Specialty Dining Tipping Question

[ddlb]

I tipped on a meal at LaCucina and also Cagneys since the service was so good and the food excellent.  

 

I assumed the tips would be allowed against my non-refundable OBC - they were not.

 

Both meals were free with my Platinum status.  

 

If you had purchased the meals without a perk wouldn't the whole amount be credited if you had enough non-refundable obc or would they have charged your credit card for the extra tip.  I know the gratutity is included in the price.

 

Regardless lesson learned.  Would appreciate a response.  Thank you.  

[SouthLyonCruiser]

When the tip is already added, and those tips are a generous 18% or more, I do not add to it. I tip 20% at home in bars and restaurants and don't see why my tips should be larger on a cruise.

Just sayin'.

[shof515]

in general: any tips/gratuity can only use refundable obc. you can not use non refundable obc for this  

[PTC DAWG]

Never ASSuME.

 

That said, I would have probably thought the same thing...

[erdoran]

Does Platinum meal INCLUDE tip or should they be "extra-tipped"?  I've heard both things.....

[luv2kroooz]

29 minutes ago, erdoran said:

Does Platinum meal INCLUDE tip or should they be "extra-tipped"?  I've heard both things.....

It really isn't clear. Tipping is a personal choice, so I would just do what feels right to you. 

[ddlb]

5 hours ago, shof515 said:

in general: any tips/gratuity can only use refundable obc. you can not use non refundable obc for this  

Thanks i did not know this. Thought it only applied to DSC. 

[mking8288]

Non-refundable OBC can be "cashed" out as cash at the casino, with a 3% fee (for your convenience, of course) - you can then use it as desired, like handing the server a cash tip for service excellence, above & beyond - i.e. for that comp'd Platinum/+ dinner for 2, should one choose to (whether it's 10%, 15%, 18% or 20% ... of the "adjusted" fair retail value of the meal).

 

As others noted, NCL is purposely vague in guidance on whether additional tipping and/or service charge is expected, recommended ... but always cheerfully accepted & welcome, regardless of who is pocketing it all or allocated by splitting/sharing.  Just do what you feel is appropriate ... the server isn't going to come & chase anyone down for not leaving extra 

 

With cash in hand, you can use that to indirectly cover some of that DSC. Friend of ours failed to do that with their non-refundable OBC, thinking that it would offset their DSC ... saying he knew the charges were posted nightly, until it was too late on the morning of disembarkation, forfeited $150. 

[Oxo]

I thought that when you buy a X Meal Dining Package that 20% was added to that total regardless whether you bought it on-line or on the ship.

If that is true, you paid a 20% tip plus the Service Charge. 

Just like when you get the Free Beverage Package. You still pay the 20% of the total package. 

 

[esm54687]

4 minutes ago, Oxo said:

I thought that when you buy a X Meal Dining Package that 20% was added to that total regardless whether you bought it on-line or on the ship.

If that is true, you paid a 20% tip plus the Service Charge. 

Just like when you get the Free Beverage Package. You still pay the 20% of the total package. 

 

OP stated these were Platinum comped dinners which are not related to the SDP at all. 

[casofilia]

The general rule is that non-refundable OBC which is generally a gift from NCL cannot be used on something where NCL is not making money!!!!!!   It would mean that NCL is paying itself and getting no benefit from you spending it on yourself where they are making a profit!!

[Oxo]

1 hour ago, esm54687 said:

OP stated these were Platinum comped dinners which are not related to the SDP at all. 

I did read what the total - specific subject was. I just was adding my view on tipping when one has an SDP. Do I go to the naughty room now? LOL 

[esm54687]

12 minutes ago, Oxo said:

I did read what the total - specific subject was. I just was adding my view on tipping when one has an SDP. Do I go to the naughty room now? LOL 

OK, I interpreted your post as you explaining to the OP that they double tipped when you said: "If that is true, you paid a 20% tip plus the Service Charge. " 

[DinaS]

13 hours ago, Oxo said:

I thought that when you buy a X Meal Dining Package that 20% was added to that total regardless whether you bought it on-line or on the ship.

If that is true, you paid a 20% tip plus the Service Charge. 

Just like when you get the Free Beverage Package. You still pay the 20% of the total package. 

 

 

The service charge does NOT go to the specialty restaurant staff, nor does it go to bar staff or spa staff.  Those are separate categories, and covered by the 20% tip.

 

 

[GA Dave]

Personally, we tipped extra for exceptional service in cash, handed directly to the server/bartender.  That way we knew it was going to the person who provided the exceptional service.

[DinaS]

17 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Personally, we tipped extra for exceptional service in cash, handed directly to the server/bartender.  That way we knew it was going to the person who provided the exceptional service.

 

That's exactly what we did.   We received exceptional service at Le Bistro, and tipped an extra $20 - in cash. 

 

We had dinner in Bayamo, and service was mediocre and bare minimum at best.  We would have reduced the pre-paid tip if we could.

 

When I spent more time in certain venues, I would get to know the bartenders/servers, and when the service was excellent, I tipped an extra dollar or two per drink.  There was one server in the atrium on the Escape in October who remembered what I drank and delivered it with a smile.  She always got a little extra.