wow. 8 and 3 year olds have to tip??

[Traveller20074]

Didn't think of it that way. :cool:

 

OP, think of it this way. If you are paying $3,000 for a cruise for 9 days for five people, that averages $600 per person for the cruise. If you divide that $600 per person by the 9 days on the cruise, you are paying $67 a day per person.

 

You can't stay in a hotel with 5 people for that little amount of money. Unless you found a suite that can hold 5 people, you would have to get two rooms in a hotel. If you were staying at a resort, you couldn't get two rooms for $335 per day, which is basically what you are paying per day per person. And all your meals and entertainment are included.

 

If you look at the tremendous value you are getting for the cruise, it put the service fee in perspective a little.

 

Just think - you could be paying $10,000 for that Disney cruise and you'd STILL have a service fee on top of that.

 

I also wish the cruise lines would just increase the cruise price by the service fee amount and not break it out separatelyl.

[Nalagh]

As a mother of 3 children, I understand your inital frustration. Here we go, something else to pay. We make sacrifes for them, only to go out of our way to include them.

 

We live on budgets, but want some time away. A trip like this causes the bills to extend in ways we sometimes can not understand at first. Everyone will need a carry-on $100 easy (what, how is the Cars one worth $30). Poncho, travel umbrella and sandles and the baby's feet grew 2 sizes...is that really $200. Wait we need new short and Tees for everyone...How is it I spent this much money getting ready and we did not book excursions yet ....who needs a bathing sui:eek:

 

The good news is you will have the time of your life. NCL is the best way to go imho. Yes, it will cost you to get them all ready, and it will cost you on the ship, and it will cost to get off. I promise Mom to Mom, it is worth every penny. There are ways to cut costs, but cutting the DSC is not one of them. Everyone on the ships works so hard and get paid so little. That is how you can cruise for a week with 5 for so little money. I am not saying $ 3,000 is little but for 5 for a week room and board ( and a maid )...yea.

 

If you want cost saving ideas just let me know. My kids are 13, 11 and almost 10. I sail Disney with them and I book specials with OBC. I plan to take them on NCL next, but have not found the right deal yet. It will come.

 

I wish you the best, and a wonderful vacation!

[DevCruise]

I also wish the cruise lines would just increase the cruise price by the service fee amount and not break it out separatelyl.

 

In addition I think they should stop with the "KIDS SAIL FREE" advertising that has the little * next to it and then at the bottom in fine print that is usually faded out that says "still responsible for taxes, port fees, service charges, etc". That isn't free. Highly discounted, yes. Still a bargain, yes. But, not free.

[che5904]

If the service charge is not a tip, how come NCL will not let you use your non-refundable OBC for it. They say you cannot use it for "gratuities." Isn't a gratuitie a tip? If the DSC is NOT a tip, why can't you use it?

 

IMO only. The DSC is in lieu of the requirement to tip. In other words by applying a service charge that benefits the employees, the customer does not have to feel obligated to leave any additional cash tips.

 

Tips/gratuities normally given whether individually or tipped out is usually cash that remain cash in the employees pockets. NCL makes it very clear, that although the crew gets the sole benefit of the DSC collected it is not distributed in cash only but also employee incentives etc.

 

OBC "on board" credit is meant for purchases "on board" the DSC is not a purchase of anything but as stated IMO in lieu of the need to tip.

 

At least thats the way I view it.

[NMLady]

... So, $48/day tipping charges. An 8 and 3 year old would be charged the tipping fee. Somehow I don't think that's fair :eek: ...

 

It is not a tip it is a Daily SERVICE Charge. Think of it that way and it is not as obnoxious. The cabin steward changes the sheets on their beds, the laundry washes those sheets, the waiter in the dining room serves them, the cook in the buffet cooks their food. They too are served.

 

The service charge is part of the cost of cruising.

[kirsty_r]

Cruising is also a luxury holiday to us in Britain - We can get cheap all inclusive hotels in Europe cheaper than a cruise. I think the flights seem to be the major expense here. Add the service charge, flights, cruise together and use that as a total holiday cost. You could also prepay the service charge if that makes it easier. I always make a holiday on board credit budget too, but thats just because I'm a penny pincher, saving as much as I can.

The service charge is just part of the holiday cost - kids or no kids.

[boaterette]

You may think its too much for a child, but I think its too little for an adult! If I eat 3 meals at my local restaurant with my family of 5, I would spend about 15 - 20 each meal on tips. Right there is 45 - 60 dollars..and I have to pay for the meal too!!

 

Also consider the possibly babysitting/childrens activities you may use onboard for the older ones. I thought NO WAY before my trip with my 3 year old, but my sister convinced me to do it as her daughter would be there too. When I went to pick up my own daughter up after 45 minutes, she didnt want to leave. She spent at least 1 - 2 hours each day there for the remainder of the cruise. I enjoyed a show every night with hubby. The $12 was worth it just for that. At the end of the cruise I also gave a little more because they were so awesome, but you absolutely do not have to, they dont ask for it, they dont look at you funny, you dont even have to see them on the last day...so thats totally up to you. Im not sure where you live, but is driving to NY an option?

 

The DSC does not include the kids club. You tip those extra.

[sdmike]

Good lord people. Read the thread before you post.

 

The OP received many helpful posts on the topic and no longer is questioning the charge. Stop yelling at them to pay or stay home.

[jackcat16]

Good lord people. Read the thread before you post.

 

The OP received many helpful posts on the topic and no longer is questioning the charge. Stop yelling at them to pay or stay home.

 

 

Agreed!! My popcorn ran out days ago:p

[sjbdtz]

Agreed!! My popcorn ran out days ago:p

 

 

I also agree. Does anyone else? ;)

[Winters in NZ]

I posted because I was so shocked. Sorry to have started a war :o

 

 

I am paying $3,000 for the cruise for 9 days. Almost $2,000 airfare for 2 adults and 3 kids.

 

 

I am just in sticker shock and wondering if I might just leave them home. I can't afford all of that.

 

 

Yes, they use the bathroom. We don't make THAT much of a mess LOL

 

I agree that when you add everything up, it does become tremendously expensive.

The way the cruise lines see it, if you don't book , somebody else will.

With the emerging Asian economies, the cruise lines will have an expanding client base, so don't expect the high costs that you mentioned to disappear any time soon.

[Traveller20074]

Good lord people. Read the thread before you post.

 

The OP received many helpful posts on the topic and no longer is questioning the charge. Stop yelling at them to pay or stay home.

 

thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!

[Tapi]

My 2 cents:

 

After taking our 2 year old cruising, not only do I think that infants should get charged the service fee, but crew members should get tipped EXTRA.

 

You don't realize how much these crew members do for little ones until you see them in action. I was amazed! On the last day of our cruise I was chasing our cabin steward with an envelope filled with extra cash and thanking him for making our cruise truly memorable.

[suometar]

You say that you are spending $5000 total for the cruise and airfare, and apparently can't afford it. But you need to budget the additional $12 DSC for the four of you, which seems to be a problem for you, considering your tight budget. Guess what? you will be in for a rude surprise when it comes time to settle your onboard account the last day. You will probably purchase beverages at some point, won't you? And perhaps a picture or two as a souvenir? And perhaps an excursion? All those little things do add up. I prepaid the DSC before our last cruise, but somehow ended up with with a bill in excess of $400.

 

Perhaps you might want to consider an all-inclusive holiday instead? Some are quite affordable (the Dominican Republic, for instance), and usually everything is included: food, beverages, activities.

[DMH15]

Good lord people. Read the thread before you post.

 

The OP received many helpful posts on the topic and no longer is questioning the charge. Stop yelling at them to pay or stay home.

 

Agreed!

 

This post is clearly someone who just had "sticker shock" and came here to vent. They did not come across to me as someone who was trying to weasel out of paying and wanted support for that.

[aquasat]

First of all, i'm a european. So we are not used to tip for basic service, thats included in the price. But when we go somewhere, we first read about the tipping habbits.

 

On our last cruise we where 4, 2 adults, a 6 years old and a 3 years old.

 

This was for shure more work for the room steward (she did a verry good job),so the last day I aksed her if she got more money for our 4 persons cabine. I was surprised to hear that she did not get extra. Tips are included in her contract.

My reaction to this info was removing 1/4 of the service charge and I tipped this money in cash to the people that made the vacation of our kids. And the room steward got most of it.

[sdmike]

You say that you are spending $5000 total for the cruise and airfare, and apparently can't afford it. But you need to budget the additional $12 DSC for the four of you, which seems to be a problem for you, considering your tight budget. Guess what? you will be in for a rude surprise when it comes time to settle your onboard account the last day. You will probably purchase beverages at some point, won't you? And perhaps a picture or two as a souvenir? And perhaps an excursion? All those little things do add up. I prepaid the DSC before our last cruise, but somehow ended up with with a bill in excess of $400.

 

Perhaps you might want to consider an all-inclusive holiday instead? Some are quite affordable (the Dominican Republic, for instance), and usually everything is included: food, beverages, activities.

 

In the future, please read the thread before posting, not just the first post. If you do that you will see that in the last four pages that the issue has been discussed death and this is no longer an issue.

[gelo7]

No war started..lol I guess the best way to look at it is you are paying 5K for cruise and airfare..is that additional $216.00 in service charge for the kids really going to make you rethink taking the kids ? For all the staff does I think $12.00 a day is a bargain. Enjoy your cruise.

Ditto...

[suometar]

In the future, please read the thread before posting, not just the first post. If you do that you will see that in the last four pages that the issue has been discussed death and this is no longer an issue.

 

Thank you for your suggestion, Mike. Actually, I have read this rather lengthy thread before posting, not just the first post. And if you read my full post (not just the first paragraph), perhaps you will notice that I make a suggestion that the OP might want to consider an all-inclusive, land-based vacation, which might be cheaper than a cruise, and the possibility of "sticker shock" might be avoided, because everything (including service charges) would be included.

[jints07]

Good lord people. Read the thread before you post.

 

The OP received many helpful posts on the topic and no longer is questioning the charge. Stop yelling at them to pay or stay home.

 

Exactly. It is a testament to how miserable some here are in that it is abundantly clear by the time one of these threads reach page two that the OP would have already been read the riot act. Despite this some insist on saying the same tired old comments about the kids sleeping in a bed, blah, blah, blah knowing full well 12 people before them already said it.

 

Here's the irony....I fully 100% agree with the POLITE explanations that the crew very much deserve DSC for all passengers and additional gratuities beyond that, but I find myself sympathizing with the OPs in these type of threads because of the rudeness of the responses. Thus....well done rude responders, you are actually affording sympathy to the very people you think you are guilting in to seeing your way of thinking.

 

/rant over.

[Traveller20074]

Where's a "beating a dead horse" smiley when you need it

 

LOL

 

thanks to those who "get it" and supported me :)

[SteveH2508]

Where's a "beating a dead horse" smiley when you need it

 

LOL

 

thanks to those who "get it" and supported me :)

 

Here you are