Cruise passengers say: ‘We’ll tip when we want to’
John Sisker
We received this information/press release from the trades/TimesOnLine and
thought it may be of interest to this newsgroup as well.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article6907203.ece
Smooth sailing to all...
John Sisker - SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY®
(714) 536-3850 or toll-free at (800) 724-6644 & (Agency ID: 714.536.3850)
www.shiptoshorecruise.com
"Cruise-ship passengers are becoming increasingly hostile to a system of
tipping that is more mandatory than discretionary, and is used to subsidies
crew salaries, rather than reward good service."
Source:
* TomesOnLine
* Chris Haslam
* November 2009
- http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article6907203.ece
Seehorse Video
"John Sisker" <jsi...@sprynet.com> wrote in message
news:odadnbHC-6oj2GXX...@earthlink.com...
Hi All,
Reading this article on tipping, it seems the Brits aren't happy with tips
on cruises, considering them a subsidy for cruise line employees. Of course
it's a subsidy. One way or another, the cruiser will pay the salary of
every employee of the cruise line. We are the ones who provide virtually
all of their funds. At least with the tipping system, I have a chance to
effect the service I get from the employees with whom I have the most
contact.
I don't really object to tips, but Americans are more used to tipping
perhaps than other nationalities. Anybody else want to express their
opinion on the subject?
Harry Cooper
Wilf
to me to be voluntary on any cruises I've been on but I've always been
happy to pay up at least what is "suggested" since I know that these
tips are really people's pay. You know, the staff have to be paid one
way or another. I'd be quite happy to see the price of the cruise
raised so that staff get paid proper wages and then get tips *if*
service really is good. It's in some ways a form of (albeit voluntary)
slavery to get no pay and rely almost 100% on tips which I know some
people will find any excuse not to pay, even though they know how
reliant the staff are on them.
Let's face it, you don't get anything for nothing, and why should you?
So it's either tips as they currently stand, or higher fares. Same
difference, so I don't really know what the fuss is about.
--
Wilf
Tom K
"Wilf" <wi...@replyto.newsgroup> wrote in message
news:Z86dnSsPfr9w8GXX...@brightview.co.uk...
>
> Let's face it, you don't get anything for nothing, and why should you? So
> it's either tips as they currently stand, or higher fares. Same
> difference, so I don't really know what the fuss is about.
>
> --
> Wilf
What the fuss is all about is simple... with the Internet, it's much easier
to price compare on one single page. So the pressure is on companies like
the airlines and cruise lines to show as low a price as possible to
differentiate themselves from the competition. That's why they'd rather
lower the air fare, but charge you for baggage... makes their price look
lower vs. the competition. Say for example, American shows Newark to San
Juan on the Internet for $389 and Continental shows $414, but one has free
baggage and the other doesn't (except you don't know that)... which are you
going to look at first?
Or if Princess shows $659 and Celebrity shows $589 for a Ft. Lauderdale
Eastern Caribbean sailing... and one has tips but the other doesn't (except
you don't know that)... which are you going to look at first?
--Tom
Val Kraut
The tipping system left to the individual, is suppossed to get the employee
to provide good service to earn the tip. It seemed at one time the cruise
line gave some guidelines and the passenegers in general complied. If
someone did much extra for you - you took care of them a little better.
However discussions on some more recent trips have left me with the opinion
that some folks have a much lower idea of what an acceptable tip is. Like
maybe even eat the last night on the Lido deck instead of the restaurant and
skip the tip completely. So thus the cycle starts - the tips don't happen,
the line collects ahead of time , no driver for good service, service
declines. When budget concious people are in general hunting for the
tightest value on their vacation - you can't expect them to be voluntarily
generous at the end of the cruise - especially if they underestimated other
on-board expenses. Maybe cruise lines should be more up front about other
hidden expenses so folks realize the total cost - not just the base number
in the newspaper. And it's not like a local restaurant that you may visit
regularly - you take one cruise this year and may never be back on that ship
again, do some really care if the crew is happy. Is there a good answer -
???
Bill
>
> I don't really object to tips, but Americans are more used to tipping
> perhaps than other nationalities. Anybody else want to express their
> opinion on the subject?
I don't have a problem with most tips on cruises, although I
rarely tip the maitre'd (only exception was a Celebrity cruise
last year when the maitre'd got us buffalo mozzarella every
night after we told him we liked it and visited us every night).
I always tip on my own vs. doing the automatic tips. However, on
this year's cruise I had some OBC to use (and they ow charge for
getting cash from the casino) so I let them add the tips to one
of our cabins and paid cash for the other cabin. I was rather
surprised to find that there was an "assorted personnel"
category which padded the total above what I was expecting. I
think that is really pushing it.
Bill
Brian
wrote:
>What the fuss is all about is simple... with the Internet, it's much easier
>to price compare on one single page. So the pressure is on companies like
>the airlines and cruise lines to show as low a price as possible to
>differentiate themselves from the competition. That's why they'd rather
>lower the air fare, but charge you for baggage... makes their price look
>lower vs. the competition. Say for example, American shows Newark to San
>Juan on the Internet for $389 and Continental shows $414, but one has free
>baggage and the other doesn't (except you don't know that)... which are you
>going to look at first?
>
>Or if Princess shows $659 and Celebrity shows $589 for a Ft. Lauderdale
>Eastern Caribbean sailing... and one has tips but the other doesn't (except
>you don't know that)... which are you going to look at first?
>
>--Tom
>
>
There have been studies about what happens if there is even $1
difference in air fares. There is a substantial number of people who
won't look past the first price.
Kenn Smith
pleased with the overall service you can drop some money in the crew's
fund at the end of your voyage. We board the SS Mariner is Sydney in
nine days and if the service is as good as it is touted to be the crew
can expect something in the fund when we disembark in Auckland on Dec
2nd.
Bill
> I ike Regents Seven Seas policy. No tipping. Period. If you're really
> pleased with the overall service you can drop some money in the crew's
> fund at the end of your voyage.
For what they charge I would hope that they pay their employees
well without requiring tipping.
Bill
Bo1953
Kenn,
That is a reason I like RSSC and SD, the fare is close to what it is,
without nasty surprizes when dis-embarking and having agita! The first
thing I look at when trying to book are the policies and booking and
exclusions.
I have heard horror stories where the cruise lines or TA's did not (or
so the passengers say) tell them about the extra charges etc...
including the tip amounts before hand, otherwise they would not have
had that extra martini every day! Besides, who says one needs to know
how to read contracts of passage and other large print in the
brochures or ask agents other questions before hand... You know it is
touted as an "all inclusive" type of vacation when compared to other
types of vacations, the little things which can add up are left
out!!!!
Same with airlines, if I Am going by myself, then it does not matter
much about low fares and what I do not get. When traveling with family
and friends, I look to see what is extra and how much more I need to
pay not to be nickeled and dimed all the way and return from my
destination. If that means business class, so be it, then I get to
call the shots on what I want and how I want it, after all that is the
reason to pay more, correct??
Tom K
just to avoid being nickel and dimed to the tune of maybe 10-30% more (or in
the case of business class air maybe as much as 10 times more just to save
not paying a baggage fee).
Am I missing something?
And don't say it's a convenience factor... because on Celebrity all you do
is sign one sheet of paper. On Cunard, I don't think we even had to sign
anything.
To me, you spend for RSSC or Crystal because you want that level of food and
service. But I can't see spending big money just to not be nickel and
dimed. Especially when that nickel and diming isn't a big number by any
stretch.
--Tom
"Bo1953" <bo1...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:da22c6c8-fcb6-4c5b...@m35g2000vbi.googlegroups.com...
Bo1953
Tom,
No, you are not missing anything. It means that I do not have to try
and change plans or figure out how to get that extra low fare to get
to my destination on flights which do not suit my needs or desires. I
fly when I want to fly, should I change my mind and want to spend an
extra day or if something goes awry, I Am not in angst about change
fees or if I can get Customer NO Service to understand my case and
help me out. Fortunately, I have been in situations where customer
service has helped me out with no fees etc.. but it was not pleasant
and I still did not get to my destination when I expected to.
As for the cruise lines, of course, in my case and others to be sure,
it is the level of service, food and amenities which are being paid
for. I do not begrudge anyone for wanting or desiring a cheap vacation
and/or going on one and acting that way too... denying myself on these
things is not my idea of how I want to enjoy myself or my family to
enjoy either. Every several years we splurge and go for platinum, or
as much as we can.
We do prefer the smaller all-inclusive ships as they do have many
people who may have the same preferences, which is not to say that
those who prefer larger ships do not gain the same experience or mind
set, it is just different.
I admit, I Am a creature of comfort. In airplanes I do travel coach
when the flight is three hours or under. The fights for overhead
space, boarding by rows and wondering if someone has your seat etc...
it is worth the extra bucks for the five of us. That is from my
experience. Maybe I just like the attention?
I like the idea of just signing or not signing for something, as in
spa treatment or a special bottle of wine or internet time, if I use
it. If we want to entertain a few people in the cabin with a before
dinner cocktail party, then that is included, service charges and all.
If we want to take in a show and not think or recalculate every drink
or extra beverage or off menu restaurant venues it is not a problem.
Now, we can take tours and not think about the cost, unless we take
something different.
To my way of thinking, if one wants to refer to it as such, I just
want to pay, go, get back home with the minimal amount of additional
expense in between because most of it was paid up-front.
I do accept that others have a different take as to how they like to
cruise and vacation and that is exciting.
Thank you for your input and comments.
Samuel
Charles
<tkan...@optonline.net> wrote:
> And don't say it's a convenience factor... because on Celebrity all you do
> is sign one sheet of paper. On Cunard, I don't think we even had to sign
> anything.
I may have lost the context. Are you talking about the auto-tipping?
Celebrity now does the auto-tipping like Cunard and Princess, auto
deducting the gratuities every day.
> To me, you spend for RSSC or Crystal because you want that level of food and
> service. But I can't see spending big money just to not be nickel and
> dimed. Especially when that nickel and diming isn't a big number by any
> stretch.
I do think there is something to be said for not having a half size
bottle of Kendall Jackson wine in your cabin with glasses that has a
little card below it that says $19.95. They did that on Constellation.
I couldn't even get the setup out of my cabin off the desk the whole
cruise. I gave up after it kept reappearing after being removed.
--
Charles
Kenn Smith
outweigh the addtional cost. This is our first cruise ever and possible
our last, I wanted it to be a memorable one. We are combining life
event celebrations into one - our 56th anniversary, my 77th birthday and
Gail's unspecified :-) birthday.
I know that we could have gone on a mass market cruise with major
upgrades for maybe half of what we're paying for this cruise. It just
wasn't what we wanted to do. And there are fringes. RSSC upgraded us
to first class air on all of our domestic legs without our even asking
for it. They arranged our upgrade to business class on the transPacific
legs at a fraction of the cost of Qantas' listed prices. Virtuoso is
giving us one free night at a five star hotel in Sydney plus a
generouson board credit - lots of other little side stuff which adds to
the experience.
Considering that one of my life's goals is to have he last check I ever
write bounce I just view this as a step towards that goal.
Tom K
"Kenn Smith" <grizzl...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:11947-4AF...@storefull-3171.bay.webtv.net...
LOL... good goal IMO.
I see a very different scenario with you vs. most of our regulars here at
RTC who go on 2-3-4 cruises every year. In your case I fully understand the
logic of going on Regent. On the other hand, I can also see the flip side
of the coin. Given a budget to be spent on cruises, I'd rather go 3 times a
year in an obstructed view outside cabin on Celebrity or Princess, than
spend the same money and go once in a suite on Regent. But that's just me.
My parents loved to travel, particularly to Germany/Switzerland/Austria, and
would often go several times a year, always waiting for specials to come
along... and they'd jump when they did. With me, I guess the apple didn't
fall far from the tree...
--Tom
Charles
<tkan...@optonline.net> wrote:
> I see a very different scenario with you vs. most of our regulars here at
> RTC who go on 2-3-4 cruises every year. In your case I fully understand the
> logic of going on Regent. On the other hand, I can also see the flip side
> of the coin. Given a budget to be spent on cruises, I'd rather go 3 times a
> year in an obstructed view outside cabin on Celebrity or Princess, than
> spend the same money and go once in a suite on Regent.
Not just on RTC. On my recent Celebrity cruise I had this discussion
with a number of people frequent Celebrity cruisers and all would
rather cruise two, three or more times a year on Celebrity or the like
or some other similar vacation instead of one yearly cruise on either
Regent or Crystal.
--
Charles
Ray Goldenberg
<fo...@his.com.remove.invalid> wrote:
>Not just on RTC. On my recent Celebrity cruise I had this discussion
>with a number of people frequent Celebrity cruisers and all would
>rather cruise two, three or more times a year on Celebrity or the like
>or some other similar vacation instead of one yearly cruise on either
>Regent or Crystal.
Hi Charles,
FWIW, most of my clients that sail on RSSC, Crystal, Seabourn, or
Silversea do not just cruise once a year. Most of them sail several
cruises a year and then tend to be much longer than the typical 7-10
night Celebrity, HAL, Princess cruise. Not only do they sail on
cruises, they tend to take several upscale vacations a year. I would
guess that majority of my luxury cruise clients are retired.
Certainly not all of them, but the majority.
--
Ray Goldenberg 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
Lighthouse Travel http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/lighthousetravl
Follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ray.goldenberg
Charles
<r...@lighthousetravel.com> wrote:
> FWIW, most of my clients that sail on RSSC, Crystal, Seabourn, or
> Silversea do not just cruise once a year. Most of them sail several
> cruises a year and then tend to be much longer than the typical 7-10
> night Celebrity, HAL, Princess cruise. Not only do they sail on
> cruises, they tend to take several upscale vacations a year. I would
> guess that majority of my luxury cruise clients are retired.
> Certainly not all of them, but the majority.
That is nice but only a few can afford to sail several long cruises a
year on luxury cruise lines. Most RTC regulars and most Celebrity
cruisers are middle class. If working we are saving so we can have a
retirement where we can continue to do 2 or 3 cruises or nice trips a
year when we are on a fixed income. If retired we have to keep enough
not to outlive retirement savings. Some of us might take a luxury
cruise every now and then, but not on a regular basis. Your client base
is not normal.
--
Charles
Ray Goldenberg
<fo...@his.com.remove.invalid> wrote:
>Your client base
>is not normal.
Hi Charles,
I am not sure what "normal" is these days. <:+)
The funny thing is that I either met the great majority of these
clients here on r.t.cruises or they were referred to me from folks
that I met here on r.t.cruises. There are many folks that have been
on r.t.cruises since 1994 that no longer post or never really were
active posters. I would say the majority never posted a great many
articles but they did actively follow this group. They also never
partook of the group cruises that were formed here.
Kenn Smith
particular cruise. We have a motor home which we take out several times
a year for two or three weeks at a time. Every two or three years we
take a really long trip and stay out for up to two months. Just
cruises of a different type. We try to aim for some place different
each trip although we've made so many that it is getting difficult to
find any interesting place within a thousand or so miles where we
haven't been. There are only five states within the lower 48 which we
haven't visited plus we've toured Alberta and BC.
D Ball
Hi, neighbor, we have talked about renting a motor home to give the
land cruise experience a whirl and see if it's a good fit for us. If
you have a recommendation of a rental outfit in our neck of the woods,
I'd love it if you emailed me.
It will be fun to hear how you like leaving the navigation to someone
else! Your cruise Down Under is sure to take you to new and
interesting places.
Diana
linnie
>
> Considering that one of my life's goals is to have he last check I ever
> write bounce I just view this as a step towards that goal.
>
I'm going to have to remember that one.
-Linnie
Kurt Ullman
linnie <lhol...@nethere.com> wrote:
The other way of saying that is that I want to bounce the check to the
undertaker.
--
To find that place where the rats don't race
and the phones don't ring at all.
If once, you've slept on an island.
Scott Kirby "If once you've slept on an island"