HONESTY poll (YES, about tipping!)

[pris993]

I guess I wonder why any one cares one way or the other. Doubt cruise lines would be able to get staff if folks did not tip, so must working out well for the staff.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Where's an option to remove tips and pay the same amount but in cash?

 

Since I didn't see a reply, here's mine: on many of the cruiselines, if you remove the autotips, any cash you give to a crew member has to be handed over to one's supervisor (else, they're risking immediate termination). That money gets put in the tipping pool. So if you wanted to reward a crew member that way, you're actually not as they don't get the "same amount."

 

I actually prefer the auto-gratuity system. It's a lot easier for us than the old method of seeing what cash we have and then playing "stuff the envelope." It's done for us, and we just concern ourselves with any extra tips (and when our girl was younger and taking part in the kids' program, for the counselors there).

 

And about poor service? If you feel the service isn't up to snuff, why aren't you going to the front desk and letting them know early on in the cruise?

 

 

 

Why this so important to folk? How can these folk have a good time riding the boat when they more worried about what every body is tipping and paying and doing. Mind you own business folk. Pay what you want and dont be worrying about what the other people are doing and make more of a point of minding your childrens instead of minding everyone else. Yes I am an old woman. Yes I have seen bad people and bad times. You folk got your priorities messed up. Riding the boat is fun and not bout putting down others. Put you adult pants on and behave.

 

:confused::confused::confused:

1. Why are you bothering with a subject that you're claiming isn't of interest to you?

2. Priorities? So maybe you drop money in the casino, rather than tip? Not sure what you mean by "tipping and paying and doing."

3. Minding your childrens? I think I've seen more "old" people (and I'm eligible for senior discounts at some diners, unfortunately) misbehave than children on cruises.

4. I do ride tender boats, but I behave on those. I also try to behave on ships.

[Aplmac]

We always leave the auto tips on

and generally tip a bit extra in cash to those who provided better than expected service.

You're the same as the vast majority of the crowd. ;)

 

 

 

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[DirtyDawg]

Yes. What about breakfast and lunch, where do they eat those? All the waiters rotate and and their work is not done by working only in the MDR. Chances are, they work in the MDR or buffets for breakfast and lunch so they would be getting nothing for working those areas. I personally have seen waiters from the MDR working at breakfast and lunch.

 

Here's what's on the web site re tipping;

 

"For your convenience, we automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $11.50 per guest, per day as follows(our recommended guideline effective voyages departing December 1, 2011 and onward):

$ 3.70 USD - Per Day Stateroom Services

$ 5.80 USD - Per Day Dining Room Services

$ 2.00 USD - Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to kitchen, entertainment, guest services and other hotel staff members."

 

You could see how the poster's friends interpreted this to mean "don't tip if you don't use the MDR". So some of the confusion lays with Carnival for not being crystal clear.

 

Maybe they should say it like this; "The $5.80 per day gratuity is for 'all food services' except specialty restaurants where there is an additional gratuity required, but please don't adjust your daily rate even though you already paid a tip in the specialty restaurant because we pay our food service staff so little they really need all the $5.80 per day to make a decent living.":rolleyes:

 

OK, this one might not pass muster in the marketing department.;)

[Out to sea!]

I think I'm pretty impressed seeing people repond to a poll where service is not even a factor.

 

I think I have now seen everything.

 

I have NEVER been on a cruise that was not to my minimum expectations so up to this point there has never been a reason to remove any of the auto-tips. I don't ever expect to be on a cruise where I would think of touching the auto-tips.

[Out to sea!]

Yes and I also know I can give my opinion.

 

Yes you can give your opinion just as we can give our opinion of your opinion! :rolleyes:

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

To the poster who mentioned that tips are pooled , do they still get to keep cash if it is handed to them in addition to the auto tips?

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

[lor74]

Here's what's on the web site re tipping;

 

 

 

Maybe they should say it like this; "The $5.80 per day gratuity is for 'all food services' except specialty restaurants where there is an additional gratuity required, .;)

 

Actually, there was another thread, with an official response from a cruise line that stated that the staff in the specialty restaurants are part of the tip pool, and since you are already paying extra to eat in those venues, an extra tip is appreciated, but not expected.

[DirtyDawg]

Actually, there was another thread, with an official response from a cruise line that stated that the staff in the specialty restaurants are part of the tip pool, and since you are already paying extra to eat in those venues, an extra tip is appreciated, but not expected.

 

On the web site here's what the Cruise line says regarding the Steakhouse;"The $35 fee includes an appetizer, entrée, dessert and the wait staff's gratuity; additional gratuities are optional and may be extended in cash or to the guest's Sail & Sign Account, at the guest's discretion. The reservation fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through the bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. By popular request, all dining rooms are smoke-free. "

 

I can see that many people would interpret that as the gratuity is not optional. The extra gratuity is the optional one. So which is it?

[pris993]

Actually, there was another thread, with an official response from a cruise line that stated that the staff in the specialty restaurants are part of the tip pool, and since you are already paying extra to eat in those venues, an extra tip is appreciated, but not expected.

 

 

I agree with your point here.

[boogs]

On the web site here's what the Cruise line says regarding the Steakhouse;"The $35 fee includes an appetizer, entrée, dessert and the wait staff's gratuity; additional gratuities are optional and may be extended in cash or to the guest's Sail & Sign Account, at the guest's discretion. The reservation fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through the bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. By popular request, all dining rooms are smoke-free. "

 

I can see that many people would interpret that as the gratuity is not optional. The extra gratuity is the optional one. So which is it?

 

It's pretty clear to me. A gratuity is already included and we can give more if we want. No different than when purchasing a drink at a bar.

[Cruisin Broad]

- Auto-tips + some extra cash for those deserving

[Lovely other]

i just do the auto-tip. i'd pay more if i could but i can't afford it and to be honest i struggle with the amount of the auto-tip...and before people come out with the 'if you can't afford, you can't afford to cruise' line, no i can't actually afford to cruise. i'm on sick pay and my cruise is a gift because i've been ill for a while.

[DirtyDawg]

It's pretty clear to me. A gratuity is already included and we can give more if we want. No different than when purchasing a drink at a bar.

 

I think most people would think the same. With that thinking, some people will also think that they are paying tips twice if they dine at specialty restaurants, pay the gratuity there which is included in the $35 charge (steakhouse) and also pay the daily 'dinning room services' gratuity.

[OCruisers]

We like the convenience of the Auto-Tips and DH always tips some who provide us with excellent service additional in cash.

 

I like to also give the girls cleaning the Ladies Room a couple of dollars from time to time. They don't get much in the way of tips and always seem extremely grateful.

 

LuLu

~~~

[boogs]

With that thinking, some people will also think that they are paying tips twice if they dine at specialty restaurants, pay the gratuity there which is included in the $35 charge (steakhouse) and also pay the daily 'dinning room services' gratuity.

 

That might be a valid consideration IF the only meal they ate was dinner, and they did not eat breakfast, lunch, or have any snacks during the day. As has been mentioned, the dining room service staff also works in the other dining areas on the ship during the day, where they continue to provide the passengers with additional service. If anyone thinks that all they do is serve dinner for four hours and then have the rest of the day off, they are incredibly naive.

[DirtyDawg]

That might be a valid consideration IF the only meal they ate was dinner, and they did not eat breakfast, lunch, or have any snacks during the day. As has been mentioned, the dining room service staff also works in the other dining areas on the ship during the day, where they continue to provide the passengers with additional service. If anyone thinks that all they do is serve dinner for four hours and then have the rest of the day off, they are incredibly naive.

 

But Carnival describes the daily gratuity as for "Dinning Room Service". Some of the blame for any confusion also has to lie with the cruise line for not being clear about what the gratuity is actually for (see my posts above). Most cruisers have never even heard of CC and must rely on the cruise line for information. When that information is confusing, you can't blame the customer entirely for being confused.

[sloopsailor]

But Carnival describes the daily gratuity as for "Dinning Room Service". Some of the blame for any confusion also has to lie with the cruise line for not being clear about what the gratuity is actually for (see my posts above). Most cruisers have never even heard of CC and must rely on the cruise line for information. When that information is confusing, you can't blame the customer entirely for being confused.

 

Isn't the buffet dining area a "dining room"? The staff maintains the food trays and in many cases actually SERVES you as you fill up your plate at their station.

 

Isn't the pool grill being manned by staff who actually cook and SERVE you the food items you want? And the tables set up there are a dining room of sorts, although very casual.

 

I also don't see why this is so confusing for some people. Maybe they are playing dumb to get out of tipping?

[iheartbda]

I do so wish the people who voted, rmove auto tips, zero tips as well as the ones who remove the auto tip and give less in cash, would post and explain. Probably too chicken because they know they will get blasted.

[DirtyDawg]

Isn't the buffet dining area a "dining room"? The staff maintains the food trays and in many cases actually SERVES you as you fill up your plate at their station.

 

Isn't the pool grill being manned by staff who actually cook and SERVE you the food items you want? And the tables set up there are a dining room of sorts, although very casual.

 

I also don't see why this is so confusing for some people. Maybe they are playing dumb to get out of tipping?

 

Ruth Chris's is a dining room and sure, the same can be said of Golden Coral Buffet and McDonald's. Heck even the local food truck can be considered a dining room if it has tables outside. But are these truly dining rooms in everybody's opinion, and do they most people treat each the same when it comes to tipping?

 

My point is why doesn't the cruise line call the daily gratuity what it really is for - a food service gratuity and avoid any ambiguity or confusion.

[Azure Moon]

What are your normal tipping habits:

 

- Auto-tips + some extra cash for those deserving

- Auto-tips only

- Remove auto-tips BUT I normally tip MORE than the auto-tips in cash

- Remove auto-tips BUT I normally tip LESS than the auto-tips in cash

- Remove auto-tips. NO tips at all

 

So far we have given extra tips to our cabin steward and assistant, drink servers, bartender, specialty restaurant servers, and sometimes main dining room servers.

 

We also fill out STYLE cards (now called "HERO" cards, though I dislike that name as I think it does a disservice to what a real hero is) on the people who have impressed us during the cruise. Some of the people have received an extra tip and some have not. Some who get a filled out STYLE card, but don't get an extra tip, is usually because I don't always carry cash around with me while running around the ship, but sometimes can remember a name or have a pen and can jot down the name, or they have a pen and will write down their name for me. Sometimes, if there isn't a pen, or I don't remember the name, or I haven't taken a picture of their name tag, I write out the STYLE card for the department where the staff member works.

 

And in the main dining rooms I fill out cards about the staff and the service during or just after dining there and drop the card in the box as we leave the dining room.

 

We also mention the people's names on the survey we receive following the cruises.

[taglovestocruise]

The chair pigs and the non-tippers are two of a kind. All losers..

[dmrrn73]

I put the Auto + extra but actually Most trips I have been on have been just cash tips, they provided the envelope and guidelines as to what to give and we would give them out on the last night. The most recent one I have been on is 2008 and they may have had auto tips then but I don't remember.

[sail7seas]

ALWAYS..... Every cruise.

 

We would never remove automatic tips and we would never leave a ship without tipping those who made our cruise more special by their hard work and doing that extra something that we enjoyed.

[imnance]

I have been on 6 cruises and have done auto tips on every cruise. I have tipped extra on all but one. Our steward barely earned his auto tip on that cruise.

 

As someone who works in a restaurant, I'm very aware of how important tips are to cruise staff and not leaving extra on our last cruise was difficult for me. I tried to equate it to my own job. If I didn't give good service for whatever reason, I certainly wouldn't expect an extra tip or even a standard tip.

 

If you never eat in the MDR, do you still tip those people.

 

We haven't eaten in the MDR for at least 3 cruises. We always go to the Lido. I've struggled with this question but in the end decided to just leave the auto tips alone as servers usually work the buffet and dining room and removing a portion of the tip completely is not an option for me.

 

If someone has a better way to do it, I'm all ears.