Still more ramblings on gratuities...

[tef43]

Much has been said in the past day or so regarding tipping policies and such, so this may be an opportune time to bring this up ...

 

A number of posters mention that they seek out a bartender early, pre-tip, and get good service for the rest of the cruise.

 

Ok, makes sense to me. But ...

 

It's a BIG ship. How do you KNOW where you are going to be spending your time? Seems to me to be a potential waste of time to perhaps run the length of the ship to get a drink from "your" bartender, and then back to wherever your activity is.

 

For example, on the Triumph we found ourselves in most every lounge at one time or another (kinda like Zone's pub crawl ), but always seemed to make it back to the Venetia to catch 2Slick. There was a specific waitress in there, Lina, who was just fantastic. On the last night of the cruise, we made a point to have our final beverages there so we could personally thank Lina and give her one of our "above and beyond" envelopes. THE LOOK ON HER FACE when we did that! It seemed as though NOBODY had EVER done that for her before.

 

Tip your servers. They have to split the 15% with the bartender.

 

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:

Shhhh, it's a surprise!

Followed by:

Carnival Valor 10/30/05 CC Group

And then:

Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera

Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

 

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[imsulin]

Excellent point, tef43! We have always done the same thing. I once was walking down the corridor, and noticed the same guy vacuuming who had been vacuuming every day. I gave him a "spur of the moment" $5.00 bill, and the look on his face was worth it. On our last HAL cruise, I got specialty coffees every day, and the lady that made them for me was so nice and friendly, that she got a 'surprise" cash tip on the last day. A few weeks ago, we stayed at a resort in Cancun, and had gotten up at the crack of dawn to take a boat over to Isla Mujeres, and I saw a guy raking the beach. This guy probably makes about $3.00 a day, doesn't speak English, and probably has a family. He was so meticulous about keeping that part of the beach clean (and I was feeling very happy to just be there) that I gave him $10.00, and just said, "Gracias". He was so surprised, that he actually kissed my hand! Loved it, and love "surprising" crew and staff with unexpected tips.

[halos]

Ahhhhh.....a refreshing new ramble!! Like a breath of fresh air.

 

I agree with tipping the servers, especially since I now know they split with the bartenders!

I learn a lot from this board, thanks Tom!

 

I believe in Miracles

MIRACLE JUNE 19, 2004

Calm Seas, Good Friends

[jeepgirl30]

We had a wonderful beverage waiter at dinner and saw him on the lido and at shows. He always came rushing over and was so warm, friendly and just a great guy.

 

On the last night I asked him about the comment cards and he said they were very very important and really meant a lot. I of course raved about him and then later that night we handed him a $20. I thought he was going to cry. He hugged me and still said the comments really were appreciated too.

 

I think about him a lot. I hope he got a great promotion, he sure deserved it. He was on the ship with his wife and they had a young child.

 

Imagination 3/2003

 

Days until Sensation...

 

[Bunkie103]

We became acquainted with the bar server in the London Dining room on the Triumph. She was a sweet little girl from Pakistan and very homesick. As soon as we arrived each night she was there to take our drink order and learned our names. On the last night I took my DH's picture with her and he gave her $20...and she started to cry. Like most men with a crying woman he was stunned. I assured him it was okay they were tears of happiness. It was such fun to do things like this. The $20 means a lot more to the crew than it does to us.

 

Mary

Triumph Eastern 10/03

Victory CTN 6/17/04

Sensational Cruise from the Bayou 10/23/04

[tef43]

I'm glad you mentioned the bar servers assigned to the dining room.

 

NOBODY at our table drank wine with dinner. Kathy had diet coke through the soda card, so our server basically made jack squat from our table. PLUS, we brought a bottle of champagne to the second formal night and she (the server) did not charge us the corkage fee. She was ALWAYS pleasant and smiling and just a joy to have around, despite a total lack of revenue generated by us. Kathy never had to ask for refills, they just appeared.

 

Yes, our dining room server received one of our special thank-yous too.

 

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:

Shhhh, it's a surprise!

Followed by:

Carnival Valor 10/30/05 CC Group

And then:

Carnival Spirit 12/10/05 Mexican Riviera

Perhaps something else as well. Watch this space.

 

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[dan40]

We always tip the server a little extra as drinks are served. When I find a really good bartender, he/she gets a good tip and I get their duty schedule. A couple of stories about tip rewards. On a RCCL cruise[won't mention the ship or the bar] our group found an excellent bartender/waiter and tipped him quite well from the start. After the first two days we were drinking drinks they were "out of" and being charged one round in three.

On another cruise there were 11 of us at a kiosk in San Juan that served free RumRunners to shoppers at the surronding jewlery shops. These are the little 3-4 oz. paper cup drinks. I got a round for all of us and tipped the girl $2 for the free drinks. She looked like she didn't know what to do with it. As we sat at an open air table we decided to have another round. Somebody said, "See if you can get regular drinks in a glass." So I asked the girl if that was possible. She went and got a tray full of 16 oz. draft glasses. Then I asked if she could make the drinks with Meyers. She smiled and said no then smiled again and got out a bottle of Meyers. When she fixed the drinks I asked if I could have a "floater" of rum on top. Had to explain what that was, she understood and poured me a full draft glass of Meyers to use for floaters for everyone. She charged $11 for the whole thing, I said that's not enough. She said that it was plenty as she NEVER sold any drinks, only gave away the "freebies" I gave her a $20 and said, "Keep it" She looked faint again.

That's just 2 instances of a little tip coming back manyfold. I tip because it is the right thing to do and do not expect anything in return, but it often ends up more to my benefit.

If not, I don't even give it a first thought let alone a second thought.

Dan

 

Till 9/5 Paradise Panama Canal

 

[imatarb]

We received excellent service from our dining room staff, and they received extra 'thanks' on our last night there. Well worth it! Undoubtedly, they made our week memorable.

 

Lisa

 

Monarch of the Seas - 1994

Royal Majesty - 1996

Carnival Victory - 2004

 

<MARQUEE>A day at sea is better than a day at work</MARQUEE>

[Megandie]

I think it's great when we tip extra. They love it, they deserve it and they remember it. I've always been a big tipper and it's always been rewarded.

 

Sail Time!!!

 

[Arlene F]

It is nice to read a thread regarding tipping that is positive for a change. I've read so many anit-tipping threads recently that I'm disturbed.

 

It seems that you all have done some very nice deeds. It is refreshing. In this day and age you all should feel very good about yourselves.

 

I commend you.

 

Arlene

[happycruisin]

We were recently on the Destiny, and had drinks one night in the promenade lounge. Myself, sister-in-law and 4 kids all wanted frozen drinks. We didn't know when we ordered, but they didn't have a blender at the bar, and the bartender had to go to a different area to make the drinks. I felt a little guilty about making him do the extra work, so I gave him an extra $5, in addition to the standard gratuity. Not a lot, just a thanks for the effort kind of gesture. You would have thought it was a $50! Next thing I know, he's back to our table with chips for the kids, and extra napkins, etc.

 

Being a mom, I really appreciate all the effort and running around people do for me when I'm on a vacation, and that's why I love to cruise.

[klfrodo]

Kind of off topic but here goes.

 

Last year while and friend and I were in Vegas we were playing hard and drinking even harder. As we stepped outside the casino to try our luck elsewhere, a young man who was less fortunate than I asked for a quarter. I normally just pass these people up. For some reason I reached into my pocket and gave him a 10 spot with the caveat that he get at least one burger and the rest could go wherever he pleases. My friend went nuts and called me a fool and every other name in the book. I looked at him and told him, "you know what? A couple of missed paychecks and that could be you or me. Better him than the casino the way my luck is going." He shook his head and said "It's your money." Anyway, we kept the party going and for the rest of that night I couldn't miss. Whatever I touched just seemed to turn to gold.

 

Bottom line is that I feel very blessed to have a loving family, a good job, and the ability to afford some pretty nice vacations. It really doesn't hurt or cost that much to be nice to others. Who knows, you may even come out ahead.