Pyrate13

Looked at her on the web cam but won't be aboard for another month or so. Can hardly wait. :D

In Australia the mnum adult wage is about $18 an hour so many more experiences waiters are on $20-$25 an hour, then we have little things called penalty rates, that can mean 2 and a 1/2 times the normal hourly rate, so a waiter on minimum can jump to $45 an hour on a public holiday and $36 an hour on a Sunday a more senior waiter on $25 an hour jumps to $62.50 on holidays or $50 on a Sunday, so if we go to a restaurant it is expensive, when the waitstaff start to expect tips on top of that it is crazy.

And I would absolutely agree about tipping at those rates but that illustrates my point, those are Ausie norms, not US. You will not see those kinds of pay scales here.

UK tipping policy for foreign wait staff and tour guides - contrary to what you have heard Brits do tip sometimes. Golden rule - if you say you accept tips, have a sign up asking for tips, or otherwise look like you expect to be tipped - we will not tip you. Even if we were planning to before you mentioned it :rolleyes:

UK tipping policy for foreign wait staff and tour guides - contrary to what you have heard Brits do tip sometimes. Golden rule - if you say you accept tips, have a sign up asking for tips, or otherwise look like you expect to be tipped - we will not tip you. Even if we were planning to before you mentioned it :rolleyes:

Yes yes yes and again I say YES.

 

As an Aussie I get really T'd off when they ask [directly or otherwise] for a tip.

You and some other posters appear to be basing your objection to posted tipping reminders in the US, (or is your objection just to signs in your home country and I am misunderstanding) on Australian or UK pay scale. For someone to say they will not tip just because they see a sign stating tips are accepted just demonstrates a lack of understanding or disregard of local custom if it is in the US.

As to your question and concern that if Americans tip in the UK or Australia because that's what they do at home and it might cause folks there to start expecting it, then perhaps there should be signs posted stating that tipping is not the norm or what is indeed appropriate. I can see your concern but signs educating visitors may be necessary just as the opposite signs hopefully do here.

Oh well, I will try to do the correct thing if or when I visit and hopefully others will do the same when they come here. I doubt anything will change due to a conversation we have in this forum. Happy traveling. :)

PS, I am almost amazed that we could have this much of a civilized conversation on CC without someone joining in and flaming one or both of us. :D Hope I haven't spoken to soon. :rolleyes::eek:

Where the heck does a waiter get paid $50 an hour??? Please let me know, I would like to go work there. I have worked in one of the most expensive resort areas in FL and even at the top, most highly priced restaurant, the waiters were still paid $3 and hour plus tips. Yes, the tips are higher due to being a percentage of the prices for eating there so therefore the server makes more money. That's why the jobs there are in demand compared to other locations and therefore can command the top servers.

Your question seems to suggest that the people working in the US need to adapt to the tipping culture in other parts of the world. It doesn't matter if the tipping culture is different in the US anymore than there are different cultures in Australia. When people travel, I believe they should try to adapt to the culture where you are traveling. Trust me, whether you choose to believe it or not, many of us in the US very much understand that tipping is different around the world and we don't need anyone to get us that "message". And yes, you will see signs in some places here stating that tipping is not expected or even allowed. In some cases an employeee can be discharged for accepting a tip.

I've never had anyone refuse a tip in any place I've traveled to in other parts of the world though, maybe they do in Australia, I haven't been there. Apparently no matter what the tipping culture for locals might be they're more that happy to accept one from me whether they are in a tipped position or not. I don't worry about it, if I've tipped someone I shouldn't because I didn't know the norm, good on them. I do worry if I haven't tipped or undertipped when I should have.

Regardless, a person working in their own country shouldn't have to adapt to the visitor, quite the opposite, the visitor should try to adapt to the country they are visiting. That goes for everyone, including Americans and Ausie's. So when you see signs suggesting tips, or receipts with a tip line, rather than not tipping the worker because you don't like it (which only hurts them, not the business) try to understand that that's the way it is here.

You're right about one thing, there will always be people that are not the same and sadly, many of them couldn't care less about even trying to do what's correct no matter where they're from. At least the OP is making an attempt to understand.

How well we know that, especially those of us that have worked in tipped positions and had to pay tax on tips we never received. Yes, in the US, when you work in a tipped position you are taxed on what the government sees as the expected average based on recorded sales. When you are a waiter/server, bartender, etc the charges for the meals/drinks are recorded and reported for tax purposes. A bellperson (porter as some call them) at a hotel is required to file a tip declaration report to their employer which is filed with the government for taxation also.

Regardless, when I visit another country I try to learn at least a little about their culture and act accordingly. I don't always get it right and I might not agree with it but I try to work within it anyway. You may not agree with our tipping culture but that's the way it is and just because you or others disagree doesn't make it right to disregard it either.

So, sometimes it's necessary to have information posted, or otherwise, that informs of the accepted norm here. With that in mind, once again I ask, how do you propose we do that or do you just propose to disregard it with an I don't care for it, therefore I won't do it? Remember, when you're here, you're not is Aus and your culture does not necessarily work here. If I was in your country I would expect to act with respect for your ways of doing things. Ever heard the saying, "When in Rome"?

"UK tipping policy for foreign wait staff and tour guides - contrary to what you have heard Brits do tip sometimes. Golden rule - if you say you accept tips, have a sign up asking for tips, or otherwise look like you expect to be tipped - we will not tip you. Even if we were planning to before you mentioned it"

 

Sometimes being the operative word here.:rolleyes:

Since you don't want anything to indicate that tipping is the norm for a particular service in a location with a different tipping culture than your own, how do you propose that they message be given?

My friends in the islands pronounce it Ca RIB ean. I defer to them, they live there.:)

We were docked along side of the Mein Schiff a couple of years ago having a drink on our balcony. Apparently few people aboard that ship cared that there was another right along side. Lots of folks changing their clothes with the blinds wide open and one fat old guy walking his balcony without a stitch on for at least 20 minutes. :eek::eek::eek: He absolutely had to see us and others out there but I guess he was mighty proud, not sure of what though???:rolleyes:

Quito Rymer and The Edge. They're out of the BVI. :cool:

Have to agree with Ready2, it's a bargain compared to what it would cost at the bars. I prefer Crown an if I drink just two doubles a day on a 7 day cruise that's about the equal of a liter. Bar cost, near about $300 bucks, BV cost $80, plus any left over can go home with me. A no brainer for me but to each their own.

By the way JB, some of us can tell the difference in the accents. :D

I have good friends from both the UK and Australia. I've never been lucky enough to visit down under but have traveled a fair bit around the UK. Love it.

No flames JB, not a bad job at all. Even many Americans don't understand who or what to tip. Having worked in several types of tipped positions I've added a few things in red.

Hi, Lou,

 

Here are answers from another foreigner, replies from Americans will let us see how many I got right ;)

And in my post I've thoughtfully left spaces for them to flame me for each answer. :D

 

Transfer bus driver. No need (and you might not have $1 bills at that stage), but some tip a few bucks.

A few bucks for the driver is normal.

Porter at hotel. If you use a porter, a few bucks for delivering bags to your room. Whether you do & how much to tip depends on the quality of hotel and the effort/helpfulness of the porter. I just hate having a porter pick up my bags at reception, take them ten feet to the elevator, then ten feet to my room, then hold out his hand - a tip for an unwanted service. You can decline to use this service if you choose. Normal tip is $1.50-$2 per bag. Bell staff, or perters as you call them, are often paid similar to restaurant wait staff at a lower wage and depend on tips but should provide good service for said tip. Two begrudging bucks.

 

Arriving at the ship by bus, you probably won't even see a porter - everyone's bags will be offloaded together. Arriving at the ship by taxi, its the same situation as the hotel - offloaded from taxi onto a cart or hole-in-the-wall, and the porter you do see will be just the first cog in the chain. Probably the porter and taxi driver will share that silly little task to ensure two tips. I think most Americans tip that porter, we don't.

 

Then on the ship, during the next hour or three a team of crew members will deliver bags to cabin doors, you probably won't be there & even if you are no tip will be expected. Correct.

 

Vaguely similar routine on disembarkation, all bags are collected overnight from outside cabin doors & deposited in rows in the cruise terminal for you to collect next morning - you won't even see a porter. But very different if you have a porter carry your bags from terminal to bus/taxi, yes I guess around $5 to $10 - a guess, cos like most passengers we don't use a porter for that. Again, $1.50-$2.00 per bag.

 

On the ship, you sign for everything you buy - a cashless system.

Don't worry about tipping wine waiters or bar staff, a hefty and mandatory 15% is added to the listed price for drinks service. But there's space at the bottom of the bill to also add a "tip". That's a conundrum even for Americans - very few add each time, some add for extra-mile service, some give a favoured barkeep a fat cash tip early in the cruise (mainly in the hope of preferred-status), some do that at the end of the cruise (to show their appreciation). If you don't tip at all, it's no big deal.

 

Ditto waiters & cabin stewards - normally a daily charge (around $11 to $14 per passenger per day) is added to your on-board account.

Assuming you don't ask for that to be reduced or deleted (you have the right, but I'm not suggesting you do it) no more is expected - folk often put their hands in their pockets at the end of the cruise for those who go the extra mile but it's no big deal if you don't. Makes no difference where you eat - buffet, main dining room, speciality restaurant. The cover charge is all about the surroundings & the meal, nothing to do with tipping.

NB On cruises out of Australia there might not be a daily charge (or even a drinks service charge), they're taken into account in the cruise ticket price cos the cruise lines are aware of Aus's different tipping culture.

 

Definitely tip for room service, in cash. We've never used it, I'll leave others to suggest amounts. For me it depends on how much we ordered, I think a couple of bucks is fairly standard.

And I'll leave others to respond re spa services (usually that mandatory 15% again), kids' clubs etc.

 

At casino tables, something from your winnings to the croupier. Most don't win, so most don't tip :D I don't gamble so can't speak to this.

 

Port-of-call tour guides. Depends on the local culture, the size of group, and the standard of the guide. I reckon up to $10 per couple on a large bus, 10% to 15% for a small group. One area where I get the impression that Americans tip according to quality more than convention. Correct.

 

Have I missed anything on the ship?

 

Ashore.

We've toured the States many times, though not Alaska.

We've never seen a "service charge" in restaurants. (Perhaps it's charged for large groups?) Very often it is. Definitely tip waiting staff, the tips make up most of their wages. 15% to 20%. On just one occasion we tipped zilch, because of truly awful service - but we made it clear why. Might've been wrong to give nothing, but we felt that it would make the staff think about the standards they were giving. Service in the US is normally exemplary, and the tipping culture has played its part in that.

 

We don't tip in counter-service fast-food joints. Nor do I And we leave just a few bucks in part-service places such as dinner buffets (lots of those in the US, and very good value) Again, correct.

 

Tipping bar staff is normal (15% or thereabouts?), but you'll find that in most of the US there isn't the alcohol culture that there is in Aus or the UK. Fewer pubs & bars, more carry-out bottle-shops. If you're going to buy wine in a bottle-shop, remember to pack a corkscrew - not all US wine is screw-top, even imported Aussie wine.

 

We don't usually tip the house-keeping staff in motels, but we have done so for the extra-mile. And probably would for an extended stay. If we are staying just one night we don't usually tip however if a longer stay, then $2.00-$2.50 per night. The Marriott chain are now trialling a housekeeping service charge on the bill, same as cruise ships, same right to have it removed - it'll be interesting to see guests' reactions to that.

 

Few gas stations are serviced, you use your credit card at the pump.

 

Tourist attractions? . You'll probably know when circumstances warrant putting your hand in your pocket, & to some extent you can be led by what others do. In eateries for sure, and for good ho-ho drivers

 

That's just our take on tipping. Our Brit accent & your Aussie accent (BTW, most Americans can't tell the difference :confused:) help to avoid embarrassment if we get it wrong.

 

Let the flaming commence :D

Basics, for handling bags $1.50-$2.00 per bag, for eateries, 15-20% of the tab. For transportation and tours, depends on the service rendered. If a taxi or bus driver handles my bags the tip is commensurate with that service.

Hope this helps.

Didn't realize this was not a still shot, the picture has changed, so the further out pier would be the Puerto Maya Pier and the nearer is the International.

The pier with the ships is the Porta Maya pier, the empty one is the International pier.

can you please tell me where in tampa there is no fee to park?

Yeah, I would love to know that too! Only thing I can think of is a hotel with park & cruise rates. Not going to pay for a hotel when I live 40 minutes from the port.

As for the op's question, I have been out there cruising where we needed a jacket every day, so as a couple of others have indicated, it can go either way. Would not stop me though.:D

We are currently saving up $1, $2, and $5 bills.

Good for you! However, you might want to know that many of the crew do not understand the two dollar bill and think it is fake. I have even heard some have feelings that the bill is "evil". Just saying. ;)

We always bring an extra stack of small bills for side tips, both on board and at ports.

It would help to know what cruise line you are sailing with. :)

In addition to the information in some of the other responses, we have experienced cruises where you just had to ask your cabin steward to open the divider but on other ships we had to go to guest services and place the request there. Both parties had to be present to place the request. All on Carnival ships.

Not changing our plans, we'll be on the Pride in December, can hardly stand the wait.:D

We were on the Legend for Halloween a few years ago and there were lots of great costumes in the MDR. :)

How exactly do you expect CC to provide up to date and factual information when even the CDC can't? You really expect to find that information on a cruise site or expect that site to provide such information? How odd.:confused:

As for spreading fear, if someone lets some post, written by a person they don't know anything about, on a cruise talk web site cause them to fear, they are fools. There is always going to be a segment of any society that is in fear of just about anything, regardless of whether that fear is factually founded or not. There are Chicken Little's everywhere.

If you are truly that upset with how this was handled on CC there is nothing requiring you to continue using the site. All members are free to leave if they wish but with over 6K of posts I doubt you will be leaving and I'm not saying you should, but maybe you should have more realistic expectations of what information this site can provide.

I spent two years working in Belize and it is perfectly safe if you take the normal precautions that apply in any city in USA or UK. Stay away from the seedy areas during the hours of darkness and don't carry wads of money.

Add me as another that agrees with this post. It seems people often let appearances scare them when there is really little to fear. We have found the locals to be quite friendly, just poor. This is often the case on many of the islands as well.

I've never rented a cabana but since the price is fixed and Carnival makes money buy renting them and not when they are empty I can't imagine why they would say "sold out" if there were some available. Wouldn't make any sense to chance leaving empties hoping for renters later when they could have been sold in advance.

Sorry, but I too have doubt about the 50' estimate. Many average folks cannot make accurate visual distance estimates. 50' is only about three parking space lengths or so. My house is over 70' wide and I highly doubt the aircraft was less than a house length or three parking spaces away from the ship.

As for the crew not issuing a warning that this was going to happen, they probably had no idea themselves. I'm guessing their radar is looking at surface vessels, not aircraft and I doubt the pilot called them.

And yes Artemus, I too would have run outside to see it. Sorry you were so scared.

Does it change anyone's thinking that today it was announced a second nurse who cared for Ebola patient, Mr. Dunken, in Texas has been diagnosed with Ebola.

In a word, no, at least not for me.

I have to agree with several other posters, I sent an email to my pvp's supervisor and let him know how much I appreciate her and what a good job she does for me. He replied with a thank you for the email and stated my message would be included in her personal file.:)