Tipping: Keeping Up With Inflation?

[DDBINK1]

This topic is always interesting in the answers people give.

 

Cultures seem to effect the responses.

 

There is a CC article and I hope I get this right

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=132

 

it that does not work then someone can help I am sure.

 

Every time I read these postings I doubt myself as to if I have given enough. I would never stiff anyone on a tip. Especially since I have never had a bad experience on a cruise. (except in the laundry, but haven't we all??? )

I have followed the guides on this article and then some. But some on these posts do a lot more.

 

I have Tippers Guilt for some reason.

[Salacia]

I always auto tip. On my last cruise I gave extra tip but it was returned to me under the door with Thank You. I suspect he considered it not enough. From now on Auto tips only.

 

burchan, that is the first time I've heard of such an occurrence. Lacking the details, I have no comment other than I am very surprised. -S.

[Salacia]

You are right about my math and not tipping hotel staff though we always tip for the luggage... not sure where my head was on that! And, of course, room and food is not the only thing we are paying for on a cruise ship. Sorry.

 

But my point about the $11.50 tip per day for a regular cabin was that it has increased over the years. How ever the original amount was figured by the cruise lines, either to be given directly to the staff by the envelope system of old or the newer auto tip system, it was and is a fair amount. Plus, if you didn't cruise under the old system, you have no idea how disrupting all that envelope passing (or not being passed:( ) was on the last day!

 

The contracts guarantee the crew a set amount including their portion of the auto tip if included in that. That is why if a passenger takes the auto tip off, the affected crew have to turn in any thing given them or risk being caught with the money and sent home at their own expense. They live in very close quarters with little personal space or time...why tempt them to break the rules. Working on a cruise ship has always been a good job....a guaranteed monthly amount for the length of the contract that is always better than anything they can make at home. Then if they are really good there is always the chance that the passenger will tip something extra plus a chance for advancement to higher paying jobs.

 

What amazes me is when some one brags they give the room service guy a $5 tip every morning for their morning coffee or talks about removing the auto tip for what ever reason. Especially when the line specifically states the auto tip includes the room service and others the person is served by daily. But. as I said...tipping is personal and one person shouldn't be influenced by the claims of another. A tip is not meant to be a person's year's pay, but a little thank you for something above and beyond.

 

 

Please, can you tell me it is stated that the auto tip includes room service personal? Thanks, -S.

[Salacia]

Regarding the Hotel & Dining charge, a/k/a auto tip:

 

"...The Hotel and Dining charge is shared between your waiters and stateroom stewards in recognition of their services, whereas the gratuity charges applied to bar and salon services, please see below, are shared between bar and salon personnel in recognition of their services..."quoted from https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/fleet/gratuity

 

Seems to me that the distribution of the Hotel & Dining charge has changed.

[Salacia]

Since some are asking....In the Ask Cunard section (what ever it is called) Cunard really already tells you what to do. Though they could be more direct.

 

How does tipping work?

During your voyage, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. Many more crew support those who serve you directly. A discretionary Hotel and Dining charge will be added to your shipboard account on a daily basis for each passenger (including children). This charge will be shared amongst all those who help provide and support your experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards and others. Please note, this is a discretionary charge and should you wish to remove it or make any adjustments, you may contact the Purser’s Desk before the end of the cruise.

 

 

cwn, it seems we posted conflicted information regarding the distribution of the Hotel and Dining charge. I copied the information moments ago, quoted from the Cunard webpage as cited. Either there is conflicting information on the Cunard website, or the distribution of the H&D charge has recently changed. It all seems rather vague, but I'd be interesting in learning where my money is going.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Salacia

[bunkrest]

That is why if a passenger takes the auto tip off, the affected crew have to turn in any thing given them or risk being caught with the money and sent home at their own expense.

 

CWN,Just out of interest,if a passenger keeps the auto tip in place and also tips extra on top, the person receiving the extra amount do they still have to declare it?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[capnpugwash]

That is why if a passenger takes the auto tip off, the affected crew have to turn in any thing given them or risk being caught with the money and sent home at their own expense.

 

CWN,Just out of interest,if a passenger keeps the auto tip in place and also tips extra on top, the person receiving the extra amount do they still have to declare it?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

No, it is theirs to keep.

[fantasy51]

I have Tippers Guilt for some reason.

 

Thank you. Now I know what to call it! :D

 

The main time I experience this is when I get my hair cut. Growing up in Australia, we would not think of tipping our stylist. Now that I live in the UK, I see it happening and just do not know what to do! I'm not going to slip £5 into the tight jeans pocket of my stylist, as I have seen some women do! Luckily I now get my hair done by the owner of the establishment, and I gather one does not tip them, but I do wonder about the person who washes my hair.

[fantasy51]

There is a CC article and I hope I get this right

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=132

 

 

Thank you for this article. I found it very interesting, though I felt his tips were over-generous, as did most people who commented on it.

 

I found one very interesting comment though, interesting because it answers some of the questions I have seen raised here and have heard from other cruisers. You know the old complaint about tips not reaching the staff but being creamed off the top, and that's why cruisers choose to remove the auto-tips.

 

Smeyer418 wrote:

 

I am an attorney and monitor the websites where it is reported when employees sue the cruise lines. There is not one report that the prepaid tips goes anywhere except the crew- in full without deduction for so much as the cost of the credit card fee. Employees of cruise lines sue the cruise lines all the time(class actions too) and there has not been one report of any skimming at all. On each cruise I have been on where the tips were prepaid a list is circulated to the crew- so they in fact know. Its also true that if you remove the tips the crew is also made aware of it....

[Im_Reading]

...Maybe people who want to feel better than everybody else, and judge folks for their supposed inadequacies, should be restricted to the Queens Grille where they won't be exposed to the Hoi Polloi.

 

Why punish us???

 

I recall a recent and aggrandizing stroke piece presented in the guise of a trip report in which the writer name-dropped, quoted the price of a birthday lunch, shared peculiar and intimate details about the lives of their poor children, made racially insensitive, according to some, remarks about an on-board entertainer, and made public an act of kindness offered to a passenger in need, the lending of a jacket, in which the brand of the jacket was thought to be so impressive it needed to be included in the retelling.

 

I ask you, what kind of person brags about helping someone in need?

 

The same kind of person who, for absolutely no explicable reason whatsoever, found it necessary to inform everyone how much their house had increased in value over the last half century.

 

You surely aren’t suggesting we endure someone like that???

[PunkiC]

Why punish us???

 

I recall a recent and aggrandizing stroke piece presented in the guise of a trip report in which the writer name-dropped, quoted the price of a birthday lunch, shared peculiar and intimate details about the lives of their poor children, made racially insensitive, according to some, remarks about an on-board entertainer, and made public an act of kindness offered to a passenger in need, the lending of a jacket, in which the brand of the jacket was thought to be so impressive it needed to be included in the retelling.

 

I ask you, what kind of person brags about helping someone in need?

 

The same kind of person who, for absolutely no explicable reason whatsoever, found it necessary to inform everyone how much their house had increased in value over the last half century.

 

You surely aren’t suggesting we endure someone like that???

 

So am I to understand that you didn't enjoy my trip report? That's odd most people seemed to enjoy it a great deal. Oh well, it just goes to prove that you can please all of the people all of the time. :D :D

[brigittetom]

So am I to understand that you didn't enjoy my trip report? That's odd most people seemed to enjoy it a great deal. Oh well, it just goes to prove that you can please all of the people all of the time. :D :D

 

Well, I for one loved the trip report and all the sidelines that went with it....makes for fun reading rather than just the bare facts.

[fantasy51]

I loved the bit about lending the jacket, and the brand name seemed to me ironic in view of the celebrity's own choice of clothing!

[cwn]

Since some are asking....In the Ask Cunard section (what ever it is called) Cunard really already tells you what to do. Though they could be more direct.

 

How does tipping work?

During your voyage, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. Many more crew support those who serve you directly. A discretionary Hotel and Dining charge will be added to your shipboard account on a daily basis for each passenger (including children). This charge will be shared amongst all those who help provide and support your experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards and others. Please note, this is a discretionary charge and should you wish to remove it or make any adjustments, you may contact the Purser’s Desk before the end of the cruise.

Grill Accommodations: $13.50 USD per person per day†

Britannia Accommodations: $11.50 USD per person per day†Note: Casino dealers and Spa personnel do not share in the Hotel and Dining charge as not all guests utilise these services.

What about gratuities in the bars?

A 15% gratuity is added to your bar charges and dining room wine account. This is shared amongst the beverage staff and their support staff.

......

 

Salacia, In my first post yesterday afternoon, I had copied the Cunard site. I know Cunard does not mention specifically room service, just wait staff, stewards, buffet and others. The last time we were on a Cunard ship was before the Auto Tip bit. From our cruises on Princess and HAL, the Purser staff has said that room service is part of the food service section and is included in the Auto Tip. That is why I said that Cunard is vague about exactly who is included. I will ask as soon as we board. But still $5 tip for a cup of coffee even if it is a fancy coffee is a bit over board. If that was all I ordered in a café or a nice restaurant at home I wouldn't give that much tip! And I wouldn't suffer "Tippers Guilt" either. Love that term!

 

capnpugwash, I agree. That is what I have been told by the Purser's office on other carnival Corporation lines. If you take off the Auto Tip, they ask the crew if they received any money from the passenger who removed the tip, if so they are required to turn it in. If the Auto Tip is left in place the crew is not asked about that passenger and they keep that extra if any. That is why we leave it on and if the staff has gone above and beyond, not just making the room, replacing used up items, keeping our water glasses etc filled there is something extra.

[cwn]

Thank you for this article. I found it very interesting, though I felt his tips were over-generous, as did most people who commented on it.

 

I found one very interesting comment though, interesting because it answers some of the questions I have seen raised here and have heard from other cruisers. You know the old complaint about tips not reaching the staff but being creamed off the top, and that's why cruisers choose to remove the auto-tips.

 

Smeyer418 wrote:

 

I am an attorney and monitor the websites where it is reported when employees sue the cruise lines. There is not one report that the prepaid tips goes anywhere except the crew- in full without deduction for so much as the cost of the credit card fee. Employees of cruise lines sue the cruise lines all the time(class actions too) and there has not been one report of any skimming at all. On each cruise I have been on where the tips were prepaid a list is circulated to the crew- so they in fact know. Its also true that if you remove the tips the crew is also made aware of it....

 

 

Thanks for the post....That is good to know....

 

I agree with you about that CC article author being somewhat over generous. Especially in light of conversations with our wait staff and stewards we have come to know over the years.

 

I also found this CC article on tipping interesting also, especially the comment about giving a tip (bribe) at the beginning of the cruise and the comments on some of the crew's stories.... seems some unfortunate aspects of human nature crosses all nationalities. http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=261

Edited September 12, 2014 by cwn

[fantasy51]

I also found this CC article on tipping interesting also, especially the comment about giving a tip (bribe) at the beginning of the cruise and the comments on some of the crew's stories.... seems some unfortunate aspects of human nature crosses all nationalities. http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=261

 

Thank you. I enjoyed that. It debunks more myths.

[PunkiC]

I loved the bit about lending the jacket, and the brand name seemed to me ironic in view of the celebrity's own choice of clothing!

 

Since you loved the story about the Armani jacket, I will tell you how DH came to own so many.

 

A few years ago we were shopping at Saks off 5th in Washington, D.C., and DH tried on an Armani tux which was on sale for $599.00 with an additional $100 off on all suits (including tuxes). It was such an amazing buy for such a wonderful tux, that we bought it instantly and took it back to the tailor at Nordstrom in Seattle to be fitted. When the tailor looked at the jacket on DH, he said, "There is nothing that could be done to make that jacket fit you any better. You have the perfect Armani body!" Well you can imagine how many times DH has played his "perfect Armani body" card since then. Groan. :p

 

However, the upside is that I know for certain that any 43L Armani jacket that hasn't been drastically altered, will fit him like it was made for him. So, I can check eBay and buy any Armani jacket I find that still has original measurements and a 26" sleeve length from the shoulder seam to the cuff, and know it will work. As a result, he has a bunch of them. He thinks it is a kick that he gets so many compliments on his "gorgeous jackets" that sometimes cost as little as $49.00. OK, I know that it is a little gauche to tell you how much they cost, but it is funny enough that it is worth the telling.

 

Sometimes being smart is even better than being rich, and all the time being smart is the best way to save enough shekels to feel rich even if you aren't. :)

[Salacia]

Salacia, In my first post yesterday afternoon, I had copied the Cunard site. I know Cunard does not mention specifically room service, just wait staff, stewards, buffet and others. The last time we were on a Cunard ship was before the Auto Tip bit. From our cruises on Princess and HAL, the Purser staff has said that room service is part of the food service section and is included in the Auto Tip. That is why I said that Cunard is vague about exactly who is included. I will ask as soon as we board. But still $5 tip for a cup of coffee even if it is a fancy coffee is a bit over board. If that was all I ordered in a café or a nice restaurant at home I wouldn't give that much tip! And I wouldn't suffer "Tippers Guilt" either. Love that term!

 

.

 

Hi cwn. Thanks for your reply. From what I have read on Cunard and Princess websites, the distribution of the Hotel and Dining Charge, a/k/a auto tip, has changed - most especially on Princess ships where the auto tip is shared amongst crew members across the fleet and not simply shared amongst the crew members on our particular voyage.

 

But since we are discussing Cunard ships on this forum, there also seems to be a change in distribution of the auto tip. In past years, I read that the auto tip was to be shared amongst the crew behind the scene that passengers normally don't get to met, but appreciate their service.

 

Now I read on the Cunard website as quote earlier that "...The Hotel and Dining charge is shared between your waiters and stateroom stewards in recognition of their services". We always left the H&D charge in place, and tipped additional amounts to our restaurant servers and the cabin steward. (With one exception where the cabin steward was gawd awful, and felt no added gratuity was warranted -but that was only one voyage out of twelve.)

 

My query is that if the H&D charge is shared amongst the waiters and stateroom steward, what happened to the remuneration for those 'behind the scenes' crew members? And since many of us tip our waiters and cabin steward in addition to the H&D charge, are we double tipping? As much as Americans seem to have the reputation for tipping just for that sake of it, I suggest that is not the case.

 

I think it's good that we discuss such matters, and I appreciate responses.

 

Regards,

Salacia

Edited September 13, 2014 by Salacia

[cwn]

.....Now I read on the Cunard website as quote earlier that "...The Hotel and Dining charge is shared between your waiters and stateroom stewards in recognition of their services". We always left the H&D charge in place, and tipped additional amounts to our restaurant servers and the cabin steward. (With one exception where the cabin steward was gawd awful, and felt no added gratuity was warranted -but that was only one voyage out of twelve.)

 

My query is that if the H&D charge is shared amongst the waiters and stateroom steward, what happened to the remuneration for those 'behind the scenes' crew members? And since many of us tip our waiters and cabin steward in addition to the H&D charge, are we double tipping? As much as Americans seem to have the reputation for tipping just for that sake of it, I suggest that is not the case.

 

I think it's good that we discuss such matters, and I appreciate responses.

 

Regards,

Salacia

 

I agree with you about the US cruisers tendency to tip whether it is appropriate or not. We haven't been on Princess in a while. Our last several cruises have been with Regent and Seabourn both of which actively discourage tipping as that is included in the fare and not expected by the crew.

 

Regent even has a crew fund box that they ask if you want to reward the crew extra that you put cash in that box at the purser's desk and it is used for special things for the crew. If you ask a crew member about it they will tell you about special or fun things the fund has provided. On our last Regent cruise, the ship's chart for the cruise was auctioned off at the end and the proceeds went to the Crew Fund to the tune of several thousand dollars...the crew was ecstatic! I really like that idea.

 

The last time we were on Princess and HAL, it wasn't stated anywhere who got what from the Auto Tip, so I asked and was told Room Service was included. And I was also told the break down.

 

My earlier quote for Cunard's policy is found here: http://www.cunard.com/frequent-questions/

 

The quote I posted is under "How does tipping work. It does say "buffet severs and others". I guess I will have to ask who the others are, just like I did on Princess and HAL. Not sure why this is such a secret!

 

The "across the fleet" bit with Princess doesn't really change the over all effect on the crew. But it probably helps even out what the line has to make up in the guaranteed monthly salaries for the crew when people remove the auto tip and don't tip period.

 

The crew is not really short changed. They have agreed to work for a guaranteed minimum salary. If some one removes the tip the ship makes up the short fall in their salary. That is why they make the crew turn in any money given on the side, if the tip has been removed. Of course, some people remove the tip and then don't tip period, so that short fall in the salary guarantee has to be made up some how. Actually spreading any short fall across the fleet is probably good business since ships carrying many US passengers will probably see more Auto Tips left in place and higher tips amounts over all than say the ships spending a large amount of time in Asia. That is JMO though.

[Salacia]

I agree with you about the US cruisers tendency to tip whether it is appropriate or not. We haven't been on Princess in a while. Our last several cruises have been with Regent and Seabourn both of which actively discourage tipping as that is included in the fare and not expected by the crew.

 

Regent even has a crew fund box that they ask if you want to reward the crew extra that you put cash in that box at the purser's desk and it is used for special things for the crew. If you ask a crew member about it they will tell you about special or fun things the fund has provided. On our last Regent cruise, the ship's chart for the cruise was auctioned off at the end and the proceeds went to the Crew Fund to the tune of several thousand dollars...the crew was ecstatic! I really like that idea.

 

The last time we were on Princess and HAL, it wasn't stated anywhere who got what from the Auto Tip, so I asked and was told Room Service was included. And I was also told the break down.

 

My earlier quote for Cunard's policy is found here: http://www.cunard.com/frequent-questions/

 

The quote I posted is under "How does tipping work. It does say "buffet severs and others". I guess I will have to ask who the others are, just like I did on Princess and HAL. Not sure why this is such a secret!

 

The "across the fleet" bit with Princess doesn't really change the over all effect on the crew. But it probably helps even out what the line has to make up in the guaranteed monthly salaries for the crew when people remove the auto tip and don't tip period.

 

The crew is not really short changed. They have agreed to work for a guaranteed minimum salary. If some one removes the tip the ship makes up the short fall in their salary. That is why they make the crew turn in any money given on the side, if the tip has been removed. Of course, some people remove the tip and then don't tip period, so that short fall in the salary guarantee has to be made up some how. Actually spreading any short fall across the fleet is probably good business since ships carrying many US passengers will probably see more Auto Tips left in place and higher tips amounts over all than say the ships spending a large amount of time in Asia. That is JMO though.

 

Hi cwn, thanks again for your reply - but I feel it necessary to correct any mistake on for my comments that were misinterpreted. You wrote that "I agree with you about the US cruisers tendency to tip whether it is appropriate or not." Sorry if I didn't make my point clearly, as it seems to have lead to some misunderstanding: I do not believe that US passengers tip "whether it is appropriate or not".

 

I think any passenger has a right to know the distribution of the Hotel and Dining charge. From my reading of the Cunard website, there seems to be conflicting information in that regard.

 

Cunard needs to clarify the distribution of the Hotel & Dining Charge.

 

Salacia

[Salacia]

I agree with you about the US cruisers tendency to tip whether it is appropriate or not. We haven't been on Princess in a while. Our last several cruises have been with Regent and Seabourn both of which actively discourage tipping as that is included in the fare and not expected by the crew.

 

Regent even has a crew fund box that they ask if you want to reward the crew extra that you put cash in that box at the purser's desk and it is used for special things for the crew. If you ask a crew member about it they will tell you about special or fun things the fund has provided. On our last Regent cruise, the ship's chart for the cruise was auctioned off at the end and the proceeds went to the Crew Fund to the tune of several thousand dollars...the crew was ecstatic! I really like that idea.

 

The last time we were on Princess and HAL, it wasn't stated anywhere who got what from the Auto Tip, so I asked and was told Room Service was included. And I was also told the break down.

 

My earlier quote for Cunard's policy is found here: http://www.cunard.com/frequent-questions/

 

The quote I posted is under "How does tipping work. It does say "buffet severs and others". I guess I will have to ask who the others are, just like I did on Princess and HAL. Not sure why this is such a secret!

 

The "across the fleet" bit with Princess doesn't really change the over all effect on the crew. But it probably helps even out what the line has to make up in the guaranteed monthly salaries for the crew when people remove the auto tip and don't tip period.

 

The crew is not really short changed. They have agreed to work for a guaranteed minimum salary. If some one removes the tip the ship makes up the short fall in their salary. That is why they make the crew turn in any money given on the side, if the tip has been removed. Of course, some people remove the tip and then don't tip period, so that short fall in the salary guarantee has to be made up some how. Actually spreading any short fall across the fleet is probably good business since ships carrying many US passengers will probably see more Auto Tips left in place and higher tips amounts over all than say the ships spending a large amount of time in Asia. That is JMO though.

 

Hi cwn, thanks again for your reply - Sorry if I didn't make my point clearly, as it seems to have lead to some misunderstanding: I do not believe that US passengers tip "whether it is appropriate or not".

 

I think any passenger has a right to know the distribution of the Hotel and Dining charge. From my reading of the Cunard website, there seems to be conflicting information in that regard.

 

Cunard needs to clarify the distribution of the Hotel & Dining Charge.

 

Salacia

[Salacia]

How does tipping work?

 

During your voyage, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. Many more crew support those who serve you directly. A discretionary Hotel and Dining charge will be added to your shipboard account on a daily basis for each passenger (including children). This charge will be shared amongst all those who help provide and support your experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards and others. Please note, this is a discretionary charge and should you wish to remove it or make any adjustments, you may contact the Purser’s Desk before the end of the cruise.

http://www.cunard.com/frequent-questions/

 

The Hotel and Dining charge is shared between your waiters and stateroom stewards in recognition of their services, whereas the gratuity charges applied to bar and salon services, please see below, are shared between bar and salon personnel in recognition of their services.

https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/fleet/gratuity

 

Cunard states that it will be shared "amongst all those who help provide and support your experience"...etc, but then states that the H&D charge is "shared between your waiters and stateroom steward". Ok, maybe it's only me that finds this conflicting information, but it seems to me that Cunard can't have it both ways.

Edited September 13, 2014 by Salacia

[pepperrn]

"During your voyage, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. Many more crew support those who serve you directly. A discretionary Hotel and Dining charge will be added to your shipboard account on a daily basis for each passenger (including children). This charge will be shared amongst all those who help provide and support your experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards and others. Please note, this is a discretionary charge and should you wish to remove it or make any adjustments, you may contact the Purser’s Desk before the end of the cruise".

 

"The Hotel and Dining charge is shared between your waiters and stateroom stewards in recognition of their services, whereas the gratuity charges applied to bar and salon services, please see below, are shared between bar and salon personnel in recognition of their services".

 

Cunard states that it will be shared "amongst all those who help provide and support your experience"...etc, but then states that the H&D charge is "shared between your waiters and stateroom steward". Ok, maybe it's only me that finds this conflicting information, but it seems to me that Cunard can't have it both ways.

Hi Salacia,

 

I know I am being thick (not for the first or last time :o ) but I honestly don't see a conflict here just because the phrase or meaning in the first part is not repeated in the second. It is clear in the first section, at least to me. But as I said, that could be just me being simple :o .

 

(I rarely understand tipping threads, it seems so simple to me (of course being British I have a different attitude to this subject to some (with different everyday experiences) from across the pond). So I take this attitude:

 

Rather than guess what tip is appropriate at the end of my cruise, Cunard make it simple for me by working it out. So I always leave the auto-tip in place.

 

And on many cruises (including my most recent) that is it. As I see them for the last time on my cruise or crossing, I thank the stewards in person with a handshake, then pick up my bags and go.

 

If any have offered exceptional service, gone the extra mile, done something memorable to assist me, or made my voyage remarkable by an act of kindness, then I discreetly (no-one else, passenger or fellow crew-member, is aware) tip them directly in cash (To give only one example out of many; once, a steward raced down a Deck 9 corridor from the Commodore Club, chasing me to my cabin, clutching my camera which I'd left on a chair. I tipped him in cash the next day).

 

I'd guess that on about half my trips I've given extra in cash at some point.

Which means that on half I've relied on the auto-tip to do the work for me; I've received the service I expected, nothing more. But I always treat the crew with the utmost civility, greet them and thank them warmly. Remember names when possible, treat them as equals, not servants or slaves (and I've seen that on board :mad:)

 

On land I feel no need to spend my day giving out stacks of notes to all who serve me, regardless of the level of service, exceptional or appalling (which seems to be a national obsession in some countries and cultures. Would you believe it, in some places otherwise sane people automatically reward bad service!). I see no need to behave differently on a ship)

 

Happy sailings to all :)

Edited September 13, 2014 by pepperrn

[Lady49Monet]

Hi Salacia,

 

I know I am being thick (not for the first or last time :o ) but I honestly don't see a conflict here just because the phrase or meaning in the first part is not repeated in the second. It is clear in the first section, at least to me. But as I said, that could be just me being simple :o .

 

(I rarely understand tipping threads, it seems so simple to me (of course being British I have a different attitude to this subject to some (with different everyday experiences) from across the pond). So I take this attitude:

 

Rather than guess what tip is appropriate at the end of my cruise, Cunard make it simple for me by working it out. So I always leave the auto-tip in place.

 

And on many cruises (including my most recent) that is it. As I see them for the last time on my cruise or crossing, I thank the stewards in person with a handshake, then pick up my bags and go.

 

If any have offered exceptional service, gone the extra mile, done something memorable to assist me, or made my voyage remarkable by an act of kindness, then I discreetly (no-one else, passenger or fellow crew-member, is aware) tip them directly in cash (To give only one example out of many; once, a steward raced down a Deck 9 corridor from the Commodore Club, chasing me to my cabin, clutching my camera which I'd left on a chair. I tipped him in cash the next day).

 

I'd guess that on about half my trips I've given extra in cash at some point.

Which means that on half I've relied on the auto-tip to do the work for me; I've received the service I expected, nothing more. But I always treat the crew with the utmost civility, greet them and thank them warmly. Remember names when possible, treat them as equals, not servants or slaves (and I've seen that on board :mad:)

 

On land I feel no need to spend my day giving out stacks of notes to all who serve me, regardless of the level of service, exceptional or appalling (which seems to be a national obsession in some countries and cultures. Would you believe it, in some places otherwise sane people automatically reward bad service!). I see no need to behave differently on a ship)

 

Happy sailings to all :)

 

 

Thank you. This is exactly how we view tipping both on and off ship. We leave the auto tip on and I expect good service.

 

 

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[ellie1145]

I disagree.... most of the ignorant people I met on the QM2 were scumbag plebs who never had any cash to flash and if they did it went on a new dress and costume diamonds at primark before

 

You might be surprised at the number of people with 'class' who shop in Primark. Having lots of money and boasting about it does not mean you have 'class.' Sadly, they are the more ignorant.

Edited September 13, 2014 by ellie1145