Tipping - the age old question - Sorry

[fitoldguyinspeedo]

OK so I realize this question has been asked a thousand times and in as many different ways but here goes.

 

We've just booked our second ever cruise (Southern Caribbean May 1 2016) and I'm confused as to tipping. According to the Carnival website you can simply add tips automatically up front and be done with it.

 

But, as I read though the posts here, it appears most accomplished cruisers tip in cash for each service rendered. That to me seems like alot of trouble to carry a wad of cash (1's) around on sea days (no pockets in my speedo anyway, lol).

 

So.... I can certainly see tipping the room steward a 20 in the beginning and a 20+ in the end but what I don't understand is the in-between. The dining rooms, the bars, the servers on deck. Do you all tip them in cash each and every time and no up front tipping at all?

 

I often overtip for excellent service and am not concerenced about money but I thought one of the whole points of cruising was not having to worry about cash.

[LaCal]

Everything's taken care of as far as tips even when you order a drink the gratuity is already added on.... some people tip a few extra bucks here and there but it's totally up to you

 

We tip our cabin steward extra at the end above and beyond the daily charges

 

Plus we tip the drink servers in the casino $1-$2 a round extra

 

Tip as u see fit

Edited December 10, 2015 by LaCal

[SadieN]

We leave the autograts in place. Will tip out extra as we see fit.

[grooks]

We will tip the cabin steward at the beginning and again at the end of the cruise. We will also give tips at the end to the wait staff in the MDR, including the drink girl. With the bartender's, if I am hanging out by the pool for the day, a tip every other drink they will get to know you and I feel get your drinks quicker if the bar is busy.

 

A few dollars here and there is not going to break my bank but will usually go a long way for the average carnival worker.

[klfrodo]

 

 

But, as I read though the posts here, it appears most accomplished cruisers tip in cash for each service rendered. .

 

Been on here since the original AOL only days and am curious where these posts are.

 

There are some who feel this way but "most accomplished"?

Not at all.

 

Most accomplished cruisers either pre-pay or leave on the auto tip system.

 

Then most accomplished cruisers will add on to each individual who provides superior service at the end of the cruise with additional cash.

[tkportersat]

Ditto

 

We leave the autograts in place. Will tip out extra as we see fit.

[hftmrock]

We leave the autograts in place. Will tip out extra as we see fit.

 

ditto

[cb at sea]

There is no need to tip above the amount they will charge you on a daily basis. If you DON'T pre-pay tips, then they add them to your account daily. There is no need to "tip as you go"...NONE!

 

The last night of your cruise, if someone went "above and beyond" (and you will know it if it happens!), then feel free to tip a bit extra to that/those folks......

 

Bar tabs have a spot to write in additional tip, if you feel the need....opening a beer is not worth above 18%, IMO! A fancy, complicated mixed drink....use your own judgement!

[Tapi]

...it appears most accomplished cruisers tip in cash for each service rendered.

 

 

Ah, no. As an "accomplished" cruiser, I leave the automatic tips just the way they are, and I'll ONLY tip EXTRA for exceptional service.

 

Just my opinion, and I'm sure some cash tipper will feel the need to defend his position, but I think that removing auto tips and then "tipping in cash" is just a justification to under tip and be cheap.

Edited December 10, 2015 by Tapi

[hockeyluver]

We prepay our gratuities, tip our room steward the last night amount depends on how the job was done. We tip our dining team ( each member not just the head waiter) again amount depending on how well the job was done and if we have a "regular" drink server in the casino we will tip them as well. All on the last night of the cruise.

[bingomamma19]

OK so I realize this question has been asked a thousand times and in as many different ways but here goes.

 

We've just booked our second ever cruise (Southern Caribbean May 1 2016) and I'm confused as to tipping. According to the Carnival website you can simply add tips automatically up front and be done with it.

 

But, as I read though the posts here, it appears most accomplished cruisers tip in cash for each service rendered. That to me seems like alot of trouble to carry a wad of cash (1's) around on sea days (no pockets in my speedo anyway, lol).

 

So.... I can certainly see tipping the room steward a 20 in the beginning and a 20+ in the end but what I don't understand is the in-between. The dining rooms, the bars, the servers on deck. Do you all tip them in cash each and every time and no up front tipping at all?

 

I often overtip for excellent service and am not concerenced about money but I thought one of the whole points of cruising was not having to worry about cash.

 

Tipping is a personal decision, there is no right or wrong. Do as you wish. Some people on here try to imply they go around trying to "make it rain" all over the workers, dont let anonymous posters influence your decision. It will not make your cruise any better or worse. Leave your auto tips on and you have covered everything--(a couple ones in the room for any room service orders is all you need.)

[RiotAct]

Agree with others - it's customary to tip extra (if you wish to) on the last full day of the cruise to wait staff and bartenders who made your cruise a great one.

[loubetti]

Ah, no. As an "accomplished" cruiser, I leave the automatic tips just the way they are, and I'll ONLY tip EXTRA for exceptional service.

 

Just my opinion, and I'm sure some cash tipper will feel the need to defend his position, but I think that removing auto tips and then "tipping in cash" is just a justification to under tip and be cheap.

 

Not just your opinion but my opinion. Leave the auto grats in place, and tip extra if warranted in cash. This is how these folks you see, and those you do not make most of their money.

[Drazil65]

We prepay and then a $20 to cabin steward in beginning of trip and then extra for MDR staff at end of trip...plenty of $1's for room service and bar service if they come to me, personal preference

[summersigh]

Most accomplished cruisers either pre-pay or leave on the auto tip system.

 

Then most accomplished cruisers will add on to each individual who provides superior service at the end of the cruise with additional cash.

 

This is exactly what we do on any and all lines we cruise. We never give a cash tip at the beginning ... only the last night if a crew member/s have given service over and beyond the norm. (we also do leave the auto tip system in place)

 

Drink staff get 15% added onto each tab so we rarely tip extra except for perhaps a $20 slipped to a waiter who gave us extra nice service at our nightly "night cap bar". :D

 

Others we consider might be the cabin steward for remembering our 2x daily ice and MDR staff who make our fixed dining each evening a pleasure. :)

[dulcimergirl]

Be sure to tip your room service delivery people. I keep a stack of 1's in a close cabinet for this. Usually 2, depending on how quickly they deliver the goods.

Other than that, a little extra to the room steward after your cruise is great. Yes, we prepay our tips. So much easier to do...

[Who Cares?]

OK so I realize this question has been asked a thousand times and in as many different ways but here goes.

 

We've just booked our second ever cruise (Southern Caribbean May 1 2016) and I'm confused as to tipping. According to the Carnival website you can simply add tips automatically up front and be done with it.

 

But, as I read though the posts here, it appears most accomplished cruisers tip in cash for each service rendered. That to me seems like alot of trouble to carry a wad of cash (1's) around on sea days (no pockets in my speedo anyway, lol).

 

So.... I can certainly see tipping the room steward a 20 in the beginning and a 20+ in the end but what I don't understand is the in-between. The dining rooms, the bars, the servers on deck. Do you all tip them in cash each and every time and no up front tipping at all?

 

I often overtip for excellent service and am not concerenced about money but I thought one of the whole points of cruising was not having to worry about cash.

 

I leave the auto-tips in place and don't worry about carrying any extra money as I don't tip above the auto-tips. There is absolutely no need to over-tip unless you really want to.

[Cuizer2]

OK so I realize this question has been asked a thousand times and in as many different ways but here goes.

 

We've just booked our second ever cruise (Southern Caribbean May 1 2016) and I'm confused as to tipping. According to the Carnival website you can simply add tips automatically up front and be done with it.

 

But, as I read though the posts here, it appears most accomplished cruisers tip in cash for each service rendered. That to me seems like alot of trouble to carry a wad of cash (1's) around on sea days (no pockets in my speedo anyway, lol).

 

So.... I can certainly see tipping the room steward a 20 in the beginning and a 20+ in the end but what I don't understand is the in-between. The dining rooms, the bars, the servers on deck. Do you all tip them in cash each and every time and no up front tipping at all?

 

I often overtip for excellent service and am not concerenced about money but I thought one of the whole points of cruising was not having to worry about cash.

 

I've been on 28 cruises, including eleven on Carnival and I don't tip anyone in cash. All my tips are on my onboard account. If deserving, on the last day I'll add a little extra cash to the envelope I give the person.

 

If you want a drink on the ship, you have to have your room key. That is tied to your onboard account. If the auto tip is not enough, then I just add extra to the charge slip.

 

The room attendant and the wait staff are all including in the auto tips (I don't pay my tips in advance) and thus I don't have to worry about tipping them.

 

As to giving someone a $20 in advance of any service, that is not a tip, that is a bribe.

[jimbo5544]

I've been on 28 cruises, including eleven on Carnival and I don't tip anyone in cash. All my tips are on my onboard account. If deserving, on the last day I'll add a little extra cash to the envelope I give the person.

 

If you want a drink on the ship, you have to have your room key. That is tied to your onboard account. If the auto tip is not enough, then I just add extra to the charge slip.

 

The room attendant and the wait staff are all including in the auto tips (I don't pay my tips in advance) and thus I don't have to worry about tipping them.

 

As to giving someone a $20 in advance of any service, that is not a tip, that is a bribe.[/QUOTE]

 

I agree with almost all of your post, and we have been on 34 cruises (not sure what that has to do with it but you mentioned it so I did as well;)). As to the last line, that is an opinion (yours) not a fact.:cool:

[MisterFidgetpants]

Cash tips handed out on final evening to our wait staff team and cabin steward. Guest Services will have stack of envelopes; no need to wait in line to get them just walk up and get as many as you need. I bring small denomination bills just thinking it may be easier for the staff to deal with than larger bills. A thank you, a handshake, and hand over the envelope.

 

I might tip a little bit along the way if someone I likely won't encounter again does something really helpful or gracious. Rarely do I tip extra on drinks as 15% is adequate, IMO.

 

Never order room service, but if I did a few bucks seems appropriate.

 

Do whatever you like and feel is best for you. Some like auto-tips. Some like auto-tips and cash. Some like just cash. Whatever you decide is best for your situation.

[SFNC cruising]

Seems most agree the autotip is the way to go and then if service is outstanding a little something extra is nice but up to you.

 

We typically tip extra to the dining room staff ( head and two assistance) and the room steward and his helper. Maybe a extra buck on drinks and a buck or two for room service.

 

It is worth a buck or two to see the very hard working servers feel appreciated.

[summersigh]

We're retired and finally in a position where we can afford slipping some extra green (besides the auto tips) to staff who have treated us especially well.

 

In our 20's and 30's we couldn't have done the extra comfortably ... so we especially enjoy doing so now . :):)

 

Not a thing wrong with sticking with auto tip amounts ;)

[coevan]

Another important tip is the drink servers around the pools and sun decks. I guarantee they will find you a lot faster on the second round if you are tipping.

[Elaine5715]

Another important tip is the drink servers around the pools and sun decks. I guarantee they will find you a lot faster on the second round if you are tipping.

 

THIS!

I write in $1 on the tab for drink wait staff and bartenders when at the bar and I am never left with an empty glass.

[Cuizer2]

I've been on 28 cruises, including eleven on Carnival and I don't tip anyone in cash. All my tips are on my onboard account. If deserving, on the last day I'll add a little extra cash to the envelope I give the person.

 

If you want a drink on the ship, you have to have your room key. That is tied to your onboard account. If the auto tip is not enough, then I just add extra to the charge slip.

 

The room attendant and the wait staff are all including in the auto tips (I don't pay my tips in advance) and thus I don't have to worry about tipping them.

 

As to giving someone a $20 in advance of any service, that is not a tip, that is a bribe.[/QUOTE]

 

I agree with almost all of your post, and we have been on 34 cruises (not sure what that has to do with it but you mentioned it so I did as well;)). As to the last line, that is an opinion (yours) not a fact.:cool:

 

When you are in a restaurant on land, do you hand the server a $20 when you are handed the menus?

 

Tipping before the service is a bribe.