I have always prepaid the tips as there are so many people involved who help make the cruise a pleasant experience. There was only one cruise that I took that the cabin steward did not get extra from me because he was never around when I needed him, nor did anything extra when I asked. Barely even spoke when I did see him. Therefore he only got the portion of the tip that I had prepaid and not any extra from me, and I am a very good tipper, especially when the service is exceptional.
It becomes my business when you hose crew. It has been stated over and over that the grats collected always go to the intended crew. Again, how do you determine the appropriate amount? And of course, sitting there until each server gets to your table to get their share?
You "nailed" it, Elaine. Additionally he doesn't give any consideration to the "behind the scenes" people who help to make that cruise a pleasant experience. I don't mind it put in the fare. I would rather then I know I don't have to worry about paying it on the last day. I don't take tips away. At least I know how much fun money I have with out thinking about the tip.
And for people who choose not to tip can have it removed. On my next cruise I skipped the prepay gratuity simply because I could pay off the cruise a little faster.
I know I will be charged on the ship and can pay that later. My only concern is that many folks have said they Carnival don't actually give all the money to the employees. I'm guessing there is no way to confirm this for sure.
I have seen posts or articles supposedly written by past employees that say they never saw any of the tips. If you ask the folks working while you are on the cruise the majority will tell you they don't get them either.
Could they just be hoping you'll give them more to make up for it, sure. It's a hard call. I don't mind tipping and I would love it if the folks behind the scenes are getting something out of this but I sure don't want the cruise line taking any of it. If you're falling for this one I've got some lovely waterfront land in Florida I'd like to sell you.
The gratuities are charged to your account at the end; on the last full day of the cruise is what we have always experienced. Sent from my iPhone using Forums. We are also considering to tip as we go. Just curious.. There are reasons that it is called gratuities. If it is part of the cruise fare, then it cannot be classified as a tip for financial reporting purposes.
The cruise line would be taxed on it as income rather than the crew members that receive it. And there would be no legal requirement that it be distributed to the crew because it is not classified as gratuities. It would be classified as income. You talk about the dining staff but the reason we leave auto-tips on is to ensure the "behind the scenes" folks get their share.
I've never seen a passenger tip the person who vacuums the carpet at AM and I've never seen anyone tip the guys who wash down the decks early every morning, the folks who do the laundry.
There are a whole bunch of people who work toward making your cruise memorable but never see or interact with. Auto-tips take care of them. When people claim they pay cash as they go they are essentially screwing a whole bunch of folks who deserve to be paid over and above what the cruise lines pay them. So going that route actually does nothing for the individual crew you tip. Which is why we always leave the auto gratuities on and tip a little extra for great service so we know they get to keep the money.
Nope, still not your business. You have no right to tell anyone else how they need to distribute their own money. Until the cruise lines say this is not allowed, then they perfectly have the right to tip cash as they go if they want to.
No need to get your panties in a bunch. We always pre pay the tips when we cruise. Some ships have had better service than others, but all were worthy of the tips and we usually tip a little extra in cash to staff members that deserve it. I wonder why?? So they went to auto-tip billing which in a way I'm glad because many of the ship staff work so hard. In the past cruising was more for the wealthy and a very high end vacation.
Competition and more ships made it very affordable compared to years ago I'm sure there are passengers that must have that bracelet or watch I am reading more and more about people asking whats free and how they can get free beverages all day. If you are going to budget for a vacation you need to take everything into consideration Ok Flamers Let me have it!!!
The way it is now they get all the blue cards on thinking they have a cheap vacation. I think we will just prepay for the tips as that seems the fairest and keep cash on hand for anyone who really blows us away!
It does not reflect on your sign and sail account on a daily basis. And one more thing about tipping above and beyond for great service. Sure you can. We tip as we go. It is really very easy and we get great service! The only difference is we tip the steward at the end not everyday. Sure, you do. You tip all three servers at each meal in the dining room based on what? You find both room stewards and tip them twice a day after am and pm service?
You wait in your room for FunShop purchases and tip them? You wait in your room for luggage delivery and tip? First of all what business is it if yours? But if you must know, we leave the appropriate amount in the table when we leave the restaurant and leave an envelope for the steward in the cabin. What they do with it as far as splitting it is their business. This happens if each person has a separate account, no matter what the last names are.
And, gratuities are charged per person, not per cabin. If everyone is on the same account then it will all be charged to that account. If each person has a seperate account , it will be charged to the individual accounts. I've been cruising for a while and remember well the outstanding service and tipping in envelopes at the end of the cruise. Dinner each night was an event not to be missed and the service around the ship was stellar. Since the implementation of auto-tipping, they have reduced staff and the service has suffered.
I've gone along with the auto tipping - Have tipped above and beyond, but have been seriously considering going back to tipping for superb service again. Why do the per day tipping fees continue to go up and the rate of service continue to go down?
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. And now several lines have failed inspections, and Carnival has been caught stowing restaurant food and supplies in employee cabins during inspections! I love Carnival, but am not so hot about this new culture of "service". I've worked for tips in my earlier years and have busted my butt to get good ones. I've been stiffed many times, as well.
It is not MY fault that Carnival, among other lines, have decided to cut staff and degrade service and food safety. The cabin cleanliness on my last few Carnival cruises was not up to par, either.
Dust on shelves, very little vacuuming done, etc. I've had to clean the bathroom myself a time or two due to sub par work being done.
My next cruise is on Pride and I am really looking forward to it, but I am no longer feeling good about auto-tipping and am certainly not going to pre-pay them before I step foot in my cabin to see if it is clean.
I can't disagree with any of the points you make. Still, I have pre-paid gratuities for the 2 cruises already booked. It remains to be seen how much extra I will tip. Service charges for guests ages are half of the adult rate. Children under 4 are not charged. There is no service charge applied for children under 2 years of age.
Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. There are different service charges for certain itineraries. There is no charge for children under 3 years of age.
Related: How to Save Money on a Cruise. This happens every year or two, but there is no set schedule. Essentially, you are getting the value of the cruise line gratuities as a perk, saving you money on your cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line has Free at Sea , but we rarely see prepaid gratuities on the list of perks options anymore.
Gratuities or service charges are added to drink and drink packages purchased onboard. Specialty restaurants usually have a service charge, as well as spa and salon services. You can prepay your gratuities tips at the time of booking your cruise, either with your travel agent or with the cruise line if you booked directly. You can usually prepay your gratuity up until hours before your cruise, depending on the cruise line.
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