We Brits Hate Tips!

Brits and Tips Royal Caribbean International vice president and UK managing director Robin Shaw disclosed that the payment of gratuities to remunerate cruise ship employees had become a “significant issue”. Shaw said the company was experiencing a “huge cultural difference” between US passengers who are used to tipping for service and those from the UK who are not. He admitted that cruise ship staff received far less tips when British passengers are on board.

 

British cruise passengers have been complaining about the US tipping system on board cruise ships for years. I think this issue is coming to a head now we have more big US ships visiting UK ports each summer and ‘Independence of the Seas’ will be offering year-round ex-UK sailings from the end of next year.

Now our American friends may simply regard us Brits as ‘mean’.  However I think than many Brits feel that ‘Tips’ are a hidden cost. Many feel that the crew should be paid a living wage and the cruise fare should simply include their wages. Let’s not also forget us Brits (and Europeans) also pay much higher fares for our cruises than our American Friends often do. £100 per nigh, per person for an inside cabin is our norm and often on a ship that has hundreds of Balcony cabins.

Us Brits are not big tippers at home. For example we do not tip bar staff and we may not tip in cafés. When we do tip, 10% might well be our maximum. Therefore the employees of UK catering staff and bar staff have to pay a living wage. The employer cannot say “You will make your salary up in tips” because they probably won’t.

Cruise tipping is probably the most emotive subject on the nets many cruise forums. Here are some of the recent forum comments in response to Royal Caribbean’s review of their tipping policy:

“Well in my honest opinion all Brits and Aussies (and any others) should simply get a grip, tips are a fact of life”.

“In Britain a tip is something you add on afterwards as a reward for service over and above the call of duty.

One expects ‘normal service’ to be part of the included price”.

“Then they should not cruise on ships that cater to North Americans. When in Rome, do as the Romans do”

“If US based cruise lines are going to reposition their fleet to do cruises in regions where they know the bulk of the guests will be UK or AUS then they need to tailor their policies to minimize guest dissatisfaction.”

Celebrity Cruises were obviously well aware of the UK’s Cultural differences back in 1998. I did a Celebrity cruise to Alaska. Tips were included in the fare for Brits. I was given some vouchers to give to key crew members, which represented my tips. If I was not pleased with the service, I could simply not pass over the vouchers. American’s passengers on board tipped in the normal manner. I’m not sure how long this system was employed for Brits, but Celebrity does not use it now.

Personally I feel the system where the crew rely on passenger’s generosity is an antiquated system. I appreciate that American’s feel that tipping ensures good service. However, I feel that good service can be achieved by good training and good management rather than by a primitive ‘carrot and stick’ method.

Tipping is also inconsistent: I assume American’s do not tip on trains, planes and Ferries, do they? ‘Thomson cruises’, who mainly cater for British passengers has a ‘no tips required’ policy. This is a big attraction for many Brits (in addition to their reasonable drink prices which do not include a 15% service charge – but that’s another story.)  Interestingly their crew on Thomson ships are as good as I’ve experience on any ship, in fact some are better. The friendliness and on board atmosphere is second to none. This is surely proof positive that it can be achieved.

Personally I am convinced that Royal Caribbean will be introducing a ‘Tips Included’ policy for Brits in 2010, although the traditional system seems to still work well for American passengers. Other lines will almost certainly follow suit if RC take the lead.

What do you feel about this ‘hot’ issue? (No need to join to post a message)

Malcolm Oliver

‘Oasis of the Seas’ Arrives in Fort Lauderdale

November 13: The world’s largest cruise ship, ‘Oasis of the Seas’ arrived in Florida after her 14-day voyage from the STX shipyard in Turku, Finland, where she was built at a price of US$1.4 billion. Oasis was for two days behind schedule after waves over 40 feet high and hurricane-force winds slowed on her voyage across the Atlantic Ocean (see post below).

These pictures paint a thousand words:

(Photo from intelcam.com)

(Photo: RCI)

(Photo: Inletcam.com)

(Photo: Carlos Fernandez)

 Malcolm says: Wow!

See these fantasic design concept models of Oasis:

www.flickr.com/photos/22805329@N02/sets/72157622790992490/

Oasis of the Seas – Storm Damaged

(O.K. I'm no expert with photoshop!)

A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman told USA TODAY that the storm in Atlantic has damaged two Oasis of the Seas lifeboats.  

A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman the storm damage to Oasis of the Seas lifeboats is “minimal,” and they will be repaired once ship arrives in Florida.  This will not delay the inaugural events or maiden voyage.

Richard Fain (CEO) said: “The weather has been anything but cooperative,” he writes. “In fact, far from diminishing, the storm has gotten worse and they are now facing significant wave heights of up to 35 feet. Some peak waves exceed 60 feet. Nature is certainly impressive.”

Malcolm Says: This story reminds us of the differance between an ‘Ocean Liner’, such as the QM2 which is specifically designed for the North Atlantic (even in winter) and a cruise ships such as ‘Oasis’ which is designed for fairer weather.

And the Journey Continues… (Oasis of the Seas)

 November 6th, 2009 – Richard Fain’s Blog: (RCI CEO & Chairman)

OASIS continues to make her way across the Atlantic but the weather has been anything but cooperative. In fact, far from diminishing, the storm has gotten worse and they are now facing significant wave heights of up to 35 feet. Some peak waves exceed 60 feet.  Nature is certainly impressive.

Captain Bill chose to take the southerly route to Ft. Lauderdale. However, it turns out that when you start in Finland, even the “Southerly Route” requires you to spend time in the North Atlantic. He is constantly adjusting his course and speed to accommodate what will probably be the only time in OASIS’s life that it will face such a storm.

Notwithstanding the weather, the entertainment department continues to prepare.

•The ice skaters are rehearsing in Studio B and that appears to be going very well.

•In the main theatre, they are putting up all the staging and scenery, etc. Unfortunately, this prevents the performers from rehearsing on the stage and it looks like the cast won’t even get access until early next week. In the meantime, they are rehearsing in other areas onboard.

•For some reason or another, the divers are reluctant to rehearse in the AquaTheatre with 70 mph relative winds. Apparently, massive waves, heavy rain and 70 mph winds have put a damper on their activities.

(RCI)

‘Oasis of the Seas’ Images

(ship spotting.com)

(ship spotting.com)

(Images from ship spotting.com)

‘Oasis of the Seas’ meets Atlantic Storm

Richard D Fain’s blog  (Chairman & CEO of RCI):

(RCI Image)

The ship is underway and has been making good progress. Here in Miami, it feels a little bit like the calm before the storm. All the plans have been finalized, the ship has been completed, and the implementation/training/rehearsals are under way. After so long, it’s a little hard to sit back and just watch while everything comes together. But it is inspiring to see how smoothly it is coming together.

Over this long preparation time, it was agreed that a whole series of preparatory actions would be undertaken and they are now in place and under way. There are so many different people and functions responsible for so many different activities and each seems to be doing their thing just as it was planned. I feel like I should be doing something more, but there is nothing for me to do now but watch and applaud. Bill Wright, Lisa Bauer and others are sending out information from the ship. Mostly it is going as planned including some 1,200 separate training sessions above and beyond the general familiarization that needs to be done.

Crossing under the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark was an unexpected highlight. The bridge is one of three bridges all of which are about 65 meters above mean high tide. (The other two are the Golden Gate and the Verrazano Narrows.) The ship was designed with those three bridges in mind and Oasis has a telescoping funnel to accommodate. There was, therefore, no doubt in our mind about it. Nevertheless, the novelty of being so close apparently created an enormous interest which even infected those onboard. The ship navigated under the bridge without difficulty, but there was still a great cheer as she did so.

The one thing you can never count on, though, is the weather. It seems that we have managed to time our crossing perfectly to coincide with the worst of a north Atlantic winter storm. That storm has resulted in relative wind speeds of 60-70 mph (a hurricane starts at 74 mph). It has also resulted in significant wave heights of up to 30 feet (significant wave heights essentially means consistently over a period of time). Some individual waves reach even higher. Capt. Bill is considering now what is the best course and speed for the ship to minimize the impact of the storm. I’m told that the ship is so stable that the crew can barely feel the storm. But on deck it is a different story and the storm is preventing us from doing the work on the outdoor decks that we had hoped including rehearsing in the AquaTheatre.

We’re told the storm could last another 24 or 36 hours but we’re hoping that these forecasts are as unreliable as the ones I look at to plan my vacation.

Malcolm Says: There is some great information, videos, images etc. about Oasis’s delivery and crossing on the official  Oasis web site:

www.oasisoftheseas.com

Oasis of the Seas arrives at Southampton 2/11/09

 

Above: Photographer ‘Andrew’, Hythe, Southampton (Thanks Travelserver/Cruisetalk)

Departing (Image: S'hampton Web Cam)

16:45 – 17:35 pm – This must be a record for the shortest call of a new ship.

Oasis passing under the Oresund bridge

Video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=njOHaQ7V0j4

The Youtube poster said:  “I am on the Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in history, as it is being delivered to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from Turku, Finland. Last night we passed under the Oresund bridge between Sweden and Denmark, missing the bridge by mere meters, due to the ships enormous size! With thousands of cheering crew members on deck to watch the spectacle, the moment was amazing!”

Malcolm Says:  I assume the telescopic funnels were fully retracted.

 Below: CNN Video

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5MIMynEuqs&feature=player_embedded

Farewell to Saga Rose

Image By: Andrew, "Ocean Voyager" Hythe, southampton

The charaming ‘Saga Rose’ (1964, formerly Cunard’s ‘Sagafjord’) sets out on her farewell cruise on 30th October 2009, from Southampton, heading for the Mediterranean before her retirement.  Unfortunately, she does not fullfill the requirements of the new SOLAS 2010 (safety)  regulations.  It is claimed that she has done 44 world cruises, but this is in dispute*!

Saga purchased the ‘Astoria’ earlier this year and will be re-named Saga Pearl II – in homage to the original Saga Pearl, which sailed under the Saga flag until 2004 when she was replaced by Saga Ruby.

Saga Pearl II will match the classic style of Saga Rose and will build on the success of the Saga cruising brand. Her inaugural cruise will be on 15th March 2010 departing Southampton and heading for the magic of the Norwegian cost and the northern lights in the high arctic.

Andrew Goodsell, Executive Chairman, Saga Group commented:

“I am very excited that we at long last have Saga Pearl II. She is a lovely a mid-sized ship true to the Saga tradition and a perfect addition to our fleet. In her traditional Saga livery she will carry no more than 446 passengers. The ship will have an intimate atmosphere and a personal service with the attention to detail that our passengers have come to expect. Regular Saga cruise passengers will find many familiar faces on board, as the officers and crew of Saga Rose will transfer to the new ship.

A multi-million pound refit will ensure that the ship is fabulous throughout. What’s more, there will be many new features including the addition of new balcony cabins. I am sure that Saga Pearl II will win the hearts of Saga cruisers, just as Saga Rose did a decade ago.”

The ship will undergo a comprehensive £14m refit in Europe over the winter. The refit will include the creation of balcony cabins and the superior classical Saga ambiance that our customers enjoy; upgrading the show lounge, spa and two swimming pools; creating one of the best libraries afloat; and, new kitchens to support the gourmet dining experience in the stylish single-sitting dining rooms – including a new elegant Veranda Restaurant

She will also have a special coating applied to her hull which will enable her to travel with greater ease through the sea and will significantly reduce fuel consumption and lower her carbon footprint.

(Saga)

*Malcolm Says:  If one defines a World Cruise as a complete world circumnavigation, Saga Rose has done possibly 39 or 40, open to discussion/argument.  One year she didn’t do anything, 2 years were Grand Cruises rather than a circumnavigation and one year her World Cruise was aborted. (thanks PamM)

Oasis of the Seas to Visit Britain?

Rumour has it that Oasis will call in Southampton on Monday November 2nd. This call is being labelled as a ‘technical stop.’

So she will departs the Turku ship yard, in Finland, stop at the UK for a few hours and then cross the pond to Fort Lauderdale.

(Photographer unknown)

Norwegian Epic’s Red Light Cabins

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that some cabins on its much-ballyhooed next ship, the Norwegian Epic, will have a “love setting” for lighting that bathes the room in a red glow.

 

Studio Cabin in Blue Glow mode!

The specialized lighting option will be available in Epic’s studio cabins: a cluster of 128 interior rooms built around a communal, two-story living area.

The love setting is one of four mood-enhancing lighting options planned for the cabins. The others: blue for calm, white and a rainbow setting. The specialized settings will be controled from a panel on cabin walls.

The studio cabin concept is one of several innovations planned for the massive, 153,000-ton ship, which debuts in June. Aimed at a budget crowd, the cabins are just 100 square feet but boast an ultra-modern design and large, round windows that look out onto the corridor. The exclusive, key card-accessed communal area, called the Living Room, is designed as a place to unwind with lounge seating, a bar, two large TV screens and a dedicated concierge.

(USA Today)

Malcolm says: Red lights?  Windows? Sounds like Amsterdam!

NCL Chooses Captain’s for Norwegian Epic

Norwegian Cruise Line today named the two seasoned captains who will serve on Norwegian Epic, the company’s largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date.

Captain Trygve Vorren

In a live interactive online event, Norwegian also introduced the ship’s two hotel directors who will be responsible for all guest areas. The Norwegian Epic will enter service next June under the command of Captain Trygve Vorren, a 29-year seafaring veteran who is currently captain of Norwegian Jade, and Captain Hakan Svedung, at sea for 35 years and currently captain of Norwegian Dawn. Vorren, a native of Norway, joined Norwegian in 1980 as first officer on the SS Norway, then the world’s largest cruise ship. He has also served aboard Skyward, Southward, Sunward II, Dreamward, Leeward, Starward, Royal Odyssey, Norwegian Sea, Norwegian Crown, Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Majesty. Svedung, who lives in Sweden, has served on Norwegian Dawn since 2006; prior to that he worked for Star Cruises, one of Norwegian’s shareholders, for 12 years. Both captains are looking forward to this exciting and challenging new role.

Klaus Lugmaier and Sean Wurmhoeringer will serve as Norwegian Epic’s hotel directors. Lugmaier, currently director of shipboard operations at the company’s Miami headquarters, began his career at Norwegian 21 years ago aboard Seaward and held a variety of positions before becoming one of the youngest hotel directors in the cruise industry at the age of 26. As hotel director, he has launched seven of the company’s new ships, including Leeward, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem. He was also part of the team that launched Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Wind. Wurmhoeringer, with Norwegian since 2002, is currently serving as hotel director on Norwegian Spirit and has also served on Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky.

 ”We carefully chose these seasoned veterans to lead the on board team that will launch the most important project in the company’s history,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We are confident that they have the expertise, dedication and passion to make Norwegian Epic’s launch and inaugural season extremely successful.”

(NCL)

Malcolm says: I don’t doubt that Epic’s hardware will be good, but I do wonder about the software (crew: quality of food and service etc.)   NCL get some very inconsistent reviews (when compared to Royal Caribbean, for example) especially from Brits.  Let’s hope that the experience officers above can make it happen.  IF Epic’s initial reviews are poor, this mega ship could quickly sink like a stone in the middle of a recession.  However, I do wish NCL susess as I like the way they think ‘outside the box’ .

Epic’s sails for the UK Travel Trade

A two-night inaugural cruise for the travel trade by Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship Norwegian Epic is to run from Southampton next summer.  The line’s largest vessel, which is currently being built, will visit the UK next June en route to the US where it will be christened in New York on July 2.

Norwegian Epic, which will offer 20 different dining options and multiple nightlife venues, will sail on June 19 to Rotterdam and will run an overnight cruise from the Dutch port back to Southampton on June 21.  The ship will then depart on its transatlantic crossing to New York on June 24.

Following the christening celebrations in the Big Apple, Norwegian Epic will move to its home port of Miami prior to the start of regular seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises on July 10, 2010.

(Travelmole)

Malcolm says:  Best make friends with a Travel Agent!

P&O’s Artemis Sold

P&O Cruises can confirm that it has signed contracts for the sale of its 45,000 ton ship Artemis to Artania Shipping, for an undisclosed sum. The sale will be completed on October 6, 2009 but P&O Cruises will continue to operate Artemis and her series of cruises as published until April 12, 2011.

Formerly the 'Royal Princess'

Malcolm Says:   Originally ’Royal Princess’, a  Princess vessel which entered service in 1984. She joined the P&O fleet in 2005.  Of course she was never designed with Brits in mind. At round 45,000 gt and approx. 1,200 pax, she was the smallest P&O ship.  P&O are obviously thinking big these days and leaving Saga and Olsen to mop up the ‘intimate ship’ fans.

Olsen’s Black Watch Refit

Two classic vessels at Dover (Black Watch and Princess Anne)

The Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ship Black Watch will enter dry-dock in early December 2009 for an extensive programme of refurbishment. The work, to be carried out at the Blohm + Voss GmbH shipyard in Hamburg, is scheduled to start on 2nd December as Black Watch returns from a Canary Islands cruise. She will resume service on 14th December, with a five day European Christmas Markets mini cruise, departing from Southampton.

The work will include a major refurbishment of the ship’s public areas, including a new casual dining area, which will be created in the space where the Braemar Lounge and Garden Café are currently situated – midships on Deck 6, Lounge Deck. The transformed area will become the Braemar Garden, a casual dining area with seating for over 120 persons, and replaces the Garden Café which currently seats only 80. One section of this newly created dining area will be screened off, creating a 40-seat room that can be used for private dining. This new area will be completely refitted with new soft furnishings, a new bar, and buffet. Other areas of the ship will also have new soft furnishings as part of this programme, including the Neptune Lounge, Piper’s Bar, Glentanar Restaurant (one of the main formal dining areas), and the Observatory Lounge. In addition, many bathrooms will also be refitted.

The design of the new areas will be carried out by Space, which has previously worked on all the ships in the Fred. Olsen fleet.

Nigel Lingard, Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “This is a major refurbishment for the very elegant Black Watch, and will improve and enhance the facilities on board. The new casual dining area will be fresher and more contemporary, and will offer a more spacious option for those choosing this dining option.”

On the technical side, Black Watch will also have her last three open lifeboats replaced by two covered boats, which will be supplied by Fassmer Davit International.

Malcolm Says:The Black Watch is a charming vessel and a perfect size for an intimate and friendly cruise.  BW was looking a little dated internally, compared to her sister, Boudicca, which had a more recent refit to Olsenize her.  So great news for ‘real ship’ fans!

Royal Caribbean reviews Tipping for Brits

A major US cruise line is considering an overhaul of its on board tipping arrangements due to the reluctance of British passengers to pay gratuities to staff.

Independence of the Seas, Southampton Aug 09

Royal Caribbean International vice president and UK managing director Robin Shaw disclosed that the payment of gratuities to renumerate cruise ship employees had become a “significant issue”.

Speaking at the first Cruise Forum as part of the ABTA Travel Convention in Barcelona, Shaw said the company was experiencing a “huge cultural difference” between US passengers who are used to tipping for service and those from the UK who are not. He admitted that cruise ship staff received far less tips when British passengers are on board.

This comes at a time when the company is committing one of its largest ships, Independence of the Seas, to year-round ex-UK sailings from the end of next year and introducing the first summer season of Celebrity Cruises’ departures from Southampton on new ship Celebrity Eclipse in 2010.

Addressing the issue of paying gratuities – seen by UK consumers as a negative to taking a cruise – Shaw said: “We are evaluating what our options can be in the UK. This is certainly a challenge for us and one we have to address.”

His comments came as part of a wider discussion on add-ons cruise companies charge on top of the holiday price for items such as speciality restaurant meals and other extras.
Shaw said it was almost impossible to cost everything into the up front price, but it was a “commercial reality” that on board revenue was a key component for cruise lines to recover their return on investment .

Journalist Jane Archer, cruise writer for the Daily Telegraph, had pinpointed gratuities and on board add-ons as among the “turn-offs” for cruise passengers, saying that there was a perception that people were paying for more things as lines added optional extras to new ships.

She described cruise line tipping polices as “antiquated” and something that can lead to resentment and upset amongst travellers.

by Phil Davies (Travelmole)

Malcolm Says: About time!  Thomson manage to make a no-tipping policy work very well indeed.

Carnival will not Compete with RCI’s Oasis

Carnival Corporation’s president and CEO Micky Arison confirmed today that he had no intention of building a bigger ship than rival Royal Caribbean’s 5,400 passenger, 225,282-ton Oasis of the Seas.

In an interview with BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine at The Travel Convention in Barcelona — a gathering of 1,000 of the U.K.’s most senior travel industry executives — Arison was asked if he had “ship envy” over Oasis of the Seas. The Carnival boss replied: “Queen Mary 2 (150,000 tons) is probably the biggest ship we will ever build. Carnival Dream at 130,000 tons is probably as large as we will build for Carnival. We built a ship of 116,000 tons (Ventura) for P&O Cruises and I have no intention of going bigger. I think at these sizes, we can deliver the right level of service and value.”

Arison also hinted that the biggest mega-ships were too restricted in terms of where they could sail. “We try to build within a size that will give us the most flexibility,” he said. “We like to be able to access ports like Venice and to fit under certain bridges.”

Vine also pushed Arison on the issue of discounting, suggesting that a brawl on P&O’s Ventura last Christmas, much publicised in the U.K. media at the time, was the result of lowering prices to an extent that P&O was attracting “people who shouldn’t be on ships at all.”

But Arison was resolute that his policy of filling ships at any price was not related to the incident. “Each brand makes its own pricing decisions,” he said. “They do what they have to do. Whether someone starts a fight is not an issue of what they earn; it’s more to do with how much beer they’ve consumed and what their personal circumstances are.”

(Courtesy of Cruisecrittic)

Malcolm says:  Cruise line CEO’s seem to change there minds like I change my underwear! Arison is simply presenting a viewpoint which justifies Carnival’s decision to be prudent with their cash in the near future. I think Arison would still love to play the “my ship is bigger than your ship” game with RCI, but does not think a recession is the appropriate time to do it.

If you doubt me, just remember that Carnival spent at least a few years researching and designing the ‘Pinnacle Project’. I believe this was to be a mega-ship near in size to Oasis. The press later reported that the project was put on the ‘back burner’ because of “its prohibitively high price, due to the dollar/Euro exchange rate”. NOT because of the size of bridges or ports.  If Oasis is a big hit, Carnival will want a slice of that pie too – trust me!

 The ship above was a ‘big ship’ concept Fincantieri was trying to sell Carnival. Now where have I seen that stern before? (Look at the image below!) 

Oasis of the Seas’s – Boardwalk

(From her sea trials: Photograper unknown)

A wonderful image. You can see the ‘Carousel’ below the and the ‘Aqua Theatere’ at the stern.

A Virtual Tour of Norwegian Epic

I have written a ‘textual’ tour of Norwegian Epic (Menu right) using deck plans, press releases and artists renderings.

Join me on a tour of this amazing ship, before it has even entered service.

Time-lapsed building of Seabourn Odyssey

Leaving Dry Dock Nov 08

See the video:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXDlBWOSrb0

They never used to build them like this!  Facinating stuff.

The Seabourn Odyssey is the first new ship for the Seabourne Cruise Line in over a decade. About 90% of the ship’s suites have private verandas. Some of the Seabourn Odyssey’s features include one of the largest spas featured in a cruise ship, a built-in marina, and expanded guest services compared to the older Seabourn fleet.

The ship’s keel was laid in early July 2007.  The ship includes 11 decks with two swimming pools, six outdoor whirlpools, water sports from the marina and a private diamond showroom. The Retreat features a nine-hole mini golf course, a giant chess board and shuffleboard.  The ship was completed in May 2009, a few weeks earlier than planned. A sister ship, Seabourne Sojourn  is being planned and due to launch sometime in 2010.  Her gross tonnage is 32,000 and her passenger capcity is a comfortable 450.