On the Spot

Scott Garrett / For The Los Angeles Times /

Cruise ships' built-in tipping fee rubs passenger the wrong way

Question: After booking a cruise with Princess Cruises and paying for it, I learned that $11 a day per person would be added to our stateroom bill for tips. For an 18-day cruise, that adds up to $396 for two of us. I called to object to this and was told I would have to go to the purser's desk when we are on board. Am I to spend every day in line at the purser's office to cancel a charge that should not have been there in the first place? When did this way of tipping become the norm? I thought one tipped for good service after receiving it, not before.

--Edna Broman, Redondo Beach

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