What about tipping the maitre d'? A separate envelope is still left in the room on the final night (on Carnival), with the assumption that guests will hand it to the maitre d' on the last night in the dining room. But.........isn't this person already paid well enough? Granted, he/she is responsible for the entire dining room staff and restaurant operations. But on my cruise last week, the maitre d' was not seen visiting with guests, checking on service and food, things that a restaurant manager at home might do. He only made a few announcements and introduced the "entertainment" when waiters would sing and dance. Now, should I tip a person who has to teach foreign waiters to sing "Happy Bird Day Two Shoes"? (HIS words, not mine, on training waiters)
There are times when they do something above and beyond. On my last B2B on Paradise the Maitre 'd arranged for me to be switched to the table of my favorite waiter. On the second cruise he went as far as to switch table numbers so I could be sitting with my waiter again. Unless they do something special, I usually leave them a couple of dollars anyway.
So, from my understanding on this, I have now contact my TA nand asked him to add this on top.
THEN when I am at the end of my cruise, I can opt out? I would rather give them as I went along and who I thought deserved it. There is no incentive if you get tipped BEFORE you carry out service to do this.
So, can I opt out and do it my way? Who else does it like this?
We now remove the auto tip from our cruise bill and hand them directly to those who deserve it. Remember that a "TIP" is "To Improve Productivity" and I have no problem tipping anyone who deserves it. Just don't like it being done for me.
We now remove the auto tip from our cruise bill and hand them directly to those who deserve it. Remember that a "TIP" is "To Improve Productivity" and I have no problem tipping anyone who deserves it. Just don't like it being done for me.
Just to reiterate: on some cruiselines when you remove autotip and tip directly, the crew members have to hand any cash tips in an envelope (with your cabin number on it) to their supervisor. Then the supervisor will check to see if you had removed the autotip. If yes, the money goes into the tipping pool and the crew member gets just a share. If no, the cash is given back to the crew member to keep. This method was instituted to make sure that the background workers (laundry workers, dish washers, etc) and those waiters who work in flexible dining don't get stiffed. This is the way Princess does it, and probably the others too.
The only other option (mentioned in this thread several times) is for the cruiselines to up the fare (like a hotel charge) and give to the workers directly as a higher salary. If that's done, you won't be paying a tip, but you will be paying it anyway.
[quote=cruisin' chick;1447233]Just to reiterate: on some cruiselines when you remove autotip and tip directly, the crew members have to hand any cash tips in an envelope (with your cabin number on it) to their supervisor....
Maybe this is a dumb question but I just have to ask: Let's say I gave someone a $50 bill because he/she did a great job and they say thank you and put it in their pocket...how does the supervisor ever know they got it? Do they do a body search?
From what I understand on some cruiselines (not sure about all) is that it's a honor system. But if some crew members are aware that someone is pocketing some cash that should be pooled and a share is owed to them, they could snitch on them. And if someone is caught, that would be cause for termination. And they do share their living space so it could be easy enough to spot a cabin mate sneaking money into their drawer.
Got to agree with Patti on this one. The penalties are severe enough and the chance of being found out high enough that I would think the fear factor alone would keep them from pocketing the money.
So, bottom line is that poor staff still gets rewarded no matter what you do.
The only other option (mentioned in this thread several times) is for the cruiselines to up the fare (like a hotel charge) and give to the workers directly as a higher salary....
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