HAL's Tipping Policy

[Sunshine91]

Ponte - The cruiseline will put $10per person per day on your account. Many posters here on this board, a very very small minority of actual cruise passengers, something like 3% I've read, choose to give their room stewards & dining room attendants extra $$ at the end of the voyage. That is totally up to you. Just because you read it here, don't feel as if you have to. At the end of your cruise, decide for yourself. Oh, and on each bar tab, a 15% gratuity will be added. Welcome to the boards. :)

Hammy - I hear & understand your comparison of a cruiseship to the precision of the military, another organization that cannot survive without teamwork. Don't know about the "mostly men" tho - yes, HAL's room & dining stewards are male, a large part of the workforce. But what about other lines? I only know what I see on Travel specials on TV - see lots of women. Maybe others can speak to that.

 

And I've given up on JG. I've always been suspicious of his credentials, but for the most part my reasons are on the other tipping thread. Agree to disagree, Copper?

[newmexicoNita]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread on tipping.

 

Unfortunately I am as much in the dark now as I was when I first began.

 

Could someone please clarify in layman’s terms -

 

I pay the ten dollars per day and I am still expected to tip the visible crew members who give me service.

 

As a newbie, could someone tell me approximately how much to be decent I should tip?

 

I am booked on the Oosterdam in a Superior Veranda Suite.

 

 

 

Thank you,

 

Ponte

haven't read the answers to your question so I am probably repeating what has been written: you will be assessed $10 per day, per person. That covers everyone's tips except bar bill, which will automaticlly add 15% just like resorts do, etc. others, not included in the pool people like kids couselors, spa, those who help you in the casino, etc. Of course most like to leave extra for those who serve you in the PG if you choose to eat there. Other than that, any extra you decide to give is up to you and not expected but appreciated. I hope this helps a little.

 

NMnita

[newmexicoNita]

Ponte - The cruiseline will put $10per person per day on your account. Many posters here on this board, a very very small minority of actual cruise passengers, something like 3% I've read, choose to give their room stewards & dining room attendants extra $$ at the end of the voyage. That is totally up to you. Just because you read it here, don't feel as if you have to. At the end of your cruise, decide for yourself. Oh, and on each bar tab, a 15% gratuity will be added. Welcome to the boards. :)

Hammy - I hear & understand your comparison of a cruiseship to the precision of the military, another organization that cannot survive without teamwork. Don't know about the "mostly men" tho - yes, HAL's room & dining stewards are male, a large part of the workforce. But what about other lines? I only know what I see on Travel specials on TV - see lots of women. Maybe others can speak to that.

 

And I've given up on JG. I've always been suspicious of his credentials, but for the most part my reasons are on the other tipping thread. Agree to disagree, Copper?

Jg has made referances on other threads indicating he has worked for them in the past or does. I just am not certain who he really is. NMnita

[Sunshine91]

Jg has made referances on other threads indicating he has worked for them in the past or does. I just am not certain who he really is. NMnita

 

Nita - So I've read. Someone also posted on this thread or the other tipping one (don't recall) that he posts on other cruiseline's threads. Perhaps. I don't go around looking up other people's posts.

 

You know, on the internet, I've heard that people can make up all kinds of things about themselves, make themselves sound more knowledgeable than they really are, make themselves look better than they really are (internet dating anyone?) & folks reading on the other end will have no clue. Now, I'm not saying that anyone here would do that, but you just never know. ;)

[peaches from georgia]

On the other tipping thread after JG gave his story as to how stewards are given 'incentives' to work better, making it sound as if he were talking about HAL ships, he later said he had no idea what HAL were this was concerned and we would have to find out from someone who worked on a HAL ship.

 

Whether he works for HAL or not is doubtful and after that little episode on that thread it doesn't matter to me who he is or where he works. I think he tells stories to sound like he knows a lot more than he does and then has to back off.

[Copper10-8]

.And I've given up on JG. I've always been suspicious of his credentials, but for the most part my reasons are on the other tipping thread. Agree to disagree, Copper?

 

Yes Ma'am, agreed! And also, to Betty, Heather, Nita and my friend Hammy! You all make valid points and you all are obviously entitled to your opinion as to how you feel about anyone here! I don't/have no time to read cruise line threads other than this one so I don't know a thing about what Mr. Gallup posts on other threads and/if there is more than one JG. I do know one thing; this is a hot button issue and will always be one:rolleyes:

[kryos]

Jg has made referances on other threads indicating he has worked for them in the past or does. I just am not certain who he really is. NMnita

Am I imagining things ... or did Jim Gallup say he was actually three people all using the same screen name? Or am I thinking of someone else? If it is he, then maybe the one who responded doesn't work for HAL, but the others do. Sounds to me like they could all be Carnival Corporation employees ... and, as we know, Carnival sometimes shuffles their manpower around; i.e., Cunard captains being assigned to Princess ships.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[AAAAmerican]

Do you remember the clothes story.

 

Well the naked truth. If not look away...

 

 

 

 

 

HAL implemented the Tipping Policy currently in effect, once they were purchased by CCL:NYSE for a lot less than they had been previously offered before. As a Tour Company in AK was then now part of HAL.

 

Did anyone see new ships then ? Yes revenues started climbing and funds moved in to help its bottom line.. Newer ships were put in service at HAL... TIPS sometimes are used to add what is called a spread and float.. thusly the firm HAL then CCL makes that amount and increase the assets and thusly profits.. having a charge card and/or even better debit card is great for them as added amounts are shown ..

 

Ask your accountant CPA/PA... and/or financial representative on that.

 

 

People which tip good for services performed well will always tip .. people that dont as often or as much wont ...so the so called auto-tipping works in both HAL and CCL best interests & financially as well.

We have always tipped above the standard. Remember the 5% then the 10% then the 15% now 20 % ?:eek:

[Copper10-8]

HAL implemented the Tipping Policy currently in effect, once they were purchased by CCL

 

My good friend AAAplus one more A from the great state of New Jersey; Coop speaking here:rolleyes:

Just a short pointer (not the dog): HAL was purchased by CCL in 1989. The current "Auto tipping" policy is not that old. Prior to this, HAL operated under a "tipping not required" policy!

Tag, you're it! The Dubbelya on the Lek is in your court~

[kryos]

HAL was purchased by CCL in 1989. The current "Auto tipping" policy is not that old. Prior to this, HAL operated under a "tipping not required" policy!

The auto-tipping policy started about mid-2004. I went on a cruise in March 2004 on the Rotterdam ... "no tipping required." I then took another cruise in August of the same year ... Zuiderdam ... auto-tip.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Copper10-8]

The auto-tipping policy started about mid-2004. I went on a cruise in March 2004 on the Rotterdam ... "no tipping required." I then took another cruise in August of the same year ... Zuiderdam ... auto-tip.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

Thanks for the dates;) ! My point exactly!

[AAAAmerican]

Copp is not Co-op or chicken coop.. but the first three letters of your screen name.. as you use mine.:eek:

 

Idiom:

fly/blow the coop

 

To make a getaway; escape.

 

[Middle English coupe, possibly from Middle Dutch kpe, basket, tub, from Germanic *kpn, possibly from Latin cpa, cask.]

 

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

Copyright © 2006

 

I guess since your saying we are on a first name basis, formality is not a need sir.

 

Your in a Tag Court?

 

Yes I know when HAL was going into Chapter 11 and possible Seven (7)

 

I guess being in the Golden State (AU) is kind of heavy ... and always way behind the times here est vs pst... LOL

 

You must have visited Hilversum and thats why CA looked so nice..:cool:

 

 

Yes you also noted the Auto-Tipping came into effect when the ship building programs came in and new vessels are in the fleet...

 

Dont most firms after buying a good sized part investigate the methods, ways and means first...

 

Look at KMart now since they bought Sears. Your finally going to see Kenmore appliances soon in a lot of the locations..batteries came first ...

 

Also when RBS (1727) one of the oldest financial instititions worldwide bought Citizens Financial Group... NatWest... etc..

 

Policy was not implemented overnight... but once the parent felt comfortable with the acquistions..

 

Thats not magic its basic economics...

 

PS:I guess your short pointer is not registered in the AKC its not even a breed..LOL

 

My good friend AAAplus one more A from the great state of New Jersey; Coop speaking here:rolleyes:

 

Just a short pointer (not the dog): HAL was purchased by CCL in 1989. The current "Auto tipping" policy is not that old. Prior to this, HAL operated under a "tipping not required" policy!

Tag, you're it! The Dubbelya on the Lek is in your court~

[Copper10-8]

I'm telling you, reading your posts is not just a job, it's an adventure! One has no idea where one (or more) is/are going to wind up:rolleyes:

 

My point was that your point was that you made a statement that "HAL implemented the Tipping Policy currently in effect, once they were purchased by CCL" Thusly, that would be 1989. As Kryos so eloquently pointed out, the tipping policy currently in effect was implemented in 2004! That's a difference of fifteen anos my friend!

BTW, are you with me on this one? The more you think about things, the weirder they seem. Take milk for instance. Why do we drink cow milk? Who was the guy who first looked at a cow and said, "I think I'll drink whatever comes out of these things when I squeeze 'em!"? Also, I'm desperately trying to figure out why Kamikaze pilots wore helmets

[AAAAmerican]

Thanks. :rolleyes: At least you see more than you say sometimes. Yes I did state that about Implementation.. but not giving a date done means it was in effect now not the date when it was implemented. It is like saying you were born.. it is a statement of fact. HAL did start using the Auto-Tip added to the bill, thats a fact anyone who cruises on HAL knows as the other CCL Intra-C-lines too.. and HAL did not do it until CCL had owned them ...

 

Your answer is simple to cows milk.... you know where Cows were originally bred for milk production and then meat.. It was in Mesopotamia ..Christian then now Iraq.. thats where the written languages began and numbers.. the Tower of Babbel etc... Job who was so patient is from south on the seaside of that Pennisula.

 

Goats milk provides every nutrient needed for our infant children and cows milk does not.. but they were animals available then and there so people bred them and used there products too.

 

On Kamikaze pilots I am not Japanese or Mulokin.. I would have to ask my friend a Doctor friend from Japan in Norway now.

 

But probally like a law enforcement officer , as yourself, carrying a weapon is more than a need it is procedure. Remember the Newark, NJ officer who did not ever carry one and was his choice? A TV show and movie ..finally were made .. Thomas A. Edison started movies (moving pictures ) here..

 

Now a question for you? How was the Son of Sam investigation solved?

 

A= by a dog urinating on a tire and that car got a ticket and it was the culprits car he pushed the lady walking the dog out of the way and she rememered him...

 

I guess the moral on the tips correlate too in this answer as in all good time even tips are found to be implimented... even on the "no tipping required" nothing happens overnight .. but patience and persistance do pay off. :eek:

 

I'm telling you, reading your posts is not just a job, it's an adventure! One has no idea where one (or more) is/are going to wind up:rolleyes:My point was that your point was that you made a statement that "HAL implemented the Tipping Policy currently in effect, once they were purchased by CCL" Thusly, that would be 1989. As Kryos so eloquently pointed out, the tipping policy currently in effect was implemented in 2004! That's a difference of fifteen anos my friend!

 

BTW, are you with me on this one? The more you think about things, the weirder they seem. Take milk for instance. Why do we drink cow milk? Who was the guy who first looked at a cow and said, "I think I'll drink whatever comes out of these things when I squeeze 'em!"?Also, I'm desperately trying to figure out why Kamikaze pilots wore helmets

[michmike]

John - how much scotch do you have to drink before his posts make sense??

 

tower of babbel indeed.. *laffin*

 

Like the kamikaze line.. I'll have to steal it..

[gizmo]

I think I need a kamikaze or two before trying to read this board anymore. :D

[hammybee]

Just sit back and enjoy the ride ( as she swigs a Dr. Pepper).

[jtl513]

choose to give their room stewards & dining room attendants extra $$ at the end of the voyage. That is totally up to you. Just because you read it here, don't feel as if you have to.

 

There's the important key ... how do you "feel" about it. On our last cruise we gave the bread/water boy more than our waiter because we actually had far more interaction with him and liked him better. The waiter was efficient and polite, but didn't socialize AT ALL. But if all cash tips have to go into the pool as some on this board insist what difference did that make?

 

The way I look at supplementing the auto-tip is that in a comparable land restaurant I certainly would feel funny about leaving $3/p for a meal like that, so I add more. Some would say that the ship wait staff have no food and housing expenses and don't need as much money ... but I would bet that a large percentage of them are paying, or helping pay, for food and housing for family back home.

 

Side question: does anyone know if they have to pay anything towards their uniforms?

[dakrewser]

There's the important key ... how do you "feel" about it. On our last cruise we gave the bread/water boy more than our waiter because we actually had far more interaction with him and liked him better. The waiter was efficient and polite, but didn't socialize AT ALL.

 

Gee, and here I thought an efficient, polite steward was what I should be looking for. Who knew that "socializing" was part of their job????

 

No wonder service is slipping if people ave that attitude about what deserves a tip...

[HeatherInFlorida]

Rita, I'm just wondering do you read prior posts before you post? I ask because you often ask a question that I've just answered. I mentioned last night that JG posted that there are 3 people using one name.

 

John, I'm pretty sure you were on your cruise when one HAL thread became an issue, cut cut up, torn apart and finally locked. It was in that thread that JG said that HAL specifically does not value its Mariners and does not care if they continue to cruise HAL or not. He told us it was "all about bodies". Needless to say, it became quite a hot button issue as you can imagine. If you were home at the time, you wouldn't have missed it!!!:)

 

The JG group most assuredly works for HAL. I believe JG hedged the issue saying it was actually 3 people who worked for different cruise lines, but there are people I trust here who know who it is.

 

I find I have to skip over more and more posts. My brain just can't handle it . But it does give me more time to do the laundry.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Just for information.....the Current tipping policy started on May 15th 2004. I boarded the Oosterdam that day for Alaska and it was deinitely the very first day of current $10.00 per day per passenger Tipping.

[Copper10-8]

John, I'm pretty sure you were on your cruise when one HAL thread became an issue, cut cut up, torn apart and finally locked. It was in that thread that JG said that HAL specifically does not value its Mariners and does not care if they continue to cruise HAL or not. He told us it was "all about bodies". Needless to say, it became quite a hot button issue as you can imagine. If you were home at the time, you wouldn't have missed it!!!:)

 

Thanks for that info!;) Been looking at some old posts - not sure if we can find/read the ones that are locked

Been reading some of the older threads. Are you maybe referring to the "What exactly is leisure dining concept" thread where JG says: "Frequent Cruisers are not that special. They are great people who are usually on limited budgets. They have figured out all the angles to avoid spending excess money on a cruise. They generally purchase fewer photos, fewer shore excursions, fewer drinks, they gamble less, and they generally tip less - especially on longer cruises. In general, the mass market cruise industry realizes nearly 30% of it's income onboard. If you are not making your 30% contribution on your frequent cruises, the cruise industry doesn't want or need you. They just cannot afford you. Now you know why most Frequent Cruiser Programs are just shells of their former selves. The cruise lines would rather invest their money and resources in attracting novice cruisers who generally spend far more money and complain far less"

[Grumpy1]

I've avoided this thread up until now... I've read bits and pieces, but have now gone back to the beginning and read, not skimmed every post. What have I learned? I've learned that there are a lot of people that refuse to believe anything that anyone tells them. They have there own views of how things SHOULD be and read and respond to every post based on that view. I don't always agree with everything I've seen posted by JG, but on this thread I think he has given a fairly factual view of how thingsactually work onboard MOST ships (not all). He has clearly stated that there are exceptions. And it is clear to me that most of the people on this thread that sail in a lower category (not Class) of cabin fall within those exceptions. But just because the generalization does not apply to YOU, it is no less valid.. as a generalization.

 

It is pretty clear to me that the JG group is familiar with the facts and the numbers. I don't see him/them talking down to anyone. I see him trying to put out some factual information to try to correct some misconceptions and then being attacked because the facts don't fit with others view of how it SHOULD be.

 

My observation is that the cruise industry is not akin to any other industry and therefore you cannot compare how it operates to other industries. Yes, I know the HR people like to say that people are people and that all of the motivation techniques are universal. No, they are not. There are major cultural differences involved here and not everyone, even within the same culture can be motivated in the same way. The cruise industry has methods that they think work well, but they do make changes if other ways are proven to work better. It is an evolutionary process.

 

Heather, I agree with your comment to Rita. I have observed many long threads where it is obvious that she is reading somewhere in the middle of a thread, finds a post that she wishes to respond to and posts without reading to the end of the thread to see if a response is still relevant.

please do not take this as an attack, Rita, just an observation by myself and others that since responses appear at the end of a thread, it would be best to have read to the end of the thread before posting.

[jtl513]

Gee, and here I thought an efficient, polite steward was what I should be looking for. Who knew that "socializing" was part of their job????

 

No wonder service is slipping if people ave that attitude about what deserves a tip...

 

I didn't say I stiffed the waiter, I said I gave his assistant MORE because in reality he DID more for us, and we LIKED him more. Is that a crime now? And I think if you took a poll on this board a majority would agree with me that "socializing" a bit IS an important part of his job! :mad:

[kryos]

Rita, I'm just wondering do you read prior posts before you post? I ask because you often ask a question that I've just answered. I mentioned last night that JG posted that there are 3 people using one name.

This is hard to explain, but ... when I post from work, I lose some of the posts in any given thread ... if the thread fills the page. Our computer screens are set up to display both upper and lower parts of the sceen ... entirely different systems. That's so we can be doing two things at one time. Isn't my company efficient? :) Unfortunately, though, I have no way to change that default with my server security level, so I'm stuck with it there. Sorry I missed your prior post where this question was answered. I'll try to be a little less verbose in my postings in the future while at work.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita