Tipping when gratuities are included

[RichYak]

7 hours ago, C4HCG said:

Tipping is not a custom.

Hey look! Another excuse from the cheap seats! This is a new one.

[ian441672]

1 hour ago, RichYak said:

Hey look! Another excuse from the cheap seats! This is a new one.

It's not so customary in the UK, but I get that it certainly is in the USA....although it is creeping in here....

[C4HCG]

1 hour ago, RichYak said:

Hey look! Another excuse from the cheap seats! This is a new one.

I have absolutely no idea what your post means but assume it’s not a kind one. None of your business how much we tip, unlike some on here we have no wish to divulge that on this board, it’s between us and the person being tipped so unless that’s you, kindly lay off.

Edited February 13, 2023 by C4HCG

[TeeRick]

On my recent cruise I tipped extra cash in envelopes on the last evening.  I will not mention the amounts but will give the list.

 

The Butler

The Room Steward

The Retreat Concierge

The Luminae Team (a group shared tip as they prefer)

 

Sometimes if we use the Retreat Lounge a lot- the Retreat bartender.  This time we did not use the bartender or staff in the Retreat.

 

[DaKahuna]

5 hours ago, TeeRick said:

On my recent cruise I tipped extra cash in envelopes on the last evening.  I will not mention the amounts but will give the list.

 

The Butler

The Room Steward

The Retreat Concierge

The Luminae Team (a group shared tip as they prefer)

 

Sometimes if we use the Retreat Lounge a lot- the Retreat bartender.  This time we did not use the bartender or staff in the Retreat.

 

 

 Ours usually looks similar.  We normally tip our Luminae waiters direct vs giving it to the maitre'd.  We did have one cruise where we were attended by several different waiters, as our primary waiter and assistant waiter both tested positive for COVID.  In that instance we left an envelope for them with the Maitre'd and also left an envelope for the Maitre'd for the rest of the Luminae staff. 

 

 With respect to the Retreat Concierge, if we use the Concierge for anything then we will tip them at the end.  There have been multiple cruises where our only interactions have been normal greetings and an escort off the ship.  

 

 We love the Retreat/Michael's Club on S-class and usually hang out there for at least an hour in the AM and PM.  We typically tip the Retreat Bartender when we leave the Retreat for the evening.  Sometimes if he/she does something above and beyond, such as running down a bottle of my favorite rum,  I may slip him/her a little something extra then and there. 

 

 

[markeb]

6 hours ago, TeeRick said:

On my recent cruise I tipped extra cash in envelopes on the last evening.  I will not mention the amounts but will give the list.

 

The Butler

The Room Steward

The Retreat Concierge

The Luminae Team (a group shared tip as they prefer)

 

Sometimes if we use the Retreat Lounge a lot- the Retreat bartender.  This time we did not use the bartender or staff in the Retreat.

 

 

We've been similar, but a question, Rick.

 

This past cruise we did spend time in the Retreat and with the Concierge (didn't ask for much). The Concierge actually helped us with the additional tip form and how to do it. He even mentioned the bartender by name in his "how to", who we might well have otherwise forgotten. But we didn't tip either of them, and honestly, I'm a little confused now. The Retreat concierges wear hotel officers' uniforms now. Are they fully salaried? I wouldn't normally tip management; they're not in the tip pools on land. And it's a little weird that a tipped member of staff would be doing guest services' roles and effectively collecting tips for other employees!

[industrious95]

I never wonder if I'm generous, average or cheap.  I give what I am comfortable giving.

 

We feel that we are very fortunate to be able to go on a cruise and want to give a little extra.  We consider the tips/gratuities added to the bill by the cruise line as part of the fare, since it's paid out way before we show up on board.

 

I usually tip anyone who gives me service.  A buck or two extra per drink for a cocktail waiter/waitress, a buck or two per drink for the bartender, $10 per meal for a dinner waiter, $20 for a masseuse.  I'll give the stateroom attendant $20 the first day, and $5-$10 every additional day, depending on how much service they give us.  Sometimes it seems like they wait in the hall for us to leave the cabin and run in to tidy it up several times a day.  Sometimes we never see them.  I tip as we go, rather then waiting until the end of the cruise, in the hopes that the servers may remember me and take good care of us.  Whether or not that works is questionable.

 

My fantasy is that the servers are sitting on the side of the room, looking for someone to bring a drink to.  They look at one person and think "he hasn't tipped us yet" and then see me and say "that fat obnoxious American is a good tipper, I'll go see if he needs a drink."  I can't say whether or not that's true, but it's like putting the carrot in front of the horse instead of promising to give it to him later.  (Please excuse the politically incorrect analogy.  I don't consider that the wait staff are horses)

 

I have rarely tipped the maitre'd a lot, I just throw $10 in an envelope the last night.  But then again, I've never asked a maitre'd to do anything for us, so the only interaction I've ever had is giving them an envelope on the last night.  This time we're traveling with two other couples, so if we need help getting seated together and the maitre'd comes through, we'll show our appreciation. 

 

Same for a concierge.  Never used their services, never interacted with them, so never tipped them.  Never had a butler, but would tip them generously if they provided good service.

 

I figure that tipping only adds $250-$350 to the cost of the cruise.  What the heck - we're already paying $4000, plus what the airline's are reaming us.  What's another $350 dollars?

 

 

 

 

 

[wineoclock]

17 hours ago, RichYak said:

Hey look! Another excuse from the cheap seats! This is a new one.

That’s not pleasant. It’s not customary in every country to tip. In the U.K. we have a living wage & workers are paid at least that. Therefore it’s not a requirement to always tip. We do, as it doesn’t make a real difference to us but to others it does add to the cost of the meal or haircut etc. If the provider is already earning the living wage then the requirement to tip shouldn’t really be there. 
 

People on here are trying to learn to do what is appropriate on an American cruise line so we don’t make mistakes. It’s nothing to do with being cheap. I could equally call you a show off for splashing your cash but wouldn’t dream of being so rude. 
 

 

Edited February 14, 2023 by wineoclock

[PelicanLvr]

OP - Everyone questions "did I do the right thing" when it comes to tipping and (as you can see from the above discussion) there really is no "correct" answer.

 

But, since this started with you asking for suggestions, here's what we do:

 

Stateroom attendant at end of cruise:  about $10 per day - ie:  $70 on a 7 night cruise etc. - adjusted up or down for quality of service.

 

I go to our bank before departure and get lots of small bills:  Usually change $350 for:

 

50 single ($1) bills

20 Five ($5) bills

20 Ten ($10) bills

 

I always have several of each bill with me and usually tip:

 

$5 - server of our one round of drinks nightly before dinner in Cafe B.

$10-20/per night - to server and assistant to share in specialty or MDR -  Since we don't eat with the same crew each night I do this every night.

$0-$10 per night to wine steward- depending on attentiveness ( when on a drink package)   

$2-$4  - breakfast room service delivery - That was back when it was free! - so probably $0 now if a service charge is applied.

$0 - when I pick up a bottle of beer or water directly from the bar. 

$0  - Maitre D' of dining rooms:  Unless they do something for me, which they often do, so it varies.

 

Tipping is a personal thing, but since you asked that's what DW and I do.

 

 

 

 

[cementhands]

I’m convinced that $2.00 bill 💸 here or there are welcome. Occasionally an extra $10.00 for outstanding service. But if you are paying tips daily and cruises are not cheap and tips keep going up. That’s about it!

  I know folks who opt out of tips and say they give cash directly to each person, but also eat only at the buffet and are actually stiffing many causing regular tipping included folks to pay ever increase tips.

[RichYak]

7 hours ago, wineoclock said:

People on here are trying to learn to do what is appropriate on an American cruise line so we don’t make mistakes. It’s nothing to do with being cheap.

I didn't refer to that particular group of people as being cheap as I don't think they are.

[C4HCG]

2 minutes ago, RichYak said:

I didn't refer to that particular group of people as being cheap as I don't think they are.

No, you referred to me being in the cheap seats, whatever that means.

[Guppy99]

7 hours ago, wineoclock said:

That’s not pleasant. It’s not customary in every country to tip. In the U.K. we have a living wage & workers are paid at least that. Therefore it’s not a requirement to always tip. We do, as it doesn’t make a real difference to us but to others it does add to the cost of the meal or haircut etc. If the provider is already earning the living wage then the requirement to tip shouldn’t really be there. 
 

People on here are trying to learn to do what is appropriate on an American cruise line so we don’t make mistakes. It’s nothing to do with being cheap. I could equally call you a show off for splashing your cash but wouldn’t dream of being so rude. 
 

 

I suspect, to be kind, that you did not read the entire thread. Your comments, while true, are not relevant to this discussion. Everyone here is well aware of the tipping custom on Celebrity cruises.  Those that continue to balk at the custom, or state that they ignore custom and just do what they think is right according to their own custom, is the issue. that is what provoked the responses that you deem rude, and I say are utterly appropriate.

[wineoclock]

I read the thread. The comment about cheap seats was uncalled for. Especially as the poster the comments were aimed at says he tips regularly so no need for the barbed comment. Unless I’ve misunderstood. 

[Pickels]

On 2/11/2023 at 5:05 PM, baypeople said:

We were in a suite on Equinox recently and wanted to tip certain folks a bit extra for very good service.  However, we have no idea if we chose appropriate amounts.  I'm looking for suggestions for both suites and Aqua, especially when paid gratuities are part of the all inclusive packages.  All comments and suggestions are welcome!

There really isn't any correct answer; it's always up to the individual.  It can run the entire range from those who remove the automatic gratuities and don't give any tips, to those who keep the automatic gratuities and also give extra tips.   As for the amount; it's up to you, whatever you feel is appropriate for the service you received. 

[C4HCG]

30 minutes ago, Guppy99 said:

I suspect, to be kind, that you did not read the entire thread. Your comments, while true, are not relevant to this discussion. Everyone here is well aware of the tipping custom on Celebrity cruises.  Those that continue to balk at the custom, or state that they ignore custom and just do what they think is right according to their own custom, is the issue. that is what provoked the responses that you deem rude, and I say are utterly appropriate.

I never balked at the custom, or stated I ignore it. We do tip and always have, my one comment that seems to have attracted criticism was that tipping is not a custom, maybe I should have qualified that to say for us in the UK it isn’t.  However we always tip when travelling abroad.  The cheap dig remains highly and to use your word, utterly, inappropriate. 
 

 

23 minutes ago, wineoclock said:

I read the thread. The comment about cheap seats was uncalled for. Especially as the poster the comments were aimed at says he tips regularly so no need for the barbed comment. Unless I’ve misunderstood. 

You haven’t misunderstood at all 👍

[Guppy99]

1 hour ago, Pickels said:

There really isn't any correct answer; it's always up to the individual.  It can run the entire range from those who remove the automatic gratuities and don't give any tips, to those who keep the automatic gratuities and also give extra tips.   As for the amount; it's up to you, whatever you feel is appropriate for the service you received. 

Of course everyone has choice. Those that choose to short-change the service staff should not take a cruise. 

[C4HCG]

3 minutes ago, Guppy99 said:

Of course everyone has choice. Those that choose to short-change the service staff should not take a cruise. 

Who decides the short-changing threshold then in your mind?

[kokopelli-az]

FYI, an article about tipping on cruise ships:

 

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-ship-tipping/

[Guppy99]

8 minutes ago, kokopelli-az said:

FYI, an article about tipping on cruise ships:

 

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cruise-ship-tipping/

well his information regarding Celebrity is wrong, so i would not assume he got anything correct.

HE WROTE:

Celebrity Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: $17.50 per person, per day.
• Details: Passengers in most cabins pay $17.50. Passengers in Concierge Class, AquaClass cabins and suites do not pay a gratuity charge. Passengers who book a Celebrity cabin under the line’s pricier All-Included rate plan do not pay gratuity charges. Additionally, a 20% gratuity is added when a passenger orders a drink that’s not included in the line’s All-Included rate plan, as well as when purchasing a minibar item. An 18% gratuity will be added for spa and salon services.

 

Clearly this is INCORRECT.

Correct information is from Celebrity's website:

 

Celebrity automatically adds gratuities** to guests’ onboard SeaPass® account, except for guests in Excluded Bookings*, as defined below, in the following amounts for sailings commencing on or after October 17, 2022: 

 

• $17.50 USD per person, per day for Inside, Ocean View, and Veranda staterooms 
• $18.00 USD per person, per day for Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms  
• $21.00 USD per person, per day for guests of The Retreat. 

 

A 20% gratuity will be added to all beverages, mini bar purchases and beverage packages. Automatic daily gratuities may be adjusted at the guest’s discretion onboard at Guest Relations. 

*Excluded Bookings include all staterooms booked either (i) at the All Included rate (formerly Always Included); or (ii) in the Retreat or AquaClass stateroom category on or after July 14, 2022. Stateroom and restaurant service gratuities, and a 20% beverage package gratuity, are included in the fare of all guests in an Excluded Booking.  

 

FOR ALL BOOKINGS: Gratuities for stateroom and restaurant services are shared by dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, and other hotel services teams. An 18% gratuity will be added to all spa and salon purchases, and all specialty dining covers and specialty dining packages onboard.  

 

 

[kokopelli-az]

1 hour ago, Guppy99 said:

well his information regarding Celebrity is wrong, so i would not assume he got anything correct.

I should have added to always double-check policies or pricing by third parties with the cruise line website.   

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, Guppy99 said:

well his information regarding Celebrity is wrong, so i would not assume he got anything correct.

 

 

 I thought that as well when I first read it and then I considered.  We booked a suite with all inclusive.  So we are not paying a daily gratuity charge for our room not do we pay a gratuity when obtaining a drink with our drink package.  So in that sense he is correct about suites. 

 

 

[CruiseCrew123]

On our most recent Beyobd cruise last month whilst the staff in Luminae and The Retreat thanked us for any tip they all stressed that it was far more appreciated that we give them a 10 on the end of cruise survey 

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 hours ago, Guppy99 said:

well his information regarding Celebrity is wrong, so i would not assume he got anything correct.

HE WROTE:

Celebrity Cruises

• Automatic gratuity charge: $17.50 per person, per day.
• Details: Passengers in most cabins pay $17.50. Passengers in Concierge Class, AquaClass cabins and suites do not pay a gratuity charge. Passengers who book a Celebrity cabin under the line’s pricier All-Included rate plan do not pay gratuity charges. Additionally, a 20% gratuity is added when a passenger orders a drink that’s not included in the line’s All-Included rate plan, as well as when purchasing a minibar item. An 18% gratuity will be added for spa and salon services.

 

Clearly this is INCORRECT.

Correct information is from Celebrity's website:

 

Celebrity automatically adds gratuities** to guests’ onboard SeaPass® account, except for guests in Excluded Bookings*, as defined below, in the following amounts for sailings commencing on or after October 17, 2022: 

 

• $17.50 USD per person, per day for Inside, Ocean View, and Veranda staterooms 
• $18.00 USD per person, per day for Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms  
• $21.00 USD per person, per day for guests of The Retreat. 

 

A 20% gratuity will be added to all beverages, mini bar purchases and beverage packages. Automatic daily gratuities may be adjusted at the guest’s discretion onboard at Guest Relations. 

*Excluded Bookings include all staterooms booked either (i) at the All Included rate (formerly Always Included); or (ii) in the Retreat or AquaClass stateroom category on or after July 14, 2022. Stateroom and restaurant service gratuities, and a 20% beverage package gratuity, are included in the fare of all guests in an Excluded Booking.  

 

FOR ALL BOOKINGS: Gratuities for stateroom and restaurant services are shared by dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, and other hotel services teams. An 18% gratuity will be added to all spa and salon purchases, and all specialty dining covers and specialty dining packages onboard.  

 

 

 

There two core issues with these types of articles...

1)  This article has been "recycled" for years; he'll make one update to say Carnival and that updates the publish date to current

2)  The contributor is known in interviews for asking very softball with their questioning and not asking for followups

[DingoMom]

Oh, Dang. Never thought I’d post in a ‘tipping thread,’ but here goes:
 

Last month we were on the Edge and had dinner in several specialty restaurants. Prior to the ‘new’ added service charge (I think it is 18%), we would always tip in the specialties (usually $10 - $15). For those of you that did that as well, will you continue to tip extra or will the added service fee be sufficient?