It's not mentioned as being included in the fare, but their website says: "The entire service charge is set aside by the Company for staff who perform hotel duties on board as an incentive to continually improve the quality of service offered on board Costa ships. The service charge is an integral part of the total price of the cruise and therefore the amount cannot be altered."

As far as I know, Costa is the only line doing this. The others either have tips included in the fare, or give passengers the choice of having them added to their onboard accounts at a set rate, or going to the purser to have them removed - with the promise of tipping individuals in cash.

Costa's rates are about £3 / $6 / 4 Euro per day. By comparison, MSC charge £5 per day which can be amended; RCI charge around £6.25.

I know here waiters etc pay a tax on an estimated amount received in tips. By putting a specified price on the "service charge" and stating it is received in name of the crew, the crew will pay only taxes on this amount, and the company will pay no taxes on this amount as it is only an intermediary ?

If a waiter remembers to come back often and check on my drink and bread refills, smiles or engages in conversation, and is overall attentive to my needs while in their 'care', then the tip is reflective of that. I tip generously when service is outstanding. But a waiter who unenthusiastically takes my order, looks like they hate their job, returns with my food, and then never surfaces again until the check comes due, thats a whole different story. I have seen both types of service personnel and waiters on cruise ships. Tipping on a ship, especially in the dining rooms, can be a touchy topic. I never understood tipping the Maitre D because he says HI to me once in 7-days?

I believe a tip is a reward, not a gimme to be taken for granted, and should never be compulsory.

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Originally posted by sread:
I've just noticed that Costa have replaced the "gratuities added to your account which you can adjust at the purser's desk" to a compulsory service charge which you can't alter or decline.

It's not mentioned as being included in the fare, but their website says: "The entire service charge is set aside by the Company for staff who perform hotel duties on board as an incentive to continually improve the quality of service offered on board Costa ships. The service charge is an integral part of the total price of the cruise and therefore the amount cannot be altered."

As far as I know, Costa is the only line doing this. The others either have tips included in the fare, or give passengers the choice of having them added to their onboard accounts at a set rate, or going to the purser to have them removed - with the promise of tipping individuals in cash.

Costa's rates are about £3 / $6 / 4 Euro per day. By comparison, MSC charge £5 per day which can be amended; RCI charge around £6.25.

While I have no time for passengers who try to diddle crew out of their tips, I wonder whether Costa have gone too far? And, given that most pax probably don't ask for their tip charge to be reduced, does the lower rate mean Costa crew are getting less as a result?

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Best,

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
That of course would not make their cruises not look so competitive.

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Originally posted by dougnewman:
If they raised their fares a whopping €4 pppd and then advertised 'gratuities included' I think they would hardly look uncompetitive.

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Originally posted by Ernst:

I would not underestimate that - it all adds up.

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Exactly! I would imagine given the number of lines and ships, cruising is becoming very price sensative. A fare of £999 is more attractive than £1049, for example.

The whole aim of the cruise 'tipping system' is that the fare paid does not include the wait and cleaning staffs wages, so it is artificially lower. It is the passengers pay the crew wages onboard, not the cruise lines.

Of course the argument from the lines is that the 'tipping system' increases productivity and levels of service. However now that many cruise lines add tips to your onboard account, I don't suppose too many pax reduce them and I doubt if too many passengers give much/any extra.

As I've said before I prefer staff productivity to not be based on primitive ‘carrot and stick’ methods but good management and training. And if you think that is a pipe-dream for semi-skilled workers, Thomson cruises have a 'no tipping required policy' and their staff are excellent. They also offer budget fares – so it can be done.

There’s nothing like the subject of ‘tipping’ to get some hot debate going.

[ 01-23-2008: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

it is a hidden cost and hence is in violation of EU regulations stating that hidden costs are not permitted. But while the EU has put pressure on low-cost airlines to do away with the hidden costs, it appears that they are - at least at this point - not interested in forcing Costa to comply with EU regulations.

Best,

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Originally posted by r.fiebig:
Malcolm,

it is a hidden cost and hence is in violation of EU regulations stating that hidden costs are not permitted.
Best,
Raoul

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I don't see how you can think gratuities are a 'hidden cost', when they are clearly defined as one of the items NOT included in the cruise fare, just as are a multitude of other things, including govt. fees and fuel surcharges, and any onboard purchases of a personal nature.

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Originally posted by Linerrich:

I don't see how you can think gratuities are a 'hidden cost' [...]

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As Raoul said, there were issues with airlines advertising with fares not including surcharges like airport fees etc. As far as I know this is not allowed anymore - they have to state the complete price including all surcharges, taxes and fees.

[ 01-23-2008: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by Linerrich:

I don't see how you can think gratuities are a 'hidden cost', when they are clearly defined as one of the items NOT included in the cruise fare...

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Rich, if you look at any cruise Brochure or web site you will see cruise fares such as £999 in big print. However in small print, possibly even on another page gratuities and fuel surcharges etc. are mntioned. Sometimes it can even be difficult to find out what level the gratuities are fixed at.

Best,

Intruding into someones financial affairs is wrong I feel and I dont like the idea of anyone saying you are paying this much and I am taking it from your account.

When on Princess I remved the automatic tipping option and took care of tips myself on the final day.

I think it should be up to the individual on how much, who and when they tip.

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Originally posted by Sutho:
When on Princess I remved the automatic tipping option and took care of tips myself on the final day.

I think it should be up to the individual on how much, who and when they tip.

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Originally posted by Johan C:

1) 377 eur cruise
2) 10.29 eur VAT (but I think this is the TA's commission)
3) 0.57 eur guarantee fund (if the TA faces bankrupcy
4) 122 eur port charges
5) 75 eur taxes/fees (??????)
6) 52.55 eur prepaid tips
7) 24.50 eur fuel surcharge

so the total price is almost twice the price of the cruise. Nice done RCI

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
Of the above 7 points, which ones do RCI have direct control of?

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Originally posted by dougnewman:
Cruise fare, tips and fuel surcharge.

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And those pre-paid tipe are 20% of the cruise fare which is somewhat excessive.