Tipping onboard question

[imacruiser99]

3 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

This is a very personal matter and has to be up to the guest. We do, normally give our cabin steward a little extra at the end if he/she has done a really good job. We also may tip the bar tender or drinking waiter a buck for a drink. Not everyone does this and no one should be pressured into tipping extra. 

 I agree 100%.  As a person who often gets reduced/free cruises (via casino gambling), I always end up tipping more than most folks (since the cruise cost was minimal).  One recent cruise, the casino picked up the entire tab, including DSC (zero cost to walk on board), so I probably tipped way beyond the DSC.

 

On a more personal note, I consider the DSC as a cost of wanting to cruise and not an extra fee that the cruise line is trying to gouge me with.  When I book a cruise, I look at all the costs; cabin, port taxes, cost of excursions that are available, etc to see if it is a price I want to pay for the cruise.  So tipping is just an additional amount I pay, like shopping is which is extra unplanned spend while on the cruise.

 

On a side note, if you believe that TIPS means "To Insure Prompt Service", then all means tip extra.  As other posters have stated, tipping  a bartender or drink waiter normally does ensure that you will be "serviced" before others, especially on the larger more crowded ships.  I was on the BA our of New Orleans in March and one of the complaints was the wait to get a drink, but since I tipped the batenders and they remembered me, I never had an issue getting a drink.  

 

 

[JOHNHOWARTH2]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

If the room steward does a good hob, we tip them an extra $5-$10 pp per day. Also carry a bunch of $1 bills for bartenders and bar waiters. 

As the cruise is in Europe, I will only be taking Euros with me for shore excursions. Do room stewards accept Euros as an additional tip?

[valleyvillage]

1 hour ago, JOHNHOWARTH2 said:

As the cruise is in Europe, I will only be taking Euros with me for shore excursions. Do room stewards accept Euros as an additional tip?

Yes

[don't-use-real-name]

14 minutes ago, valleyvillage said:

Yes

While the USA Dollar ($) and the European Euro (€) are the most common forms of money -

well OK Canada money (C$) and the UK pound (£) and some Asian currencies

 

Rest assured that the NCL crew will accept anything legal tender and have ways of making an exchange !

 

Just don't tip in - Quebits - Round-to-Its - pennies and above all round wheel blocks of Easter Island stone !

 

While local customs may frown on tipping - tipping on NCL ships is not a lost art.

[Birdie And Sue]

17 hours ago, Birdy9003 said:

So please be gentle.  My first cruise coming up in August.  I know that we have our taxes and tipping included already.  Do people normally tip more or not at all.  If I have already tipped is their a need to do it a second time?  Thanks 

 

 

Actually you do NOT have any tips included already.  Well except on a couple of packages such as drink or dining packages.  What you do have included is the daily service charge.  Tipping is 100% optional as outlined on the FAQ at https://www.ncl.com/faq#!#what-about-gratuities

"

What about gratuities?

Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on our ships for service that is generally rendered to all Guests. While you should not feel obligated to offer a gratuity, all of our staff are encouraged to “go the extra mile,” so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities for exceptional or outstanding service if you care to offer them. Also, certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. Additionally, there is an 20% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as an 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and an 20% gratuity and specialty service charge added to all specialty restaurant dining and entertainment based dining."


There is no "extra" or "second time" to tip.

[Birdy9003]

Interesting. I just checked the website of the company I purchased through and they specially said all tips have been included.  I am certainly not against tipping I want to make sure I'm fair.  

[littlelulu01]

Here’s what NCL says about their discretionary service charges.  It’s a gratuity however you’re more than welcome to give additional for service above and beyond. Don’t feel as though you’re stiffing the staff just because you don’t give them additional tips. 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2019 by littlelulu01