Tortoiselvr Posted October 28, 2014 #1 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I plan to go see the Maitre D' when I get on board to ask for our party of three to be seated alone, not with others - but do I tip him for this? or do I wait for the end of the cruise when the envelope is presented? If I do tip, what is the suggested tip amount? (and I do automatic gratuities, this would be additional) thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domino D Posted October 28, 2014 #2 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I plan to go see the Maitre D' when I get on board to ask for our party of three to be seated alone, not with others - but do I tip him for this? or do I wait for the end of the cruise when the envelope is presented? If I do tip, what is the suggested tip amount? (and I do automatic gratuities, this would be additional) thanks in advance. Kind of an opinion issue. What you are comfortable with and how much it means to you? I am going to ask for a certain type of table as well. If it works out, I intend on tipping him (or her) at the that time. I think old school tipping is the way to go. Handshake tip. But that is just a personal feeling, I think either is okay. As far as amount, I would not be comfortable even suggesting an amount. It is just to personal a thing. Whatever amount you decide, I'm sure it will be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
092306 Posted October 28, 2014 #3 Share Posted October 28, 2014 The envelope for the maitre d tip or even suggestion of that tip doesn't happen anymore, but you can get an envelope from guest services and do it at the end of the cruise. We've never tipped him for seating changes up front. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseelady Posted October 28, 2014 #4 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I plan to go see the Maitre D' when I get on board to ask for our party of three to be seated alone, not with others - but do I tip him for this? or do I wait for the end of the cruise when the envelope is presented? If I do tip, what is the suggested tip amount? (and I do automatic gratuities, this would be additional) thanks in advance. Gone are the days when you had to tip to get a table you needed. Now all you have to do is ask. At the embarkation day I think from 1-3, there will be a line for people who want to change their seats, and believe me there are many people who do it, including me. Not once have I seen anyone tip the Maître D'. And let me tell you I am very observant. But if you do decide to do that, you can do it at the end of the cruise, although frankly most don't tip. But its obviously up to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted October 28, 2014 #5 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I plan to go see the Maitre D' when I get on board . Maitre D does not meet until 1pm== head there about 12:30 and wait to be ahead in the line. (look for your table first-- you might not even have to wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bookbug53 Posted October 28, 2014 #6 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Even though it states the maitre'd will be taking requests, and we have made a few, he is not generally the guy we actually talk to. There are staff members at the podium to the main dining room and will change your table if they are able. They can enter it into the computer right then. If they are not able to accommodate you immediately they may take the information and you will receive a notice later. We only met with the actual maitre'd one time involving a very large group we were with and everyone had been scattered throughout the dining room and not grouped together at all. It took awhile to straighten it all out and he was involved. You may or may not have the maitre'd standing in front of you to be able to tip him. If you want to tip for the table change or other favors/service he delivers throughout the week do so on the last night. He will come around to the tables. This is the only other time we ever see him. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobnsons Posted October 28, 2014 #7 Share Posted October 28, 2014 If you get a GOOD waiter give him the tip instead. Your wait staff is not on salary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortoiselvr Posted October 28, 2014 Author #8 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Thanks everyone. I appreciate the assistance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallas52 Posted October 28, 2014 #9 Share Posted October 28, 2014 send him an email now and then check where you are sitting when you board, you may not have to talk with him, he should be able to put you at a 4 seat table without any problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjcruiser Posted October 28, 2014 #10 Share Posted October 28, 2014 According to John Heald, Carnival's Senior Brand Ambassador, MaitreD's are not required to answer emails beforehand to make seating changes. He recommends contacting him on Facebook, or his blog to make the changes. I contacted the MaitreD first via email to make seating arrangements, and when he didn't answer, I found out about JH's FB and blog pages, and in a couple days, he and his staff had gotten the request completed by the Senior MaitreD onboard the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsmac3 Posted October 28, 2014 #11 Share Posted October 28, 2014 send him an email now and then check where you are sitting when you board, you may not have to talk with him, he should be able to put you at a 4 seat table without any problem. This has always worked for us - at least for the last five or six cruises. We normally wait until about two weeks before the cruise before sending. I know what John H said about this, but it always works - only once however, did we receive a response. We only cruise Spirit class ships on Carnival and we always have late seating . . . there seem to always be plenty of vacant tables during late seating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remyinjax Posted October 28, 2014 #12 Share Posted October 28, 2014 How does this work if you don't have a set time for dinner? This is our first cruise and we picked anytime dining. Can we request a 4 person table and just wait longer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallas52 Posted October 28, 2014 #13 Share Posted October 28, 2014 no problems with atd, you just tell them how many and wait for table to open up before they sit you, usually not long unless you have a big party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAPERBKWRITER Posted October 28, 2014 #14 Share Posted October 28, 2014 We you board take a walk to the dining room and check out your table. Chances are it's a 4 seater and you'll dine by yourselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted October 29, 2014 #15 Share Posted October 29, 2014 NO need to tip...it's his JOB! Tipping is done on the last evening of the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avandrie Posted October 29, 2014 #16 Share Posted October 29, 2014 I emailed our Maitre D and received my "read receipt", but no response. I was debating if I should send another email the day before departure to confirm our seating arrangements. Hate to stalk them and make them grumpy though. :-/ Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted October 29, 2014 #17 Share Posted October 29, 2014 I plan to go see the Maitre D' when I get on board to ask for our party of three to be seated alone, not with others - but do I tip him for this? or do I wait for the end of the cruise when the envelope is presented? If I do tip, what is the suggested tip amount? (and I do automatic gratuities, this would be additional) thanks in advance. If you think a bribe would help you get what you want, then bribe him as much as you feel comfortable bribing someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsmac3 Posted October 29, 2014 #18 Share Posted October 29, 2014 I emailed our Maitre D and received my "read receipt", but no response. I was debating if I should send another email the day before departure to confirm our seating arrangements. Hate to stalk them and make them grumpy though. :-/ Sent from my iPhone using Forums We normally just go by there after boarding . . . there is normally a line but if you just want to check on what type of table you have and its location, one of the assistants can normally tell you pretty quickly. It is easy for us now because we always request a table by number and we can tell by looking at our Sign n' Sail card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andoria Posted October 29, 2014 #19 Share Posted October 29, 2014 I emailed our Maitre D and received my "read receipt", but no response. I was debating if I should send another email the day before departure to confirm our seating arrangements. Hate to stalk them and make them grumpy though. :-/ Sent from my iPhone using Forums I didn't hear a reply on my last Splendor cruise but I got the table I requested. The M'd said something about that in a very thick accent. I was just happy I got the table. For my upcoming Valor cruise, I heard back immediately from the M'd. I assume my request will be met and I don't tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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