Argh, tipping.

[happysnapper]

The daughter of a very good friend of ours worked in a neighbourhood bar in Upper East New York. She said she received $800US in tips in just a weekend. Why would employers decrease their profits by increasing low wages when customers continue to make up the short fall!

[Adidas4fun]

The daughter of a very good friend of ours worked in a neighbourhood bar in Upper East New York. She said she received $800US in tips in just a weekend. Why would employers decrease their profits by increasing low wages when customers continue to make up the short fall!

 

the shortfall?

 

sounds like your friends daughters must be midgets for that much shortfall!

[Tigerlily75]

You don't tip people like air hostesses etc because they are higher wage positions .. usually those you tip and those you don't have different wages, and the lower positions known as "tipping positions" earn a lot less before tips.

 

I do believe the tips go to the staff, I don't think they could legally say they do when they don't. The amount would vary at the end of each cruise based on how many chose not to pay them.

 

We can agree or disagree with them, but I'm a big believer of "when in Rome", and when I go to the US, I tip. (I feel the same about ships that are only in Oz seasonally, they're not "Australian"). It is their custom, it is how they do things, and it's been that way for a long time.

 

Not related to cruising but an additional side note - There are also many states in the US where workers do have to pay tax on their tips - even if they don't receive them. The tax office assumes a minimum amount (incase you're not honest with cash tips) for each dollar amount paid by a customer, and taxes on that. So if you stiff a waiter, you actually cost him money for serving you. Now that really sucks!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

You don't tip people like air hostesses etc because they are higher wage positions .. usually those you tip and those you don't have different wages, and the lower positions known as "tipping positions" earn a lot less before tips.

 

I do believe the tips go to the staff, I don't think they could legally say they do when they don't. The amount would vary at the end of each cruise based on how many chose not to pay them.

 

We can agree or disagree with them, but I'm a big believer of "when in Rome", and when I go to the US, I tip. (I feel the same about ships that are only in Oz seasonally, they're not "Australian"). It is their custom, it is how they do things, and it's been that way for a long time.

 

Not related to cruising but an additional side note - There are also many states in the US where workers do have to pay tax on their tips - even if they don't receive them. The tax office assumes a minimum amount (incase you're not honest with cash tips) for each dollar amount paid by a customer, and taxes on that. So if you stiff a waiter, you actually cost him money for serving you. Now that really sucks!

 

 

 

I had not heard of that....it really does suck.

As far as the staff getting the tips, dont forget that the ship runs an a bank account for each of the crew members and the computer can easily credit their account with whatever tips are due to them.

 

[Big Kev]

You don't tip people like air hostesses etc because they are higher wage positions .. usually those you tip and those you don't have different wages, and the lower positions known as "tipping positions" earn a lot less before tips.

 

I do believe the tips go to the staff, I don't think they could legally say they do when they don't. The amount would vary at the end of each cruise based on how many chose not to pay them.

 

We can agree or disagree with them, but I'm a big believer of "when in Rome", and when I go to the US, I tip. (I feel the same about ships that are only in Oz seasonally, they're not "Australian"). It is their custom, it is how they do things, and it's been that way for a long time.

 

Not related to cruising but an additional side note - There are also many states in the US where workers do have to pay tax on their tips - even if they don't receive them. The tax office assumes a minimum amount (incase you're not honest with cash tips) for each dollar amount paid by a customer, and taxes on that. So if you stiff a waiter, you actually cost him money for serving you. Now that really sucks!

 

 

Hi Tigerlilly. - Good post.

 

Many newbys to international ships, and to o/s travel in general, do not understand the way things work outside of Australia.

 

This is not the first time we have posted this link that may help those that have not travelled o/s lot.. International ships travelling the world use a similar model. (Note that each USA state also has differences)

 

There is a lot of reading at this link which people should try and understand as a different system of renumeration.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs15.htm

 

This was a recent tip breakdown on RCI ships.

 

The automatic gratuity is $12.95 USD, or $15.95 USD for suite guests, applied to each guest's SeaPass® account on a daily basis. Here's how it is shared between your onboard service team:

•Dining & Culinary Services: $7.75 USD

•Stateroom Attendant: $3.85 USD OR Suite Attendant: $6.10 USD

•Other Housekeeping Services: $1.35 USD OR Housekeeping and Suite Services: $2.10 USD

 

Some Aussies are also probably shocked to see that similar tipping expectations exist on coach tours around the world.

 

Cheers,

 

Sue and Phil

Edited March 25, 2016 by Big Kev

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Many newbys to international ships, and to o/s travel in general, do not understand the way things work outside of Australia.

 

I think a lot of the whingers dont even understand how things work in their own country.:eek:

 

Tipping does not exist in Australia or NZ ?...Yeah right..:eek:

 

[mr walker]

The daughter of a very good friend of ours worked in a neighbourhood bar in Upper East New York. She said she received $800US in tips in just a weekend.

 

Maybe your friend needs to check out this "bar" ;)

[happysnapper]

Maybe your friend needs to check out this "bar" ;)

 

Wrong slant. DH and I have already dined there. Lots of local residents and a few tourist like us.

Edited March 26, 2016 by happysnapper

[canadianaustralian]

Hi

We have our 10th cruise comming up, we have always prepaid tips but family of 4 in quad cabin this usually amounts to over $650 a cruise is there anyway to find out how many people are removing them, if its like 80% thinking I may start to as well. My next cruise is fully paid for do you think they will convert pre paid tips into OBC. If the staff are going to be unhappy with how many tips are removed in Oz may as well use some of that tip money at the bar as Im sure a waiter wont be nicer to me or happier at a table for 10 where 6 people may have removed tips even if mine are still on.

Edited March 26, 2016 by canadianaustralian

[OzKiwiJJ]

Hi

We have our 10th cruise comming up, we have always prepaid tips but family of 4 in quad cabin this usually amounts to over $650 a cruise is there anyway to find out how many people are removing them, if its like 80% thinking I may start to as well. My next cruise is fully paid for do you think they will convert pre paid tips into OBC. If the staff are going to be unhappy with how many tips are removed in Oz may as well use some of that tip money at the bar as Im sure a waiter wont be nicer to me or happier at a table for 10 where 6 people may have removed tips even if mine are still on.

 

I suspect it's more like 0.8%.

 

If 80% of passengers removed their tips the cruise lines would soon move to malking them completely mandatory, if only because they couldn't handle the queues at the customer services desk. If it takes an average of 5 minutes to process the request for removal then on Celebrity Solstice, for example, it would take at least 186 man hours for 80% of the passengers.

 

If you can't afford the gratuities on the USD cruise lines then either only cruise on AUD ships or don't cruise at all.

[canadianaustralian]

Actually that makes sense, the lines would be crazy but when you read the posts combined with agents saying its up to the cruiser if they want to tip it would be interesting to know the actual percentage that remove them. RCI would have those numbers any suggestions on how to find out?

[OzKiwiJJ]

I doubt that RCI would release that number. It's not really in their interest to encourage passengers to remove the gratuities. If too many people remove them then it will affect the crew's earnings to the point where the crew start looking for jobs elsewhere, and RCI already has a poor enough crew to passenger ratio without that happening.

[mr walker]

Wrong slant. DH and I have already dined there.

 

Trust you gave a good tip then!

[Swissmiss6253]

Where in Sydney can I get small denomination USD notes for bar and room service tipping on my upcoming Celebrity cruise? I may not use them but I want to have the option. Previously when I have needed foreign currency I have just used ATMs when I arrive.

[cassamanda]

I suspect it's more like 0.8%.

 

If 80% of passengers removed their tips the cruise lines would soon move to malking them completely mandatory, if only because they couldn't handle the queues at the customer services desk. If it takes an average of 5 minutes to process the request for removal then on Celebrity Solstice, for example, it would take at least 186 man hours for 80% of the passengers.

 

If you can't afford the gratuities on the USD cruise lines then either only cruise on AUD ships or don't cruise at all.

 

Agree. Some remove prepaid tips but then tip individually which i can live with. Those that remove tips then dont tip at all should not cruise on US ships. As has been said, when in Rome...

 

On the subject of small USD notes, probably only at the Airport or on board change at the Casino or line up at Guest services.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Where in Sydney can I get small denomination USD notes for bar and room service tipping on my upcoming Celebrity cruise? I may not use them but I want to have the option. Previously when I have needed foreign currency I have just used ATMs when I arrive.

 

We didn't tip extra for bar service on Solstice. The listed price on cruises out of Australia already includes an 18% gratuity.

 

I believe there is a good moneychanger somewhere near Chinatown. I think MicCanberra has mentioned it in the past. Another option would be to order some though your local Australia Post.

[mr walker]

.....is there anyway to find out how many people are removing them, if its like 80% thinking I may start to as well.

 

So it's like majority rules? I never thought of that as justification for anything - it's ok as long as others are doing it?? Or perhaps more accurately why should I do it if others are not.

 

Do whatever you want, it's up to you at the end of the day. What others may or may not do means nought.

[Swissmiss6253]

Thanks re the bar service. Good info.

[GUT2407]

So it's like majority rules? I never thought of that as justification for anything - it's ok as long as others are doing it?? Or perhaps more accurately why should I do it if others are not.

 

Do whatever you want, it's up to you at the end of the day. What others may or may not do means nought.

 

I so agree, i am not sure why so many people need validation, (everyone else.....)

[Russell21]

I so agree, i am not sure why so many people need validation, (everyone else.....)

 

The current trend in most things, particularly in the younger generations, is to fail to take responsibility for ones own actions.

As in "I'm suing the Council for my broken back because there was no sign saying I shouldn't jump off this cliff." Don't laugh, it happened in our shire.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

So it's like majority rules? I never thought of that as justification for anything - it's ok as long as others are doing it?? Or perhaps more accurately why should I do it if others are not.

 

Do whatever you want, it's up to you at the end of the day. What others may or may not do means nought.

 

Thats my motto for life...

The Golden Rule.

or as they say in the musical Hair...

Do whatever you want as long as it does not hurt or offend anyone else.

 

The other thing you hear these days...

"Its my right...."

Indeed it is...but with every Right goes Responsibility.

 

 

[Swissmiss6253]

I try to live my life so that I don't hurt or annoy anyone else (in general), which is why I seek advice on areas like tipping where I am uncertain of the rules. I think I have said before I hate the idea of my leaving a service person with the idea that I haven't valued their service if it is customary in those circumstances for one to tip at the time. That is why I want to know what "everyone else does".

[MicCanberra]

Where in Sydney can I get small denomination USD notes for bar and room service tipping on my upcoming Celebrity cruise? I may not use them but I want to have the option. Previously when I have needed foreign currency I have just used ATMs when I arrive.

 

Plenty of money exchanges in Sydney but you can just get smaller notes at guest services desk once on board.:D

Edited March 27, 2016 by MicCanberra

[SunnyinDubai]

 

If you can't afford the gratuities on the USD cruise lines then either only cruise on AUD ships or don't cruise at all.

 

Don't ever say that...apparently people cannot be told to look at other travel options which may suit their budget as it is a below the belt comment apparently..or so I read on FB..:p:D

 

PS I agree - if someone cannot afford to tip with their budget, they should look for another travel option which suits their budget :)

[SunnyinDubai]

You don't tip people like air hostesses etc because they are higher wage positions .. usually those you tip and those you don't have different wages, and the lower positions known as "tipping positions" earn a lot less before tips.

 

I do believe the tips go to the staff, I don't think they could legally say they do when they don't. The amount would vary at the end of each cruise based on how many chose not to pay them.

 

We can agree or disagree with them, but I'm a big believer of "when in Rome", and when I go to the US, I tip. (I feel the same about ships that are only in Oz seasonally, they're not "Australian"). It is their custom, it is how they do things, and it's been that way for a long time.

 

Not related to cruising but an additional side note - There are also many states in the US where workers do have to pay tax on their tips - even if they don't receive them. The tax office assumes a minimum amount (incase you're not honest with cash tips) for each dollar amount paid by a customer, and taxes on that. So if you stiff a waiter, you actually cost him money for serving you. Now that really sucks!

 

Well said.. :p