There was a wonderful sight to behold last night here onboard the good ship Carnival Valor as many of our Indian crew members gathered in the crew lounge to watch the movie Slumdog Millionaire.
Yes………I know it’s not out on DVD yet but we do have it as one of our Pay per View movies……… and oh…………..the look on their faces was just priceless. Many of our crew are from Mumbai, or Bombay as it was known, and for them to see this film was something very special.
I have been able to call many Indian crewmembers friends for many years as well as storeowners across the Caribbean and you will not find a people more complex – and complexed – than Indians. It’s amazing that many Indian citizens had just been heaping abuse and lawsuits on Slumdog Millionaire for showing India in a bad light, and for using the intolerable word “dog” to describe those poor little slum kids, is now in a state of total joy.
For those of you yet to see this movie it’s a tale of a boy from the slums of Mumbai who competes in the Indian version of the television quiz show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Last night I watched it again with some crewmembers, the same crew who will have served you food, cooked you food, cleaned your stateroom and made your vacation experience that much better. I watched them as much as I watched the movie and saw their changing emotions throughout. They clapped and tapped their feet to the Indian music and their eyes glazed over with sadness when they saw the filthy, giggling, half-naked children picking through the huge piles of refuse. I couldn’t help thinking that some of them may have known people who were forced to live like this…..maybe one or two even experienced this hell of a life themselves.
Then there were huge whoops of joy as the Bollywood-style dancing in the finale started and many of the Indian crew stood and danced along ……..it was like something straight out of an episode of Fame.
I remember watching the Oscars many years ago when a big fat British director or producer whose name I cannot remember won an Oscar for Chariots of Fire. Plainly overcome with the emotion of it all, he bounced on to the stage and announced proudly: “The British are coming.”
Oh, how everyone laughed at the silly little fat man from the north of England. ….. including myself. One minor hit and now he thinks the SAS Special Forces are going to storm the White House and every American will be drinking tea with milk and saying “spiffing” by the weekend. ………..but this week he was proved right.
The British scooped all the golden dolls and showed Hollywood that a small film about millionaire dogs can beat Batman, Spiderman, Hulks and Ironmen any day of the week.
Strange though. Because when it comes to making films we British are usually …………. ummmm…………crap.
We’re even worse than the French. At least with French cinema the girls eventually get their clothes off and have rumpy pumpy. Usually after the lead character has spent an hour wondering, in black and white, whether to throw himself under a train.
Whereas in most British films, nothing happens at all. It’s all grimy and wet and miserable and then, mercifully, the credits roll. Sometimes this is because to get funding for a British film you have to go to a government body made up of vegetarians and communists who will insist the movie is about underprivileged glue sniffers.
So, the cinema-going audience is faced with a choice. Shall we go and watch Leonardo De Crapio blow up some terrorists? Or shall we go and see something about drizzle?
Often, though, British film directors yearn to get a film off the ground not because they want to make money but because they want to make a point such as Thatcher was a bastard, The Queen should be sacked, screw the rich. That sort of thing. It’s all so bloody depressing. Lots of people looking through raindrops rolling down a window before reaching for the Evo-Stik. And instead of the hero coming along in a helicopter gunship, we get some social worker who “really cares” and has a lot of meetings.
Then there is Madonna’s ex-husband Guy Bitchy whose movies are all exactly the same and show London as a city full of gangsters screaming “Oi guvner, give us the bloody diamond or I’ll blow ya bloody head off you low life scum geezer.”
That’s why Danny Boyle is so brilliant. He understands the need for a story. Trainspotting could have been about deprivation. But instead it was a feel good movie about a man’s escape from drugs. Then there was 28 Days Later. Same thing. It had a plot. It had a point.
And now there’s Slumdog Millionaire.
After the movie I spoke to a lot of the Indian crew who thanked me for showing this epic film for them. I then spoke to a crew member I have never spoken to or met before ……… a cook…………one of the cooks that makes the pastries and bread onboard. He shook my hand like we were best mates who hadn’t seen each other for years. He told me about his cousin who usually earns about $1 a day selling scrap wood, but has been in hospital with tuberculosis.
After his family’s hut was bulldozed without notice, they now live under a scrap of tarpaulin that stands no chance of keeping out the monsoon rains when they arrive in June. He then told me proudly that he and his two brothers are at sea with Carnival and Holland America working hard to support as many of their family members as they can ………but that he can’t help them all.
These are the crewmembers who smile each and every day and provide the fun and service that makes Carnival the best cruise line in the world. Yet, they all have their own story to tell. Sometimes those stories are ones that will make you smile and laugh and sometimes like my friend the cook………..they will make cry…………and occasionally they will make you realise just how lucky you are.
I want to apologize one more time to everyone disappointed that I am leaving the Carnival Valor and therefore will not be the cruise director on your voyage. Please don’t blame anyone but me. I should never have said that I would be here the whole of March especially knowing my schedule is ever changing. I have spoken to the folks in Miami and we have said that this cannot happen again and when I give dates I will be onboard I must honor them…….and I will. I know this does not help those guests who were looking forward to me being on the Carnival Valor but I do promise that unless I have a personal situation that requires me to be elsewhere, I will adhere to the schedule I tell you about.
So, once again I go on bended knee to ask for your forgiveness. It is not Carnival’s fault but mine and if you need to be angry at anyone it should be me…………..and the French.
Please forgive me and I promise that even though I will not be here the brilliant crew of the Carnival Valor will make sure you have the best cruise ever.
Time to answer some more questions.
Sandra Asked:
Please Reply……
John,
Are you trying to tell us that Jamie is now married? When did this happen? You slipped that bit of information into your blog…… Just like you ….
Is the Spirit going into dry dock soon? Linda and I are going to Alaska in July, and we thought that we would be on the Spirit.
Are you having any problems now finding your hemorrhoid cream? If so we can also send you some from North Carolina.
Love to Heidi and the Thingy, and to you too.
Sandra
John Says:
Hello Sandra
No, Jaime is not married and I was teasing her because she really wants to find Mr. Right but so far she has been unlucky in love. I know one day she will find the right person though …………preferably someone who doesn’t like to talk much as Jaime has that part of the relationship well covered. Her Dear John letters are amazing though and I continue to be very proud of her. Your Alaskan cruise will be on the Carnival Spirit and I know you will have a fantastic time especially as Chris “Bubba” Roberts will be your cruise director ………doesn’t miss his Blues Brothers act. I am always in need of hemorrhoid cream ……. it’s a hereditary problem passed down from father to son. My best wishes to you and your family and let me know if you need anything else.
Cheers
John
Melanie Asked:
Hey John (please reply if you can),
I know you mentioned that there may be something going on for St. Patrick’s Day (other than just drinking! lol) on the Valor. I plan on decorating my cabin for it, but is there any chance if I bring an Irish CD for you that I can get at least one song played over the PA to help put everyone in the Irish mood?
p.s. I promise it’s not a CD from Riverdance!
John Says:
Hello Melanie
Of course you can decorate your cabin plus we can tell some Irish jokes………..Ken the maitre d and I love going back and forth with English/Irish jokes. Tell you what, while I can’t play the CD over the PA system I will play it before a show or during one of my events. Leave me a note at the GSD when you arrive and I will be in touch begora I will and top of the mornin to ya.
Cheers
John
Spencer Asked:
John Please Reply
Hi John,
I saw a post on Cruise Critic a few weeks ago that there was going to be news on the Elation in a few weeks. It said you said that on the bloggers cruise. It has been a few weeks and I really want to know if there is any good news about the Elation. Can you please give me any information about this?
Thank You,
Spencer
John Says:
Hello Spencer.
The Carnival Elation is in dry dock in San Francisco until March 12. I actually spoke to the captain who is a great friend of mine. Captain Salvatore Messina and I go way back to the Carnival Destiny when he was staff captain and we would get off the ship together in Halifax and eat lobster. He is now a captain and as you will see he has two beautiful children. He will keep us informed on how the ship is doing and as soon as she comes out of dry dock I will make sure I tell you all about what appears to be your favorite ship.
Here is my friend Captain Messina and his family
missingthesmokefreeparadise Asked:
JOHN – PLEASE REPLY
Will you be on the two-day cruise to nowhere out of New York that precedes the Blogger’s Cruise?
Jon
John Says:
Hello Jon
Yes sir, I will indeed and hopefully I will see your Fun Ship Funnel hat walking up the gangway with Mrs. MTSFP by your side
Best wishes to you both
John
Frank Asked:
Hi John, Please reply. Perhaps you can help us with an issue of onboard booking. Seeing were about to embark on our 8th cruise next month on the Miracle we were curious does Carnival still offer on board booking for your next cruise. We have heard both directions on this yes and no? We are already ready to book for 2010 and were waiting to see if we can still book on board for a better rate or less of a deposit?
Thanks, Frank and Bridie
Titusville, FL
John Says:
Hello Frank
Thanks for taking the time to write. The Booking On Board addition is proving very popular and I know it is the intention to make this fleetwide. I will check with the Carnival Miracle and see if it has been implemented there yet and get back to you very soon. I will advise ASAP.
Cheers
John
RichieRich Asked:
John please reply-
Hi John- sounds like you are back in your element being a CD all be it sounds like for just a short time. I bet a lot of people are glad you are out to sea,(lol). John, we are booked this fall on The Dream for a med cruise. Can you tell me when we will be able to book excursions online, as of right now this web site just shows “must be booked onboard”
Thanks RR
John Says:
Hello Richie
I am indeed enjoying this brief time at sea although many will tell you that I have been out to sea for many years. The Carnival Dream is going to be a stunning vessel that will be visiting brilliant ports of call. The excursions will be available on line and I have been told they should go active on May 1. However, if you have specific questions about any ports or excursions, I will be happy to answer them for you
Cheers
John
Justin Asked:
(John Please Reply)
That sucks John, I was looking forward to meeting that man the myth and the legend, on my upcoming 3/22 valor trip.
Who will be filling in for you?
John Says:
Hello Justin
I know……..I feel so guilty you have no idea. Anyway, the CD will be David Tancock who was here as CD before I arrived. You will have a great time I promise and if you will forgive me hopefully we will get to be together one day soon
Best wishes and have a brilliant cruise
John
Thomas (Ted) Daniels Asked:
John,
Thanks for your entertaining blog. My wife turned me onto it, and we both read it on our lunch hours now while trying to hold in the laughter.
By a turn of luck, we’ve got our third (my wife’s fifth, I think) cruise booked for the Carnival Dream’s second European itinerary in October. I say a turn of luck because we were originally booked on the Freedom (I think that’s right) on Oct. 1st, then it was bumped to the 2nd, and then the next thing I knew, we’re on the Dream – which I’d never heard of – on the 3rd.
My only European trip prior to this one was a business trip to Poland, and neither my wife nor my Mom has ever been, so I was wondering:
1. Are there any special recommendations you have for this 12-day itinerary? My wife is excited about Dubrovnik for some unknown reason, and I can’t wait to see Venice. I’m sure you can tell us a couple of off-the-map places.
2. Are you going to be the CD for all three European itineraries? Reading your blog, it sounds like you’re going to be on the inaugural sailing, and I think I read you say you may cross the Atlantic with the Dream. Can you confirm – or tell us we’re wrong – that you’ll be on our sailing?
3. With all the Dream hype, this is probably not an issue, but is there any chance the October Europe sailings will be cancelled again? On one hand, you have all the money and marketing spent on the Dream, but on the other hand, the economy doesn’t seem to be getting better. We seriously considered not re-booking when the Freedom was pulled out of Europe, as we didn’t know about the Dream and started to wonder if it was just destiny not to take a European cruise. My wife is a travel agent, and she says that Carnival is telling her the Oct. 3 booking is filling fast, but I can’t help being a bit worried.
I’d appreciate any answers you have to any or all three questions. I’m really getting excited about sharing this trip-of-a-lifetime with my wife and parents!
Thanks,
Ted Daniels
John Says:
Hello Ted
I send you a warm welcome to the blog thingy and please allow me to give you some advice ……….don’t hold in the laughter because if you do it will turn to gas………and I am sure your colleagues won’t appreciate that very much. Let me answer your questions.
1. Dubrovnik will be the place that will be the biggest surprise and considering that this town was devastated during the terrible civil war of the 1990′s its amazing that now it is a town full of charm and its 14th century ramparts provide amazing views. I would highly recommend the Best of Dubrovnik tour which allows for lots of free time to explore the old town as well as the gorgeous countryside. As for Venice…..well sailing into there is indescribable. Around may time I am going to be writing a special blog featuring highlights and photos and recommendations for all the European ports of call so look out for that?
2. The cruise director of the Carnival Dream will be Todd Wittmer who as you may have read on the blog is a well-loved CD who will make sure your onboard time is one full of fun. I will be there to host the inaugural ceremonies plus I have two Bloggers Cruises on the ship, one from New York and one from Port Canaveral.
3. I know we have made some changes to our fleet positioning including pulling the Carnival Liberty from Europe. However, I can assure you there is nothing to be worried about and you will indeed get to experience all the magnificent flavors that Europe has to offer………..it will be a Dream come true.
I am sure you will have many more questions before you cruise and I will remain at your service to answer them. My best to you and your wife
John
John Says:
Hi John,
Back from the Carnival Legend on 3/1 and thought I would give you a quick report. I love the Spirit-class ships, and this was my first aft wrap around balcony, great room.
Embarkation and debarkation were the best I have experienced in my five cruises. Debarkation in port and two tender ports was also well handled. The staff was friendly and very attentive.
Thank you for your recommendation of the Mayan ruins at Tulum from Cozumel, My dad and I had a great day exploring history together.
Belize was cold and raining and when given the chance to cancel my snorkeling trip, I took it, so I have an excuse to do this itinerary again.
Isla Roatan was amazing; this may become my favorite destination.
Now, the bad, I had two complaints. First was open dining, We had asked for late dining, but upon arrival we were assigned open dining. I was going to go get it changed, but we decided to give it a try. Big mistake, open dining was terrible. First night of the cruise we were tired and had a light dinner on Lido (great job on the Lido deck BTW). Second night was the Captain’s dinner, went down at 7:30…and waited about 15-20 minutes for a table.
Once seated and given a menu, we waited … another 15-20 minutes before we were given bread, water and our order was taken. Good thing we got drinks while waiting for a table, never saw our drink server (start of a theme). The wait staff never introduced themselves, was rushed and forgot to return when asked for something. Looking around this seemed to be happening throughout the open dining, lots of rushing about. The food was great, service was not. I was done, I never went back to the dining room, I enjoyed great meals on the Lido deck. My folks tried the dining room once more, no wait for a table, but, they reported service was worse the second time.
I like knowing I have a table waiting for me at a certain time, with staff I enjoy getting to know, waiting there with a smile and a kind word.
It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing, Carnival does dining right, forget open dining, besides Lido deck and all the specialty venues provides Total Choice Dining. I, for one, want nothing to do with open dining again.
My second complaint was with drink service. Now, I’m not much of a drinker anymore, it is rare that I have a drink or a beer. But, on a cruise I have a couple of Blue Margaritas and maybe a Miami Vice each day with dinner and the show, or maybe a nice adult beverage while playing the slots. I think I was asked if I wanted a drink in the casino twice, and I was there enough to rack up 500 points playing nickel and penny slots. At the first production show, I had to flag down a server to get a drink, after no one came and asked. The second production show I sat front row, stage right, across the isle from the CD and ACD. Not only did I sit through an hour-long show and not get asked if I wanted a drink, I tried to flag down a server 3 times and still could not get a drink. The first four rows of the center section had three different servers check on them twice each (start to notice these things when you are thirsty) and I could not get their attention. I showered, had clean clothes on and do not look like that Quasimodo dude and had not had a drink all day, I was at a loss.
Overall I had a great vacation. Legend is a beautiful ship and worth checking out. Four ports in 4 days is quite a lot, I do enjoy the sea days, but Isla Roatan is worth checking out.
Sorry this ran long, but I know you want to hear of our experiences onboard. If you get bored on Isla Roatan, go see the monkeys, great excursion.
All the best to Heidi and the thingy.
Ron (need another cruise) RN
RonRN
John Says:
Hello Ron
Let me start with the most important part of my answer………..an apology to you for the problems you experienced onboard the Carnival Legend. Sometimes we don’t get the chance or forget to say the word “sorry” and that is something I wanted to make sure happened straight away. I have forwarded your comments regarding the bar service to the hotel director of the ship and also the vice president of food and beverage. Serving staff before guests is something I have never seen before and I promise you this situation will be looked into.
I have yet to experience the open sitting dining experience on a Carnival ship so I was of course very interested to read your observations. I have read here on the blog mostly positive comments however it seems that we may still have some lessons to learn judging by what you have written.
So, I decided to ask the ship for some facts regarding the open sitting for that cruise. One thing I noticed was that 88 percent of the guests dined on the second evening (which they told me is higher than normal), two pagers were given out that day and the average wait was 12 minutes. Now………the fact that when you did get to the table and the waiter did not introduce themselves, etc ………….well that’s something else that is currently being looked into on the vessel. So, I wanted to apologize again and also say thank you for taking the time to tell me about this because constructive criticism is worth so very much to us. I would be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced the open sitting dining on a Carnival ship and what your thoughts were if you did.
Thanks Ron and I hope we get to cruise together soon
Best Wishes
John
Just as a follow up I wanted to let those who were interested in the Carnival Pride’s repositioning to Baltimore know that the tours for Puntarenas, Costa Rica are available by clicking here.
The excursions for Colombia are still being finalized and I will let you know as soon as they are ready.
Yesterday I was talking about the LEX program and how this great way of allowing us to take care of your luggage is not available outside of Florida. I thought that was correct information because I had checked with all the other homeports………except one ………. as Chris “Bubba” Roberts now explains.
I am reading on your blog today that you said LEX is only available in FL. That is incorrect.
We offer LEX out of San Diego as well as Vancouver. For Vancouver it has to be a flight direct out of Vancouver into the states.
Just thought I’d let you know…..
Chris aka Bubba
Thanks mate. I know you took time off from going to the local Waffle House to write this and we all appreciate you very much. We would love a Bubba update blog … any chance?
That’s all for the comments and questions for today………….there will be more next time.
I will be blogging tomorrow and include a Dear John letter from Jaime full of emotion.
It was a day to remember yesterday for one family on the Carnival Valor. As the ship prepared to sail it was clear that we were missing a family with Mum, Dad and four kids. We needed to leave Belize on time so after all the usual checks and pages over the PA system, the captain made the decision to sail. About five minutes after we had heaved up the anchor and had turned onto our course the bridge were informed that the family was on the dockside.
Now….in most other ports we would have waited for them but this was Belize and we had been anchored 15 nautical miles from the shore. However, they were obviously desperate to get back to the ship and I would like to say that the tender boat captains we had been using all day and that Carnival had paid a big sum of money for felt some compassion for this family…………..did they bollocks. They charged them $650 to bring them to the ship…….$650………and the tender boat Captain didn’t even have a patch over his eye.
OK, charge them something……..$100 maybe but $650 is a total and utter rip off.
Anyway, the family had taken a private tour and the guide had not planned it well and arrived back at the pier too late…………I called them tonight and the father is distraught saying there is no way they could have afford to spend that money but they didn’t want to miss the ship. What’s even more ridiculous is that he didn’t have the money in cash and so the captain of the tender made him run across to an ATM machine. The kids were crying said dad…….my wife was crying said dad…………..but the tender captain showed no mercy.
I have already reported this incident to the ship’s agency in Belize.
Yes………..I know the family should have planned this better and yes it shows the virtues of taking a ship-organized tour but most importantly it shows that if an opportunity arises there are still people out there ready and willing to take the Mr. and Mrs. Tourist for all they can. I hope the tender captain gets bitten in the thingy by a rabid bat!
So here we are in Cozumel today and we are under a Mexican sun that is beating down on the good ship Carnival Valor. It’s been nearly two weeks since I touched dry land and although Heidi had a little moan at me about getting off the ship and getting some fresh air I just can’t be asked to do so. I love these places but mincing around them on my own makes me sad. Here onboard I am busy writing and fine-tuning the schedule. It’s a great itinerary for the guests this exotic western Caribbean. Four straight days in port followed by a final sea day in which to relax and I can see why it’s so popular.
So, tomorrow Heidi attends her second antenatal thingy where mums sit around talking about umbilical cords and Desperate Housewives who have Sex in the City. Anyway, they have to bring cakes and things for everyone so Heidi went to my Mums house today to learn how to make fruit scones and cheese scones…….here she is and here are the resulting scones
Wow, she’s getting big now and I can’t wait to see her again………..and have a scone …………made with Splenda of course. Hopefully my Mum will teach her to cook Spotted Dick, Bread and Butter Pudding and my Dad’s favorite, tripe and onions.
Now, I want to talk a little bit about tipping and let me first explain why. Last night after the Far From over Show I stood at the exit to the lounge-saying goodbye and basking in the praise for the performance of the cast. All was ticaty boo when I was approached by a couple of British guests who asked me where they could remove the pre-paid gratuities that were on their Sail & Sign cards.
I, of course, told them but not before asking why they wished to do so. Well……….to cut a long story short the guests felt that although the service from their dining room team and stateroom steward had been really good they felt that the tips should be at their discretion and not pre-planned by the company. They told me they would prefer to pay the tips in cash. Anyway, I told them what to do and thanked them hoping that they would honour what they had said and tip the service staff.
You see, Brits and tipping just don’t go together. But the world is changing. The culture of tipping is spreading fast and gratuities are now expected in countries where they were previously unheard of or, at least, not generally expected. In China, where traditionally tipping was seen as a capitalist mechanism that promoted inequality, the practice — as my sister who lives in Hong Kong tells me – has been taking off since the Olympic Games.
Tipping is of course an ongoing subject for those who cruise. Should it be pre-paid? ……..should it be based on service?…….and who and how much should we tip? So, as always I open this forum up for all to comment on. I do not think Carnival has any plans to change the system but as a cruise director I would love to know what you all think and I know many others at the top of the Carnival tree would as well
One last thing…………..I once had to tell a piano bar entertainer to take down a huge sign he had stuck to a goldfish bowl that read “Tipping Is Not a Town in China.”
Now, one of the questions I was asked on the blog yesterday was one I wanted to answer in the body of the blog………..the question was “what does a GSA mean?” Well, GSA is the new name for our pursers and the GSA stands for guest service associate. The pursers desk is now called the guest services desk or the GSD and the chief purser is now called the guest services manager or the GSM.
I was chastised on yesterday’s blog for using acronyms and this also applied to when I posted which piano bar player would be on what ship. I had written GL instead of Carnival Glory and SP instead of Carnival Spirit, etc. In fact, one of the bloggers took the time to write the ship names in full in case anyone didn’t understand……..so thanks for doing that on behalf of us all.
On ships as in the army there abbreviations and acronyms for many different people and objects. The ships are shortened to Cele and Fass for example and that makes me mad. The crew used to call the passengers ………..well……………I really shouldn’t tell you this but we used to call you cones……………..and that’s a story for another day.
Yep, we shorten everything the three-letter acronym was created I think so that people at work could save time while talking. Today for example I was filming the welcome video for the Carnival Sunday Funday when Zed the cameraman asked me for a medium-sized close-up ……..except he didn’t…….he asked me for a MCU……and I just stared at him like The Queen at an ATM.
I am a huge reader of military history and in the current book I am reading about a Sniper unit in Iraq there are many shortened words. That’s because in the heat of battle you can’t very well take up 20 seconds of radio time calling for something when you only need three for the abbreviation. “Can someone fetch that sort of portable light-machinegun thingy so I can fire lots of bullets at the man with wires hanging out of his shirt” when you can say “Get the LMG”……. That way you have plenty of time to shoot him in the head.
I also have started to hear these abbreviations in meetings and during the dreaded telephone conference call. My sister Suedrip and I were talking about this the other day and she mentioned instead of talking about work in China (two syllables), they talk about going to the PRC (three).
For the last few years my least my least favorite acronym of them all was BFF — best friend forever. Anyone who uses this has no connection with me, at all, except for the brief moment where my fist is connected to their nose.
However, today, during a telephone conference call about the upcoming travel agent functions in California and other projects one of the Carnival marketing people came up with one that made me want to reach down the phone and poke them in the eye.
This person said that they would “have to accomplish this P2P.”……..everyone seemed to agree and before I could cover my mouth I said, “What’s P2P?”
There was silence ………and it was though I had just asked “What’s one plus one?” …… eventually a marketing person said it means pillow to pillow which in turn means flying in and flying out the same day, which is just about the most ludicrous bollocks I’ve ever heard. ……….I replied that I was taking this call “IMU “…………..there was silence …………so I explained that it meant………”In My Underpants.”…………….that was the conference call over.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and the Thingy
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Hi John,
Since Carnival has started putting tips automatically on our S&S account, we have kept them there.
We really need to trust, however, that Carnival makes sure that the people who serve us get this compensation.
We have, at times, given extra money to our room steward, or wait staff, who went above and beyond.
Crusing as a family of five… and spending $350.oo on our S&S card on tips feels like so much for a week. But when you break it down day by day…. and the terrific service we get all week, it really is a bargain. ( and for those who cruise with young kids… don’t remove those tips! )
Catrin
John, I do like the prepaid tipping for one reason. I don’t have to run down to the GSD to get a mix of bills to put in those envelopes. Since with the S&S card you don’t need cash it’s hard to built up the bills for the last night. I would be nice thought to have more plane envelopes in the cabin to be used for the over and above staff person that you want to give a little extra to.
Tell Heidi she looks beautiful. John your right Thingy is not a watermelon just yet. Like you said about the size of a head of cabbage. Can we have some of those scones for breakfast one day.
BIG ED
John:
Thank you for taking the time to give the crew something “special” like this movie.
I am blessed to have many folks who I count as cruise friends (not just acquaintances) from India who are in every aspect of Carnival’s fleet from Karaoke to Security.
In fact, Rozwin (karaoke host that I have sailed with many times) is a dear dear friend. He was on our Blogger’s Cruise and had a surprise waiting for me. It was a salwar kameez that he had a friend bring from India, when they joined the Fantasy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salwar_kameez
Not only was the gift beautiful, but the trouble it took for Rozwin to purchase it, have a friend pick it up and bring it FROM INDIA for me.
Can you imagine? You are coming from India to start your 8 month contract and “oh by the way” on top of packing enough stuff to last you for a year….could you also bring this gift for a friend of mine?
AND IT FIT!!! Not an easy task for tall ladies like myself who were born 6 foot tall.
He gave it to me the last night of the cruise as we closed down karaoke or I would have worn it on the Blogger’s Cruise. Our family looks forward to sailing with him again soon….and you can be assured that I will be looking great on “Elegant Night”!!!
About your comment on tipping. While some may or may not agree with it, the simple fact is that this is just how it is done.
If you are going to cruise on Carnival, you are expected to tip the minimum $10 per person per day.
I know of two incidents last year where large numbers (up to 1/3rd on a particular sailing) removed their tips.
No, they were not going to “tip them in person”. It was done so that they could spend the money on themselves.
Unfortunately, we live in a society where there are people who (given the opportunity) will stiff the crew. And when there are large numbers of these people on the same cruise, it can affect the pay for the entire crew for that cruise.
Since this is how Carnival crew get paid, it is time to change it to a “service surcharge” that is billed at the time of booking and can not be removed….just like the fuel surcharge could not be removed. Then if someone wants to truly “tip” someone above and beyond, then that is certainly their choice.
We literally pre-pay all our “tips” before we even step foot on the ship. We consider it part of the cost of our cruise.
Then we “tip” as needed during the cruise in cash.
It is indeed time for Carnival to do whatever they must to protect the crew’s income from scum!
Speaking of intials….
David works from home (when he is not traveling).
I get so tired of hearing “MOU, PPCW, TDA, TMU,SCS, DC, TBD, DCB etc etc etc”.
Doesn’t anyone speak ENGLISH any more????
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
OMG John,
You always CME (crack me up) and as a 20+ year veteran of Telecom I can certainly relate to your issue with acronyms. When I was in the promotions department at Verizon I actually was tasked with writing an acronym to English dictionary for new hires and it was quite a chore!
As far as tipping goes, I would prefer it be service based, although there is a caveat to this.
I personally believe that every adult in the US should be required to spend at least 1 year in some sort of restaurant, hotel, or other job where tipping for service is the main source of income. I was a bartender for many years (and made a great income). I am amazed at how many people do not realize (or care that) any service industry profession revolves around tipping. My mother, sister and occasionally a friend do not know that these people make minimum wage (or below) and they just expect superior service regardless.
I guess that either Carnival needs to “educate the masses” or stay with the relatively easy and pain free system of adding to the “Sail & Sign”. Probably with the current economy, adding to the “Sail & Sign” wins unfortunately.
Best to you, Heidi and the obviously growing Thingy!
Hopefully, we’ll see you later in ’09 with your bundle of Thingy- Dana
Hello John:
As usual I enjoyed today’s blog. I have been on 10 Carnival cruises and I have never heard about open seating on Carnival. When did this happen?
I don’t think I would care for this concept as I have not heard any good reports when used on other cruise lines. I like to enjoy my wait staff for the entire cruise and that is usually a fun thing.
As far as the tipping goes, we, my husband and I both like the fact that it can be charged to our account. The amounts charged are very reasonable, and, we usually enjoy giving a little extra to our waiters and cabin crew for the good service.
One last thing John, I have asked this before and you have not answered me, please reply to this question. What is spotted dick? It sounds like a bad disease, but, I think it is something in the food category. If it is that delicious, I would like to order it when I get to London this August.
Best wishes to you and to the adorable Heidi and the blessed Thingie.
Marie
John -
We actually prefer to have our gratuities on our sign and sail card so that we know everyone gets a little something for their wonderful service. We do take the time to tip our room steward when they do an exceptional job. Last year we gave a nice tip to our waiter because he was so great. When our kids sail with us and have a wonderful time on board we make sure we give good tips to the kids staff as well.
To me it’s good ettiqute and it’s sad how many people want to cheat the fabulous staff out of their tip. It’s part of being on vacation and by golly, Carnival makes it easy and not a hassle – what more could you want?
$10.00 a day is not a lot when you consider that you have your room cleaned, the ship cleaned, your meals served and everything else they do. I have always added an envelope of cash for my room attendant and both my wait staff. At least they can buy a little something for themselves.
I think that people should be allowed to remove the tips, but it doesn’t have to be easy! A long form should be required with lots of annoying questions. That might stop some of the people that need the extra change for the slots.
Keep things the same, the tip removers are most certainly in the minority.
Cheers!
Derek
John,
As long as there is a way in which to remove or adjust the tips, I am fine with the tips being automatically added.
John, PLEASE RESPOND
Heidi looks absolutely adorable! If we couldn’t see her belly, we would never know that she is with Thingy. And, the scones look like they turned out perfect! I am sure that you will get some fresh made ones when you get home.
That was wonderful that the Indian crew had a chance to view Slumdog Millionaire–what a great movie it is!
Will Heidi and Thingy be joining you for the trans Atlantic cruise in October? It would be great to see her again and have the chance to meet Thing 1!
Thanks again for another great blog!
Sheryl
Well said Linda! I agree too many people remove the tips and leave nothing at all and that the tips should not be able to be adjusted off when the guest over spends the cash deposit/limit on the s&s card. We always look for the crew members that go above and beyond to give an extra cash tip as an extra thank-you.
The current tipping system works well. Although some people remove the tipping, probably fewer do that than those who would not tip at all if just left up to them.
We always leave the tips on and tip extra to the wonderful staff who made our cruise special. We must be one of the few who tip the assistant waiter as well as the waiter and head waiter because the assistant always beams upon receiving extra.
If you are fortunate enough to take a cruise, you can tip, and you can likely tip a bit extra for special service.
John -
Lynn here tell Heidi she looks great in red. I am surprised she does not have flour all over …I would. Mike has some thoughts on tipping.
Mike here: At first, when the tipping protocol changed, I was taken back because I like to personally hand someone a tip and I can get the satisfaction of letting them know how much I have appreciated their service. However, after talking to our sons, who are also Platinum cruisers, my feelings soon changed. They would have their own cabin and would develop more than just a passing relationship with their cabin stewards and staff. Our sons would tell us about the families of the cabin stewards and also of how hard they have worked to support their families. They also shared some of the most horrific stories about how the cabin stewards were stiffed of their tips. One example was that a personal check was written to one of the cabin stewards (this may not be bad, if the cabin stewards have ship board accounts). Another example was that the envelope was only filled with a couple of dollars for a week cruise.
So I applaud Carnival for standing up for their employees to ensure that their income is protected from, how should I say this….cheap skates!!
OK I am off of my soap box…hi to Heidi and
Thingy!
Dear John
Great Blog!
Heidi is just Blossoming with Thingy. She looks Beautiful!
her scones looked great, wished I could have reached thru the screen to have one…..
How wonderful for all the Indian people to have seen “Slumdog Millionaire”. I am hoping to see it soon. It has taken soo many awards. The stories you have shared of “your people” are simple amazing. There is one Head waiter we shall Never forget, his name is Blaze,,, we have had the plea asure of his service 3 times and he always greeted us with “my people my people”. We often think of him with much love and affection…
AS far as the sail and sign cards, not too crazy about the design but I’ll get used to it… We are very fond of the pre pay on the S & S.. and if we feel that someone gives above and beyond , we have left an extra envelope that we have gotten from guest services… Seems like the best way to go we think…
and to Mr & mrs missingthesmokefreeparadise
I cannot believe we are going to miss them again! we are taking the DEc 3 Bloggers cruise and it looks like they are taking the NY cruise. “S I G H ”
Ce La Vie”
Take Care
Love and Hugs to Heidi & Growing lil thingy
The Tuckers
Arnold & ELizabeth
John,
I have never understood why people would remove their tips from their S&S accounts. Do they not know and appreciate the service that every Carnival staff member gives to the passengers everyday?!?!? The staff is what makes the cruise!!
Heidi is getting big and looking well, I bet you are excited!!
Dave from Florida
Hi John,
I’ve been reading your blog since sailing with you on the Splendor last summer. I especially enjoy reading it when you’re on a ship.
I was on the Legend 2/15, just a couple of weeks before RonRN’s cruise. It was my fifth Carnival cruise, and dining room service just felt off. Unlike RonRN however, we had traditional dining. We only saw the bar server once or twice, although we dined in Truffles every night except one. Our water glasses did not get refilled without us asking, and service was just unusually slow (compared to my other Carnival cruises). We always enjoy getting to know the wait staff, but it just didn’t happen here with our headwaiter and his assistant.
Lido deck service was good — we were offered refills on drinks (water, lemonade, iced tea) at lunch time. We only ordered room service once, and it arrived promptly. Unlike RonRN, I didn’t have a problem in Follies getting drink service, even though we were sitting way off to the side.
I hope the first part doesn’t come across as “bashing”, because I love Carnival, and the rest of the cruise — ports, entertainment, debarkation/disembarkation, etc. was fantastic. Our cabin steward and assistant, Wayan and Michael, were exceptional. I would just hope for the Legend to realize that there is “opportunity for improvement” in the dining room service category, and that it simply did not “meet my expectations”.
Best wishes to you, Heidi, and the Thingy!
Jane
Hi John:
The daily fee added to the folio is the best system to motivate the “service” crew and provide good service that I can think of. The hard workers make the big bucks. Passengers need to carry less cash.
Consider what would happen if Carnival paid higher wages and built the cost into the booking, or made the tip mandatory. There would be less motivation for the crew to provide good service, because a poorly treated Carnival guest would have little recourse, other than to not sail with the line again. The guest has to have the option of not paying the gratuity. Then management has to discern whether it is the guest or the crew that is breaking the contract.
If Carnival left the wages the same as now and took the “tips” off of the account there would be a lower level of service since most people would probably not tip as generously and crew income would decline ultimately making the good ones go and the below average hang on.
The additional income potential available in the existing system results in a higher level of service since the happy guest will most likely leave the charge on their account.
I will admit that we tip extra cash for great service, but have never taken one penny of the standard amount off of the folio even one time when we had a phantom room steward. Not on Carnival actually.
Of course there will always be a few boogers that return the half bottle of wine, or the bare ham bone, but why mess with a fine concept because of a few folks who are so selfish and greedy that they want to enjoy a nice cruise and not pay a fair and customary gratuity to the staff?
The money always comes from the customer, the art is to do the most good for the customer with part of it.
Some things aren’t broken.
I think the anytime dining screws up my logic as far as the waiters, have to ponder that some more.
Nice to see Heidi, thanks, the scones look tasty.
Regards
your friend
Bill Heck
John,
wow,
Did you hit a sore spot of mine with the tipping issue.
Sorry that some make take this as being rude or even just down right nasty but to them i say. (if i can borrow your term) Double bollocks…….
If you are so desperate that you cant afford 10.00 per day per person for folks who work their tails off to make sure that your every need is met then as Linda said above you are definatly a “LOW LIFE SCUM”
I have never met a Carnival ship staffmember who did not woork hard to make our vacation time truly and enjoyable experience.
How would a “NON TIPPER” person feel if at the end of a week of work the boss came to them and told them he did not feel like they worked hard enough and he was going to cut their pay by 50%.
I would bet that they would be calling their laywer double fast.
Cindy and I have always used the s&s card and paid for our tips in advance, and have always left extra in the envelope at the end of the cruise, not because we can, but because the staff have EARNED it.
So if you dont like to tip for great service maybe you should search out another cruise line where the service may not be as good.
Sorry to be long winded but stuff like this really gets me going. I realize that some folks have to save to be able to take these cruises and maybe spending an additional 70.00 per person could put a dent in that budget but you need to remember that the staff on the ships are supporting families as well and they depend on tips as a major part of their compensation.
I would have no problem with Carnival making the tipping mandatory, as i said above the staff on Carnival ships deserve ever penny of it.
Ok off my soap box………….Just my opinion
Thanks
Bill N Cindy
Tipping– I love this discussion—BTW, I just posted a long message on yesterday’s blog before I realized that you had already put up a new one–see I’m still suffering from Splendor withdrawal. Couldn’t tell you how many people I overheard shortly before each leg ended objecting to this Sign & Sail charge. It was my impression from the beginning that this was done as a service to passengers who wanted to charge it. I do find it convenient and have never had it removed. I have always done additional for just about everyone who generally receive tips. I do not think very highly of those that shirk the tipping or have it removed to give what they deem fit because as I have witnessed–they generally don’t give anything. I have watched as those the last night of the cruise, (traditionally the night of goodbyes and tipping) either don’t show up for dinner at all or will leave before dessert so that they can escape without being seen by the wait staff that have served them with a smile and possibly taken their abuse the entire length of the cruise.
I don’t know what can be done about bad tippers but I do believe that the minimum should be charged without the ability to remove it to gaurantee these employees at least a minimum each cruise they work. So nuff said, next question.
Heidi looks so cute…great photo.
John Please reply:
Our family is starting to plan a reunion and friends cruise next summer for my wifes 50th birthday. We have decided to sail on the Carnival Splendor next June. We sailed the route years ago when the Tropicale was new. In looking at the deck plans for the Splendor we are very interested in the Cat 9 corner cabins at the stern of the ship. We can tell that the balcony areas are great but we cannot figure out the layout inside the cabin. Do you happen to have some pictures of any of those cabins or can some be found. We have spent a lot of time on cousin Princess but look forward to sailing on Carnival once again. Hopefully you can find someone to help us with this before we book.
Thanks
Dennis Casteel
John Please Reply,
Maybe i have missed it, but who will be our CD on March 29th as you are hosting the fun day event?
hiya dude! heidi looks lovely! as do those scones!!!
as to prepaid tipping, well we always do that plus more. a crew member has to be really really bad not to get extra from us. that only happened once.
have a lovely day!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
I do not like my tips on my S&S account because I think tipping should be a more personal thing. I would prefer to give my tip to the person face to face. Part of the reason behind tipping is so the actual person experiences the reward and I don’t think this happens if it is expected from an account. After a cruise, I feel like I have developed a relationship with the crew members who have served me and a simple thank you is not enough. I will continue to request that it be taken off my S&S account so I can give the tips to individual people and see the smiles on their faces as they accept them. Their smiles to me when I give them the tip make me feel special too.
I feel that the tips should be included in the cruise price. As it is now it’s like a hidden tax. Put the tip amt into worker pay and let their supervisor monitor their performance(as they do anyway0. The current system is stupid!
Hi John!!
Tell Heidi she looks great. Pre paid tips is the way to go. It’s fair and it ensure that this people get their pay( at least must of the time) and it’s easier for us also.
Dear John, I remember back a few years on my first cruise, that it was a real hassle to tip with the envelopes and cash. Much easier now. But John, please answer, is this the service staff’s ONLY
source of income? I was thinking they got a regular salary and that the tip was “extra”.
I routinely give extra cash to outstanding staff, like my waiters or room staff, besides the prepaid.
Can’t wait til December to see you on the Dream. Lee is almost through with his chemo and radiation, and it has been a hard road, but he and I are so looking forward to being on the Dream.
Love to you, thingy and Heidi, Mary Lou
John, I wonder if you could strike a deal with whoever is over the internet cafe or the library, to print off copies of the blog and put it out where everyone can read it while we are on the Valor??????? There are going to be lot of your blog fans on the ship. I don’t want to have to buy internet minutes like I did on the BC2 in order to to prevent withdrawls
Thanks
Countess Carolyn
In response to your question regarding auto tips: I like them on the S&S. It saves me time. I always tip with additional cash to those who served me and made my trip memorable. I am afraid if the autotips were removed, a large portion of cruises would not tip either because of ignorance or because they are cheapskates!
JMHO (Just my humble opinion)
Hi John,
As to tipping…my brother used to work as a videographer on another cruise line. He told me,in regards to the bartenders and other servers (lido deck, piano bar, etc) while a tip is automatically charged to the drink bill, this tip is usually divided and split by 3 or 4 other people. This is why I always add an extra tip when I sign for my drinks.
As to the pre-paid tipping, I think it works fine. There has only been 2 instances where I’ve had to take back some of my tip as the service was horrendous. But NEVER so I could have more money to spend on the cruise.
Speaking of acronyms, I had no idea what “DIY” meant when you first wrote about it. I had to ask someone what it meant! LOL
Heidi looks great! I know how much you must miss her.
Hi to Stephanie, Tony, Tom, Vance and Chris.
Princess Elaine, the quiet and single of Big Ed’s Evil Crew
Heidi is adorable!! Keep the pictures coming please!
Tipping – we have NEVER taken tips off off our S & S cards. And we tip in cash throughout the cruise – bar waiters by the pool, in the disco, the piano bar; at the beginning and end to our room stewards and dining room staff. To those that remove the tips so you can tip in cash…. it is my understanding from a crew member that any cash received from a cabin that has removed the auto-tips, has to turn that money over into the tip pool that is divided between crew. If the auto-tips stay on your account and you give them more in cash, they can keep it.
My father-in-law loves omelets. He tips the omelet maker $1 every morning…you’d swear he just gave him $100. I think it’s more that appreciation is shown, then the actual amount.
Kathy
John – we like tipping the way it is now, prepaid on your card. We have done the cash in the envelope system and it was difficult to have the cash and not always easy to give. We give extra to those who are really special, like Ishmail and Suci on the Carnival Spirit, but have never found any Carnival employee that didn’t deserve their portion of the regular tip. So as long as it can be changed, leave it alone!!! Heidi looks great!!! All our best…
John reply if you wish –
John,
Regarding Ron’s comments today about open dining on the Carnival Legend — we sailed on the Legend January 25th and had requested open dining. Our experience could not have been more different. We were seated immediately each evening with the exception of one and that was at our own request — we wanted to wait for an open table with our favorite servers Clive and Made so we took a pager and waited about 10 minutes. In addition to eating at a time we chose, we feel that the service is actually even better because there are fewer people trying to eat at one time. Dessi, our Maitre d’ did a fantastic job making sure everyone was enjoying their evening. She made us (and everyone else) feel like they were the most important VIP in the room.
I realize Total Choice Dining is not for everyone so this is one where I think offering both options is the best plan. I’m certain many people prefer knowing the time, table and guests they will share the meal with. In our case we would not take a cruise where fixed seating was the only option.
Looking forward to our next Carnival cruise — even considering doing the Legend again we had so much fun.
Thanks!
Bob and Donna
REPLY PLEASE JOHN
I’m sorry for asking again but I’m a little confused about the LEX program. I’m taking a cruise next Januaray, 2010 on the Dream out of Port Canaveral. I’m the one that asked you about this new program because my wife and I enjoyed it very much. First you stated that it was being done. Later you said that it only at Ft.Lauderdale and Miami. Then after another blog after hearing fron Chris ( Bubba ) Roberts hearing you said it only was used inside of Florida he said it was used in San Diago and Vancouver. My question is when you said in Florida therefore Port Canaveral is now included? I’m sorry once again but I would just like to know the real results.
As far as the pre-paid gratuities that were on their Sail & Sign cards, we like the idea even though I still give more to our stewards who’ve always been so great to us. The only question my wife always asks me is how do we really know that all these great workers are given the pre-paid gratuity that we give?
The photo of Heidi was beautiful in her red outfit showing her pregnant. She looks really fantastic. The scones look great also.
One last question and it might be to early to answer, that being is do you know who will be the CD on the Dream in January 23rd 2010?
Once again, thank you for answering all of my questions even though they may be redundant.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
I have not sailed on Carnival before, but plan to be on BC3 in December and am excited to be on my first Carnival cruise. But I have been on about 14 other cruises with various other lines.
I cannot imagine spending days with the crew who do so much for me and not tipping. That is the heighth of selfishness. I agree that the tips should be included in the bill, and I always give extra to those people who do so much for me.
I usually cruise alone, and I do like open dining. I have had assigned dining on several cruises and usually find they put me at a table with at least one unpleasant person. With open dining, I find a waiter I like and when I go in for dinner, ask if they will put me at his/her section. And I get to meet different dining companions every night. It has worked very well for me.
John, I agree somewhat with Mr Derek “I think that people should be allowed to remove the tips, but it doesn’t have to be easy! A long form should be required with lots of annoying questions.” I think the questions should be along the line of why then want to remove the tips from each of the different staff included in the tips. Make then put in writting their complaints for each one and what percent will be taken off for each one. I’m sure a quest couldn’t possibly have a complaint about each and every person covered by their tips.
I would also automaticly send a set of marked envelopes to their cabin of those that cancel it off their S&S card so they can put in their adjusted tips. When getting one of these special envelopes that staff person would know right away this is not an extra tip over and above that given on a S&S card but an adjusted tip.
BIG ED
John
Tips on the S & S card is a great idea that steamlines the process–we frequently give more, especially to the cabin team.
I see where the guys with beards have gotten into renaming things. GSAs?–PLEASE–Let Pursers be Pursers!!
Roger T
Since I normally book online I have my preferences set to prepay the gratuity so there it is. Easy as pie (except for me because I can not bake to save my posterior…).
The wonderful staff on board Carnival ships deserve far more than the somewhat sad $10 that’s assessed. These folks are the most outgoing, engaging, enjoyable folks I’ve met anywhere. On the Carnival Fantasy my cabin steward was amazing! She always smiled, always stopped to talk to me, or us if Stitch was with me, and was truly interested in how my day was going.
Where does Carnival get these folk and why can’t Microsoft hire a few??
I have yet to see ‘Slumdog’ as my schedule is nearly as full as your’s but as soon as I get a minute or two I intend to watch. How truly wonderful that the crew got to enjoy the movie. Carnival has a heart… a BIG heart.
Heidi looks perfectly amazing!! Those scones don’t look bad, either!!
I’m sure Jaime is having a hard time dealing with the recent events on the Splendor. She has a huge heart and I would be stunned if she could easily deal with the situation. God bless her and the family.
All my best to the Blogging crew and, of course, Heidi and the Thingy!!
Ciao!!
Host Mach
John:
I would like to add one other thing about this tipping issue….
A common discussion about tipping is that if the tips are automatic….there will be no incentive for the crew to give good service.
What we (particularly as Americans) may not understand is that we are dealing with different cultures here. The vast vast vast majority are not providing good service because of the tips. They are doing it, because they take PRIDE in what they do.
I know this is a foreign concept in our American Society today and it is a shame. Is there an exception to this rule? Sure, after all we are dealing with human beings.
But as the rule, these men and women will provide the same level of service if the tips are “removable or not”.
Proof of this statement is that this same claim was made when Carnival went to the Sail and Sign method. This change has now been in place for years with no reduction of service.
The past few years, some folks have complained of a decrease in service.
Any reduction of service over the past few years is from Corporate changes in the amount of additional responsiblity added to the stewards and wait staff……not the method of tipping.
Secondly, while I agree that giving it to someone directly is a more personal touch….we as guests have no way of knowing all the people these funds are distributed to.
And someone who has worked very hard could be accidentally overlooked. We guests see the cabin stewards and wait staff and their assistants….but we do not know other “levels” of staff and crew that may benefit from the automatic tips…that we never see. (For example on Lido)
Having the funds distributed correctly is more important to me than the “look at what I am giving you” feeling that some people require when they hand tips over to a crew member.
I do not tip someone to make them “appreciate” me. I tip someone because I “appreciate” them.
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
John, I like the way they do the tips on board but I always give the room steward and wait staff a little extra. I was wondering why nothing is set aside for Youth staff. They work hard with the children. When we sail with the grand children we alway buy Phone card to give to their youth staff so they can call home. They seem to appreciate it.
We ware booked to sail on Carnival Facination in Oct and are planning on booking on Carnaival Fantasy on her 7 day out of Mobile. . Will make our third time on Carnival Fantasy.
Really enjoy your blog.
Glenda
JOHN PLEASE RESPOND
This question brought up something I forgot until after I posted. Many of us questioned–does the wait staff and room stewards actually know who left the tips on their sign & sail each cruise or do they just get it with no explanation as to who tipped them or didn’t? That could change the way people answer the question about putting them on the sign and sail. I always give extra but we obviously were on this cruise so long that we all were discussing this and wondered say if you gave the waiter $50 in an envelope does he think that is all you left him or does he know you also tipped on the sign and sail?
Cheryl
Hi John!
$650 for the tender ride? Wow. That is just amazing. I feel bad for that family.
What a nice story about the Indian crew gathering to watch Slumdog. I feel awful for the cook’s family though. It definitely makes one stop and appreciate their food fortunes.
I like the pre-paid option of tipping but appreciate the flexibility if I want to change it.
Thanks for another great blog.
Take care!
David
Good Afternoon John,
PLEASE REPLY
In regards to the automatic tips.. we had mixed feelings about them at first. Now we prefer to pre pay them with our cruise booking and if the service is beyond “expectations”:D (which it has been) we will give our wait team, room steward/stewardess, etc cash on the last night. At first, when this was first started, we saw a slight dip in the level of service but we haven’t seen it since. We don’t mind them and quite frankly it’s nice not to have to carry the cash for them.
Heidi looks wonderful!! Thank you for the photo of her and the scones look sooooo good. Can you please give us your Mum’s recipe for them.
Take care,
Joan
Hi John,
Long time lurker, first time poster. (ltl,ftp). First of all, love the blog and appreciate the time you commit to entertaining us.
My wife and I will be sailing on the Carnival Liberty on March 28 for our anniversary and our 7th cruise. We started cruising in November of 2005, and god and economy willing, hope to hit platnum soon.
About the tipping, I know this is as touchy as politics, religion, and cruise lines. But my opinion is there is only a small percentage who complain about it, but like all squeeky wheels, seem to be heard the most. I truly feel these people wont tip after removing them, and belong in the same class of people who constantly want something for free, or will never do business with a company again.
Like a poster above, it should be a law that upon leaving school you should have to work in a service based job for at least six months.
I for one, love that it is just another thing that I don’t have to worry about when my trip is over. Now if I could just solve the problem of Carnival not throwing me off the ship when my cruise is over it would be great.
All the best to you, Heidi and the thingy, and thanks for the continuing blogging.
Dean
Hello John:
Mate, you have certainly drawn many posters by asking this “innocent” little question about tipping.
Service compris is a French custom. At least it was the last time we ate near the plas de la Venom. The waitress was all French, the menu was only in French, far beyond my ability to comprehendevous and I asked if she could at least tell me if poisons swam in the ocean, and could I have it broiled. She only spoke French. She was such a difficult person, but the food was real good, and yes poissons did turn out to be fish, it was saute’d, what breed, I don’t know. Anyway my request that the servis compris be removed from the bill since the service was nil was the best joke they heard. She spoke perfect english.
At least in the Jules Verne they spoke American English, but the lunch was more than a three day on Carnival. And the servis was compris.
You are the best, keep it up.
regards,
your friend
Bill Heck
Dear John:
Re: tipping
We have always gone along with the policy of the ship – except on one occasion. We had on this occasion a blatantly obnoxious waiter who refused to bring us our beverage (coffee) and also refused to have the dirty dishes removed. When we saw that we were getting nowhere by discussing it with him personally, we went to the maitre’ de and voiced our complaint. No change had come about after this.
To our horror, he was on our next cruise but now – lo and behold – he had been promoted to captain.
During the cruise when he was our waiter, we went to the desk and asked that our tipping be taken off the bill, preferring to give to those more deserving – most of the time giving more than what was required. The lady at the desk argued with us for 45 minutes.
I do know that there are a lot of people who would rather use their tip money in the casino or at the bar, but we love to give credit where credit is due and are always amazed at the great service given. Fortunately, we do not let one incident sway us from enjoying our cruising experience.
As with passengers, there are always some crew members who do not belong on board. Fortunately, the majority are very commendable!
We have tried both early seating and open seating and having experienced good in each one – the comaderie of having the same wait team & table mates, although at some times it is rushed after being on a tour/as opposed to being able to eat when convenient but having to give up on wait service not knowing our likes and dislikes. Our verdict is still out on what is best for us.
I think in the long run it depends a lot on whether we are travelling with others or alone. Travelling with others would move us to choose a set seating; alone, we could move around. On our last open seating the guests at our table the first night agreed to we enjoyed each other’s company and chose to meet and eat together each night – so we had the best of both worlds.
John why did you have to open the tipping discussion again? Just tell everyone to look at the huge number of posts over on Cruise Critic about this subject in every major cruise lines forum. Of course those ususally degenerate into name calling. I will say the one thing I really like about the current setup is that as I understand it, some of the money goes to the Lido deck personnel. Since for lunch and breakfast that is normally where I’m at, I’m glad to see their great service and smiling faces compensated. Which reminds me, can I ask the Pursers, excuse me GSA personnel to add on extra for them since carrying around cash to tip them all individually is a lttle impractical?
Enjoy
Ron
Hi John,
Thank you for sharing the picture of Heidi. She looks so beautiful! And please…. tell her to send scones! They look delicious! LOL
Carl and I like the tip added automatically. We usually tip some staff on our own also. But with the automatic tipping we are sure that we don’t miss anyone. And all of the crew members that we have met have certainly gone above and beyond from what we have seen onall the ships we have been on.
Give our love to Heidi and the wee little Thingy!
Hugs!
Princess Barb
Hi John,
When Carnival first started adding tips to Sail and Sign cards, we did have them removed but for the sole reason that we wanted to make sure the folks taking care of us were taken care of. We replaced that money with cash and made sure each person received it directly. Since then, we’ve become more comfortable with the automatic tipping and leave our tips on the Sail and Sign and just give extra on our own.
I will say that when we tried the “other” cruise line of the sea, I liked their process. They put tips on the Sail and Sign card and gave us envelopes with slips of paper for each of the folks covered in the Sail and Sign cards. So, we were able to hand deliver the envelope to each individual and they could see in writing how much from our Sail and Sign went to them. Also, allowed us to give additional $ in envelopes as we saw fit.
Bottom line…can’t remember any occasion other than 1 when we felt like we didn’t want to tip the standard and then some.
Heidi looks amazing…so glad to hear she’s doing well. Also, you shouldn’t feel bad about your schedule changing.
Take care,
Lisa
John< please reply
just returned from the Liberty on 3/7/09.
it was a great trip, we had the open seating diner, it was by far the best way to go. Each time we showed up for diner we had a 5 min wait or less, we show up at 6pm, 7:30, 8:15. I am booking my 5th cruise this week end and i will make sure I book a ship that has open dining. If you have time could you email me back ,I have one small problem that happened on the ship, but i rather not post it here. Thanks John
JOHN PLEASE REPLY!!
My Aunt and Uncle will be going on the Valor 3/15/09 it is their 1st cruise was hoping you could send them alittle something to the stateroom for them as a surprise. They are in cabin #6296 Barbara and Michael Prischak. I would great appreciate it!
Cheers
Christina Lochrane
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John,
Only twice have I not tipped extra to my cabin steward and dining room servers. ( One aweful steward and one aweful dining room sever…2 different ships) I believe they deserve so much more than the $10/ day split up between them. I like knowing the tips are already on the sign and sail. Even the two awful ones deserved something for sorta serving us everyday. I had the tips prepaid once and I did not care for that option. I like them on the sign and sail when we get onboard.
HEIDI looks GRRREAT! Thanks for the picture…And would your Mum give us her receipe for scones??
John and Heidi:
I’d like one cheese scone, please! They look great!
As to tipping: I like the convenience of having gratuities added to the S&S account. I agree with the idea that was posted that it would be nice to get envelopes with slips that we could hand to the crew who receive the tips – that way, we can have something to hand them (and include something extra, as appropriate). As I recall, we had to go to the purser’s desk (yes, it was still called that when we last sailed) to get envelopes for extra gratuities – the envelopes were no longer placed in each cabin. Why don’t they just leave several in each cabin near the phone? That way, they are available throughout the trip. This might encourage guests to remember to give an additional tip where it’s warranted.
To the guests with children who go to Camp Carnival: Please remember that while the camp staff is paid by Carnival (at least as I understand it), they are working hard to entertain our children as well as keep them safe. I have seen the behavior of some of the other kids in camp, and I can tell you that there is no way Carnival could pay me enough to take that job. I ALWAYS make sure that I thank them and show my appreciation by tipping them directly.
John,
On the question about gratuities. As always it should be up to the person getting the service to express their gratitude to the person(s) doing the service. I love the prepaid method but usually add to it with something personal. I have never been disapointed in the service that I have received from the great crews aboard the Carnival ships so paying this up front is just one thing less I have to do before disembarking the ship. The last day is hectic enough with filling out the paperwork work associated with the disembarkation. Some people would rather do this in person but I am into conveinience. Like the VIP checkin! Making thing easier is great and the folks that take such great care of us deserve the small amount that is asked and much much more.
We Love Carnival!!! Long may she Sail the seas!
The Cruzin2some
James & Nancy
Hi John,
I like the pre-paid tipping. I’m a shy Canadian who would feel embarrassed handing money to everyone who does something for me.
But there have been times on cruises when I would have liked to have given a little extra something to someone who has been especially helpful. How do we do that?
It seems kind of crass to just leave money on the dresser.
Any tips on how to tip?
Hi John,
Just got off the Valor on Sunday March 8th….It was awesome. You are the best. The Wi*&^% Ban&^% and Unforgettable and your Attack on Talent night with the Wind and Twinkle…OMG so good.
You are the best and I just wanted to say thank you to you and all the crew on the Valor, we did the same itinerary last year same week .
We were in cabin 7315 and table 160 and Elvis our bar tender, all of them where amazing and the prepaid tip is perfect and we even gave more, that is how good they were. It was a week of memories and I wish I had had a chance to speak to you, we walked right by you and you greeted us on the pier in Cozumel, I should have gone up to you to thank you for the wonderful job you do and also get a picture with you.
Oh those scones look so good and Heidi looks wonderful, all the best to you and little Thingy,
Maureen, Keith and 2 kids