Appropriate tips for Butler and Concierge

[metrygal]

To all previous Suite cruisers out there,

We're booked on a Dawn 12 night cruise in a category SF (aft penthouse suite) and would appreciate your input on tips. I believe the butler brings a snack tray each afternoon (please correct me if that's NOT true in SF) and he delivers any room service. He also takes care of the Lavazza machine (I hope it's still there)! Since he's not part of the pre-paid gratuities, what should we tip at the end of the cruise, and in addition, should we tip $5.00 each time he delivers room service (maybe 2 - 3 breakfasts total)? We don't request special services like help unpacking, packing, or drawing baths!!

On the same note, how about the concierge if he's only used to walk you down for priority tendering?

Thanks everyone,

Nancy

[NLH Arizona]

I love the aft penthouses. Was on the Dawn last year in one and will be in one this year as well.

 

Tipping is very personal. You need to take a lot into consideration; such as, what services you received, how where the services, did you ask for extras and most importantly what your budget is and what you feel comfortable tipping. Please keep in mind that no matter what you tip, your Butler and Concierge will be appreciative of whatever it is.

 

When I asked the same question some years ago, I got answers from $35 a week to $500 a week and trust me, my head was spinning, as I wanted to do the right thing. I ended up coming up with $10 a day per person for the Butler and $5 per person per day for the Concierge. These are start figures and I can add or subtract dependent on the service rendered, etc. I give the total amount at the end of the cruise.

 

Enjoy your cruise and enjoy that aft penthouse.

[triptolemus]

Hooray, another tipping thread!

 

Try searching the forum for terms like "butler tipping" -- there are literally hundreds of threads on the topic.

 

People ask this all the time, but never really give any parameters. Tipping is a personal choice dependent upon many factors, including one's personal financial position and budget.

 

Personally, I'm at $10 pp (2)/pd for the butler, and anywhere from zero to $60 for the concierge (I don't use their services very much, if at all) on a 7 day cruise.

 

You can also search for terms like "butler above and beyond" and get a sense of what people think that might mean.

Edited August 14, 2016 by triptolemus

[dexddd]

Can't say with 100% certainty but the few posts for Dawn suites after drydock is the machines are Nespresso just like all the other ships that have gone through drydock in the last couple years.

[MikeBTN]

I always tip butlers and the concierge staff based on use. I almost never use the concierge staff, but they do escort suite/Haven guests on & off the ship, so I always leave them a little something.

 

For the butler, either tip them some upon meeting them and the rest at the end, or just all at the end. Its awkward for all parties if you do it every single time. For a typical trip I'll give my butler $50. We usually order in-suite dining once or twice but rarely have a special request. With the kids usually $100, because we'll ask for more room service, afternoon snacks, M&Ms, cookies, etc.

 

If we're traveling as a couple, I usually stick with the recommended gratuity for the stateroom attendant. With the kids I'll usually tip the stateroom attendant a little extra since he has to make an extra bed or two, clean up bigger messes, etc.

 

Some tip more, some tip less. Whatever you're comfortable with is fine with me. The fact that you're thinking about taking care of them is a good sign :-)

[Cruisin&Relaxin]

To all previous Suite cruisers out there,

We're booked on a Dawn 12 night cruise in a category SF (aft penthouse suite) and would appreciate your input on tips. I believe the butler brings a snack tray each afternoon (please correct me if that's NOT true in SF) and he delivers any room service. He also takes care of the Lavazza machine (I hope it's still there)! Since he's not part of the pre-paid gratuities, what should we tip at the end of the cruise, and in addition, should we tip $5.00 each time he delivers room service (maybe 2 - 3 breakfasts total)? We don't request special services like help unpacking, packing, or drawing baths!!

On the same note, how about the concierge if he's only used to walk you down for priority tendering?

Thanks everyone,

Nancy

 

My personal rule of thumb is:

$10 per person per day (pppd) for the concierge

$15 pppd for the butler

$10 pppd for the room steward

 

Yes I know the room steward is part of the Daily Service Charge but I find the stewards provide me with a higher level of service in the Haven.

 

These figures are for what I feel are average levels of service. I tip higher or lower depending on services provided.

 

I provide my tips at the end of each cruise segment (in case of back to back cruises) via vouchers obtained through guest services. This way I don't need to carry any cash and it's added directly to my account.

[cb at sea]

It really depends what they do for you! If you don't use their services, no tip is needed! If room service is all you use, the tip you give at time of delivery is ample.

[BirdTravels]

We tip around:

 

$10-$20 per person per day for the butler

$10 per person per day for the concierge

$10 per day for the room steward (unless it is a big room or if they do something very special)

[dobiemom]

We were in the Sun last year. The concierge did MUCH more for us than our butler. So we tipped the concierge more.

[easyboy]

It really depends what they do for you! If you don't use their services, no tip is needed! If room service is all you use, the tip you give at time of delivery is ample.

I agree.

[joscaf16]

What do you tip the butler on a cruise that includes tips? 10 day cruise?

[Two Wheels Only]

What do you tip the butler on a cruise that includes tips? 10 day cruise?

The butler and concierge are not included in the DSC whether promo or paid.

[cruzsnooze]

I don't eat my suite so didn't use the butler so didn't tip. I also didn't use the concierge except for when he gathered all suites to walk us all off at disembarkation and didn't feel the need to tip. People claim to tip so much but in reality I wonder :confused: They think the cruise lines know who they are posting here and want to look good for them maybe?

[Starflyr3]

I usually tip 10 pppd for the butler and 5 pppd for the concierge, as a starting point. I *may* tip the room steward extra, but I dont have an exact starting amount, as they are already included in DSC.

[All-ready2cruise]

What do you tip the butler on a cruise that includes tips? 10 day cruise?

 

As Two Wheels (ours isn't getting much use right now) says the Butler and Concierge are not included in the DSC.... however, having been in a couple of suites, I'd say the best thing to do is start with $10-12 pp/pd and go from there. If service is just "regular" (snacks during the day, checking your coffee machine), that kind of thing... if the service is exceptions, (snacks matching what you requested, serving breakfast - dinner in cabin (white table clothe service) you'll definitely want to increase it .... maybe an extra $25-30 per occurence. The Concierge is different. They manage many cabins so they may not be as visible to you but, they can make reservations for you when none appear to be available (bonus) they can even make shore excursions for you and debarkation arrangements are so much easier when they assist you (bonus). While you may not think they are doing much they are really great, so perhaps a tip of $5-7 pp/pd for regular service and an additional amount for service beyond ...

 

There are so many opinions here on CC regarding Butler & Concierge service that it's difficult to know exactly what the amounts should be I guess the only thing I'd suggest is that you offer them something since I know from speaking with some that passengers do sometimes leave them with nothing...

 

While we rarely stay in suites, those times we have stayed in them, the services of the Butler and Concierge have been instrumental in adding so much pleasure to our cruise that we could never leave without giving them something extra.

 

Do what you think is right, and enjoy your cruise.

 

Cheers,

Edited September 3, 2016 by All-ready2cruise

[Freespir8]

I love the aft penthouses. Was on the Dawn last year in one and will be in one this year as well.

 

Tipping is very personal. You need to take a lot into consideration; such as, what services you received, how where the services, did you ask for extras and most importantly what your budget is and what you feel comfortable tipping. Please keep in mind that no matter what you tip, your Butler and Concierge will be appreciative of whatever it is.

 

When I asked the same question some years ago, I got answers from $35 a week to $500 a week and trust me, my head was spinning, as I wanted to do the right thing. I ended up coming up with $10 a day per person for the Butler and $5 per person per day for the Concierge. These are start figures and I can add or subtract dependent on the service rendered, etc. I give the total amount at the end of the cruise.

 

Enjoy your cruise and enjoy that aft penthouse.

Ditto. :)

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[hpecorari]

I don't eat my suite so didn't use the butler so didn't tip. I also didn't use the concierge except for when he gathered all suites to walk us all off at disembarkation and didn't feel the need to tip. People claim to tip so much but in reality I wonder :confused: They think the cruise lines know who they are posting here and want to look good for them maybe?

 

When you said you did not use the Butler at all does that mean you told him not to bring afternoon snacks, and not to set up your coffee/espresso machine and keep it ready for use at all times for you?

Harriet

[BirdTravels]

What do you tip the butler on a cruise that includes tips? 10 day cruise?

 

The butler and concierge are not included in the daily service charge. You are expected to tip them separately if you are in a suite.

 

7 or 10 days you still tip per person per day:

 

$10-$20 per person per day for the butler

$10 per person per day for the concierge

$10 per day for the room steward (unless it is a big room or if they do something very special)

[pcakes122]

The butler and concierge are not included in the daily service charge. You are expected to tip them separately if you are in a suite.

 

7 or 10 days you still tip per person per day:

 

$10-$20 per person per day for the butler

$10 per person per day for the concierge

$10 per day for the room steward (unless it is a big room or if they do something very special)

I think guidelines are good, but I keep it simple. I tip the butler $200 for a 7-day - whether I am solo or there are 2 of us. I tip the concierge $50 for the embark/debark escort, and an extra $20 or so if they have done some special during the week. I don't tip the cabin steward extra "for the week" - but I have tipped them per occurrence if they did something special (one steward swapped out a lounge chair for me - I tipped him $20 that day.)

 

I adjust these tips up for longer cruises, but $200 for 7-days is my go-to unless something extraordinary happened to warrant more. (e.g. I hosted a suite party or I hit big in the casino LOL)

[DMH15]

I don't eat my suite so didn't use the butler so didn't tip. I also didn't use the concierge except for when he gathered all suites to walk us all off at disembarkation and didn't feel the need to tip. People claim to tip so much but in reality I wonder :confused: They think the cruise lines know who they are posting here and want to look good for them maybe?

 

 

I claim to tip well and you can bet it is true. Sorry you are confused. Your reason does not apply to me.

 

 

 

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[Medtech2]

To all previous Suite cruisers out there,

We're booked on a Dawn 12 night cruise in a category SF (aft penthouse suite) and would appreciate your input on tips. I believe the butler brings a snack tray each afternoon (please correct me if that's NOT true in SF) and he delivers any room service. He also takes care of the Lavazza machine (I hope it's still there)! Since he's not part of the pre-paid gratuities, what should we tip at the end of the cruise, and in addition, should we tip $5.00 each time he delivers room service (maybe 2 - 3 breakfasts total)? We don't request special services like help unpacking, packing, or drawing baths!!

On the same note, how about the concierge if he's only used to walk you down for priority tendering?

Thanks everyone,

Nancy

Tipping threads get soooo personal and people get sooo defensive. I've only been in a suite once. I don't believe in the "I tip such and such pp/pd."

 

I figured what each person did for us during the week, the time it took, and the care and friendliness involved and gave what I would think would be a fair tip in relation to my own hourly wage. Period. I'm not tipping to impress anyone and I'm certainly not going to pay someone more than I can afford, just to keep up with the more fortunate.

 

I personally never saw the steward. He or she got whatever the DSC covered.

[suesings]

I love the aft penthouses. Was on the Dawn last year in one and will be in one this year as well.

 

Tipping is very personal. You need to take a lot into consideration; such as, what services you received, how where the services, did you ask for extras and most importantly what your budget is and what you feel comfortable tipping. Please keep in mind that no matter what you tip, your Butler and Concierge will be appreciative of whatever it is.

 

When I asked the same question some years ago, I got answers from $35 a week to $500 a week and trust me, my head was spinning, as I wanted to do the right thing. I ended up coming up with $10 a day per person for the Butler and $5 per person per day for the Concierge. These are start figures and I can add or subtract dependent on the service rendered, etc. I give the total amount at the end of the cruise.

 

Enjoy your cruise and enjoy that aft penthouse.

 

Thank you, this is very helpful!

[Kosi]

It so depends on their personality and how that meshes with you... as well as how often you then you use them, and how well a job they did for you. .

Edited September 3, 2016 by Kosi

[cruzsnooze]

When you said you did not use the Butler at all does that mean you told him not to bring afternoon snacks, and not to set up your coffee/espresso machine and keep it ready for use at all times for you?

Harriet

 

I did tell him no snacks and since I never used the coffee machine there was nothing to set up. It's a job that overlaps the cabin steward. Even if I did have coffee( I didn't) it's a perk of the suite that cost me double and triple of a regular cabin. People are already paying a premium for these suite perks, I can't see paying another premium.

[cruzsnooze]

The butler and concierge are not included in the daily service charge. You are expected to tip them separately if you are in a suite.

 

7 or 10 days you still tip per person per day:

 

$10-$20 per person per day for the butler

$10 per person per day for the concierge

$10 per day for the room steward (unless it is a big room or if they do something very special)

 

I think guidelines are good, but I keep it simple. I tip the butler $200 for a 7-day - whether I am solo or there are 2 of us. I tip the concierge $50 for the embark/debark escort, and an extra $20 or so if they have done some special during the week. I don't tip the cabin steward extra "for the week" - but I have tipped them per occurrence if they did something special (one steward swapped out a lounge chair for me - I tipped him $20 that day.)

 

I adjust these tips up for longer cruises, but $200 for 7-days is my go-to unless something extraordinary happened to warrant more. (e.g. I hosted a suite party or I hit big in the casino LOL)

 

That's so unbelievable. But if everyone who says they tip this much is half true then these people earn more then most wage earners in the states AND those of us that don't use these services can feel good we don't need to supplement their salary any more, you guys do a good enough job.