P&O’s new ‘Service Reward System’

Once again gratuites are top of the list for cruise news and discussions this week with P&O being the latest cruise line to not only increase their daily gratuity amount but also totally confusing their customer by renaming it.

In annoucment this week P&O advised all customers that “Our Service Reward Programme adds a discretionary daily amount to our guests’ on-board account, making a convenient, one-off way for them to say ‘thanks’. For cruises departing 27 March 2017 onwards, the amount, for each guest aged over 12, will be £6.00 per day. It goes to the Restaurant and Housekeeping staff who have looked after guests. It is shared according to the service ratings given in the end of cruise satisfaction survey. Our Service Reward charge is competitive and well below industry average.The Service Reward appears on guests’ folio as a ‘service charge’ and is confirmed in their holiday information booklet, accessed through Cruise Personaliser. Of course, if guests want to personally reward a crew member in addition to this, they may feel free to do so. And, if they wish to vary the amount, or let us know about the service they receive, they should contact Reception on board”

Just to clarify apart from a fancy new name the only actual change is  that they have increased the daily charge marginly from £5 to £6 . Customers can still removed this daily fee from their on board account and either pay personally or not at all if they wish.

At cruise.co.uk have been inendated with calls from customers this week questioning this information. It really does beg the question why do they have to make these things so complicated for guests. Is it about time to abolish tips all together and simply pay their staff a reasonable wage for all their hard work instead of relying on passengers to top up their pay.  I have honestly never had bad service from a cabin steward and no one can deny they work tirlessly to give good service. Some may say that maybe they wouldn’t work so hard if they knew they would not get gratuties however most River cruise lines and Thomson cruises include tips in their holiday prices and their staff still seem to give great service.

So what do you think? Would you be happy to have the tips included in the basic price of your holiday? Would you prefer to carry on making your decision on this on board during your holiday?

If you would like any more information on tipping or would like some prices on future crusing please call me directly on 0330 303 8260 or email me at [email protected].

Until next time

Marie

x