suite tipping - leaving envelopes in the room

[em-sk]

This might seem silly but were is a non tipping country ? As I come from a long line of tippers I really never heard this.

 

 

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In some parts of Asia (e.g. South Korea) it is considered an insult to tip.

 

Brazil is similar to Europe, Australia and most of the middle east where if a tip is expect it has already been included in the bill.

 

The random tip culture is more a US thing, that unfortunately does spread across the board and is the also the norm in Canada. The one difference is in some US states the minimum wage is artificially low if you are in a tip based occupation. In most parts of Canada they don't adjust the minimum wage that way.

 

Personally I prefer how it is handled in Europe.

[don't-use-real-name]

PLEASE do not leave the tip envelopes anywhere in your stateroom upon

departing.

 

Please do the PERSONAL TOUCH - it is important to them to know that their

work was (well) appreciated and if you travel again with the same crew your

cabin service will be even better.

[AweighToSea]

OP, putting the tips on your account ensures it goes to the person you want it to go to. You just have to know their name. This also means you don't have to worry about having the right amount of cash.

I include the little slip in a thank you card, so they know how much and can make sure their accounts are correct. I'm sure if you left envelops in the room with their names on them the steward or butler would make sure they got to the right people. I understand the reluctance to give them in person, but I find giving a thank you card a bit more comfortable than a pile of cash, and it allows me to express my thanks. The one group I hadn't actually considered extra tips for on our first suite sailing was the wait team in the suite restaurant. These guys totally made our trip an absolute delight during breakfast and lunch. Had a far greater impact than the concierge.

Yes, this is good to know. This is a great convenience NCL offers. No need for us to buy extra foreign currency guessing how much additional we might need but can just add was is appropriate before checkout.

Edited March 24, 2014 by AweighToSea

[AweighToSea]

This might seem silly but were is a non tipping country ? As I come from a long line of tippers I really never heard this.

 

 

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Some jobs in the UK that would be tipped in the USA do not want a tip such as a bartender. UK is one f the more difficult because others such as food service on rely on tips. That said there is a change in acceptance due to visitors.

 

Also China. This îs from tripadvisor's page on money issues:

"Finally, no tipping in China. Not for taxi drivers or restaurant waiters. It is not expected and if you do it they may turn it down and will certainly not be viewed as an act of generosity. It is a rather condencending act actually. The exception are the 5-star hotel bellboys. They have been spoiled by international travelers although will not be upset if you do not tip as the Chinese certainly don't"

 

In many other countries a tip is expected for things that would not even be a service provided in the US such as the attendant at the entrance to toilets. Tipping is a complicated issue and very cultural. What you tip for in the USA could be offensive in some countries but absolutely expected in others.

Edited March 24, 2014 by AweighToSea

[WolfRiver]

Just back from the Breakaway in a suite.

 

I gave directly the tip to steward + butler + concierge. Also took complete name of butler and steward and let them know we were filling an hero card for them. They always really appreciate this hero card.

[Love my butler]

Why the cheep shot about life out side the USA you JO

 

 

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What is a "cheep" shot? Spent most of my life in an English speaking country. Could you maybe spell out what you mean by JO? Thank you in advance.

[McDebbie]

Oh sheesh ^^^

 

If you add the tips to your account the day before you return the front desk staff will normally have added it to the butler or concierge's account by the last day and they will come to thank you. And like the others have said, it is nice not to have to carry the extra cash.

[Paraveina]

Why the cheep shot about life out side the USA you JO

 

 

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Likely because USA is in the minority when it comes to tipping, so the question seemed strange?

[Aladdin1968]

We always handed an envelope with a tip to the butler the night before debarkation. The day of debarkation the butler is very busy and you might miss him/her. To be honest, almost always the night before debarkation the butler turned up... Concierge is a bit different. We always gave the envelope on the day of debarkation. In high level suites the concierge escorts you off the ship and if not you will see the concierge somewhere during the debarkation process, assuming you do not do the "walk off". The concierge "works" for many people, so this is always a bit more unpersonal. I would not recommend leaving the tip for the butler in the stateroom, because it is unlikely the butler will be (the first person) in your stateroom after debarkation. Leaving a letter in the envelope is really not needed, unless you want to share a message. Telling the butler in person that he/she did a fine job, assuming the job was done fine :), does more. Remember that the butler may be your next butler also...

[isdoo]

The service that you will receive will be just as good whether you tip or not.

 

If you booked via the UK, then the site makes no mention of extra tips for butler, concierge etc., only via the US site.

 

So many British travellers will be unaware of the need to tip extra.

[NH Cruisers]

What is a "cheep" shot? Spent most of my life in an English speaking country. Could you maybe spell out what you mean by JO? Thank you in advance.

He was out of line. I can imagine what JO means. The O is probably short for "OFF".

[timhoke]

The word "tips" is actually an acronym for "To Insure Prompt Service". On our first day, when our butler came by to introduce himself, I slipped a nice tip into his hand & we did receive VERY good service from him all week. The last night I filled envelopes for the steward, concierge & butler & gave them to each one in person. It is always nice to receive the accolades as well as the cash in person!

[Mr Robberts]

He was out of line. I can imagine what JO means. The O is probably short for "OFF".

 

Ya I'm told I'm narrow minded because there is life out side the USA and I am OUT of line. OK. And the J O was for Jolly Old fellow. Lol

 

 

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[Fishbait17]

The word "tips" is actually an acronym for "To Insure Prompt Service". On our first day, when our butler came by to introduce himself, I slipped a nice tip into his hand & we did receive VERY good service from him all week. The last night I filled envelopes for the steward, concierge & butler & gave them to each one in person. It is always nice to receive the accolades as well as the cash in person!

 

Actually, that's not true, it's a "modern take" on the word and a common myth. The actual usage of the word as a gratuity goes back much farther than that.

 

http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/tip.asp

 

http://www.chacha.com/question/what-does-the-acronym-tips-stand-for-in-restaurant-table-service

 

http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/to_insure_promptness_tip_false_etymology

 

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/09/what-is-the-origin-of-the-word-tip-as-in-leaving-a-tip/

 

Either way, I also prefer to tip in person with a smile and a handshake (or hug!) but only at the end of the service (whether it be a single service or a period of service).

 

Robin

Edited March 24, 2014 by Fishbait17

[isdoo]

The word "tips" is actually an acronym for "To Insure Prompt Service".

 

False - it does not.

 

It is an old English word used in the British isles in the 18th century. It was never an acronym at all.

[torcruise]

Also in west Africa you typically only tip for manual labor. Example is if you have heavy bags and someone carrys it for you. However with the influence of tourist that is changing.

[VideoTech]

We have always left envelopes for the Cabin Steward and Butler in our room before we disembark. The Cabin Steward will be in almost immediately to start cleaning up the room, and the Butler will be by to bring the new flowers, fruit, and check on the Lavazza.

 

We give the concierge his/her tip directly when we go down for disembarkation.

[jakeT]

You should personally thank them. They are doing you and your family a service and you should thank them

[VideoTech]

PLEASE do not leave the tip envelopes anywhere in your stateroom upon

departing.

 

Please do the PERSONAL TOUCH - it is important to them to know that their

work was (well) appreciated and if you travel again with the same crew your

cabin service will be even better.

 

I think this is an individual call. We always stop and talk with our cabin steward, butler and concierge, and we let them know, individually, that we're happy with the cruise, and with their work and effort on our behalf.

 

We prefer to leave the tips in an envelope, and we always add a handwritten note of thanks.

 

Please don't make assumptions about people just because of the way they choose to tip.

[njhorseman]

I think it's a bad idea to leave tip envelopes in the room. On disembarkation days it's common for other crew members in addition to your regular steward and butler to work on cleaning and preparing cabins, and once you're out of the cabin the doors are left wide open to speed the cleaning and set-up process. Anyone can walk in, and with a little dishonesty the tip could end up in the wrong pocket.

 

That aside, I also think it's preferable from a personal perspective to thank your steward/butler/concierge while you're handing them the envelope .

[VideoTech]

You should personally thank them. They are doing you and your family a service and you should thank them

 

We DO personally thank them. Repeatedly and often, throughout the cruise. Just because we leave an envelope behind, does NOT mean we are rude and inconsiderate.

[VideoTech]

I think it's a bad idea to leave tip envelopes in the room. On disembarkation days it's common for other crew members in addition to your regular steward and butler to work on cleaning and preparing cabins, and once you're out of the cabin the doors are left wide open to speed the cleaning and set-up process. Anyone can walk in, and with a little dishonesty the tip could end up in the wrong pocket.

 

That aside, I also think it's preferable from a personal perspective to thank your steward/butler/concierge while you're handing them the envelope .

 

I will agree that we have thought of the opportunity for dishonesty this method presents. That might be the one reason that would make me change our system.

[GUEST080219]

We DO personally thank them. Repeatedly and often, throughout the cruise. Just because we leave an envelope behind, does NOT mean we are rude and inconsiderate.

 

Good to see that someone thinks alike :)

But I am happy about the diverse responses it helps me to get a feeling about how many guests approach that topic.

[don't-use-real-name]

I will agree that we have thought of the opportunity for dishonesty this method presents. That might be the one reason that would make me change our system.

 

Dishonesty aside - I don't know that much about what happens after leaving

the ship until the next guests arrive.

I was late enough in leaving the Holland America ship the Westerdam in

Seattle to see all the cabins doors propped open; but did not see any crew

working to clean and restock/reset the cabins for the next cruisers.

They may just as well have been cleaning the ship top to bottom or reverse

with everyone working to clean deck by deck instead of each cabin steward

cleaning his section only.

There is also the possibility of extra hired help from the port helping in the

operation.

Another scenario has the ships crew changing hands for shore leave or

subsequent deployment on another ship leaving a new crew to start the

cleaning or perhaps helping.

The ships crew could have other unspecified duties and cleaning and getting

the staterooms ready could be a lot easier than what one anticipates and

left to later. I can only speculate - next time cruising should remember to

ask what happens between cruises.

 

But leaving envelopes out in the open is an invitation to mishandling although

I am sure the crew mates have ways of dealing with rouge cabin stewards !

 

The PERSONAL TOUCH is very important in the service business and means a

great deal to the recipient !

[NH Cruisers]

Ya I'm told I'm narrow minded because there is life out side the USA and I am OUT of line. OK. And the J O was for Jolly Old fellow. Lol

 

 

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I apologize for my ignorance. :D