Cruise Con - or is it Standard Policy?
01 February 2009, 03:47 PM
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Cruise Con - or is it Standard Policy?
Went into the Travel Agent to look at the Independance of the Seas Cruise Liner and a view to taking a trip on her.
Sat down, went through the usual .... THEN - the Agent recommended that I pay for the TIPS now!! Up Front!!
It would be about £60 A PERSON!!
WTF?! I haven't even seen what they can do for me! OH, she said, they turn your bed linen into frigging ANIMALS!!
SO BL00DY WHAT!?
If I like what they do for me, I may tip whoever I please - the amount I please - whenever I please!!! I DO NOT want to be told I have to pay up front!!!
You will be rather embarrassed if you do not buy the gratuity package, she said ............... you frigging watch me I said!!
Rant over, thanks for listening!
Is this practise normal?? 
Sat down, went through the usual .... THEN - the Agent recommended that I pay for the TIPS now!! Up Front!!
It would be about £60 A PERSON!! WTF?! I haven't even seen what they can do for me! OH, she said, they turn your bed linen into frigging ANIMALS!!
SO BL00DY WHAT!?If I like what they do for me, I may tip whoever I please - the amount I please - whenever I please!!! I DO NOT want to be told I have to pay up front!!!
You will be rather embarrassed if you do not buy the gratuity package, she said ............... you frigging watch me I said!!
Rant over, thanks for listening!
Is this practise normal??
01 February 2009, 03:56 PM
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The TA says it is MUCH cheaper top buy THEIR vouchers then you dish out to whoever you fancy.
Say 3 of us are going, and some porter carries all our bags up to the cabin and empties them, irons the creases out and hangs them in 'day order' - then , I will probably tip him - but that will NOT be a tip from EACH person in the cabin ........... it will be ONE tip for the cabin!
Say 3 of us are going, and some porter carries all our bags up to the cabin and empties them, irons the creases out and hangs them in 'day order' - then , I will probably tip him - but that will NOT be a tip from EACH person in the cabin ........... it will be ONE tip for the cabin!
Last edited by SunnySideUp; 01 February 2009 at 03:59 PM.
01 February 2009, 04:02 PM
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It is normal to pay a tip package but I've never done so before a cruise, usually (unless you request otherwise) the tips are added to your room account card. The problem with not opting for this is that the staff will be told you have opted out, while in theory it shouldn't affect their service towards you if a large percentage of passengers opt out it can lead to low moral amongst the staff.
I just factor it into the cost of the holiday overall.
I just factor it into the cost of the holiday overall.
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01 February 2009, 04:15 PM
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01 February 2009, 04:17 PM
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There's a review here of the IOTS, if you haven't already been on it's a really good forum for cruise questions and answers.
Our Independence of the Seas Vacation 1/18/09 - Cruise Critic Message Boards
Our Independence of the Seas Vacation 1/18/09 - Cruise Critic Message Boards
01 February 2009, 04:26 PM
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we payed when we did a nile cruise...
the tour guide reccomended £5 egyptian per day for our room man
so it worked out to £5 sterling for the week
bargin, and we gave it direct to the room man, he was over the moon
Mart
the tour guide reccomended £5 egyptian per day for our room man
so it worked out to £5 sterling for the week
bargin, and we gave it direct to the room man, he was over the moon
Mart
01 February 2009, 04:36 PM
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01 February 2009, 04:48 PM
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If you're on an American flagged boat you'll be expected to pay about $200 total per person.
V bad form not to do so. Often you will pay all together and leave it in envelopes in your cabin at the end of the cruise, this ensures all the staff try/work 100% all through the cruise
V bad form not to do so. Often you will pay all together and leave it in envelopes in your cabin at the end of the cruise, this ensures all the staff try/work 100% all through the cruise
01 February 2009, 04:57 PM
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We've cruised the Med a few times, and did the Caribbean with Celebrity (a US company) a few years back. Always tipped at the end of the cruise.
01 February 2009, 05:09 PM
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A tip is just that - for good service, not in advance for them doing their job
If you really feel that you want to, then pay the travel agent total of £5 and say that's all you feel it's worth, now give me the bl00dy vouchers
If you really feel that you want to, then pay the travel agent total of £5 and say that's all you feel it's worth, now give me the bl00dy vouchers
01 February 2009, 05:53 PM
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I do find it very bizarre this whole tips thing!
I just got back from 2 weeks in Cuba and we treated ourselves to 2 nights in a 5 star all inclusive (the rest was mostly B&B with Cubans). Now the key here is the word 'all inclusive', but the mostly Canadian guests were often to be seen carrying a money box 'round their neck all day to source tips.
Dont get me wrong we tipped good service when we had trousers on (and hence coins/wallets/pockets) but the formality of this informal arrangement was a bit odd. They tipped gardeners, beach rakers, the lot. It would be quite easy for the pool cocktail man to make $40 a day in tips - far more than doctors earn in a week in Cuba!
Dunno - just looking for anothers more British perspective here as I found it all a bit out of step with me. What we did was gave lifts in our 'privilige' of a hire car to over 100 people, haded out dozens of toothbrushes (v expensive in Cuba!), loads of biros and gave all the toiletries we could carry to locals. We even fed half our over-indulgent meaty breakfasts to emeciated dogs. Those type of actions sat a lot better with me, and especially as it was Xmas
What IS the British take here?
D
I just got back from 2 weeks in Cuba and we treated ourselves to 2 nights in a 5 star all inclusive (the rest was mostly B&B with Cubans). Now the key here is the word 'all inclusive', but the mostly Canadian guests were often to be seen carrying a money box 'round their neck all day to source tips.
Dont get me wrong we tipped good service when we had trousers on (and hence coins/wallets/pockets) but the formality of this informal arrangement was a bit odd. They tipped gardeners, beach rakers, the lot. It would be quite easy for the pool cocktail man to make $40 a day in tips - far more than doctors earn in a week in Cuba!
Dunno - just looking for anothers more British perspective here as I found it all a bit out of step with me. What we did was gave lifts in our 'privilige' of a hire car to over 100 people, haded out dozens of toothbrushes (v expensive in Cuba!), loads of biros and gave all the toiletries we could carry to locals. We even fed half our over-indulgent meaty breakfasts to emeciated dogs. Those type of actions sat a lot better with me, and especially as it was Xmas
What IS the British take here?
D
01 February 2009, 06:10 PM
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Went on the voyager of the seas a few years ago and put the tips into the envelopes provided on the last night of the trip. It did seem a bit contrived to me, and pissed me off a bit giving money to a guy that just hovered around the dinner table with a jug of water. Having said that the service around the cabins was fantastic and i`m guessing they only get paid pennies.
01 February 2009, 11:02 PM
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Envelopes provided? What? Are they Labelled TIPS or something?
Anyway, if it's the end of the cruise I can ignore them ..... the worst that can happen is my luggage ends up in the harbour!!
Anyway, if it's the end of the cruise I can ignore them ..... the worst that can happen is my luggage ends up in the harbour!!
02 February 2009, 09:25 AM
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I was on an American flagged boat recently, and the tips thing is very much in your face. The agent wanted us to pay tips before we got on the boat, staff were happy to accept tips direct from you. Every single bill you got had a compulsory 10% gratuity added, and in addition another line where you could add more. Then, on the final night a batch of envelopes arrived, each one addressed to different areas of service you had received so you could leave more tips.
There were also boxes around the ship where you could post tips, and the TV in your room had an account section where you could pay "online" tips.
I don't personally get the tipping culture, to me its more like begging. I gave the odd tip out, but it was the exception and not the norm.
There were also boxes around the ship where you could post tips, and the TV in your room had an account section where you could pay "online" tips.
I don't personally get the tipping culture, to me its more like begging. I gave the odd tip out, but it was the exception and not the norm.
02 February 2009, 10:56 AM
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Just think of the embarrassment!
Last edited by Bravo2zero_sps; 02 February 2009 at 10:57 AM.
02 February 2009, 11:09 AM
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What a load....
Seriously if people expect tips then I'm not feckin tipping at all...... I hate money grabbing sharks, as they're just looking at you being there *** making a few quid, rather than making your holiday special... which is what they actually get paid for!!
Seriously if people expect tips then I'm not feckin tipping at all...... I hate money grabbing sharks, as they're just looking at you being there *** making a few quid, rather than making your holiday special... which is what they actually get paid for!!
02 February 2009, 01:24 PM
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Went into the Travel Agent to look at the Independance of the Seas Cruise Liner and a view to taking a trip on her.
Sat down, went through the usual .... THEN - the Agent recommended that I pay for the TIPS now!! Up Front!! It would be about £60 A PERSON!!
WTF?! I haven't even seen what they can do for me! OH, she said, they turn your bed linen into frigging ANIMALS!! SO BL00DY WHAT!?
If I like what they do for me, I may tip whoever I please - the amount I please - whenever I please!!! I DO NOT want to be told I have to pay up front!!!
You will be rather embarrassed if you do not buy the gratuity package, she said ............... you frigging watch me I said!!
Rant over, thanks for listening! Is this practise normal??
Sat down, went through the usual .... THEN - the Agent recommended that I pay for the TIPS now!! Up Front!!
It would be about £60 A PERSON!! WTF?! I haven't even seen what they can do for me! OH, she said, they turn your bed linen into frigging ANIMALS!!
SO BL00DY WHAT!?If I like what they do for me, I may tip whoever I please - the amount I please - whenever I please!!! I DO NOT want to be told I have to pay up front!!!
You will be rather embarrassed if you do not buy the gratuity package, she said ............... you frigging watch me I said!!
Rant over, thanks for listening!
Is this practise normal?? Paying of tips in advance is quite wrong to my mind. A tip is a reward for good service rendered and there is no way one should have to pay it before receiving the service.
Les
02 February 2009, 01:32 PM
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I just used to tip the average 10% but have learned better now.
If it's a service/company you will be using again, tip at least 20%, maybe 25%
If it's a restaurant or bar then they will always remember you and you will get the best tables, amazing service etc. Same in hotels. Often rooms/tables that were not available will suddenly become so when you say who you are. If you always use the same taxi company then there will always be one available for you at 10pm on a Sat night when everyone else has to wait an hour. The world is really a different place when you tip well
The amount of people who tip excessively is very very small so if you do you are always remembered and remembered well
If it's a service/company you will be using again, tip at least 20%, maybe 25%
If it's a restaurant or bar then they will always remember you and you will get the best tables, amazing service etc. Same in hotels. Often rooms/tables that were not available will suddenly become so when you say who you are. If you always use the same taxi company then there will always be one available for you at 10pm on a Sat night when everyone else has to wait an hour. The world is really a different place when you tip well
The amount of people who tip excessively is very very small so if you do you are always remembered and remembered well
02 February 2009, 01:43 PM
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Best to leave cash for your waiter if you liked their service.
I am against the whole US thing of topping up wages with (and taxing) tips. As said, tips should be for outstanding service not for someone doing their job or an excuse to pay badly.
5t.
02 February 2009, 02:00 PM
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Likewise expecting tips without the service is plain wrong. If tips drive service then whatever happened to good old work ethics. If the employees do get cráp wages and rely on tips then the employers should be accountable.
Personally I think cruises are largely pretentious outings for those that think they are important and therefore tipping over and above the norm allows them to revel in the artificial importance while it lasts.
02 February 2009, 02:08 PM
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02 February 2009, 02:20 PM
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Most people are polite and it get's them nowhere 
I like my taxis to arrive instantly,
My table in the corner by the window,
My cocktails to have excessive measures in,
My champage to be a better vintage than i paid for/ordered,
My food to be not spat in and served immediately exactly how i like it,
My room to be the best available and immaculate,
My room service to arrive quick smart and be perfectly prepared,
My coat to be found in the cloakroom straight away without waiting,
Queues not to apply to me and loads more things along the same lines.
Tipping well ensures all this and more Average tips mean you're left in the cold and forgotten about with everone else who are polite average tippers
I like my taxis to arrive instantly,
My table in the corner by the window,
My cocktails to have excessive measures in,
My champage to be a better vintage than i paid for/ordered,
My food to be not spat in and served immediately exactly how i like it,
My room to be the best available and immaculate,
My room service to arrive quick smart and be perfectly prepared,
My coat to be found in the cloakroom straight away without waiting,
Queues not to apply to me and loads more things along the same lines.
Tipping well ensures all this and more
Average tips mean you're left in the cold and forgotten about with everone else who are polite average tippers