tips

[MIKEXXXX]

My wife and I have a disagreement. We have been on 5 cruises, all with Carnival. When room service brings us something, my wife always gives them a tip. I explained to her that we are paying $11.50 per day per person. That's $161 for our typical 7 day Mexican coast cruise. Does anyone know what portion of this money goes to the stateroom people? What is standard practice?

[Alliezona09]

It's been stated the the room service people on Carnival (and most other lines) are NOT included in the daily service charge~ so yes you should be tipping them a couple bucks~

[CruiserBruce]

It's been stated the the room service people on Carnival (and most other lines) are NOT included in the daily service charge~ so yes you should be tipping them a couple bucks~

 

I believe Alliezona09 is correct. The best place for your research would be the Carnival board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=215

[deedeetoo]

It's been stated the the room service people on Carnival (and most other lines) are NOT included in the daily service charge~ so yes you should be tipping them a couple bucks~

 

Just curious, who has it been stated by? Can you provide a link to a cruise line website that says this?

[deedeetoo]

I believe Alliezona09 is correct. The best place for your research would be the Carnival board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=215

 

I'm not saying she is wrong, but just because some other CC member posted it, doesn't mean that it is fact.

[luddite]

Room service duty is voluntary and they are expecting a tip.

[sail7seas]

On HAL ships, it is the CD at what used to be the Disembarkation Talk that has told us what amount of the hotel service charge (as HAL calls it) goes to cabin stewards, dining stewards etc

 

We Always tip when Room Service brings us an order. This is an additional service we have requested and a reasonable tip seems appropriate to Us. No one says you have to tip but we would feel awful to not. Perhaps a few pennies of the auto tip goes to Room Service stewards but I think some extra is just fine.

[sail7seas]

Just curious, who has it been stated by? Can you provide a link to a cruise line website that says this?

 

 

I don't think you will find that information on the website for any mass market cruise line.

 

I don't think you will find it published anywhere from a reliable, verifiable cruise line representative. ;)

[Alliezona09]

Just curious, who has it been stated by? Can you provide a link to a cruise line website that says this?

 

Just a quick search on Carnvial.com for tipping policy ~~

 

http://www.carnival.com/core/faq.aspx#q-544396

 

Room Service staff may be tipped as service is rendered.

[CruiserBruce]

I'm not saying she is wrong, but just because some other CC member posted it, doesn't mean that it is fact.

 

Thanks for that pearl of wisdom...I would never have known. :(

 

I was agreeing with her statement...that what Alliezona09 said is my understanding as well. Not just because someone else said it.

[cb at sea]

I think Princess is the only line that includes room service delivery in the tips....On most lines, your tips cover: cabin attendant, waiter, ass't waiter and head waiter. That's it.

 

On most lines, it's kitchen staff that deliver room service orders, so a tip is nice. It's NOT mandatory, but it's a nice gesture!

[taglovestocruise]

Room service duty is voluntary and they are expecting a tip.

 

You are right on. We have heard from room service delivery staff that they chose room service over buffet work because of the tips for the extra work they do..

[jocap]

According to Berlitz Cruising 2013, page 27:

"Should I tip for room service?

No. It's part of the normal onboard duties that hotel staff are paid to carry out".

But I suppose many of us would feel a little mean if we didn't.....

[JanineM]

Regardless of what anyone here or any Berlitz guide says, I always tip extra for room service - $2 to $5, depending on what they bring.

 

Those people work damned hard & they are paid very little. In the grand scheme of things, that $2 won't make much difference to me, but it may make a difference to them. But then I survived on tips for many years so am biased that way.

[rvsullivan]

And Berlitz knows what policy applies to all ships? Always tip room service, anywhere, ship, hotel, anywhere! They work hard and a couple of bucks doesn't hurt me. The cost of one drink will cover multiple room service tips.:D

[deedeetoo]

Thanks for that pearl of wisdom...I would never have known. :(

 

I was agreeing with her statement...that what Alliezona09 said is my understanding as well. Not just because someone else said it.

 

Sorry if you thought I was being snarky. That was not my intention.

 

I really wish the cruise lines would clearly answer this question. The discussions on CC are generally along the lines of "I have understood it this way" or "I heard this" or "My wait staff told me this" Lets face it - the crew have a reason to try to encourage people to tip more because this are sometimes in that position. In fact one poster stated that crew liked those positions because they got extra tips which seems to imply that any tips they get for doing that are above and beyond the standard tip.

 

The reason I ask about this is that my husband and I actually had a bit of a disagreement over this on our last cruise. We ordered room service breakfast and I got out money to tip when they delivered. He insisted that we already paid the tip in our auto tip and we did not need to tip again. He took the money and put it away.

[Lizzie68]

Can someone give me some guidance as to what a reasonable tip would be for a breakfast tray? Coffee, juice and toast or Danish. Thanks.

[LHT28]

Can someone give me some guidance as to what a reasonable tip would be for a breakfast tray? Coffee' date=' juice and toast or Danish. Thanks.[/quote']

 

We tip $1-2

[PCLMassachusetts]

I don't think you will find that information on the website for any mass market cruise line.

 

I don't think you will find it published anywhere from a reliable, verifiable cruise line representative. ;)

 

Here it is right from the Carnival website http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Gratuities_Tips.aspx

"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. Tipping your Maître d’ is at your discretion, based upon the service you receive"

 

I know that the policy on NCL is the same. I'm sure I could find the link if it is really required.

Edited March 9, 2014 by PCLMassachusetts

[sapper1]

Can someone give me some guidance as to what a reasonable tip would be for a breakfast tray? Coffee' date=' juice and toast or Danish. Thanks.[/quote']

 

We tip $2.00 for our morning coffee and danish. It is worth it to me to not get dressed and run up to the Lido to get it myself.

[Lizzie68]

We tip $2.00 for our morning coffee and danish. It is worth it to me to not get dressed and run up to the Lido to get it myself.

 

That sounds very reasonable. And I wouldn't want to inflict myself on other passengers before I've had my morning coffee.:D

[Tammycm]

It is published in Carnival's FAQ's exactly what the $11.50 per day goes to. It does not go to room service! Suggested tip is $1 per plate.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[taglovestocruise]

Sorry if you thought I was being snarky. That was not my intention.

 

I really wish the cruise lines would clearly answer this question. The discussions on CC are generally along the lines of "I have understood it this way" or "I heard this" or "My wait staff told me this" Lets face it - the crew have a reason to try to encourage people to tip more because this are sometimes in that position. In fact one poster stated that crew liked those positions because they got extra tips which seems to imply that any tips they get for doing that are above and beyond the standard tip.

 

The reason I ask about this is that my husband and I actually had a bit of a disagreement over this on our last cruise. We ordered room service breakfast and I got out money to tip when they delivered. He insisted that we already paid the tip in our auto tip and we did not need to tip again. He took the money and put it away.

 

How can anyone be so cheap as to not tip a dollar to someone who delivers a service directly to you and just to you.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I think Princess is the only line that includes room service delivery in the tips....On most lines, your tips cover: cabin attendant, waiter, ass't waiter and head waiter. That's it.

 

On most lines, it's kitchen staff that deliver room service orders, so a tip is nice. It's NOT mandatory, but it's a nice gesture!

 

I looked at the Cruise Answer Book on the Princess website as I don't believe room service is included in the autogratuities and here's what it says:

Gratuities

 

During your cruise, regardless of which Princess ship you choose, you will meet staff who provide you with excellent service. Crew members often rotate to different vessels within the Princess fleet which helps to maintain our high standards on every ship. These dedicated workers reflect our philosophy that all crew on all ships are but one family who share in our success.

To simplify the tipping process for our passengers, a discretionary gratuity of $12 per person for mini-suites and suites, and $11.50 per passenger in all other staterooms per day (including children) will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. This gratuity will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, and housekeeping staff across the fleet. For your convenience, this gratuity can be pre-paid before you sail by calling 1-800 PRINCESS and referencing Special Services item number 0597. Pre-paid gratuities may be added up to 6 days prior to your departure.

A 15% gratuity is added to bar charges and dining room wine accounts. This is shared amongst the beverage staff and their support staff. We know you will find these services onboard exemplary.

Casino dealers and Lotus Spa® personnel do not share in these gratuities, as not all passengers utilize these services.

 

 

 

 

That last line about "not all passengers utilize these services" would definitely apply to room service delivery. We have never ordered room service on any of our Princess cruises. That's the same with beverage services and children's program staff. Not every passenger uses those, but most likely you'll expect to have your cabin cleaned and you'll eat while on your cruise (even if it's in the Horizon for every meal: the waitstaff working there are part of the tipping pool).

[Sue Do-Over]

The auto-tip/gratuity goes to the people who provide you service 'all the time'.

 

Your room gets cleaned every day, you eat (somewhere) every day, you drink (something) every day.

 

Room service is a just-for-you service, that you use as often as you like, at all hours of the day and night, for service just for you in your cabin. That, to me, makes it different, and worth a $1-2 tip in cash.