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Tea and coffee


Sailaway25
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Really there is no need to do all that ...Slopping it on the lift carpets etc lol :D not to mention removing mugs from the buffet area ;) ( .It's all very well for our rich American cousins who delight in splashing out on $3 here and $5 there ... there is no need for that) ..a US $ or a £ coin will suffice for a tea tray.

 

I have to disagree with our friend 'naveybankerteacher' ,the original posting relates to 'Cunard Line'. Auto gratuities (if left in place ) covers 'all aspects' of the white star service. That's why Cunard don't put kettles in the staterooms.

 

Just pick up the phone and enjoy :)

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Really there is no need to do all that ...Slopping it on the lift carpets etc lol :D not to mention removing mugs from the buffet area ;) ( .It's all very well for our rich American cousins who delight in splashing out on $3 here and $5 there ... there is no need for that) ..a US $ or a £ coin will suffice for a tea tray.

 

I have to disagree with our friend 'naveybankerteacher' ,the original posting relates to 'Cunard Line'. Auto gratuities (if left in place ) covers 'all aspects' of the white star service. That's why Cunard don't put kettles in the staterooms.

 

Just pick up the phone and enjoy :)

 

That there are no kettles permitted in the cabins has nothing whatsoever to do with tipping, according to this quote from https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/fleet/Kettle

 

"Hot water can be obtained on board and due to health and safety reasons we would discourage you from bringing a kettle/coffee machine."

 

I'm not quite sure what you meant by "Auto gratuities (if left in place ) covers 'all aspects' of the white star service." are you saying that those who deliver room service receive a share of the Hotel and Dining Charge? The reason why I doubt that is the case is because not all passengers use room service - and for that same reason that not all guests utilize these services, casino dealers and spa personnel do not share in the Hotel and Dining Charge http://www.cunard.com/frequent-questions/

 

Salacia

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I was under the impression reinforced by the Cunard Q&A on tipping below, that all hotel and dining staff receive a share of the auto tip, including room service staff..

 

"How does tipping work?

 

During your voyage, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. Many more crew support those who serve you directly. A discretionary Hotel and Dining charge will be added to your shipboard account on a daily basis for each passenger (including children). This charge will be shared amongst all those who help provide and support your experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards and others. Please note, this is a discretionary charge and should you wish to remove it or make any adjustments, you may contact the Purser’s Desk before the end of the cruise.

 

Grill Accommodations: $13.50 USD per person per day†

Britannia Accommodations: $11.50 USD per person per day†

 

Note: Casino dealers and Spa personnel do not share in the Hotel and Dining charge as not all guests utilise these services.

 

What about gratuities in the bars?

 

A 15% gratuity is added to your bar charges and dining room wine account. This is shared amongst the beverage staff and their support staff."

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"Hot water can be obtained on board and due to health and safety reasons we would discourage you from bringing a kettle/coffee machine."

 

I'm not quite sure what you meant by "Auto gratuities (if left in place ) covers 'all aspects' of the white star service." are you saying that those who deliver room service receive a share of the Hotel and Dining Charge? The reason why I doubt that is the case is because not all passengers use room service - and for that same reason that not all guests utilize these services, casino dealers and spa personnel do not share in the Hotel and Dining Charge http://www.cunard.com/frequent-questions/

 

Salacia

 

The room service staff are members of the general waiting staff and are rostered to the room service team from time to time, it is not a permanent post. You might as well say the staff in the lido shouldn't be included in the auto gratuity as not everyone may use it!

 

As for kettles, many cruise ships/ferries/etc have kettles, its just a Cunard thing not to have them. They don't want people to bring their own either.

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Salacia come on, as a seasoned Cunard cruiser you do surprise me that you'd question whether or not those who deliver room service receive a share of the HDC . Of course they do. After all, they are the same crew members who from time to time look after us in the main restaurants. :)

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Tipping for room service is entirely optional, just as is giving any of your assigned staff an additional gratuity at any point in the cruise. I apologize on behalf of my fellow American tippers for perpetuating the habit.

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On my most frequently used cruise line....not only do they collect the gratuities day-by-day, they encourage extra tipping at the end of the cruise for exceptional service :cool: My needs and wants are few, I don't leave a mess, I don't ask for extras, I'm polite and respectful. But the cruise director sure puts the guilt factor to a high pitch towards the end of the cruise. One of my cabin stewards, who was quite nice and pleasant the whole cruise even had the audacity to put his name on the Extra Gratuity envelope when leaving it in my cabin. I felt insulted. He was expecting an extra tip. He didn't deserve one in my mind. He earned his gratuity and that was it. Isn't he supposed to be nice and friendly in his daily dealings with me. He empties the trash, supplies fresh towels, makes the bed.....and anything else he does is at his discretion because there isn't anything else left for him to do in my cabin.

 

My point being...gratuities seem to be expected now, and not a voluntary choice. Yes, the staff works diligently, they work every day, and are away from their families...but didn't they choose this line of work?

 

I don't understand all the discussion about it. Oh well....life goes on. :D

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It seems that tipping on cruise ships has evolved from being an optional perk to reward good service to now being an expectation for providing any level of service and part of the crew members basic pay.

I accept that, and as a result, I pay the auto tip and then decide if anyone is worthy of an additional tip based on receiving above-average service. I include bartenders in this equation if they have provided an exceptional experience.

I would never give additional tips to anyone just for showing up -- they must earn it.

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It seems that tipping on cruise ships has evolved from being an optional perk to reward good service to now being an expectation for providing any level of service and part of the crew members basic pay.

I accept that, and as a result, I pay the auto tip and then decide if anyone is worthy of an additional tip based on receiving above-average service. I include bartenders in this equation if they have provided an exceptional experience.

I would never give additional tips to anyone just for showing up -- they must earn it.

 

I agree with you! I don't use the bartenders so they aren't part of my cruise experience....but you're so right, why give extra for doing the expected job?

On my last cruise, we didn't enter the US at all, so I didn't bring any US money..totally forgetting about tipping on the ship. I had to give Euros to the room service person....but, when it came to the end of the cruise...even though I had pre-paid the gratuities, I received that Extra tip envelope. Whoops, I didn't have any US money, and guest services wouldn't exchange my euros or pounds for US. (I would have had to take a advance off my credit card to get some US money, and I wasn't going to do that) So I couldn't, and didn't, tip extra. I felt guilty for about 10 minutes...the cabin steward was fine, but nothing 'extra', but I got over that guilt in a hurry.

I understand that the tips are part of their basic pay...but that's something that the crew should be dealing with in management talks and not leave it on our shoulders to make up the difference. I know that waitstaff in restaurants get a lower than standard minimum wage because everyone knows that they receive tips for their service. But so do alot of the other service industry workers who receive more than the minimum wage for performing their job.

 

I have nothing against tipping, but it is getting a little out of hand when we're tipping on top of the tips. :D

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That is why I feel very comfortable on Cunard, the crew are forbidden to leave envelopes out on the bed towards the last evening.

 

If anyone has experienced this on Cunard then you should contact the housekeeping supervisor .

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I've never heard of that on any ship, I thought it was auto-gratuities or envelopes not both. Who do you usually sail with ladysail2 ?

 

I usually sail with Royal Caribbean. Their policy, until recently, was that one had to prepay gratuities if one chose My Time Dining. If one chose early or late seating, then they would charge the gratuities every day to your credit card account (Sea Pass account as they call it). Their policy has now changed to paying the gratuities daily even with My Time Dining. There is no 'pay at the end of the cruise' on Royal Caribbean.

 

I can't remember when they introduced these Extra gratuity envelopes for outstanding service. But they certainly push the issue starting about 3 days before the end of the cruise. I'm sure it's been about 2 years now...because of the memory of that cabin steward who assumed he'd be getting the extra tip.

I sure notice the extra attention given towards the end of the cruise...more toiletries, more smiles, more chitchat.....I'm not fooled by that. They know they've received their regular gratuity and now they're working on the extra one. Perhaps they are pushed by their supervisors to act in this way. It's kind of sad really.

 

 

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I usually sail with Royal Caribbean. Their policy, until recently, was that one had to prepay gratuities if one chose My Time Dining. If one chose early or late seating, then they would charge the gratuities every day to your credit card account (Sea Pass account as they call it). Their policy has now changed to paying the gratuities daily even with My Time Dining. There is no 'pay at the end of the cruise' on Royal Caribbean.

 

I can't remember when they introduced these Extra gratuity envelopes for outstanding service. But they certainly push the issue starting about 3 days before the end of the cruise. I'm sure it's been about 2 years now...because of the memory of that cabin steward who assumed he'd be getting the extra tip.

I sure notice the extra attention given towards the end of the cruise...more toiletries, more smiles, more chitchat.....I'm not fooled by that. They know they've received their regular gratuity and now they're working on the extra one. Perhaps they are pushed by their supervisors to act in this way. It's kind of sad really.

 

 

 

It must vary by ship but I can't remember it happening to me (My RCI is mostly Grandeur out of Baltimore). I usually do give my cabin and dining stewards extra, but if subjected to that would have second thoughts. It's really unprofessional.

 

Roy

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The explanation Royal Caribbean's website gives for gratuity envelopes placed in cabins is as follows:

 

"Q: What if I'm totally WOW'ed and want to provide special recognition for a crew member?

 

A: Feel free to recognize crew members who make your voyage exceptionally memorable. You can visit the Guest Services desk to increase the amount of your gratuities or reward a crew member with an additional cash gratuity at your discretion. Gratuity envelopes will be available in your stateroom. You’ll find a comment card there, too—another way you can provide feedback and recognition for wow-worthy crew members." - copied from http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqType=faq&faqSubjectId=415&faqSubjectName=Gratuities&faqId=5530

 

Apparently, the auto-tip is discretionary in that passengers can modify and/or request the charge be removed. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqType=faq&faqSubjectId=415&faqSubjectName=Gratuities&faqId=5527

 

I have no experience of Royal Caribbean, but doesn't their tipping policy as stated on their website seems to be in-line with general industry standards? I do understand these changes are somewhat recent and therefore might seem odd to past passengers.

 

Salacia

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