Pre-Tipping your butler or stateroom attendant at the beginning of a cruise?

[CruisinShips]

15 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

I must confess that I don’t understand the matter of tipping in addition to that which is automatically added to the fare and the 20% that is added to the cost of various packages. I have never had auto tips removed from my bill, and can’t imagine how bad things would be to cause me to do so. But on the other hand, I can’t see tipping twice either.

Because it's simply a nice thing to do for kind and hardworking people, perhaps?

[Team Stag]

I do tip a small amount at the beginning of the cruise normally $20 to the room attendant and $20 to the butler if we are in a suite.  It is normally attached to a couple small request such as - if our yeti cups are in front of the ice bucket fill those with ice instead (last longer & I can not stand the aluminum can water so I dump it in my own cup) and some hangers.  The butler I give 2 shirts to be pressed and asked either to confirm my speciality dining or inquire if they can move it (if I want an earlier time).  Ultimately neither are critical requests that can't wait a day on the very busy boarding day; but enough that I am just not giving money.  And I don't look at it as a bribe or trying to buy service, I look at it as an advance.  We most likely end up tipping beyond our daily tips; so this is just part of it.  Heck, I just gave $10 to a guy in the port to put 2 bags on a cage that gets rolled into the ship - so $20 for someone who is going to take care of my room for a week plus is a bargain.  😁

 

We always have some cash that is going to additional tips.  Its figured into our travel budget.  And like others, if the casino is friendly, we tend to leave higher tips to the crew.  My vacations are my reset time & if someone goes over and beyond to make my trip / relax time better, then I show appreciation in that manor.  Living in a large tourist area with lots of friends who work in the hospitality world, I understand what an impact a couple dollars make from time to time.  

[sanger727]

19 hours ago, Dolebludger said:

I must confess that I don’t understand the matter of tipping in addition to that which is automatically added to the fare and the 20% that is added to the cost of various packages. I have never had auto tips removed from my bill, and can’t imagine how bad things would be to cause me to do so. But on the other hand, I can’t see tipping twice either.

 

This is where we are. I feel like people are forgetting that their cabin stewards are already being tipped. A little extra might be a nice gesture if they provide exceptional service, but I don't see any need to tip as a habit. This is my concern with the "auto tips". People used to get envelopes and hand out cash. Then they switched to auto tips for your convenience. Now people (Americans) feel awkward not tipping cash so they tip twice. 

[Dolebludger]

Actually, I think the auto tipping was started because people from other countries do not tip. And if they do, they don’t tip much. This is because service pay is relatively higher in those countries, and people are not hired and given the expectation of tips.

[Ellaleah]

I asked on a similar thread for another cruiseline what might be considered average and adequate for an extra tip.  I received a couple of answers that stated if I wanted to be average I would leave nothing.  What might you think would be average and adequate for 13 days?

[billc23]

On 11/30/2023 at 12:04 AM, Dolebludger said:

I don’t know what thr recipient’s reaction might be for tips given in advance, or for those given after service, when tips are also included in the fare or are separately billed to the guest. Why would anybody feel like they should in essence tip twice?

Maybe because some feel the pre paid Included tips are inadequate. Some restaurants add on a tip, typically 18% to 20%, and I almost always add more. Why? Because I almost always tip at a higher percentage to begin with. On a cruise, I tip extra to increase the amount to what I consider adequate and appropriate for the hard working crew. 

[DaKahuna]

9 hours ago, Ellaleah said:

I asked on a similar thread for another cruiseline what might be considered average and adequate for an extra tip.  I received a couple of answers that stated if I wanted to be average I would leave nothing.  What might you think would be average and adequate for 13 days?

 

 We usually tip our stateroom attendant and dining waitstaff and average of $10.00 per day each on a cruise unless there are issues or someone goes over and above what we expect as service.  This is in addition to pre-paid gratuities.  

 

[Bead Pirate]

We use a preprinted note that has certain requests that are important to us...

 

Among the requests - Extra Pillows, Ice X 2, Printed Daily Schedule, etc. There is also a space for a $20 bill to be stapled to the note. At the end of every 7-day period we also leave another $20, a couple of candy bars and a little gift for their child/children should they have any.

 

I figure I am very fortunate to be able to travel on cruise ships a couple of times a month and these people have chosen to be on the ship to make the money that will improve the situation of their families (who they miss very much). They do everything they can to make it a memorable experience for us cruisers.

 

BTW, I am also the guy that lays a $5 on the bar or to the server every time we order two drinks. Guess what, we never have to wait for our drinks 🙂

 

That is what we do, tip or do not tip as you see fit, and I will try and compensate for those who do not.

[sanger727]

11 hours ago, Ellaleah said:

I asked on a similar thread for another cruiseline what might be considered average and adequate for an extra tip.  I received a couple of answers that stated if I wanted to be average I would leave nothing.  What might you think would be average and adequate for 13 days?

 

I think the true average cruiser doesn't tip above the auto gratuities. There are many cruisers on here that will boast about how much they tip. As long as you pay the auto gratuities you are meeting the average and adequate tipping level. Going above and beyond is personal preference. 

[Pinboy]

29 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

There are many cruisers on here that will boast about how much they tip.

" boast " ???

Yea right !! Just because some folks leave a few extra $$ you call that " boasting " ?

Celebrity added the Automatic Gratuities because of folks ( not inferring anyone ) not leaving  anything  --- and I agree 100% with their decision. 

Read post # 58----Ya think that's " boasting " ?????

 

[dlh015]

On 11/29/2023 at 1:35 PM, Pinboy said:

You might have noticed a post or two where I have been accused of bribing a Maitre'd from time to time...

Yeah, I was one of your accusers. (you probably remember...) I must not have 'had my coffee' that day.

I don't care how others spend their money (in general) and I later realized that I shouldn't have cared how you chose to spend it.

 

Hopefully, you will accept my apology for an unwarranted criticism of your personal preference.

 

[Pinboy]

1 minute ago, dlh015 said:

Yeah, I was one of your accusers. (you probably remember...) I must not have 'had my coffee' that day.

I don't care how others spend their money (in general) and I later realized that I shouldn't have cared how you chose to spend it.

 

Hopefully, you will accept my apology for an unwarranted criticism of your personal preference.

 

First of all-- I don't remember who accused me, and most important--- Absolutely NO apologies necessary. 

As for how anyone spends their money, I'm with you 99.9%

What does bother me are the folks that remove the Gratuities--- the Staff work so hard to please us and rely on tips as part of their salary. 

Enjoy all your future cruises.

 

 

 

[ldubs]

2 hours ago, Bead Pirate said:

We use a preprinted note that has certain requests that are important to us...

 

Among the requests - Extra Pillows, Ice X 2, Printed Daily Schedule, etc. There is also a space for a $20 bill to be stapled to the note. At the end of every 7-day period we also leave another $20, a couple of candy bars and a little gift for their child/children should they have any.

 

I figure I am very fortunate to be able to travel on cruise ships a couple of times a month and these people have chosen to be on the ship to make the money that will improve the situation of their families (who they miss very much). They do everything they can to make it a memorable experience for us cruisers.

 

BTW, I am also the guy that lays a $5 on the bar or to the server every time we order two drinks. Guess what, we never have to wait for our drinks 🙂

 

That is what we do, tip or do not tip as you see fit, and I will try and compensate for those who do not.

 

That is a nice approach.  But I have to wonder what is the little gift for the kids.  Do you think they mail them home?  

[ldubs]

2 hours ago, sanger727 said:

 

I think the true average cruiser doesn't tip above the auto gratuities. There are many cruisers on here that will boast about how much they tip. As long as you pay the auto gratuities you are meeting the average and adequate tipping level. Going above and beyond is personal preference. 

 

Based one the long line of folks presumably pulling the auto-grats, the average could be less than the daily auto gratuity.  I don't suppose anyone will really know the answer to this.