P&O Scrap gratuities.

Massive news coming from P&O is that as from May 2019 they will be completely getting rid of Gratuities. Gratuities or Grats as they are known as by travel agents are one of the most talked about things when going on a cruise. Can they be added before hand? how much should I tip etc. The good news is that P&O have made these decisions easier for you by scrapping them completely. I have a regular customer who books at least Three P&O cruises and year and has some sort of insider knowledge. He believes that the tips given aren’t actually given to the staff, they just go towards P&O profits. It will be really interesting to see if the scrapping of grats forces P&O to put their cruise prices up.

I’m not sure why Tipping has almost become a compulsory thing on cruise lines. with some cruise lines giving you the option to add tips on before you sail, This is before you even know what service you are to be given. Some cruise liners will automatically add them to your bill unless you go to guest relations to ask them to be removed. I don’t have anything against tipping if I have had good service, However you wouldn’t go into a hairdressers and give them a tip before you have even had your haircut. I have worked in travel nearly 13 years now and haven’t once received a tip from my customers who I find the perfect holiday on a daily basis.

I would like to hear your thoughts on this BIG News from P&O. Do you think they will start putting the prices up? Do you believe in tipping before you sail or tipping full stop. Are the any occupations out there who you believe should be tipped that aren’t. It would be interested to hear from you all.