7DaysinParadise
Travel => Cruising and Boating => Topic started by: flopnfly on July 27, 2009, 02:34:05 PM
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Question for those that know....
I noticed that some cruise lines give you the option to pre-pay your gratuities. The one I looked at was $140 per cabin.
My question is, are you still expected to tip your maid etc or is this what you are prepaying?
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WOW 140.00 and that mandatory ?
I would hope it covers everyone and their extended families :BangHead:
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My neighbours go on a cruise every year, and they say that they end up paying over $800 in gratuities, so I thought the $140 was way to cheap to be everyone included.
I think you probably get the envelopes at the end of your stay and you put in the "suggested" amount.
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Again WOW, and you think 140.00 for everyone is too cheap ? I guess there is a reason I haven't taken a cruise :grin:
On a 7 days cruise I would think 20.00 per days would be reasonable :dontknow:
And I am thinking of taking one this fall :happy3:
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The tips is partly why I've never taken a cruise before, but now I'm finding some really good deals out there for November.
Eastern Caribbean in November with balcony for $1200 including air.
I found this bar list for Carnival, and the drinks look reasonably priced. (click on the image to make it bigger)
(http://thumb0.webshots.net/s/thumb1/9/37/76/53593776tREYkV_th.jpg) (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1053593776040799640tREYkV)
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That is a good deal :thumbsup:
I found this interesting;
Tipping on Cruise Ships
Tipping practices vary greatly amongst the cruise lines today, ranging from a required added service charge to no tipping at all. It is very important that you know the policy of the cruise line before you cruise so you can budget accordingly. When planning your cruise, check with your travel agent or the cruise line about the tipping policy. Often the recommended tips, which run from about $10 to $15 per passenger per day, are published in the cruise brochure or on the cruise line Web page. The cruise director will also remind passengers (sometimes over and over) about how much and who the cruise line recommends you tip.
Most tips on cruise ships are really service charges, which is one of the reasons why cruise lines seem to be moving towards adding a flat fee to your onboard account rather than make the tip amount entirely optional. New cruisers need to realize that most cruise lines do not pay their service staff a living wage, and tips or service charges make up much of their compensation. In order to keep the advertized price down, passengers are expected to subsize the service staff through these added service charges or tips.
All tips used to be given to the stewards and dining room staff on the last night of the cruise. Envelopes were passed out to the passengers and you presented the cash tip to the steward in the cabin and handed it to the wait staff at dinner. Some cruise ships still follow this policy, but others add a flat fee per day to your onboard account which may or may not be adjusted downwards, depending on the cruise line. If the fee is required and cannot be adjusted downward, it is a true service charge, and is no different than a port charge. Most cruise lines add the recommended service charge to your account, and you can adjust it if you think necessary. Personally, one of the things I love about cruising is the excellent service and wonderful attitude of the crew. I've never understood people who did not think the crew deserved at least the recommended service/tipping charge.
The last few years, cruise lines have moved away from traditional tipping for two reasons. First, as cruising as become more international, cruise lines recognized that many passengers from western Europe and the Far East were not accustomed to tipping. It was easier to just add a service charge to the bill (as is done in most hotels in Europe) than to educate the passengers. Second, many large cruise ships have added multiple alternative dining rooms and have moved away from fixed seating times and tables. Passengers have different wait staff each evening, which makes tipping more problematic. Adding a service charge to be split amongst all the wait staff is easier for all, although the top cabin stewards and dining staff probably make less than they used to since the service charge is split into more pieces.
Many cruisers wish that all cruise lines would adopt the "no tipping expected" polices of upscale lines such as Cruise West, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, and Silversea. However, it looks like the service charge concept is here to stay.
Below are links or information on the tipping policies at some of the major cruise lines.
Got to the bottom of this page ; http://cruises.about.com/od/tipsforfirsttimecruises/a/cruise_tipping_2.htm
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the prepaid gratuities are an option on many cruise lines. When we cruised in the spring we paid the "mandatory" gratuities of $12 per day per person. (it had just gone up) That covers your room steward, all dinning staff etc. but does not include the bar staff who receive an automatic 15% added to every beverage purchased from the bar.
It was really funny listening to people as they went to pay their onboard accounts, some almost passed out as they looked at their bar bills!! :grin: It is way to easy to just sign those bills to your cabin everyday!
That is one definate advantage to an all inclusive resort!
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Here is Carnival with a slight break down...
What is the tipping policy onboard?
Service Gratuities
For your convenience, we automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $10.00 per guest, per day (our recommended guideline) as follows:
$ 3.50 Per Day Stateroom Services
$ 5.50 Per Day Dining Room Services
$ 1.00 Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to other kitchen and hotel service staff
For Cruises-To-Nowhere, gratuities of $10 per guest, per day must be prepaid.
Our Staff is totally committed to exceed your expectations in every way possible. If you are not satisfied with the service you receive, we encourage you to contact the Guest Services desk while onboard. This will allow us to address your concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time.
For beverage purchases, fifteen percent of the bill is automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge. Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered. Tipping your Maître d’ is at your discretion, based upon the service you receive.
NOTE: BARBADOS CRUISES
All gratuities are pre-paid and automatically added during the booking process for Barbados itineraries.
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•Seabourn Cruises - onboard gratuities are neither required nor expected
•Silversea Cruises - onboard gratuities are neither required nor expected
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Maybe a 7days November Cruise Trip :happy3:
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THE BEST WAY TO KEEP YOUR BAR BILL UNDER CONTROL!!
http://www.rumrunnerflasks.com/
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I don't mind paying the $140 or $12 per day. That is a reasonable amount to me.
I've found that some cruise lines have a prepaid soft drink charge of $5 per day for unlimited soft drinks.
I think I would opt for that and just pay for the occasional alcoholic beverage.
I've got another question about dining, but I'll put that in another thread.
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Sounds good to me too Heather :icon_thumright:
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Heather where did you find that $1,200.00 deal ?
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All this stuff Kills a cruise for me. I would Never go anyplace where tipping is manditory. A tip is a reward for good service, to be Earned, not expected.
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Bob, I can't remember where I saw it because I had so many windows open.
Check redtagvacations, I know I was looking on there and I was also looking on tripcentral.ca
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Eric, I totally understand that !
Thanks Heather I will :thumbsup:
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the main thing that puts me off a cruise is the long line ups for everything from the buffet to disembarking.
I'm not sure I have the patience for that. Usually when I'm going on vacation it's because I'm burned out and really really need a break.
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Gambitt..If you want fabulous service..go on a cruise! The staff are amazing..Example: What time would you like your ice bucket filled? Absolutely anything you desire (within reason) :grin: the staff will try to accomodate for you, they deserve a tip before you even get on the boat, astounding!!!. The kid's club for Logan is beyond belief..simply astounding, he may never want to come home!!! (LOL) Your beer glass will never be empty, trust me!! Yes , Heather there are some lineups, but they disipate rapidly! You also get to see several different destinations in a week, the food is excellent and the drinks are a bit pricey! Something to try every 5 years or so! IOHO!
Bon Voyage
F&T
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they deserve a tip before you even get on the boat
No one would IMHO ! :dontknow:
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No one would IMHO ! :dontknow:
If you don't like the policies of the cruise lines...Then don't consider it an option for a vacation!!!
These people on the cruise ships, as a rule , work 7 day's a week 12 + hours a day to make your vacation, the best it can be! These people are generally from all over the world and support their families 10 months a year living apart, and yes they earn a good living by their standards... but if you have a problem about tipping $12 a day for fantastic services..
then don't consider a cruise or for that matter even a vacation to Cuba, if you figure that most of us spend far more than that on gifts etc. before "we even go to Cuba" plus the CUC's we tip with?? I don't know about anybody else but the prefixed tip is a bargain when compared to other options!!
IOHO!
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I didn't say I disagree with 12-15 per day, however your statement of them deserving a tip before you even get the service hit me as odd and that's what I commented on..
Last time I went to Cuba I gave away about $500.00 worth of stuff but not to the maid and I didn't have her in to clean my room all week, tipped her a few CUC the last day just like a hotel back home.
If you don't like the policies of the cruise lines...Then don't consider it an option for a vacation!!!
I agree 100% just like restaurants @ home the add the gratuity to the bill, however most times this is in the small print and a surprise to some. ( not for me as I read and are prepare of hidden charges)
I don't care what Country your in, Tips should only be given for good service !
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I didn't say I disagree with 12-15 per day, however your statement of them deserving a tip before you even get the service hit me as odd and that's what I commented on..
Last time I went to Cuba I gave away about $500.00 worth of stuff but not to the maid and I didn't have her in to clean my room all week, tipped her a few CUC the last day just like a hotel back home.
I agree 100% just like restaurants @ home the add the gratuity to the bill, however most times this is in the small print and a surprise to some. ( not for me as I read and are prepare of hidden charges)
I don't care what Country your in, Tips should only be given for good service !
Absolutely Agree!
The service you would receive on a cruise ship is Amazing, No hidden charges, hell you sign for everything!! (scarry)
Cheers
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Drinking and Signing, a dangerous combination :ROFL:
:drink: + :letter: = :oops:
But taking the tipping factor out when you have had a few, well it may just even out in the end :ROFL:
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Drinking and Signing, a dangerous combination :ROFL:
:drink: + :letter: = :oops:
Your use of the smileys was so cute, BD. Thanks for the chuckle. TC :grin:
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We are going on cruise next Tuesday ..Ocean Village ( a less formal cruise ) Tips are already included so in theory we won't have to ...I'll let you know when we get back .
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Many of us are curious about this, so your first-hand experience will be great. Have a fantastic cruise! What are your ports of call? Travelchick :grin:
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Thank Travelchick :grin:
this is our route
http://www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk/west-med-cruise-tapas-togas-14.aspx (http://www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk/west-med-cruise-tapas-togas-14.aspx)
I will let you know how it was when we get back :icon_thumright:
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Lizzylobs, You're going on a 14-day cruise?! How awesome. I was assuming it was a 7-day'er in the Caribbean. :lol1: Are you from England? TC :grin:
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OOPs sorry ..should have made that clear :roleyes:
Yes we are frm the UK - we fly to Palma to pick up the boat from there
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Well we are back and it was ......fabulous :thumbsup: as for the tipping we never felt the need to although we did give our cabin steward a tip as we left - he had been so flexible around our 15 yr old who slept in late some mornings or went back to the cabin for an afternoon nap in the cool .
On the whole the staff were amazing and not in that condesending sucky up way either , if it was an act then they are very good at it !
I didn't notice much queuing for the food but then we were fairly relaxed about it -if there was a queue then we just had another glass of wine :wi:
The ports of call were amazing -we saw so many things in such a short time but still had time to chill out on deck with a cocktail or two :icon_thumright:
This will sound really sad I know but the sail aways were so emotional :roleyes: and if there were a couple of other ships leaving as well -the waving and cheering from other passengers had us all crying buckets :roleyes:
Cruising has opened a whole new world up to me -I've had a taste of places I wouldn't normally consider as a holiday destination :icon_thumright:
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I'm happy to hear that the cruise was a major success! If you were gone for 14 days, you must have seen many ports. What great memories you have stored up. :icon_thumright: Travelchick :grin:
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Welcome home, and I'm glad it was a good experience for you.
Can you submit a small report for us to enjoy and perhaps a few photos.
You know we always wait for someone to come back from holidays to share their experiences. :grin:
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Lizzylobs, I am like you I went on my first cruise and I was hooked.We have only sailed in the Caribbean but would love to do a Meditterraean Cruise. I would love to see a review of your trip.It looked terrific,I would like to go to Tunis and many other Countries you went to > Cheers Dan