Peter

Penny:<BR><BR>I am not an American and I travel extensively-usually to off the beaten track locations in Turkey, China, etc.<BR>It seems to me that if you really think that the US is on the verge of being a third world country then you certainly have not travelled very much. Or, if you have, it has been to four of five start resorts in third world countries.<BR>I am amazed than anyone who lives in a country that has so much would so mean<BR>spirited.

David

Most of you are still missing the POINT - which is that if people didn't tip then the cruise line would have no staff and then they would have to pay wages - same applies for most US restaurants. AND for that person who said, either on this thread or another one, that the cruise lines are doing it hard NB Carnival C.L. are getting another ship soon and are hoping to get hold of P&O Shipping lines - doesn't sound like the are too hard done by to me!! More like a matter of 1 or 2 Billion profit this year - give or take a Million or so.<BR>Finally please note that there is NOTHING in the brochures about Carnival C.L tipping policy in their overseas brochures and I have not been able to find anything about tipping on their web site either.

Paul Therault

Hi David,<BR><BR>And the cruise lines will have to pay wages? What result? Higher prices for passengers, that's what.<BR><BR>I have gone back in my files to the 1999 Carnival brochures and the tip guidelines are listed.<BR><BR>I have never looked at the foreign brochures. You may be correct.<BR><BR>Again, simply, if one does not wish to tip, do not vacation ..... anywhere. But please do not stiff the staff.<BR><BR>Paul

David

Paul: Its Carnival Cruise Lines that are stiffing the staff - not the customers

xman

Paul we are already paying higher prices to these cruise lines through their mandatory tipping policy. The only difference is that it is not directly reflected in the ticket price. Therefore, leading the patron to believe that the price is cheaper. This is almost as bad as the "bait and switch" policy that retail stores used to practice until it was deemed unlawful. It leads the customer to believe that they are getting something for one price where in actuality they are paying another. I do not see how this is any different.<BR><BR>Again, it is just a sneaky way of baiting the customer. If there was truly not a problem with this then they would just pay the staff the appropriate wages, and let us decide if their services merit a reward.<BR><BR>Paul for once step back and see the other side of the story.

Kelly

I tip on vacation and at every restaurant I go to in the U.S., unless the service is absolutely horrible. Even then, I still usually tip (a lower amount) because I'm a softie.<BR><BR>But I can see both sides. I think tips are optional regardless of quality of service. I don't think tipping should be expected anywhere at any time.

withheld

Hats off to "Pretty Penny". S/he is absolutely right!

Paul Therault

As some of the more intelligent posters have stated ..... if you do not care to tip becasue you have a thick crust, sail one of the upscale cruise lines or do not sail at all (why do I keep repeating myself?). And by the way have any of you priced the upscale cruise lines. If you think you are paying just $70 additional (tip amount) you are sadly mistaken.<BR><BR>Listen to the people that have traveled extensively. Post intelligently.<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>

Craig

Want to see why the line "There is a sucker born every day" lives on. I cut and pasted a summary of the comments in this chain below. <BR><BR>"Why would you people want to remove tips? These people work their asses off and receive only $3-5 per day from the Cruise Line. The tips are just about all<BR>they receive."<BR>"If the service is lousy and you are being ignored, reduce the amount of the tip at the Pursers office".<BR>"When in the United States, do as the U.S. citizens do." <BR>"Just stay home (if you won't tip the way the lines want you to)!"<BR>"Ah just give them all your money. They're gonna nickel and dime you 'til they get it anyway."<BR>"In September mixed drinks were $4.54 Including Gratuity. If you think this is high, I do not know where you are buying Drinks, but I sure would like to find it".<BR>"What's hidden, or new? Cruise lines'<BR>brochures have always explained "suggested" tips -- it is no more of a hassle to tip "voluntarily" than to get out of one which is "mandatory."" <BR>"if you cannot afford the entire cost of the vacation, find something else to do."<BR>"All you have to do is have the automatic tips removed from your account at the pursers desk!"<BR>"If you can afford to pay for a<BR>cruise, you should be able to pay for the tips."<BR><BR>No need for further comment.

xxxx

Have you ever tried to have anything removed from your bill with one of these cruise lines. I think doing a return at xmas time with no receipt is less painful.<BR><BR>Paul with a few exceptions no one says anything intelligent here anyway. Why start now, jk.

Paul Therault

Oh, I beg to differ. Craig has it right. Great post!<BR><BR>And as far as adjusting your tips at the prusers office, I know many who have done it without any problem at all. Of course if you are going to take all the tips off, you may have to have an explanation.<BR><BR>Paul

xxx

Since many of the cruise lines have made tipping mandatory and it is a nightmare to get them removed from your sign and sail cards. My question is "How much of these mandatory tips are being pocketed by the corporation?" My guess is that the corporation is skimming a percentage off the top since they are doing the accounting of the tips and a processing them this costs them money and time as they do have to be the staff that does the work. As for PAUL THERAULT HE IS A TRAVEL AGENT WHO SPECIALIZES IN SELLING CRUISES, AND SINCE CARNIVAL HAS THE MOST CRUISES WITH THE LOWEST PRICES HE MAKES A GOOD LIVING PROMOTING THEM. EVEN THOUGH HE SAYS HE DOESN'T CARE FOR CARNIVAL HIS POSTS ARE ALWAYS IN THIER FAVOR!!!!!!!!!!!!

xxxx

Paul favor Carnival. Nooooo he would never do that. I still say he gets a cut from somewhere from them. Nobody is that dogmatic in their defense of a large corporation as he is without some kind of personal perks.

Albert

Paul, a travel agent, getting money from a travel company operator -- no? Get out of here, you've got to be kidding! Of course he get's money from Carnival and every other line he books.<BR><BR>As for the "corporation" (used as a long four-letter word, as if "sole proprietor" somehow means "noble") skimming because of processing expenses -- ever look at the line for getting cash at the purser's desk the day before disembarkation? This is an expense they've dealt with forever.

Paul Therault

As you all should know by now, I will defend all cruise lines but one (I will not mention). Cruising is a wonderful vacation and Carnival has the best bang for the buck. <BR><BR>As far as me earning a geat commission selling Carnival .... ho ho ho.<BR><BR>Ask any travel agent if they would rather sell Carnival and make $60 or sell Silversea and make $800. <BR><BR>Does that burst your bubble?<BR><BR>Happy cruising and book more Silversea. And there is no tipping!<BR><BR>Paul<BR>

xxx

A man sat at my dinner table on my last cruise. He was drunk as a skunk all day long. Got angry when the waiter said he would not get him another drink at dinner. The guy ate the same steak as the rest of us - threw up, then didn't give any tip for the whole cruise to the wait staff "because I got food poisoning." Paul, I agree with your comments about the nature of people who don't leave tips.