philpara,s Cruise Tales, Pacific Sun - Pacific Islands - Page 2

philpara,s Cruise Tales, Pacific Sun - Pacific Islands
philpara
05-10-2006

Hi Gang,
Just got back from Pacific islands cruise on Pacific Sun today,
Fantastic weather all the way, Visited New Caladonia, Nice island, pity about Noumea, interesting history, but has rather run down appearance, got the...

Click here to read the entire review

#10

By joespit on 05-13-2006, 08:54 AM

DJ Victor. You are right about Princess adding tip to your cabin bill. I understand it was because some people would not tip the staff, el cheapo, but we tip the cabin stewarts and the table staff according to the service we receive and it usually is extra since they do such a great job.

#11

By m_doiron on 05-13-2006, 12:25 PM

I personally like the way cruiselines now add appropriate tips to your bill - I know they do it to circumvent the cheapskates who:

Dine all cruise in the formal dining room and then skip last night (tip night)
Tip ridiculously small amounts
Write huge generous checks that they know these people cannot cash (at least I hope they are smart enough to realize this)

I usually overtip, not because I was ever a waiter, but because I've been lucky enough not to ever have to wait on anyone, especially rude aggressive people. Table service is an honorable, back-breaking occupation, and I'm not built for it (did I ever mention my skinny legs

)

Any additions to the "honor" list on tipping??
Mark

#12

By Dani on 05-13-2006, 02:59 PM

I love the tips added to the bill. Then we can carry less cash for that standard tip and concentrate on the amount we give over and above.

I have not noticed any decrease in service because of the auto tipping.

To tip in the states is normal for the business owners long ago learned to shift the pay of waiters, etc. to the public. Capitalism not at its finest.

The service staff in most places are paid below minimum wage. They have to make it up in tips.

That is not to say we feel obligated to tip if service is bad. In that case I have sought out the manager and told him why we are not leaving a tip.

I understand that in many countries, tipping is not required for anything but extra good service. They must pay a base salary to their service people that we in America do not.

Am I correct ? In many countries there is a different attitude about wait staff and it can be considered a very good job.

Many people in America have tended to look at it as "the bottom of the barrel" which is very unfair.

#13

By c-to-sea on 05-13-2006, 03:29 PM

To me, this is one of the classic 'pay me now or pay me later' scenarios.
No matter where in the world you are, the basic tenet of business is
the same. At the end of the day, you must have collected more money than
you paid out. Where tipping is prevalent, the price of the meal or whatever
is based on the wages paid to the staff. If there was no
tipping and the wages were higher, the cost of the meal would be
proportionately higher. However, this often can and does reduce the incentive
to provide good service. I am sure many of us who have travelled have
encountered this. How did the service compare where tipping was not
required or expected to service in a tipping environment. Sure, there will
always be exceptions but generally speaking, I think we get better service where
a reward in the form of a tip is anticipated.
(I feel comfortable posting this on this forum. If you want to see extreme
comments, there are other places to visit)

Note: 15% will be added to all replies.

#14

By Dani on 05-13-2006, 03:55 PM

You are correct about the price of the meal going up. How much would depend on the the increased base wage and the amount of profit an owner would like to see on the bottom line.

I do feel sorry for some that do service very well for a table of one to a table for 12 but then receive no tip or a very, very small one.

Some people love to eat out and will spend a decent amount for dinner but for some reason really hate to leave a tip ?

Sure can't change them or the system but I do feel bad for people who do the job correctly and get "stiffed ". My son, nephews and niece worked through college this way ...did not always come home with much money..I know they do have a good work attitude.

Yes, I think we can have a bloodless talk about this on our board .

BUT whoooeee...over at CC they have been stabbing each other over this subject of tipping, pre-tipping, etc.

It is like watching the Roman Gladiators in the arena.

I just wish the owners would stop instructing the wait staff to keep coming over to the table 112 times during the meal to interupt you to ask " Is everything okay ?"

You have your mouth full of food and they ask you that ? Or you are in the middle of a loving ( ? ) conversation and Bang ! here comes the question.

As a dining Dinosaur, I remember the days when the wait staff kept an eye out for your signal that you needed something.

Or in the really great restaurants a little flag on the table that you ran up to show your need. Or sometimes a little light that turned on....

Oh well,

"Do you Want To Super Size That ? " ( Sure, not fat enough already !

)

#15

By philpara on 05-13-2006, 08:38 PM

Tipping

Hi guys.
Still on tipping, on our just completed Pacific Sun cruise we were automatically charged $Aus5 per person per day so for 9 days we were charged $90 to be shared between our 2 cabin stewards and 2 waiters. Thats just $22 each, not a lot for the sheer long hours and hard work they put in. I get that much for One Hours work. We ended up givng them extra tip when we left. Also what about the poor dishwasher staff, laundry staff etc who dont get tipped. No, I believe these poor staff are getting exploited. Regards
Philpara

#16

By Kiwi Kruzer on 05-13-2006, 09:23 PM

In Australia and New Zealand tipping is not regarded as a way of life,as all workers are on a base level wage,that increases with their competence or need for the employer to have staff.Whenever I travel I feel uncomfortable about tipping as it is foreign to me.
However having said that, I must admit to a changing of attitude downunder.As our "hospitality" industry increases it is becoming harder to get, and keep, good staff and more and more establishments are introducing tipping on the basis that if you want service over and above the "norm" you are going have to tip for it.

#17

By robyn on 05-13-2006, 09:59 PM

Agreed David & Mark!

Philpara - I am astounded that the automatic tipping on Pacific Sun was only A$5 a day ....as you say that is not very much at all! I am used to having A$10 a day charged to my account on Pacific Princess, and US$10 a day on other Princess, HAL, MSC whatever. Even give or take currency exchange rates....A$5 does seem a bit paltry...that's P&O Oz for you, but maybe taking into account our reluctance to tip down here as basic salary for waitstaff etc is fixed.

I agree with the automatic tipping policy - it is shared among staff (I believe). So lots of hard-working crew that you never see - (as you mentioned - dishwashing, laundry staff & those bakers that get up at 3am to have your breads/rolls freshly baked etc. etc) would be rewarded.

I also tend to tip extra over and above the automatic tipping for good service from my dining waiters & cabin steward. Most ships I've been on recently include up to 15% gratuity on every bar drink & restaurant wine stewards receive commission, ...and yes, they get a lot of my money so bar staff are taken care of (& that may also explain what sometimes seems to be inflated drink prices) All cruiseline staff work long hours, but don't forget they probably get extra tips every cruise, every week from other passengers like myself.

BTW....another much appreciated gift for staff is a pre-paid phone card so they can call home & family

Just my opinion....and I'm off my soapbox now

#18

By Ozzibob on 05-13-2006, 10:34 PM

G'day all, welcme back Robyn, On the Pacific Princess this year the added Gratuity was $6-50 PP per day but of course we also left a reasonable tip, I spent many years in the hospitality industry so tipping is not foreign to me.
Now in regard to DJ Victors quote
The fact the natives had to guide the ship, well Everywhere worldwide the "local" Pilot Must run the ship to her final position at dock side.
Maybe that happens all over the world, but it sure dont happen on Dravuni Island,Here is a picture of the pilot leaving before the shiphttp://i2.tinypic.com/zmaw53.jpg

#19

By robyn on 05-13-2006, 10:42 PM

HOWL OF THE DAY, Ozzibob

....thanks