Tipping: Keeping Up With Inflation?

Hi Salacia,

 

I know I am being thick (not for the first or last time :o ) but I honestly don't see a conflict here just because the phrase or meaning in the first part is not repeated in the second. It is clear in the first section, at least to me. But as I said, that could be just me being simple :o .

 

(I rarely understand tipping threads, it seems so simple to me (of course being British I have a different attitude to this subject to some (with different everyday experiences) from across the pond). So I take this attitude:

 

Rather than guess what tip is appropriate at the end of my cruise, Cunard make it simple for me by working it out. So I always leave the auto-tip in place.

 

And on many cruises (including my most recent) that is it. As I see them for the last time on my cruise or crossing, I thank the stewards in person with a handshake, then pick up my bags and go.

 

If any have offered exceptional service, gone the extra mile, done something memorable to assist me, or made my voyage remarkable by an act of kindness, then I discreetly (no-one else, passenger or fellow crew-member, is aware) tip them directly in cash (To give only one example out of many; once, a steward raced down a Deck 9 corridor from the Commodore Club, chasing me to my cabin, clutching my camera which I'd left on a chair. I tipped him in cash the next day).

 

I'd guess that on about half my trips I've given extra in cash at some point.

Which means that on half I've relied on the auto-tip to do the work for me; I've received the service I expected, nothing more. But I always treat the crew with the utmost civility, greet them and thank them warmly. Remember names when possible, treat them as equals, not servants or slaves (and I've seen that on board :mad:)

 

On land I feel no need to spend my day giving out stacks of notes to all who serve me, regardless of the level of service, exceptional or appalling (which seems to be a national obsession in some countries and cultures. Would you believe it, in some places otherwise sane people automatically reward bad service!). I see no need to behave differently on a ship)

 

Happy sailings to all :)

Hi Pepper. I agree with your comments regarding treating the crew with civility at all times, leaving the Hotel and Dining charge in place, and giving additional tips where warranted.

I'm just a bit confused by what seems to be these conflicting statements by Cunard: the H&D charge is "charge will be shared amongst all those who help provide and support your experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards and others" vs "shared between your waiters and stateroom steward". I suppose it's not a big deal, but I rather liked the thought that the H&D charge was shared not only amongst the waiters and cabin stewards (who often receive additional tips), but also shared amongst the behind the scene staff that work so hard - for less than stellar pay - to make our voyages enjoyable.

However the distribution is made, I will continue to leave the H&D charge in place because I believe some system is better than no system in regard to tipping on board :) Cheers, -S.

..........So I take this attitude:

Rather than guess what tip is appropriate at the end of my cruise, Cunard make it simple for me by working it out. So I always leave the auto-tip in place.

 

And on many cruises (including my most recent) that is it. As I see them for the last time on my cruise or crossing, I thank the stewards in person with a handshake, then pick up my bags and go.

 

If any have offered exceptional service, gone the extra mile, done something memorable to assist me, or made my voyage remarkable by an act of kindness, then I discreetly (no-one else, passenger or fellow crew-member, is aware) tip them directly in cash (To give only one example out of many; once, a steward raced down a Deck 9 corridor from the Commodore Club, chasing me to my cabin, clutching my camera which I'd left on a chair. I tipped him in cash the next day).

 

I'd guess that on about half my trips I've given extra in cash at some point.

Which means that on half I've relied on the auto-tip to do the work for me; I've received the service I expected, nothing more. But I always treat the crew with the utmost civility, greet them and thank them warmly. Remember names when possible, treat them as equals, not servants or slaves (and I've seen that on board :mad:)

 

On land I feel no need to spend my day giving out stacks of notes to all who serve me, regardless of the level of service, exceptional or appalling (which seems to be a national obsession in some countries and cultures. Would you believe it, in some places otherwise sane people automatically reward bad service!). I see no need to behave differently on a ship) ......

pepprem, Very well said! I whole heartily agree!

You also clearly state a pet peeve of mine...and it seems particularly bad with some of my fellow countrymen when they travel.

Respect, a smile, a thank you and a note to the Purser's office about the steward's/wait staff's good service go a long way to reward the steward/wait staff for a job well done.

When the service charge/auto tip was first rolled out, the cruise lines said, and still say, it was to make things easier for the passenger to tip the crew who provide the service...So we take them at their word. We do tip extra for that extra special service, but if the Auto Tip is all we do, we don't suffer "Tippers Guilt".

Salacia, I didn't mean to put words in your mouth:). I don't really think the to statements contradict each other, but I do agree the whole thing is unclear as to exactly who is part of the auto tip. On the lines we have traveled that use this method, when I asked for a list of who was covered, it has always been all the housekeeping staff and the wait staff involved in the serving any food in any part of the ship. I just wish they would post a break down of how much of the $11-$13 dollars involved goes to the steward and the waiter/assistant waiter. Oh Well.

peppremI just wish they would post a break down of how much of the $11-$13 dollars involved goes to the steward and the waiter/assistant waiter. Oh Well.

Some time last year I asked my room steward about this and he told me he gets $1.95 per person per day from the auto gratuities.

Some time last year I asked my room steward about this and he told me he gets $1.95 per person per day from the auto gratuities.

Assuming that he would know and that he would tell you, it would mean that as they have 17 cabins each to service (on QM2) and their contracts last for 9 months or 270 days, he would amass $18,360 tax free during his contract minus whatever he spent over the period plus whatever extra tips he earned from the passengers in his charge. It should also be borne in mind that there are no expenses during this period for food, drink or accommodation, I wouldn't hazard a guess at what that value is. It is quite easy to see why these lovely people keep coming back on board I think.

The chap who cleaned our room was awesome and left us an extra bottle of water each day as he knew its all I would drink. The night before leaving he was turning down our pillows so after a 5 second chat with my GF about how much we should give him it was decided $400 was enough.

 

Im not sure what the average guest pays but I would imagine $200 - $1000 per transatlantic is fair for the cabin staff + the additional daily tips which are added

We go by the Berlitz cruise guide & tip about $6per day each to the steward & mean waiter. About $4per day to their assistants. We met this guy a few years back named Charlie(spittiong image of Jackie Mason) and as funny. He tipped about $400 to each staff member attending to him & his wife. He had far more $$$ than us. The staff really loved him & he showed it back to them. A really great couple!

We go by the Berlitz cruise guide & tip about $6per day each to the steward & mean waiter. About $4per day to their assistants. We met this guy a few years back named Charlie(spittiong image of Jackie Mason) and as funny. He tipped about $400 to each staff member attending to him & his wife. He had far more $$$ than us. The staff really loved him & he showed it back to them. A really great couple!

Crikey kieth - what's this about a "mean waiter"? (just joshing you pal) ;):D

Crikey kieth - what's this about a "mean waiter"? (just joshing you pal) ;):D

This is the type who only attends to people tipping 400$ a day...

Btw extreme tipping may cause a lot of service issues for lower tipping guests. It distracts the staff from looking after them. I do highly recommend not to give extra ordinary tips.

Assuming that he would know and that he would tell you, it would mean that as they have 17 cabins each to service (on QM2) and their contracts last for 9 months or 270 days, he would amass $18,360 tax free during his contract minus whatever he spent over the period plus whatever extra tips he earned from the passengers in his charge. It should also be borne in mind that there are no expenses during this period for food, drink or accommodation, I wouldn't hazard a guess at what that value is. It is quite easy to see why these lovely people keep coming back on board I think.

That makes 1.500 average per month over the year while giving up you personal life gor 9 month. I can't see a positive balance in this. Your comment is typical US and I do not at all share your point.

It is poor pay for what the have to go through.

That makes 1.500 average per month over the year while giving up you personal life gor 9 month. I can't see a positive balance in this. Your comment is typical US and I do not at all share your point.

 

It is poor pay for what the have to go through.

I couldn't care less whether you "share my point", whatever that is supposed to mean. I was just doing the maths. The crew don't give up their personal life at all and that is a ridiculous statement to make. Free board and lodging for 9 months plus USD1,500 plus what ever else they receive in tips per month after tax in the Philippines isn't a bad wage and if it was the crew wouldn't keep coming back. By the way I am English not American.

£10k (tax free) for 9 months work and no living expenses - an awful lot of workers in the UK could never dream of that. No rent/mortgage, food to buy, gas and electric bill, no car to run, no council tax, no transport costs, etc etc.

I say that was a pretty good whack - £10k in your back pocket.

Add a few other things into the maths. Capnpugwash only calculated the auto tips. In addition to this they have a wage (the autotips are only a component of that wage). Add in the extra tips that some people give them. Subtract those who don't give autotips. It all adds up to unknown.

Although they live rent free and their food is paid for (though I notice they love buying fast food on shore), many of them are still supporting a family back home. Unfortunately, Toad, it's not all in their back pocket. However, as others have pointed out, the money goes a lot further in the Philippines than it would in the UK.

Unfortunately, Toad, it's not all in their back pocket. However, as others have pointed out, the money goes a lot further in the Philippines than it would in the UK.

It is very much in their back pocket. As I have already said, it's £10k and no living expenses. In the UK, how many people, after they have paid all their living costs, have £10k left over to spend on whatever they like ? Yes, a lot of people do, but equally an awful lot don't.

And as for supporting a family - well, people in the UK do that as well.

Sorry Toad, perhaps I didn't express what I meant clearly enough.

This £10k 'in their back pocket' is what they use to support their family back home (house, electricity, food, schooling, clothes, etc.). It's not money to 'spend on whatever they like'. Those who are married still have a home that they have to pay for, even if they don't live in it.

Crikey kieth - what's this about a "mean waiter"? (just joshing you pal) ;):D

Yes, you should have seen what the "main" waiter got! Sorry, it was a long day yesterday. We did 3 weddings. Really crazy afternoon. Business has been really crazy this summer!

Sorry Toad, perhaps I didn't express what I meant clearly enough.

 

This £10k 'in their back pocket' is what they use to support their family back home (house, electricity, food, schooling, clothes, etc.). It's not money to 'spend on whatever they like'. Those who are married still have a home that they have to pay for, even if they don't live in it.

I presume the auto-tips are extra to their salary whatever that is. I presume Cunard pay the minimum wage? Then there are the extra tips as well. Yes most support a family back home, but the waiters I have spoken too want to come and work on the ships they do miss their family but it is better to have a good/average salary. When we were young and had young children my husband had work away from home to support the family. I had to work as well just to make ends meet. You do whatever you have to under the circumstances, and neither of us have ever received a tip or bonus. We have done what other British citizens have done worked hard paid all our taxes, and it still work part-time so we can afford to go cruising. I am a generous person by nature and leave the auto tip in place but I feel no compulsion to add extra. Having said that we have given extra to waiters and steward in the past.

I think Cunard should not encourage extra tipping as someone has already said it may distract the steward/waiter from providing a good service to other passengers. If you have tippers guilt whatever that is give it to the purser as a collective to be distributed throughout the staff.

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I agree Lady Monet. Those of us who are responsible do whatever we need to, when we can, to support our families. (I accept that there are some people who are unable to get work.) I have great respect for these people who are prepared to live and work away from their families in order to look after them properly. I grew up with a mother who worked full-time to pay the mortgage and a father who worked permanent night-shift in order to be home (albeit asleep) when we got in from school and when we were home sick and home on holidays.

£10k (tax free) for 9 months work and no living expenses - an awful lot of workers in the UK could never dream of that. No rent/mortgage, food to buy, gas and electric bill, no car to run, no council tax, no transport costs, etc etc.

 

I say that was a pretty good whack - £10k in your back pocket.

And no chance to leave the ship even when they are not on duty. They can't meet their family andfriends and have no privacy att all.

And no chance to leave the ship even when they are not on duty.

And no chance to leave the ship even when they are not on duty. They can't meet their family andfriends and have no privacy att all.

I think that you must live in a dream world. The crew of ships go ashore at most ports if their duties permit and search out all the free wifi spots.

I can't imagine who they were then that I saw on the shuttle bus to/from Blankenburge, or wandering in and out of shops in Cherbourg (to mention only my most recent trip). I must have been hallucinating or drunk.

How many did you see? 1.500 or 50?.

Yes, they do leave the ship. Every 10 or 14 days for a few hours, definitely not on every port, not even in their home port.

I have done work like this, you probably never worked at all.

These threads about tipping really do bring out the best in people!

These threads about tipping really do bring out the best in people!

Yes they do. :). Never my problem....I mind my own business and make those happy that made me happy. Done!

And no chance to leave the ship ...

Yes, they do leave the ship

How many did you see? 1.500 or 50?.

... you probably never worked at all.

And no chance to leave the ship even when they are not on duty. They can't meet their family andfriends and have no privacy att all.

First time we were on Cunard's Vistafjord, we took the last tender back from Mykonos about 11pm. We were joined by three crew who had had a really good time in port!!;)

When we were in Asia last time, at several ports the families came to meet their family members on the ship, they were allowed on board for few hours and the crew who had family there that day went ashore.

I have often seen our waiters and stewards ashore...they can go ashore if they are off duty on a port day. In fact that is always a topic of conversation with our waiters and steward after a port day. They go ashore more often than every two weeks now. Surely on the Queen's there is the note as to when the crew has to be on board along with the note for the passengers as you get off the ship...there has been on every cruise I have ever done.

You must not get off the ship in ports with terminals. You have to wade through the crew using the wifi service!

Now days, we have encountered many married couples, waiters and stewards, whose wife or husband are on board. They have a cabin for two and are very happy with the situation.

Pepper....we are going to be in Southampton soon. I'd love to see your estates and your squillions.