serendipity1499 Posted February 7, 2017 #601 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Personally, I offer a $10/person gratuity in the PG and a $5/person at Canaletto. That is exactly what we do too.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted February 7, 2017 #602 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Do servers in the Pinnacle pool their tips? Service there seems to be such a team approach that I'm not sure who should get what. My understanding is that the Pinnacle workers do pool the additional tips that passengers leave. That sort of thing has been a common practice in the lounges and dining room for decades, either between a couple of people, or larger groups working the room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted February 7, 2017 #603 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Do servers in the Pinnacle pool their tips? Service there seems to be such a team approach that I'm not sure who should get what. We had the breakfast in the Pinnacle perk on our last cruise. We had multiple servers. Our service was wonderful and we wanted to leave something extra. The matre'd that anything we left would be pooled among all the staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appalachian Mountain Mama Posted February 7, 2017 #604 Share Posted February 7, 2017 This topic has always confused me. What is the difference? If the gratuities are included in the fare you pay them. If they are a separate line item you pay them. To me it is the total that comes out of my pocket. How the cruise line breaks it down for their accounting purposes doesn't make any difference to me. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted February 7, 2017 #605 Share Posted February 7, 2017 My understanding is that the Pinnacle workers do pool the additional tips that passengers leave. That sort of thing has been a common practice in the lounges and dining room for decades, either between a couple of people, or larger groups working the room. We had the breakfast in the Pinnacle perk on our last cruise. We had multiple servers. Our service was wonderful and we wanted to leave something extra. The matre'd that anything we left would be pooled among all the staff. Thanks. I was pretty sure breakfast is pooled, since it's a multi-day and varied server thing. On the last morning of our fall cruise, we left an envelope for "Pinnacle staff" but I wasn't sure about dinner since we haven't had dinner in PG in a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted February 7, 2017 #606 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Thanks. I was pretty sure breakfast is pooled, since it's a multi-day and varied server thing. On the last morning of our fall cruise, we left an envelope for "Pinnacle staff" but I wasn't sure about dinner since we haven't had dinner in PG in a while. We tipped our waiter the night of PG /Le Cirque dinners. I'll leave it to him to split it ;) For the breakfasts, we did the same thing, gave an envelope at the end of the cruise/segment with a thank you card and some $ for the staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted February 7, 2017 #607 Share Posted February 7, 2017 This topic has always confused me. What is the difference? If the gratuities are included in the fare you pay them. If they are a separate line item you pay them. To me it is the total that comes out of my pocket. How the cruise line breaks it down for their accounting purposes doesn't make any difference to me. Sent from my iPad using Forums There really isn't a difference even though some wish to pretend otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dccruisin Posted February 7, 2017 #608 Share Posted February 7, 2017 This is a well beaten topic here. Long responses are seldom read but here is an explanation from a member here how was worked on ships for over 30 years:.... Thanks for the explanation. Taxes drive what people do the world over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richwmn Posted February 8, 2017 #609 Share Posted February 8, 2017 please tell me what is the advantage of prepaying gratuities? Why not pay off your credit card balance when you are finished cruising, before your credit card payment due date? I am with you in that I don't see an advantage. Some people apparently like the feeling of not ending the cruise with a big bill--but they start with one. :rolleyes: Different strokes for different folks. One nice thing is that we can each handle this the way we want and others don't have to like it or understand why we do it. People have different comfort levels and each should do what to them feels right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prescottbob Posted February 8, 2017 #610 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Probably old news to CC folks here but I just got the 'official' note today. "Holland America Line is adjusting its daily Hotel Service Charge for all sailings beginning on or after May 1, 2017. The Hotel Service Charge will increase as follows: US $13.50 per person per day for staterooms (interior, ocean-view and verandah) which is a total increase of $1. US $15.00 per person per day for suites which is a total increase of $1.50. To ensure that the efforts of all crewmembers are recognized and rewarded, a Hotel Service Charge is automatically added to each guest's shipboard account on a daily basis. If Holland America's service exceeds or fails to meet expectations, guests are free to adjust this amount at the end of the cruise. The 15% service charge that is automatically added to beverage purchases (wine, beer, liquor, soft drinks, etc.) remains unchanged." Safe Travels, Bob:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted February 9, 2017 #611 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thanks for posting. I hadn't heard about this increase. Not surprised, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted February 9, 2017 #612 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thank you for your post!! I believe it is fare and our stewards are wonderful and deserve the pay increase. My opinion. Denise:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted February 9, 2017 #613 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Was unaware of the changes. Thank you for posting this information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted February 9, 2017 #614 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thank you for letting us know -- I had not heard about this. I wonder if people will start to give less extra tips with this increase??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted February 9, 2017 #615 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Probably old news to CC folks here but I just got the 'official' note today. "Holland America Line is adjusting its daily Hotel Service Charge for all sailings beginning on or after May 1, 2017. The Hotel Service Charge will increase as follows: US $13.50 per person per day for staterooms (interior, ocean-view and verandah) which is a total increase of $1. US $15.00 per person per day for suites which is a total increase of $1.50. To ensure that the efforts of all crewmembers are recognized and rewarded, a Hotel Service Charge is automatically added to each guest's shipboard account on a daily basis. If Holland America's service exceeds or fails to meet expectations, guests are free to adjust this amount at the end of the cruise. The 15% service charge that is automatically added to beverage purchases (wine, beer, liquor, soft drinks, etc.) remains unchanged." Safe Travels, Bob:) With this new format for CC -- what font and size are you using? Yours is easy to read compared to others on here. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted February 9, 2017 #616 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thank you for letting us know -- I had not heard about this.I wonder if people will start to give less extra tips with this increase??? KK! I sure hope not!!! We will still give extra Tips. Denise:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platoon Leader Posted February 9, 2017 #617 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Seems fair to me. I still will give extra at the end for these hard working people. Sent from my XT1650 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted February 9, 2017 #618 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thanks so much for the heads up. I hadn't received an e from HAL and we do have a cruise booked for 2018. I don't have an issue with the increased HSC overall, but I have always wondered why all suites are charged the same price??? The Vistas, SS's are not the same size as a Neptune Suite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cbr663 Posted February 9, 2017 #619 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Received an email from my TA today advising me that HAL is increasing the HSC effective May 1, 2017. For all sailings beginning on or after May 1, the HSC is increasing to $13.50 US per day for staterooms and $15.00 US per day for suites. The 15% service charge added to beverages remains unchanged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted February 9, 2017 #620 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Okay -- multi quote doesn't work for me. If I am able to cruise again some time, we would still give extra tips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appalachian Mountain Mama Posted February 9, 2017 #621 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Being a novice cruiser...we received prepaid gratuities as a perk, will that hold true or will we have to pay the difference between the old and new amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted February 9, 2017 #622 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I'm telling you guys I want the old forum back! Why would they place 2 quotes in my reply back to KrazyKruser When I was responding to her last quote!!!! I dooooo not care for this and I do not like how I have to maneuver to get to the HAL site! Denise:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cbr663 Posted February 9, 2017 #623 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I would expect that you should be okay and that pre-paid gratuities would include the increase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appalachian Mountain Mama Posted February 9, 2017 #624 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thanks cbr663, it's not a big deal even if I have to pay the difference but I don't like surprises unless they are wrapped in sparkly paper and have a bow[emoji14] Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhannah Posted February 9, 2017 #625 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I still have not gotten word of the service charge increase. I guess it will come some day. I did find it on the HAL website. I, too, will assume if your booking package includes prepaid gratuities that this increased amount will still be covered. If I ever get a notice, I will ask the question to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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