I would wonder if taking away the incentive of tipping would effect service levels. I have heard that in cultures or countries where tipping is not part of the culture that service can be lacking. For years tipping and high levels of service have gone hand in hand with each other on cruise ships. I also worry that auto tipping would also a negative effect on service levels.

Tim, I agree that no one wants to tip twice. I wonder if everyone scrutinizes their on board account? Some people may just be oblivious or apathetic when the tips are added automatically. Where as if they tip in cash they are personally giving a thank you to the person who provided the good service.

I have always felt pretty comfortable with the “cruise tipping” issue probably because I have cruised since I was a child and my family always tipped. I always did wonder weather or not I was tipping fairly, so I found it helpful when the cruise lines started publishing guidelines. Then I found the ability to charge the tips to a sea pass account rather than have to worry about cash and envelopes to make the proces even easier.

However, I don’t like it when the account is charge automatically, with-out my OK. The lines say, “Oh, you can delete it if you must”, but I have heard of them giving passengers a hard time about doing this. I feel that tipping should be completely voluntary and never coerced or forced upon passengers. I appreciate good service and have no problem tipping when I receive it. In fact I’ve always had what I deemed to be excellent service, above and beyond my expectations. But should I ever receive poor service I think that I should be able to delete a tip or reduce it to my discretion.