spiffann 1 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi. Just signed up to forum today. We are booked on our first P&O cruise since they introduced new tipping policy adding set amount to onboard credit. Would appreciate opinions on this and do people opt out? hayden6715 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest shilly3191 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 What is there to say its currently £3-60 and you can opt out by going to reception and pay direct to your cabin steward/waiters but I am of the strong believe that those that opt out only do so because they dont want to pay at all. Do not fall into the trap that you want the money go to the person that has served you throughout your cruise because its highly likely that whatever you give them it has to be handed in and pooled anyway so no point in removing them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spiffann 1 Posted October 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Thanks for that. I certainly don't want to get out of paying and have always done so but just wish employees were paid a decent wage . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sammy sun 1084 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Hi spiffan, I have recently returned from a P&O cruise aboard Oceana and that was my first cruise with them since the change in the tipping policy. To be honest I think the charge of just £3.60 per person per day is extremely reasonable for the work that the crew put in. Our cruise was fantastic, one of the best yet so we have no complaints at all. We heard concerns beforehand that people were worried that with no incentive to gain individual tips, service would not be as good on board but I can 100% say it was excellent. We requested envelopes at the end of the cruise and gave our cabin steward and waiter something extra which a few people seemed to be doing but I think the new system works well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eyes12 82 Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 i agree sammy sun the staff cannot do enough and work so hard including those behind the scenes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Harvey 298 Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 Can't really see why anyone would want to opt out anyway. The new system saves taking a load of cash on-board. cheers Harvey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
showgirl 23 Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 yes I like the new tipping system, it saves the staff having to work with loads of cash on them. And the service is always wonderful on p&o anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
in the sky with diamonds 27 Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 I think the P&O crew always deserve the tips with the amount of effort they put in. thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Land Ahoy 797 Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 Hi I totally agree with the comments. tips should be paid and it's easy to pay by the onboard credit system. Infact I strongly believe that these charges should be incorporated into the boarding fare and the crusie lines pay their hard working staff a decent wage. I know some passengers say that the levels of service would decline but the levels of service on those lines which do add these charges to the boarding fare tend to get good customer satisfaction ie from the standard (Thomson) through to the luxury (Crystal) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pesky Pirate 172 Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 The only problem with incorporating the tips/gratuities into the fare would be that people would still feel inclined to give tips again in addition to any extra which they would be giving anyway. The current system of having it on your on board account works and if you take them off you have to give a reason why. Well with P & O you do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eyes12 82 Posted December 6, 2013 Report Share Posted December 6, 2013 yes if you take them off there must be a good reason i just think its a matter of time and people will get used to it as part of cruising. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Harvey 298 Posted December 6, 2013 Report Share Posted December 6, 2013 The only problem with incorporating the tips/gratuities into the fare would be that people would still feel inclined to give tips again in addition to any extra which they would be giving anyway. The current system of having it on your on board account works and if you take them off you have to give a reason why. Well with P & O you do. Although I don't see it as a problem you're quite correct TPP. It doesn't seem quite right just walking away after the service one always receives on a ship so I always hand over an extra few bob to the cabin steward and dining room waiter. I've never had a poor cabin steward nor a bad waiter. Admittedly some have been better than others but I've always received quality service. Unless one is going to give a smaller amount, or indeed nothing, then I really don't understand anyone removing the auto-grats. cheers Harvey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Victor 25 Posted December 7, 2013 Report Share Posted December 7, 2013 We always leave the auto tips on and give extra to cabin steward and dining room waiters. They look after us so well so they deserve it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bailey 12 Posted December 7, 2013 Report Share Posted December 7, 2013 I think the P&O tips are very reasonable compared to other cruise lines. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
buddy 104 Posted December 7, 2013 Report Share Posted December 7, 2013 I thinkl its good you have the option of opting out however on every p&o cruise I have done the staff were wonderful and as the amount wasn't ridiculous then I was happy to leave it on my account. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian1943 2 Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 Like many others I pay the auto-gratuities on P & O and also make direct payments to the waiters and cabin steward where appropriate. I would like to think that the additional payments are kept by those for whom they were intended. Does anyone know for a fact that all gratuities have to be pooled? I was also told last week that a waiter had stated to our table companions that waiters are paid £1000 per month and wine waiters receive only £250! Has anyone else heard this? And do those workers who are not front-line staff receive additional payment in lieu of gratuities? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ron 606 Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 Like many others I pay the auto-gratuities on P & O and also make direct payments to the waiters and cabin steward where appropriate. I would like to think that the additional payments are kept by those for whom they were intended. Does anyone know for a fact that all gratuities have to be pooled? I was also told last week that a waiter had stated to our table companions that waiters are paid £1000 per month and wine waiters receive only £250! Has anyone else heard this? And do those workers who are not front-line staff receive additional payment in lieu of gratuities? Ian1943, That seems an awful lot for a waiter,and £250 does not seem much for a wine waiter considering that is not all that they do,during the day they work as general waiters,not that I know about there wages,and I think they keep what they are actually paid quiet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
minstrel 0 Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 We find P&O tipping policy very good compared to Celebrity and Princess Cruises.When you add the Gratuities and service charges per couple it can work out VERY expensive indeed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cheapskate 0 Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Comparing the new P&O brochure to last years. There is no mention of the tipping amount per day. Says to look at your cruise personaliser so guess P&O are going to up the amount at some time or have differing rates? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JAK 7 Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 I posted this story on tips awhile ago. The story told to me by one dining friend was,he filled in a form at the end of the cruise,the type where you rate service poor to excellent,he ticked very good.Not because the service was not excellent,he just ticked very good.A couple of the waiting staff asked him to tick excellent in stead.The reason being they would receive a reduced portion from the tip pool.Is this an urban myth.Went on a cruise in January,the story flying around was that the drinks waiting staff are on a 6 per cent commission on what the sell.I always tip one way or the other for the first class service we receive on P.O. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pesky Pirate 172 Posted March 26, 2014 Report Share Posted March 26, 2014 I have just had my holiday info booklet for a forthcoming trip on P & O and it is stated as £3.95 per day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest shilly3191 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I have just had my holiday info booklet for a forthcoming trip on P & O and it is stated as £3.95 per day. If that is true that means a13% increase in wages for somebody there is a lot out there, myself included would like a pay rise that big. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ron 606 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Well you can always opt out if you don't like it Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pesky Pirate 172 Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Its still cheaper than some cruise lines…. I don't know what the problem is. It might sound selfish but that bit comes out of on board credit anyway and then if you wish you just take some extra cash if they deserve a little more. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brenbern 0 Posted April 4, 2014 Report Share Posted April 4, 2014 Am I old fashioned.. After 20 years cruising I have always given above the asking rate and I recognise good service but I can recall times when the cabin steward was very lax and I really have felt like giving nothing. The only advantage, in my opinion, in the prepayment system is in those cases where a passenger thinks they do not have to give anything due to inexperience or old age and the steward suffers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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