Nidwaldner_Chris:

I assume the "tips" are going where the current "tips" are going.

No way the crew is going to work without tips, unless they are adequately compensated via salary. NCL has to be competitive with the other cruise lines, otherwise they would loose all their help to the other lines. I don't think they are going to jeopardize the the line, particularly as they continue to expand it with new ships.

I wouldn't worry about where the tip is going, those things have a way of taking care of themselves. It's called the free market.

It has been stated several places the service fee is not at tip, specifically on NCL's Pride of Aloha. The article suggests and readers can draw their own conclusions that the money is not going entirely to the crew. The CEO himself will not disclose where the money is going.

PS, and the comment that "the crew is not going to work for it" is correct, the crew is leaving the Pride of Aloha in droves, the ship is short staffed at 750 workers vs. 900 that should working. The short staff issue is read in NCL's own literature given to passengers on recent sailings. And passengers have been getting half of the MANDATORY fee back. Not even NCL knows what they are doing.

Percy, the first cruise line rated 6 star that comes to mind is Silversea. There's probably others such as Seabourn, Radisson, Residensea...maybe even Crystal(though it's not all inclusive).

newyorkgolfer41

Thank you for the info.

I have not heard of some of the ships.

I just heard about Oceana the other day.

I wanted to book a Mediterranean cruise for late Ocotber but the 684 passenger cruise was all booked.


Also , it is nice to read all the reports about tipping.

It seems like NCL has opened a can of worms for itself.

I read some non flattering reports about their Pride of Aloha cruise in July ,I think it was, but I had no idea they were so short staffed..that must be why the service was so poor.

Well NCL is not the only cruise line sailing around the world, so we shall see how this all turns out for them

Percy

I have such mixed emotions about this tipping subject. My first inclination was "no, way..it's not a tip then" but, since it is something that should be given anyway, what difference does it make? Those that would 'stiff' can't and another thing is the foreign visitors who come here and cruise. Since they do not tip over there, I'm sure they don't here!

When we were on the Sky last year, I thought the service was up to par. The first night dinner was a little spotty but after that everyone one seemed to go out of their way and service was very good.

I have always thought the "recommended" $10. per person per day gratuity on the US crewed Clipper Cruise Line was quite reasonable.
The ships' officers are not included in the pool and most of the service folks are recent US college grads - prob remind the "active" gomers of "our" grandchildren.
M

Percy--Oceania..has great deals,smaller ships.. the old Ren ships.. there is a third one out there, but it's chartered...
http://www.OceaniaCruises.com/T_Main...e-09340b8f2cb7

Sorry Parrotmom, but Oceania in IMHO after two weeks in March is a big disappointment. It was not a great buy, and the ships crew has a bad attitude. To each his own, but I would not recommend this cruise line.

Service is terrible........and they love to get into your pockets.

Thank you ParrotMom for the information .

I appreciate your input.

Also ,Thank you manycruiser

I am not going on the Oceania as it is booked and the wait list will end this coming Monday..
It has only 684 passengers.

You all know how brochures are , everything always looks so great with those professional models in the pictures !!!!!

Oh , well, soon it is time to head to the Caribbean,as Jack Frost will be nipping soon.

Good night all

Percy