Everyone can do what they want of course but when Regent says "tips included" that means "tips included". If everyone starts tipping for room service and other services you are in my opinion going to mess with the system.

They do pay the staff more and we pay those tips in our cruise fare upfront. So the staff do not expect and are told they wont get more tips. When people tip for things like room service then the staff will start to expect that and this is not what is supposed to happen.

What I love about a ship that does not require tips is when people are nice to you it is because they want to be nice and not because they are looking for a tip. That changes things for me personally, it seems as if the warmth of the staff is more genuine. Just a perception probably but I like it this way.

It would be better to give some money to the "staff fund" that is used for staff in general for whatever they deem appropriate. When people feel a strong need to tip this is what I urge them to do.

Actually in many fine hotels now this is how it is done. In India at the Oberoi Hotels there is a sign "PLEASE do not tip any member of the staff personally, if you wish to tip please leave an amount at reception to be shared with all the staff members" We did not see that immediately and tried to tip the bellboy - he refused. At Birkenhead House in South Africa it is this way also. They request that you add an amount to your final bill and prefer you not tip people individually. Same at the luxury game camps in Africa. Tip at the end for the staff in general. It is SO much easier and really much fairer for the staff.

In all my Regent cruises I have yet to tip for room service or any other general service. I am still welcomed back with open arms. There have been situations where someone on the ship has been truly outstanding. What I normally do is buy a gift. After being on board with several groups and lots of extra service from one or two key people I have actually decided to tip on three cruises. Twice it was politely declined, once it was taken.

On the full world cruise when someone has a room stewardess for four months I do think they tip at the end but this is an entirely different situation to a normal 7 - 21 day cruise that most of us take.

After the land trips I have taken recently this "no tipping" is SO wonderful. On land every two minutes it seems someone wants a tip. It is not that I dont appreciate that these people work hard it is just the hassle, of how much, do we have change, etc etc. It makes it so nice to pay the tips UPFRONT and then just relax and enjoy yourself.

So Masaki DONT feel guilty in my personal opinion you were correct not to tip.

I am not an Oceania expert but I do know that Oceania offers group dates with enhanced options. One of those is "tips prepaid". You can also do this on Crystal.

I prepaid my tips on Crystal for my one cruise on Crystal. However at the end of the cruise it felt very uncomfortable for me. (Of course I am have become used to Radisson and Silversea - no tipping).

People were handing out envelopes and the waiter and the room stewardess were standing there obviously expecting a tip, others were looking at us, we ended up tipping again anyway.

I love a truly pre-paid no tipping trip!!!