The clever thing about the 'Tipping System' in general, if that it allows the cruise line to offer attractively low fares by passing the responsibility of paying the staff onto the passengers. (The staff's income from their wages in negligible).

I will never accept fixed "Gratuities"!!

I am not responsible for the Wages of the Crew.

Better Crews found Worker-Unions and fight their
Asocial Employers.

This will not mean, that i give no tips, but only in relatively small amounts as an Extra when People work good.

In the last year, People work more and more not good. It is difficult to get good Service Employees.

This is the Resultate of Micro-Payments!

It is an lie, to sell Cruises cheap, and than to make Pressure on the Passengers, to pay "Gratuities", which are in truth the WAGES!

This is an original Point, the Employer has to do!

[ 01-09-2002: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

[ 01-09-2002: Message edited by: gohaze ]

I have always tipped generously. I thank heaven that I have never had to work as hard as the staff on a ship. So, I would rather pay my gratuities myself.

But I have often wondered how much and how many times staff has been stiffed because of cheapness or the fact that some guests manage to accidently spend ALL their money before the last day. By the last day of the cruise I have heard royal arguments from couples on the topics of spending for drinking and/or gambling and I wonder how much of that is taken out on the staff.... From that stand point I think there should be an automatic charge....

Also, quite a few people use the buffet as their main source of food and feel that since they have not used the 'diningroom' the wait staff does not need a tip.....where do they think the wait staff in the buffet area comes from? ...Another good point for an automatic charge....

But, on the other side of the coin...we don't know how that tacked on charge is being distributed...at least when we hand the staff member their tip we can hope they are allowed to keep all of it....

quote:

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Originally posted by philcheese2001:

...GIVING can bring as much satisfaction as taking..You never know it just might help your outlook on life.

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With auto tipping, there is none of this.

I find the automatic charging of gratuities to be a nice idea - Cunard and Crystal have been doing it successfully. NCL has just started as has Carnival.

Unfortunately, those of us who cruise on higher priced products or at "normal cruise fares" never give tipping a second thought as it is a pleasure to do so.

For SOME of guests that are out taking these 7 night cruises for $199 (i.e. SS Norway) the tips are just another expense and I don't blame the cruise lines for charging them. You wouldn't want your employees to be poorly treated would you?

It makes sense for NCL to do this with the Freestyle atmosphere, it makes sense for premium lines to do this for the sake of convenience. At the end of the day if you prefer to extended gratuities the traditional way. Advise the purser to remove the charges, ask for additional envelopes and away you go.

BUT please don't remove the grats and then NOT extend anything if it is truly warranted. That is just being CHEAP and DISRESPECTFUL to others.

[ 10-24-2002: Message edited by: Bobby G ]

NCL already use this 'automatically added' system. I was told onboard the SS Norway that the staff like it, because they earn more because of it!

Carnival would probably claim that it benefits both passengers and staff. Their argument would be that if you are truly unhappy with your service you would get the tips reduced or completely removed from your account.

quote:

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Originally posted by recab:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Amerikanis:
[QB]This is US-American Bull**** Style, a new form of Turbo-Capitalism!

Excuse me sir, but just what is Turbo-Capitalism?

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I prefer to tip with greenbacks. It gets to crew member. I tip more or less depending on service quality.

GOOD POINT! Peter-Gohaze that European cruises are more expensive-but more inclusive and have few add-ons. Where American bargain basements hit you with extras.

I will keep that in mind when only a European booking can put me on a classic liner

[ 01-12-2002: Message edited by: desirod6 ]

Boycott the Travel Agent, book by Internet in the Netherlands or book at some special Travel Agencies in Germany...

At the Moment, there is in Television SAT 1 Teletext, Page 417, an Special offer for the Mercury:

Two weeks Argentinia, Uruguay, Brasil with 3 days in Rio at the Top of the Carnival Period for only
Euro 1750, this is Dollars US 1600 about, including the flights from Germany to South America.

The second is from Valparaiso, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentinia, round Cape Horn, an 17-day-Trip including Flights for Euro 1889, this about
Dollar US 1700. Including Flights from Germany.

With Tipping you are right: ALWAYS IN GREENBACK!!

And always personally on the Hand of the People, who serve you.

Never with Credit Card or in an Collect Box or to the Chief Steward.

quote:

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Originally posted by claudio:
you americans are pretty dumb...

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Les pourboires ne sont pas dans les traditions françaises. C'est même tout le contraire. Les français ont horreur de celà. En France, tous les pourboires sont inclus dans les prix. Il n'y a aucune surprise.

Donc le fait que le personnel des navires de croisières attendent un pourboire en fin de voyages est très mal compris. Ce n'est pas une question d'impolitesse ou de manque de respect mais simplement de culture.

Nous préférons donc que les pourboires soient inclus dans le prix de la croisière.

Les compagnies françaises ne pratiques d'ailleurs pas le pourboire (Club Med 2, Paul Gaugin, Le Levant, Le Ponant). D'autres comme Festival inclus désormais le pourboire automatiquement.

La France est la première destination touristique au monde. Les français s'attachent à satisfaire les touristes étrangers sans jamais attendre en retour un pourboire.

Les Pourboires sont un EXTRA FACULTATIVE!!

Payer les employees est la responsibilité de la
Compagnie!