Celebrity Cruises’ Australian
general manager has defended
the line’s decision to impose
tipping on local itineraries.
CELEBRITY Cruises CEO Dan Hanrahan’s
plan to “teach Aussies to tip” (CW 09 Aug)
has sparked fierce debate, with cruisers
voicing their outrage on global forums.
On the Cruise Weekly Facebook page,
‘Sandra’ stated that she “found the
arrogance of the Celebrity CEO appalling”.
Brian, of Rhodes NSW, emailed: “Antitipping
is a very appropriate Australian
way of life and we don’t want outsiders
coming here to tell us otherwise.”
Local members of the world’s largest
cruising community, Cruise Critic, were
largely opposed to the practice, but some
expressed their support.
General manager of Celebrity’s
Australasian operation, Gavin Smith, told
Cruise Weekly that “well-travelled
Australian cruise passengers onboard
quality cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises
are very willing to recognise and reward
excellent service received onboard”.
Smith said Australians have been active
participants in the gratuity program
onboard Celebrity ships for many years.
“Australian guests onboard Celebrity
Century this summer and Celebrity Solstice
next summer will, I am sure, continue to be
a part of the gratuity program in order to
recognise our world’s leading crew,” he said.
Smith explained that the firm includes
gratuities in all local advertising and
brochures for passengers’ convenience.
“This provides consumers the convenient
option of pre-paying the suggested daily
amount, and removes the need to seek out
and reward individual crew members at the
end of their cruise – this approach is
popular with Australian guests,” he said.
The line “recommends” a daily gratuity of
$12.40 per passenger ($16.20 for suite
guests) per cruise night to cover cabin and
dining room service.
“If guests do not wish to pre-pay
gratuities then they can be paid onboard in
US dollars,” Smith said.
In response to those who suggested the
company should instead pay higher wages,
he said: “Our onboard team deliver worldclass
service equivalent to that experienced
in the finest land-based resorts and they
enjoy pay and conditions in accordance
with global cruise industry guidelines.”
MEANWHILE, other lines with locally
based ships have ditched their unpopular
tipping policies for Australian passengers.
Last year P&O Australia scrapped its $7.50
daily gratuity, and Carnival Cruise Lines has
promised that no tipping will be required
when Carnival Spirit is based in Sydney.
Princess Cruises incorporates gratuities
into its fares for Australian departures; on
non-Australian itineraries, it charges
US$11.50 per person per day.
Holland America Line plans to keep its
daily “hotel service charge” of USD$11 per
passenger on Volendam and Zaandam this
season, but guests can adjust this amount
at the end of the cruise.
Let us know what you think.
