Does Cabin Steward know

[Hutcha]

27 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

Stop fretting and just don’t use them, “problem” solved.

So, to play devil's advocate, you would have no problem going to a restaurant with a large group. They include 18% tip on the bill, then the waiter goes around and hands out envelops to everyone. Just in case they want to tip more. 

[The Scurvy Pirate]

2 minutes ago, Hutcha said:

So, to play devil's advocate, you would have no problem going to a restaurant with a large group. They include 18% tip on the bill, then the waiter goes around and hands out envelops to everyone. Just in case they want to tip more. 

I can't tell you how many times I have been with a group at a restaurant and have caught people that didn't notice/look that there was an automatic gratuity and were going to pay a double gratuity...

[PTC DAWG]

6 hours ago, Submariner said:

I just cant get behind the concept of prepaid tips. Its just so..illogical.

Paying for exceptional service , um, before receiving such service. Almost becomes a prepaid bribe. Anyhow, I know I am in the exception column here and would get downvoted to oblivion (if this was reddit 🙂

I always hand my room steward a $20 day one when I see him and ask for ice daily…works…last one on Mariner told me it was nice to meet someone who knew what the works go round..CASH. Just a week or so ago. 

Edited June 3, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[PTC DAWG]

19 minutes ago, Hutcha said:

So, to play devil's advocate, you would have no problem going to a restaurant with a large group. They include 18% tip on the bill, then the waiter goes around and hands out envelops to everyone. Just in case they want to tip more. 

No issue…leave more or not. 

[pcur]

7 minutes ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

I can't tell you how many times I have been with a group at a restaurant and have caught people that didn't notice/look that there was an automatic gratuity and were going to pay a double gratuity...

I'm repeating myself, but......................................

 

This reminds me of going on a family cruise with my adult sons in 2008.  They are both generous, and tipped all the bar staff.  My older son especially does this:  he used to deliver pizza in high school, and knows what it's like to hope about the tips.

 

Well, we were chatting at dinner one night, and Son #1 asked me how much he should tip for the wine.  I said the gratuity is included already.  He started to laugh and looked at Son #2, who said, "so that's why we get the thundering herd of bar waiters everywhere we go!".  I don't think they stopped doing it, either.

[Tlbecker1]

57 minutes ago, bonsai3s said:

Politely asking if you are being sarcastic or serious?...hard to tell...

I am serious, tipping is part of cruising.

[pcur]

I tip extra in cash to crew members that have done something extra for me.  I don't like the envelopes.  For some reason they seem impersonal to me.  I give the tips directly to the person.  

 

I also share my casino winnings with them.  It's not much:  just whatever I walk away with from my free play money.  I also cash out my obc in the casino, and give all of that as extra cash tips.

 

We had a group on the Vision in March for happy hour in the DL, and I mentioned what I did, because I gave the bar waitress my winnings:  she was from the Ukraine, and her Mom was still there.  I noticed the rest of the group took my hint, and started giving her large tips when she served them drinks.

[rudeney]

deleted - duplicate post

Edited June 3, 2022 by rudeney

[rudeney]

3 hours ago, johnjen said:

The head waiter on our last cruise used to come to our table just before we were leaving, would interrupt the table conversation to tell us the same things that the waiters previously told us earlier on during dinner, but she never really helped us in any way - and often held us up, so he/she, whoever it is this upcoming cruise, will need to just settle for the prepaid grats.

 

Back when we handed tip envelopes directly to crew members, we'd never see the head waiters until that last night when they'd come by to collect their envelope.  I always felt they were useless and I resented tipping them (though I always do).

 

On one cruise we did have a head waiter that was fantastic.  He was funny and always came by the table to check on us and help his staff.  But that was the exception.  One night he came by and I told him that he was the best head waiter ever, and shared my opinion of the other typical head waiters.  He explained that he was only able to be so social because our table waiter was soon to be promoted to a head waiter, and he was helping out with those duties.  He said normally, head waiters are watching their crew and keeping up with wait times and re-orders and such.  He gave us some stories about things he had to deal with in the past and why he is often unable to interact with passengers.  I did gain a greater appreciation for that role, but still, if they are going to get a tip, they really need to come by at least once per meal and say hello.  

[reallyitsmema]

2 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

I always hand my room steward a $20 day one when I see him and ask for ice daily…works…last one on Mariner told me it was nice to meet someone who knew what the works go round..CASH. Just a week or so ago. 

 

I never give my cabin steward a $20 on day one and ask politely for ice daily...works.

[not-enough-cruising]

2 hours ago, Tlbecker1 said:

I am serious, tipping is part of cruising.

Absolutely no one on this thread is saying it isn’t part of cruising. The purpose of the thread is “pre paid” tips. 

I tip “for” service; not “before” service. 

[crazyank]

19 hours ago, Submariner said:

I just cant get behind the concept of prepaid tips. Its just so..illogical.

Paying for exceptional service , um, before receiving such service. Almost becomes a prepaid bribe. Anyhow, I know I am in the exception column here and would get downvoted to oblivion (if this was reddit 🙂

you're not the only exception, we agree with you

[crazyank]

10 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

I tip “for” service; not “before” service. 

we agree

[grapau27]

10 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Absolutely no one on this thread is saying it isn’t part of cruising. The purpose of the thread is “pre paid” tips. 

I tip “for” service; not “before” service. 

Fortunately it changed a few years ago but in the UK we had to pre-pay gratuities to be able to do My Time dining.

[Norwich Cruiser]

29 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Fortunately it changed a few years ago but in the UK we had to pre-pay gratuities to be able to do My Time dining.

That’s correct never could understand as to why.

[mac_tlc]

23 hours ago, Submariner said:

 

deleted

 

mac_tlc

Edited June 4, 2022 by mac_tlc

[LGW59]

19 hours ago, Hutcha said:

So, to play devil's advocate, you would have no problem going to a restaurant with a large group. They include 18% tip on the bill, then the waiter goes around and hands out envelops to everyone. Just in case they want to tip more. 

Of course I would not have a problem, as I have the CHOICE of whether to tip additional or not

[mjkacmom]

16 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Absolutely no one on this thread is saying it isn’t part of cruising. The purpose of the thread is “pre paid” tips. 

I tip “for” service; not “before” service. 

Since most mass cruise lines have switched to a DSC, I’m guessing the crew gets more money this way, some people are cheap. Around here those who order food though apps like grub hub who indicate they will tip in cash upon delivery are finding it hard to get their food delivered, drivers have been burned too often and no one wants to deliver a meal for $2.50. Call it a bribe but it works.

[not-enough-cruising]

9 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

Since most mass cruise lines have switched to a DSC, I’m guessing the crew gets more money this way, some people are cheap. Around here those who order food though apps like grub hub who indicate they will tip in cash upon delivery are finding it hard to get their food delivered, drivers have been burned too often and no one wants to deliver a meal for $2.50. Call it a bribe but it works.

I am sure it does work, but I have never seen the need, and generally receive very good service, for which i compensate at the conclusion of the cruise. This works for me.

[PTC DAWG]

17 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

I never give my cabin steward a $20 on day one and ask politely for ice daily...works.

Ice is an extra request…I don’t expect to think they may be doing it for free..that said, do what makes you comfortable…cash is a foreign concept to many people now, sadly.  

Edited June 4, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[Big_G]

18 hours ago, rudeney said:

 

On one cruise we did have a head waiter that was fantastic.  He was funny and always came by the table to check on us and help his staff.  But that was the exception.  

 

Same. It was a year between our first and second cruise (Grandeur then Enchantment). Our first night in the MDR it was the same head waiter and he remembered my first name. Every night he came by the table and helped the waiters. Had to be the biggest tip we gave a head waiter. We've tipped others but not many.

[not-enough-cruising]

41 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

Ice is an extra request…I don’t expect to think they may be doing it for free..that said, do what makes you comfortable…cash is a foreign concept to many people now, sadly.  

Ice is not an extra request.

[cram33]

My next cruise is the first in a L-O-N-G time, and first going pre-paid grats.  From what I remember, most of the servers come from poor areas and really depend on the tips as their pay is bad.  I also remember buying tip vouchers and adding cash to some.  So, I don't' see myself ever tipping below the minimum.  I expect basic service for this.
As I result I have one more thing out of the way, a bill I can pay off before the cruise, and still tip cash to anyone who goes above and beyond, since I expect minimum for the pre-paid tip.

[Desert Cruizers]

I always add the gratuities to our booking then pay additional at the end of the cruise. I am sure the envelopes we get in our room are automatically sent out regardless whether you pre paid or not.I also end up going down to GS and getting additional envelopes for our Wait staff

[karena1]

On 6/2/2022 at 9:22 PM, sunlover2 said:

Does our cabin steward know whether or not we prepaid our gratuities? We always add to it, especially being in a junior suite.

If we gave him/her cash on our own, do they need to share it with the other cabin stewards?

 

Thank you 

yes the absolutely know you has prepaid and who has not.  We always give extra and from what we have learned over the years, if you pay the normal tips, then they get to keep the extra you give them.