Do you tip at Speciality Restaurants?

[AK Dreaming]

Of course it is a personal choice, but if asking for what we do, then yes.  I alway bring cash for tipping at all restaurants. 

[n4w]

1 hour ago, krufrank said:

Sorry, I should have said the dinners were apart of our “free at sea” package. I did say “free” in the OP but should have explained more. So, if I understand you - the 20% tip  is already factored into the price.  Thank you all for the clarification. 

It's not "factored into the price," it was a line item you were actually charged for.  The package was "free," the tip was billed to you.

[n4w]

1 hour ago, FastShip24 said:

The op stated they were free meals. OP did not pay for anything

Nothing's "free."  That's why I stated, "When you purchased the dining package or when you selected the Free at Sea."

[MiniJeffrey]

No, I don't tip. Even when the meal was 'free' or included.

[insidecabin]

22 minutes ago, n4w said:

It's not "factored into the price," it was a line item you were actually charged for.  The package was "free," the tip was billed to you.

Even when the free at sea is a fully charged package like in the UK the included items are inclusive of any 20% service charges.

 

Even when there is no cost like  the latitude benefit it is a comp including service for your loyalty.

 

As would any comp meal from TA, HD, Casino etc.

 

If you take someone out for dinner look a right idiot expecting them to pick up the tip for their free meal.

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

6 minutes ago, MiniJeffrey said:

No, I don't tip. Even when the meal was 'free' or included.

Included is the correct word! As to my personal choice on tipping in specialty restaurants, I do not. I paid the gratuities upon booking or selecting an dining package. If I were to order a la carte, NCL charges an automatic 20% gratuity, therefore no additional tip.

 

But, hey, if you want tip, then by all means, tip away! Just don't give me the side eye when I leave without tipping...besides if you write a tip on that receipt (based on several NCL employees word), the server won't receive the tip you left anyway.

 

EDITED TO ADD: I'm not Platinum yet, so do not receive the meal voucher for Latitude's status. When I do, I will provide a cash tip to the servers as there is no gratuity paid on those meals (at least I do not think so).  

Edited July 13, 2023 by cruiseny4life

[nhtravels]

We have always left an additional gratuity (even if just grabbing a snack at the buffet or a meal at the Local).  Specialty or free, we just like to show our extra gratitude for good service.  

[Travelicious]

6 minutes ago, nhtravels said:

We have always left an additional gratuity (even if just grabbing a snack at the buffet or a meal at the Local).  Specialty or free, we just like to show our extra gratitude for good service.  

Who do you tip if grabbing a snack at the buffet?

[scooter6139]

These tipping threads are always interesting to read through due to different cultures and norms.  

 

Do what you want to do, tip or no tip, totally up to you.

 

Just off the Bliss, I asked several employee's if they ever saw any of the gratuities (cabin steward, waiter, etc) that we used to manually tip in the past.  The said no, they do not.  It all goes to NCL.  What NCL does with it I don't know and neither did they. So we've decided to go back to the old school way of just tipping in person.  We wont remove or not pay the gratuities, as I still have hope they benefit the ships crew somehow.

[nhtravels]

12 minutes ago, Travelicious said:

Who do you tip if grabbing a snack at the buffet?

We usually give it to whomever is clearing the table.  Just a few dollars and a smile to say thanks.  You'd be surprised how much it means to someone!

[zqvol]

13 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

These tipping threads are always interesting to read through due to different cultures and norms.  

 

Do what you want to do, tip or no tip, totally up to you.

 

Just off the Bliss, I asked several employee's if they ever saw any of the gratuities (cabin steward, waiter, etc) that we used to manually tip in the past.  The said no, they do not.  It all goes to NCL.  What NCL does with it I don't know and neither did they. So we've decided to go back to the old school way of just tipping in person.  We wont remove or not pay the gratuities, as I still have hope they benefit the ships crew somehow.

This is what so many fail to understand.

[n4w]

28 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

I asked several employee's if they ever saw any of the gratuities (cabin steward, waiter, etc) that we used to manually tip in the past.  The said no, they do not.  It all goes to NCL.  What NCL does with it I don't know and neither did they. So we've decided to go back to the old school way of just tipping in person.  We wont remove or not pay the gratuities, as I still have hope they benefit the ships crew somehow.

 

Based on the following, I conclude that filling out the Hero Cards are just as important.  It sounds like the service charges may go into a Squid Games piggy bank and staff need to earn and collect Hero Cards to win prizes.

 

Why is there a service charge?
The reason there's a fixed service charge is an important one: Our Crew (as are the crew from other lines) is encouraged to work together as a team. Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. How much is the charge? Onboard Service Charges are additional.

Edited July 13, 2023 by n4w

[MacGuffin3]

6 minutes ago, n4w said:

 

 

They want me to chase down the person, figure out their name and position, and take five minutes + to fill this long form for what?  And it goes into some lottery for what exactly?  For truly above and beyond service, I think I would give them cash before I wasted everybody's time (mainly mine) on this.

Edited July 13, 2023 by MacGuffin3

[Grimix]

I hate tipping, but I do it (part Italian so I think it's in my genes...) I figure the few dollars means more to the server than it does to me (and I understand that's not the case for everyone, so I'm not judging if you don't) I also don't really believe that the 20% mandatory tips are really going to the employees. Essentially don't feel guilty either way, the tip has already been paid. Give extra or not, up to you!

 

While I'm here I'll post my fun story (somewhat related to tipping, but not cruising... and definitely more (I think) fun than typical tipping discussions...) My wife and I were staying at the Ritz in Tahoe for an anniversary (we're an hour and a half away so it's kind of a favorite spot) We went to their restaurant for dinner. If you know anything about the Ritz you know everything is $$$$. We ordered a bottle of wine, a salad, I had the steak, and my wife being a vegetarian asked for what they had. He suggested the carrots veloute. When it arrives it's like 5 smallish carrots and a side of rice pilaf (for $30...). The wife tries it and it is delicious, there's just not a lot on the plate. When the waiter comes around and asks how everything is, my wife said it was delicious, but just because she's a vegetarian doesn't mean she doesn't like to eat. She said it in a joking manner, but the waiter was aghast, a few minutes later comes out with the manager. He apologizes profusely, and my wife says it's ok. He insisted on comping the entire meal (including the bottle of wine, wish I had gone with the really expensive one!) and really wanted us to have dessert, but we declined. Needless to say I left a $100 tip. That is good service! (I didn't feel too bad for the hotel, they've gotten more than enough of our money over the years!)

[n4w]

15 minutes ago, MacGuffin3 said:

They want me to chase down the person, figure out their name and position

I ask to take a picture of their name tag.  They all seem to know why I'm asking.  When I'm on a ship, I rarely have cash on me at all times; you do you.

Edited July 13, 2023 by n4w

[scooter6139]

6 minutes ago, n4w said:

I ask to take a picture of their name tag.  They all seem to know why I'm asking.  When I'm on a ship, I rarely have cash on me at all times; you do you.

We do this too now, as my memory sucks and usually can only remember the first name and their location.  Unsure if the ship can figure it out by that alone.

[insidecabin]

53 minutes ago, nhtravels said:

We usually give it to whomever is clearing the table.  Just a few dollars and a smile to say thanks.  You'd be surprised how much it means to someone!

Wish you could sometimes anti tip the buffet clearance staff.

 

I know sometimes when busy it can take time to clear all the tables quickly.

 

Last cruise(Dawn) they were almost taking your plate as you were putting the last morsel in your mouth over enthusiastic.

 

Leave the table to get a drink  even with loads of personal stuff around  a set of cutlery still in a napkin by the side of the plate(full untouched) they would just clear the table of everything but your stuff.

 

Need to make some laminated signs to give a hint still using the table and eating the food we have on our plates.

 

[cruiseny4life]

13 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

Leave the table to get a drink  even with loads of personal stuff around  a set of cutlery still in a napkin by the side of the plate(full untouched) they would just clear the table of everything but your stuff.

 

Need to make some laminated signs to give a hint still using the table and eating the food we have on our plates.

Interesting! When I have been in the buffet solo (husband refuses to go there - I don't really blame him), I just leave my room key and phone on the table. The plate leaves, but staff have never cleared everything else. I do worry they'll clear everything away though, so I try to make it a fast trip. But, that was two cruises ago. Last cruise I didn't even bother as I've had far too many bad nibbles (I rarely finish anything) from the buffet...even the pizza is sometimes left (the horrors)! 

[insidecabin]

2 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Interesting! When I have been in the buffet solo (husband refuses to go there - I don't really blame him), I just leave my room key and phone on the table. The plate leaves, but staff have never cleared everything else. I do worry they'll clear everything away though, so I try to make it a fast trip. But, that was two cruises ago. Last cruise I didn't even bother as I've had far too many bad nibbles (I rarely finish anything) from the buffet...even the pizza is sometimes left (the horrors)! 

I never leave a phone unattended.

 

We could have hats, books, jackets obvious signs the table is in use.

Food and drinks would just get collected.

 

Even when sitting their if one of us left they would have ago at grabbing the other side's in use plates and mugs

[cruiseny4life]

9 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

I never leave a phone unattended.

 

We could have hats, books, jackets obvious signs the table is in use.

Food and drinks would just get collected.

 

Even when sitting their if one of us left they would have ago at grabbing the other side's in use plates and mugs

If only personnel in the buffet (and in specialty restaurants, to get us back on track) were well-versed in the placement of silverware. Then there would be no need to worry. They wouldn't even have to ask me if I was finished. They would silently just leave me alone or take my plate.

 

See y'all, I know the etiquette...I just choose not to use it. Which makes me more a heathen: not knowing it or knowing it and not using it? 🤡

 

Source: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k="table+etiquette"

[ggTexasGal]

1 minute ago, cruiseny4life said:

If only personnel in the buffet (and in specialty restaurants, to get us back on track) were well-versed in the placement of silverware. Then there would be no need to worry. They wouldn't even have to ask me if I was finished. They would silently just leave me alone or take my plate.

 

See y'all, I know the etiquette...I just choose not to use it. Which makes me more a heathen: not knowing it or knowing it and not using it? 🤡

 

Source: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k="table+etiquette"

Awesome!

[insidecabin]

19 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

If only personnel in the buffet (and in specialty restaurants, to get us back on track) were well-versed in the placement of silverware. Then there would be no need to worry. They wouldn't even have to ask me if I was finished. They would silently just leave me alone or take my plate.

 

See y'all, I know the etiquette...I just choose not to use it. Which makes me more a heathen: not knowing it or knowing it and not using it? 🤡

 

Source: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k="table+etiquette"

Probably best to start with training  people to eat properly with their fork in the left hand knife in right.

No swapping one handed eating.

[MacGuffin3]

2 minutes ago, insidecabin said:

Probably best to start with training  people to eat properly with their fork in the left hand knife in right.

No swapping one handed eating.

No time for swapping when there is prime rib at the buffet.

[FastShip24]

3 hours ago, Travelicious said:

Who do you tip if grabbing a snack at the buffet?

Because someone is cleaning your table, preparing the food, and washing your dishes.   It's simple 

[JustAllie]

7 hours ago, Beaver1975 said:

I am assuming you are talking about Latitudes Rewards dinners. There is no gratuity added to these dinners.  We typically tip with cash for our Latitudes Rewards dinners.

<snip>

 

4 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

<snip>

EDITED TO ADD: I'm not Platinum yet, so do not receive the meal voucher for Latitude's status. When I do, I will provide a cash tip to the servers as there is no gratuity paid on those meals (at least I do not think so).  

 

FYI according to NCL, the service charges are already included with the specialty dining vouchers provided to guests with Latitudes tiers of Platinum and above. We have always had exceptional service at the specialty restaurants and tipped some on top of that. But the service charge is included in the vouchers. 

 

https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/what-do-specialty-dinner-benefits-cover

 

Emphasis added below.

 

This benefit offers two dinners for two at a specialty restaurant for Platinum, Sapphire, Diamond, and Ambassador guests. Each stateroom will receive a voucher in their Welcome Back card on embarkation day for:

•  Dinner for Two with a Bottle of Wine

•  Dinner for Two

 

Service charges are included in this benefit. Guest to present voucher to their server before ordering. Benefit entitles each guest to an appetizer, one entrée, and a dessert of your choice. Upcharges apply on certain premium menu items. Bottle of Wine offered in all venues offering Complimentary Wine list, Palomar not included. In à la carte restaurants, coupon can be redeemed for 4 menu items per person (Sushi, Wasabi, Nama, Teppanyaki, Hasuki, Food Republic, Pincho Tapas Bar or Raw Bar). Dinner coupons are non-transferable. Solo guests cannot claim two dinners. Coupons cannot be used for the same venue twice. 2 guests maximum. Dining options vary by ship.

 

BTW I agree that the language about solo guests is confusing. Everything I've heard indicates that they can bring a 2nd person and use their voucher for 2 in that way, but they can't dine alone on two times on a single coupon. 

Edited July 13, 2023 by JustAllie