Important note about gratuities!

[ROIE01581]

Though some crew members, such as the dining staff, had a more structured work schedule and were allowed half days off every now and then or large blocks of personal time, the Cruise Staff never had that luxury. With only six to eight people on staff at any time, we all worked 'round the clock. Typical days would start at 8 a.m. and not end until well after midnight, especially if you were hosting a deck party or acting as DJ for a club. We actually had staff meetings at 2 a.m., the only time when one of us wasn't working, so even if your work day ended at 10 p.m., you couldn't really get much sleep because you had to be in a meeting at 2 a.m.

 

[tinkerone]

I'm new to this thread, and to the DIS forums (fora?), but I'd like to add a point. I worked on a ship for a year between high school and college, and was paid very little. (It wasn't a cruise ship, and it was QUITE some time ago, so I can't comment on the numbers being quoted in this thread.) We fetched up in a variety of African and South American ports, and I learned two things. First, what doesn't seem like much to us seems like quite a lot to people elsewhere, so don't judge by our standards.

The second thing I learned was from a friend, also on the ship. We were shopping in an open air market, and I bought an amazing wooden carving for $5. As we were leaving, I commented to him that I was never sure if I got the best price, or whether I had grossly overpaid. He turned to me and gave me one of the best pieces of advice I've ever received: "Rich, if you got something you really want, and you paid a price that you think was really good, then you got a bargain, whether or not it was the best price."

I've been lurking on a lot of threads, and we all seem fascinated by both the CMs and the Mouse That Soared, and with good reason - they are incredibly unusual. So, as to tipping, (and my DW and I are going on our first cruise next January), my feeling is: it doesn't matter a bit whether or not someone is making a lot of money by my standards, by their standards, or by U.S. minimum wage. Most CMs give such exceptional service (from the times I've been to DisneyWorld and Disneyland) that I'm eager to thank them. The tips I expect to give will be well beyond the suggested minimum - where warranted. Good CMs give real joy - why not applaud? And I always remember: money is the sincerest form of applause, because you earned it with your own sweat and hard work.

It's a bargain.....

Richard

VERY well said. Bravo!

 

[tinkerone]

$2300 a month is about what bil brings home. he's a chef, pays for his uniforms, pays for food even though he never eats at the hotel he works at and doesn't make tips. so they are about even in the "salary" department.

and while they make the same money it certainly doesn't seem like it. we live in Canada. pay high income taxes and sales taxes, our rent is high, our cost of living is very high

and while one might say it's sad the money these positions pay and the tips they receive may be low or high you can't compare their standard of living with ours.

a lot of people who work on cruises aren't coming from the US, Canada, Australia, UK where the cost of living is very high. they come from countries where it's much lower and maybe that $2300 a month goes a very long way in their home.

and while i think people should be paid for the job they do and not have to rely on the passengers paying tips to make up their salary i don't want to have to pay double the cost for a cruise to do so.

there will always be people who don't tip and it shouldn't be said that they "stiffed" the waiters or room attendants - tipping by definition is an option and one shouldn't feel guilty for not tipping. saying if you could afford the cruise you could afford the tip isn't the right thing to say either. there are a lot of people who save 2 - 5 years to take 1 amazing vacation. it isn't just the cost of the cruise it's the cost of flights, buses, cabs, hotels, the cruise itself and not everyone books excursions or spends tons of money in the shops, and there are some who book the first class airfare tickets, cat 1 or 2 cabins, and leave good or great tips but they shouldn't be applauded for it and those who leave none, little or minimum tip shouldn't be chastisized either.

i think people should just stop talking about tips all together - i don't think you'll find anyone, especially on this kind of format, saying that they never tip. most people don't talk about their own salaries but they have no problem saying they left a huge tip or even give a dollar amount.

oh, i like you! i once mentioned that a single mom who had taken her children on a disney cruise only left tips for 2 and did i get flamed. i will not go near the bbq to this day . the general feeling was as you said, if you can afford the trip, blah blah blah. i say if she scraped and could only leave tip money for two than good for her for giving her children something they will never get again, at least till they are grown and on their way.
another thing i have mentioned that got me in trouble was that i was rasied not to talk about tipping, that it was impolite and show offy. i hate the topic but like a moth drawn to the flame...oww theres that flame again. would you not think i could shut up. nope, sucker for punishment, thats me!