jefa Posted October 26, 2016 #1 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I will start with saying this is NOT about the auto-tips which I have never removed. Being from Europe and British I am confused about tipping hotel personnel, shuttle drivers, porters, bar staff etc. We have two days in Miami before boarding, do we need to tip our transfer drivers, the maids in our hotel, the bar staff if we go for a drink etc etc. Also the porters when we embark? If so how much is acceptable? TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antsp Posted October 26, 2016 #2 Share Posted October 26, 2016 (edited) Work on the principle if someone does something for you in the US they expect a tip. Out of your list above they only tip I would give is a bar tender, dollar a drink Edited October 26, 2016 by antsp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moondogy Posted October 26, 2016 #3 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I never tip the maids, I do give the driver a dollar or 2, and I give the porters $1 per bag. That's just me though. 😊 Sent from my SM-G920T1 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazbov Posted October 26, 2016 #4 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I will start with saying this is NOT about the auto-tips which I have never removed. Being from Europe and British I am confused about tipping hotel personnel, shuttle drivers, porters, bar staff etc. We have two days in Miami before boarding, do we need to tip our transfer drivers, the maids in our hotel, the bar staff if we go for a drink etc etc. Also the porters when we embark? If so how much is acceptable? TIA Hello Jeffa. We are British too and as you know,tipping is not the same as in the USA. It was a few years ago but i believe We tipped the person who brought the suitcases up to the hotel room, i think they're called bellboys. 1 dollar a bag. restaurant waiters/ess 15%. The shuttle driver who took us from the hotel to the port. a couple of dollars. When we arrived at the cruise terminal entrance in San Francisco, we had a very humiliating experience. There were notices up saying that the porters had already been tipped but as we had a lot of small change we just thought we'd give it to him. I think there was about 3 dollars. The porter who took our bags shouted in a very loud voice, that He wasn't taking that and demanded a note. My partner who is much more assertive than i, just said fine, if you don't want it, we'll take it back. The porter snorted and walked off. I don't for one moment think that all luggage handlers are like that, i guess we were just unlucky that 1 time. Hope this helps. Happy cruising. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetAlice Posted October 26, 2016 #5 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I always tip the maids, they work very hard. A couple of dollars per night is sufficient and appreciated I am sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieS Posted October 26, 2016 #6 Share Posted October 26, 2016 We tip $5.00 per night for the hotel maid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satxdiver Posted October 26, 2016 #7 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I will start with saying this is NOT about the auto-tips which I have never removed. Being from Europe and British I am confused about tipping hotel personnel, shuttle drivers, porters, bar staff etc. We have two days in Miami before boarding, do we need to tip our transfer drivers, the maids in our hotel, the bar staff if we go for a drink etc etc. Also the porters when we embark? If so how much is acceptable? TIA I used to travel every week in my job before I retired. I have never tipped the hotel maids and don't know anyone who did in the USA. Restaurant and bar staff are usually tipped 15-20% of the bill. Transfer drivers to and from the ship are usually tipped a few dollars. Porters get a dollar/bag tip including the ones that take your bags at the port to be sent to the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted October 26, 2016 #8 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I will start with saying this is NOT about the auto-tips which I have never removed. Being from Europe and British I am confused about tipping hotel personnel, shuttle drivers, porters, bar staff etc. We have two days in Miami before boarding, do we need to tip our transfer drivers, the maids in our hotel, the bar staff if we go for a drink etc etc. Also the porters when we embark? If so how much is acceptable? TIA Maids - we normally leave a single cash tip on the desk or nightstand on checkout day. Normally we leave calculate @ $2/night x the number of nights. Bar Staff - It is normal to provide about $1/drink Porters - Normally $1/bag Princess transfer driver, Probably a dollar or two for loading/unloading the luggage. Taxi - Figure about $10 for a $75 fare. For a $15 fare probably round up to $20. Restaurants - 15 to 20% of the amount. ROund up to the nearest dollar amount. No change. Some restaurants calculate the suggested tip for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridalover5623 Posted October 26, 2016 #9 Share Posted October 26, 2016 We tip $5.00 per night for the hotel maid. Do you do likewise on the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefa Posted October 26, 2016 Author #10 Share Posted October 26, 2016 We tip $5.00 per night for the hotel maid. That seems excessive to me!!! Thanks for all the answers, I will make sure I have some small dollar bills with me when I arrive. It seems to be a minefield!!! Here in Spain I would leave 10% tip on a meal, nothing in a bar, and often the taxi drivers will round down the fare!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamomo Posted October 26, 2016 #11 Share Posted October 26, 2016 That seems excessive to me!!! I agree ... a couple of dollars per night is sufficient, unless you leave your hotel room in an extraordinarily messy condition, making extra work for the maid. In that case, a little more would seem appropriate. I always tip anyone who helps me with my heavy luggage, including the shuttle driver who loads my bags onto and off the shuttle, the pier porters, and hotel bellhops. I am not in the habit of tipping bartenders if they only serve me a single beverage. If I am sitting and chatting with friends, and have multiple drinks, then I would add a few $$s for the bartender when I pay my tab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esprit Posted October 26, 2016 #12 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Work on the principle if someone does something for you in the US they expect a tip. Out of your list above they only tip I would give is a bar tender, dollar a drink This "principle" makes me laugh every time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridalover5623 Posted October 26, 2016 #13 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Especially the porters at the pier. They lift your bag & put it on the carriers to be hauled to the ship & look at you crossed eyed if you don't tip enough. Over $100 K salary isn't to bad for what they do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy2cruise Posted October 26, 2016 #14 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I have never tipped the hotel maids and don't know anyone who did in the USA. When my dear husband traveled for work he always left a tip for the hotel maids...in fact now that he is retired he still does it when we travel. So, yes there are people who do tip hotel maids;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare grouchomarx Posted October 26, 2016 #15 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Yes you should tip all the people you mentioned. It is best to tip the hotel maid daily, as it's not always the same person for your entire stay and therefore one person may get nothing while the next one gets double. I think $2-$3 per night is acceptable. I'm surprised US residents would not know to do this, it's very standard. Bar tipping is $1-$2 per drink depending on what you got and how nice the bar/restaurant is. Porters, $5 per bag, or if you're paranoid about not getting your luggage like me, even more, lol. Taxi/car service is 15-20%. Those are my standards (living in NY), anyway. I think it's always nice to lean on the generous side if you can afford it, all these people work hard to make your vacation enjoyable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdcruisin2 Posted October 26, 2016 #16 Share Posted October 26, 2016 We tip $5.00 per night for the hotel maid. I agree with you. I also always leave $5 per night and leave it daily since the last maid to clean the room may not be the ones who were there previously. And, yes, at the end of a cruise, I give my room steward at least $5 extra per day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane.in.ny Posted October 26, 2016 #17 Share Posted October 26, 2016 We tip the hotel maid but not $5. $2 to $3 is the norm for us. And like others, we do it on a daily basis for the reason mentioned. We tip all transfer drivers if they help with the luggage. If they don't, they get nothing. We tip anyone helping us to our room with our luggage. Will round up taxi fare a couple of $$ if I know he took the shortest route. (Once in Madrid our taxi driver got NO tip. When my head was down he swung into the airport loop again. Then took us an indirect way into Madrid saying something about the traffic ...but it was Sunday!) One thing not mentioned here is room service on the ship. They are usually tipped separately. Depending what is being delivered, anywhere from $1 to $5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzsnooze Posted October 26, 2016 #18 Share Posted October 26, 2016 (edited) I will start with saying this is NOT about the auto-tips which I have never removed. Being from Europe and British I am confused about tipping hotel personnel, shuttle drivers, porters, bar staff etc. We have two days in Miami before boarding, do we need to tip our transfer drivers, the maids in our hotel, the bar staff if we go for a drink etc etc. Also the porters when we embark? If so how much is acceptable? TIA Different opinions will surface. I do not tip transfer drivers, hotel staff but I do tip bar drinks. Porters are union and earn a high wage but people tend to tip anyway. $1 per bag seems the norm if you decide to tip. Just to clarify the room service advice, they are in the tipping pool so we don't feel the need to double tip. Edited October 26, 2016 by cruzsnooze Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted October 26, 2016 #19 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I don't tip hotel maids. I do tip bartenders or waiters/waitresses in the bar who deliver drinks but only $1 - not $1 per drink. That's nuts. My daughter knows several bar waitresses here in town and, in addition to their regular wages, they can make up to $500 in a single night on tips. That is crazy! Tipping in the US is out of hand. It used to be a reward for exceptional service but it's now become "expected" for minimal service. Even incredibly lousy service expects a tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridalover5623 Posted October 26, 2016 #20 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Well just look at Princess. It's automatically added to your tab, whether the service is good or not. I guess they've learned for some of the restaurants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COMBOY Posted October 26, 2016 #21 Share Posted October 26, 2016 I will start with saying this is NOT about the auto-tips which I have never removed. Being from Europe and British I am confused about tipping hotel personnel, shuttle drivers, porters, bar staff etc. We have two days in Miami before boarding, do we need to tip our transfer drivers, the maids in our hotel, the bar staff if we go for a drink etc etc. Also the porters when we embark? If so how much is acceptable? TIA Tipping a rather personal situation and there is no hard rules just general guidelines. Transfer drivers: If this is Princess' transfer bus then tipping isn't necessary, but you can always give $1-2 pp if you are so inclined. I usually don't tip unless they help me with my luggage. Taxis/shuttles: usually 15-20% of the total amount. Hotel maid: Maybe $5 to $20 for two nights? It's really up to you and how messy you are and/or you ask for extra things..pillows, blankets, ice. Bar/wait staff: 15-18% of the total bill. So on a $10 drink add 1.50 to $2 Porter: $1 per bag. In all my years living in US - tipping is important, but don't stress over it. If you get poor service you leave less and great service you give more. I've never had anymore upset due to the amount I gave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Potstech Posted October 26, 2016 #22 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Yes you should tip all the people you mentioned. It is best to tip the hotel maid daily, as it's not always the same person for your entire stay and therefore one person may get nothing while the next one gets double. I think $2-$3 per night is acceptable. I'm surprised US residents would not know to do this, it's very standard. Bar tipping is $1-$2 per drink depending on what you got and how nice the bar/restaurant is. Porters, $5 per bag, or if you're paranoid about not getting your luggage like me, even more, lol. Taxi/car service is 15-20%. Those are my standards (living in NY), anyway. I think it's always nice to lean on the generous side if you can afford it, all these people work hard to make your vacation enjoyable. Apparently it is not as standard as you state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandD Posted October 26, 2016 #23 Share Posted October 26, 2016 Being from Europe and British I am confused about tipping hotel personnel, shuttle drivers, porters, bar staff etc. TIA As you can see from all the above comments, we are as confused as you are.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted October 26, 2016 #24 Share Posted October 26, 2016 We normally tip the porters $5 per bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridalover5623 Posted October 26, 2016 #25 Share Posted October 26, 2016 We normally tip the porters $5 per bag. I'll bet they give your bags special treatment. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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