I'm aware that there is an active thread regarding gratuities in which we're being asked to contemplate a 're-think'. However, it seems to me that it doesn't start at the beginning.
In fact the thread begins with the assumption that gratuities are an inherent part of cruising. We're then asked to consider whether gratuities should be included in the advertised price of a cruise.
I believe Max summed up the consequence of incorporating such charges in the overall price extremely well:
If we're to debate the whole question of gratuities (for brevity I'll use this word to also mean tips and service charges), surely we must begin by asking whether it is reasonable to ask customers to contribute directly to staff wages at all.
We know that gratuities are in the interest of cruise lines, but are they in the interest of customers or staff?
I would say not. Not only do I believe that the company should pay its employees in full, I also believe the gratuity system is both patronising and demeaning. I'm just a working (okay ex-working) bloke on holiday - not some Edwardian gent slipping coins to steward or waiter in order to underline our relative social standing.
I believe the gratuity system is anachronistic. It suits cruise lines to call it a traditional part of cruising and, I have to say, I think it suits a certain type of passenger.
So what do I propose? Well, I'll avoid as a matter of principle any cruise line that places the onus on me to remove gratuities. But if the attraction of a particular cruise causes me to do business with such a company, I'll remove automatic gratuities immediately.
It's optimistic in the extreme to expect others to follow suit, but I tend to judge the rightness of an action by asking: "What would happen if everyone did what I am doing?" The answer is that if everyone always removed automatic gratuities the system would collapse. And if everyone stopped tipping in envelopes, companies would need to increase prices to cover staff wages. And isn't that precisely what so many on the forum have been calling for?
Regards
In fact the thread begins with the assumption that gratuities are an inherent part of cruising. We're then asked to consider whether gratuities should be included in the advertised price of a cruise.
I believe Max summed up the consequence of incorporating such charges in the overall price extremely well:
Originally posted by Max, Warwickshire
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We know that gratuities are in the interest of cruise lines, but are they in the interest of customers or staff?
I would say not. Not only do I believe that the company should pay its employees in full, I also believe the gratuity system is both patronising and demeaning. I'm just a working (okay ex-working) bloke on holiday - not some Edwardian gent slipping coins to steward or waiter in order to underline our relative social standing.
I believe the gratuity system is anachronistic. It suits cruise lines to call it a traditional part of cruising and, I have to say, I think it suits a certain type of passenger.
So what do I propose? Well, I'll avoid as a matter of principle any cruise line that places the onus on me to remove gratuities. But if the attraction of a particular cruise causes me to do business with such a company, I'll remove automatic gratuities immediately.
It's optimistic in the extreme to expect others to follow suit, but I tend to judge the rightness of an action by asking: "What would happen if everyone did what I am doing?" The answer is that if everyone always removed automatic gratuities the system would collapse. And if everyone stopped tipping in envelopes, companies would need to increase prices to cover staff wages. And isn't that precisely what so many on the forum have been calling for?
Regards
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