Opinions please....should I tip before or after I make the request?

[Cobraman]

If I have to tip my steward up front to obtain a level of service beyond my expectations = then he/she needs to find a new line of work, since it is their job to try and exceed my expectations. We might tip at the end if he/she did indeed exceed my expectations, but never on the front end. They need to earn it first.

[luvs2travl]

Well, I'm getting close to my 10th sailing with Princess and exceptional service from Stewart without ever giving a bribe in advance has been my experience on each of the first 9 sailings. So, I guess I've experienced either a remarkable series of conincidences in quality service or, just maybe, this is the norm on Princess.

 

Same here - 9 cruises with Princess and upcoming 10th on HAL and have had the same remarkable series of coincidences as you -;)!!

 

The only problem we have ever had with any of our cabin stewards was on an NCL cruise and we had to get the hotel manager involved to get our cabin cleaned and have towels available. No tip for him on that cruise - :mad:.

 

BTW - "Stewart" sure gets around, doesn't he - :D ;)!!

[Katosmama]

Well, given that "pre-tip" is not actually a word, and the word "tip" refers to "a small present of money given directly to someone for performing a service or menial task; gratuity", by definition a tip is given AFTER a service has been performed.

 

A bribe is defined as "anything given or serving to persuade or induce". Sure sounds like a "pre-tip" to me.

 

Why on earth would you "bribe" your cabin steward? No one bribes me at work to do a better job, and in fact, it would be illegal in a lot of situations to provide a bribe. I'd rather treat the cabin staff with respect and not bribe them.

[wizard-of-roz]

Many of you have absolutely no idea of how much or [little] that these folks make. I know, I know.....they can choose a different profession or yada, yada, yada....It's all been said. And, the fact that many of our service providers have NEVER done anything else in their lives and wouldn't even know how to go about changing their profession plays into why they do what they do.

That said....they work for tips. Extra tipping up front, or at the end is so appreciated. Will it guarantee better or even upgraded service? Probably. A service provider [onboard Princess] who consistantly does a bad job is released from their contract and life is not so good for them!

But, if you elect to [extra] tip at the end of the cruise.....each and every person who recieves these tips works very hard to please you hoping and working for that "extra" tip.

As long as the "automatic tips" are left in place....they may keep what you give them. If, on the other hand, you remove the "automatic" tips...they MUST put the "extra" tips into a community kitty.

I believe, both on cruises and on land vacations, that tipping is very important to the"service givers!" And, I'm a very generous tipper!

[Coracii]

Many of you have absolutely no idea of how much or [little] that these folks make. I know, I know.....they can choose a different profession or yada, yada, yada....It's all been said. And, the fact that many of our service providers have NEVER done anything else in their lives and wouldn't even know how to go about changing their profession plays into why they do what they do.

 

That said....they work for tips. Extra tipping up front, or at the end is so appreciated. Will it guarantee better or even upgraded service? Probably. A service provider [onboard Princess] who consistantly does a bad job is released from their contract and life is not so good for them!

 

But, if you elect to [extra] tip at the end of the cruise.....each and every person who recieves these tips works very hard to please you hoping and working for that "extra" tip.

 

As long as the "automatic tips" are left in place....they may keep what you give them. If, on the other hand, you remove the "automatic" tips...they MUST put the "extra" tips into a community kitty.

 

I believe, both on cruises and on land vacations, that tipping is very important to the"service givers!" And, I'm a very generous tipper!

 

 

I know quite a few people that work on cruise ships, and I'm probably one of the few that does know exactly how little the people working there make in actual wages. Most of their earnings come directly from the tips. That's the biggest reason that I will never take the automatic tip off my onboard charges and almost without exception I leave extra for the crew that have met or exceeded my expectations. Considering they generally work 70-100 hours per week for months on end, I'm always surprised at how well they take care of us while we're on the ships. I'd expect at least a few of them to go postal at some point or another and it just doesn't seem to happen.

[Cobraman]

Many of you have absolutely no idea of how much or [little] that these folks make. I know, I know.....they can choose a different profession or yada, yada, yada....It's all been said. And, the fact that many of our service providers have NEVER done anything else in their lives and wouldn't even know how to go about changing their profession plays into why they do what they do.

 

That said....they work for tips. Extra tipping up front, or at the end is so appreciated. Will it guarantee better or even upgraded service? Probably. A service provider [onboard Princess] who consistantly does a bad job is released from their contract and life is not so good for them!

 

But, if you elect to [extra] tip at the end of the cruise.....each and every person who recieves these tips works very hard to please you hoping and working for that "extra" tip.

 

As long as the "automatic tips" are left in place....they may keep what you give them. If, on the other hand, you remove the "automatic" tips...they MUST put the "extra" tips into a community kitty.

 

I believe, both on cruises and on land vacations, that tipping is very important to the"service givers!" And, I'm a very generous tipper!

 

 

 

I don't think that is true; most of us have heard the story a hundred times about how poorly paid the cruise ship employees are. My wife and I am so moved, we are starting an "adopt a cruise ship employee" movement.

 

Imagine how much they would enjoy coming to your home and having you wait on them while they enjoy their break between contracts. Heck, they may even tip you !!

[Coracii]

I don't think that is true; most of us have heard the story a hundred times about how poorly paid the cruise ship employees are.

 

But, if you take "most of us" here at Cruise Critic, that would still make up a miniscule fraction of the people taking cruises each year. Most people on the ships never visit a cruise website and most have absolutely no idea how many hours they work or how little their base salary is. Although, I do like your adopt an employee idea, I've met quite a few that I'd love to have come visit for a while just to hear all their stories from their time on the ship and in ports (in the rare case they get the chance).

[wizard-of-roz]

It's "ADOPT A CRUISE SHIP EMPLOYEE MONTH". I have first dibs on the "Yum-Yum Man" on the Oosterdam.

Love it!!!!! :D

[caribill]

Well, given that "pre-tip" is not actually a word, and the word "tip" refers to "a small present of money given directly to someone for performing a service or menial task; gratuity", by definition a tip is given AFTER a service has been performed.

 

A bribe is defined as "anything given or serving to persuade or induce". Sure sounds like a "pre-tip" to me.

 

 

 

Now we need to define:

 

pre-board When you get on a plane

pre-owned When you buy a car

pre-pay When you buy something

[kooljamming]

You would be surprised at how much more attentive to detail you get with that upfront tip - agree normal service is usually excellant but that small pre-tip when you ask for the extras (pillows, towels etc), and the smiles and service all get kicked up a notch.

 

Could it be that you simple noticed it more. I have nothing against upfront tip, what the heck, bride when deemed necessary. Under the right circumstance bride can be a effective tool in getting a desired outcome as a briber or a bribee:eek: However I have gotten great service that met and exceeded my expectation without contributing anything extra. I tip upfront or in the middle of my cruise because I think the workers are underpaid, and before I make it to the bar, casino and $10 store. I think a warm and sincerely smile can even work better than cold cash give with a hard face.

 

If many of us are kept out of the Pearly Gates, it's going to be for acts way worse than giving someone needy something with the hopes to induce or persuade. If you woud have gotten the service anyways, then bride would be a waste. True bribe would be being nice to your kids because you want a wonderful nursing home. Backmail is using the fact that you were nice into guilting them into getting you that nice nursing home....JMOP!

[luvs2travl]

I'm still waiting to find out exactly what those that tip up front receive above and beyond that those of us that do not do so are missing...:confused:

 

I tend to agree with Pauline that it may in their perception rather than in reality.

[Loonbeam]

I think we've gotten a little off track here. The question at hand is appropriateness of a tip early when a special request is made that is NOT part of the normal room setup, etc.

 

In that case, I think an early tip is perfectly appropriate in recognition that you are asking for something extra each day.

 

It's not necessary to advance tip for normal services from stewart, that should be handled end of cruise.

[Colo Cruiser]

I think we've gotten a little off track here. The question at hand is appropriateness of a tip early when a special request is made that is NOT part of the normal room setup, etc.

 

In that case, I think an early tip is perfectly appropriate in recognition that you are asking for something extra each day.

 

It's not necessary to advance tip for normal services from stewart, that should be handled end of cruise.

 

Happens all the time. :rolleyes:

[Pia1913]

I think we've gotten a little off track here. The question at hand is appropriateness of a tip early when a special request is made that is NOT part of the normal room setup, etc.

 

.

 

Off the track? On Cruise Critic? Can't be. :D

[luvs2travl]

To the OP's original question: To tip in advance for asking that you have 4 clean wine glasses in your cabin each day? I would say an advance tip for that request is not necessary - my opinion only. If his service is exemplary and you want to give him something extra at the end of your cruise, by all means do so.

 

We have tipped our cabin steward on occasion before the end of the cruise for what we considered to be above & beyond regular services, for example: On one cruise, DH's dress shirt for his tux came apart at the seam under the arm. We called the cabin steward and he had it hurriedly and expertly repaired in less than 30 minutes. How he did it, or who actually did the repair, I have no idea, but he immediately got a $10.00 tip. That is the type of service we consider "over & above" his normal duties. Providing extra wine glasses is a fairly routine request, one would think.

 

Again, just my opinon. Certainly do whatever you see fit.

[kooljamming]

To the OP's original question: To tip in advance for asking that you have 4 clean wine glasses in your cabin each day? I would say an advance tip for that request is not necessary - my opinion only. If his service is exemplary and you want to give him something extra at the end of your cruise, by all means do so.

 

 

I share that opinion:D

[Pam in CA]

I totally agree!!! I don't understand those who feel it necessary to pre-tip. Providing these services are part of their job.

I agree.

 

True but there is doing your job - and then going over the top (which you know in most cases not all, isnt done) if youve already gotten some cash up front - its just human nature. Last cruise our cabin attendant was telling us he had over 20 cabins to deal with every day - after I tipped him we surprisingly became the first cabin he dealt with each and every day, go figure!

If you've tipped up front, how do you know you've received better service? They're already receiving a tip. And, you can let your steward know you vacate your cabin early and would (s)he make it up.

 

I believe in tipping at the end of the cruise when I can better determine whether the service has been consistent throughout the cruise. Sometimes, some are great the first day or so (perhaps looking for a pre-tip?) but then forget to replace towels, leave used facecloths in the shower, forget to replace soap, etc. I'm all for tipping for a job done above and beyond but for me, the job as a whole should be considered and there's no way to ascertain that on day 1 or 2.

[Loonbeam]

If they are part of his standard inventory, I quite agree. But if each day he has to make a special trip to a bar to swap them out for example, or arrange for them from room service, that's an extra request outside his duties. If you would tip room service staff for the same service, he certainly deserves a little up front.

 

 

 

To the OP's original question: To tip in advance for asking that you have 4 clean wine glasses in your cabin each day? I would say an advance tip for that request is not necessary - my opinion only. If his service is exemplary and you want to give him something extra at the end of your cruise, by all means do so.

 

We have tipped our cabin steward on occasion before the end of the cruise for what we considered to be above & beyond regular services, for example: On one cruise, DH's dress shirt for his tux came apart at the seam under the arm. We called the cabin steward and he had it hurriedly and expertly repaired in less than 30 minutes. How he did it, or who actually did the repair, I have no idea, but he immediately got a $10.00 tip. That is the type of service we consider "over & above" his normal duties. Providing extra wine glasses is a fairly routine request, one would think.

 

Again, just my opinon. Certainly do whatever you see fit.

[Pam in CA]

If they are part of his standard inventory, I quite agree. But if each day he has to make a special trip to a bar to swap them out for example, or arrange for them from room service, that's an extra request outside his duties. If you would tip room service staff for the same service, he certainly deserves a little up front.

First, the stewards have helpers who bring extra supplies, pick up laundry bags, trash, etc. Second, if he did consent to make sure the glasses are there every day, he'd make a phone call to Room Service. The OP is far better off just calling Room Service to start with.

[sultan_sfo]

And then I suppose it would be quite appropriate to tip Room Service for bringing the glasses! It depends on what one considers "better off"?

 

 

...

Second, if he did consent to make sure the glasses are there every day, he'd make a phone call to Room Service. The OP is far better off just calling Room Service to start with.

[Pam in CA]

And then I suppose it would be quite appropriate to tip Room Service for bringing the glasses! It depends on what one considers "better off"?

Absolutely! The Room Service guys don't participate in the tipping pool, I don't think.

[Loonbeam]

I believe they do, because I believe room service is not their only duty. I do know the laundry staff is in the pool even though they don't directly interact...

[caribill]

Absolutely! The Room Service guys don't participate in the tipping pool, I don't think.

 

They do according to the Purser's desk when I asked on two different ships.

[wizard-of-roz]

They do according to the Purser's desk when I asked on two different ships.

 

They absolutely do!

[zacc]

I did not take the time to read all of the posts. I, like many, always do my extra tipping at the end. I have never been unhappy with the service I have received doing it this way. I must add however(and I don't mean to upset anyone although I may) that I have a problem with the attitude that some have with the idea it is their job. There is not one working person in CC who has job responsibilites that doesn't grumble when asked to do one of their "duties" when busy or trying to accomplish something else. Nor is there anyone here who hasn't had a workday where for whatever reason they did as little as absolutely possible. The staff on the ship are no different than any of us...they are simply trying to make a living-by having to be nice to passengers 24/7 for the entire length of their contract. They are not a personal servant. There is nothing wrong with showing them respect or showing appreciation. In fact it is the right thing to do. I often wonder how many of us here on CC would be willing to work as a room steward or on a cruise ship period. Ok.....done venting.......