Once a day house keeping???

[sanmarcosman]

5 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

TIPS = To Ensure Proper Service

 

If it's a bribe, so be it. Tipping is the same thing, you're just leaving it open ended and in doubt for the other party.

 

I made it clear up front that I am a good tipper and not going to lead them on, like some to take the tip off and lie, saying "I'll leave cash" and stiff everyone.

 

No ambiguity here...I tip, I tip well, provide great service, and I'll tip more.

 

Guess I should change cruise lines and pay more to the corporate machine, rather than the little man in the belly of the ship

That is an urban legend and if it were true the acronym would be TEPS.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/tip-sheet/

Edited July 22, 2021 by sanmarcosman

[EngIceDave]

True!

 

(I always figure some old english spelling or some crap...I've heard it all)

[d9704011]

12 minutes ago, AHS123 said:

I'm reminded of the joke American food and beverage servers who work near the border with Canada often tell: What's the difference between a canoe and a Canadian? Canoes tip. 

No need to falsely stereotype me; I tip after the service is delivered.

[EngIceDave]

1 minute ago, d9704011 said:

No need to falsely stereotype me; I tip after the service is delivered.

I lived in South Florida all my life, it's well deserved....

 

LOL

[TNcruising02]

Nobody in the service industry is going to get offended if someone offers them a tip ahead of time.  If anything, that will be an incentive to give very good service. I've never pre-tipped myself because I am fine with regular service and tipping later.  However, if my expectations were higher I would have no problem pre-tipping and I am sure the server would have no problem accepting extra cash.

[kleibo]

On 7/21/2021 at 12:30 PM, cruisingguy007 said:

 

I just figured this out myself. Carnival does a good job of breaking things down so it can be a value for those on a budget but for those who end up paying extra for dinners, drinks, excursions etc, other lines that include all those in a package type deal can be a better value when it all adds up. I'll be sure to pay attention to totality and not base fair when doing future bookings. I think Carnival will still win out the majority of the time but not always. Norwegians 'free at sea' was an eye opener for me. I did some comparative analysis and it's a fantastic added value for some cruises when the special promos apply.  

 

NCL can be a great deal especially if going oversees.  Prior to Covid, they offered ridiculously cheap airfare as part of their deals.  I agree - you have to look at the whole package.  And if you get Casino Offers, it's even better.

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, d9704011 said:

I'd characterize those examples as bribes, not tips.

You never worked in the service industry?

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, AHS123 said:

I'm reminded of the joke American food and beverage servers who work near the border with Canada often tell: What's the difference between a canoe and a Canadian? Canoes tip. 

That is true.  Also I was in Canada and tipped a drink server in the casino with what I thought was a $1 dollar coin.  It was a $2 coin and that server was back to me every 10 minutes.  

[coffeebean]

21 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Probably more for their convenience. On my recent Horizon cruise, there were already plastic cards in the slots that remained their the entire cruise. I guess Carnival got tired of fixing broken switches.

We always travel with inactivated gift cards to keep in those slots.

[d9704011]

1 hour ago, Elaine5715 said:

You never worked in the service industry?

No, but what does it matter?  I said that 'I'd characterize it as a bribe' - only my opinion and I'll do my tipping after the service is rendered.  I sort of doubt that the recipient would look at it that way when the cash has exchanged hands..... customer is always right, especially now!

 

[MrMarc]

I may get flamed, but I am surprised that this is really an issue.  I guess my expectations are so low after living with myself, it's hard not to exceed them.

[Elaine5715]

4 hours ago, d9704011 said:

No, but what does it matter?  I said that 'I'd characterize it as a bribe' - only my opinion and I'll do my tipping after the service is rendered.  I sort of doubt that the recipient would look at it that way when the cash has exchanged hands..... customer is always right, especially now!

 

It matters a great deal and the customer is rarely right.  

[d9704011]

4 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

It matters a great deal and the customer is rarely right.  

As usual, you're wrong.

[Computer Nerd]

On 7/21/2021 at 1:12 PM, wemjam said:

As a matter of fact I have, and in McDonalds no less.  Bought less than $10 worth of food and handed them a $20 and told them to keep it cause I could see they were having a bad day.  I have paid for meals for complete strangers in restaurants out of kindness (a nice older gentlemen eating breakfast alone, a person who was kind enough to let us be seated first and there as a long wait because the table was bigger and they didn't need that much space), I have left tips for someone else's waitresses when I could see how demanding their patrons had been and then left them a $1 tip - covered a ladies groceries when she came up short at the register in front of me.... so I most assuredly will tip the room steward working his butt off to make my vacation enjoyable.  

 

Guess that's the difference in people.

And if you want to throw away your heard earned cash, that's your prerogative. If others desire not to overpay for the services they receive, that's their prerogative.

[Computer Nerd]

On 7/21/2021 at 5:01 PM, Elaine5715 said:

 

Over pay?  That what $7 bucks that gets divided between two room stewards is overpaying?  

Used to receive to services for that $7 per person, per day. Now receiving 1 service for the same money. Yes, that's overpaying.

[Computer Nerd]

On 7/21/2021 at 1:34 PM, sanmarcosman said:

Directors of Housekeeping across the land and their GM's strongly disagree. Have you recently reviewed the housekeeping payroll for a 4-Diamond property versus a 3-Diamond and do you know the difference and why there's a variance? 

It doesn't matter to me what some GM or Director thinks. I trust my mother above all else.

[Elaine5715]

18 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

As usual, you're wrong.

Forbes said you are wrong as usual https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2019/05/23/the-customer-is-not-always-right-here-are-five-reasons-why/?sh=2d152c751f68

[Computer Nerd]

On 7/21/2021 at 4:43 PM, sgttami said:

Human nature is truly baffling.

 

No cruises for  a year and a half and people are  now moaning about how many times their cabin gets serviced.

 

Last week it was the omission of foods on the menus.

 

Gotta keep on laughing and hope my future cruises are with the "happy people."

Why do you assume people aren't happy? Please point out who has been "moaning". I have no problem with how many services they do on my cabin in a day. I am simply paying the correct amount for the service provided.

[Wanna_Cruize]

Well, since we are on such great terms with out cabin steward on day one, we don't have to worry about that. I also assume the best about people until they prove themselves differently. Have a good evening. 

[xDisconnections]

This wouldn’t bother me and I’m surprised Carnival is still offering daily cleaning during a time when the lodging industry is moving away from stayover service. Some lager chains have moved away from it with many only offering it automatic at their luxury segment and upon request with the premium brands.

 

Generally speaking, I always have declined housekeeping in the past in exchange for bonus points. Not only does it save on labor and payroll expenses, it provided me with a benefit for something I preferred and never was a fan of. Now that green choice programs have been suspended as a result of housekeeping shortages, I simply leave a Do Not Disturb sign on the door.

[xDisconnections]

9 hours ago, d9704011 said:

customer is always right, especially now!

 

No, the customer is not always right. Not only that, the customer who thinks the customer is always right is pretty much wrong during most occasions.

 

Depending on the industry you are patronizing, the consequences of his mindset can be rough… such as air travel and hotels.

[EngIceDave]

and if it doesn't happen, oh well.

 

Not as if I can complain. "I tipped/bribed the steward and he didn't do anything! Wahhhh"

 

OOK, Karen, what do you want us to do?

LOL

 

Look, y'all act as if it was requested the room get extra scrub-down , amenities and additional robes. No, simply an extra pass over if they have the time. 

 

I have the ability to share, so I share. No silly $2 bill that are a total PITA to get rid of and no one wants, but $20 bills. I tip the steward out up front. I'd give an extra tip no matter what, it's my nature. Been in service, brother's in service and two of my kids are, so I understand the importance of tipping. 

 

But giving a gratuity up front, they know I am not a cheapskate. I appreciate the work they do, so here's a few bucks and btw, if you have time, can you go thru real quick with a turndown. Nothing big, no big deal. 

 

 if they didn't do the little extra requested, I'd just assume they're too busy. No problem.

 

Go to Las Vegas (as do 2-3x a year), that place lives on tipping (tokes). You tip everyone. You toke everyone and they take care of you.

 

I'll give my money to the folks in the belly of the beast trying to make my trip nicer.

Edited July 23, 2021 by EngIceDave
dorkfinger

[wemjam]

I agree that tipping is essential in any service industry - NO argument here (I stated in one of my previous posts I fully believe in paying it forward in MANY ways).  I think those among us who disregard this fact are just self centered. 

 

And I do get it, not everyone has the money to throw around at things, but if you are cruising and can't afford to tip a reasonable amount for service something seems off balance on that to me.

 

I guess the crux of it for me is HOW we do it.  I have traveled all over the world and seen it all.  Some places you are expected to grease the palm of the guy you need to do something for you, and other places if you try to do that it is LITERALLY a huge insult.  And we have to remember the crew that works on a cruise ship IS from all over the world.

 

For me it comes down to the attitude.  If you are like hey dude I would like you to do this for me and throw a $20 at them, it just buys in to the stereotypical arrogant attitude Americans are  known for throughout the world.  "I can BUY whatever I want"

 

Now, if I politely ask someone to do something and/or they have provided a service for me then I most certainly would expect them to receive a suitable tip for doing it.  We tip above and beyond the recommend when we cruise ALL the time.

 

That's why I say it is insulting and a bribe, and frankly can be embarrassing for them as well.  They know, that we know, that tips are important.  I just think it is all in HOW we do it allowing them to be compensated for their hard work, while still maintaining their pride and not feeling like we are flagrantly trying to buy them or treating them like a lowly servant of some kind.

Edited July 23, 2021 by wemjam

[kleibo]

I was in Virginia Beach at a nice hotel just last month for 5 days/ 4 nights and they did not clean our room once.  Said we had to call and ask.  We did on day 2 and 3 and still no shows.  We had to just keep going to the front desk for towels, etc.

 

Business changes, especially the cruise industry which has lost billions of dollars over the last 18 months so there will definitely be cut backs.

 

I cruise to relax.  Once a day cleaning is fine for me and hubby.  All I need on a cruise is a balcony, some drinks and a bit of food here and there.  I have three cruises booked on three different lines and can't wait for all of them.

[SCBarker]

I think on my next 13 nights on a Carnival ship, I'm paying no more than $15 a night to be there. I'm not expecting much.