Tipping: Keeping Up With Inflation?

[pepperrn]

Pepper....we are going to be in Southampton soon. I'd love to see your estates and your squillions.

Hi brigittetom,

 

Well, the squillions are in "off-shore" accounts (income tax you know), so you'll pass them on the way into Southampton ( ;) ) and I'll arrange a tour of an estate, one side to the other should only take a few days in a fast car ( :D ).

 

:) :) :)

[Lady49Monet]

If there was an alternative that was lucrative and they were able to stay with their families then I am sure they would take it. What cruise lines would do then I have no idea but no doubt the passengers would end up paying for it. Capitalism and The Market barometer would be alive and kicking.

 

 

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[Lady49Monet]

Hi brigittetom,

 

 

 

Well, the squillions are in "off-shore" accounts (income tax you know), so you'll pass them on the way into Southampton ( ;) ) and I'll arrange a tour of an estate, one side to the other should only take a few days in a fast car ( :D ).

 

 

 

:) :) :)

 

 

Which part of the British coastline are we talking about here?😉 would that be the inner city estates Sgt Pepper? 😉

 

 

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[DDBINK1]

Y'all get kind of brutal with each other on here when you disagree or find something inaccurate in a post. (I am from Tennessee, that is how we talk).

No offense meant. :) Be kind. please??

 

I had a conversation with a butler and a house keeping staff member once and they both said they got 4 extra hours off at every other port. The staff rotate that bonus time so that they can go off the ship and enjoy some time off and shop for sundries as they are cheaper on shore than on the ship.

[Underwatr]

I'll arrange a tour of an estate, one side to the other should only take a few days in a fast car ( :D ).

I had a car like that once.

[keithm]

I presume the auto-tips are extra to their salary whatever that is. I presume Cunard pay the minimum wage? Then there are the extra tips as well. Yes most support a family back home, but the waiters I have spoken too want to come and work on the ships they do miss their family but it is better to have a good/average salary. When we were young and had young children my husband had work away from home to support the family. I had to work as well just to make ends meet. You do whatever you have to under the circumstances, and neither of us have ever received a tip or bonus. We have done what other British citizens have done worked hard paid all our taxes, and it still work part-time so we can afford to go cruising. I am a generous person by nature and leave the auto tip in place but I feel no compulsion to add extra. Having said that we have given extra to waiters and steward in the past.

 

I think Cunard should not encourage extra tipping as someone has already said it may distract the steward/waiter from providing a good service to other passengers. If you have tippers guilt whatever that is give it to the purser as a collective to be distributed throughout the staff.

 

 

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The extra tipping(if any) is normally done near the end of your trip. I'm in the service industry(catering)and trust me, tips help greatly.

[keithm]

This is the type who only attends to people tipping 400$ a day...

 

Btw extreme tipping may cause a lot of service issues for lower tipping guests. It distracts the staff from looking after them. I do highly recommend not to give extra ordinary tips.

As I've stated many times, most tip on the last sea night. You will not see the staff falling all over those who tip more. They may certainly remember them on future voyages,as many remember us.At that point we usually have different staff attending to us & run into old familier faces around the ship. We actually had a steward come along with us to shore & show some of the good spots to shop(he had some off time). He was from a past trip & we didn't have him in our section the next time, but he remembered us well & was a great person to associate with.

[Underwatr]

I presume the auto-tips are extra to their salary whatever that is. I presume Cunard pay the minimum wage?

Depending on what you mean by minimum wage, no. At least they don't pay UK or EU minimum wage. What they pay staff depends on their country of origin and while it's good pay based on where they come from, it would not be considered good pay in Britain - and the calculation of pay includes the gratuity charges assessed on guests.

 

Cunard said that a big reason for changing to a Bermuda registration was so they could perform weddings but it's likely that a bigger reason is so they don't have to pay everyone UK/EU minimum wage as recent legislation would have required.

[Salacia]

Y'all get kind of brutal with each other on here when you disagree or find something inaccurate in a post. (I am from Tennessee, that is how we talk).

No offense meant. :) Be kind. please??

 

I had a conversation with a butler and a house keeping staff member once and they both said they got 4 extra hours off at every other port. The staff rotate that bonus time so that they can go off the ship and enjoy some time off and shop for sundries as they are cheaper on shore than on the ship.

 

An extra four hours off at every other port... to put that into perspective, we would need to know how many hours off is the norm, and how many times the ship stops at ports during any particular voyage.

 

For example, consider QM2 transatlantic crossings NY to Southampton, which is approximately seven days. That would mean that every 7 days, half of the housekeeping staff got an extra four house off to go ashore. (Unless there was a noro outbreak, and then all bets are off.) I imagine that after spending so many hours on their feet, there are crew members who are happy to have four hours of rest rather than going ashore. So a bonus 4 hours off on a rotation basis at port stops - oh yeah, that's living large.

Edited September 15, 2014 by Salacia

[cunardaddict]

Which is it? You appear confused. Can I assist you in any way?Well, there aren't 1,500 crew on QM2. Not even in Queens Grill, despite what you may think. And some crew have to stay on board. Or maybe, in your confusion, you weren't aware of that. Or maybe you were. Who knows.How did you know? Have you been peeking? Yep, you're right. I spent my youth wandering my inherited estates, my middle years as a worthless playboy around the casinos of Europe, and my retirement counting my untold squillions. How clever of you.

 

I did assumed you made your wealth by the only acceptable English way - clearing the land of others and pressing them into slavery and selling them their freedom by financing the enormous ransom on a maximum interest rate and a useless compulsory insurance. I apologize for beeing wrong.

[newjoisey]

I did assumed you made your wealth by the only acceptable English way - clearing the land of others and pressing them into slavery and selling them their freedom by financing the enormous ransom on a maximum interest rate and a useless compulsory insurance. I apologize for beeing wrong.

 

thats because they won....you cant.....ya lost;)

[cunardaddict]

thats because they won....you cant.....ya lost;)

 

Where? What will be left over next week? Pyrhus was right...

[cunardaddict]

An extra four hours off at every other port... to put that into perspective, we would need to know how many hours off is the norm, and how many times the ship stops at ports during any particular voyage.

 

For example, consider QM2 transatlantic crossings NY to Southampton, which is approximately seven days. That would mean that every 7 days, half of the housekeeping staff got an extra four house off to go ashore. (Unless there was a noro outbreak, and then all bets are off.) I imagine that after spending so many hours on their feet, there are crew members who are happy to have four hours of rest rather than going ashore. So a bonus 4 hours off on a rotation basis at port stops - oh yeah, that's living large.

 

Every 14 days 4 hours off. A great perspective - perfect at Brooklyn or any other place in the middle of nowhere or nowhere you wan't to be. Mostly spend at a doctor's of their choice because the on board medic always acts on behalf of the employer. A friend of is a dentist at So'ton. He knows it all.

 

No, it is anything but a nice way to earn your money. Some do really enjoy it because the love to be on a way though.

[pepperrn]

I did assumed you made your wealth by the only acceptable English way - clearing the land of others and pressing them into slavery and selling them their freedom by financing the enormous ransom on a maximum interest rate and a useless compulsory insurance

No, no, that was great, great, great, grandfather Algernon (Quite a character, thought nothing of wandering the estate, shooting a few peasants before breakfast (sorry, a slip, must say pheasant these days ;) )). Edited September 15, 2014 by pepperrn

[cunardaddict]

No, no, that was great, great, great, grandfather Algernon (Quite a character, thought nothing of wandering the estate, shooting a few peasants before breakfast (sorry, a slip, must say pheasants these days ;) )).

 

I havn't been to far off at least. Wasn't that a great time? But now Cunard has stopped the recreational clay pidgeon shootings for our upper class society. A pity, isn't it.

 

Well, thinking it over it will certainly return to prepare the gentlemen for the reconquista of Scotland:D

Edited September 15, 2014 by cunardaddict

[pepperrn]

I havn't been to far off at least. Wasn't that a great time? But now Cunard has stopped the recreational clay pidgeon shootings for our upper class society.

It was indeed. Mind you, your antecedents may have used clay pigeons on board, my illustrious ancestors used carefully selected steerage passengers catapulted over the rail ;) . Of course, with less of them rowing, the ship slowed a bit as they neared New York ;) . Edited September 15, 2014 by pepperrn

[cunardaddict]

It was indeed. Mind you, your antecedents may have used clay pigeons on board, my illustrious ancestors used carefully selected steerage passengers catapulted over the rail ;) . Of course, with less of them rowing, the ship slowed a bit as they neared New York ;) .

 

I have been brought up under the rule of "Never play with your food!". So you must be right. We solved the problem of decreasing speed by additionally blowing into the sails. Germans do always find a way out:p

Edited September 15, 2014 by cunardaddict

[Salacia]

I have been brought up under the rule of "Never play with your food!". So you must be right. We solved the problem of decreasing speed by additionally blowing into the sails. Germans do always find a way out:p

 

Hence the origin of the word "blowhard"?

[DDBINK1]

An extra four hours off at every other port... to put that into perspective, we would need to know how many hours off is the norm, and how many times the ship stops at ports during any particular voyage.

 

For example, consider QM2 transatlantic crossings NY to Southampton, which is approximately seven days. That would mean that every 7 days, half of the housekeeping staff got an extra four house off to go ashore. (Unless there was a noro outbreak, and then all bets are off.) I imagine that after spending so many hours on their feet, there are crew members who are happy to have four hours of rest rather than going ashore. So a bonus 4 hours off on a rotation basis at port stops - oh yeah, that's living large.

 

I completely agree. The staff work many hours for the guests and have little time to relax and enjoy life off work. In talking to some of the staff they take naps instead of visiting off the ship in ports also. One of my trips, the butler said he had his wife also on board and they tried to get the extra time off together but sometimes it did not happen as they worked in different departments. He also told me that they work shifts that are split up during the day. Early morning for 4 or 6 hours and later in the day for 6 to 7 hours. That is alot of work and long hours. I remember our butler checking in with us in the evening and when we had box seats for the show on QV, she also showed up during the show to pour champagne and make sure our goodies we had to eat were adequate. This on top of the staff already provided in the box seats. I would have thought her shift was over as it was the late show.

 

I have read on here that all the food for the staff is free while on board?? I think that not all types of food are free to the staff. I had one waiter on board QM2 say he always bought a steak dinner on first Sunday of the month, with dessert. He said it was his treat to himself. I understood it to mean that steaks were not on the free food menu for staff.??? Anyone know? I do know they have to buy Chips (Crisps for you people over there) and other snacks.

[brigittetom]

 

I have read on here that all the food for the staff is free while on board?? I think that not all types of food are free to the staff. I had one waiter on board QM2 say he always bought a steak dinner on first Sunday of the month, with dessert. He said it was his treat to himself. I understood it to mean that steaks were not on the free food menu for staff.??? Anyone know? I do know they have to buy Chips (Crisps for you people over there) and other snacks.

 

Yes, that is exactly right. Personally, I see that as a normal way of life. The average people eat simple basic meals and if we want to treat ourselves we go to a nice resturant or splurge on something special. Same with passengers traveling in Britania....when they want something extra, they book TE. Please note that I do realize that there are those who feel that fine dining every evening is a necessity but there are those of us who choose to have other priorities. I don't believe that staff treating themselves to a special meal should be viewed as being deprived of good food.

 

The staff does need to purchase chips and candy separately as any other personal items......but they do get bargain prices at the crew bar. :)

[cwn]

Yes, that is exactly right. Personally, I see that as a normal way of life. The average people eat simple basic meals and if we want to treat ourselves we go to a nice resturant or splurge on something special. Same with passengers traveling in Britania....when they want something extra, they book TE. Please note that I do realize that there are those who feel that fine dining every evening is a necessity but there are those of us who choose to have other priorities. I don't believe that staff treating themselves to a special meal should be viewed as being deprived of good food.

 

The staff does need to purchase chips and candy separately as any other personal items......but they do get bargain prices at the crew bar. :)

 

Good response! We like simple meals also...except breakfast...that is our downfall on a vacation. But a big breakfast is not something we have on work days...it is a special treat we reserve for vacation time.

 

We can not apply our US. GB, European or Australian standard of living, as in what many of us like to eat (good steak) or what we consider minimum living conditions to what a crew member from say an Asian or Latin American country wants to eat or feels deprived if it is not available to him or her. Not all of the crew even eat meat and many consider what we think is wonderful, bland and uneatable.

[cunardaddict]

Yes, that is exactly right. Personally, I see that as a normal way of life. The average people eat simple basic meals

 

What an ignourious nonsense. The US eat simple basic meals. Noone else. I feel sorry for your view of the world.

[cunardaddict]

Hence the origin of the word "blowhard"?

 

Maybe. Now it's the Merkel-Principle.

[cunardaddict]

 

We can not apply our US. GB, European or Australian standard of living, as in what many of us like to eat (good steak) or what we consider minimum living conditions to what a crew member from say an Asian or Latin American country wants to eat or feels deprived if it is not available to him or her. Not all of the crew even eat meat and many consider what we think is wonderful, bland and uneatable.

 

Not all crew are Asian. And, as I stated a few months ago, a "good steak" is a very primitive way of preparing food and counts for just above a Big Mac. Good food is different to a charcoaled piece of beef.

 

I live in a harbour town and I see the crew shopping. It is mainly food, often convenience and chips and sweets and soft drinks.

Edited September 15, 2014 by cunardaddict

[pepperrn]

... We solved the problem of decreasing speed by additionally blowing into the sails ...

Well, I'm trying to resist saying something about you blowing... and lots of hot air.

Looks like I failed ;)