Gratuities for 1 year old on Oasis?

Those examples are the "cost of doing business"...just like any restaurant.

 

Yes...kids should be well-behaved and as tidy as possible for dining, but as most folks know, that doesn't happen all the time. Nonetheless, it's also something already accounted for in 'dining clean-up". I've seen enough adult sloppy/messy eaters to know it's not exclusive to kids either.

 

We are traveling with a 20-year-old young adult and 4-year old grandsons next time...and there's no way we can begin to reason justification for the 4-year-old gratuity that would exceed $100+ - rest assured...we will contest that amount.

 

In contrast...we have no issue paying the "normal" rates, including for the 20-year old. We've been known to even pay extra when warranted by the service levels. So this becomes an issue of principal, not actual dollars with us.

So your going to stiff the staff of their tips for a 4 year old? Real nice. Like a 4 year old doesn't dirty the bathroom, need clean sheets, eat the food served by staff? You just posted publicly how cheap you are. It is you choice to be cheap but no one forced you to broadcast it on this site. I'm glad I'm not the staff serving someone like you.

I see. Again, I'm fine with paying the underpaid and overworked staff. I can't say the same for the nickel and diming cruise line. In the awful event we would actually need a lifeboat, LO would sit on my lap and wouldn't take up any space. A 1 year old does not use nearly as many resources on the ship as an adult. She doesn't eat as much as an adult, doesn't take up space in the theaters or casino, cannot take up space in the pool, and the lovely nursery for which I'm very grateful, charges extra for taking care of her. I don't think a kid should travel for free, but I think a discount of some sort is reasonable to expect.

 

 

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Perhaps you should pick a different vacation option that is much aligned with your beliefs, opinions, and desires.

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Like the hypothetical or real one year old, dh and I don't eat in upcharge restaurants, we don't drink alcohol or coffees, we don't do ships excursions - too many people, and we don't enjoy gambling. Should we pay extra too? We do leave our gratuities in place of course and tip extra when warranted.

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Sounds like the OP is curious.

Yup, and the answer is its optional and no one's business. If you choose to share your choice of not paying, meeting the suggested optional charge, or paying above it, its up to you. My suggestion is to not share any of that information publicly.

I know I'm going to get flamed for this. Please understand I am not "anti-children," but rather trying to get the OP to see the flip side of things.

 

Why exactly should it be reasonable to expect a discount for a 1 year-old when I don't get a discount for cruising with your 1 year-old? I don't have a child in my cabin, yet I can hear it all night when yours cries. Our cabin attendant spends more time on your cabin because there are more beds to make, dirty diapers to dispose of and finger prints to clean off of walls, mirrors and surfaces. I don't throw things on the floor, but have to watch while your child does. I can smell those dirty diapers from a mile away. My dinner conversation is frequently interrupted by high pierced shrieks - sometimes of joy, sometimes anger, sometimes just the need for a nap. In the horrible event that your child "isn't taking up space" on the lifeboat, because he or she is on your lap, I will be forced to listen to him or her wailing. Now that I think about it, maybe I should be entitled to that discount you think is so "reasonable" because your child impacts my vacation. And, while I'm at it, I should also request compensation for the anguish of having to look at families with children when I wasn't able to have them.

I do have children and I'm right there with you.

Ours are older now, but when they were little, like the OP's, we worked off of this tipping plan in restaurants and it applies here as well. Ask for crackers to settle the kids down, then tip very well to make up for the mess they make. If you have children and you're honest with yourself, you know your kids make more mess than an adult and require more/different care than an adult. If anything I'll tip more because I know that our concierge and wait staff will do more cleaning up with the kids than they'd do for an adult.

Those examples are the "cost of doing business"...just like any restaurant.

 

Yes...kids should be well-behaved and as tidy as possible for dining, but as most folks know, that doesn't happen all the time. Nonetheless, it's also something already accounted for in 'dining clean-up". I've seen enough adult sloppy/messy eaters to know it's not exclusive to kids either.

 

We are traveling with a 20-year-old young adult and 4-year old grandsons next time...and there's no way we can begin to reason justification for the 4-year-old gratuity that would exceed $100+ - rest assured...we will contest that amount.

 

In contrast...we have no issue paying the "normal" rates, including for the 20-year old. We've been known to even pay extra when warranted by the service levels. So this becomes an issue of principal, not actual dollars with us.

How sad that you have already decided to stiff the crew.

The 4-year-olds will still be eating, bathing, sleeping, etc. Why shouldn't they be charged tips like everyone else.

I sail solo - pretty much pay double rates for a cabin. Solo cruisers don't get a break because they are not eating and drinking (included beverages) for two.

It's just something you accept and budget for; or don't cruise.

OP, I think you are just starting to realize why a cruise isn't as good a value as other things when young children are involved. Certainly, in almost very other thing you may do, you 1 year old will be free. Unfortunately, on a cruise ship, the child still counts as a 'body' in terms of a lifeboat seat - whether or not they would actually literally use a seat. Cruise lines price based on capacity, not use of services. This is why solo cruisers almost always pay the same rate for a cabin as two people. They aren't consuming twice the food and taking up twice the space. They are charged because them taking a whole room reduces the number of people the cruise line can sell to. So they pay for that.

 

Your child being on the boat reduces the capacity of the boat by 1 person, so they expect you to pay for that. Usually the 3rd and 4th passengers in a cabin are at a reduced rate from the 1st and 2nd, but that's regardless of age.

 

To be perfectly honest, the cruise line would prefer that the third person in your room be an adult who is going to spend money on alcohol, gambling, and shopping. They aren't excited about having a child in the room simply because they will use less. The cruise lines don't make money off the cabin rates. I watched a behind the scenes show and they actually lose on the sailing or just break even based on the cabin rates. They need onboard spending to make a profit. And your third passenger won't have any onboard spending.

 

Should you have to pay more because of this? No, they understand that children of a variety of ages sale and it all evens out in the end. But don't expect any discounts for your child either.

 

 

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Boo hoo for these billion dollar cruise lines. Meanwhile they have convinced passengers to donate to a fund to pay their employees. What a crock! I hope the op not only removes the infant tips but theirs as well while they are at it.

Boo hoo for these billion dollar cruise lines. Meanwhile they have convinced passengers to donate to a fund to pay their employees. What a crock! I hope the op not only removes the infant tips but theirs as well while they are at it.

Exactly! The billion dollar cruise line already got their money by charging us the fare with all the add-ons. The way to show them is to stiff the employees.

Yay us!

If a charge is optional, it is optional. I think at this point OP has a good understanding of the value provided by those optional charges.

After reading all people's feedback, I've come to 2 conclusions: 1) It's important to tip ppl for all that they will (hopefully) do to help me and my baby and 2) many of you are unnecessarily mean and judgmental.

 

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If you've been a cruise critic member since 2011 you must have noticed the kind of responses these types of posts get. And just because the various members don't agree with you, it doesn't mean they are "mean and judgemental".

Some cruise lines run specials where 3rd and 4th persons in a cabin are free or reduced fare; some allow children below a certain age to cruise free with their parents. You should look for these specials. As for tips, everyone on ship is charged a certain daily rate for tips unless you have a special promotion. As stated in other views in here, children even infants require attention from the crew as well as food. Cruises are reasonably priced vacations. If the price is too high, seek other venues.

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I for one just found out the kids sail free is not actually accurate. Totally all in the marketing. Saling on the Harmony 12/2. My husband and I booked two rooms both Superior Ocean View right next to each other one for us and the other for my sister in law and her husband and her 4 year old. RCCL claimed "kids sail free". Sure they show she is zero cost however the two adults were higher rate than my husband and I (to cover her cost). So, really kids do not sail for free. I have to give to l RCCL and the marketing. OP you have to understand the crew makes minimal amounts and count on tips so it's your right but please keep that in mind when you walk out of the room and you come back to a spotless room and a super cool towel animal that makes your day.

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Exactly! The billion dollar cruise line already got their money by charging us the fare with all the add-ons. The way to show them is to stiff the employees.

 

Yay us!

Not sure why the passengers feel the crew are their employees. They work for the billion dollar cruise line. If anyone is stiffing the crew it's them!

Why should you tip behind the scenes employees? That's the cruise lines responsibility!!!!!

Why do you resent a "Billion dollar cruise company"? They are financially successful because they offer a product people want to buy. When did success begin to be a cause of what appears to be overt hostility?

Well we could tell by this thread who doesn't tip extra. That's a whole different discussion

Yup, and the answer is its optional and no one's business. If you choose to share your choice of not paying, meeting the suggested optional charge, or paying above it, its up to you. My suggestion is to not share any of that information publicly.

You're preaching to the choir.

Boo hoo for these billion dollar cruise lines. Meanwhile they have convinced passengers to donate to a fund to pay their employees. What a crock! I hope the op not only removes the infant tips but theirs as well while they are at it.

No one is 'boo hoo-ing' a billion dollar company. There are realities of how these companies turn a profit. No profit means they will go out of business and no longer offer cruises.

If you disagree with their business model then voice your opinion with your wallet by not paying them thousands of dollars in cruise fare - not saving a couple hundred bucks by stiffing the staff. That's just cheap - not protesting.

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Correct, but when people start sharing their immoral and disgusting behavior on a discussion forum, they are not shielded from public scorn.

It is neither immortal or disgusting behaviour.

We do not pay them / have them removed. You'll here people saying stuff like that's more work for the stewards. However we keep our cabin very tidy and definitely don't leave a mess of diapers or what not. They don't clean your babies ass. To me it's absurd they charge tips for a 1 year old. Most people that say leave the tips are snobs and probably don't even have a 1 year old.

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We do not pay them / have them removed. You'll here people saying stuff like that's more work for the stewards. However we keep our cabin very tidy and definitely don't leave a mess of diapers or what not. They don't clean your babies ass. To me it's absurd they charge tips for a 1 year old. Most people that say leave the tips are snobs and probably don't even have a 1 year old.

 

 

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so, you dispose of the diapers properly, in a accordance with maritime law? you prepare all their food? you wash all the child's linens and make the bed up each night and put it away each morning? you vacuum up every little crumb that gets dropped? why bother going on vacation then?!

No one is 'boo hoo-ing' a billion dollar company. There are realities of how these companies turn a profit. No profit means they will go out of business and no longer offer cruises.

 

If you disagree with their business model then voice your opinion with your wallet by not paying them thousands of dollars in cruise fare - not saving a couple hundred bucks by stiffing the staff. That's just cheap - not protesting.

 

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And if they stop being profitable, they just raise prices, so the cheapskates make it bad for all.

And if they stop being profitable, they just raise prices, so the cheapskates make it bad for all.

Oh please. If they thought it would be more profitable to raise prices with no reason they would.

I was trying to be absurd because I believe that not tipping for your child is also absurd.

I wish there was a "Like" option on these boards, sometimes. Your posts were delectable. :D

so, you dispose of the diapers properly, in a accordance with maritime law? you prepare all their food? you wash all the child's linens and make the bed up each night and put it away each morning? you vacuum up every little crumb that gets dropped? why bother going on vacation then?!

Do I dispose the diapers properly ?

Yes . Very easily I put in garbage that will otherwise be emptied anyway.

Do I prepare food ? No , I easily find them something in buffet and serve them myself.

Do I make their bed and wash linens ? Yes I make the bed and put away. Wash linens ? No , I'm fine with the same linens for the entire cruise. I'm not a pain in the ass

Do I can vacume the crumbs ? Your kidding right. They vaccume . Theirs no special crumb vaccume.

Again. I take care of my own. I don't feel it necessarily at all to leave a tip for my 1 year old. To each their own

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Do I dispose the diapers properly ?

Yes . Very easily I put in garbage that will otherwise be emptied anyway.

 

Do I prepare food ? No , I easily find them something in buffet and serve them myself.

 

Do I make their bed and wash linens ? Yes I make the bed and put away. Wash linens ? No , I'm fine with the same linens for the entire cruise. I'm not a pain in the ass

 

Do I can vacume the crumbs ? Your kidding right. They vaccume . Theirs no special crumb vaccume.

 

Again. I take care of my own. I don't feel it necessarily at all to leave a tip for my 1 year old. To each their own

 

 

 

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You have completely missed the point, but you are not "getting" the point because you are cheap and only looking to justify your behavior.

As it's been said over and over... cruising is a VERY unique form of travel/vacation. There is a legal limit to how many guests can be on board. They have more beds available than they can have guests. So your 1 year old is taking the place of another guest. Which is why full fare applies and the proper compensation for the staff applies. If you don't like it, don't cruise. But of course, you would rather just be cheap, greedy, and take it out on the low income staff.

You aren't justifying it to anyone here. We all see you for who you are. You are better off keeping quiet on the subject and stiffing people in private.

I sail with 2 toddlers and tip in full. Because, you know, that's what good, decent people do. You, on the other hand....