Info as to Tipping on Cruises

Author Message   Larry Campbell Senior Member Username: Czeezo Post Number: 851 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Saturday, February 06, 2010 - 09:05 pm:    In the old days - when we had the same server at each meal and he knew that we were going to be TIPing - he would give really good service - but the days that had open seating - the service was really poor. It just goes to show you what happens when you pay someone for just being there. Look at the V.A. or Postal Service. They get paid if the do or don't do anything for you. And this is coming from someone that will be taking 3 Cruises this year. 2 on NCL and they are up to $12.00 per day. But I will tell them that I will do my own tipping. And one on Carnival - not sure what there tipping fee is.   Bill Gast Advanced Member Username: Actionwriter Post Number: 167 Registered: 12-2008 Posted on Monday, January 25, 2010 - 01:12 am:    (TIP)= "To insure promptness" Going clear back to the days of SITMAR cruises, I have always found the deck steward(s) that take care of me and the room and UP FRONT on the first occasion we meet--I give them an advance tip and ask that "Be sure my wife has ice for her wine,"....etc. I found this goes miles wheather you are a Lattitudes member (Gold) on NCL or your first cruise.One of the reasons is, in the five days, seven or whatever, of the cruise, the crew ALSO goes ashore if they are not on duty. This gives them some bucks to spend. When we go to our timeshare in Mexico, I always take along about twenty gold(USD) dollar coins for taxi drivers. Seems to go futher, better than just the Pesos required. Just FYI.   Bob Dart Senior Member Username: Bobdart Post Number: 1249 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Friday, January 22, 2010 - 12:29 am:    This is an area that generates a good deal of dicussion among cruisers. Some lines, as noted, dispense envelopes with "suggested" amounts while others automatically tack it on to your bill after informing you of their policy. Mervin handled it just way I would do. Tip for excellent service and that should take into consideration degrees of service. As for the automatic tack-on I go to the purser the first day informing him that I won't be participating as I believe that all too often the crew member becomes complacent in the knowledge that he is almost assured of substantial tips regardless of the service he has rendered. I then talk to each of those, ala Mervin, and tip according to my evaluation.   Mervin J LeBlanc Senior Member Username: Merv Post Number: 445 Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 11:08 pm:    I agree with both Tony and Larry about tipping. We all know, as well as the people we are tipping, that it's expected, but it shouldn't be automatic. When we took our Princess Alaskan Cruise we were given envelopes for the different categories of workers as well as "suggested" amounts to tip at the end of the cruise. The first thing I did was talk to the person who took care of our cabin and told him that the amount of his tip would depend on my satisfaction with his service. I told the waiter at our table in the dining room the same thing. I can say that I was thoroughly satisfied with the service, and I tipped accordingly. I couldn't see the purpose of tipping the "head waiter", because I didn't observe any service he provided us. I can say that the people we did tip were very gracious and happy with what they got.   Larry Campbell Senior Member Username: Czeezo Post Number: 835 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 - 08:43 pm:    If you still want to do your own tipping - all you have to do is don't let them add the tipping to your bill. They will remove it and you can tip just like the old days. Tip each person that you want to tip and with the amount that you want to tip. Service was always better when they didn't get the automatic tips - as they now do. They knew that if they didn't give good service - they wouldn't get tipped very good.   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 2436 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 07:17 pm:    If you get poor service from one of your servers, I think you just tell the office you want to tip that person less.   John Civick Advanced Member Username: John6412 Post Number: 197 Registered: 07-2008 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 03:21 pm:    Reminds me of when I was in the AF-we weren't supposed to show favortism but when someone was always punctual, did more than their share of work, didn't complain didn't we favor that person over others of equal grade? Same thing holds true for people with their hand out awaiting a tip. The good ones receive a very good tip and the others? A mediocre tip according to services rendered.   Tony Cabrera Senior Member Username: Tonyc Post Number: 1446 Registered: 08-2006 Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - 12:28 pm:    Unfortunately, tipping these days has become a "routine" thing. Unlike some years ago, tipping was voluntary and according to the type of service you received. Personally I'm a firm believer in tipping, cause I believe that those who serve you well deserve the recognition as well, but those who do not deserve it, shouldn't get it either, or at least receive a lesser amount equal to what your criteria is regarding the service you received. Just my two cents. Happy travels!   Elaine G Intermediate Member Username: Tripper Post Number: 124 Registered: 08-2008 Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - 02:00 am:    Just went on a Princess cruise in October and they charged automatically $10.50 per person per day, so that was $189.00 per person for an 18-day cruise.   Wanda Seals Senior Member Username: Whstravel Post Number: 557 Registered: 07-2007 Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 - 09:37 pm:    Thought cruisers would be interested in the following: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=266 Ciao/Wanda