Attention Travel Agents.... I last booked travel as an agent 4 years ago...?

Question

I am now taking a group on a cruise and I see where our cruise lines is now adding the tip automatically to each person's sign and sail account to the tune of $10 a day. Is this the new standard now? I think this is a mistake because it will probably insure sloppy service knowing they do not have to work to deserve a good tip. What do you all think?

Answer 1

I have been on cruises before the change and after and have not noticed any difference. The wait staff and room staff always do an excellent job. You will notice that this staff generally comes from second or third world countries usually from the far east or eastern Europe or Caribbean countries where the standard of living is far below that of the cruise patrons. Compared to what they can earn in their home countries they are earning extremely high wages and they will not jeopardize their jobs because they are ensured of a tip. In most cases their six month tour will earn them several times the annual wage in their home countries. I really don't think you need to worry about lack of service because of lack of desire. In most cases poor service comes from a lack of training or understanding.

Answer 2

Hello there.   Well now.  I know for a fact Carnival does not do this.  so what line were you on???

Anyhow normally on the Sail and Sign Account, they add it on the end statement.  you can change it before the last day of the cruise.  It never charges to your CC...  Just make the change before the end!!!

Answer 3

Adding the tip/gratuity to cruise accounts has been standard practice for the past few years.  In my opinion, its effect on service will be mostly on dinner service and depends upon the cruise line.  For example, on Norwegian which has the freestyle cruising you will rarely get the same waiter for dinner since you get a different table and waiter at each dinner.  But you will still have the same room steward for the whole cruise.  On Princess you have your choice of a set eating time or go when you want.  So you could also really get to tip your waiter's good service or withhold for bad service.

I have been on about 8 cruises the past few years and I just don't like the freestyle and personal choice options.  I think they do have  a negative impact on service.  On other cruise lines like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean which do nit do the freestyle stuff you get better service in the dining rooms.

Answer 4

I have been on cruises before and after this took effect and I have not noticed any change.  As a matter of fact on our last cruise we tipped our room stewardess and our waiters extra because they took such good care of us.  These people are highly trained and they know if the service is poor the tip can be taken off the end of cruise charges.

Answer 5

Hi!  No, Carnival at least does not make this standard.  I for one actually encourage my travelers to do this just so that's one less thing they have to think about while they're out having a good time.  Encourage substandard service?  Can't say that I would agree, simply because I don't KNOW how the "tippable people" would know who has prepaid gratuities and who doesn't.  (Maybe there is a way -- if there is would you mind e-mailing me so I can also know?  Thanks.)  Also, it is always permissible to tip overand above for excellent service.  Have a great day!

Answer 6

I do not think that it has a negative impact.  After all. you can always go to the purser's desk and have the automatic gratuity removed from the sail and sign account if you thnk that the service was substandard. I have never had a problem with the service on any of my cruises.  I really believe that having non-American service staff helps this.   The people who hae served us genuinely want to serve.

I know several people who do this anyway and tip the staff directly.

Answer 7

Yeah thats the standard tips are automatically added.  You can take tips away from that account and then do it your own way (traditional manner).  

i think it could insure sloppy service, but not necessarily.

Answer 8

Well I Am A Travel Agent(divagetaways.com) And I Know That Carnival Does That... But Its Not Charged Til The End Of You Trip... And You Can Always Change It..