SINGLE HSC/TIPPING THREAD (Previously "Why are gratuities not included in Fares?")

[Lizzie68]

I've received that kind of treatment consistently from HAL staff without paying up front. It's nice to know that I am so well taken care of as a matter of course.

 

I've been well-remembered on subsequent cruises, too. They KNOW they'll be getting something extra at the end of the cruise.

 

Absolutely. In fact I will go a little further and suggest that staff may be offended to be offered bribes in return for the excellent service they provide to all, always.

[blizzardboy]

Absolutely. In fact I will go a little further and suggest that staff may be offended to be offered bribes in return for the excellent service they provide to all, always.

I don't think a $5 or $10 tip rises to the level of bribery. Gee whiz, girls. We're talking about tipping a server, bartender, or steward. They're in the service business, and believe me, their reason for being on ship isn't based in altruism.

Edited September 7, 2016 by blizzardboy

[Fouremco]

Treating bartenders and other members of the crew in a cheerful, non-demeaning manner is far more effective than a bribe, IMO. Count me as a member of the "tip at the end" group.

[fann1sh]

I'll be leaving the HSC alone, and was planning to tip steward(s) on embarkation: for clearing out the fridge of pay items. Hope this isn't seen as a bribe, or the only tip they'll be getting. :eek:

 

Crowd sourcing, please: is it inappropriate to tip at the time of this favour? Should I wait until the end?

[Fouremco]

I'll be leaving the HSC alone, and was planning to tip steward(s) on embarkation: for clearing out the fridge of pay items. Hope this isn't seen as a bribe, or the only tip they'll be getting. :eek:

 

Crowd sourcing, please: is it inappropriate to tip at the time of this favour? Should I wait until the end?

I'd normally take emptying the fridge into consideration when deciding what to tip at the end of the cruise and don't tip right away. I also don't tip the MDR waiter or wine steward after every meal. Just my approach and others are free to tip as they see fit. The only thing that is inappropriate IMO is deleting the HSC and not tipping at all.

[RuthC]

I'll be leaving the HSC alone, and was planning to tip steward(s) on embarkation: for clearing out the fridge of pay items. Hope this isn't seen as a bribe, or the only tip they'll be getting. :eek:

 

Crowd sourcing, please: is it inappropriate to tip at the time of this favour? Should I wait until the end?

That would seem like a "thank you" at the time of service, since there was a specific action requested. It's different from an up-front offer of money when nothing in particular has been requested.

However, it could set up an expectation that each additional request will come with a similar "thank you", and could cause confusion were it not offered every time.

 

You could include some specific instances, such as clearing out the fridge, in a note that accompanies the tip at the end of the cruise.

[fann1sh]

Thanks Fouremco and especially RuthC. Makes sense to wait, and give a note.

[12Mermaids]

Thanks for all the great information! I'm glad that those I tip at the end of the cruise will get to keep their cash, since I'm not changing the HSC.

 

Less than a week and I'll be putting all your good advice into action!

[Roz]

Before posting this, I tried to find this information on the HAL website. I also tried doing a search of this forum, but all came up with was a bunch of threads full of hate filled diatribe. Here's my question - how are the daily tips distributed among the staff? I know a certain % or amt. goes to the wait staff, room stewards, and behind the scenes staff. I'm in a Neptune suite, and the tips are $13.50 per day.

 

Roz

[Crew News]

Before posting this, I tried to find this information on the HAL website. I also tried doing a search of this forum, but all came up with was a bunch of threads full of hate filled diatribe. Here's my question - how are the daily tips distributed among the staff? I know a certain % or amt. goes to the wait staff, room stewards, and behind the scenes staff. I'm in a Neptune suite, and the tips are $13.50 per day.

 

Roz

 

Found this on a 2014 post but it should be the same today:

 

To breakdown where your money is going, 70% goes to your stateroom and your dining room stewards. The remaining 30% is divided among the supporting crew.

[donaldsc]

This site has the tip split for several cruise lines but not specifically for HAL

 

https://cruises.affordabletours.com/search/CruiseTipping/

 

I would assume that HAL is about the same.

 

DON

[Sue from Canada]

Found this on a 2014 post but it should be the same today:

 

To breakdown where your money is going, 70% goes to your stateroom and your dining room stewards. The remaining 30% is divided among the supporting crew.

 

So, if someone never ate in the main dining room should you request the Front Desk to lower your daily rate? I've yet to do this but on one of my past cruises I only went to the MDR on a 17 day cruise 2X.

[summersigh]

So, if someone never ate in the main dining room should you request the Front Desk to lower your daily rate? I've yet to do this but on one of my past cruises I only went to the MDR on a 17 day cruise 2X.

It includes ALL food service staff including the Lido and other "fast food" places.... not just the MDR. I'm assuming you're eating somewhere if not the MDR. :rolleyes:

[Dietemann]

If I write in a tip for room service, does the server get to keep all of it or does it go into the "pool"? Just wondering if I should give cash instead to be sure he/she gets to keep it all.

[Roz]

Thanks for the info.

 

Roz

[Crew News]

After searching a number of threads here on CC, I have learned that a decision to reduce your HSC is passed to the crew. As a result, ALL tips received by any crew member from someone who has reduced or lowered their HSC MUST be turned in to the general crew fund and may not be kept. Failure to turn in all tips from those who reduced their HSC is a serious violation for any crew member who receives tips. There is a certain amount of self-regulation for the crew but the risks of their future employment is not worth the continued-employment risk of keeping a tip that should be turned-in to the crew fund.

 

If the OP prefers to reduce their HSC for whatever reason (salty soup, dust under the bed, slow waiters, etc ) eliminates the option to tip any crew member whose amazing service may be deserving.

[Cruising-along]

If I write in a tip for room service, does the server get to keep all of it or does it go into the "pool"? Just wondering if I should give cash instead to be sure he/she gets to keep it all.

 

When you get room service, there is no slip of paper to write in the tip, and room service is free. So yes, give cash, and he/she will get to keep it.

[Dietemann]

When you get room service, there is no slip of paper to write in the tip, and room service is free. So yes, give cash, and he/she will get to keep it.

 

Thank you, we have been giving cash, just wondering if there was the other option like on Princess. And we never reduce the HSC, everyone works so hard.

[Stratheden]

To avoid all future discussions and arguments about the removal of the HSC from your account and whether or not crew get to keep their cash tips - could everyone please read the section on Tipping in the Crew Handbook that can be found here.

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/welcometohal/HAL_Crew_Service_Directories_080116.pdf

 

I live in a country that doesn't usually tip. If we have had excellent over the top service we would round the bill up to the next $5.

 

To read the angst that tipping causes amongst residents in a country that tips for just about everything, can you imagine what it is like to visit the US or cruise on a US ship.

[Cruising-along]

Thank you, we have been giving cash, just wondering if there was the other option like on Princess. And we never reduce the HSC, everyone works so hard.

 

No other option on HAL, you're doing it right. :)

[Crew News]

To avoid all future discussions and arguments about the removal of the HSC from your account and whether or not crew get to keep their cash tips - could everyone please read the section on Tipping in the Crew Handbook that can be found here.

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/welcometohal/HAL_Crew_Service_Directories_080116.pdf

 

I live in a country that doesn't usually tip. If we have had excellent over the top service we would round the bill up to the next $5.

 

To read the angst that tipping causes amongst residents in a country that tips for just about everything, can you imagine what it is like to visit the US or cruise on a US ship.

 

Thanks for posting this link. Lots of good information is now right at hand.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for posting this link. Lots of good information is now right at hand.

 

Thats a good read with lots of interesting info.

[kazu]

To avoid all future discussions and arguments about the removal of the HSC from your account and whether or not crew get to keep their cash tips - could everyone please read the section on Tipping in the Crew Handbook that can be found here.

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/welcometohal/HAL_Crew_Service_Directories_080116.pdf

 

I live in a country that doesn't usually tip. If we have had excellent over the top service we would round the bill up to the next $5.

 

To read the angst that tipping causes amongst residents in a country that tips for just about everything, can you imagine what it is like to visit the US or cruise on a US ship.

 

Great link Strath :). Thank you for confirming and providing it :)

[RocketMan275]

To avoid all future discussions and arguments about the removal of the HSC from your account and whether or not crew get to keep their cash tips - could everyone please read the section on Tipping in the Crew Handbook that can be found here.

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/welcometohal/HAL_Crew_Service_Directories_080116.pdf

 

I live in a country that doesn't usually tip. If we have had excellent over the top service we would round the bill up to the next $5.

 

To read the angst that tipping causes amongst residents in a country that tips for just about everything, can you imagine what it is like to visit the US or cruise on a US ship.

 

The appropriate section is found on page 25.

 

TIPPING NOT REQUIRED POLICY

All ships have the Rewards for Excellence (RfE) Plan which consists of Hotel Service Charges and Beverage Service Charges. If a guest chooses to adjust out of the RfE Plan and instead provide cash ps to an employee, the em- ployee is required to turn in this cash to their Department Head so the money can be added to the RfE plan. Any “ps” received above and beyond the guests standard amount may be kept by the crewmember.

 

Note the last sentence.

[Denverbri69]

First, I don't want to hear any comments criticizing tipping. If you are opposed to tipping then just like your cash, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.:p

 

I have open seating. When I first board the ship I go straight to the MDR and make arrangements for my table (2 top). What are the more comfortable/desirable tables to ask for? I prefer to sit with the same server throughout the cruise. What is an appropriate tip to give the dining room manager for making the arrangements? How much is an 'appreciate' tip for the server each night?

 

P.S. For those of you who feel the daily gratuity is too rich or all you are 'obligated' to pay; then you do not have the appreciation of attentive service that others do. And who are happy to show their appreciation for receiving excellent service. :p