Tip sir? Dont eat yellow snow!

Tips, good, bad or just a liberty? As most are probably are aware, tips are now almost compulsory on most cruises. You can have them removed (some cruise lines are compulsory), but most cruise lines make it very difficult, and only allow you to remove the tips on the last day.....
This of course means the dreaded last day queues. Not a good way to spend a huge chunk of your last day. Many people think that this money goes straight to the cruise line, and only a small amount reaches the staff. This is actually is not true. I have it on good authority, from my colleague, Nik Burling that this money does in fact go to staff. Many of you have probably talked with Nik and heard him banging on about how many cruises he has worked on, and that his favourite ship is Aurora etc. etc. but Nik has worked on cruise ships for the best part of 15 years, so he does actually know a thing or two about cruises. Not all of the wages are made up from receiving gratuities, but a huge chunk does rely on this. So next time you hesitate in pre paying the tips, don’t think that your money is funding an extravagant officers party, think of poor little Nik, saving up the pennies for his west ham season ticket.