Thread: How do you feel about the cruiseline's bills?policy of adding the gratuity to passengers'

Hi, I, too, am concerned about a lengthy cruise and the tips involved. We had a situation back home where we thought that monies collected for Xmas gifts were just going for staff and it turned out not so - management was getting the monies too. So I am concerned. We have tipped extra when we received above and beyond the call of duty service & were happy to do so. Then I knew that the money was going to just that person. Gloria

So true. Thanks for responding. Your point is well taken. Gloria

Thanks for being the welocming committee. Add my name to the big welcome to Windsong, also. Gloria

I have mixed feelings about not tipping directly as in the past but as cruising has changed so much I believe it became necessary. So much of the dining is done in buffets and different venues the old system did not work as well. There are some that never eat in the MDR. I do believe that sometimes the service is not as good under this system.

Originally Posted by glomarrone

I was wondering how you all feel about the cruiselines adding the gratuity on to your bill at the end of the cruise? Personally I like it because it saves me running around on the last night trying to find everyone that I wanted to tip. Although, I have to admit, that it does feel strange not to hand someone a tip as I am saying goodbye to them for the last time. I have tipped over and above on ocassion. Gloria

Like Stephen, having the autotips is easier for me. Prior to this change, we would spend the afternoon of our last day pooling our cash and stuffing envelopes after discussing how much we're going to put in each envelope.

But there's the thing, we would go to dinner the last night in the MDR and see a lot of empty seats when the old way was in effect. It was easy to guess that many were trying to avoid handing over a tip. I don't know what the same passengers did about trying to avoid tipping their cabin stewards.

And with the advent of flexible dining and the various different options for dining onboard, this is the way to make sure that the servers get rewarded without passengers feeling the need to carry around cash with them.

Originally Posted by Windsong

Mixed feelings about that. But I really do not like the "Port" charges. The line picks the port, and I truly want to look into this. Anyone else?

At least you can find out the port charges for a specific cruise ahead of time and then decide to skip that cruise if you feel it's too much. But personally, I just add them into the fare and not worry about it. Isn't it better just to book the itinerary you want. Yes, there's the possibility that the route can change due to weather conditions or that you might miss a port altogether (again due to weather, or other problems). Like tipping, why not think about the port fees as part of the cost. And just think, the port is providing the tug boat and other vehicles and personnel (harbormaster, etc) who are making sure the ship gets in and out of the berth safely, or helping with the tenders when the ship gets anchored.

Originally Posted by Land Ahoy

HI I am in agreement with the majority of cruisers answering this question, I don't have any problems with tips being added to my OBC. However, I would prefer these charges to be added to the boarding fare as do some cruise lines (6* star cruise lines, Saga and Thomson etc); virgin cruisers often forgot to add on all the extras charged on a cruise and have a vague idea that the boarding fare is actually the total cost of the holiday

I think some cruise lines don't add in the tips into the fare for financial reasons (taxes?). I'm not an accountant so I wouldn't have the slightest idea, but this is my guess. Maybe for non-American lines, it's not important. And for the premium lines, you're paying for many different things such as alcohol, etc., whether or not you will use them. But maybe those who don't like the idea of paying tips, should just consider going with the premium lines.

Originally Posted by glomarrone

I wish that I could ask crewmenbers about whether they like this system. I suppose that they do since just about everyone will tip if it is automatic. If I get close with any onboard, I might broach the subject with them. Gloria

I have heard of passengers asking crew members and then reporting they said this or that (and often will hear conflicting reports from people who have traveled on the same cruise line. Maybe some crew members will be truthful and some might not (might answer according what they think you want to hear).

Originally Posted by glomarrone

I was wondering how you all feel about the cruiselines adding the gratuity on to your bill at the end of the cruise? Personally I like it because it saves me running around on the last night trying to find everyone that I wanted to tip. Although, I have to admit, that it does feel strange not to hand someone a tip as I am saying goodbye to them for the last time. I have tipped over and above on ocassion. Gloria

I prefer to tip each person myself, that way I know the ones that provided good service are taken care of and this money is not going into the pockets of the cruise line instead of the employees.

I prefer to tip each person myself, that way I know the ones that provided good service are taken care of and this money is not going into the pockets of the cruise line instead of the employees.

I, too, prefer to do my own tipping, and don't necesssarily wait until the last day to do it all, either.

Originally Posted by glomarrone

Hi, I, too, am concerned about a lengthy cruise and the tips involved. We had a situation back home where we thought that monies collected for Xmas gifts were just going for staff and it turned out not so - management was getting the monies too. So I am concerned. We have tipped extra when we received above and beyond the call of duty service & were happy to do so. Then I knew that the money was going to just that person. Gloria

Was this a cruise in which management got the extra money?

Originally Posted by ropermeow

I prefer to tip each person myself, that way I know the ones that provided good service are taken care of and this money is not going into the pockets of the cruise line instead of the employees.

It depends on which cruiseline you're talking about. If it's a cruiseline that utilizes the pooling system with the autotips, then the crew member you gave the money to can't keep the whole amount.

I prefer the cruise line add it to my tab as opposed to me having to have cash. If I feel someone has gone above and beyond, then a little cash in his or her hand is how I take care of that.