It is quite a strange tipping concept that Holland America has initiated. Not at all like the upscale lines where no tipping means no tipping.<BR><BR>When I sail HAL I only give a few dollars extra to the bus boy who works so hard for very little.<BR><BR>The others only if they give extraordinary service.<BR><BR>Paul

annie:<BR><BR>No disrespect intended, but I have sailed on HAL since 1994, HAL has never had a policy where tips were included or as you said, no tipping.<BR><BR>No employee on HAL is allowed to solicit tips or he/she would be fired. No tips are added AUTOMATICALLY to your bar bill like the other lines.<BR><BR>Yes, I use the guidelines for tipping from sailing on Carnival and Princess and I add a little more because the Filopino crew is super.<BR><BR>Now to demonstrate that I am not being nasty, HAL has done some surveys via email to pass passengers including myself, asking if they should change the no tipping required because some claim that it is ambiguous. I have flatly stated that is not ambiguous to me. I tip because the service warrants it. I feel HAL's policy removes the pressure that the other lines have. The other lines are always reminding you about tips that should be a routine for us Americans in general.

We've cruised on Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Sun Cruises, and HAL. HAL is by far the best in service, food, entertainment and value. Tipping is not required on HAL, and whenever they discuss the topic of tipping that is what they say. <BR><BR>I am sick and tired of going on a cruise and all the cruise staff talk about is how much someone should tip - and yes the staff expect that tip. On HAL, the service is great no matter if you tip or not...they make it so fabulous that you would feel guilty is you didn't give them something. They do not leave you envelopes in your room for you like the other cruise lines, you actually have to go to the pursers desk, line up and ask for one. We always tip extra at the end of our cruise on HAL and we are more than happy too. <BR><BR>I would rather tip out of gratitude for a job well done then be forced to tip for mediocre service. That is why it is called a "gratuity" !!