Today's tip policies no big deal

Cruise Travel, March-April, 2005 by Gary Tucker

I have just received my first issue of Cruise Travel--what an informative publication. I would like to add my two-cents worth on the tipping issue that seems to invite many different opinions.

My wife and I just returned from a five-day Caribbean cruise onboard NCL's Norwegian Spirit. We arranged for the "anniversary package" to make the cruise a truly memorable event. From the moment we stepped onboard until the time of debarkation, we were treated as if we were the only ones on the cruise, despite the ship being sold out! The crew and staff were exceptional, the "Freestyle" cruising and dining was exactly what we wanted. There was one formal night of dining if you wanted to dress up, but with numerous other restaurants available, there were many options. As part of our "anniversary package," we had dinner in one of the ship's speciality restaurants. The staff gathered around our table and sang to us and made the event very special to us.

As for the mandatory tipping added to our shipboard account, what's the big deal? The cabin stewards and dinning staff were exceptional in every way and deserved the recommended tip. If I have any concern, it would he the old adage, "Do they really get the money?" One can only hope.

We have previously cruised NCL, pre-"Freestyle," and I can tell you the attitude of the crew and staff on the Norwegian Spirit was noticeably better. The Norwegian Spirit has been the best cruise adventure to date, and we plan on booking on NCL many times in the future.

Gary Tucker, Shepherdstown, WV