If you don’t have a choice it is not a gratuity, it is a FEE. Period. Even if the cruise line wants to have a lower advertised fare, they should call it what it is. A compulsory service fee in addition to the fare.
@SamSitar
4 жыл бұрын
cruise lines should label it as such.
@bettywith2girls
4 жыл бұрын
Exactly.
@felikso2
5 жыл бұрын
From my perspective (as an Australian), I find it offensive to tip. I have paid for the service and the goods - it's the owners responsibility to ensure that they pay THEIR employees (not MY employees) a living wage. It is strange how this "custom" came from one narrow part of the world and is now an encompassing expectation. I will pay for exceptional service (above and beyond) but not for services that I would normally expect to be provided.
@Leahv103
5 жыл бұрын
felikso2 wish it was like this in the U.S.. 😕
@latteralthinker5992
5 жыл бұрын
is Aus the only western nation to have a minimum wage system ?
@Leahv103
5 жыл бұрын
Latteral Thinker we have a minimum wage system in the US but this doesn’t apply to waiters/people that receive tips. They get paid much less and tips are supposed to make up most of their wages
@oliviasalibacauchi
5 жыл бұрын
Oh now I get the answer to why Australians never tip us guides after a whole day or week of tour guiding them around. I used to think I did something wrong with them. Didn't know this.
@grandmasmagic3858
5 жыл бұрын
yeah, sorry @@oliviasalibacauchi .. ours is not a tipping culture because employees pay a reasonable wage here, and the service/item we are purchasing has pretty much been factored into the price..if we do not tip it's not because of you or how hard you have worked but because it is something we are not used to doing OR rather don't know HOW much to pay..l have been to the States twice now and always found it uncomfortable tipping cause l don't know how much I'm supposed to tip without feeling offensive..
@rmljr52
5 жыл бұрын
The cruise lines say the workers work very hard so they deserve a gratuity. If they work that hard then why doesn't the employer pay them accordingly? Instead the cruise line places the onus on the customer to subsidize their payroll.
@burningisis
5 жыл бұрын
Well the customer always subsidizes the payroll. If the autoadded gratuities were rolled into the fare, the price would appear higher. Virgin cruises actually has rolled the gratuities into the fare. What I do like about the autoadded gratuities is that I can say "this person was rude, I dont want them to receive my gratuity for today" If the gratuity is rolled into the fare, then I cant really say that. At restaurants the staff get a horrendously low wage and rely on tips to supplement their income and many come out far better than if they were paid a full wage. In the end, the ultra low fares shown on the websites, dont consider that price as your actual cruise price. Add in the gratuities, add in taxes and port fees, and then you get something closer to a more realistic fare.
@randolphwellington1704
5 жыл бұрын
Because if the cruise lines paid the staff more, the cheapo inside-cabin dwellers such as yourself could no longer afford to board. Stay home and entertain yourself.
@melodymakingmelodies4896
5 жыл бұрын
Randolph Wellington are you also one of those inside dwellers? Some individuals spend very little time awake in their cabin. They simply spend their money wisely. I would rather spend my money on shore excursions, dining, the spa etc. To each his own. Happy cruising to you. Nine more months before my Disney Alaska Cruise. And yes I did purchase an inside cabin AGAIN which has nothing to do with what I can afford and all to do with getting the best bang for my money. For the most part, dressing and sleeping is what my cabin is used for because I’m out living my best life.
@randolphwellington1704
5 жыл бұрын
@@melodymakingmelodies4896 That's what all you cheap inside-cabin dwellers pretend to claim. I get it - you're a cheapo, you don't tip. You probably sneak your own booze on board, and stuff your suitcases full of buffet food during the last day of the cruise.
@MaryOKC
5 жыл бұрын
Randolph Wellington you are such a snob. 😋 I always tip no matter what room I end up buying....I pay a gratuity as well as cash the first day and more of the same on the last day which has always guaranteed me wonderful services throughout. I don’t drink or gamble so I can afford that extra tip. Mostly I’m a balcony cruiser because I just like hanging out on the balcony....best cruise I ever went on was 14-night NCL, inside room...so peaceful and perfect every night, and a big room. Gratuities is more than a tip...part of that expense goes to a crew fund for emergencies such as illness, family death, flights etc. I don’t mind contributing.
@jeroenmaes6507
3 жыл бұрын
I worked 4 years as a headwaiter for carnival cruise lines. The gratuities are your salary. The auto gratuities go to your dining room server and assistant, as well as your head cabin steward and his assistant. They go straight to them and yes there are lists, but you will only find out after the cruise if your assigned guests have paid or not.
@EntropyGuardian
2 жыл бұрын
Since they told me (on RCI) that the tip was split between cabin steward, waiter, waiter assistant, and head waiter in the main dining room I went there every night. I figured I was already paying for it...
@LyfaLeeZhure_DavidShawn
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you, @Jeroen. Of the vids I've watched on the topic, I was still confused. I've been a waiter in Vegas for 17 years; tipping is part of my entire lifestyle. I'm goin' on an 8-day Virgin cruise in November and was thinking about bringing $5oo in $5 bills (just in case).
@travelnomad2128
Жыл бұрын
So you don't get wages at all from the cruise line?!! That's criminal!
@costarica6379
Жыл бұрын
I spoke with a few NCL crew members over the years, and not a single penny the company collected as auto gratuities goes to any employees. I don't believe Carnival or any other cruise lines are any different. It's just the company's unethical profits booster if not illegal. That's why if you ask for a full refund of auto gratuity or refuse to pay, they don't even ask why. Because it's legally indefensible.
@46foryounger
Жыл бұрын
This is great to get the real story. I worked for many years in the service industry in spas and when I vacation I want to make sure the servers are tipped properly. It literally stresses me out. I always prepay with RCCL which is the cruise line I usually take and then I give an extra tip to the person who tends to my room.
@susanwells6283
5 жыл бұрын
On our last cruise we prepaid gratuities. We had a specialty dining package for 3 nights and were told that this included the gratuity. At the end of our meal the waiter shows up with a tablet and starts explaining how we are to add our tip. We told him we understood that we prepaid them. Basically we were bullied in to giving him a tip. We promptly went to the desk to make sure that we had in fact prepaid and that nothing more was expected of us, we had. The next evening we ate at the same restaurant and this time our waiter shows up with his supervisor trying to explain to us that our prepaid gratuities did not cover the meal. It was more bullying and we were made to feel very uncomfortable. We ended up tipping an extra $20 at each of our specialty meals. It made for a very stressful and unpleasant evening.
@4x4_travel
3 жыл бұрын
What cruise line was this?
@tlangdon12
2 жыл бұрын
I guess this is another reason why 'gratuities' are controversal - if the cruise line isn't crystal clear what they cover and don't cover, the passengers are left disgruntled and will leave reviews like this, which is a fair one. Having a system of 'gratuities' where some services are included and others are not just leads to the passengers having to think about things much more than they should - a cruise is supposed to a holiday, not a memory test.
@cynthiarothrock4255
2 жыл бұрын
I would have informed the cruise line that I was now seeing them for fraud and if they didn't stop their billing I would force docking on the entire line by the coast guard. Untill they learned maritime law. Billing on board a ship while 12 miles out from land is a CRIME.
@xxyyzzplants131
2 жыл бұрын
Buffaloing
@philwebb59
7 күн бұрын
$20 tip? So, would the meal had been worth $100 to you, without drinks, if you purchased it at the same type and quality of specialty restaurant back home? You could easily pay $100 for a melt-in-your-mouth 16oz New York Strip plus sides at Ruth's Chris, but $30-$35 for the same meal, a bit more gristly though, at Outback or Texas Roadhouse.
@teresarobison4601
4 жыл бұрын
Seems like cruising is as complicated as car shopping with high pressure and up sells, indecipherable sales jargon, subversive add ons and hidden fees. I thought I was planning an affordable vacay for my husband and I, but the price tag keeps growing! Thanks for all your heads-up videos!!
@princessmoccasin4279
5 жыл бұрын
Cruise liners need to pay their staff not expect the customers to pay their salaries
@SamSitar
4 жыл бұрын
they have the money for it.
@jilljones8744
4 жыл бұрын
AGREED
@almoemason
3 жыл бұрын
Think about what you are saying, no matter what the system, the customers always pay everyone's salary.
@Plum_bird
3 жыл бұрын
@@almoemason I think what Sam sitar is saying, they are asking their already paying customer to additionally supplement their employees salary. The cruise company are paying them a lower wage and telling them it can be made up in tips. Tips are optional so they should not be considered to supplement wage, it should be extra money for the staff.
@almoemason
3 жыл бұрын
@@Plum_bird I do not disagree with that. And my comment has nothing to do with that. All am saying is not matter what the payment system is, the customer pays for it. Don't overthink my statement.
@bobnicholson9821
5 жыл бұрын
Quote from Hurtigruten cruise line. "Gratuities are neither expected, nor required", well that will confuse the yanks eh. This is a cruise i WOULD book.
@raymondwong7674
5 жыл бұрын
But Hurtinguton provide almost no entertainment ,only 3 meals a day and price is very high.
@gazzafloss
5 жыл бұрын
@@raymondwong7674 We did a cruise to the Antarctic with Hurtigruten out of Chile in 2005, no Cabaret shows but great informative lectures on the subject of our cruise, (the Antarctic Continent), perfectly adequate, the food and service was excellent as we're the daily shore excursions. The best cruise we've ever been on, and we've been on many before and after that one. Great cruising isn't always about how much food you can cram in all day how much alcohol you can guzzle and being entertained till the small hours.
@savannahbanks
4 жыл бұрын
bob nicholson Do... because it is a fabulous cruise! Xx
@damanibaraka7896
5 жыл бұрын
I was told by my waiter that they shared the gratuity but not equally. Management and supervisors get the most and the waiters, room stewards, etc get much less. It should be the other way around. On the other side before they started requiring gratuities ,many people never tipped. Some didn't show up for dinner the last night of the cruise to avoid tipping.
@tipsfortravellers
5 жыл бұрын
A lot of people miss that last dinner..........
@horsewithnoname12345
5 жыл бұрын
Damani Baraka tipping should not be expected anyway. It should be voluntary and only if service was great. And then still, only voluntary at the guests discretion. Side note: a lot of wait staff still expects tips, even with auto tips! So specialty dining, buffet or room service it is!
@neilcharles1784
5 жыл бұрын
Lobster,surf and turf along with the best deserts along with a free glass of wine used to be served on the last night,so passengers will show and have their envelopes ready.In this electronic age things has gone from bad to worst especially the service.The cruise ship staff were mostly people from the Caribbean because of their jovial behavior,but they started jumping ship and the cruise lines got fined for that.Now it's mostly Asians and Eastern Europeans on the ships.The Indian are now running the kitchens.
@marybasi4735
5 жыл бұрын
Damani Baraka, I was told the same by the maître d. I don't think it's fair for the ones that really work for it and don't get what they deserve. Management and supervisors get paid well and should not really get a share of the gratuities.
@DonFather
5 жыл бұрын
@@horsewithnoname12345 Noob question. Other than specialty dining, buffet or room service, what is the left over service staff that demands tips? Thx
@michaelvoisey8458
5 жыл бұрын
The Crew should be paid a decent salary otherwise it is just exploitation. This is a relic of the days when only the very rich went on cruises
@aeroAdvocate
5 жыл бұрын
True. There are two problems though, for one many employer don't have a problem with exploiting and then there are many people traveling nowadays who actually can't afford it.
@latteralthinker5992
5 жыл бұрын
Australian P & O, its not compulsory. , In Australia, we don't use tipping in the service industry. we have many of the best paid service jobs in the world, ie McDonalds. Reply
@kellybrown685
5 жыл бұрын
So why dosen't THEIR EMPLOYER do this?
@grandmasmagic3858
5 жыл бұрын
fellow Aussie here @@latteralthinker5992 ..if I'm cruising within/close to Australian waters am l expected to tip staff when it's something we don't do on land..?? l think l will look at getting the gratuity removed at start of cruise and then tip in cash..that way l KNOW that they are getting ALL that money rather than paying the cruise company and lining their pockets..
@carlblaskowitz7817
4 жыл бұрын
I'm actually surprised the airlines have not tried this shit.
@brad_Ca
5 жыл бұрын
The first time I ever went on a cruise, I resented "being told" that I had to tip basically. However, once the cruise was over I suddenly wanted to not only tip what the suggested amount was but I also paid over that amount on an individual basis. These crew members work hard to give us a good vacation experience and they make very low wages in most cases.
@jimvanelswyk2791
2 жыл бұрын
They are poorly paid and are expected to work very hard, but the forced tips are not used to increase their wages ,but to pay their low wages. The cruise line is not required by any law to give them any extra money from enforced tips, so it’s just another income for the cruise lines.
@nancypicchi9224
Жыл бұрын
@@jimvanelswyk2791 interesting.
@lynnhardy2221
5 жыл бұрын
All the extra added fees make me not want to go on a cruise at all.
@chadclark3704
5 жыл бұрын
Its not that different from resort fees my thing is i think the gratuities are getting a but out of control 11.50 $ a day should be plenty
@2blessed2bestressed5
5 жыл бұрын
Lynn Hardy ... It’s a beautiful thing. Don’t rob yourself of a wonderful vacation & experience. Be smart, do some researching & you’ll be fine. The gratuities can be removed at the front desk & you can tip who you want, as much as you want. Enjoy 😉
@terrikatz4854
4 жыл бұрын
@@chadclark3704That is why I don't stay in the type of hotels that have resort fees.
@Milesco
4 жыл бұрын
@B B : Yeah, resort fees should be illegal unless they are advertised / displayed / noted with equal prominence along with the advertised price. Otherwise it's just fraud.
@monikasmith3948
4 жыл бұрын
Lynn Hardy it’s so confusing I don’t even want to cruise no more.
@vicfonov
5 жыл бұрын
i always turn off the auto-gratuity (They usually allow you to do that the day before you are done with your cruise) and I prefer to give them individually, those who served me
@ascesinolirico
5 жыл бұрын
If it is a gratuity, then you should be able to give what you want to whom you want. If it’s the scam that I believe it to be, then they should just add it to the initial cost of the cruise. I would feel better with one price. The cruise lines could then pay a decent wage. At this point if you feel someone did Extra. Then give a tip. I don’t think a tip should be for the things that I paid for when I purchased the Cruise. I’m not going to clean my own room or cook and serve myself. That being said, I always pay the “gratuities “ in advance. I’ve cruised 30 times with 2 more booked but I think I’m going to give it a rest. Thank you for the video.
@tipsfortravellers
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching and leaving your thoughts and experiences. I am with you!!
@53pittmanjt
5 жыл бұрын
You can. That's the beauty of it.
@latteralthinker5992
5 жыл бұрын
Australian P & O, its not compulsory. , In Australia, we don't use tipping in the service industry. we have many of the best paid service jobs in the world, ie McDonalds. Reply
@GloWe724
4 жыл бұрын
We have them removed at the end of every cruise. I’m not being charged for tips. I give them to whom I feel deserve them. Period. If this ever becomes mandatory I will not cruise.
@terrikatz4854
4 жыл бұрын
But does the company give you a hard time to have the fee removed? Long lines, fighting with the workers, etc.?
@victorylane22882
4 жыл бұрын
how did you remove them? what cruise line ?
@michellecastillo4575
4 жыл бұрын
Terri Katz no, you simply tell them that you are going to tip those who have helped you very well!
@chrish6412
4 жыл бұрын
@@terrikatz4854 It's not really hard, especially if it's clear that you intend to reward specific workers. Often we'll take off one passenger's (such as mine) gratuity and keep the other (my wife's) to cover the behind the scenes folks. Then we directly reward our steward, wait staff, and others who provided us exceptional service. RCL and Carnival have different ways of doing it, but it's not hard. I recommend doing it at least two or three days before the end of the cruise to avoid the long lines -- if Guest Services is not swamped, the workers are more relaxed (I don't think they ever have bad feelings, but if they're swamped with guests I imagine they get "less friendly")
@truthinspector4430
4 жыл бұрын
yes, I don't know why anyone would remove it upfront - starts off bad with crew; remove at end
@michaelhartman160
5 жыл бұрын
It's irritating but I knew this was something I would have to accept or deal with when I booked my cruise. What does irritate me is the "per person gratuity" is the same for the couple in the "Owner's Suite" as the senior citizen couple with an inside cabin who after years of saving, get to take their once in a lifetime trip.
@jenniferlindquist6525
4 жыл бұрын
On Princess its 14.50 for cabins, 15.50 for mini-suites, and 16.50 for suites; most I've seen charge more per day for suites - though not much.
@margueritechongsiam3588
2 жыл бұрын
@@jenniferlindquist6525 Princess charges 14:50 per person NOT per cabin
@LPnerd
2 жыл бұрын
those tips are suggestions, we base tips on service, for instance, the head guy in the dinning room, nope, our waiter, if he has been good, we tip accordingly. our room attendant, we tip them, the end.
@cookies4582
5 жыл бұрын
Here's a suggestion you can always stop cruising until something changes or complain to the cruise lines they can't make money if people stop going but they know that alot of people don't care about paying the automatic gratuities and as long as those people don't care the cruise lines will continue to rip people off tell the right people complain enough and who knows maybe there will be a change.
@JuliaCreel1965
5 жыл бұрын
The thing is, I have cruised many years. Since they have started prepaid gratuities, service has started to decline. When first starting to cruise the staff was always exceptional with superb service. Now it is subpar. My opinion is it is because they know they are getting them whether they do well or not.
@grahambunton377
5 жыл бұрын
Giving tips should be discontinued. The basic wages should be reasonable and not reliant upon "extras". In a lot of cases I have heard that the waitress, barman, chambermaid, etc. do not get the tips. The company keeps them. So to ensure the right person gets the tip they deserve you end up tipping TWICE. Quote the TRUE price of the cruise. Pay your staff decent wages. ..and absolutely NO EXTRAS
@yohankoo8363
5 жыл бұрын
Your absolutely correct! The majority of the tips goes towards the supervisor and the managements~
@rhondaweber5638
5 жыл бұрын
It's get REALLY OLD hearing them tell us " don't forget to leave a tip." EVERY TIME YOU TURN AROUND, they're saying this. It makes me feel like NOT LEAVING A TIP.
@tipsfortravellers
5 жыл бұрын
Exactly :-)
@RETIREMAJORPAIN
5 жыл бұрын
That's weird Rhonda because I've been on 25 cruiseships and I've never had an employee ask me for tips. They do remind me to do the survey when it arrived thru email.
@rhondaweber5638
5 жыл бұрын
@@RETIREMAJORPAIN I was on a Carnival Cruise and THEY DID.
@rhondaweber5638
5 жыл бұрын
@Elyse George Good for you, I DID.
@l.tc.5032
5 жыл бұрын
Yeah I remember reading a book in elementary school about a kid who has to start a business. There's a part where one of her customers doesn't tip her and when she calls him greedy she's scolded and told it's up to the customer if they want to tip and should never expect one. What happened to that kind of mentality?
@MrRamyon74
5 жыл бұрын
I think the auto gratuity should be charged per cabin and not per person. It seems crazy to me that two people in two cabins or one person in four cabins pay the exact same amount as four people in one room.
@gpturner0924
5 жыл бұрын
Why? The workers are serving EVERY INDIVIDUAL PERSON ON BOARD, so why shouldn't every individual be represented in the grat? The base fare is per person per day, the grat should be as well. That being said, I do hate the auto-grat, and think it should be rolled into the cost of the cruise, so you are paying one full price for an all-inclusive package (with a fine-print foot note on the receipt dictating who gets the grat portion of the fare and how much % for each recipient). Basically, the cruise lines need to be more transparent with how they charge passengers and distribute the money.
@karyndewit193
5 жыл бұрын
I agree!!
@bcr8tve
5 жыл бұрын
1 person in 4 cabins? Poor analogy. It's more like 4 people in 1 cabin. And families with toddlers deserve the hit. Yep they should pay more, just look at the floor around little kids when they dine. Filthy
@MrMysticSeer
5 жыл бұрын
After my last cruise I sat at the fort Lauderdale airport for a few hours. There were a bunch of cruise workers sitting next to me. I asked them if the pre-pay gratuities were divided up and given to them. They said no. They said no. The prepaid gratuities are kept by the company and given to the workers as part of their low salary. They said that they get their base salary no matter what. If a traveler gives them cash they get to keep it no matter what. I believe there's a lot of misinformation and a lot of lies associated with this. I have never removed prepaid gratuities but I am tempted to.
@Colombia20102018
5 жыл бұрын
Glenn Turner I have toddlers that eat very little and have to use a little area of the splash pad because they are not fully potty trained. I bring their pack and play to sleep and I am the one entertaining them all day because there is almost nothing for them based on their age. I remove the gratuities for them every time because I’m the one doing all the work.
@travelnomad2128
Жыл бұрын
Another tip: once you're home check your credit card statement and make sure no additional charges were made after your trip. I've had one charge made a week after & I disputed it. Don't trust when they have your cc on file!
@GS-ku3cj
Жыл бұрын
I usually freeze the credit card I take with me on my return home so they can’t do this
@CopperHueCollectionsChippewa
5 жыл бұрын
I went to a smoothie bar and at the end of the transaction she asked me how much of a tip did I want to give her? I told her 0, you accepted a job from the smoothie bar to make smoothies what are you doing over and beyond your job description? Of course she couldn’t answer. This forced tipping is going way to far here in the USA. It’s a bonus for going above and beyond your job description not an addition. I now only tip no matter the business when you’ve gone above and beyond exceptional service, not just for doing what you were paid to do! If you don’t like the wage don’t except the job offer just the same as us in corporate America if we don’t like the salary then we don’t take the job!
@harveythepooka
4 жыл бұрын
You're heart is obviously 2 sizes too small. If you don't agree with the tipping culture then don't go to places that require tipping. Go have a nice night out at McDonalds. You're "moral stand" is only hurting the working poor while you in corporate America are still making their share. You're just morally justifying your own greed.
@slappyman50
4 жыл бұрын
@@harveythepooka you're insane, if you take a job knowing there is no guarantee you will be tipped and you don't get tipped.... What's the problem. You can't just make something real by adding "culture" to the end of it
@AV57
4 жыл бұрын
I used to run valet at a casino and would encounter people like you. It could be -15 degrees outside, there would be no valet charge, and I would run to their car so quickly that their car would be nice and toasty by the time they got to the waiting area, and they’d walk right past me without saying a word, slam their door in my face and drive off. No tip. No thank you. Not even a momentary consideration for the person serving them.
@slappyman50
4 жыл бұрын
@@AV57 I mean you did do your job lol what did you expect?!?!
@AV57
4 жыл бұрын
Samuel Noel, to be paid for the work I do. Do you work for free?
@mrnew2008
5 жыл бұрын
I pay the staff in cash like we used to do. This way, I know whose getting my money.
@Wrightn221
5 жыл бұрын
Right!
@eriskooo
3 жыл бұрын
if you don't pay regular gratuties, those money are taken from crew by their bosses to pool
@angiemon2797
3 жыл бұрын
Me too..!! I went to CS desk and asked my gratuities to be decreased., to Zero!! Then I tipped each one of them who have been given us service directly, although I ended up spent a lot more then the gratuities charged but I feel more satisfied that way.
@mrnew2008
3 жыл бұрын
@@eriskooo, nothing is deducted from the crew's pay. They are given a salary. The gratuity is EXTRA or added pay for the crew.
@jennifergood297
3 жыл бұрын
So do i!!
@maesams6212
5 жыл бұрын
U shouldnt have to pay for a person doing their job! I dont get tips at my job, therefore it is up to the employer to pay higher wages instead of depending on consumers to do so.
@be236
4 жыл бұрын
I totally agree with you.
@briancline7349
4 жыл бұрын
It really depends on the job... like it or not the pay structure of some jobs are clearly based on reliance on tips... for example some jobs like waiters are even allowed to be paid an hourly rate lower than minimum wage. If you can’t afford to tip at such establishments or have a problem with doing so, you should view it as you can’t afford to go in the first place. Also keep in mind that if a cruise ship for example relies on gratuities to pay for say 25% of the income employees need to make in order to be willing to work those jobs (and to not be impoverished as a result), then if gratuities were abolished you would just end up paying that much more on your initial bill so the difference would be the same. That said I would agree that there are some sorts of jobs, especially those that provide nonessential service many don’t even want (like bathroom attendants), then it should just be up to employers to pay them and not rely on guests. But you not getting tips at your job is a bad justification to use for your point of view.
@tridoc99
4 жыл бұрын
Any industry that relies on tipping to subsidize wages would necessarily have to increase costs directly to consumers if they increased pay and ended tipping. If you think businesses like restaurants are “pocketing” the “extra” money being paid by consumers tipping that they don’t pay in wages, then you have never run a business or signed the front of a paycheck.
@jtfike
4 жыл бұрын
One cruise line offers $600 per person less than another. That cruise line doesn’t pay its employees properly. Do you choose the cruise ,one that charges a higher fee? Do you care about the plight of those workers? Of course you don’t. You buy the cheaper cruise. You are why this exists.
@tridoc99
4 жыл бұрын
Jeff Are we comparing apples to apples here? I think it could be an illogical assumption that ticket price automatically equates to employee wages. It might or it might not. The cheaper cruise line may be a less well appointed ship, worse ports of call, less attentive service, or be hiding the fact that they get the $600 out of you in other ways, like watered down booze or cheaper food. You have to compare value per dollar, not dollar for dollar. There would really be no way to relate the $600 difference to actual employee pay unless you could look at the wage reports of both cruise lines. You could also argue that the staff on a cheaper cruise line can’t or won’t give the same service as a more expensive one and therefor don’t deserve the same pay. Does a fast food cashier deserve to make the same as a waiter at a 5 star steak house? I realize your comment may have been directed at Mae. Her logic is very flawed and she wants to not tip based on the rules of an imaginary world. If her job is not in a industry where tips are customary than she logically has no expectation of a tip so the first part of her statement has no bearing on the second. In the second part she is not tipping based on the rules of an imaginary world where wages are higher and tipping isn’t a thing, without accounting for the fact that in that world she would be paying more for the service. She needs to act based on the world we live in, the tipping world. The tipping world is better (not counting people like Mae) because the employee and the customer have much more control over the cost of the service and potential wages. A mandatory course in basic economics in high school would help a lot of people understand these issues better.
@stewarth99
3 жыл бұрын
I have cruised the Nile a few times. It was explained to us that leaving tips with reception ensured that all the crew got a share. By all means tip individually as you like, if they share, that’s up to them. I have usually ignored the extortionate suggested rates of US$ per person per day. In the UK we are not used to tipping that way.
@atmm89
5 жыл бұрын
I remove gratuities at the start of the cruise but do pay it to individuals that give me extra service
@bethmariefigueroatorres2926
4 жыл бұрын
atmm89 and how do the cruise know you paid them ? So they don’t charge you twice after u leave?
@margaretd3710
3 жыл бұрын
@@bethmariefigueroatorres2926 You go to Guest Services at the start of your cruise and tell them that they need to remove the automatic tipping because you'll be paying individuals who serve you in cash. Make sure you stay there and see that they've removed it from your account. If possible, get a receipt or some kind of proof that you've taken this step in case you ever need to prove what you did.
@johnsax1445
5 жыл бұрын
NEVER prepay your Gratuities!!! It goes straight to the Cruise Lines bottom line and if you think it will find its way to the people who actually serve you, you are a fool, it doesn’t! Have it removed from your account and reward excellent service individually in cash directly to the server. Please.
@vickytoshach2627
5 жыл бұрын
do you do that at the beginning of your cruise? I was stunned by Celebrity when they charged us $15 per person in each room at the end when I was checking out. I hadn't cruised before so I didn't realize that was going to happen. I paid it but it left a bad taste in my mouth.
@Dangic23
5 жыл бұрын
Many cruises now do not give you the option of not pre-paying. I'm afraid this is becoming more like the norm.
@rich1383yt
5 жыл бұрын
Do you have any evidence, or is this just your opinion about what happens with the gratuities?
@johnsax1445
5 жыл бұрын
rich1383yt I have been told by employees of several lines that only a portion goes to the waiter or cabin attendant. You can probably guess where the remainder goes...
@Dangic23
5 жыл бұрын
@@rich1383yt I know 2 cruise workers personally. Back in the good old cruising days you would put cash in the envelope, and give it directly to the person in their hands. Now with the new prepaid methods, or charged to ruise card method, the cruise companies have changed wage regulations to supposedly benefit the employees. But you can only take the cruise line word on how the money trickles down. I'm sure the employees still get some...but it's not as clear cut as cash on hand.
@FactsMatter
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this honest take on a very controversial topic. I am always relieved to hear travel agents call things as they are, but many are afraid to proverbially bite the hand that feeds them.
@richards512
4 жыл бұрын
In high school, my daughter worked at a place (not a cruise ship) where they auto-added gratuities to the customer bill. She and the other employees rarely received their tips because most days management pocketed them. She didn't stay there long. I always wonder what portion of the prepaid tips I pay actually ends up with the people who take care of me. So I still tip my dining room table crew and my room steward. Though admittedly not as generously as I did before this prepaid tipping stuff started.
@travelnomad2128
Жыл бұрын
Some cruise lines are thieves. I doubt that all the gratuities paid by passengers are all given to the staff, maybe just a portion of it.
@46foryounger
Жыл бұрын
I have to agree I always do the prepayment and then tip my steward but how do we really know the service people are receiving this money. It really bothers me.
@travelnomad2128
Жыл бұрын
If in doubt you can reduce your daily tips & then you can tip as you want to the actual staff that served you.
@santanaet
5 жыл бұрын
I am glad I watched this video and read the comments. I found a super deal to fly to Sydney next year. Now I am planning my activities. I was thinking of the Carnival Great Barrier Reef 9 day cruise. After reading the many comments about gratuities. I am turned off by hidden charges, taxes and gratuities. I have a choice and I am going to exercise my right not to cruise! I will find another suitable activity that does not include all this nonsense. Many thanks to the veteran cruisers for their comments. You helped me decide to forego Carnival and spend my hard earned cash elsewhere. I do not enjoy getting squeezed for gratuities and bushwhacked on the bill. I do not know anyone that does. Thanks everyone for saving me all the aggravation and $$$$.
@mikegreek5363
Жыл бұрын
We are pretty inexperienced in the world of travel. A few years ago, we were lucky enough to book a cruise with our 4 kids with another family who helped us so much with the process. So much of the planning I just followed by paying when I needed to. I didn’t ready anything about cruising or payment details, etc. we LOVED our trip and it was beyond out wildest expectations. No regrets. However, on our last day we received, under our door a bill for gratuities that was, at the time astronomical thought I don’t remember what it was. We were charged the same fee for 6 of us, including 3 minors. We truthfully were tipping everyone who did anything for us all along the way. The cruise was quite a stretch for us financially so, we were really stressed about it. We spoke with guest services about our situation and paid a portion of the bill but we’re really left feeling like a bunch of cheapskates. I wrote to the cruise line afterward to express my feeling that this felt like a dirty trick to play on guests at the end when people are not sometimes thinking clearly having enjoyed the all inclusive drinks all week. It was awful to feel like you’ve failed the staff when they’ve been so wonderful. We just didn’t have it to spare.
@marymaryquitecontrary
5 жыл бұрын
After reading a comment elsewhere by a disgruntled cruise bartender that the company takes and keeps all tips, even those given him at his work station, and implying that they do not dole them out to workers at all, I asked my cruise agent about this. He simply replied that we should tip whomever we judge deserving. This video is the best advice I've seen so far, but I still don't feel I know the answer. If I have a great time, I want everyone who supported it to benefit. But is that really happening?
@fedex1339
4 жыл бұрын
OH YES. The crew is informed if you remove the gratuities. After I had removed the gratuities at Guest services from a cruise on Carnival 3 crew members approached me outside my cabin to see if everything was OK and if i was pleased with their service.
@truneilson
4 жыл бұрын
Companies like to add gratuities because many of them will keep 50%. I was part of a class action lawsuit because the company I worked with was doing this, the company lost.
@nelluke
5 жыл бұрын
As an Australian this really annoys me. It gets included in our overall fare so we don’t get any opportunity to remove the gratuity and we end up paying more for our cruise than travellers form other countries. Having said that, we still have to remember to check that they don’t automatically add MORE gratuity to our final charge. In my opinion tipping should be on an individual basis, paid directly to a person who has provided above average service.
@sylvaniaboi
5 жыл бұрын
Remember when a TIP was for good service ? Now.. it's just HAND US THE $$$ and we, the Cruise Company will decide what to do with them !! So no... these 'charges' should be removed by travelers immediately when they get on the cruise. Added - they think they can charge this 'tip' per person per day. What I find more disgusting is the 'gratuity' that they apply for a drink - someone serves you a bottled drink and there is a nearly 20% 'charge' for that ?? Remember when drinks on cruise lines were cheap because they didn't pay duty - now it's about finding more ways to extract your dollars from you.
@charlieodom9107
5 жыл бұрын
Everyone I know who has ever taken a cruise ALWAYS pay gratuities in cash, directly to the people which they feel deserve a tip. This eliminates ALL speculation.
@johnsax1445
5 жыл бұрын
Charlie Odom EVERY Cruise passenger should do this
@maricarstudio893
5 жыл бұрын
crew have fixed salary according to what is stated on thier work contract. most of this gratuities just go to the cruiseline pocket
@jec1ny
5 жыл бұрын
A few quick observations. First, cruise lines are a for profit business. This means that passengers are always going to pay the salaries and wages of all the company employees, irrespective of how they choose to label it in the bookkeeping. That said, I find the use of the term "gratuity" in reference to anything that is not fully voluntary to be annoying in the extreme. A true gratuity is for service above and beyond the norm. If a service charge is paid in advance then onboard tipping should be discouraged in all but the most unusual circumstances. IMO the solution is for the developed states (i.e. the US ,UK and EU) to pass laws that restrict port access to cruise lines that conform to basic labor standards. Edit: Typo
@tipsfortravellers
5 жыл бұрын
Yes absolutely the guests are covering the wages and as you say the lines should just have fares that have the right charge instead of charging the “gap” in the so-called gratuities !!!
@qosmo8
5 жыл бұрын
But the question is what basic standards based on which country. If the pay rate is at or above the pay rate for that persons home country isn't that fair? just a question because we have service industry workers in America who make min wage and are on food stamps and we argue over having a living wage law
@prdeacon974
5 жыл бұрын
Last year was the first time I went and ask to have it removed. I was surprised how they just simply removed it. I thought they we gonna argue or try to convince. I just gave cash to those who I liked.
@liamhalliday8437
3 жыл бұрын
If the cruise companies keep insisting it's a gratuity and not part of the fare, then there is no obligation to pay it. I wait until about 2 days before the end of the cruise, visit Guest Services, and get it removed. I then give cash directly to those people I want to, and be done with it.
@pradaman307
3 жыл бұрын
Which cruise company was this with? I'm going with RC and i am definitely going to do the same as you.
@liamhalliday8437
3 жыл бұрын
@@pradaman307 Was RC, last done about 6 years ago, been a while since my last cruise!
@garycrispens9208
4 жыл бұрын
Tipping as Gary said is, and always will be a hot topic. There is no guarantee that all of the auto added gratuities go to the people that earned them. I like direct tipping for exceptional service. So I try to balance both by reducing the daily added tip amount by a few dollars per day and use the balance for direct tipping. The staff all work long and hard days with minimal time off and tips can make a huge difference for them and their families. Plus they have day to day personal expenses to cover too.
@duncanThomas1
4 жыл бұрын
Great review of gratuities Gary. I have always been concerned that the gratuities collected by the cruise line actually get to the employees. Has anyone to your knowledge ever worked with a cruise line to have them show how the gratuities are disbursed (an informal audit for example that would only cover gratuities)? I would not be surprised if the cruise lines held back 15 to 20 percent as an "administrative" charge for handling the funds. This would not be necessary if they just paid a living wage to the crew. With your large youtube following, you might have enough influence with the cruise lines to at least get them to discuss the issue with you. Secondly, as a personal practice, I usually provide an extra tip to the room steward and wait staff at the restaurant (assuming we eat the majority of our meals there). It is not usually a lot ($5 to $10 per day), but I have found by doing this I get a bit more personal service, especially in the restaurant.
@bobnicholson9821
5 жыл бұрын
We had done 6 cruises before we stopped. The first 4 the gratuities were more of a demand, the last 2 we learnt to have them stopped, however, my wife felt so guilty and worried sick we would go on the spit list we simply stopped cruising. We did and do tip. We do not want to be in a situation whereas it's compulsory. Another reason we stopped going to America.
@christinebeames2311
5 жыл бұрын
I feel the same ,
@stelley08
4 жыл бұрын
Great video, i agree with what you are saying. We did a Princess Cruise from Alaska to Vancouver, the first thing we did once we got unpacked in our room, was go to the customer service desk, and asked the lady behind the counter to take off our auto tipping, we said we would rather pay exceptional staff we meet with cash instead. They pushed a button on the computer and it was done in a flash. Cruise lines need to pay their employees a better wage, the passengers shouldnt be made to feel like employers. There are many cruise employees that you never see (engine room workers, maintenance staff etc) and so would never tip them, and they all need to be paid a decent wage.
@tipsfortravellers
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks. Appreciate you adding your experience !
@stelley08
4 жыл бұрын
@@tipsfortravellers Especially being from New Zealand where tipping is foreign to us anyway, we had no problem with taking auto tipping off. (maybe our names went on a naughty list for the cruise, but we didn't feel any adverse effects from it haha)
@rebeccaliddle3673
5 жыл бұрын
I was a care worker ,caring for people with learning disability ,I was paid the minimum wage , no one ever gave me a tip ,The staff are not press ganged on to the ship.
@brianmcdonald2045
5 жыл бұрын
On princess cruises leaving and returning to Australia gratuities are entirely up to yourself. We give to our cabin steward and restaurant waiter at the end of our cruise. You can also leave gratuities at the customer services desk where there is a large glass bowl
@bluelab5019
5 жыл бұрын
Just came back 2 weeks ago from the Royal Princess sailing around the Caribbean. We took the gratuities off and paid as we went. My wife and I always tip well but only If its earned. Pre-paying encourages bad service because it doesn't matter as they have been paid already. That's just our opinion though
@tiredofchurchs7407
5 жыл бұрын
BlueLabrador so you just ask at the desk to take it off and tell them you will tip cash directly?
@bluelab5019
5 жыл бұрын
@@tiredofchurchs7407 exactly that.
@destinyreturns4885
9 ай бұрын
I just returned from a 19 day Princess Cruise where I overheard a customer questioning someone at guest services about the daily "crew appreciation fee", and was surprised to hear them being told it was "optional". I had never heard before that this daily fee was "optional", and that you could "opt out of it".
@clifflee5404
4 жыл бұрын
After watching some of your videos I've started thinking, maybe I shouldn't go on a cruise. I'll just end up feeling ripped off. Lol.
@drgonzo4714
Жыл бұрын
1:57 Rumours?? I've been receiving the list two days after my passengers boarded the ship. My supervisor was giving them to me and every other cabin steward. They were called 'cancellation lists' and to this day I'm surprised people treat it like some kind of conspiracy theory 😳 Of course the crew knows these things, we even were informed about how often particular couple/person 'cancelled' on all previous cruises.
@no1amigo57
5 жыл бұрын
I agree with most comments. Whether I am on land or on a cruise, I tip according to quality of service, not using their 15-20% tables. To me it is determined by how well the person does at his/her job. Any other forced fee is just that, a forced fee, tax, service charge--whatever you want to call it. And to me, it is worth the fuss to remove it. If they want higher fares, then set the fares higher and see what happens!
@Dagmar194913
4 жыл бұрын
I think it’s a way for the cruise lines to have the customers pay for their staffs wages. I agree, it’s a tax that increases the cost of your cruise substantially. Great tips! Looking for a cruise that includes gratuities.
@bobnicholson9821
5 жыл бұрын
I do and will tip when the service is good. We have stopped cruising due to this tip business. We have done lot's of cruises and would love to do more but the sheer expectation and with some cruise lines insistence on paying gratuity up front or at the end of the cruise has stopped us. As stated we DO tip and will continue to as and when we feel it justified.
@simplybeautifultravelswith8473
5 жыл бұрын
My first cruise we payed. But after that no. I just brought cash an tipped at the end
@denisepieratos1501
5 жыл бұрын
We pay gratuities in advance to Royal Caribbean so we can take advantage of “My Time Dining” which allows you to eat whenever you want at your own table. For a family traveling with two children this is ideal.
@Mickiesfunadventures
4 жыл бұрын
I used to auto add the gratuities but I have decided to go against it after learning that the cruise lines are putting everything paid in a pool and distributing it to the employees. So to me, it is not going to the person I actually want it to go to. I want to hand them out myself at the end of my cruises to the people who help make my cruise vacation exceptional.
@teresab208
5 жыл бұрын
Yes I don't believe the tips are getting to those that deserve it but I usually pay upfront and leave a little something in the room on the last day
@aquiconfeya
4 жыл бұрын
An employees told me that some times they don’t get the tip, only the big bosses...which is very sad and unfair.
@josephkeeney4789
5 жыл бұрын
Tipping up to you refuse them up front or at the end make them honor the price your shown.
@corryshih3450
5 жыл бұрын
Even it's included in the rate, staff still give you the face if you actually didn't pay more ...
@bushyconn
5 жыл бұрын
Its only since most of the cruise lines became US owned (even if superficially in Ports of Convenience) that gratuities - service charge - call it what you will has become an extra. As you say, they seem to be to pay one of the most basic of expenses of the ship - wages, and therefor included in the base charge. The passengers then pay additionally to individual crew members for super service.
@lynnleipold2617
3 жыл бұрын
On a Viking cruise my husband successfully managed to get the auto gratuity removed from our bill. We then tipped all the people who had done special things for us during the cruise.
@coratheexplorer1824
5 жыл бұрын
Why should I pay for the staff that never give me a room service. I was talking to a filipino and Indonesian cleaner, the lower rank you kon the lower you get that gratuities, so I ask them a paper how it work I couldn't believe it. The cleaner only get 1.50 dollars a day but the mature de get 12.50 dollars a day that so disgusting
@goodluckman59
5 жыл бұрын
When I refused to pay gratuities automatically on a Holland America cruise, I was told I had to show $800 for them to hold! How disgusting. The cruise industry made a profit of 3 BILLION dollars last. Sure they could give a better wage to their staff and not be so greedy! I love cruising but after learn the dark side of how they operate I won't go on another cruise. My suggestion is rally large groups of loyal cruisers and demand they stop this practice or they will lose business and their loyal customers. Like some kind of demonstration? Anyone up for this challenge?
@billnumby1080
5 жыл бұрын
Oprah's new policy, since she is now connected I would not let them ship my cold dead corpse.
@johnford3825
5 жыл бұрын
I have Black Listed Princess Cruise lines for this practice. High add-on and poor service. I am now using cruise lines that include charges in the up front price.
@sherrellbennett1333
5 жыл бұрын
Last cruise I went on I pre-paid the gratuities and I didn't like it, but I was made to feel it was REQUIRED. There were many employees that appeared to expect additional tipping. I did tip more to our waiter in the dining room as I felt he did a suburb job, but then he just kind of grabbed the $20 and didn't even acknowledge or say thank you. Hummmm..... Next cruise I am going to be rethinking the whole tipping thing.
@B-ch6uk
Жыл бұрын
Usually they are very grateful
@kathyfowler5110
4 жыл бұрын
I always have pre-paid gratuities removed off my bill. And, I have noticed since ppg’s have become the norm that our service team are very hard to find when before they were always nearby.
@RGV250FORSALE
5 жыл бұрын
Always happy to hand out a gratuity if and when I receive good service, but if a cruise line auto adds gratuities to my bill, I always ask to have these removed. It's not my job to subsidise cruise lines paying poor wages to staff - that's between the cruise lines and their staff - not me!.
@RETIREMAJORPAIN
5 жыл бұрын
Ewan Black agree 1000% with you!
@barbaraguy3491
5 жыл бұрын
When is the best time to ask? Embarkation? During the cruise, or near the end? If you ask at the onset, are you singled out for bad service? I prefer the old days when we handed envelopes at the end to the people who served us well---cabin stewards and wait staff, and we tipped generously. I cannot afford all the extra spa stuff, $200 for a massage is crazy! And, do most lines really allow you to remove them?
@shannonegusquiza5342
4 жыл бұрын
When I learned this I almost dont think we can afford it and a disney cruise is something my family has been looking towards. It's sad that cruises are almost impossible for the middle class
@BelindaSyjud
3 жыл бұрын
I prefer to pay the tips to who wait on me, these are my high earned dollars so i want them to go to who i want to!! I have done this on Carnival for years and they always take it off when asked..
@franklinrwful
2 ай бұрын
Another way of rewarding crew who have given you good service is to make a note of their names and praise them with their supervisor present and mention their names in a customer survey. This can help with their career prospects.
@deeb.106
5 жыл бұрын
I’m cruising in a couple of weeks. Im having them take it off my bill and I will pay whomever I feel deserves it in cash. I don’t think I have to tip my entertainment staff or cooks. Back in the day we always did the cabin steward, waiter and busboy. I would rather give them cash! I want them to get what they should not have to split it with 10 people. Ugh
@marcusnewman5562
4 жыл бұрын
It seems like it is more like a first time cruiser 'sticker shock' issue. Once you understand the gratuities/service fee, port fees, taxes and beverages, excursion options, you can either choose to go on a cruise or stay home. We use the online stateroom prices as "relative numbers" to compare fares on future dates within the same cruiseline. We also give cash to the dining room waiters and stateroom attendant... They don't make much.
@captainjohn51
Жыл бұрын
The last Cruise(Celebrity)that I was on. I gave the Cabin steward a tip upon him coming into my cabin and introducing himself. I told him I am enrolled in The automatic gratiuities for the Cruise Crew. He told me he already knew I was paying the automatic gratuities but was happy to get extra for good service. He was very good and attentive and I tipped him and his helper extra in the end. So with the automatic I wind up tipping way more than I normally would. I like the old way of tipping the people who take are of you and not the whole ship
@WhitleyAKW
5 жыл бұрын
The wages on a ship can afford to be much lower, since the crew member’s cost of living is largely taken care of by living and eating mostly for free aboard the ship. Also, crew members usually are from parts of the world with less job opportunity and lower wages and cost of living, so their situations aren’t always as dismal as we privileged passengers from the US, UK, EU, etc. tend to think. My dilemma with gratuities comes in knowing that while the members get a good wage for themselves (relatively speaking) they usually have people who are relying on the for financial support back home. By removing the gratuity charge that covers a fair portion of their wages, I’m not really hurting the crew member that much, but it makes a real difference for his family back home. Crew members work tirelessly long hours every day, away from their loved ones, for months on end to provide a luxury experience for others while living very humbly themselves. They deserve to be paid well for their work! But I wish they would be paid honestly. Just call it what it is: a necessary service charge. Leave tipping for those who go above and beyond what is expected of them.
@Andy-sj2dv
5 жыл бұрын
Well said Anna.!
@nicoleberneche9917
5 жыл бұрын
crew members do not get a good wage at all. Did you ask them how much they are paid for the long hours they have to do? They are exploited,
@druegillis1744
5 жыл бұрын
Take away the cost of housing, food, car and insurance and how much income does a person need? Cruise line workers don’t have to pay for any of those items, since many are single. Also, no one is forcing them to work on a cruise ship. It is their choice. I am aware some are married and have families. Again, their job is a choice and their income may be more than what they could make in their home country. We all make choices and live by them.
@davidandrew1078
5 жыл бұрын
If it is added by room by the Cruise Line it is not a gratuity, it is a charge. The Cruise Lines should be paying the Crew a proper wage. I t was included on my first cruise, now I no longer pay it. The exchange rate to the USD is a killer. I also do not believe it all goes to the crew.
@kengregory539
2 жыл бұрын
Always opt out and pay direct to people that serve us. We do get better service. Sometime the people tell me that they have to put it in a pool, others say they keep it. Not sure who gets what anymore. I think that all workers should be paid by their employer. Tips are for good service.
@davidjohnston6105
4 жыл бұрын
We always prepay gratuities when have a crew member go above and beyond we tip them directly. We had one steward Michael greeted us by name on embarkation day and was amazing the whole cruise. We learned he collected glasses from around the world so we gave him some cash and a pair of glasses he was glad for the cash but blown away happy to get new glasses for his collection.
@robedin6626
5 жыл бұрын
I have to be honest, I've never understood the British obsession with complaining about cruise gratuities. Is it the name? Then call it a "Service charge" or something if you like. But the reality is, the current system is the most efficient and cost-effective there is. Efficient: because if you had to "tip as you go", you would end up with an endless lineup of crew standing by you with their hand out, waiting for their tip. Do you really want to be spending your time thinking about how much to tip the room steward, the mechanics, the people who refresh your drink in the Lido, the cooks, the cleanup crew in the kitchen, and the hundreds of other people who make a ship work? I don't. The single big pot of money ensures everyone gets a piece without bothering me for a tip. Cost-effective: if the cruise lines "just paid a decent wage" like so many of you want, all that would happen is the price of the cruise fare would go up, and your cruise would be MORE costly than it is currently with fare + tips. More costly....because you know the cruise line would take the opportunity to grab a piece of that higher fare and so to pay the same payroll as before....the overall fare would have to be higher. Not to mention, you would still have to deal with people with their hands out. Oh, and don't forget that service would be crappier, not better. Right now all the crew get a piece of the pie and they work their butts off. Honestly, have you ever seen a lazy cruise ship crew member? Under a system of "tip when I feel like it", some cheapskates (and yes, that's what you are) won't tip at all. Others will tip certain crew members but not others, and that will create competition and resentment among the "haves" and "have nots" of the crew. It will be very uneven. As for the cost of tips being a big surprise when comparing prices....nonsense. Many cruise lines have the prepay option on their website, so you can see exactly what you're going to pay. Even if you don't, a 10 second Google search will quickly tell you what you need to know. This system has been in place for at least 15 years now. Other than a brand new cruiser, how can tips possibly be a surprise? Lastly, it's not hard at all to go to the desk and adjust your tips downward if you really feel you got bad service or that the tips were otherwise undeserved. So what's the problem? Other than the minor inconvenience of going to the desk to deal with it, you get what you want: you can pay exactly however much you want. You don't even have to face the crew members that you are "de-tipping"! Again, it seems to be this is the most efficient method of doing things by far. Do we really want to be on a ship of 3,000 people, all with their calculators out figuring out how much they want to tip every individual transaction? How is that better? I guarantee you, you won't save money. The gratuity system on cruise lines ain't broken. Don't fix it.
@Jamac007
5 жыл бұрын
It is broken because gratuities is open to corruption and abuse by exploiting the very hard workers you mention about. Abolish the gratuity, raise the cruise package cost according, pay ALL workers a fairer living wage according to the skills and experience they bring ...yes the initial cost of the cruise package goes up but the total expenditure through out the trip per resident amounts the same less the curiosity and controversy of the gratuity.
@robedin6626
5 жыл бұрын
@@Jamac007It's admirable that you are concerned with the treatment and well-being of the crew members. They definitely deserve to make a living for the work they do. The problem I have with "just put it in the cruise fare" is it will have the opposite effect of what you describe. The money collected from passengers will now all go into the cruise lines' general revenues, where it can be allocated in whatever fashion the cruise line sees fit. I guarantee you, it won't all go back to the crew. The cruise line will skim a portion of it, because they can and because that's business. Right now, no matter the flaws in the system, there is a certain accountability because the "gratuities" are broken out separately and the amounts charged and collected can be calculated. Sort of like a restaurant, there will be a formula determining who gets what out of the tips collected. The crew will know what their cut of the loot will be. That's good for morale because everyone knows they're getting something. Trying to pay for performance on a cruise ship would be nearly impossible. How would you do performance reviews for who worked harder/better each week when you have 1,000+ crew and the tight timelines we know a cruise ship operates on? I get it, the name "gratuity" is all wrong. A better name would be "labour surcharge" but that wouldn't sound very palatable to cruisers, I suspect.
@druegillis1744
5 жыл бұрын
As a teenager, I worked as a busboy in a fine restaurant. We were paid fifty cents per hour plus 10% of the waitresses tips. Most of them were honest and gave the 10%. Some held out on us. Moral: Most will do the right thing and a few will not. I had the choice of working my busboy job or not. Same with crew members. I plan to have our “Gratuity “ removed on our next cruise and tip our cabin steward accordingly to the service provided. Additionally, others who provide service will receive a tip.
@rachelwooster4420
4 жыл бұрын
When we cruise we pay extra gratuities in cash directly to the staff we think deserve a tip for above and beyond serve, our steward, and especially the childcare staff. That way we know the gratuity is being received by them and not going someplace else in the company, overhead, and so on.
@steampunk888
5 жыл бұрын
Tipping is also not the only way you are getting ripped off. Perhaps even worse, and more costly, are $18.00 drinks and “included” liquors and “premium” wines that are not really top-shelf at all. A lot of money is taken from passengers on this stuff, and tipping amounts are much smaller.
@stephaniecunningham1763
3 жыл бұрын
Always tip your stewardess, we often have a unmanageable work load and have to pay out our own pocket things like getting your alcohol to your suite, making sure we have a bedding and towels supply. Making sure we have enough amenities, we have to bribe people to stay on top of our workload. And its not because we are slow or lazy, we run for you all day often in our own time. Working 80 hours and getting paid the land equivalent 40 hours. And we do it for the tips. We dont see anything that is added on your bill we only see the cash put in our hand. Not left in your cabin when disembarking, people even cruise directors will sweep round the rooms the moment you leave when we are busy somewhere else and steal that tip too. Always tip your stewardess. And dont think we keep it. We use it to pay the people who helped us. I wouldnt tip your waiters tho, 1 everyone tips them they are making a mint and 2 they dont have as big a work load as the people who are actually looking after you
@sueburns9591
5 жыл бұрын
Forced gratitudes are totally wrong! We have been on 22+ cruises and have only learned a few cruises ago auto-gratitudes are not mandatory. We now go to guest services desk at beginning of cruise and remove auto-gratitudes. We tip individually and usually give much more than the auto-gratitude amount, IF service desires it.
@MH-ty7fb
5 жыл бұрын
“Gratuity” May as well just change the name to “service fee”. You receive terrible service and are expected to pay anyway. The only person I tip is housekeeping. I don’t see them, know them and they try to sell me nothing. My room gets cleaned. Nobody’s done that for me since I was 6 years old.
@Jonathan_007
4 жыл бұрын
I always remove it at guest services. If I want to give a tip I give. Usually the employees start being nice towards the end on Carnival because they want a tip. So far I haven't seen anyone who's earned it.
@debraschlicher7981
5 жыл бұрын
I personally only like to tip when service is provided, for instance my cabin service ,on a 7day cruise I only use room service about 2 times I'm a clean person don't need service daily, so will not pay for 7 days only 2.
@KellyBellcambridgegiftsbykelly
4 жыл бұрын
I see a lot of back and forth on this - I will always believe a tip is exactly as defined - a bonus for superlative service. Workers should be paid adequate living wages by employers. Are all people paid fairly? No. Do companies with unfair practices still get patronage? Yes. Maybe there should be more of a selective process before you do business with these corporations. Wants and needs. Do business with ships 🛳 that charge fairly for service provided. You may need to modify where you go based on that - but if this topic is an issue for you, then act accordingly. I appreciate the information provided in this video - thanks for sharing. Happy travels.
@gordonbaillie7536
4 жыл бұрын
The key point is that you absolutely can remove or change the auto gratuity. Go to the Purser's desk and request the change. However, very few people choose to do this. The information about the cost of gratuities is readily available before you make your booking so add that in the estimated cost of your cruise and then decide if you can afford the holiday or not. The argument that you "can't afford it" seems weak. Something to keep in mind..... The auto gratuities are shared among staff that you may not see, or think about tipping. Will you tip every server along the buffet line, or the staff member at the ice cream station? Gary does bring up a good point that drinks, spa services, etc will generally have a percentage added for a gratuity. Look at the receipt before you sign it. Some cruise lines have an additional line for tip.... and you don't want to inadvertently double tip. I will often tip a bar tender extra in cash if I feel I have received really good service. Be advised that some services, such as the spa, are sub-contracted so the staff working in those areas will not benefit from the auto gratuity system.
@JaysHobbys
5 жыл бұрын
Me personally I would be fine with it I would change it a little Instead of it being ship wide you pick who gets the gratuity you have paid and how much. Cause let's be honest if it was guaranteed that they will get gratuities the serves in most cases will be avrage where as if it is not guaranteed they will usually go above and beyond.
@spacebug30
5 жыл бұрын
Automated gratuities are just a very dirty way of making a cruise look cheaper to me. Like the automatic 18% "gratuity" at a bar on a ship, if they're gonna automatically charge it to my bill anyway, why not just add it to the normal price? Maybe it's because I live in a country where we only tip on very rare occasions, but the way some countries (looking at you, US!) handle tipping is just beyond my understanding.
@MzSuzy2698
4 жыл бұрын
I always tipped the cabin stewards and bar tenders in cash. The stewards usually between 75 to 100$. The bartenders usually a dollar or more per drink. Before you leave home get lots of one and two dollar bills.
@RoyalAir968
5 жыл бұрын
In essence, your cruise fares are just made to appear lower than it really is by separating out the gratuities. Treat it as a service charge and TIP on top of that for excellent service.
@tipsfortravellers
5 жыл бұрын
agree !
@solidflyer286
Жыл бұрын
The issue of gratuities is something that put me off cruising for years. I’d much rather know what I’m paying in advance. For this reason I’ll stick with lines that include them.
@terrycrowley525
5 жыл бұрын
We pay the general gratuities and add cash before departure to those special people who have been particularly endearing in their service. I am not prepared to take economic advantage of the world's poorest, the people from Asia and Eastern Europe, although the cruise lines certainly do. Let's not have a return to slavery. International bodies need to regulate the cruise lines to insure better conditions for vulnerable labor. If you can afford to cruise, you can afford to pay those who serve you - despite what the big cruise lines do to increase their profits and make you forfeit. TIME FOR REGULATION TO END THIS EXPLOITATION OF LABOR AND CUSTOMERS.
@qosmo8
5 жыл бұрын
But we are paying those who service us, when we buy our tickets they get paid. Tips are for going above the average service expected. The workers probably saw how much money the cruise lines were making and asked for a raise and boom we get Auto gratuity.
@tonkingulfyachtclub8111
5 жыл бұрын
The current system is simply a method to have cruise patrons augment the low pay scale. I will (and do) reward excellent service aboard ship but I reserve the right to determine to whom and how much. Gratuities are not assessed and subsequently shot-gunned to the entire crew. (So they say.) Why would I reward someone aboard ship with whom I have had no contact whatsoever? Gratuities are earned and subsequently awarded. Refusing to pay the general gratuities is not taking advantage of anyone. In fact, it is how I ensure that I am not taken advantage of by a system of subtle extortion.
@Carol16414
5 жыл бұрын
@@tonkingulfyachtclub8111 Well said!
@ChristianLehrer
3 жыл бұрын
I have a question. Are we being asked to tip the staff or pay them? If we are being required to pay a suggested or fixed gratuity, it is no longer a gratuity. I just booked a cruise and the line plans on charging me a nearly 35% $377 gratuity on my cruise fare. I will reduce it, yet still plan on tipping over 20% $225 of my actual $1087 fare, not the taxes. If service is above and beyond, I will also give cash tips. I always have. It’s also absurd that they access the same gratuity to those in an inside cabin and someone else in a balcony cabin. Would you leave the same tip for a $50. check and a $150. check? Ironically, in the US, tipping has been gradually waning for some time. Ask any server, younger people increasingly under tip or leave no tip. This is part of the reason restaurants can’t find staff, the wages are too low and servers can no longer rely on tips to get by. Some restaurants are now adding mandatory “gratuities” to all restaurant checks, not just for large parties, rather than pay their servers fairly. Same nonsense. If it’s mandatory, it’s not a tip. Thank you Gary for another great video!
@blsbls7426
5 жыл бұрын
We don’t trust these large cruise corporations to pass on the so-called gratuities. We have always paid in cash with envelopes to those that deserve it. Since we usually always receive outstanding service from our Carnival workers we also end up paying each one (waiter(s), asst waiter and room steward).
@alsuzy1345
5 жыл бұрын
Previously, the last night was a chase for all the gratuities to the wait staff, cabin attendant, etc. Since the advent of dine anytime and other changes, it is easier to prepay the gratuity. Gratuities were always expected. As you mentioned, you can take an ultra luxury cruise and not worry about the gratuities. Of course it will cost significantly more. I think it is a very small part of the cruise cost to add the gratuities and to add additional gratuities on the last night of the cruise. Besides, if I can afford a cruise, i can afford a few hundred dollars for a cruise.
@stephencharles1230
3 жыл бұрын
Cruise Liners are incredibly rich companies who should be paying their staff a decent wage, it should be up to the individual passenger as to whether they want to tip and how much to tip.
@tidy
Жыл бұрын
The cruise lines should pay their staff a liveable wage! When I went on Princess Cruises I was charged 15% every time a drink was brought to me! I'm tired of being expected to tip everyone in the service industry!
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