The Great Tipping Debate

A few weeks ago we heard that from May 2019 P&O are going to scrap their policy of adding gratuities to your cabin bill. Personally I thought it was a great move, but I was surprised to hear mixed opinions  when discussing this topic with my customers. Whilst most thought it was a good idea there was also concern that the hard-working crew on board their ships may be the ones who lose out.

On the other side of the coin Holland America have just announced that their service charge is about to increase to a whopping $14.50 per person per day or $16 if you are staying in a suite.

I have always believed that people who work in the service industries deserve to be rewarded when they give great service and am always being pulled up by family and friends for over-tipping, however what I do object to is being forced to tip. I don’t like restaurants that charge a compulsory service charge and likewise I don’t like being badgered in to tipping whilst on a cruise.

The tipping culture in America is very different to ours and it’s something that is expected and not just in the hospitality trade. It’s expected that you tip taxi drivers, bellhops, baristas, concierges, hotel maids, tour guides, bouncers, buskers and the list goes on. Given that the majority of cruise lines are American-owned it’s not really surprising that most cruise lines pretty much force you to pay gratuities on your cruise. My concern is that the crew are paid such low wages that they rely on the service charge and this is wrong. They should be paid a decent enough wage to start with and any tips looked at as a bonus.

I have worked in bars and restaurants myself and a having a good tip left or a having a drink bought for me was always welcome. I took it as a compliment for the service I had given. This is the other reason that wherever possible if I’m on a cruise I don’t pay the cruise lines’ service charge, but I hand over my own envelopes to the people that have served me well and enhanced my cruising experience. People are concerned that this way the backroom staff that you never see lose out, but without trying to sound harsh that’s not my problem. It’s the cruise line that need to pay them the appropriate salary and not expect paying guests to subsidise  them. Does that sound mean?

I have to say that I have never had anything but great service whilst cruising and always show my appreciation both verbally as well as financially. The great tipping debate will go on for years to come until eventually this out-dated practise eventually comes to an end.

What do you think about automatic tipping? Good or bad? Let me know.

Until next time….