My question is centered around "Gratuities" which I liken to an optional payment if the service was great. Much like a restaurant, the tips SHOULD be optional. However, in my research it seems like gratuities on cruise ships are mandatory?
What's the deal? How is it a "tip" if its forced? Why isn't this just in the cruise fare? Am I missing something?
Any other example in the world, and I'd totally understand why you have this question. However, I've been on 10+ cruises and will give you this suggestion...
If you haven't been on a cruise, I recommend you become very friendly with your room steward and one day just ask them a little bit about themselves. For example, two cruises ago, my room steward was back working his first week back on the boat during his contract. So this was his first week away from his family and he won't get to see them again until the contract is over. Oh, he might be allowed off the boat after a few weeks, when he can quickly call them, but otherwise he's on the ship for many months (usually 7-9 months). He loved talking about his children, and it was obvious he was going to miss them. Yet he enjoyed making the children in our party smile and laugh. They loved him too and loved seeing him and saying hi to him.
On another cruise, we got to know our room steward. One day we asked how she was, since she didn't seem herself, and she said she wasn't feeling well -- had a headache. We asked if she wanted any ibuprofen and then could tell she couldn't really answer. We assumed they weren't allowed to ask for anything, and I'm guessing it was overpriced for them, or also she was doing everything she could to save every penny. And here I am, at the time an employee of a generic drug company that could probably get near-expiration ibuprofen for $1 for 500 pills. Needless to say, we gave her as much as she needed for that day, and told her we had more for her anytime, and I can't even explain how much her face lit up. In fact, the next day she kept thanking us with a big smile on her face. All for 4-5 ibuprofen.
Like many here, we watch our money closely, but the more of these workers you'll meet, you'll likely feel these tips are very well deserved - especially if we knew how much they get divided up. The service is usually amazing! I could never imagine taking a tip away.
In fact, the opposite... we often hand the people who made our trip extra special some extra cash when we leave or bring a blank card and write them a nice thank you and leave money with it. An extra $20 goes a lot further in their life than in mine!