cruiseing marly Posted February 10, 2017 #626 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Received an email yesterday the service charge is raised to 15 dollars effective may 1st . Surprised no one appears to be talking about it . Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseing marly Posted February 10, 2017 #627 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Sorry it was 13.50 and 15 dollars for suites . Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted February 10, 2017 #628 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I was not aware of this. But, I have no problem with this increase. HAL's staff is deserving of very bit of the service charge that we pay in my opinion. Inflation in the U. S? Yes. Why would we not expect inflation in the Philippines and Indonesia as well? These good HAL crew members are working to support their families and to better themselves for the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted February 10, 2017 #629 Share Posted February 10, 2017 The discussion was moved to the "tipping" thread (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=52241042) yesterday, starting at post #610 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...
Rare kazu Posted February 10, 2017 #630 Share Posted February 10, 2017 It was posted on the HSC thread (the tipping thread) Effective May 1st I believe. thanks for the heads up though as not everyone goes there and I suspect some may not have received emails yet. the price you quoted was for the suites. If I recall correctly the other categories are up $1 pp. I don't have an issue with it personally. HAL's crew has always done well by us. oops, look likes JTL and I posted at the same time. His explanation is better. apologies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseing marly Posted February 10, 2017 #631 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I was not aware of this. But, I have no problem with this increase. HAL's staff is deserving of very bit of the service charge that we pay in my opinion. Inflation in the U. S? Yes. Why would we not expect inflation in the Philippines and Indonesia as well? These good HAL crew members are working to support their families and to better themselves for the future. I think it's well deserved as well we always tip extra . Some don't so we heartily approve as well ! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanTraveller4ever Posted February 10, 2017 #632 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Agreed that the crew is well worth the increase, However, it would be better business etiquette for HAL to indicate the HSC as they do port charges and fees. I always though that it was a little catty to not put that charge up front. But worth it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted February 10, 2017 #633 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Sorry it was 13.50 and 15 dollars for suites . Sent from my iPhone using Forums It was actually last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted February 10, 2017 #634 Share Posted February 10, 2017 It was actually last year.And there's another increase coming 5/1/17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom23guys Posted February 10, 2017 #635 Share Posted February 10, 2017 If I pre pay my gratuities( not given as a perk) will I be required to pay the increase. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cbr663 Posted February 10, 2017 #636 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Unfortunately, there is no way to pre-pay your gratuities on HAL. You can purchase onboard credit for an equivalent amount, but this is not the same as pre-paying them. Your onboard account will be charged the higher amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMLincoln Posted February 10, 2017 #637 Share Posted February 10, 2017 If I pre pay my gratuities( not given as a perk) will I be required to pay the increase. Sent from my iPad using Forums I do not know of a way to prepay the Hotel Service Charge; one can purchase On Board Credit before embarkation, and buy enough to cover the HSC, but OBC can be used for any on board expenses, so it is not specified for HSC. So I believe you will be charged the HSC at the rate in effect on your cruise, when it is incurred. m-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted February 10, 2017 #638 Share Posted February 10, 2017 If I pre pay my gratuities( not given as a perk) will I be required to pay the increase. Sent from my iPad using Forums This isn't that big of an increase. Only $1 PP PD assuming not a suite. That would be around $28 for four people on a seven day cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted February 10, 2017 #639 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Why would they place 2 quotes in my reply back to KrazyKruser When I was responding to her last quote!!!! the multi quote feature is actually quite useful. It especially good in fast-moving threads. Properly folks who choose to read the thread before adding replies to earlier messages can just mark messages they want to reply to as their reading and then when they reach the end of the thread they can reply to them all in one post. Of course right now I'm using Tapatalk and don't have the multi quote capability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted February 10, 2017 #640 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I always though that it was a little catty to not put that charge up front. the way it was explain to me is that if it was included together in the more substantial way with the cruise fare then it would count as a different kind of income in some of these foreign countries and be taxed more heavily in those countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Rose Posted February 11, 2017 #641 Share Posted February 11, 2017 We received the following email 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." We purchased the Explore 4 package which covered the Hotel Service Charge. Does anyone know if or how this increase effects the Explore 4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVilleGal Posted February 11, 2017 #642 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I got the letter from my TA (big box starting with C) and the difference is so small that while I believe it doesn't affect my Explor4 it's not a big enough difference to worry about. For a 10 day cruise it's less than $20 difference. Life is too short to get upset about something I can afford and likely won't apply to me. The time and effort to call (and get bad info) is just not worth it! Safe journey :) Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted February 11, 2017 #643 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I am quite sure that the covered gratuities will still cover 100% of the increase in the HSC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ski ww Posted February 11, 2017 #644 Share Posted February 11, 2017 It wasn't that long ago that they went to $12.50 & already another increase to $13.50. Not that the crew doesn't deserve it. I guess if we can afford to cruise we can afford the extra. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted February 11, 2017 #645 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I agree -- I am sure that no one will be expected to pay the difference in the Hotel Service Charge. All we can do is wait until May and those that did get the Explore 4 program can start reporting back as to what happened to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esimon Posted February 11, 2017 #646 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Assuming that you tip for service on land. Imagine what you would pay in a tip for - 3 meals a day, room service, hotel service ( towels, bed made etc) Way more than 13.50 a day - That much for 1 meal if its good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted February 11, 2017 #647 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I would guess that simple contract law would apply: You will get what you contracted for. If the Explore 4 program says "hotel gratuities" and doesn't place a limit on the amount, I think you can be reasonably assured that it will cover the increase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Rose Posted February 11, 2017 #648 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Thanks, everyone! This isn't something I'm stressing about, just needed to know so I could plan. This is probably the only cruise we'll ever go on, and our budget is pretty tight. I know for some of you the additional cost is no big deal. That's not true for everyone. And, yes, I do think the crew probably do deserve the increase and am not begrudging them that at all. We do plan to do additional tipping, but am happy to know that the majority will still be covered by the Explore 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DisneyDatknee Posted February 11, 2017 #649 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I wonder what is causing these increases.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamloops50 Posted February 11, 2017 #650 Share Posted February 11, 2017 I do not know of a way to prepay the Hotel Service Charge; one can purchase On Board Credit before embarkation, and buy enough to cover the HSC, but OBC can be used for any on board expenses, so it is not specified for HSC. So I believe you will be charged the HSC at the rate in effect on your cruise, when it is incurred. m-- You can prepay the HSC. There is 800 number that you can call. HAL ship services 1-800-541-1576 Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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