How much is too much?

[Astro Flyer]

Many happy cruises with great memories, great service and no regrets!

Me too...even without tipping upfront. ;) Tipping is an individual decision that each of us make. :)

[Coral]

Yep, I knew that post would cause a stir. No worries here, call it what you will, while others debate on whether to keep their auto-grats on or not, or IF they will get good service, we have been on a few cruises and have yet to ever be disappointed. Did the extra $$ upfront influence that? I hope so! The result? Many happy cruises with great memories, great service and no regrets!

 

In the end, you tip upfront and I tip at the end (extra). We both receive good service and we are both happy. We are probably tipping the same.

 

In my mind, it doesn't matter and it is personal preference when you tip. Do what works best for you. :)

[kruisey]

I have found that certain staff members do give you extra good service if they know you are going to give them something extra at the end of the trip. Talking from experience:cool:

Edited December 28, 2014 by kruisey

[Hawaiidan]

Princess should add a 'Resort Fee', and be done with it.

 

Here is a little know fact on many lines in the Carnival family, of which Princess is one, All those extra little tips you give in cash to your steward, waiter, barman.. etc. with the exception of contract staff( Spa-Casino )

 

ALL is put into a big fund and every one draws on that according to pre-set position and standing. Crew members from the exceptional to the dork all get a piece of the action.

 

That $50 to 100 you may thankfully give rewarding a specific staff members goes into the pot. For that employee to keep it will result in his termination.

 

The reality is in the finality of it all your good intentions are diluted in the end

It would be far better as suggested to either raise the price or call it a resort fee or whatever. The all inclusive ship lines do this and are , according to industry reports... the most rapidly expanding and profitable sector of the cruise industry. These folks are all about value and don't like being nickel and dimed . They welcome an all inclusive service and respect the price paid.

 

The penny wise traveler may one day figure that out

[Colo Cruiser]

Here is a little know fact on many lines in the Carnival family, of which Princess is one, All those extra little tips you give in cash to your steward, waiter, barman.. etc. with the exception of contract staff( Spa-Casino )

 

ALL is put into a big fund and every one draws on that according to pre-set position and standing. Crew members from the exceptional to the dork all get a piece of the action.

 

 

Sorry this is not true if the auto tip is left on.

[Hawaiidan]

Yep, I knew that post would cause a stir. No worries here, call it what you will, while others debate on whether to keep their auto-grats on or not, or IF they will get good service, we have been on a few cruises and have yet to ever be disappointed. Did the extra $$ upfront influence that? I hope so! The result? Many happy cruises with great memories, great service and no regrets!

 

With few exceptions, ol'e Guardhouse has it figured out 150%.

 

call it a bribe call it anything you wish... but you need to turn mothers picture to the wall because that's how the world works....

There is a old adage that says "money talks and B.S. walks" Or Heat rises and water runs down hill......Its human nature to take care of the guy who's proven to be profitable to your future...

a fact that has not slipped by our politicians un noticed.....

[Cruise Raider]

To be quite honest I have been doing away with tipping extra little by little.If the cruise line is setting the standard for gratuity and the crew except these terms then who am I to argue. I will tip extra for room service but I have stopped tipping in the specialty restaurants and I don't tip the staff in Anytime dining. I may leave the room steward a few dollars if he or she is exceptional.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Exactly what we have done as well. Only extra tipping for room service and only in a specialty restaurant if the service is exceptional. We sometimes purchase a little goodie on shore if we get to know the steward well and they have gone above and beyond. Otherwise, no extra tipping for us anymore.

PS -- if somebody tried to make me feel stupid for my preferences, I would choose not to sit with them any longer and make alternate dining arrangements.

[MrCruise]

It's a service industry. If you are comfortable showng your appreciation for the service you receive and have the means to do so, I see no reason why there should be a "limit" on how you choose to do so.

 

Many choose not to tip- and I'm respectful of that perspective as well.

 

It all comes down to what feels right for you. Personally, I recognize that I'm a late eater, and typically don't leave my stateroom for dinner until 9:00 or later. I tell my steward this the first time I meet them and usually give them an up-front tip of $20-$50 depending on the duration of my trip. I understand they will be making up my stateroom after their shift typically ends, and want to show my appreciation in advance.

 

It's never wrong to show gratitude.

[kruisey]

Yes I respect everyones views.

Folks have kind of looked at me when I get the special veggies I like and dishes. The employees go out of their way and I like to show them my appreciation in return. Its hush hush between that employee and myself both sides are happy:)

[4cats4me]

Yep, I knew that post would cause a stir. No worries here, call it what you will, while others debate on whether to keep their auto-grats on or not, or IF they will get good service, we have been on a few cruises and have yet to ever be disappointed. Did the extra $$ upfront influence that? I hope so! The result? Many happy cruises with great memories, great service and no regrets!

 

Yep, money talks

Some don't get it.;)

Worked for us for years at dinner shows in Tahoe to get preferred seating as well

;)

[Hawaiidan]

Yep, money talks

Some don't get it.;)

Worked for us for years at dinner shows in Tahoe to get preferred seating as well

;)

 

As said prior, I am in agreement. This works in just about all cultures in the world form North America to Asia.

What do you do in countries or cruises where they don't like tipping...like Australia, and have jacked up the fares/prices to cover tipping?

 

My question because I am going on a Australian cruise on Princess. If Australian based crew comes from the mindset that they hate tipping what do they think of people who might tip them...

 

Curious

[Terre]

We always give extra on the last night. The cabin steward works quite hard and if he/she meets all of my requests, I don't mind giving a little extra.

 

Since we have been using Anytime, My Time, Your Time, etc. dining we don't tip extra unless we find a wait team we like and ask for them every night after. Then we do give them extra as well if they continue doing a great job.