Never saw a single dollar tipped on the MSC Seaside last week.

This is the exact reason I do, spot on. Nothing more than sheer kindness. Tom, some of the people here will never understand it and it's not even worth trying or even expecting them to may maybe even a little bit anymore. They'll say you and I have self esteem issues (hilarious) when the real reason is their own guilt using every excuse they can come up with to make them feel better about them not tipping. Don't kid yourself, more on here wouldn't tip a dime that would admit and would remove all tips if they could.

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You could only wish that upon someone like expat cruiser. You think he announces the first day to his steward that he will be removing the DSC? Heck no! He wants to be served the same way the steward expects to be tipped for his service so he'd never tell them. He also doesn't tip cash to anyone at the end regardless of what he says. He can afford to take 80 cruises but remove the DSC ..... pathetic. Sneaks off the ship hiding behind every wall and column to stay out of site as he scurries off ....

And this little snippit is exactly what's wrong with the service industry. Expecting a tip is wrong. Doing your job against the wage you are given is what you are there to do. Be greatful if you receive a tip, but never expect one.

Again, I go on a cruise fully expecting to pay the DSC, but am quite prepared to remove fully or a portion of in the event the service I receive is not as I expect it should be. And that expectation comes from the cruise companys marketing. I will only remove it if the service has been particularly poor. Which is a view point set by myself..... Not what others think is unacceptable or not.

I won't ever find myself giving additional to the DSC. Because to me this makes no sense at all. However should you feel the need to then by all means go for it. It has no bearing on my life.

Tip or don't tip. Your choice. Nobody elses business!

As stated previously our next Cruise is on NCL Bliss, we have booked from U.K. with all service charges included.

However I have just been on website and they are now asking 20% service charge for any additional restaurants etc.

That is ridiculous!

We will be sticking to the Inclusive restaurants in that ship!

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This is just an observation and my opinion. The ship was at least 70% European and South American and tipping must not be something that is done to my dismay. I took $200 in singles and tipped a dollar for every drink, and even cash tipped for Venchi and gelatos. The staff/bartenders was so happy when doing so. I never saw one other dollar given by anyone else. I thought the bar service was fast and excellent ...... waiters/waitresses on deck walking around taking orders and even orders in the buffet with the call buttons. They tried very hard to please and were always pleasant. I thought they deserved a tip as their service was better than on most other ships I've sailed. If you want to make some workers happy on the ship, throw them a few bucks. God knows nobody else did ..... Just saying.

If someone pays the service charge that means he has been tipping every day. On MSC they do not want you to tip cash, but pay your service charge...If you have had good service of course....

And also tipping is not normal in Europe...We pay waiting staff good wages...Tipping is only considered by excellent service...

I read this as you not wanting to wait your turn and buying your way to the front of the queue, and to justify it by claiming you're thinking of the underpaid staff.

 

 

 

Makes absolute no other sense why anyone would tip every single time someone serves you.

Spot on!

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As stated previously our next Cruise is on NCL Bliss, we have booked from U.K. with all service charges included.

However I have just been on website and they are now asking 20% service charge for any additional restaurants etc.

That is ridiculous!

We will be sticking to the Inclusive restaurants in that ship!

 

 

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That's disgusting. And false advertising against what you originally booked. I wouldn't let that deter me from the additional restaurants, I'd just be demanding that the additional 20% be removed.

This practice is imoral from the cruise lines, and makes me wonder just how much of the pre paid gratuities are passed back down to the workers.

I'm with Sidari that the days of tiny wages and supporting that with tips should be behind us. It's employers exploiting workers and making the customer carry the can for their greed.

That's disgusting. And false advertising against what you originally booked. I wouldn't let that deter me from the additional restaurants, I'd just be demanding that the additional 20% be removed.

 

 

 

This practice is imoral from the cruise lines, and makes me wonder just how much of the pre paid gratuities are passed back down to the workers.

 

 

 

I'm with Sidari that the days of tiny wages and supporting that with tips should be behind us. It's employers exploiting workers and making the customer carry the can for their greed.

You misunderstand we have paid everything including service I was trying to say that NCL have basically got a very high service charge for anything else we may book on top compared to MSC.

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One thing: we in Europe do NOT want your US tipping policy here, and neither on ships that are European. Respect that or go elsewhere. Tipping is ONLY done for everything and to everyone in the USA, the Develloped World gives employees a salary that is sufficient to live on and health insurance for all so you do not die when ill because treatment is only for the rich.

I did not want to wade into this topic, not on should we tip or not, the amount etc, but the question I have is, after doing some looking around the internet, I was very curious as to how much goes to the folks that took great care of us, ie. cabin attendant, waiters, bartenders, cooks and cleaners etc and if and how much the company takes out of that? I did see some online stating the cruise line takes a good share of that, but I don't know if or how true that is or if the person was just a disgruntled ex employee. I have no issue with tipping, but I would like it to go to the people that did the excellent service, spending long periods of time away from their families and not to the corporate bean counters and ceo's etc. I don't like the idea that a business (not just in the cruise industry) makes billions of dollars and doesn't take proper care of their employees that do all the hard work!

One thing: we in Europe do NOT want your US tipping policy here, and neither on ships that are European. Respect that or go elsewhere. Tipping is ONLY done for everything and to everyone in the USA, the Develloped World gives employees a salary that is sufficient to live on and health insurance for all so you do not die when ill because treatment is only for the rich.

I'm sorry but many of my fellow Americans believe the World must submit to the ways of America. You will never change them no matter how hard you try. Myself I have a different mindset having lived outside the United States for almost the last 20 years.

If these people could spend a single week living in a third world country the way the locals live they would think very different about life.Do not let anyone tell you how you must live.

I did not want to wade into this topic, not on should we tip or not, the amount etc, but the question I have is, after doing some looking around the internet, I was very curious as to how much goes to the folks that took great care of us, ie. cabin attendant, waiters, bartenders, cooks and cleaners etc and if and how much the company takes out of that? I did see some online stating the cruise line takes a good share of that, but I don't know if or how true that is or if the person was just a disgruntled ex employee. I have no issue with tipping, but I would like it to go to the people that did the excellent service, spending long periods of time away from their families and not to the corporate bean counters and ceo's etc. I don't like the idea that a business (not just in the cruise industry) makes billions of dollars and doesn't take proper care of their employees that do all the hard work!

Another very good reason not to follow the cruise lines recommend tipping/ service fees and to give directly in hand to the people who provide services to you.

Why do people like cruising? It is very affordable and provides the opportunity to see exciting places around the globe. Why is it affordable? It is because ships are flagged in jurisdictions that have labor laws that allow a company to provide extremely low salaries. The low salaries allow for the low rates everyone loves. So for all those proponents of employees receiving a living wage, the cruise line could do so but your cruise fares would be much higher. I have a feeling if there was a precipitous climb in fares, the proponents of the living wage would prefer the current construct. Their idealism goes out the window.

I have no problem with the gratuities. I realize that this is a mechanism to keep rates down. I'm fortunate that I make a good living. Any supplemental tipping I give will have no impact to me but can impact the staff member I provide it to.

As stated previously our next Cruise is on NCL Bliss, we have booked from U.K. with all service charges included.

However I have just been on website and they are now asking 20% service charge for any additional restaurants etc.

That is ridiculous!

We will be sticking to the Inclusive restaurants in that ship!

 

 

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You have paid the service charges for everything that is included. NCL don't know which other restaurants you might eat in so the service charge for that can't be included in what you have already paid.

I can't see how that can be ridiculous. Should it be better if they charge you for service charge in the specialty restaurants even if you don't go there?

<3AVICII<3

I am saying 20% is ridiculous!

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While we are at it, can anyone explain how RCL justifies charging a gratuity on a drink served by a robot?!

While we are at it, can anyone explain how RCL justifies charging a gratuity on a drink served by a robot?!

That is just being robotist;p

Was thinking about that as well, and came up with the idea that in the not too distant future when machines take over the world the master barbots will be a little more lenient to those who gave a tip to them while cruising on Royal Caribbean ships! :evilsmile::evilsmile:

While we are at it, can anyone explain how RCL justifies charging a gratuity on a drink served by a robot?!

:confused:

Good one.

I guess ~

Beverage Manager :(

Assistant Beverage Manager

Technology Host Assisting with Tablet Orders

Technology Staff for BarBots.

Refill Staff to Hang Bottles

Guy that Vacuums :o

Back of the House Support Staff

Thats interesting... Last month on Seaside I asked the YC Concierge for some envelopes for extra gratuity (and I did state they were for gratuities)...gladly gave to me plus asked if I would like some stationary to leave a note.

Same here.

When I play in the casino, my drinks are included (via YC and via casino) and I always tip a $1 or so to the waitress. Gladly given and happily received.

I just got off a Royal Caribbean cruise, where people are absolutely tipping mad on this website, trying to outdo each other. Except for a couple bucks I saw go to the piano player in the Schooner bar I never saw another bill change hands, even in the Diamond Lounge where we cash tip for each order.

Do you know what it means?

Nothing.

What I may not see where I am at at a time and place means absolutely nothing about what is going on in the rest of the ship the rest of the time. Just means because you didn't see it, doesn't mean it didn't happen. You can't be everywhere at once.

My attitude is...'let those who can afford to throw their dollars around the ship at staff, do it.

Perhaps they don't have to pay thousands of dollars in flights to get there, unlike some of us from afar.:halo:

In my view, tipping is a private thing, I would never tell other people my policy nor target anyone for not tipping. I have seen admitted non tippers on here labelled 'cheapskates, lowlifes and worse, not right.

As stated previously our next Cruise is on NCL Bliss, we have booked from U.K. with all service charges included.

However I have just been on website and they are now asking 20% service charge for any additional restaurants etc.

That is ridiculous!

We will be sticking to the Inclusive restaurants in that ship!

 

 

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I'm not sure why you'll punish yourselves, because you don't like the level of service charge. Those restaurants are some of the best dining on the ship (and, frankly... can match higher levels found on land).

The ship will sell that seat to somebody else - and you get to save $4, and miss out on a wonderful experience.

I'm not sure I follow your logic.

MY next trip (in 2 weeks or so) is also on NCL Bliss. Having sailed on Escape, and eaten at every specialty restaurant, I can't even imagine having missed out on them.

Also, these are USD....so the $4 service charge, is basically 2.5GBP.

Stephen

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I'm not sure why you'll punish yourselves, because you don't like the level of service charge. Those restaurants are some of the best dining on the ship (and, frankly... can match higher levels found on land).

 

 

 

The ship will sell that seat to somebody else - and you get to save $4, and miss out on a wonderful experience.

 

 

 

I'm not sure I follow your logic.

 

 

 

 

 

MY next trip (in 2 weeks or so) is also on NCL Bliss. Having sailed on Escape, and eaten at every specialty restaurant, I can't even imagine having missed out on them.

 

 

 

Also, these are USD....so the $4 service charge, is basically 2.5GBP.

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

 

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Plus the cost of the restaurant!

All I have been trying to say is that I can’t believe that the service charge for any thing extra on the Bliss is 20%!

We are from The U.K. and that is a ridiculous amount!

We pay the very maximum of 15% and that is for a very high end establishment!

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OMG you would die if you went to our local Denny's.

We went for breakfast last week and you know how they have the "suggested tip amount" on the bill. Well it started at 20% and went to 30%. ..... this is for a Denny's. For breakfast.:eek:

OMG you would die if you went to our local Denny's.

 

 

 

We went for breakfast last week and you know how they have the "suggested tip amount" on the bill. Well it started at 20% and went to 30%. ..... this is for a Denny's. For breakfast.:eek:

 

Whatever!

At the end of the day we tip differently in the U.K. and Europe.

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OMG you would die if you went to our local Denny's.

We went for breakfast last week and you know how they have the "suggested tip amount" on the bill. Well it started at 20% and went to 30%. ..... this is for a Denny's. For breakfast.:eek:

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