First Time Tipping Question

[wbsander]

My wife and I are cruising for the first time Dec. 26 on Victory. We are frequent travelers to the Caribbean, but this is our first cruise. I've seen a lot of controversy on here about tipping, and a new/increased tipping policy, but its a little over my head because I really don't know how it was done in the past. I know I am going to pay a per person/per day gratuity, and I understand it went up a little, but I don't understand all the discussion on changing and/or reallocating tips. I'm therefore hoping someone might just give me a little Cruise Tipping 101 course, without getting into anything too controversial?

 

For what its worth, I generally tip what I feel is pretty generously on our land based vacations, and I like to do some of it "up front" rather than at the end, because I think it results in better service throughout. As a point of reference, when we rent a 2br suite or villa on land, I usually tip about $50 - $75 for housekeeping for a week, and if I can determine that its going to be the same person all week I give at least half up front, the first day.

 

So I guess I'd like to know not only what the "official" policy is, but also whats the best way to reward and/or invite really good service?

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

[H82seaUgo]

What is the tipping policy onboard?

Service Gratuities

For your convenience, we automatically charge the gratuities for dining and stateroom staff to your onboard Sail & Sign account. The total amount is $11.50 per guest, per day as follows(our recommended guideline effective voyages departing December 1, 2011 and onward):

$ 3.70 - Per Day Stateroom Services

$ 5.80 - Per Day Dining Room Services

$ 2.00 - Per Day Alternative Services: distributed to kitchen, entertainment, guest services and other hotel staff members.

For Cruises-To-Nowhere, gratuities of $11.50 per guest, per day must be prepaid.

Our Staff is totally committed to exceed your expectations in every way possible. If you are not satisfied with the service you receive, we encourage you to contact the Guest Services desk while onboard. This will allow us to address your concerns in a timely and appropriate fashion. At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time while onboard. Gratuities will be deemed undisputed unless a request to modify is received prior to disembarking the ship.

For beverage purchases, fifteen percent of the bill is automatically added to the Sail & Sign charge. Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered.

NOTE: BARBADOS CRUISES

All gratuities are pre-paid and automatically added during the booking process for Barbados itineraries.

*Gratuities do not apply to guests less than 2 years of age.

[LarAndShar]

the word "tipping" here lately is really bring out the flame throwers... be ready!

 

Here is what I think.... Tipping 10.00 or 11.50 a day is peanuts compared to what we would tip if we as a family ate out 3 times a day... sooo... the 11.50, HOWEVER Carnival divides it up is OK with us and we just consider that part of the cruise fare.

Tipping your room stewart... My Husband has always handed our room stewart $25.00 at first meet and smiled with these words... "If the wife's happy Everyones happy" (like I'm not an easy person to please... LOL I am.. I just like clean glasses, Ice in my cooler, trash boxes clean and cute towel animals) I don't ask for extras... Well... OK sometimes I do when I try to move the towel animal and the head falls off and I can't figure out how to fix it...) at the end of the cruise hubby always gives extra to room stewart. ;) They do work very hard and derserve MORE than what they get out of that 11.50pp pd that carnival charges us.

 

You MIGHT come across a room stewart that asks you to wait til end of cruise as they want to be awarded for their service.

You MIGHT (as well as we) be flamed for the mere thought of giving $ ahead of time, as some people think it may offend the stewart. (i believe if they are offended they will be the ones to ask for you to only tip on services rendered)

 

In addition our Room Service deliveries are given at least $2 per delivery, never upfront because you won't likely see the same person twice;)

 

Happy Cruising!

[cuyahoga11]

I leave the auto tips on my account and tip additional at the end unless I ask for something special (like a extra chair for the balcony) then I will tip then

[golfadj]

Easy to use the auto tips and no reason to bribe the steward the first day with money as they will do a good job for you without doing this.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

We too are fairly new to cruising and have found that it is so easy for us to pre-pay the gratutities and then tip a little extra to whom ever you feel is deserving. Both cruises, we have had room stewards that have far exceeded what we felt would fall under "basic-minimal" services. We did give him and his assistant a little extra on the last evening of our cruise. I would not hesitate however to just leave the pre-paid tip alone and not tip any extra if the service was just minimal. We also had AnyTime dining. On our first cruise, we basically stuck to the same waitstaff and they were wonderful so we did tip them a little extra on the last evening. This past cruise, we also had AT dining but did not have a waitstaff that we felt was so above-and-beyond that we needed to request their section each night. So in this instance, we just left the tips as they were. We would also tip the bar waiter or bartender if we had good service with them. This was just a few $ each time.

 

Tipping is a very personal thing so do what you feel is best for you and your family.

 

Wishing you a great first cruise. :)

 

 

 

 

 

.

[wbsander]

Easy to use the auto tips and no reason to bribe the steward the first day with money as they will do a good job for you without doing this.

 

Never really thought of it as a "bribe", when I tip ahead of time, but it has always worked out well for us. I just like to make sure the person is aware that if there is an ability to provide a little extra (and I believe there ALWAYS is), that I will be appreciative. I'm sure that the normal service is good, but I would have a hard time believing that there aren't some instances where some extra appreciation will get you some service over and above "normal". I'm happy to pay for that.

[LarAndShar]

Never really thought of it as a "bribe", when I tip ahead of time, but it has always worked out well for us. I just like to make sure the person is aware that if there is an ability to provide a little extra (and I believe there ALWAYS is), that I will be appreciative. I'm sure that the normal service is good, but I would have a hard time believing that there aren't some instances where some extra appreciation will get you some service over and above "normal". I'm happy to pay for that.

 

and you're not alone... ;) do what makes your heart happy!

[riffatsea]

Since a tip is for services rendered I see no point in tipping ahead. We have never done so and have always had excellent service!

In the past, when Carnival had the comment cards we really wrote up the above and beyond excellence as the workers would get noticed and rewarded by the company for good comments BUT now with no cards we tip extra for the "above and beyond" AFTER that service is rendered.

[AirStang7]

Tipping people like bar staff at the beginning of the cruise helps a lot. I've scored some free drinks that way ;).

[cb at sea]

If you are being charged a daily "service charge" (tips), then, that's all that's needed...you've done your duty.

 

We've never "pre-tipped" and have always gotten exemplary service, so it's not necessary to give money upfront. Some will think that's ALL you're going to tip and be less than attentive!

[H82seaUgo]

Never really thought of it as a "bribe", when I tip ahead of time, but it has always worked out well for us. I just like to make sure the person is aware that if there is an ability to provide a little extra (and I believe there ALWAYS is), that I will be appreciative. I'm sure that the normal service is good, but I would have a hard time believing that there aren't some instances where some extra appreciation will get you some service over and above "normal". I'm happy to pay for that.

 

it won't work on the inept. the inept will just have your money.

[nlktx49]

We leave the auto tips on, as I feel they are minimal, even with the increase. At the end of the cruise, we tip the room steward and the head waiter and his assistant. We have yet to make use of the maitre de so don't tip him. On our first cruise we barely had enough cash left to tip as we had spent a lot of time in the casino!

[iTouch]

If you are being charged a daily "service charge" (tips), then, that's all that's needed...you've done your duty.

 

We've never "pre-tipped" and have always gotten exemplary service, so it's not necessary to give money upfront. Some will think that's ALL you're going to tip and be less than attentive!

 

 

That's a new one.:rolleyes:

[PictureChris]

What is a room stewart. We used to call the people who helped us on airlines stewardesses, not stewartesses.

 

stew·ard   [stoo-erd, styoo-] Show IPA

noun

1.

a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.

2.

a person who has charge of the household of another, buying or obtaining food, directing the servants, etc.

3.

an employee who has charge of the table, wine, servants, etc., in a club, restaurant, or the like.

4.

a person who attends to the domestic concerns of persons on board a vessel, as in overseeing maids and waiters.

5.

an employee on a ship, train, or bus who waits on and is responsible for the comfort of passengers, takes orders for or distributes food, etc.

 

This is not directed at anybody in particular but is just a common mistake on here and fb.

[riffatsea]

Picture Chris--It is not really allowed to correct how people spell things as it is kind of rude since :

a-some people have typos

b-some people have learning challenges like dyslexia

c-some people have languages other than English as their first language

d-it is just not a kind thing to do:mad:

[H82seaUgo]

Picture Chris--It is not really allowed to correct how people spell things as it is kind of rude since :

a-some people have typos

b-some people have learning challenges like dyslexia

c-some people have languages other than English as their first language

d-it is just not a kind thing to do:mad:

 

as well as a board violation.

[PictureChris]

It is not a spelling issue, it is an issue of calling someone by the wrong name. Mach or whomever, feel free to delete the post.

[firefly333]

It is not a spelling issue, it is an issue of calling someone by the wrong name. Mach or whomever, feel free to delete the post.

 

They are telling you the rules on CC prohibit you from correcting spelling or grammer of others.

 

I typo all the time, slightly dyslexic... but doesnt mean I dont know what is correct to say, my fingers just type words that seem to fill themselves out wrong.

[PictureChris]

If I started a new thread called "It is room Steward, not Stewart" would that have been ok? Just asking for clarification.

 

They are telling you the rules on CC prohibit you from correcting spelling or grammer of others.

 

I typo all the time, slightly dyslexic... but doesnt mean I dont know what is correct to say, my fingers just type words that seem to fill themselves out wrong.

[cruisecruisecruise2011]

My wife and I are cruising for the first time Dec. 26 on Victory. We are frequent travelers to the Caribbean, but this is our first cruise. I've seen a lot of controversy on here about tipping, and a new/increased tipping policy, but its a little over my head because I really don't know how it was done in the past. I know I am going to pay a per person/per day gratuity, and I understand it went up a little, but I don't understand all the discussion on changing and/or reallocating tips. I'm therefore hoping someone might just give me a little Cruise Tipping 101 course, without getting into anything too controversial?

 

For what its worth, I generally tip what I feel is pretty generously on our land based vacations, and I like to do some of it "up front" rather than at the end, because I think it results in better service throughout. As a point of reference, when we rent a 2br suite or villa on land, I usually tip about $50 - $75 for housekeeping for a week, and if I can determine that its going to be the same person all week I give at least half up front, the first day.

 

So I guess I'd like to know not only what the "official" policy is, but also whats the best way to reward and/or invite really good service?

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Since this is your first cruise.Do nothing,leave the autotip in place and do not tip extra until your next cruise to see if you are getting really good service.

 

These workers are experts in extracting more money out of you.Don't buy into it.

[iTouch]

Since this is your first cruise.Do nothing,leave the autotip in place and do not tip extra until your next cruise to see if you are getting really good service.

 

These workers are experts in extracting more money out of you.Don't buy into it.

 

What in the world:confused: You are getting more and more ridiculous:rolleyes:

[riffatsea]

We are not teachers in school who are trying to correct our students.

It is not allowed to correct: grammar,spelling,vocabulary etc. I wonder why you think it necessary to do so?

Just answer the questions that people ask.

[H82seaUgo]

If I started a new thread called "It is room Steward, not Stewart" would that have been ok? Just asking for clarification.

 

maybe over on spelling critic.com

[wentworth]

Leave the tip on your account. You shouldn't need to tip ahead. You

should get good service and if you don't, speak to your steward. We've

always been very happy with our steward. We ask for the ice

bucket to be kept full and we expect the room to be cleaned daily.

 

We usually leave an extra $20-30 at the end of the week if we feel

they have done more than expected. The same with our servers in the

dining room.