Butler Extra Gratuity

[BethVBG]

We just sailed on the Infinity to Alaska. Our butler was pleasant and accommodating, and since he set up a small party in our suite (extra plates, glassware, forks & napkins - another guest brought a birthday cake) and cleared it away, I decided to leave him an extra gratuity on the last evening before dinner (in addition to our prepaid gratuities). I left $60 on the table in an envelope with his name and a note of thanks. Perhaps he thought it was too little- I was surprised to return to the cabin to find that the envelope was gone but he had done none of his normal evening duties (namely leaving us ice - which I told him was important to us each evening). We never saw him again. Unlike the cabin steward (who we also left an additional gratuity) who saw and stopped us later and thanked us profusely for the extra money and saw us again in the morning and again thanked us. I guess you never know what type of reaction you'll get. But my observation is the crew member most deserving of additional tipping is the cabin steward/attendant who cleans up after you every day - and is probably grossly underpaid.

[cb at sea]

I'm sure he was simply busy with other guests and their requests. $60 sounds nice to me....and it was nice of you to extend that thanks. It was rude of him not to acknowledge it.

[NLH Arizona]

Are you sure he got the envelope and that someone else didn't take it?

[BethVBG]

Are you sure he got the envelope and that someone else didn't take it?

The only one else who could have taken it would have been the cabin steward - however there was an envelope on the bed with the steward's name clearly written on it (where he always did the evening turn down - plus it would have shocked me if he took both, as we had left him a substantial tip) and a separate envelope with the butler's name left on the table where he always cleared and left things. If the butler hadn't received it I would have expected him to " subtly" pop by that evening and would have filled the ice bucket as he did each of the other 6 nights. The butler was the only one who ever cleared/cleaned the table and specifically told us he was responsible for all of our drinks, ice, room service, laundry, etc.

[BethVBG]

I'm sure he was simply busy with other guests and their requests. $60 sounds nice to me....and it was nice of you to extend that thanks. It was rude of him not to acknowledge it.

He was never too busy any other night to see to our ice (and other things) - however there were some other missteps (delivering invitations AFTER the event had occurred). We were in a Royal Suite (an upgrade we were offered at an additional charge) but asked for very few things. I would never have expected him to ignore something as simple as delivering ice for our evening nightcap (he had a three hour window to do so - and obviously stopped by the room to pick up the envelope).

[scamper]

Before you think the worst of him, is it possible he suddenly became ill or otherwise incapacitated? I would rather think something like that than write him off as being rude and ungrateful. Myself, I almost always tip over and above and I personally hand it to the crew that I am tipping in a plain envelope. For stewards and butlers I give it at the end of the cruise. For bartenders, dining room stewards and assistants, lounge stewards I hand them cash when I leave.

 

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[WonderMan3]

I've seen butlers helping to move luggage that people have put out on the last night so perhaps he was busy with that since many guests start putting their bags out by 6pm. We always stay in suites and there have been several cruises where we didn't see the butler again after the afternoon of the last day as he was busy the last night and next morning and we were occupied with dinner/casino/packing, etc. If you needed ice that badly why didn't you call the room attendant to bring you some?

 

 

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[MEcruzr]

Unfortunately, in my experience, it's not uncommon for this to happen on the last night. Attentive service seems to disappear mid afternoon of the last full day. The mini bar is often locked during dinner, towels are missing, no ice, etc.

[jelayne]

Have had the mini bar locked on every cruise when we return after dinner. The stewards inventory and restock for the next passengers. On the other hand we have always had fresh towels and ice.

 

We personally hand the butler & cabin steward envelops with thank you notes and cash on the last day when ever possible

[Keith1010]

Sometimes on the last evening of the cruise the butlers get pulled in a lot of different directions with some people needing extra help. That's not an excuse but I have seen this happen before on prior cruises including Celebrity. My guess is that it was an oversight and not a reflection on the tip.

 

Keith

[chemmo]

I think your butler was probably working his socks off that last night and simply forgot your ice...

 

Remember one of the perks butlers can offer is help with packing/unpacking. Whilst most of us never need or want this perk for disabled or very elderly guests it can be a real asset. If your butler just had one or two guests asking for this service he would be run off his feet.

[LA_CA_GAL]

..... I left $60 on the table in an envelope with his name and a note of thanks.

 

I always personally hand the steward and butler the additional tips.

 

I do not wait for the end of the cruise.

 

That's just me.