Our 10 days on Nieuw Statendam

[oakridger]

Guess what?  I don't give upfront or daily tips, but I have always gotten great service from the bars, Lido, MDR and my cabin stewards and they remember my name too!  I do, however, always give generous extra cash tips at the end of the segment/cruise to those individual service crew who gave me that great service.   I believe that my friendly and welcoming attitude towards the staff has a big effect on the super service I get.  It doesn't hurt that I have learned a few greetings in the Indonesian, Thai and Filipino languages! (or Polish, Spanish, etc.)  I love cruising!!!

 

~Nancy

[Mary229]

@oakridger I applaud your spirit but please realize that there are people who rely on the tip supplements to their income who are not in the public light.  The daily tips are spread among many of the crew, some whom you will never meet.

Edited March 18, 2022 by Mary229

[DaveOKC]

7 hours ago, oakridger said:

Guess what?  I don't give upfront or daily tips, but I have always gotten great service from the bars, Lido, MDR and my cabin stewards and they remember my name too!  I do, however, always give generous extra cash tips at the end of the segment/cruise to those individual service crew who gave me that great service.   I believe that my friendly and welcoming attitude towards the staff has a big effect on the super service I get.  It doesn't hurt that I have learned a few greetings in the Indonesian, Thai and Filipino languages! (or Polish, Spanish, etc.)  I love cruising!!!

 

~Nancy

Thats because you tip generously afterwards!  The crew has a secret list of generous tippers that they pass on to all the other ships.

[0106]

12 hours ago, nimi17 said:

I used the HAL navigator app to provide feedback during the cruise.

I had crew members thank me after I praised their service on the Navigator app.  Guest relations called to thank me fr my comments too.

[nimi17]

2 hours ago, 0106 said:

I had crew members thank me after I praised their service on the Navigator app.  Guest relations called to thank me fr my comments too.

I didn’t even know that we could provide feedback in the app until someone mentioned it on CC, and I’ve been using it religiously since 🍻

[allinthesameboat]

On 3/15/2022 at 11:32 PM, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

Good point! I stand corrected. Thank you!

The part I did not appreciate is the inappropriate scolding!

[Crew News]

5 hours ago, nimi17 said:

I didn’t even know that we could provide feedback in the app until someone mentioned it on CC, and I’ve been using it religiously since 🍻

FWIW you can find the crew feedback under the "Connect" -> "Let us know" tab at the bottom of the Navigator app.

 

If you praise a crew member via the Navigator app early in the cruise, you will be greeted by name from that time forward.  Word spreads among the crew and you will be a true VIP the rest of your cruise.  Since many of the waiters also work in the Lido Market during breakfast, my mornings always had a number of "Good morning.  How are you today?" and wide smiles.

[oakridger]

14 hours ago, Mary229 said:

@oakridger I applaud your spirit but please realize that there are people who rely on the tip supplements to their income who are not in the public light.  The daily tips are spread among many of the crew, some whom you will never meet.

 

Oh no @Mary229!! (and @nimi17 and @nooligans) I'm so embarrassed.  I think you misunderstood!!! 😳  I always leave the Crew Incentive in place but always add extra cash at the end to the stand out crew who I have interacted with!!!  My point was meant to be that I have not felt it necessary to tip extra cash at the beginning of the cruise (or after each drink order) in order to get the great service that I experience anyway.  

 

~Nancy

 

P.S.- I have also contributed to the Crew Welfare Fund on those cruise lines that have them.

Edited March 19, 2022 by oakridger

[gdy0354]

If you are on a casino cruise and get free drinks in the casino, I would hope you tip the servers well. You are not paying 15% gratuities on those drinks. They are completely free no matter what type of drink.

Just got off N.S. Wed. After one day of tipping in the casino, the servers knew your name, what you drank, and would almost be your personal butler. Especially server named Julius.

I did not have drink package so out worked out well.

[RGEDad]

JustFYI: I booked my first cruise on NCL just recently (I Know, I Know - but a family member picked the cruise/line/ship based on the perceived activities for the grand-kiddos).  Anyway, as near as I can figure - the NCL gratuities are not optional, and cannot be removed. Not an issue with me as I have never have removed gratuities, and, with few exceptions, provide additional direct tips near the end of the cruise as appropriate to our waiters & Stewards. The NCL approach really does feel like the total price of the cruise - with a simple breakout of some portion. 

 

[Laminator]

5 hours ago, gdy0354 said:

If you are on a casino cruise and get free drinks in the casino, I would hope you tip the servers well. You are not paying 15% gratuities on those drinks. They are completely free no matter what type of drink.

Just got off N.S. Wed. After one day of tipping in the casino, the servers knew your name, what you drank, and would almost be your personal butler. Especially server named Julius.

I did not have drink package so out worked out well.

The servers get the customary tip on the free beverages. I don't remember whether that is 16% or 18%. The casino reimburses HAL for those free drinks. I am in full agreement that additional tips are the way to go. 

 

Edited March 20, 2022 by Laminator

[nimi17]

On 3/18/2022 at 6:00 PM, Crew News said:

FWIW you can find the crew feedback under the "Connect" -> "Let us know" tab at the bottom of the Navigator app.

 

If you praise a crew member via the Navigator app early in the cruise, you will be greeted by name from that time forward.  Word spreads among the crew and you will be a true VIP the rest of your cruise.  Since many of the waiters also work in the Lido Market during breakfast, my mornings always had a number of "Good morning.  How are you today?" and wide smiles.

I feel you are the true VIP and greeted everywhere on board regardless 😅

[nimi17]

On 3/18/2022 at 10:45 PM, oakridger said:

 

Oh no @Mary229!! (and @nimi17 and @nooligans) I'm so embarrassed.  I think you misunderstood!!! 😳  I always leave the Crew Incentive in place but always add extra cash at the end to the stand out crew who I have interacted with!!!  My point was meant to be that I have not felt it necessary to tip extra cash at the beginning of the cruise (or after each drink order) in order to get the great service that I experience anyway.  

 

~Nancy

 

P.S.- I have also contributed to the Crew Welfare Fund on those cruise lines that have them.

No worries at all. The thought never even crossed my mind.