Tipping at specialty dining

If you leave a tip after your meal at the specialty dining restaurants, does the waiter get all of it?

The fee you pay includes the tip for the specialties. If you feel the need, you can either sign for additional tip or leave cash. I would assume cash goes straight into their pocket. However, even in land-based restaurants, tips are usually shared with the host/hostess and bus people.

If you leave a tip after your meal at the specialty dining restaurants, does the waiter get all of it?

Unknown, but I suspect if you give the waiter a cash tip, they have a better chance of keeping it all than if you give it to the company first..

We either leave a cash tip or add it to the receipt, regardless of how the ship or cruise line decides to have it distributed. We generally try to use cash, but a few times have found ourselves with no cash other than a few 1's.

M

How much do you usually tip? If the tip is included in the price you pay, what would be a reasonable "extra"tip?

How much do you usually tip?

Id tip 10-30 depending on how awesome/not awesome the waiter is.

I'm well aware that the tip is included in the fee. I was just asking if anyone knew if the waiter gets all of it or if they have to share it.

In my experience, immediately handing out cash to the people who are taking care of me and my kids (waiters, room attendant, bartenders) gets people bending over backwards.

I've had several waiters in the Specialty Dining arena tell us that the tip that is included in the cost of the specialty dining is distributed but the extra tip goes directly to them. Sounds good to me so we always leave $20 or so. Maybe we should start bringing cash more to ensure they get it. We always tip cash to the bartenders which they do appreciate.

Totally agree with Amy.....

We always bring cash in various denominations and share the wealth, so to speak. Never donate to organizations but always willing to help someone who might be able to use a little extra cash.

Normally determine amount by quality of service above and beyond. Never tip at end of cruise always as we go. Works wonders.

Never tip at end of cruise always as we go. Works wonders.

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It's so cool to tip the room attendant half their tip when you first meet them. They freak out and you get unbelievably well taken care of. Same goes for the bartenders. A few bucks a day makes the biggest difference in service.

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I saw my waiter at Chops on Oasis place my cash tip in his pocket. The service was very good. I hope it kept the entire tip.

On our recent Jewel cruise, we had the package for the first 2 nights. We tipped both nights on our bill. On day 5, we saw our waiter from chops out and about on the ship. We said we'd like to come back the last night and he said,"I'll take care of you". We showed arrived at chops at 8:00 and we were escorted to a table by the window, much to the displeasure of those waiting. Tipping goes a long way! BTW- we were charge the same price as we we'd paid for the package($15pp) for the third night.

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OTipping goes a long way! BTW- we were charge the same price as we we'd paid for the package($15pp) for the third night.

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Exactly my thoughts. I always bring a hundred dollars in ones and another hundred in tens and the room attendants tip in full in cash. I give them 100 when we meet, then the rest the last day. I tip the bartenders a dollar and never wait in line for anything and word gets out so by the time we get to dinner we always have the best seat and get anything we want. Win win.

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It's so cool to tip the room attendant half their tip when you first meet them. They freak out and you get unbelievably well taken care of. Same goes for the bartenders. A few bucks a day makes the biggest difference in service.

 

 

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we have never tipped our steward at the beginning or mid part of the cruise. Always at the end. Have only had fair service once, the rest of the time we have had great service. How do you know that tipping early has made a difference? What would you do if even after you tipped early you had poor service?

We always tip our Room Attendant on the first day and then towards the end ,if the service stayed great(y). We also leave $ 20 at the Spec. Rest, the only time we didn't was when the service was so bad,we almost walked out(n)

I think you know the answer to your question already and just wanted a bit of a brag fest for being so generous. As Bob said, I trust giving cash more than I do through the company first.

It's so cool to tip the room attendant half their tip when you first meet them. They freak out and you get unbelievably well taken care of. Same goes for the bartenders. A few bucks a day makes the biggest difference in service.

 

 

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You'd only know that to be fact if you'd tried not tipping them when you first meet them so you'd have a comparison.

We never tip ahead of time and have always had fabulous service. After all, they're also trying to earn an additional tip by their service. We always tip cash at the end of the trip based on their service (in addition to auto grats).

As for the OP's question, we always tip 10-20 in the specialty restaurant but no idea if they get to keep it all. After all, there are people besides your waiter waiting on you. There's usually someone refilling glasses, the chefs and other staff that all help.

Confused. The only speciality dining I'm considering is FNDR. Is tip included in the $15/person fee? I didn't think it was...

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Confused. The only speciality dining I'm considering is FNDR. Is tip included in the $15/person fee? I didn't think it was...

 

 

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A portion of specialty dining fees include a gratuity for service already built in; but the amounts are not known. That is to say if you pay for specialty dining and do not sign for extra or leave extra cash the service staff still gets a portion of gratuity from the company.

It is amazing how a tip will work wonders. I even tip hostess in MDR if we are eating there and after 1st night never have to wait in line, thus hostess gets another tip. Guess I learned this when we used to go to Vegas. Tips got good tables in Vegas and no tips normally got back of showroom. Figure those who are willing to work have families to feed and can use a few extra bucks which I don't necessarily need.

I personally feel you must do what you believe in and can afford. Tipping is personal and some cultures do not beleive in tipping the way some of us do. Many moons ago I worked weekends as a cocktail waitress to supplement my 5 day a week job. I have been there and I really appreciated the tips. Now I am in a position to share what I worked so hard for and am happy to do so. Personal choice. No one should tell you what to do with your money.

It is amazing how a tip will work wonders.

You are so right, I can tip RCI about $2000 and they'll give me a GS cabin instead of the common balcony cabin.

I'm an over tipper in general. I tip on land on the whole bill including tax. On the ship I just pay what is required on the bill in a specialty restaurant. I really don't tip beyond that. It all adds up to a big pot for ship employees to slip. They work hard and deserve it. They sacrifice so much for thier families.

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You are so right, I can tip RCI about $2000 and they'll give me a GS cabin instead of the common balcony cabin.

The secret is out! Biker did it! [emoji12]

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Exactly my thoughts. I always bring a hundred dollars in ones and another hundred in tens and the room attendants tip in full in cash. I give them 100 when we meet, then the rest the last day. I tip the bartenders a dollar and never wait in line for anything and word gets out so by the time we get to dinner we always have the best seat and get anything we want. Win win.

How many people do you give $100 to when you meet? Do you keep autograts in place?

Biker19 :cool:

You said it all

BRAVO and Hilarious

ALSO don't tell anyone BUT

I learned you tip a LITTLE more and RCI will give you a Owners Suite. LOL

Life is good so live it to the fullest!!!! Amen Brother!

Nikki