Why is tipping discussion taboo on CC?

[Cruisin' Chick]

Whether this is true or not, I don't know, but it has been stated on these boards that if you add a gratuity to your bill - lets say at a bar/specialty dining room/room service - this tip actually goes into the "tipping pool" to be distributed between all staff. If you want to leave a tip, do it in cash and that way the person you are tipping gets to keep it all (assuming you leave the auto-tip on). This does make sense in that Princess would not have to find the exact individual whom you intended it for.

 

I think this may be incorrect (about a tip going to a bartender). Definitely when a passenger gives a cash tip to their cabin steward or to a waiter, THAT has to be turned over to their supervisor in order to check to see if you had removed your autotip. Bartenders don't share in the autotips, so I can't see this being handled the same way. Same with room service and casino staff. When you give a cash tip to a bartender, that's who you intend it for.

 

Well, I said "sort of taboo." Which means that I have been reading a ton of threads, and once in awhile someone posts, "I won't discuss my personal tipping policy, for obvious reasons."

 

I've been meaning to ask about it... then there was a thread titled "dear lord I'm asking a tipping question..."

 

Which indicated to me that there was some merit to my thought that the subject was kind of taboo.

 

I've gotten some great advice, though, so I'm super glad I asked! (And, for those that wrote, we've NO intention whatsoever of stopping the auto-tip... I was asking about above & beyond, only.)

 

IMO, the controversy is with the members who post that it's okay to remove the autotips and then kick up a fuss when we explain why there's this system and what happens (see the above in red) when you remove the autotips. Other than that, I don't think there's a problem in asking about what to tip beyond the autotip or to the crew members not included in the pool.

 

Before the flexible dining system was started, tips were given out by the passengers directly to the crew members. Fortunately for my first cruise, my travelling companion (now hubby) had already taken a cruise and knew how tipping worked. We got out some cash and put some in for our waitstaff in one envelope, and some in another envelope for our cabin steward. And then give these to them on the last night of the cruise with a warm handshake and smile. Unfortunately, there are many passengers who would avoid going to the MDR and/or hide out from their steward on that night.

 

When Princess went to the autotip system, it created less trouble for us. No more sitting on the bed with those green bills or having to go to the front desk and get change. We just have to decide if we want to reward our waitstaff or steward with anything extra. We do make an envelope for the kids' program staff ever since our girl was old enough for that program.

 

Last cruise was the first time we had anytime dining (and hopefully the last time) and we did notice some passengers giving a special "green" handshake after getting up from the table.

 

We don't use the spa or casino, so that's not a concern of ours.

 

We do sometimes fill out those "Make a Difference" cards. If a crew member is doing exceptional work, it may help them get a promotion or raise if enough passengers fill them out.

[toberman]

I think this may be incorrect (about a tip going to a bartender). Definitely when a passenger gives a cash tip to their cabin steward or to a waiter' date=' THAT has to be turned over to their supervisor in order to check to see if you had removed your autotip. Bartenders don't share in the autotips, so I can't see this being handled the same way. Same with room service and casino staff. When you give a cash tip to a bartender, that's who you intend it for. [/color']

 

 

You're probably right.... just putting it out there that to be sure the person you intended to get a tip actually gets it - give cash.

[Kmkub]

IMO' date=' the controversy is with the members who post that it's okay to remove the autotips and then kick up a fuss when we explain why there's this system and what happens (see the above in red) [/quote']

Yes, I think you are correct. Tipping can be a charged topic, to be sure... which is why it took me so long to ask. I sure am glad I asked, though! I probably would have never thought to tip the counselors in the teen area in January, since it's our first cruise with the kids. We'll be sure to do that!

 

I just never want to leave the ship with the feeling that the people who served us best felt cheated by the cash amount we gave them on the last day. Now I know that they probably didn't! :-)

[toberman]

As I understand from reading here, the cash tips you give will end up in the pool anyway, since you turn your tips off.

 

 

You've certainly done your research - good for you !!:)

[Kmkub]

You've certainly done your research - good for you !!:)

 

:) I may be in the minority, but I actually LIKE the auto-tipping feature. I think it makes my experience more stress free, since we really only need to think about those that went above and beyond!

[LaCal]

I'm glad the Cruise Lines started doing the Per-Day Auto Gratuity....

 

Makes thing easier and if our Room Steward is Great like they all have been so far, We give him a additonal $25/$30...

 

Casinos Which We Seem to Live in Sometimes..:eek:...We Tip for Drinks $1-$2 per round....Dealers get tipped well and always Love Us by weeks end.....

 

Spa...DW always Tips atleast 20%....

 

Hope this helps but everyones different....:D

[toberman]

:) I may be in the minority, but I actually LIKE the auto-tipping feature. I think it makes my experience more stress free, since we really only need to think about those that went above and beyond!

 

Totally agree.

[generichandle]

Thanks from me too.

 

I have never been certain. I allow the auto-tip, but on the Coral there were a couple people who went 'above and beyond, on WAY above and beyond.

 

We ended up changing our debark plans last minute and I did not get a chance to leave HER that extra I wanted. And I felt ashamed after that, because I know she did NOT do it for that. She was just someone else's room steward who stepped up twice when mine was working with another guest [and he did a great job for us too]. Wish I could find out who she was [i am terrible with names] so I could give her reference directly with Princess.

 

But this is why I cruise. I have always been poor. I am unaccustomed to being 'served' in any way. It is a special feeling, and cruising is practically the only way I could afford to have this kind of service.

 

Life is good. Cruising is great!

 

Doug

[MichCook]

For waiters in anytime dining... how do you go about finding them on the last day, to give the extra $$?)

 

For the waitstaff that gave attentive service to us in the anytime dining rooms, as we thanked them for their service that evening, we handed them a tip and mentioned it was in addition to the auto-tip.

[navybankerteacher]

Woodmnky and kmkub essentially said it -- the auto tip really covers "regular" service -- where "regular" really means very good: after all, one of the reasons we cruise is to be pampered with very good service.

 

As many tiems as not, I have been impressed by what strikes me as a really caring attitude - by regular waiters and room stewards - so I lke to add an appropriate extra amount which varies from $10 for a seven day cruise to as much as $100 for 16 or so days for really remarkable attention to the smallest details -- which, of course, always warrant mention on a comment card.

[sail7seas]

I've noticed a trend that discussion of actual tip amounts is seen as sort of taboo around here.

 

Why is that? How is a person supposed to determine if their way too low, about right or way too high, wrt to tipping, if nobody will talk about it?

 

I've been on two cruises and have literally, NO CLUE, if we are being stingy or generous with our tips. We completely shoot in the dark.

 

I've yet to find a helpful article on this... though I might be looking in the wrong place.

 

Most people don't enjoy being called cheap of the opposite, throwing their money around. So..... most people would rather not state what they actually tip and consider it private. U.S. (I'm not sure about Canadian) is mostly private about talking about money and most of us keep spending information private.

 

 

 

I truly appreciate the comments. I'm not wishing to start a fight, but as a new-to-cruising person, this is truly a perplexing issue. It's a struggle between not wanting to be cheap and not wanting to have the cruise cost more than it really should. Without guidance.... it's just mysterious! (And I hope that's not perceived as an "it's all about meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!" kind of comment.)

<snip>

 

 

Not all that new. :) You've been registered for three years. Have you been reading but not yet actually cruised? If so, very happy you will be sailing now. Hope it's wonderful.

[pjck71]

Thanks to everyone who replied & to the OP for asking :) I've the same questions.

[Kmkub]

Not all that new. :) You've been registered for three years. Have you been reading but not yet actually cruised? If so, very happy you will be sailing now. Hope it's wonderful.

 

We've only had two cruises, and our first cruise was sort of pushed on us (as a big family reunion/anniversary/birthday cruise) when we weren't really financially able to take a cruise, so we felt like we short-changed some servers at the end, because we were literally out of money.

 

I think on our second cruise we went a bit too high, based on the comments, but not crazy. We gave our room attendant $40 and passed out a couple of $20 to some peeps who had really given us extra attention during the cruise.

 

So, while on one hand I understand people wanting to keep that thing sort of private, on the other hand, how in the heck are newbies supposed to learn and not under/over tip ?

[LHT28]

I've noticed a trend that discussion of actual tip amounts is seen as sort of taboo around here.

 

Why is that? How is a person supposed to determine if their way too low, about right or way too high, wrt to tipping, if nobody will talk about it?

 

I've been on two cruises and have literally, NO CLUE, if we are being stingy or generous with our tips. We completely shoot in the dark.

 

I've yet to find a helpful article on this... though I might be looking in the wrong place.

If you tip the recommended amount you are fine

Tipping extra is a personal decision ...some do it some do not

Tip the amount you feel comfortable with ...

[kuntrybu]

This will be my first cruise so I'm just asking a question, not saying I'm going to do this. If 1 person was rude and I didn't want them to have a tip, but the others were great could I not leave any of the auto tip to that one rude person? Is it really a problem to take the auto tip off?

[LHT28]

:) I may be in the minority, but I actually LIKE the auto-tipping feature. I think it makes my experience more stress free, since we really only need to think about those that went above and beyond!

I agree

we usually do Open dining so we do not have the same servers everyday

the auto tip makes it worry free then if we decide to tip someone extra we do

[LHT28]

This will be my first cruise so I'm just asking a question, not saying I'm going to do this. If 1 person was rude and I didn't want them to have a tip, but the others were great could I not leave any of the auto tip to that one rude person? Is it really a problem to take the auto tip off?

If a staff member is rude or you have a problem speak to the hotel or general manager

You can take the auto tip off in some cases but you are only punishing others that work hard to make your cruise enjoyable

[luddite]

It isn't taboo. It IS a hot-button topic that generally degenerates into a tit-for-tat bit of nastiness.

[Loonbeam]

Speaking as the person who posted the 'Dear Lord..' question, as noted every thread on tipping for a while seemed to degenerate into a morass of either how it should be included in the fare, or how crew wages are too low, or more recently disagreements on how the tipping pools actually worked on Princess.

 

It's a sadly common occurrence on net boards, including here. For example, look at a recent thread on the Princess forum where people got into a high dudgeon over whether having the ship leave before a delayed excursion could return was 'traumatic' or not.

 

That was why I was very selective in my choice of topic and asked for no extraneous posts, so far, people have complied.

 

So tipping questions themselves are not 'taboo' but there is definitely an adverse reaction to very broadly based questions based on past history.

[Taxguy77]

On our first cruise (many moons ago) they explained the rather complex and time-consuming tipping process. The question was asked, "Why not just make a hotel charge?" and the response was that cruiselines had tried that, but started to get more and more complaints of declining service! That same thought has come up in this thread, What Goes Around Comes Around.

 

On a recent TA we met a couple and started playing cards with them most PMs. One barman was very nice so we started waiting for him and not ordering from the many other barmen by the pool, so he would get the auto tip. The same man was barman in the Lido where we ate most evenings. DW and I could come into the area a few minutes apart through different doors, and he would guide us to the table of the first to be seated, and usually had a cold beer waiting when we got through the line. His auto tips had been a lot, but he got a really nice extra tip.

[lovevacadays]

I think what the cruise lines recommends is a good guide line for tipping.

However, we usually add some extra at the end of our cruise for those who have given us exceptional service. I do think they appreciate it and especially our room steward, we aren't really messy cabin keepers but most always our room stewards are more than accommodating!:)

 

There are those who disagree - as with anything else, extra tipping is not necessary. So, just go with what you feel, you can usually trust your instincts.;)

 

I agree with Sanibel Gal. Keep your auto tips on and then if you feel compelled to tip someone who was exceptional extra I am a strong believer that you should. I was raised by a waitress so have an appreciation for the value of tips

 

And it's a hot topic just like politics because everyone seems to have a very strong opinion about it. You know, politics, money, religion are the things people do have opinions on.

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise and I hope you get exceptional service by those on your cruise.:):):)

[caribill]

For waiters in anytime dining... how do you go about finding them on the last day, to give the extra $$?

 

 

That is one of the main reasons that Princess started the daily hotel service charge ("autotip").

 

Before the autotip, Princess had suggested daily amounts for cabin stewards, restaurant waitstaff, headwaiter, etc. Obviously, one could add extra if one felt that the service provided was worth more.

 

When the autotip started, it was at the total of the previously suggested daily amounts. And as others have pointed out, the daily amount was raised again recently.

 

Thus, the autotip is intended to cover tipping for good service. There is no need to tip extra unless you want to.

 

If you have had different waitstaff each evening in anytime dining, I would not worry about tracking any of them down the last evening. They have received their share of the daily autotip.

[tynes1der]

We have only 2 cruise experiences to contrast regarding tipping.

 

Saga (our first cruise) is tip free - we only tip extra for exceptional service and we did on this cruise.

 

Our Princess experience led us to reduce the auto tip more in line with the sister company P&O because we thought it was based on an unrealistic dollar/pound exchange rate. Initially we intended to pass the savings back in tips for special service, but no-one seemed to warrant that.

 

Why tip extra in the speciality restaurants when you have already paid a premium to sit there and they are getting a share of the auto tip as well?

 

My thought is that if you want to tip individuals then do so because it is your decision not that of your critics. On the other hand, do not be afraid to reduce or stop the auto tip and redistribute it to those you feel are worthy of it.

 

Call me mean if you like - words can't hurt me.

[TucsonBlonde]

I would like to give a big thanks for everyone who posted, this is very helpful to those of us who are newer to cruising. I now know I handled it correctly on my last cruise and next week will be able to confidently handle my next cruise! Autotip it is with extra for those who really make an effort. Easy enough, though trying to figure it out on your own is a nightmare, so again, thank you all for your informative and civil answers!

[smeyer418]

We have only 2 cruise experiences to contrast regarding tipping.

 

Saga (our first cruise) is tip free - we only tip extra for exceptional service and we did on this cruise.

 

Our Princess experience led us to reduce the auto tip more in line with the sister company P&O because we thought it was based on an unrealistic dollar/pound exchange rate. Initially we intended to pass the savings back in tips for special service, but no-one seemed to warrant that.

 

Why tip extra in the speciality restaurants when you have already paid a premium to sit there and they are getting a share of the auto tip as well?

 

My thought is that if you want to tip individuals then do so because it is your decision not that of your critics. On the other hand, do not be afraid to reduce or stop the auto tip and redistribute it to those you feel are worthy of it.

 

Call me mean if you like - words can't hurt me.

 

Cheap is as cheap does. Its really incredible that you reduce the auto-tip to the hard working staff because you don't like the exchange rate...something the staff has nothing to do about. I have seen this over and over, people justifying what they do(in the name of being cheap) because they don't like something that has nothing to do with what the service was. I have no problem reducing the auto-tip when the service was poor....but it really rarely is.

BTW since the service you get relies on others you never see(in your cabin the steward doesn't wash you linens- and the waiter doesn't cook your food or wash you dishes or utensils), the fact that the cruise lines works this out for you in the auto-tip should be a plus not a minus...and most people actually agree as the compliance rates on auto-tipping ships is 80-90%.