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Does the crew rate the passengers?

DFWGUYZ

By DFWGUYZ,
in Holland America Line

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DFWGUYZ

DFWGUYZ

Posted
Posted

On occasion, we've been asked for our cabin number by the wait staff when we hand out envelopes with our extra tips at the end of the voyage. I'm guessing they want to see if we reduced or canceled the auto gratuities. We have never reduced or deleted the auto gratuities. But we were wondering if the staff, i.e., cabin steward and dining staff can see who has removed or reduced gratuities?  We wonder if the staff also rates passengers to the cruise line? 

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Shmoo here

Shmoo here

Posted
Posted
31 minutes ago, DFWGUYZ said:

On occasion, we've been asked for our cabin number by the wait staff when we hand out envelopes with our extra tips at the end of the voyage. I'm guessing they want to see if we reduced or canceled the auto gratuities. We have never reduced or deleted the auto gratuities. But we were wondering if the staff, i.e., cabin steward and dining staff can see who has removed or reduced gratuities?  We wonder if the staff also rates passengers to the cruise line? 

When you hand out cash gratuities, the crew must turn in those cash payments until it's determined whether you removed the auto-gratuities or not.  If you haven't removed them, the cash is returned to the crew member you gave it to.  If you have removed the auto-gratuities, then the cash you paid goes into the auto-gratuity pool to be divided.

 

They just need your room number to confirm that.

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Krazy Kruizers

Krazy Kruizers

Posted
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Yes -- the crew do know who has removed the auto tips.  One time we were going by a work station for the cabin stewards and they had a list hanging in their work area -- this was near the end of the cruise.

 

Do the crew rate us?  In their private areas I imagine they do talk about us and exchange views about what they think about us.  They don't rate us to the cruise line.

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sammiedawg

sammiedawg

Posted
Posted (edited)

The Cruise lines post pictures in crew areas of passengers known to be difficult.  They also post pictures of those who might not be “difficult” but need extra stroking and attention.       

This information is from a fellow passenger who formerly worked for HAL in the corporate office. 

 

I was on board a Holland America ship that was significantly understaffed, especially in the dining room.  We were eating dinner and observed an irate man threw a spoon at the waiter because he had not received a soup spoon.  Subsequently,  we observed multiple staff members chatting this man up around the ship.  I’m sure his picture was posted everywhere.  

Edited by sammiedawg
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whogo

whogo

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Posted

I would imagine that Holland America keeps track of its passengers from cruise to cruise and shares some of the information with the relevant staff. Passenger A removed the hotel service charge, Passenger B tipped extra, Passenger C spent a lot in the spa, Passenger D lost money in the casino and could not cover his onboard expenses, Passenger E took a cruise line excursion in every port, Passenger F never left the ship, Passenger G lives in a wealthy zip code, Passenger H had above average onboard expenses, Passenger J spent the bare minimum onboard, etc, etc.

 

 

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TrolleyGirl

TrolleyGirl

Posted
Posted (edited)
16 hours ago, Shmoo here said:

When you hand out cash gratuities, the crew must turn in those cash payments until it's determined whether you removed the auto-gratuities or not.  If you haven't removed them, the cash is returned to the crew member you gave it to.  If you have removed the auto-gratuities, then the cash you paid goes into the auto-gratuity pool to be divided.

 

They just need your room number to confirm that.

 

We specifically asked our dining room manager (Zuiderdam) about the above statement since we have heard similar statements mentioned many times on cruise critic.  He stated that the tips handed to attendants do NOT go into a pool, regardless of whether tips are removed or left standing.

Edited by TrolleyGirl
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kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
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50 minutes ago, TrolleyGirl said:

 

We specifically asked our dining room manager (Zuiderdam) about the above statement since we have heard similar statements mentioned many times on cruise critic.  He stated that the tips handed to attendants do NOT go into a pool, regardless of whether tips are removed or left standing.

 

Hmmm - that’s interesting.  Not what I was told on board by the HD, as well as other crew.

 

I wonder if he misunderstood you (assuming your DRM was a male 😉 ) 

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Randyk47

Randyk47

Posted
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2 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Hmmm - that’s interesting.  Not what I was told on board by the HD, as well as other crew.

 

I wonder if he misunderstood you (assuming your DRM was a male 😉 ) 

 

I agree.  That is totally opposite from the notice I saw in the stewards’ work area and what we’ve seen in the employee handbook.   I suspect a misunderstanding.

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RuthC

RuthC

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50 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

If customers think the tips are pooled they are less likely to tip additional or tip as much additional.  I believe this is why they will say they get to keep them.  JMO, but, it makes sense.

So, you believe the contract that provides differently isn't followed? Without consequence?

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Randyk47

Randyk47

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Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, FlorenceItaly said:

If customers think the tips are pooled they are less likely to tip additional or tip as much additional.  I believe this is why they will say they get to keep them.  JMO, but, it makes sense.

 

I think we’re confusing two different situations here.  One, tips given above and beyond the standard HSC are not pooled and may be kept by the receiver.   Two, cash tips received from passengers who have removed or reduced the HSC are pooled and crew recieving these cash tips are required to turn them in.   

Edited by Randyk47
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Copper10-8 "Live from...." Rare

Copper10-8

Posted
Posted

To begin with, a couple of days prior to the "new" cruise commencing, the GRM sends a list of "high rollers"/VIPs/high stars, etc. to the various Dept. heads to give them a heads up as to who's coming on board. That list includes a synopsis of those folks' last cruise rating comments, especially things that, according to those pax, were not up to par. And yes, certain pax do not have favorable reputations based on past interactions with crew/management. etc. . Yes, there is a "black list" more formally known as a "do not sail" (again) list. Serious contract violations will get you on that list, not gripes, complaints, verbal confrontations, etc. Examples are theft, physical altercations, vandalism, asking a Spa masseuse for a "happy ending", etc.

 

During each voyage, that same GRM keeps a rolling tally of all comments/concerns/complaints (incl. LUK cards) that are brought to his/her attention by all pax who contact the guest services, either in person and/or by calling the front office by phone. That list is shared every day with the Dept. heads throughout the voyage until a new cruise commences

 

Yes, lists incl. head shots of pax (the photo you take when you check in is attached to your room # portfolio) who cancel their auto hotel service charge, are posted in work areas such as the main galley, Lido galley, Housekeeping office, etc. so management/supervision and crew are aware 

 

Crew does not rate pax as they (pax) do crew at the conclusion of their voyage, but you can bet crew talks about their experiences with pax in an informal way with each other, as happens on land during any customer-employee interactions in stores/restaurants/entertainment areas, etc.

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kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
Posted
20 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

I have not seen any such contract.  I believe all tips are pooled.  Even so, we keep all gratuities in place on our account, plus, tip additionally.

 

The contract is on the internet if you want to find it and don’t believe what we say.

 

Tips are NOT pooled if the HSC is kept in place.

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