Just curious - would you pre-tip at start of cruise?

[joramrose]

I am going to speak in behalf of using the ship cards on the last day for tipping.

 

I do not need to feel like Lady Bountiful (not suggesting tht any of you do!) handing out cash in person on the last day.

 

I have sailed on ships where you just put the tipos in and that was it, no personal handing out at all, unless you wanted to give something extra. And then you did, and I did, because I appreciated what was done for me. I was ill once on a cruise for a couple of days -- a bad case of bronchitis -- and the attendant was wonderful!!! He brought my meals, made up my bed two or three times a day, kept me in ice water and all the hot tea and goodies I could put down. I don't think he was doing it for tips -- it was his job, and I appreciated him no end.

 

And then there was a cabin attendant who slacked off every day. We finally complained and got another mid-cruise. I would not have wanted that first guy to have a dime!

 

Personally, I would just feel a lot better if cruise ships paid their staff a decent wage, set their fares accordingly and let us passengers just tip a bit here or there for extraordinary service. That would be fair to everyone. (including those who skip out without giving anything more than token amounts.)

 

Just my feelings. There, I have vented.

 

love

joan

[Spender Nui]

No. Did it once on a Cunard cruise. Tippe and told the cabin steward we liked a lot of ice. We were fortunate to find the ice chest so we could get it ourselves. Never again!

[Spender Nui]

No, did it once on Cunard. Tipped the cabin steward and told him we like a lot of ice. Never got any. We were fortunate to find where the ice was and did it ourselves.

[Spender Nui]

Sorry fror stuttering - they wouldn't let me delete either post.

[Jacqueline]

Good staff that are service oriented are going to work hard without pretipping. If someone is lazy or distracted due to personal problems its hard to say if it will make a difference, Those who got great service with pretipping may well have gotten it anyhow.

I do tip my steward for ay extras up front- extra pillows for example. Or serving my daughter dinner off the menu - taking the order and delivering it himself -

 

Jacqueline

Constellation 3/20/04

HAL Westerdam 7/30/04

Tahitian Princess August 2003

Grand Princess Western Caribbean 2003

Brilliance of the Seas Baltic 2002

Ocean Princess- Alaska 2001

Celebrity Zenith- Bermuda 2001

Grand Princess Med 2000

[Princess-of-Quite-alot]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lois R:

I was told as a child the word "Should" was another way of saying "must". Now, I would never think to tell someone what they "should do" in regards to tipping. Who made "the law" about "always tipping upfront in a fine restaurant"?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

You go sister friend!

 

Celebrity Century 5/8/04 -Western Caribbean

 

Carnival Ecstasy 2/04 - Baja

Tahitian Princess 2/03- French Polynesia

Sea Princess 7/02 - Alaska

Carnival Ecstasy 5/02 - Baja

Royal Caribbean Monarch 10/00 - Southern Caribbean

Carnival Elation 10/99 - Mexican Riviera

Royal Caribbean Monarch 1/97 - Southern Caribbean

[Lois R]

Hi Princess

 

 

Everyone has their own style...mine is ...you take care of me for the week...you will be taken care of as well

 

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

 

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising

[JNLROSE]

Hi Lois girlfriend!!!

 

I agree, I don't mind tipping anybody for good service!!!

 

Rosie

 

E-mail me <a href="mailto:JNLROSE@AOL.COM">here</a href>

 

CELEBRITY MERCURY HERE I COME!!!

 

[Lois R]

hi Rosie good morning...yep, that GOLDen rule...LOL treat others the way you would like to be treated

 

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

 

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising

[Randyk47]

I tip for service rendered not anticipated. In other words, no I would not tip up front. I just can't get my mind around that idea though I guess it works for others.

 

Until Galaxy

 

 

[Marie & Ian]

We gave our somalier an extraordinary bottle of ice wine the first night we met her as a "little souvenir from Canada". We told her we'd brought our own wine for the cruise (19 bottles to be exact). As it turned out, we were only charged corkage for less than half of them (2 in the Normandie) with our somelier actually telling us she was not going to charge us anymore corkage, because of the nice gift. We tipped her accordingly at the end of the cruise.

 

Marie

 

Celebrity Summit 04/2004

Norweigan Dream 04/2000

Celebrity Mercury 04/1999

[Marie & Ian]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mrsfanci:

We always tip everyone generously at the beginning and again at the end. You always should tip the Maitre;'D in the beginning when you go to a fine restaurant, why not on a cruise ship. I have no way to know what our service would be like without doing so first as we have always done it this way.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

I found it ridiculous tipping the Maitre 'D at the end of the cruise let alone the beginning, as he really didn't do anything other than come around and say a brief hello a few nights ... but I did anyway, thinking maybe he played a role in ensuring our waiter & asst waiter performed their jobs as efficiently and friendly as they did.

 

Marie

 

Celebrity Summit 04/2004

Norweigan Dream 04/2000

Celebrity Mercury 04/1999

[Blazerboy]

I've always tipped at the end, and always in person. But, when you're seeing crew cruise after cruise, token gifts seem like a nice touch at the begining. As far as the bartending staff, make sure that if you tip on the bill itself, that the tips go to that server. I used to write in an extra 5% on the bill, thinking I was giving the tip directly to that server. Many ships, however, pool all the tips that are included in guest checks, and divide them among all staff. I now try to give cash directly to the bartender that gives me great service, so I know that they in fact get the reward for excellent service.

 

And now a little homespun advice. We save our accumulated pocket change in a giant martini glass, and we average about about $40.00 a month beween the two of us. We have designated this as our cruise tip money. We roll it, cash it in and hide it, so that when it's time to get on board we have most , if not all of our tips already "paid for." Of course, if you take more than a cruise or two a year, you're outta luck, but then, how much sympathy should we have for you if you're cruising three plus times a year

 

Blazer Boy

[mrsfanci]

Marie and Ian,

 

Yes the Maitre'D is the dining room manager and sees over all. This is such a controversial subject. I was raised in the days when nite clubs were in fashion and going to Las Vegas was a grand affair and shows were never purchased by tickets therefore getting a good seat depended on tipping the Maitre'D etc. I think it's a generation gap thing......The new breed doesn't even understand the old way.

 

If the Maitre'D is tipped early on, believe me, you will see him. On our last SilverSea Cruise he had a special pasta dish cooked for us everynight. It's just things like that which make things extra special.

[Lois R]

Mrsfanci, you are correct with one statement...the subject does seem to be controversial.....

We asked our waiter for a an extra appetizier of Calamari on the first evening...we received it for the next 6 nights...no pre-tipping was required.

They are glad to do whatever they can for you....and the services are tipped....just at the end rather than at beginning.

 

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

 

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising

[mrsfanci]

Yes, agree that your waiter will bring anything and everything that is on the menu but will the dining room captain make you crepe suzettes or bananas foster or steak diane tableside?????

[Lois R]

Your point is taken..you like to Pre-Tip...I don't.

I don't care if those things are made at my table.

We both must enjoy cruising...though probably for different reasons.

 

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

 

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising

[Shirley and Les]

Mrsfanci is certainly correct about Las Vegas shows in the old days (20 + years ago). Depending on the tip, a front-row table would appear by magic. It was interesting to watch a banquette seat wind up with a table, linens, china and a smile for us to sit there for a folded $20 bill. (1970's)

I tried the reverse approach on a recent cruise. The cabin attendant was so-so and I told him he was going to owe me $50 at the end of the cruise but I would settle in advance for $20. Wow, getting short-sheeted was one of the minor points of the cruise. Facing a five foot wall of water when you opened the bathroom door was much more exciting.

I am glad I didn't try this approach with the dining room waiter!!!

Just kidding about the shipboard experiences. Personally, I would only pretip if I were looking for some special services. Particularly, if the service could put extra money in the server's pocket or show up on the bill as an extra charge. Canapes for a party for instance. If I thought the butler/cabin attendant could work them in on a "comp" basis, there would be a pre-tip up to about 25% of what I think the cost would be. If billed for the service, I lost money (just as I would in the casino). If they didn't show up on the bill, the server would get the rest of his/her 50% cut.

Les

[mrsfanci]

LOIS,

YES, IT LOOKS LIKE WE DO LIKE CRUISING FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. WOULDN'T LIFE BE DULL, and so would these boards be if we all agreed on every point.

 

Shirley and Les,

 

Oh, those good old days in Vegas.... I miss them. I go back to the 50's as a kid, of course. My Father was one of those Maitre'D's.

[dj4eyes]

I think pre-tipping is mistrustful and bordering on insulting. It says, "I don't trust you do do your job adequately unless I first wave money in your face."

Post-tipping, however, says "Thanks for a job done well!"

[Shirley and Les]

Mrsfanci,

You are quite welcome if your father was the maitre'd at the Don Rickles or Andy Williams show. I was going to include Wayne Newton but I think Chevy Chase even introed for dear old Wayne.

Les

[mrsfanci]

Shirley and Les,

 

Oh, lets go back even further. How about Frankie Lane, Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis,(Together)The Will Mastern Trio with Sammy Davis, Jr. Kay Starr.....

 

When only the Flamingo, Desert Inn, El Rancho Vegas, Last Frontier and Thunderbird existed.

[Lois R]

That was my whole point

 

I give up ...I will be nice, I will be nice....

 

 

Next up...HORIZON Sept 18th to Bermuda!

 

See My Century and Mercury Pictures at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/lovescruising

[juliepaule]

 

I must agree with Joan. Pay them a decent wage.

Now this is what I have been told.... But its not fact maybe someone on this thread would know.

Cabin Stewards and their Assistant as well as Waiters and their Assistant do not get a wage... They depend on their tips. They get part of their room and board and that is it.

Now the M'D is on salary.... and bartenders are also on salary.

 

So for goodness sake pay them what they truly deserve... then the tips would be a perk.

 

Julie

[Princess-of-Quite-alot]

Ok, try as we might to be polite and nice, snotty people sometimes need to be slapped upside a little to make them realize their comments are insulting, elitist and disgusting.

 

The new breed (which I will include myself in) happens to have made their money the NEW fashioned way...we EARNED it! I enjoy living in my million dollar (+ with this economy here) home with my gorgeous view with my Lexus in the 3 car garage, all of which I earned myself. However, I will NEVER tip upfront like mrsfanci to show off my status, not will I (with the exception of this post to make my point) brag about my status and treat others as inferior beings. Get a life mrsfanci, and I sincerely hope you are forced to pre-tip to have someone rock you in your rocking chair or push your wheelchair in the old folks home!

 

Celebrity Century 5/8/04 -Western Caribbean

 

Carnival Ecstasy 2/04 - Baja

Tahitian Princess 2/03- French Polynesia

Sea Princess 7/02 - Alaska

Carnival Ecstasy 5/02 - Baja

Royal Caribbean Monarch 10/00 - Southern Caribbean

Carnival Elation 10/99 - Mexican Riviera

Royal Caribbean Monarch 1/97 - Southern Caribbean