Tipping Question

[ClairesGranny]

My hubby and I like to buy the Fountain Fun Cards because we drink a LOT of soda. My question is when you are served these during the "shows" or in the casino, are you suppose to tip the cocktail waitress, even using these cards? I never know.....

[Kurbanfan]

When you purchase your card they automatically add 15% gratuity. So no you do not need to tip.

[SATXLady]

You don't have to tip more but you most certainly can if you want to. I suspect that if you do, the waitress at the shows will be more available than otherwise. But maybe I'm cynical.

 

The nominal 15% on the soda cards just doesn't seem like enough -- but it's up to you.

 

I usually got our diet cokes from the bar near the casino on the Ecstasy and the same Bartender was working every day during the day. I'd usually tip her $1-2 for our first soda each day and she always greeted me with a smile and asked how my Mom was doing when she wasn't with me. (Mom had a little trouble with motion sickness first day before she decided she really did need to use the patches she had.) She was always friendly and looking out for me, even if she was busy -- I never mind tipping extra when I get superb service. Not sure if my bartender would have been as friendly if I didn't tip extra but somehow, it seemed like that was her personality to be like that and it didn't seem fake or put on.

[Solo1959]

Tips are included with the Fountain card. I was always given excellent service with the card. They acted like it was their pleasure to give me a soda. They could not possibly be any nicer or more helpful.

 

Of course, at the end of the cruise, I gave extra to those people who served me and were so nice. But it was extra for exceptional service, the tip was already paid when I got the card.

[VIPBY40]

Tipping for a job well done....is well what should be done! The OP was so gracious about it....on any other thread would be like....why would I....refreshing...thanks! The auto tips are a part of the cruise....forget about those they are a cost of cruising...forgetaboutit...focus on those who please you more to give a little more....dont take away...but hey feel inclined when you get supurb service! We all make it better for those of us that are inclined to tip above and beyond for great service.....

[Kurbanfan]

Tipping for a job well done....is well what should be done! The OP was so gracious about it....on any other thread would be like....why would I....refreshing...thanks! The auto tips are a part of the cruise....forget about those they are a cost of cruising...forgetaboutit...focus on those who please you more to give a little more....dont take away...but hey feel inclined when you get supurb service! We all make it better for those of us that are inclined to tip above and beyond for great service.....

 

No... the auto tips are not part of the cruise. They are tips for service. They can be ajdusted up or down. No one should feel obligated to pay any more then the $10.00 a day. If they were part of the cruise they would be a service charge.

[NolaGuy]

No... the auto tips are not part of the cruise. They are tips for service. They can be ajdusted up or down. No one should feel obligated to pay any more then the $10.00 a day. If they were part of the cruise they would be a service charge.

 

.I gotta agree with you. TIPS are for good service. I'm sick of all these posters stating that they would NEVER remove or lower the automatic gratuities no matter what the service was like b/c those poor stewards, waiters, etc. are from 3rd world countries and send all of their money home to their families, etc. If I get poor service, I will lower the tip or remove it all together and explain why. I don't care where the steward or server is from or how many children they have starving in some godforsaken place, if they don't do a good job, they're not getting any money from me. If I wanted to tip them just because their poor, then lets just quit calling it tipping and call it charity

[Julez830]

What do other cruisers usually do on the auto tips when you have your kids with you? Will we be charged $40.00 a day per room for tips!!! Is it cheap to adjust them down??

 

I am otherwise a very generous tipper and already have my dollar bills ready to go for our cruise that is 30 days away. Again, I know it is included in the bar bill and such, but I do give extra for really good service.

 

Conquest Nov 25

[mykidsrock76]

What do other cruisers usually do on the auto tips when you have your kids with you? Will we be charged $40.00 a day per room for tips!!! Is it cheap to adjust them down??

 

I am otherwise a very generous tipper and already have my dollar bills ready to go for our cruise that is 30 days away. Again, I know it is included in the bar bill and such, but I do give extra for really good service.

 

Conquest Nov 25

 

I agree with you 100%, but you just opened a can of worms. Lowering tips is a touchy subject here. But it is your money. Personally we are going in Dec and we will adjust our tips for our kids. We're taking 3 with us and will give them tips, but not the $10 a day, unless they truly earn it. We're not eating in the main DR at all and have a real hard time tipping them. However, we will tip the buffet workers IF they do their job.

[bamakathy]

I usually left a little extra "above the $10 per day" for people who gave me exceptional service, which on the last cruise were our head waiter, our room steward, and the young waitress who went out of her way to find us and make sure we had drinks at all the shows. If I went with children, I think I would have a problem with the "$10 per day per child" thing, but would probably give an extra tip to the ones who did Camp Carnival with my children.

As for the fountain card, I did not tip extra if I walked up the bar to get a soft drink.

[petro772]

No... the auto tips are not part of the cruise. They are tips for service. They can be ajdusted up or down. No one should feel obligated to pay any more then the $10.00 a day. If they were part of the cruise they would be a service charge.

No kidding? How do you remove the 15%? You have just confused the poster's question--auto tips vs. 15% tips. They cannot be adusted up or down. ;)

[Julez830]

This is only our second cruise, but first with the kids. I don't question the auto tip and truely feel I am getting off with a better deal for my DH (don't know what that stands for, but everyone else seems to use it..hehe:rolleyes: ) and I, since I tend to over tip. However, with the two extra, that is getting up there. Thanks for your opinions!!

[Kurbanfan]

You have just confused the poster's question--

 

Seem like the only one confused is you;)

[GoinCruisin]

No kidding? How do you remove the 15%? You have just confused the poster's question--auto tips vs. 15% tips. They cannot be adusted up or down. ;)

 

 

The 15% (bar gratuity) most certainly CAN be adjusted up or down... Most wouldn't bother, but believe me, some certainly would go through great lengths to adjust the 50 cents :p

[dan40]

No kidding? How do you remove the 15%? You have just confused the poster's question--auto tips vs. 15% tips. They cannot be adusted up or down. ;)

 

You go to the Purser and ask the 15% be adjusted to any amount you wish, including zero. ALL tips are adjustable but the 15% is item by item so you cannot zero it in advance. And it might have to be done in a timely manner, not just the last day. Don't know, have never done it, just know it can be adjusted.

 

Reducing tips for kids is taking money out of third world workers pockets to help pay for a cruise. Reducing tips for poor service is the right thing to do, I've done it once in 48 cruises, reducing tips to save money is dishonorable.

 

Dan