gratuities

[Yooperroo]

Eh I didn't mean it like that I apologize I JUST got in a heated debate the other day about tipping and how it's not fair these people aren't paid accordingly.

All love from this end!

Thank you!
I agree it's completely not fair. But I also feel that not tipping the employee does nothing to hurt the cooperation and only hurts the employee who is caught up in the system. It's a sucky situation for everyone! (Except the cooperation that is profiting from it all, of course!)

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Dug720 :Again, missing the point, but whatever keep defending this policy - pay what you want.

 

[Dug720]

Dug720 :Again, missing the point, but whatever keep defending this policy - pay what you want.

If you don't like the system, there is a very simple choice... Don't cruise. If enough people chose not to cruise because of a policy that clearly doesn't bother the majority of the crew members who re-up (and many have said that they can work contracts over the course of 10 years and be set for life in their home country, so it's NOT bad by their standards), the cruiselines would be forced to close or make a change. But when you choose to cruise, you're in essence defending the policy. To protest it, don't cruise. Easy.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Wow I love that logic - don't go on vacation and enjoy cruising because you don't believe in the tipping policy - who thinks like that?

I'm saying that tips should be for exceptional service and not guidelined what you SHOULD be tipping these people on a daily basis. It essentially becomes a fee - not a reward for exceptional service as it was intended to do so. If these companies are making record breaking BILLION dollar profits, I'm asking to pay these people more accordingly and not pass the bill onto your customers. Let the reward for service become a reward, not manditory.

You can love Disney and not agree with everything they do, it's ok.

 

[honeybeesmom]

Hello,
I believe that one of our servers is working somewhere on the ship and they work hard for their gratuities. I truly believe that they deserve them.
It is just a part of cruising!

 

[dittymau]

Wow I love that logic - don't go on vacation and enjoy cruising because you don't believe in the tipping policy - who thinks like that?

I'm saying that tips should be for exceptional service and not guidelined what you SHOULD be tipping these people on a daily basis. It essentially becomes a fee - not a reward for exceptional service as it was intended to do so. If these companies are making record breaking BILLION dollar profits, I'm asking to pay these people more accordingly and not pass the bill onto your customers. Let the reward for service become a reward, not manditory.

You can love Disney and not agree with everything they do, it's ok.

Sticking my neck out here in the middle of a spirited discussion between two NY'ers, questioning the compensation system in place since the beginning of cruising, or at least since the 80's when I first cruised... Perhaps the system should be based on what is typical in Asia, for example, at hotels a 10% service charge is added, and no gratuities accepted, and service is very good?

 

[KingRichard]

Wow everyone forgets that they get room and board and healthcare and free internet while they work on the ship.

They do get time off while at the Islands(not everyday).

Think how much you spend on these items for 6-8 months!

 

[Justacruiser]

I guess my thought to the OP is don't overthink this stuff. I am not a parent of twins or even have 3 kids, but as a father know that sometimes it's better just to play this out. Murphy's Law came into play often when I and my DW were raising or DD, so I sure things will just happen. MY recommendation is to try to not plan everything down to the meal or second, and NO I am not saying you are.

Just don't want you stressing on the WHAT IF's. They usually take care of themselves. And also, do what's best for you, your DH, your babysitter and the kids. Don't worry about what people say on the threads.

Enjoy your cruise.

 

[C6PT7]

The should cruise lines pay a wage or should the passenger pay the tip debate has been going on for years.
The way I see it is either you accept that you are expected to pay the suggested rate for tips (unless you experience poor service from the tip positions) and you factor the cost of the tips into the cost of the cruise, or you stiff the servers.
Someone above suggested not cruising if you do not like the cruise line expecting you to pay the wages of the staff. That is the only reasonable way I can see to avoid paying the tips.
The only other way of not incuring tips is if everyone boycotted paying tips and that would force the cruise lines to pay a good working salary to those in the tip positions.
Wether or not the cruise lines turn over billions of dollars a year and make millions in profits is besides the point when the cost of the working salary is just added onto the cruise fare. The cruise line will not loose money!

Wow everyone forgets that they get room and board and healthcare and free internet while they work on the ship.

They do get time off while at the Islands(not everyday).

Think how much you spend on these items for 6-8 months!

King Richard,
As a friend of someone that works for DCL, just to clarify a couple of things.
They DO NOT get free internet, they get a discounted rate but still have to pay for it.

As for room and board. Yes they do get that as part of their benefits.
But you have to remember in turn for the opportunity to earn that money, they have to share their bedroom (10' x 14' with bunk beds and a curtain for privacy) and 4' x4' bathroom with complete strangers (sometimes 1 and sometimes 2 or 3 people per cabin).
Their employer gets the opportunity to dictate what food they eat and at what time.
Their employer also is allowed to inspect/visit their bedroom and bathroom once a week and look in their closet, cupboards for anything they deem contraband.

Now my friend, has accepted it now and accepts thats what ship life is like. Hated it at first and the lack of any real privacy was the major hurdle for her.

Yes room and board is included, but there are some quite personally intrusive downsides to living aboard, and what price you put on your own privacy, being able to chose and cook what you want for dinner and when you are hungry is something to consider when adding up the benefits of ship life.

 

[Jodi Perez]

I know this is a tipping question thread, but....

WHY can't your DH watch your kids so you can get a hair cut? He helped make them. He can help watch them. Don't be a martyr.

Lol honestly the reason is because he works a ton! I agree it's his responsibility to help and he def does! But honestly the few hours we get together a week I would rather spend with him even if it means I don't get any downtime. When I weigh the importance of our relationship against getting my hair cut I think that I should spend our precious few hours together. My husband works really hard both at work And at home so we are both in the same boat needing some downtime.

Edit: I forgot to mention that he is rarely home before salons in our area close (small town hours). Maybe I could drive to the city and find a 24 hour salon?

 

[C6PT7]

They have a salon on the ship where you can get your hair cut.
Maybe both of you could arrange for it at the same time and ask for chairs next to each other?
His hair must be really long as well by now!

 

[Jodi Perez]

Haha... Nah he cuts his own here at home or I cut it for him. He's a federal corrections officer so he'd be fired if he didn't keep it cut. (They are only slightly more lenient than the military at his prison.) But the salon on board is a good idea. Though he's enjoying the fact that my hair has gotten so long.