Removing Automatic Cruise Gratuities - Is that Stealing?

[@whatthestuffisthis]

The real question is if the cruise industry is stealing by hiring sub-minimal wage staff and expecting you to make it up.

[@craigjorgensen4637]

They accepted theses jobs knowing the pay.

[@kaysandel3970]

I read an article from someone( higher up) that worked for a couple of cruise lines before he had enough of it, that, many persons working for the cruise lines make a pitiful 200$ a month. That they count on tips. We always have just paid the tip charges AND paid our room steward a cash tip as well.

[@joeo7693]

Agree the cruise industry hires people who are sub minimum wage compared to U.S./U.K. standards. However, they are well compensated compared to working in their home country. In the end, because I am a spoiled U.S. Citizen I pay assigned gratuities and tip to direct contacted people, because if I can make their quality of life or their families a little better, that's a good thing. In truth, when I had the ultimate dining package a few times, I stop gratuities and tipped wait staff and stateroom attendant myself. After realizing how spoiled I am, I now do both.

[@RosaParksShoe]

There's this guy that posts videos of him working on RC and he's very straightforward with his videos. He posted working for two weeks he makes about $1200. Granted he's probably working 10-12 hours a day though. But living and food is probably included with working there. If you didn't have a career and no obligations, I think working on a cruise would be pretty sweet.

[@joeo7693]

Vanno Kouch His name is Chris Wong, he works on an RCCL ship, possibly the Oasis.

[@wildplaypr]

Gratuity is historically at the discretion of the customer, if/when the customer decides the service or the provider merit the disbursement of tip/gratuity. Not stealing if you decide not to pay. Everyone has a salary, no one works for free, but companies now rely on gratuities to supplement the employee salary being offered. No company or employee should count on gratuities. The gratuities should be seen as a bonus when received, not a given.

[@dalyne7050]

Agree 100%

[@ScottH827]

So how about the person who received great service and still didn’t tip. It’s called stiffing and as a waiter in college it happens all the time

[@wildplaypr]

@@ScottH827 These are all in response to the original question; whether not paying gratuity is theft/stealing. Nothing on the merits of tipping for good service. It is just that it should not be imposed on the customer as a given fee. Like I stated earlier, everyone has a salary and one should live within the means of that salary. I do not get a gratuity or tip no matter how good a service I provide. I live within my salary. Everyone should give good service regardless of tips/gratuity. In many places around the world it is not ok to tip. Just to clarify, I used to take the gratuity off my bill on cruises and only tip in cash to the people who I actually interacted with. But that meant having a good amount of cash at hand. Now I just have it done automatically to avoid the hassle.

[@travelingfool9096]

@@ScottH827 exactly, I did Pizza delivery, the ones who really could afford to tip ( rich) were the biggest Stiffs

[@jimmartin5436]

I"m from the UK and find the whole idea of tipping anywhere very strange, except in VERY exceptional cases. How will workers ever get paid a living wage if a company duck's out of paying a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. I have worked in many jobs including catering and never had a tip, nor did I expect one because I got paid properly for doing my Job .Cruise companies should be truthful about the cost of a cruise and not expect me to pay for there dishonesty.

[@paulgrable7096]

It's not stealing, but it a fee that you are advised of in your contract when you book.

[@jimmartin5436]

@@paulgrable7096 You are advised that gratuities are voluntary. I should not be shamed for not volunteering. the company should pay fair wages.

[@paulgrable7096]

A living wage is variable depending on where one lives and the standard of living one accepts. It would seem they pay a living wage unless you are trying to support a family in an first world country. Otherwise they would not be in the position to turn away applicants. The American government tax laws drive employers to include gratuities in their wage calculations. The way to fix this is to have Congress change the tax codes. Keep in mind Carnival, RCL and Holland American are American Corporations, but on board workers are not employed in the USA.

[@jimmartin5436]

Paul Grable If passengers stopped playing the game then companies would have to pay a wage that would attract the crew they are looking for where ever they are from. Also the tip system is not transparent. How does anyone know where the money is going. I suspect the company tells the crew the tips are this amount this month take it or leave it.

[@paulgrable7096]

"If passengers stop playing the game," meaning all passengers start always removing the gratuities? That's a possibility, but not a likely one. Americans are used to forced gratuities so that is unlikely to happen in Caribbean, Mexico or Alaska cruise market. Heck, most Americans even factor tipping into the cost of going out to eat when choosing where to eat if it's a sit-down restaurant.

[@xladydriver]

Gratuity: Something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service. KEYWORD... VOLUNTARILY You CANNOT steal something that is not mandatory payment. Actually paying by credit card already loses 3% in card fees. 2. Gratuities & Tips are a way for COMPANIES to reduce wages THEY pay to workers

[@deeb.106]

xlady driver well said!!!!

[@allcrammedinn9334]

Gratuities = Tips , Tipping someone you have never met = Salary. Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Frank Del Rio 2018 salary $22.6 million Carnival CEO Arnold Donald 2018 salary $13.5 million Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain 2018 Salary $12.4 million I think they can afford to pay their employees a living wage and let us decide who and how much to tip.

[@MisBunnypics]

Absolutely couldn't have said it better myself!

[@kitkatxk2814]

Exactly what I said. I agree. as someone who has worked in the serving industry. Anything else is unacceptable. I want the tips to be something I earned anyway. I worked at a restuarant for 6 months when I was younger the only one that did this thing I encountered. Where they put all the tips into one jar specifically every night and day. then the jar went to the boss and every night he counted it and then split it equally between everyone added a tally then added that money at the end of the month to the check. And would list off how much we got tipped that month. To me that never seemed fair at all There were people I worked with who were down right lousy awful some nights and wouldn't get a single tip but didnt care because they could rely on everyone else earning it for them. It also made people who came there less likely to tip. And we all had to suffer for it. And even if someone insisted that I kept it for myself I couldn't. I was tipped 100 once and that got split in seven and given to everyone. But did they all work hard to make that couples anniversary amazing. Nope just me. So I find it not only enabling to bad habits. Rude and awful to great workers. And on top of it it's a bit insulting as someone who gives it their all. It was humiliating and embarrassing whenever someone gave me part of their tip on a day I knew I didn't deserve it and they did. Maybe it's because I have seen both sides. I feel like this is such a bad scam, and disrespectful too.

[@terrancejasper9038]

Absolutely correct

[@mkii2290]

@@kitkatxk2814 totally agree

[@barrydesrosiers4087]

We can do without the socialist BS. CEO salaries have nothing to do with this. Either tip, don’t tip or don’t cruise.

[@theeverydayprepper7673]

Back in olde tymes, when I first started cruising, there were no pre-paid gratuities. I'm not a fan of the program. I prefer to tip directly based on service and performance. I vote 'no', removing automatic gratuities is not stealing

[@theeverydayprepper7673]

@@kays749 I think RC used to leave them in the stateroom, but, yes, I absolutely remember

[@bigj3346]

@@kays749 yes

[@dixielady]

Hahaha! I like ye olde tymes 🤣

[@bbergs8628]

@Kay S - yes I do remember! The same for the cabin steward. But I also remember that I always cruised with 4 adults (my teacher friends) in a cabin & we all left the recommended amount in the envelopes for our cabin steward & waiter & bus boy (and sometimes the maitr’ d) - but there were families traveling with 2 adults & 2 children & they would only leave gratuities from the 2 parents - even though the cabin steward had to do a lot of extra work to clean up after the children! My friends and I were always very generous with our tipping (would be nice if someone would tip teachers - the good ones deserve so much more money than they are paid)! And I spoke to other passengers who never left the gratuities in the tipping envelopes- it was not mandatory - and lots of people went through all their cash in ports & no ATM’s on cruise ships in the late 1980’s - early 1990’s! I don’t mind pre-paying the gratuities- but if I have an excellent cabin steward - I still leave an envelope with a bit extra at the end of the cruise!

[@alicet5123]

I would prefer not to tip at all and just charge me a fee that includes proper pay for workers. But that's bc I live in NZ and people will laugh at you if you try to tip here. It's not something that is ever done.

[@vincentcesco]

I regularly tip my room staff and diner staff on the last day of cruise as a thank you which goes over and above the standard gratuities.

[@bevshaw5871]

I usually pay my own gratuity by hand. I give a generous tip to the staff that I deal with daily. I don’t use bar services, I use dinningroom twice. during a cruise and buffets the rest of the time, so I see to it they are tipped directly. The background support personnel are taken care of by cruisers that Pay automatically. I do not feel like it is stealing.

[@bluelab5019]

Hay here's an idea. How about the cruise line pay the staff better in the first place? Mine gets put to zero when I get on the ship and I pay for the people that serve me. Don't give two shits how if that's acceptable to other people or not, it's what I choose to do and that's it

[@TessAlmond]

Never going to happen. And if it did, your cruise fare would be increased, no doubt about that.

[@TessAlmond]

But, having said that, removing isn't stealing. But leaving them 'something' would be the right thing to do. I never remove mine, and tip a little extra during the cruise.

[@maesams6212]

BlueLabrador- u r 100% correct. If these people's wages were higher, i wouldnt have to pay for my cruise, and the employer's responsibilty!

[@donaldbrooks9794]

Bravo!

[@randygee6350]

I totally agree.

[@limitlessreviews1]

With the limited research I’ve done, it’s sounding to me like the crew ship companies are paying the crew members’ salaries with the passengers mandatory gratuities. Therefore, the mandatory “gratuities” don’t end up acting in the way that tips we are familiar with act. It’s not extra money on top of the crew members’ salaries until we give them cash. This is what my conclusion is based on the information I’ve come across. If this is true I can understand some people removing them and feeling we shouldn’t have mandatory gratuities to pay what the cruise companies should be paying. I can understand tipping the employees behind the scene if it’s truly a tip, but it does rub me the wrong way to pay a mandatory additional fee on top of what I paid just to cover some of the crew’s promised salary.

[@blargblarg5657]

Ergo, it is a service fee and not a gratuity.

[@jaime13102]

unpopular opinion.... I feel like the automatic gratuities they charge per person is stealing my money. I have cash on hand to tip when I choose when service is good and it can be more personal appreciation.

[@TerryZGaming]

I always pay the prepaid gratuities and just leave it alone . I wouldn't ask for a refund

[@mwood65]

Definitely not stealing. I don't do it but if I did, it wouldn't be stealing. I'd feel guilty if I did tho.

[@OrdinaryDude]

I would only remove them if I felt that the service was not good enough to deserve it. (Which so far, has never happened)

[@ForeverBlue75]

I think the gratuity should go to those we don’t automatically tip like your steward, bus person. We pay gratuity on drinks and specially dining those bartenders and waiters should have those go to them directly.

[@kamelhaj6850]

Derek, I have only had one cruise (out of 11) where the service (except for the guest services staff) was horrible.

[@kamloopscruiser874]

What Carnival is trying to say. Is that all the money goes to the staff , none to the cruise line.

[@GhostDawgg69247]

No way is it stealing anything. Tip literally means To Insure Proper Service. I never have agreed with the pre pay option. I've worked in the service industry myself and would make sure I went above with anything I did. Note, only Americans go through this crap. It was invented in the late 1800s so owners could cut the cost of paying hard working employees. If you pay a decent wage then tipping should only apply to above and beyond service.

[@ingriddubbel8468]

Well put sir!

[@kamelhaj6850]

When I was a kid,I never heard of tipping, just of people helping other people. Then,when tipping first was pushed as acceptable, it was suggested to be 10%. Then it was 15%. Now, some are asking for 20%!

[@derekgipson3741]

Definitely not stealing. Cruises should pay their employees more and take away gratuities. I’m fine with paying more for a cruise and not tipping. That way everyone wins.

[@thedrunkentravelers6885]

the entire advertising mechanism for cruises only advertises the room cost. The taxes/fees are never advertised nor are the gratuities. This strategy lets them say 'sail 6 nights from X for just $446 per person' when in reality 6 nights adds another $16 per day and there is another couple hundred in taxes/port-fees added on. Its less attractive is it said $750 per person. Its used as a fishing lure in a way. So my guess is the gratuities are just a way to shift costs, keep taxes lower, and mostly advertise lower than reality fares.

[@erleenwilmen7667]

But do you go on carnival and royal cause they are cheaper?

[@theecruiseprincess939]

I miss the envelope system. You tip based on the service you receive.

[@twixieshores]

The problem with the envelopes is that all the people behind the scenes making your trip enjoyable never got to see a cent of those tips. And honestly, the line cook has a much larger impact on whether you had a good meal than the waiter.

[@theecruiseprincess939]

Do you tip the cook at a restaurant? 🧐 Idk maybe it’s based on where you’re from and what you believe is tip worthy.

[@B-ch6uk]

@@theecruiseprincess939 The cooks in restaurants are paid a decent salary. The waitstaff is paid less because they get tips. On cruise lines, all the employees are all paid poorly and rely on tips.

[@donaldbrooks9794]

The envelopes are still around. No longer are they delivered to the room, but the service desk has them openly available.

[@juliejensen7370]

Most hotel maids get low tips. People are cheap, in general.

[@southernsunshine6154]

Virtually no cruise lines are registered in the US, so this is not an “American” thing. It is a cost shifting thing. Many cruise ship employees work only six months a year, and those tips help them take that time off. I don’t think I am responsible for subsidizing cruise employee life styles and I have had some abysmal service on some pretty high end ships. On my last Viking trip, they “suggested” $20 per day per person. It was ridiculous. I leave some on my account and tip some in cash. I think that is a good compromise.

[@Inspectorzinn2]

Most cruise ship employees work 13 hours a day/7 days a week and live in a closet...let's see you do that and have guest remove the gratuities because guest is not responsible for subsidizing cruise employee life styles.

[@oshynclair7592]

​@@Inspectorzinn2Thanks for sharing

[@bambamlover]

Food for thought: There are lots of people you don't see on a cruise ship. Dishwashers, food prep staff, line cooks, laundry staff, etc.... there are many people that work together to make sure you are having the best vacation you can have. So asking for a gratuity up front which will be paid out to these individuals isn't that big of a deal. However, it's the same argument we have about food servers. I shouldn't have to pay for a meal and then pay my server on top of that because the restaurant doesn't want to pay servers a decent wage. These cruise ships seem to be doing the same thing and that bothers me. Think of the thousands of people that are paying these gratuities. We are all, not only paying for our cruise, but we are also paying the staff salary for the time we are on board the ship. I'm all for tipping a little extra for exceptional services but I don't appreciate being forced into paying someone's wages.

[@kitkatxk2814]

Exactly!!!!. I am very vocal about this as someone who worked years on these industries. I hopped around and worked at all sorts of customer service jobs and behind the scenes ones as well. Ad as a dishwasher who cleaned your plate nicely. It should never be your(the customer) job to pay me (the worker). EVER! Lazy companies if you ask me. Soon we will have to call them to come into work if they don't show up soon.

[@andream3568]

I would like to hear from the worker, how do they get paid my gratuity from the company? what percentage do they get ALONG with their standard pay?

[@TheCollegeActivist]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@peterking2651]

Tips are shared amongst the workers and corporate, guess who gets the bigger percentage? I never give tips on a credit card, always in cash (corporate can’t see cash beyond the check) I’ve had a few servers stare daggers at me when they look at the credit card payment, until they understand he cash is THEIR tip. I’ve even had to “palm” the tip when managers have been watching.

[@tifanytrees397]

I think Carnival's policy means that 100% of your tips is split between the people you see and the ones you don't, but that Carnival doesn't keep any of it, like for a handling fee or something. It's not stealing to not tip or not tip as much as the cruise line recommends. I've done both. On our last cruise, we didn't go to the dining room at all and felt it was not right to have the tips split with them as they provided no service to us. We had them removed from getting any. So it all went to the room stewards and whomever else we don't see.

[@FreakoutVideosUS]

Always keep the automatic and add an additional for room steward and dining staff. Room Steward gets an additional $5 per day and dining staff get $2.50 each per day rounded to the highest 5 or 10. If I or my wife feel service is lacking then we adjust accordingly.

[@norrisbutler1738]

i must admit i do not know about cruising out of Australia but generally in Australia(and it should be the world over) the staff are paid at a rate where customers are not paying the staffs wages as is the case in America i believe where staff are paid at a very low rate so customers are kind of forced to pay them. Pay them a decent wage to begin with

[@alicet5123]

It's the same in nz. We don't tip for any thing.

[@gerrycorbino2000]

When I first started cruising the cruise lines would place tipping envelopes with guidelines in the cabin on the last day of the cruise so that passengers could tip the room steward, waiter, busboy, wine steward, etc. Holland America also used to have a no tipping policy. In both cases we would tip the suggested amounts and most always more because of exceptional service. Pre-paid gratuities makes it easier to not have to worry about tipping and in most cases we also tip above & beyond for exceptional service. That being said, I'm still a believer in being able to tip someone on my own without having it dictated to me by an outside source (the cruise line). I also wonder if 100% of the prepaid gratuities are being distributed to the employees without a portion of it being skimmed off by the cruise line? Then there is the question of whether there is a deduction of taxes for the tips so that the employees are not getting a gross amount, but a net one? In the end, there's probably no one answer that will satisfy everyone so as long as passengers have the ability to forego automatic tipping by the cruise line in favor of tipping at the end of the cruise we should do what works best for us as an individual.

[@michaelvoight7738]

The problem with the old way is a lot of people would not out any money into envelopes.

[@sallywilliams9168]

I’m with you Tony. I like having assigned gratuities so that I don’t have to carry extra cash. I do tip the room steward extra at the end of the cruise. I’ve never had bad service on a cruise ship, it’s always been exceptional. I don’t know why anyone would complain about the tips assigned to the staff for the joy that they bring in making a cruise vacation so special.

[@mamapanda5874]

I remove the gratuities. Every time. When you don’t, they’re basically split between everyone.. not just the people who actually serve you. I’d much rather remove them and just individually tip the people that actually served me at the end of the cruise, like our waiter, room attendant, etc. I don’t feel bad removing, esp when every drink is automatically added a 15% tip. IMO, automatic gratuities are just a way for the cruise lines to get away with paying its employees less.

[@cathiehardy1233]

Do you have to wait to have it removed until the second to last day of the cruise or can you do it right away?

[@mkii2290]

@@cathiehardy1233 you can remove it anytime at guest services. Try to go during off peak times

[@peterking2651]

Agreed. In the US you must pay your employees a minimum wage, however this can be made up of a mandatory minimum wage plus expected tips. Let’s pay the Army $2.50 per hour, and charge the host nation a $14.50 “gratuity” for killing the enemy. Stupid, right?

[@DJN881]

mama panda regarding people who actually serve you, that would include those who prepare your food, launder your sheets and towels, clean public areas, etc.

[@sarahhadasandwich]

Do they try to talk you out of it?

[@louiselanthier5135]

You bring up lots of good points Tony. As I found out, tips are being used to pay the people's salaries. For example, a bartender may make $2.00/day plus tips. That is true for most service positions on board. So, that is where all our tips go! Also, extra tips have to be shared in a specific manner (working team). It is what it is and the workers depend on them.

[@TravelingToniC]

You nailed my perspective at the end. It's not stealing to remove the gratuities but people work hard and I like to make sure they know I appreciate it so I pay pre-paid. Everyone gets their tip and I can just focus on enjoying my cruise without worrying about shirking anyone.

[@dennisdalessio8238]

Tony, I always pre-pay Gratuities and have never tried to lower that amount on the ship. The Gratuities do not appear on my sail and sign, they appear on my final bill from the cruise line with I make the final payment.. Any additional tips are given directly to the person such as Room Stewart or MDR staff. I do not think I would ever give less than the assigned gratuity. The additional tip is based on exceptional service as you mentioned. Thanks

[@lenastewart9816]

When we eat at restaurants in the US we don’t tip the people in the back!! We do t tip the chefs or managers!!! When we take a taxi we don’t tip the mechanics!!! I will tip who I get great service from and that’s my choice! When tips are predetermined there is no reason to give great service. My money my choice!!

[@kristinanne6534]

I like the old fashioned way of tipping on the cruise where they tell you a suggested amount for each person. We had a couple of people who went above and beyond and we increased their tip. We had someone who performed poorly that we slightly reduced. It's fair.

[@BretSummers]

I don't think I'd ever remove or reduce my pre-paid tips. However, the pre-paid and auto of 18% of drinks is a bit excessive, and I put myself through college bartending. $1 per drink is plenty.

[@cathyhennessey6243]

Cmon everyone, we all know that these people work so very hard for us to have an amazing vacation. Please don’t remove the gratuity from your accounts, and please consider extra tips for excellent service!!!!

[@-_______________________.___]

Always remove automatic gratuity and use tips to improve your experience. Tip to get that better table or that better room. Use tips as a bribe. A transaction that doesn't benefit you is a poor transaction. If giving people money really makes you feel good then I guess tip everyone in sight.

[@michellecollins4974]

Looks like one thing everyone agrees on... not stealing. But after that, lots if open.

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

Hi #TeamTony! First, the Carnival 100% policy is saying (badly) that ALL of the gratuities goes to the service personnel - those you see & those you don't - and none of the corporate folks get it. As to is it stealing to reduce or remove gratuities, I say YES. There are so many people working hard to make sure your cruise is wonderful and you may never see them. They deserve to be monetarily blessed, too. For every waiter who serves us in the MDR, there are 3 guys in the galley making & plating the food.

[@deeb.106]

I’m cruising in a few weeks. I will be old school. Take off the prepaid gratuities and pay in cash like I’ve always done. I don’t think I need to tip or have to split tips with workers I don’t interact with. If I give my cabin steward $50. I want him/her to keep the whole amount. Not split it.

[@showguyer]

If they just incorporated all the taxes fees and gratuities into the fare, this wouldn't be an issue. Then no one can remove anything. Seems simple enough to me.

[@alex1532]

I always remove it and then tip the individual people that personally did a great service

[@alex1532]

@@bwilburn542004 i always do it at the end but i think its up to you how you prefer it

[@erhaus]

@@bwilburn542004 2 days before you finished the cruise on NCL

[@craigjorgensen4637]

alex 1 Removing the tips is just chicken shit! You KNEW when you booked your cruise! If you remove your automatic gratuities they can blackball you throughout the cruise lines. You will NEVER get another cabin upgrade or other favors ever again!

[@amyegan2357]

@@craigjorgensen4637 I remove my gratuities the first day I board; I always tip in cash, and tip well, and I have never had an issue being blackballed on the cruise lines; that's ridiculous. I prefer to know where my money is going.

[@randolphwellington1704]

So then, you tip the person who brought food to your table, but you stiff the people who prepared the food.

[@sharischmidt4712]

Keep the gratuities in place, and enjoy your vacation! 😊🍁

[@bigj3346]

Exactly! I just don't get what the big fuzz is all about. That's too much stress. Just leave your gratuities in place, or pay it in advance. Problem solved! I just want to relax and enjoy my cruise.

[@ford4life069]

@@bigj3346 the big fuss is people minding other people's business. They are making the big fuss. Busybodies with nothing better to do than bitch about something. ☹

[@mistyeatmon9273]

I don’t think it’s stealing but I do think it’s a jerk move!

[@TessAlmond]

Here's one comment I've read on the subject over and over that gets me. "I don't eat in the Dining Room, why should I tip?" Well, because the tips go to 'dining staff', NOT MAIN dining room staff. It goes to the guys on lido and anywhere else you are served food. Have you ever noticed that the MDR staff will be busing tables on Lido during the day!?

[@KatherineCheng77]

I always take out the auto grat because I don't feel the way they divide it is what I would do. I rather bring extra cash and give it to them and receive better service. Last time we talked to the dining staff and got the break down. The HD Waiter has a higher rate but what if secondary is better won't you rather have control to give the one more?

[@victorylane22882]

how did you taken them off?

[@douggabrielson9734]

So to put it in perspective, a smaller ship holds 2,200 passengers at $17 a day per person equals $37,000 a day or over $13 million a year. On top of that, the cruise line takes it upon itself to hand out the tips to whom they choose. I read somewhere that a room steward receives $6.50 a day per person, so if they tend to 10 staterooms they are making $130 per day or $47,000 a year in just tips, plus wages, plus room and board, plus free travel. I also heard that most crew members have a monthly expense of $200 for internet and sodas. I get it, they work hard, but so do truck drivers, and emergency workers but they don’t guilt you into subsidizing their salaries. I would feel better handing over my hard earned money if they would be upfront to whom is getting the tips, not just saying “and other behind the scene workers.”

[@canadianharte6791]

My question is do they get paid from the gratuties only ?Or is it above their wages??

[@maryfaith936]

That was my question too. If this is their ONLY means of pay, then i feel it would be stealing from those who you do not deal directly with ( kitchen, laundry etc...). If this ADDITIONAL, then I think it would be ok to pay cash for those you are directly receiving service from.

[@bonnielaporte7554]

It is above their regular pay... but their pay for some is only $75/week, so the tips bring them up to a 'minimum wage' type payscale. Yes, the cruiselines should pay them more, but they don't... and that's the bacic point. By removing the automatic gratuity, the people you don't see in person (dishwashers, laundry workers, etc) are still getting that very low wage.

[@kamelhaj6850]

@@bonnielaporte7554 And that $75 is even lower when you realize that they work some 84 hours/week. Maybe the cruise lines feel that the free room and meals make up for it?

[@mrjeff148]

I always pre pay but it’s not stealing if you remove them

[@high-pov2670]

After 26 cruises, I am fortunate to be able to say about 99% of my interactions with all cruise ship staff has met or exceeded my expectations. As a general rule for me, I prepay my gratuities and tip additionally where deserved. I'm always generous when it comes to the cabin steward. They work hard.

[@amandacarroll9611]

We prepay our gratuities, and have never had to remove or reduce them. Of course we only cruise with Disney, so we've NEVER had bad service. DCLs customer service is second to none!❤

[@BiancaCDE]

I’m not a cruiser, I’ve only been researching since my mom is interested in going on a cruise. Gratuity is the issue that really makes me not want to cruise. I don’t understand the practice of automatic gratuity nor why can’t these cruise lines just pay a decent wage. Their employees should not have to depend on me to supplement their incomes. But I also don’t like going to restaurants and have to pay it there either. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@jackmortimer329]

My personal, wild guess is that if the cruise lines paid what you or I might consider "a decent wage" the price of your cruise would be increased, maybe quite a lot. That price increase would reduce the number of people cruising, thus reducing the income from which the crew is paid. I have been told by some of the cruise crew members that they are paid more on a cruise ship than they could earn in their home country doing the same job. I talked with one assistant waiter who had been in that job for more than 10 years. He loved the job and refused promotion to main waiter. He was a happy camper from what I could tell. There are many people in countries like India, Turkey and The Philippines who stand in line with the hope of being considered for a job on a cruise ship.

[@BiancaCDE]

Jack Mortimer I get what you are saying, however I’d rather know exactly what the price is versus charges at the end. But again I’m not a cruiser and am very skeptical about going because of the prices and other fees.

[@jackmortimer329]

@@BiancaCDE I have been cruising for a while now. I have never seen a hidden fee. Every cost or fee is spelled out by the cruise lines. Tips? Taxes? Port fees? these are listed per person per day on the cruise line web site. Specialty restaurant cost? Call the cruise line customer service or sales phone number and ask. Prices in general? Ask your travel agent. If you don't have a travel agent there are many fine folks who would be happy to help you have a wonderful first cruise, including Don's Family Vacations. Bottom line: ASK. Your travel agent of the cruise line sales department are 2 of the best places to get those details. Hope this helps reduce your concern.

[@thedrunkentravelers6885]

So this last cruise I was on in April (Norwegian Sun) was the first time I actually considered having my gratuities removed. I even went to the customer service desk and even stated that I was so upset right now that I am considering having them removed, and I am not the type of person who normally does that. This was day 2 on a 5 day cruise. This came on the heels of a series of lies by the staff at multiple venues. So the Sun has free open bar to all guests over 21. And Norwegian always does 'free at sea' perks to justify their higher cabin prices. My wife and I had upgraded to the ultimate drinking package that is supposed to include top shelf liquor, wines, specialty coffee's and bottled waters. Lie #1 - embarkation day, looking through the bar menu, and being a wine drinker, the only Cabernet on the menu that was top shelf was the Semi Cabernet. The open bar stuff has a screw cap and does not taste very good. Unlike Royal Caribbean, they do not seem to stock decent selection of wines. I tried to get a Semi Cabernet but was told the stock had not made it to the lobby bar because of being in port and all they had was the screw cap stuff. I'll explain later how I discovered this was a lie. Lie #2 - the next morning (day 2) my wife went down to the lobby bar, the only place with a cafe, to get a specialty mocha. Every cruise ship makes the exception that you cannot use the drink package at a starbucks counter (like on the oasis ships) but you can use the ships cafe and their expresso machines. So they told her it was not included because they use starbucks coffee. This is NOT what the booking agent (direct NCL employee) said at the time of booking. This is a deliberate ruse to avoid giving out specialty coffees. Every other ship uses Seattles Best as their standard coffee bean. Lie #3 - the previous night, at the Spinnaker lounge (fwd observation lounge) I managed to get a Simi Cabernet. The only bar out of 11 to actually stock it. So, thinking this whole stock issue is resolved that evening, the next morning (day 2) I went back to the lobby bar and ordered a Simi Cabernet. Once again I am given the same story by the same bartender about stock. Its on their menu and its the ONLY upscale wine. Lie #4 - Its day 2 approaching late afternoon and several passengers are mad because every single bar is claiming they do not have bottled water. I have never, in all my times cruising, EVER heard of a ship being out of bottled water. Remember bottled water is free with a beverage package. This is critical because day 3 is an in port day at Harvest Caye, and everyone brings their own bottled water from the ship to avoid paying $5+ at the peer. It is not even remotely possible to be out of water. This eventually got resolved after my later discussed encounter with customer service. another problem but not a lie - walking back to our room on day 2 my son spots a towel animal in the stateroom of another cabin so, being an excited cruise loving 9yr old, he walks into our stateroom to see the room made up, but no towel animal. Heartbroken he slumps down, very disappointing. I found my stateroom attendant and asked her if she could make my son a towel animal. She grabs a few towels and quickly agrees but did say that "they cancelled towel animals on this cruise". Possibly since it is an open bar cruise and a bunch of drunks dont care about towel animals, but the rule should have been 'keep making them if you know there are kids in the room'. Its not like it cost them ANYTHING to make a towel animal. And considering how few kid activities there were on this cruise, i think its the least they could do. Lie #5 - when booking this cruise we were told that there is no tender in Harvest Caye. They even have a banner on the NCL port info page saying just that. So on day 2, checking the next days cruise planner, we see info for getting tender tickets. This is right on the heels of the whole towel animal issue. This is a huge issue for us as my son has balance issues from cerebral palsy and this is a major safety concern. My wife calls the customer service desk to ask why since there is a peer there. The guy answering the phone literally tried to tell her it was due to the depth of the ocean that day. The Sun is the LIGHTEST ships in their fleet, at 86k gross tonnes. If ANY other ship of theirs is tied to that peer its going to be sitting DEEPER into the water than the Sun. By this point I am pissed, really pissed. Between the towel animal debacle and the blatant lie about ocean levels I make a bee-line straight to customer service. Thats when I tell her I am so pissed right now I'm livid and am considering having my gratuities removed off my account and that Im not someone who does that, and that alone should speak volumes. I explained this was my sixth cruise and I have NEVER had the sort of problems as this cruise nor the blatant amount of lying. So I go down the list of all the lies with her. She calls the manager of all the bartenders down and I relate, again, all the lists of the lies. She assures me she will make sure that my son has a towel animal every day (well I had already taken care of that but thanks anyway). She also said she would ensure water was stocked in the bars and that she would solve this upscale bottle wine issue. Not much anyone can do abou the tender, but as it turned out the NCL Getaway was also scheduled to be in Harvest Caye that day and we had fewer passengers. So it was NCL corporate that scewed all of us with that decision. Lie #6 - morning of day 3 I go to the lobby bar again... I've decided I am going to continue on this path until they serve me the items they have on their menu. Same bartender, same story. I looked at him and said "thats funny because I talked to YOUR boss last night and she assured me that she would see to it PERSONALLY that this wine would be here today". So he calls her, and about 4 min later she is walking toward me holding the menu. She says "Mr X, here is our menu of what we have" as if im going to not find this label. I turn right to the red wine section and point right to the Semi Cabernet. I think I made a point to jab the name a bit with my finger when I did it. Its fairly annoying to be treated as if your hallucinating. About 7 min later she returns with my Semi Cabernet... YAY! As a follow-up to this stocking issue on day 4 my stateroom phone rings and its the manager of the storeroom person who says he was following up on the report of a complaint. I start to go over the issues I had and he says that that wine is only available in the main dining room (it actually isnt on the MDR menus btw). I said "then why in gods earth do you have it printed in your bar menu in the main lobby??" to which he replied "It is??". How can you rise to the position of head of all stockroom and restockng and NOT know whats on your menu's???? Thats pretty important if your going to stock supplies! Also the water issue was resolved by the evening of day 2 (imagine that they found all this missing water). So on day 3 the tendering issue is horrible... our 10am first tender did not even happen till 1:30pm and the ship is full of passengers that have been stuck in lines throughout the ship for 3.5hrs. The port itself was very nice, but on the return tender things got very dangerous. We returned at 4:30 for a 5:30 departure time. As it happens the tender we were on starts to offload at the ship right when the NCL Getaway is pulling out (really hate these guys by now). The captain of the NCL Getaway turns his propellers to rotate the ship at full speed right while we are along side the ship. My 2 kids had just gotten off the ship when the wake from the incompetent NCL Getaway captain started throwing the tender, VIOLENTLY, into the side of the sip for 5 minutes. It almost cause my son to fall between the ship and the tender to get crushed, and my son is standing there terrified that he is witnessing both his parents about to meet their death right before his eyes. Had I been on the Getaway when this happened you would not have been reading about the captain kicking me off the ship, you would have read about me being in jail for storming the bridge, shoving my fingers into the trachea of the captain, and ripping his through out for almost killing my kid because he was in too much of a hurry to wait until AFTER that tender was clear of the ship before he behaved so recklessly. He should have been fired on the spot. Day 4 in Costa Maya was great, no problems at all. Water was back in full swing. Most bars has some form of non-screwcap red wine, either Semi or Estancia. Still no luck with the coffee's but that was clearly a business decision to only use starbucks coffee so they could charge more. I dont think $5 for a mocha is ok, no way am I going to pay $8.50 just because of a name. Its 90% sugar anyway, its not like the actually coffee bean are going to taste any different with all that syrup used anyway. Needless to say I never actually removed gratuities, though I think I would have been within my rights to do so considering the issues I endured, and my cabin stewardess was the _only_ person who got an extra $40 from me for helping keeping the kids happy on a mostly adult passenger cruise.

[@jessicaeddyjrogowskiswan6064]

The Drunken Travelers I had first time cruise in 1995 and they had the tips things and my late mother gave me 💯.oo usd for tips and my dad did most of the tips and at end of the cruise he was setting up those envelopes and asked me to put something for the room service and waiter and house. Clean and even the nice server who at start up helped me with the muster drill and I read on door 🚪 where life jacket 🧥 were and told my my dad to put on . The stewards came in and helped me ( underage kid 🧒) and my dad was 👀 stared and I try explain to him about the muster drill he was confused 🤷‍♀️ and disappear in hallway and the horns sounded and was like stamped on to deck other thoughts 💭 this fast ( titanic fear ) and I was trying find my dad and that station 🚉 they do the head count and yes others some were not wearing their life jacket 🧥 ( I overall told the crew and he did as he was told ) I had end up helping with them and got a reward from 🛳 captain 👨‍✈️ and ceo 👨‍💼 carnival cruise 🚢 thanking me for that deed ( save the from real shrinking titanic problems ) and 6 months later same cruise 🚢 caught fire 🔥 in same place area ( engine room )

[@theeaskey]

You need help

[@suemcdaniel4778]

We always tip extra. I see the assigned gratuities as the base fare. They are always worth extra. It really helps them support their families. It’s a blessing to bless others.

[@scottchace780]

Sue McDaniel, I would like to give you the opportunity to bless me. Reply back and I will give you my PayPal credentials.

[@xyz770100]

No it is not stealing. The cruise line seems to nickel and dime you to death. They charge double for their excursions. The drink package is ridiculously priced. They charge you for room service. They charge you for everything. I am going on a cruise in July and I will be removing my gratuities and I will pay the people that directly interact with me personally. will not feel bad about it. Maybe the cruise line should pay them more or put th gratuities in the price of the cruise so that it is not separated out.

[@brendalee4672]

So the poor person who booked your food quickly so the waiter could provide you with quick and efficient service is $%% out of luck? Doesn't seem fair. The people you see aren't the only ones who contribute to your experience.

[@jimneufeld1073]

I once had a bartender open my 2 beers on 3 occasions and laugh in my face even though I had asked her not to open them as I bought them during a 2 for 1 happy hour time which has since been cancelled. Full price all the time. I felt her confrontational so I removed my tips at the front desk explaining what had happened, I was angry and felt this was my only way to make a point. This was not a good feeling for me. I also tipped my steward and waiter, asst waiter at the end of the cruise for their exceptional service. I always tip those 3 people extra now and try and book "gratuities included" cruises which has worked out. If not, I pay the auto gratuities and show appreciation where I can has become my new attitude. I just feel better knowing the crew is taken care of beyond one bad crew member. 19 cruises in and still going again.

[@bbergs8628]

Hmmmm 🤔‼️ I was thinking the same thing when you read Carnival’s statement! I’m not sure what to say - I was a cruiser before gratuities were added on & left cash in envelopes for my room steward & dining room staff. When the cruise lines started adding prepaid gratuities - I gladly did that - so much easier than making sure I had cash at the end of the cruise to leave for the people who I did interact with. But on my last cruise when my friend had to cancel just a few weeks before the cruise - so I was going to be cruising solo - Princess reimbursed the amount of her gratuities (which I had prepaid) right back to my credit card just a few days before I left for the cruise - I had planned on adding the amount back when I was on the ship -even though the cabin steward just had to take care of me - but then as it turned out that my cabin steward was a nice guy - but no too attentive to me (might have been a language barrier or maybe because I was a female solo cruiser) - and I also didn’t need him to clean the cabin twice a day (sometimes not at all - because I stayed in the cabin when I had a bass migraine)! He was pleasant & did give me new towels everyday- but didn’t refill my ice bucket (which he told me he would do if I left it out of the fridge) & he didn’t remove my room service tray with the dirty dishes (I had to leave it outside my cabin door)! I did try to speak to him - but he didn’t seem to understand (maybe he was intimidated by my mobility scooter?) Anyway - I didn’t add the $94.50 back onto my account - but I did leave him a cash tip (even though I didn’t see him the last morning of the cruise & I kept looking for him - but just left the cash on the desk in the cabin - I didn’t have any envelopes or a note card)! I’m a really good tipper & the room service people appreciated that, but I was in unknown territory for me as far as being a solo cruiser & the prepaid gratuities (and part of that had to do with my TA because she had told me that when my friend canceled I would be getting some money refunded - and at that time I didn’t realize it was the prepaid gratuities)! I wish I could have had a conversation with my cabin steward - but he was really aloof - and I wasn’t sure if it was because it was the first week of a new itinerary, or because on that cruise another crew member had committed suicide, or maybe my cabin steward was responsible for cleaning one of the owner’s suites - just a few doors down from my cabin??? I’m sure I’ll continue to prepay the gratuities & still give extra, although the extra will be more for the people who really do go above & beyond!

[@TropicalGardenGuy]

Last 3 cruises on carnival..... I couldn’t do a sit down dinner in regular dining room, without waiting in line for an hour. NOT GOOD SERVICE! in the future...I will be removing the days gratuity every time I’m told I have to wait to get a table

[@stykman22]

I believe what Carnival means when they say that 100% of the gratuity goes to the people you see and some that you don't is that the cruise line does not keep any of the gratuity charge. It gets distributed to the employees, whether they are front end like room stewards or hosts, or back end like kitchen staff or maintenance crew.

[@terrancejasper9038]

I do not believe Carnival when they say 100% of the gratuity goes to the people

[@stykman22]

@@terrancejasper9038 it may or may not. I just think that is what the language is saying. I would think, though, that if the statement is untrue, then the IRS might want to have a chat with Carnival.

[@AZAnthony]

We will have an infant with us on our upcoming RC cruise. The stateroom attendant will likely get extra tips for having to deal with some diapers in our trash, etc. The dining staff will have the full amount removed from baby's portion of the gratuity since they will be doing very little, if anything, for the baby. That is the baseline we are starting with and will, as always, adjust according to the service provided.

[@tpittockful]

Wow Tony yet another good topic. First I dont think its stealing as it is a ti and tips are subjective. There are a few folks that I see all the time like the 2 room stewards. On Carnival there are always 2 room stewards that take care of me. There are certain bar tenders I see all the time as in the atrium bar where I kinda call it home base where that is were I get my ginger ales. Then there is the dining staff that if I am at the same table the entire cruise then i take care of them more. So here is what I do. I pay the assigned gratuity, to me that is a starting point but never goes down. When I board I am platinum so I go straight to my room and drop my carry on stuff and put cameras together and get batteries charging but I find the 2 room stewards and call them over as this is the only time I find them together and introduce myself and give each of them an addition $50. I till them that I know what they do with their money, then send it all home to their families and rarely have any money from day to day. So I tell them this is for you to spend on this cruise on yourself to have a good time. I say the better time you have then the better time I have. From this act of kindness I dont think I have ever paid for a bottle of water on a cruise and on a 7 day cruise I drink from 4 to 5 bottles depending. They take great care of me. They work so hard and need to be greatly appreciated. THen the bar tenders at the atrium I always talk to and get to know and build a relationship. I have had one personally sing happy birthday to me on the Vista. If they are exceptional then I hit them up on the last day with an additional $20. The same for the wait staff in the dining room if I am using timed dining or sitting at the same table for your time dining with a group like Josh 1.0 and 2.0 I would give an extra $20 to each of them that serviced our table. That is it. If it were appropriate I would tip the Playlist Performers but they make great money and do not need it and my way of saying thanks is to record video of them and take thousands of pictures and they absolutely love that I do that for them. There are many ways of showing appreciation money being one. All I say is please show your appreciation in some form or fashion, to be ignored is hurtful and disrespectful. Remember they are human beings as well and deserve to be recognized.

[@iralphk6136]

ill be honest i always remove the gratuities. i give everyone cash my waiter my housekeeper etc.. when we are on land and we go to a restaurant do you tip the waiter? now ask yourself this! what if that same restaurant tells you there is an automatic gratuity for the server, chef, barback, bartender etc... none of these people did anything for to serve you but you have to pay them?

[@hideyable]

To the contrary, all of those people contributed to your meal. A much fairer system would be for restaurants to charge the right fee for their product so all staff can be reasonably paid & do away with the tipping system.

[@yourmom-ro1tc]

ralph mediavilla my kids were servers at a restaurant and they had a portion of their tip taken and given to others like the hostesses...

[@mmjmedic822]

You said a mouthfull with the fuzzy math. I prepaid mine and will pay cash for fast curdious service. But i will in a heartbeat will zero it out if service is lousy or slow.

[@Rkg1205]

I remove mine and tip a reeeally good amount in cash to our room steward, my bartenders, waiter etc. we are a family of 5 (3 very young kids) and our gratuities alone were almost $650! if I left them on I would be spending well over $1000 in tips because not tipping face to face after receiving great service just doesn’t feel right. Lets not forget we still need to tip for the excursions, taxis, bus drivers, porters etc....And after many conversations with staff on board im 100% sure that those gratuities aren’t actually going to the staff 100% so I’d rather tip cash so my mind is at peace.

[@victorylane22882]

how did you taken them off?

[@LisaE13]

How do you get them taken off? I agree with you 100%

[@DeviantMotives]

I have pre-paid my gratuities and have paid at the end of the cruise. Everyone deserves a tip even the people behind the scenes that make the cruise smooth for all of us.

[@Jazziegrylbk]

I usually prepay my gratuities but this last cruise I took them off , the CS was meh. But I tipped my room attendant & wait staff graciously in cash

[@victorylane22882]

how did you taken them off? what cruise line ?

[@Beckylem1]

This video just showed up on my list after I watched your latest video today. I had to chuckle 5 yrs later it is still a debate.

[@mkatzlord26354]

We prepay the gratuities and also give our bartender at the suites sun deck bar and our room steward respectively an extra $100 and $300 on a seven day or longer cruise. These staff truly work hard for the guests. We also give an extra gratuity to the servers at the signature dining options who always go the extra mile.

[@izzifamilyadventures5490]

When we think about staff we think about the low wage workers. But there is a lot of people that make really good money like the captain and administration that might be getting in on those tips

[@michaelvoight7738]

No matter how you feel about the issue, the fact is if people do not pay this standard gratuity (fee), the crew will get less money. If you are OK with that, then go ahead and don't pay it. This policy is not going to change in your lifetime, but at least you have made your point, no matter how it affects the hardworking people. On most cruise lines. If you give money directly to a staff member, they can be fired for not pooling that tip.

[@rbowman888]

There are a number of higher-end restaurants that have added an extra tip line to their customers' checks for "Gratuity for BOH back of house staff (cooks, dishwashers, etc)." So that the owners protect their waiters' normal tips, they have added a substantial amount each month to cover any 'lost' waiters' tips. Supposedly, this extra tip line generates an additional $2-$3 hourly increase for the BOH staff. This would not apply if the tipped employees normally contribute a portion of their tips to non-tipped employees.

[@kamelhaj6850]

Some personal observations: (1) There are several cruise videos where people say that they have stopped paying gratuities (although they still tip exceptional service) because when they ask individual workers if the gratuities are split between them, they are always told that the workers get none of the gratuity money (it goes to the company), (2) I now almost always cruise solo, and although I pay between 60% to 100% extra to book a room (and now have to pay double the fees and taxes), I only pay single for gratuities, and (3) From what I've witnessed (unless it has recently changed), Carnival is very accommodating when cruisers ask to pay lesser or no gratuities, but Royal Caribbean is not.

[@lesliefranklin1870]

The whole point of gratuities has been muddled. Originally, it was "To Improve Performance" or TIP. Now it's used to supplement the pay of those who are being underpaid. It is a backhanded way of raising prices. Goring to a restaurant in parts of the world where a tip is not expected, a meal is MUCH less stressful. You just pay the amount listed on the menu. To make people beg for their pay is just cruel.

[@alabamaal225]

Many take the position "If it's legal, it's OK." Stiffing service people falls into this mindset. However, we should bear in mind that the cruise companies have these add-on gratuities policy so they may advertise cruise prices much lower than the actual costs. (It is noted that port fees, fuel fees, and other fees per person are also added post reservation, which are not inconsiderable.) Heck, cruise lines can offer discounts and credits because they know those benefits will be quickly soaked up by the gratuities charges.

[@krisw8442]

For Australian cruises (at least on Royal caribbean) the gratuities are rolled into the cruise fare. This is as it should be. It effectively means that the staff get paid a fair wage and the cost of such is part of the overall price.

[@magaisacult2023]

Added note: Carnival just raised auto gratuity on all food, bev purchases to 18%. It's even charged to the "Bubbles" and "Unlimited Drink" pkgs. In the past, despite paying the added gratuity on the Bubbles pkg, I generally tipped a Dollar cash each trip to bar. I am no longer using the Bubbles pkg, and plan to stop the additional tip. With the auto added tip, and my dollar, I am tipping about $1.50 for a $2.75 Coke. They keep raising fees, Faster to the Fun (another thing I have cut),tips etc, so I will cut elsewhere.

[@nicolesamazingvacations5064]

I’ve prepaid and then just tip extra where I feel someone did above and beyond.

[@kimpulsipher647]

It is a jerky thing to do but the tips are always listed as optional. Optional means you can pay them or not. As to people you don't see, think of laundry and food prep.

[@PAWS0810-]

last cruise spain on norwegian - took off the tip and gave those who deserved a cash tip - especially since they increased those room gratuity rates - i personally feel its too high. and i think there are some not deserving that high amount.

[@kennethfeld6639]

I haven't ever removed them, but I do feel iffy about how honest the cruise lines are being about 100% goes to the staff

[@dogonmyneck]

We just budget in money to give to our cabin person, dinning room staff, and some for bartenders if we get one we like a lot. We give them cash at end of cruise to make sure it goes to them and not in a pool. We still let them charge us daily and never had it removed or lowered. Staff has always been great on our cruises so that is what we do.

[@mikeeno104]

The cruise fare, gratuities, port fees and taxes is the base price of the cruise... Add airfare, hotel, travel insurance, travel food, and tips (unlike gratuities) are other considerations when planning your cruise... It is not stealing, but is it fair to remove the gratuities?

[@jodura3363]

Not staling...stealing is a harsh word. I will never remove my gratuities, but that's me and again not stealing if you do

[@mvlmeco1]

On a ship, it doesn't take much to rack up the gratuity dollars if you were to do it individually, on every service, every item, every drink or meal. The meals alone if served in a land-based restaurant of equal quality would bust your wallet. As a frugal traveler, and notice I did not say cheap, I find the daily rate acceptable. I don't buy alcoholic beverages on a daily basis or use spa services more than once or twice, so my gratuities will never be very much over the daily rate. But I also tip for extraordinary service outside of the regular billed amount. Each cruise I have little envelopes for those special cases. On a 14-day "kingdom to kingdom" Disney cruise, on the last day, I gave my cabin steward a very nice chunk of change and a letter of appreciation because of the outstanding care he gave me. I also left a special envelope for the housekeeping person, who I got to know by name. That person never missed a beat and kept my cabin in stellar condition. It was also my way of apologizing to the person for being such a messy person and always requesting more of this and that. As for dining cabin room service, I always tipped the server with cash. Just a couple of bucks, but it was worth it. After the first couple of times, I noticed I got little freebies, extra jam for my toast, a complimentary beverage....their way of saying thank you for the past tips. when it comes to gratuities and tipping, after a lifetime of traveling it all comes down to something rather silly sounding: what comes around, goes around. Live generously.

[@tonyhippensteel3805]

I have found too often that if the server knows they already got a tip regardless of the service provided they could care less if they give you good service. Therefore I always remove the gratuity and at the end of the cruise I will personally hand the person a tip for a job well done

[@maryervin1528]

Carnival says part goes to the people behind the scenes however, recently they put out a statement saying part would go to the line itself. I do take my gratuity down to 0.00 and then pay out directly. Usually my room steward gets more from us than they would if Carnival pays them the tip and we tip the dinning room personal according to how often we use the dinning room. If we go to the lido deck, we have even tipped that staff that worked out section. I like to choose who to up. Service is high on my list.

[@dm75thRanger]

Most cruisers who have a problem with this system have never cruised under the old way of giving cash in envelopes. I have been around long enough to have done both ways. I find the new way better you do not need to go to the pursuers desk or casino to get cash for the envelopes and then hand them out on the last night of the cruise. One for room steward, maitrede, head waiter, waiter and assistant waiter. Not to mention anyone else who gave you extra service. I always keep the aoutmatic gratuity and tip extra to my room steward separately for the extra services I request during my cruise.

[@ChristianLehrer]

I have a question. Are we being asked to tip the staff or pay them? Taking services or goods that you did not pay for is stealing. Not paying an assigned or suggested gratuity is not stealing, otherwise it is not 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, but 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. I think it’s absurd that you access the same “gratuity” to someone in an inside cabin and another in a balcony. 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 many restaurants cannot 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 restaurants bills (not just for large parties), rather than pay their servers fairly. Same nonsense. If it’s mandatory, it’s not a tip.

[@kamloopscruiser874]

If you hand pay the gratuities. That money is handed in and goes into a pool on the ship. Then divided up in the same ratio as automatic gratuities. I’ve heard on some cruise lines the cash goes into a fleet wide pool not just the ship.

[@markchowaniec82]

I do prepaid gratuities. I can pay off my gratuities beforehand and not worry about it. I have never lowered the gratuities yet. I have not had a need to lower them. I usually give my steward and MDR staff extra for their excellent service.

[@jimmartin5436]

The whole concept of tipping is to give the tipper a feeling of superiority. Doling out scraps from the masters table, just to make sure the servants know their place. In the real world a simple thank you is all that is really needed. The crew are doing the job they are trained and paid to do. If they are not paid properly by the company then I the customer should not be asked to make up the difference.

[@debbiehill7408]

I really don’t understand RCL charging for an infant in the cabin. Children yes but infants not so sure. Have not travelled with an infant so this was news to me. Great Vlog

[@faithnewman9081]

I read some comments on a similar video a while back and someone had spoken to their direct cleaning staff about how much they get from the tips. The person commented that their steward claimed they only got a miniscule amount of the tips while the large earning staff members kept more than half the tips from each room.

[@bstaton67]

In the real world we usually tip around 18%. For exceptional we generally will go over 20%. So basically the included gratuity is what we would give anyway. That takes another amount of cash to think about and deal with while on the cruise. I believe it was Tony who said it was good to prepay as much as you can. Aside from that there were two bartenders who i would give a little extra to every now and then. TIP: $2 bills. I think of it as a decent extra tip for a variety of things, and you don't have to have as many physical bills with you. I'm not the only one. I asked my bank for $2 bills and they couldn't quite give me the amount i wanted. They were out. Other people get them for trips. :-)

[@susandowney6386]

I prefer pre-paid gratuities as it's money already accounted for and less cash I need to bring with me. I still pay additional gratuities for service above and beyond my expectations.

[@kennethbarnhouse7462]

I would prefer if the cruise lines would get rid of a separate line item for tips on the bill and just put it into the overall cost of the cruise. Then make the cruise tip free. Would service really decline much? I don't know. The only daily tipping I do on the cruise is for drinks, so roll that into the cost of drinks. The only other tips I had out was for the head waiter and room steward at the end of the cruise. The cruise lines are using this to reduce headline cost of a cruise and know that most folks wouldn't ever steal from the hard working folks on the ship by asking to take back what should be just rolled into the total cost anyways.

[@erhaus]

On NCL if (let's say TA or PCC adds your gratuities) you can ask them to be removed and it's credited back to your CC

[@sheliahayes8726]

My husband and I give it a couple of days to see how service is before we decide. We have done it both ways. But we always tip more by removing them because most of the time everyone does a extremely good job. Now that being said, we have had some bad service but we still gave them what they would have gotten if they had taken the tips outs but they didn't get any extra because they didn't earn them.

[@sharronjohnson6592]

Assigned ,tips dose that include people at the bar and casino? And at the restaurants.? Or will I be tipping the casino, bar and restaurant twice.

[@windyfetterly5423]

Here is something to try, next time you are at a restaurant ask your waiter if they have to pay the hostess and bus staff and others out of their tip. It has been 20+ years since I worked in the food industry but that was standard practice back then. I assume it is the same on a cruise ship, those are the behind the scenes type of people. Maybe someone who does the laundry day in and day out that you do not see. I feel strongly you tip the minimum or you reap what you sow, I have food allergies so if they do a good job keeping me safe I give more. If they go above and beyond I give even more!

[@christineelkins6255]

I pay the standard gratuities because I think these workers depend on this income. If a situation arose where I received bad service I could consider removing...possibly...but 8 cruises so far and that has never happened. In addition to the standard, I DO tip extra to my room steward, head and assistant waiters in the MDR IF I have received excellent service....which in almost all cases I have.

[@bluestarspiritual]

It depends. There are many cultures and countries out there that do not tip. If they come from a country that doesn't tip, then for them they probably would not be overly keen to be told that they have to tip.

[@bstaton67]

To me our shipboard account statement looked like a jumbled mess. The $14.50 fee was sometimes added after midnight so there was no charge one day and two charges each the next day. Then once there was a $31 charge. ??? I remembered i gave a bartender an extra $2 on the check. The $31 was an oddly combined two assigned gratuities plus the single $2 tip. That was our first cruise. We are going to prepay the gratuities to keep it simple and keep our onboard account during the trip from looking less jumbled.