Already prepaid tips, any more?

[carjac1]

We opted to prepay tips. Will there be any others that we need to tip?

[AlanAllyn]

You should tip the porters at the pier and for room service. We usually give extra tips (cash) for excellent service.

[digital_curator]

We opted to prepay tips. Will there be any others that we need to tip?

 

Not on the ship, unless you want to add an additional gratuity. Some people tip good bar waiters a little more (or tip a sum at the beginning of the cruise hoping for stronger drinks, free drinks, etc.) or the servers in the specialty restaurants.

 

You might also consider bringing a little extra for those whom the auto-tips cover. We have often had excellent waiters/assistant waiters/cabin stewards and give them a little extra at the end, along with a note to say how much we appreciated their hard work. When you see how little each person gets per day compared to how much they do for you, it seems only natural to add a little more.

 

We also make sure to note their names on our comment card, as this is how they are premoted.

 

Have a great trip!

[midnightferret]

So there's no one who isn't included in the auto-tip pool?

 

I'm totally budgeting in more than the auto-tip, but I wanted to make sure that if I forgot someone they at least get SOMEthing. (Of course, I'm making notes about all this stuff 8 months in advance, so I'm not likely to forget anyone...) :D

[Gonzo70]

Outside of Auto Tip the main considerations would be:

 

*Room Service (on average people seem to give $2 to $5 depending on size of order).

*Shore Excursion Guides/Drivers

*Optional Extra Tips to anybody who goes above and beyond expectations (i.e. waiters, bartenders, room steward etc.).

 

As for porters, if sailing from a U.S. port they are union longshoremen earning upper middle class salaries; no need to tip them (and there are signs up at all U.S. ports indicating that tipping is optional or not permitted).

[digital_curator]

Ooops! Forgot room service. :o People usually give at least $1 for coffee and anywhere from $2-5 for meals.

 

I shouldn't have forgotten that one, except that we have only had room service once on RCI (we tend to book PR cabins and don't feel we have to space to eat in the cabin). However, we got in every day on our last cruise, a Concierge Class balcony on Celebrity (and yes, we tipped).

 

We also tip porters and guides but since they aren't part of the ship's tips, I didn't include them in my first response.

[digital_curator]

And do you have kids? I know some people tip the kid's club staff. We don't have kids, so not really on my radar.

[kareng54]

What is the suggested tip for shore excursions booked through RCCL?

[DonnaK]

What is the suggested tip for shore excursions booked through RCCL?

 

It really depends on how long the tour is, and how good the guides are. We'll give $10-20 total for our family of 4.

[kareng54]

Thanks so much! And in Europe do you tip in USD or local currency?

[NewbieCrsr]

We tipped in euros because it was worth more than the dollar. And also because we thought that if they had a chance to get off the ship for time off that it would come in handy more than the dollar would.

[carjac1]

Thanks all! My cruise is still many months away, but I love thinking about it and planning...

[Paulxyz2004]

Let me answer the question the other way round.

 

The only people covered by prepaid tips are the dining room folks (waiter, assistant waiter, head waiter) and the cabin attendant.

[cb at sea]

Those are the only folks that they suggest you tip...so once you've pre-paid, you're good to go.

All beverages will have the tip added to the cost of the drink.