I just received my packet for my April 6 Island Princess Panama Canal cruise and noticed that the "discretionary hotel and dining charge" has gone up to $11.00 pp per day for suites and mini-suites and $10.50 a day for all other cabins. Not really a surprise; it's been $10.00 a day since they instituted the plan over eight years ago. Personally, it's one raise I don't mind paying. The staff works very hard for the money they make.

Absolutely, Rick! That is something I have no problem with paying. But as you no doubt know, some will pitch a fit over it.

Wow, thanks for the update Rick. You got the news before I did. Wish they'd provide a little better notification when they make these changes. Appreciate the post and heads up!

Cheers, Neil

I wonder if it helps the staff or not. I can see people on the first cruise after complaining and no giving the staff any extra.
I would not have a problem with it. They work hard for their money. We always tip extra for good service.
However it starts to add up $5 for fuel, Mexico wants a little more... As far as I am concerned this raise is more justified than the others.
BTW My mom was a waitress, we lived from check to check on her tips. I can still remember counting and rolling the coins. Back then when they put a dollar worth of gas in the tank it lasted for a few days!!

Gary,

I've been there too. My mom slaved for years in a diner and many times we existed on her tip money. I also recall her bringing home milkshake cups full of coins that we'd roll. Not a lot of paper money in there. This explains much about why I am not too hard on the cruise ship service staff.

I'd like to think this increase will be shared among those who earned it.

That's an increase I wouldn't mind paying, either. Looking back at my cruise albums (in which I save a lot of information), the recommended tipping level has remained relatively steady since the mid-1990s.

Rick, thank you for the info.

The gratuities were $10.50 a day on the Golden Princess Jan 12th when I went. I also noticed items in the gift shop were $5 higher than all the other cruises I have been on lately. I didn't know if they had just gone up or if it was just Princess was higher. You know, those same gift items you see on every cruise--the items that are usually $10 were $15.

quote:

Posted January 28, 2008 02:24 PM Hide Post
Gary,

I've been there too. My mom slaved for years in a diner and many times we existed on her tip money. I also recall her bringing home milkshake cups full of coins that we'd roll. Not a lot of paper money in there. This explains much about why I am not too hard on the cruise ship service staff.

quote:

I've been there too. My mom slaved for years in a diner and many times we existed on her tip money. I also recall her bringing home milkshake cups full of coins that we'd roll. Not a lot of paper money in there. This explains much about why I am not too hard on the cruise ship service staff.

I'd like to think this increase will be shared among those who earned it.

I think that young experience helped me in math all through life. Mom also told use how to "make change" and count it back at a very young age. A skill that is not around much any more. I have been accused of leaving too much for the waiter now and then. When I do really over tip it is usually at a small coffee shop, I know they need it more than the upscale places. Once we even had the waiter run out into the parking lot to inform us we left a fifty by mistake. I told him no mistake it is yours.

Gary, where were you when I was waiting tables and tending bar? I'm glad to hear they've raised it and I will continue leaving extra. Those young men and women work very hard and should be rewarded. I hope all of the cruise lines will follow suite.