What Are Your Thoughts On Tipping?

What are your thoughts on tipping? Do you feel under pressure to pay your gratuities? Have you had problems getting your tips removed from your account?

Tipping someone for receiving good service is part of a cruise holiday. I don’t think the majority of us mind rewarding staff for a job well done, it is a nice way to say thank you to a member of staff who has gone beyond their call of duty.

But when does it become just a bit too much? Consider a family of 4 cruising this Summer for 2 weeks in the Med – this can add over £500 to your bill – that’s some service!

You have probably read just recently that Celebrity Cruises have decided to increase their gratuity rate – it is now $13.50 per day per guest in standard staterooms, $14.00 per day per guest in Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms and $17.00 per day per guest in Suite Class. 

Why are they doing this? Will this extra income be passed back to the very people that are working hard for it? The staff in the laundry for example – will they get a wage increase – who knows? But I think I know the answer don’t you?

Yes, the cruise lines state that it is easy to remove or amend the gratuities by visiting guest services  whilst on board – but why add them onto our accounts in the first place?

Tipping is a hot topic. No one wants to see crew members with reduced pay and yes I know they all work hard and deserve decent wages.

Perhaps if the tips were included in the cruise fare to begin with – is that a solution?

Whatever your thoughts are I think we all agree that gratuities are there to reward great service – but perhaps the cruise lines should look at paying staff a decent wage to begin with.

What do you think?