Minnow you must be a penny pincher. Why are you on this board then if you are never going to cruise again? Most of my fellow posters are just having fun. Sure their are lots of thing to gripe about when on a cruise. After all you are with other passengers. Tipping has always been the norm. Thats the way the crew get paid. I have been on five cruises, and two booked and paid for this year. I think you are missing something about cruising. I don't even think of the money issue. If it was all about money, I don't think anyone would set a foot onboard.