&O are seeking to ensure crew attitudes are 'right' before they get their tips which is a carrot and stick approach. Interesting that on Thomson all category of crew (from plumbers you see in the corridors to guys cleaning the handrails) all seem to me to have a very welcoming approach to their passengers and speak - without having the threat of withdrawn tips to make them friendly and provide good service. Just shows given the right ethos, excellent service can be provided without bribes.

I don't want to spark yet another debate about whether to tip or not on Thomson (entirely personal choice in my view) but just to say how much I value Thomson's approach of 'tips included' and crew not having to rely on tips to make up their wages.

Good for Thomson!!!

[CRUISIN LINDA]

I wondered how they escaped the British minimum wage law and why they registered the ships in Bermuda

We always remove the tips, as we do not see how you can tip for service you have not had! We always tip the cabin steward, according to how good he is. All the Thomson ones have been fabulous, but one we had on the Round Britain with Princess was hopeless, so we just left him a small tip.

I don't trust big companies! How do we know where the tips go

[happy v]

I read this report and wondered what they do with the tips they don't give to staff. Somehow I can't see them handing them back to the passengers. I don't agree with automatic tipping as I really don't trust the cruise lines to hand over all, or even some of the money.

[Essexlass2]

We paid the auto-gratuity on our recent P&O cruise. Half of it was meant to go to the cabin steward and the other half to the waiters in the main dining room apparently. We left that in place but also tipped our cabin steward personally as well because he was so good. However, we have no idea how the 'back-room boys and girls' get a share in any tips given by passengers. In future, we think we shall remove the auto tips having read that article and simply tip where and when we consider appropriate. Thank goodness we don't have to worry about that on our forthcoming Thomson cruise even though we shall undoubtedly do the usual and tip where and when we feel we want to do so.

[davecttr]

P&O casino dealers - $10 per day

Dining room drinks stewards have a runner who goes to the 'cellar' for the drinks. They have to pay $1 doller per sitting to the runner from their tips.

The drinks stewards in the bars are on commission based on total sales for that bar. needless to say they like to serve in the popular bars!

I don't understand using threats of tips removal as a 'incentive'. i suggest the mangement must be weak if it can't deal with a under performer.

[mtt]

I know one of the buffet runners on the celebration told us he was on £1000 per month

[balf]

Originally Posted by kruzseeka

but just to say how much I value Thomson's approach of 'tips included'.

Good for Thomson!!!

Yes but how do we know the included tips are paid in full to the staff.

David.

[kruzseeka]

Originally Posted by balf

Yes but how do we know the included tips are paid in full to the staff.

David.

We don't of course - but I do have a perception that their crew are rather better paid than those on some cruise lines. Presumably that's the way the 'tips' are paid - rolled into their agreed remuneration package since no 'tips' as such are actually paid to or handled by Thomson just the payment for your cruise which we are told includes an element in lieu of tips. (Passengers offering personal tips to crew is a separate issue.)

If their pay is better than some other cruise lines then at least we know they are getting something 'extra' as compared with some payment packages and that money isn't potentially gong to be withheld. I may be naive here but I am thinking that the Thomson system does ensure more certainty for the crew which I feel more comfortable with.

[balf]

Well there are so many myths presented as facts about tipping policy: mainly caused by all the cruise lines being extremely cagey to give any details, that I tend to be very suspicious of all in regard to handing over the full amounts paid by passengers.

Having said that I prefer the practice of including tips in the headline price. It means that the shysters who never pay any tips, and there are such people, pay the same as everyone else. Whether Thomson end up paying more to their staff than other lines we have no way of knowing, They are with all the other lines in a very competitive business.

David.