Gratuities

[dcassetta]

Since this is our first NCL cruise, I want to be prepared.  We have free drinks package and 2 specialty dinners. I believe the basic gratuities are covered with those in the package price.  We have also prepaid the standard daily gratuities.  If we would like to recognize crew members that go above and beyond, are cash tips appropriate?  Can you add additional to a bar or restaurant tab?  

 

I hope my question is allowed.  I know tipping can be a touchy subject.

[ggTexasGal]

Just now, dcassetta said:

Since this is our first NCL cruise, I want to be prepared.  We have free drinks package and 2 specialty dinners. I believe the basic gratuities are covered with those in the package price.  We have also prepaid the standard daily gratuities.  If we would like to recognize crew members that go above and beyond, are cash tips appropriate?  Can you add additional to a bar or restaurant tab?  

 

I hope my question is allowed.  I know tipping can be a touchy subject.

Cash or onboard account tipping are allowed.

If your drinks &/or meals are in the main dining room and there is no receipt to sign, you would want to have cash on-hand!  And, generally speaking, it's easiest to tip bar service with cash.

In Specialty restaurants you will be asked to sign a receipt even when using your dining package, so adding an additional tip then is easy.

[njhorseman]

7 minutes ago, dcassetta said:

Since this is our first NCL cruise, I want to be prepared.  We have free drinks package and 2 specialty dinners. I believe the basic gratuities are covered with those in the package price.  We have also prepaid the standard daily gratuities.  If we would like to recognize crew members that go above and beyond, are cash tips appropriate?  Can you add additional to a bar or restaurant tab?  

 

I hope my question is allowed.  I know tipping can be a touchy subject.

You absolutely can give cash to anyone who has given you exceptional service. 

[complawyer]

cash tips are always appreciated. wherever we eat on board, we leave the waiter/waitress a separate tip,  they dont make much money, a great deal of their pay is sent directly to their home country, and if youre the haven complex with its own restaurant and bar, they will happily remember you if you leave something extra. it also woudnt hurt if you tip your cabin steward a little extra

[MoCruiseFan]

1 hour ago, dcassetta said:

Since this is our first NCL cruise, I want to be prepared.  We have free drinks package and 2 specialty dinners. I believe the basic gratuities are covered with those in the package price.  We have also prepaid the standard daily gratuities.  If we would like to recognize crew members that go above and beyond, are cash tips appropriate?  Can you add additional to a bar or restaurant tab?  

 

I hope my question is allowed.  I know tipping can be a touchy subject.

There is no daily gratuity (tip), there however a Daily Service Charge (DSC).  As with any service the appropriate answer is tip whoever you want, any time you want, any amount you want.  What othehs may or may not do is 100% irrelevant.  Enjoy your cruise.

[Sailing12Away]

If you're staying in Haven then the tips for your butler and concierge are separate and not included. Anyone else you encounter along the way you can tip as you feel appropriate.

[KeithJenner]

3 hours ago, complawyer said:

if youre the haven complex with its own restaurant and bar, they will happily remember you if you leave something extra

That applies just the same outside of the Haven.

[sanger727]

Between the free at sea gratuities and the daily service charge, your gratuities are covered. You can, of course, tip above and beyond that.

[phillygwm]

5 hours ago, dcassetta said:

Since this is our first NCL cruise, I want to be prepared.  We have free drinks package and 2 specialty dinners. I believe the basic gratuities are covered with those in the package price.  We have also prepaid the standard daily gratuities.  If we would like to recognize crew members that go above and beyond, are cash tips appropriate?  Can you add additional to a bar or restaurant tab?  

 

I hope my question is allowed.  I know tipping can be a touchy subject.

Always a touchy subject but best summed in three words:  You Do You.

 

You're paying the DSC and, with the bar and restaurant packages, your tips are included there as well so there's no further expectation.  Still, when I receive good service, I'll throw a few bucks their way.  For me, that's my room steward, bar staff, and wait staff.  

 

The easiest way to do it is cash.  You could add it to your room tab but then you're signing receipts etc.  In the bars, you're not typically getting a receipt in the first place unless you're buying something that is taxed (in port) or surcharged (drinks >$15.) 

 

Not sure where you're cruising but, I can assure you, the crew isn't picky in how they're tipped.  I always have dollars with me but if I accumulate Euros, Canadian, Croatian Kuna, etc. that I don't want to convert back, they'll take it all.  They can always convert it and most of the crew are sending funds back home in any case.

Edited February 7, 2022 by phillygwm

[cruiserbear55]

5 hours ago, dcassetta said:

Since this is our first NCL cruise, I want to be prepared.  We have free drinks package and 2 specialty dinners. I believe the basic gratuities are covered with those in the package price.  We have also prepaid the standard daily gratuities.  If we would like to recognize crew members that go above and beyond, are cash tips appropriate?  Can you add additional to a bar or restaurant tab?  

 

I hope my question is allowed.  I know tipping can be a touchy subject.

If someone serving/helping you goes above and beyond, by all means tip them a little extra. In cash. If you tip in cash, the waiter/waitress/bartender, etc. gets to pocket the tip. If you tip on the "tip line" on the bill, your tip is pooled and shared by many. This info was from a waiter on the Dawn a few years ago.

[dcassetta]

Thanks all for the help!

[havanadaydreaming]

I had the same thoughts first ncl cruise, d.  But i tip everyone on vacation and folks on a cruise ship are no different.  

 

That said, its clear not everyone (or even most) do likewise.  I sleep well at night knowing hopefully i made someones day more pleasant.  

 

My wife and i take $50 singles each, mostly for casino/bar staff. We rarely eat MDR.  And my room steward gets a twenty, but i WILL ask for nightly ice bucket if fridge (errrrr, chiller) doesnt make water cold.  

[Da-Painter]

Your daily Service Charge includes gratuities for the bars, restaurants, etc. 

If you leave additional gratuities on your bar bills, tabs, etc., it does not go directly to those who were assisting you, it goes into the big gratuities pot of NCL, which, of course, is no disclosure  how this is distributed to employees. If it like most big corporations, the majority goes to the big shots, and those supervisors in charge of employees. And then a pittance ends up with the folks who are serving you, doing all the work.

We leave cash tips, hopefully they can slip that into their pockets, and end there, we do not ever really know, what happens after that.

Do not prepay your gratuities, if your cruise gets cancelled, good luck when you will receive a refund of that $$$$.