Elaine

I think I started something..... <BR>Guess what, I called Carnival and asked about the Inspiration's policy and was told that ship has cash tipping, so my initial inquiry is moot. <BR>I disagree with any implication that objectors to tips being charged are either cheap or intend to "stiff" the staff. Having been a waitress (in my younger years) I know that some people will leave nothing but then there are some that leave a lot more than required and 'usually' it all evens out. And I would for sure rather have taken my chances than have had a restaurant collect it for me and maybe get it or maybe not. I bet Carnival employees would say the same. The definition for tip is "a gift or a sum of money tendered for a SERVICE PERFORMED". It's not a tip if you don't know who is getting what and if you can't reward the specific people who did the most for you during your trip. If Carnival wants to increase their employee wages they should go up on the price of their cruises and leave the tipping system alone!!! <BR>Happy cruising everyone!

xxxx

Elaine thank you for being more polite than I would have been in answer to Jack's uniformed comments. <BR> <BR>Jack just beacuse I don't feel like having someone automatically TAKE MY MONEY for service that has not even yet been rendered doesn't mean I don't tip. I just like to THINK for myself. I usually tip 20% on the average for a meal, thaT is quite generous, and a minimum of a dollar a drink. <BR> <BR>Now if you insist on being belligerant and unintelligent that's your problem. <BR> <BR>Again, the army is looking for a few good men (they might even except you). And then you won't have to think for yourself at all. They tell you exactly what to do, and they control your money as well. You'd fit right in. <BR> <BR>TIPPING IS NOT A RIGHT! IT'S A REWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE!

Jack

The rationale behind for listing a reason why you are adjusting your tip is direct verifiable feedback to management on a staff person's performance. Better than the somewhat unverifiable comment cards some lines use. <BR> <BR>Advantages: <BR>1. It is convenient <BR>2. Get frequent flyer miles because its on my credit card. <BR>3. I get to use the money free for up to a month because of the billing cycle of my credit card. <BR>4. I can still adjust/distribute the amount any way I see fit (ooh independent thought, can I handle it..) No loss of control at all. <BR>5. The incnetive to work hard is still there; additional cash tips are available from passengers, peer pressure from other staff since charged amounts are pooled and bad service which results in stiffing affects all those in the pool; and verifiable feedback on specific staff members when adjusting tips. Has the effect of making service more consistent at a higher level. <BR>6. Risk of non tippers is distributed amongst the staff and a consistent baseline income can be established. This will help attract more and better employees. <BR>7. Less of a hassle handling the cash etc. <BR>Disadvantage: <BR>1. Can't stiff the staff as easily without embarrassment. <BR>2. It is a change in cruise culture. <BR> <BR>By the way, the study of economics is based upon the efficient use/allocation of resources, not the assignment/shifting of costs; that is accounting. I will stand by my argument that the charged system is better for all involved. <BR> <BR>To xxx man; your comments regarding the army are inane; I would be proud to serve my country. Don't quite understand the connection between army and an inability for independent thought. Additionally, your definition regarding that tipping is a reward for exceptional service is incorrect...technically it is a reward FOR service and in the cruise culture we know that staff depends on tips, hopefully not yours. Finally, answer the questions you have avoided; 1) "Don't you consider the suggested tip amount part of the true cost of the trip? <BR>2) "Do you tip the suggested amounts for adequate service?"

xxx

Jack you seem to have an unhealthy preoccupation with the stiff issue. <BR> <BR>1. No I don't consider the "suggested" amount part of the trip. Again' it is someone else telling me how to allocate my resources. <BR> <BR>2. As I have already stated no I don't tip the suggested amounts for adequate service. I usually tip beyond that, 20% as opposed to 15%. <BR> <BR>3. Since when was putting money on your credit card free? <BR> <BR>4. According to your comments earlier I thought the pooling system was fallible. <BR> <BR>5. Do you really think management pays attention to how you adjust your tip. And that it has a verifiable result on the personnel's performance. <BR> <BR>6. And finally when it came to the end of the trip I did not tip the head waiter that had not been around the entire voyage the suggested amount, but gave the added amount to the waitress that had really done all the work. She walked away with $50.00 dollars as opposed to the suggested $10 or $15.00. <BR>Why should he be rewarded automatically for a job not done. When she did a job well. Therein lies the flaw of the system. If he was automatically tipped what finacial motivation does he have to do a better job. None. <BR> <BR>And finally, the armed forces until recently did not promote independent thought. Everything is laid out for you as far as policy and protocol. So what part don't you understand.

Elaine

Truce...Uncle.. <BR>May I suggest the following. <BR>Jack, Carnival told me when I called that even if a ship doesn't automatically charge tips, that you can request this 'service' two weeks in advance. I'm sure any cruise line will do the same. You and others who like this system and it's 'perks' have this option. <BR>xxxxman, I and probably the majority will plod along, bring the cash, stuff the envelopes, say thanks, get a hug or two and go on our merry way. <BR> <BR>Everyone should be happy now!

xxxx

Since somebodys got to be the gentleman here (handshake! handshake!). Thanks Elaine!

Stan

Jack: <BR>You think getting frequent flyer miles is a benefit of tipping? Let's see, your tips for a 7 day cruise might be $150. You get 150 miles credit at 12-18% interest on the $150. EEEEKKK! No wonder you have no problem giving away your money!

xman

Jack I agree with Stan. And since you like throwing your money away I hear dot coms are really good investments. You may talk the talk with finanial lingo but you can't walk the walk. <BR> <BR>I would much rather have my money accrue interest in my benefit rather than the credit card companys. Heck, it's only money right.

Jack

xxx and stan, did you ever hear of using the float time on your credit card; paying it off in full at the end of every billing cycle? No interest there, and you get the miles. I guess great economists like you all buy into the credit card debt syndrome...

myopinion

Bravo, Jack. xxx and Stan just like to hear themselves talk.

Tyra

You guys might as well give up on Jack. People like him are always right, just ask him he'll tell you. They are know it alls on every subject and authorities on nothing. <BR> <BR>You remember him. He's the guy you avoid conversations with at every cocktail party or social gathering.

Ululani

All this discussion about tipping brings to mind the days when I was the Manager of Room Service for a luxury hotel. I was always amazed at how poorly guests tipped room service waiters, as opposed to the wait staff in the restaurants. It was as if the customers thought just because it was the dining room, the staff worked harder. Hah! Everything is preset in a dining room, so the waiter takes the order, gives it to the kitchen, brings the order to the table, and then periodically checks water, wine, bread, etc., then gets tipped 15-20%. The room service waiter, gets the order, has to set up the room service cart, heat the hot box, give the order to the kitchen, check to make sure everything is as requested, including condiments, water, wine, etc., then find an available elevator, haul the cart up many levels, zigzag his/her way down corridors, knock on the door with a "do not disturb" sign inadvertently left on the knob, deal with customers in various degrees of dress and undress, set up the cart or transfer the items to a table, get a signature on the check, and then he/she might receive a dollar or two . . . for "delivering" the food. What a joke. As for tipping in general, my staff fought adding an automatic gratuity to the checks, but when the time came, they realized that the really good waitstaff would still get tipped for the simple fact that they were good. Therefore, automatic gratuities took care of the problems with poorly tipping customers, but still allowed the really good staff to earn extra. Sorry, folks, just venting, I guess.

Kimmy

Sometimes I think you guys don't really cruise that often or simply don't pay much attention. You keep harping about Carnival but there are other lines with automatic tipping. <BR> <BR>All NCL ships. <BR> <BR>All Princess ships have auto tipping, $6.50 per person a day for waitstaff(waiter, assist., and Maitre D). Doesn't matter if you choose traditional or personal choice dining. I know because I just got off the Sun Princess. You still get to tip the cabin steward on your own. <BR> <BR>Rennaissance has auto tipping. <BR> <BR>And eventually the other lines except for HAL will follow suit. They are line sheep ya know.

Paul Therault

<BR>This is an interesting thread. If there is that much stress concerning obligatory tipping I know Carnival will not initiate it on all ships and possibly do away with it on the ships where it is now used. They do read the comment cards. <BR> <BR>It was supposed to be iitiated on all ships by the end of the year but I do not see this happening. <BR> <BR>As for me, I asked to have my tips put on my account on the Victory a couple of weeks ago and they said no. I like the idea of not counting money and placing it in envelopes. I then use the envelopes to place a few extra dollars along with the voucher for those that I believe did an outstanding job. <BR> <BR>As for me praising room service. I stated the room service was good I never said the food was good. Heaven's no. Same on all mass-market ships. Just snack food. <BR> <BR>Paul

xman

All the more reason to read between the lines when going on a cruise. They insinuate that everything is taken care on a cruise. There seems to be more hidden costs than can be imagined. Yes, the seasoned cruiser seems to know all this, bit what about the first timer, that doesn't know the right questions to ask. Their brochures do not point any of this out. It's almost like buying a car. Lots of research, and you always feel like you got slighted. Could that be why so many people have it out for Carnival. They promise a Jaguar and deliver an Escort. Yes it works yes it's nice, but it certainly doesn't meet the level of expectation you were promised. <BR> <BR>I am glad to hear that they are actually making some changes, could it be all the bad press? The world will never know.

Linda

a tip is a tip and just that! it is not a charge! i am sending the carnival cruise line and email to tell them that also!!!!!

Paul Therault

<BR>All charges are stated in the back of the brochures. <BR> <BR>This is when you should decide to sail or not to sail. <BR> <BR>Paul

xman

Paul that is the equivelent of fine print. All information they're not sure will sway you negatively is hidden, oops I mean printed in the back.

Paul Therault

<BR>Gee whiz, I did not expect my little tidbit to open up a discussion. <BR> <BR>I just think it is important that passengers that spend thousands on a vaacation should read their brochure and documents before they leave home. Also, the print is not fine, it is all general information and if there are additional questions they should adsdress their travel agent. <BR> <BR>Paul

Ted

Here we go again...."They do it at hotels, other cruise lines do it, everyone else does it, etc." Tipping is between ME and the person giving me the service!!! Not Carnival, NCL, Princess or anyone else! Will you people WAKE UP!