Tipping

[uppitycats]

I'll be going on my first cruise (on Carnival Miracle) in May, from what I've read so far, I want to tip the guy who takes my bags when I arrive at the ship in cash. I should tip room service in cash. I don't need to tip for drinks.

 

I plan on leaving the auto tip as is.

 

Can I give the steward an additional tip daily or when I see it fit in cash?

Yes.

can I leave extra tip for the waiter in cash?

Yes

I assume spa services would be tipped as normal as well as anything at a port?

If you go on excursions, the driver and or the person who leads the excursion will expect a tip.

 

Any other people that should be tipped any extra cash?

 

If you have children that use the childrens programming on the cruise ship, those people will expect a tip.

I usually find that pre-tipping gets you better service in other non cruise related instances. (well, it definitely does in Vegas anyway) and I have no problem tipping extra for a job well done. Any suggestions?

 

I've never been to Vegas (and don't care to!)..so can't compare. But I've never found that pre-tipping gets you any better service. I personally think of it as a "bribe".."Here's $$, now do your job!". The crew works hard whether pre-tipped or not, and tipping is built into their pay schedule, so I always pay the auto-tip, and often tip extra..but only when something has been requested and received that is beyond their normal job duties. But you can do as you please.

[smeyer418]

Somehow I don't think the non-tippers changed when the gratuity was added to their OBA. They just removed it. Many new cruisers do not know how much extra it costs you, this is not an all inclusive vacation. The advertising really plays up the cocktails, spa etc and it all costs alot more than at home. The easiest way to cut down the final bill is stand in that long line and remove the service charges. Not good for the staff, but it happens. Do what you feel comfortable with. The company doesn't really care.

 

 

For the most part most people don't bother to remove the auto tip. Yes I agree with you that the most ardent of the I don't need to tip crowd still removes the tips but the numbers who actual bother to do that are way down.

The company does care-they want a happy crew too. The reason they went to auto tips is to encourage people to leave tips. If everyone removed them they would have to come up with another way to pay the crew. They have been having problems on certain ships with a majority of people from certain countries(you know who you are) and have changed the way the crew on those ships are paid and have changed the fare structure to recognize the difference.

 

The fact that you have the "power" do to something doesn't necessarily make it right.

[serene56]

I usually find that pre-tipping gets you better service in other non cruise related instances. (well, it definitely does in Vegas anyway) and I have no problem tipping extra for a job well done. Any suggestions?

 

I do not give extra cash before services rendered---(i DO PRE PAY my tips before I cruise) I have never had bad service.

IF you do come across bad service see that it gets fixed wile you are onboard.

 

If you ask your cabin steward for extras or to do extra work--- then you should give him/her and extra tip when the service is rendered.

 

If you ask your waiter to go over and above what it expected then you should tip extra --

 

we have extra tipped in cash on the last night of the cruise. When we sailed with the grand daughter those people were amazing to her so we gave everryone of our service people extra cash

[Hallcross]

Somebody mentioned pre tipping in some countries (not cruises)

This definitely works in India, we have been twice on All Inclusive deals for 14 nights at a time, a few dollars to the barman on your 1st night and the odd few dollars here and there give great sevice.

Our drinks were remembered nightly and we recieved eceptional service.

I even left 2 pair of old Nike Trainers for them to do as they wished later!

 

Steve

[Passin Thru]

We were on NCL and did not pre tip, got terrific service in my opinion. I feel like we should tip them not to give all the up-selling they do. I know a woman who worked in some upper crust restaurants and for ordinary service 10% seems the norm, 20% for an exemplary performance. We had 1 waiter in an Italian restaurant who was trained as a butler and would refill you wine and water glass, never disturb you, and never brought you next course while you were putting food in your mouth from the last one, a characteristic which I hate. This woman also says they get paid $2.50/hr and depend on tips. Sometimes little ol ladies come in, order hot water, demand the cup and saucer be hot, the water boiling and drink it without paying anythin and no tip. Kids on date and Professional football players are the worst tippers followed by families, couples on a date who are married are the best. Quit being cheap, tip according to service rendered, not Pre either. The more you give the more you get back.

[Cruisin' Chick]

We have always left on the autotip.

 

We give extra to the cabin steward, waiter and/or assistant waiter, if the service warrants. For instance our last cruise was 31 days on the Ocean Princess. Our cabin steward was great, so we gave him an extra $25. The waiter and assistant were ok, so we did not give them any extra.

 

This was our experience on our last cruise. And of course, we had our daughter give the Fun Zone counselors an envelope on the last night of the kids' program.

 

the company may not care..but the staff will be unhappy. Not that it'll matter..they'll still do their exemplary job.

 

Yes, it DOES cost more than staying home. And it's all spelled out there on the various cruise websites. If you can't afford it, then by all means, stay home.

 

The FAIREST way to cut down on that final bill is to not drink alcohol, not gamble, not go on excursions..not cheat the staff.

 

Agreed. Just figure that you are going to be charged the autotips on Princess (which seem reasonable when you consider the number of hours the crew members are working to make the cruise enjoyable for you). And think about the other expenses (tipping porters handing your luggage at the pier, tour guides; buying photos, drinks, etc.; specialty restaurants if you're into this, we're not; gambling, we're not into the casino or bingo). But you don't have to have a large bill at the end. But certainly don't stiff the staff.

 

If you are having a problem with a crew member or something else on board, go to the appropriate person. Get it straighten out so you're not complaining about it off the ship. Many times it can be remedied on the spot.

 

If you find one crew member going beyond your expectations, Princess does have a card available at the front desk. You can write down the crew member's name, country, work station (this info from their nametag). From what I understand, these cards can really help get someone a promotion or raise.