Tipping the Butler

[retiredonthesea]

The reason we tip as service is given is so the casino won't get all our money!:D

[Len3]

We always go to the specialty restaurants and add a tip to the bill at that time. Does the Butler make up the room, etc. like a regular cabin steward? If so, why not take off a daily amount of the $10.00pp per day and add that amount to the butler directly?

[Cuizer2]

I was just on the NCL Jade in an AC Penthouse. The butler basically gets things for you. The concierge basically makes reservations for you.

 

The butler spent most the cruise asking me to make a request of him. So he ended up bring me 3 DVDs to watch, all the snack gifts I got every day and my laundry.

 

I called the concierge for dinner reservations (when I needed reservations) and when half of the lights in the cabin failed (circuit breaker I assume) and I got locked in the cabin (all this happened at the same time). So she called the electrician and the carpenter.

 

Here is a link to my review if you want to read it ...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=38933

 

The advantage is that each can make things happen behind the scene that nobody will know about, and yet magically you end up with what you requested.

 

Each should be tipped based on how much you use them. Also the tip should reflect the complexity of the request. I would tip a butler that brought me seven dinners more than I would tip the same butler who brought me seven snacks. Neither is included in the $10 per day service charge.

 

That said, guidelines on this subject are hard to come by. Usually the only post are from people bragging how they tipped their butler or concierge $100 per day and as a result got great service. Well, I did tip them both, and they both seemed very happy with my tip, but it was nowhere near the amounts many claim they tip, and I also got great service.

 

The only guidance I could find on this subject, that did not come from someone bragging how they tipped $1000 per week is from the Crystal and Celebrity websites ...

 

From Crystal: Gratuities

Because tipping is a personal matter, Crystal Cruises does not include gratuities in the cruise fares. Suggested guidelines for stateroom and dining service gratuities are as follows: stewardess, $5 per guest, per day (single travelers, $6 per day); senior waiter, $5 per guest, per day; waiter, $3 per guest, per day; butler (Penthouse Decks), $4 per guest, per day.

 

Tips for the maître d', headwaiter, assistant stewardess and night Room Service personnel are at your discretion. Gratuities may be prepaid or charged to your shipboard account.

 

From Celebrity: Gratuities

On the last night at sea, it is customary to offer gratuities to staff members you feel have given you exceptional service and personal attention. We suggest the following guidelines:

 

Staff Member Suggested Gratuity (Per Day) Assistant Chief Housekeeper $0.50 Stateroom Service $3.50 Stateroom Service (Concierge Class) $4.00 Assistant Maitre'd $1.00 Waiter $3.50 Assistant Waiter $2.00 Butler (for suites only) $3.50

 

The rates suggested above are per person.

 

Note: Bellboys are tipped as service is rendered.

[Manomet1]

We just made a trip on the Jewel in October. We too had Ruth for a concierge. FANTASTIC, but she isn't on that ship any more. My husband had his hand in his pocket all the time..but she was worth it. She even took care of getting my VAT tax back as the tax person was going to be there when we had something else planned. She made sure every day was a perfect day and did countless things for us. I can't even remember all of them. She escorted us off when we had a tight connection. She was just a really good person. We have never ever had anyone so wonderful. We mostly have cruised Celebrity in the past, but that is over. Our next trips are with Crystal and Silversea. I hope they have someone as good. I believe total we gave her over $300, but all through the cruise.

 

On the subject of butlers--we had an absolutely useless butler on the Jewel. His name was Henry, I believe. Our son was in a Penthouse suite and he had another Henry who was wonderful. What we usually do with a butler is START OFF with $100--right away, the first day, and then keep giving as he does his job. We send laundry, ask for computers in the room, etc., etc. Little stuff. For parties, a good butler is just perfect. We didn't have a party on the jewel just because we didn't have a cooperative butler. We had to beg to get the coffeemaker filled with water..we had to beg for our hors d'ouvres at 4..he insisted on bringing them after we left for dinner. However, we still ended up probably giving him $200, but that was on the low side.

 

If you want or expect good service, you need to pay. I think the pay as you go method is the best. Then they are more willing to help out.

 

 

We must have had the wonderful Henry:) He could not have done more for us. We walked on board and told him we were having 40+/- for sail away. We got back from the muster drill - entire cabin was ready, extra glasses, ice, wine decanting, snacks, etc, etc, etc. By the time we got back from dinner it was like nobody was ever there. We did tip him extra for that, but it was when he made one of his numerous trips in during the party to see if there was anything else he could do.

Will be on the Jewel TA next month and hope that we have Henry again.

[ItsBob]

Ok...after reading some of these responses, I've determined that I probablly low-balled the tip to our butler. At the time of the cruise, I allotted $10 per day for his services, since we really didn't use him too often and never asked anything extraordinary of him.

 

However, perhaps I should have paid him more. Now I'm feeling guilty.

 

Is there any way for me to send him a little extra $$ for his services, post cruise? And is there any way for me to ensure that he actually gets the additional money?

 

Stupid question, I know..... :o

[retiredonthesea]

Don't feel guilty--if you didn't use him that often I'am sure he was grateful for the amount you did give him. Besides like most posters said they maybe gave more than needed. As far as trying to send a little more to him, it's hard telling if he's on the same ship, on his time off ect. I've known people that haven't tipped at all because they did not use the Butler at all---I feel even if I didn't use him/her they where at my service and should leave a little something. IMO

 

Happy Cruising:D

Retiredonthesea

[ItsBob]

We had RUth on the Jade if it's the same Ruth mentioned above.

 

She was awesome!

[Bigdog49]

Ok...after reading some of these responses, I've determined that I probablly low-balled the tip to our butler. At the time of the cruise, I allotted $10 per day for his services, since we really didn't use him too often and never asked anything extraordinary of him.

 

However, perhaps I should have paid him more. Now I'm feeling guilty.

 

Is there any way for me to send him a little extra $$ for his services, post cruise? And is there any way for me to ensure that he actually gets the additional money?

 

Stupid question, I know..... :o

 

I think you did fine. I am sure there were many who tipped the big ZERO. :eek:

[carontori]

Itsbob,

 

I think a lot of people don't understand the tipping. We have only learned about it by reading on this website, so I'm sure you aren't the first to not leave a tip or tip less than some others. On one post they suggested $400.00 for two weeks, can you imagine if all the cabins left that amount??? That would be one really happy butler!!!! (10 cabins X $400.00= $4000.00 in tips!!!!)

[CC Help Michell]

Itsbob,

 

I think a lot of people don't understand the tipping. We have only learned about it by reading on this website, so I'm sure you aren't the first to not leave a tip or tip less than some others. On one post they suggested $400.00 for two weeks, can you imagine if all the cabins left that amount??? That would be one really happy butler!!!! (10 cabins X $400.00= $4000.00 in tips!!!!)

 

Okay, let's flip that math. $400 per cabin for a TWO WEEK cruise (if it has only 2 people -- more changes these numbers considerably) is $200 per person overall, or $100 per person per week. That's $14 per person, per day. I consider that the super high end, but if the suggested tip for "ordinary" butler use is $4 per person per day as others have posted, then perhaps for "heavy" butler usage that $14 per day isn't unreasonable as the high end of a SPECTRUM whose other end is zero?

 

On our cruise in April '09, if we fall in love with butler service and have him/her set up breakfast every day, deliver restaurant dinners every night, bring us movies, specify the snacks we want and they "magically" appear, etc -- then I don't think $14 is that extravagant, especially as there's no way every cabin tips that much (in fact, an equal number probably tip zero to $20 total, even on a 2 week cruise).

 

Here's our bottom line. We can only control what WE choose to do, and though we'll be playing it by ear, as we've never had a butler, here's where I am at this point:

 

1) We won't tip in advance -- these are service professionals who got their current jobs by being the best -- we will take as a given that they do understand that good service is expected, and will deliver it;

 

2) If all we use is ordinary services -- movies, hors d'ourves delivered, etc. we will tip $3-4 per person per day (in addition to leaving the $10 per day service charge in place)

 

3) If we just love our butler, and he/she goes the extra mile, and/or we decide to go for cabin delivery of large meals several nights, lots of extra requests, and so forth -- i.e., we become "high maintenance" ;) -- we'll increase our tip accordingly, up to $10 per person per day.

 

Tipping is personal, except that I believe that tipping nothing to anyone on a cruiseship is completely inexcusable in this day and age. If you don't want to tip, DO NOT CRUISE. It is part of the culture and infrastructure, knowledge of that fact is readily available, and if you are culturally or philosophically opposed -- bully for you -- head for your nearest beach or all inclusive... but DO NOT CRUISE.

 

Otherwise, do your best to research and get a feel for what feels right to you. The above is where I am at this point, and I'll be amazed if where I am now isn't exactly where I'll still feel comfortable at the end of our cruise.

[cp556]

We had RUth on the Jade if it's the same Ruth mentioned above.

 

She was awesome!

 

Hi Bob --

Please email me at cphillips556 at yahoo dot com ... I'd like to ask you something about Ruth ....

 

Thanks a bunch

Carol in SC

[Bigdog49]

Itsbob,

 

I think a lot of people don't understand the tipping. We have only learned about it by reading on this website, so I'm sure you aren't the first to not leave a tip or tip less than some others. On one post they suggested $400.00 for two weeks, can you imagine if all the cabins left that amount??? That would be one really happy butler!!!! (10 cabins X $400.00= $4000.00 in tips!!!!)

 

That would be great but unlikely. If you break it down it is not an unreasonable income for those that have moved to the top of the staff. 18 hours a day/7 days a week/ 7 months on 6 weeks off or 46 weeks a year of work $92,000 but only $15 /hour. Anyone want to sigh up and be gone from your family 7 months at a time. ;)

[Kingmaker_inc]

Anyone want to sigh up and be gone from your family 7 months at a time. ;)

 

I completely agree. Karan's day began at something like 5:30am and ended around 2:am the next day. He deserved every penny of the $200 we gave him for the week. Honestly, I think we probably should have given him more... and we were by no means heavy or unreasonable users of his service.

[carontori]

I wasn't implying that they don't deserve it, because they do for all the work they do, just that it would be awesome!!! There's an awful lot of other crew on those ships that work as many hours for a lot less. I wouldn't want their jobs, but I respect their work ethic.

[carontori]

Okay, let's flip that math. $400 per cabin for a TWO WEEK cruise (if it has only 2 people -- more changes these numbers considerably) is $200 per person overall, or $100 per person per week. That's $14 per person, per day. I consider that the super high end, but if the suggested tip for "ordinary" butler use is $4 per person per day as others have posted, then perhaps for "heavy" butler usage that $14 per day isn't unreasonable as the high end of a SPECTRUM whose other end is zero?

 

On our cruise in April '09, if we fall in love with butler service and have him/her set up breakfast every day, deliver restaurant dinners every night, bring us movies, specify the snacks we want and they "magically" appear, etc -- then I don't think $14 is that extravagant, especially as there's no way every cabin tips that much (in fact, an equal number probably tip zero to $20 total, even on a 2 week cruise).

 

Here's our bottom line. We can only control what WE choose to do, and though we'll be playing it by ear, as we've never had a butler, here's where I am at this point:

 

1) We won't tip in advance -- these are service professionals who got their current jobs by being the best -- we will take as a given that they do understand that good service is expected, and will deliver it;

 

2) If all we use is ordinary services -- movies, hors d'ourves delivered, etc. we will tip $3-4 per person per day (in addition to leaving the $10 per day service charge in place)

 

3) If we just love our butler, and he/she goes the extra mile, and/or we decide to go for cabin delivery of large meals several nights, lots of extra requests, and so forth -- i.e., we become "high maintenance" ;) -- we'll increase our tip accordingly, up to $10 per person per day.

 

Tipping is personal, except that I believe that tipping nothing to anyone on a cruiseship is completely inexcusable in this day and age. If you don't want to tip, DO NOT CRUISE. It is part of the culture and infrastructure, knowledge of that fact is readily available, and if you are culturally or philosophically opposed -- bully for you -- head for your nearest beach or all inclusive... but DO NOT CRUISE.

 

Otherwise, do your best to research and get a feel for what feels right to you. The above is where I am at this point, and I'll be amazed if where I am now isn't exactly where I'll still feel comfortable at the end of our cruise.

 

Michelle,

 

What you have said makes a lot of sense and I only wish someone would have explained it to me that way before my first cruise. At that time I didn't even realize that the butler wasn't included in the service charges. I do agree that the butler should be tipped in accordance to usage and your suggestions have been quite helpful. Thanks for giving me "food for thought" Caron

[xyzxyz]

From Crystal: Gratuities

.... butler (Penthouse Decks), $4 per guest, per day.

 

From Celebrity: Gratuities

.... Butler (for suites only) $3.50

 

The rates suggested above are per person.

 

 

Well that sounds more reasonable. I'm sure I've seen posts where people have said that the rate should be $20 per person per day which made my jaw drop.

 

There'll be 4 of us (children of 14 and 9) and I expect we'll be wanting the breakfast and possibly the dinner service every day - children don't like waiting to be served in the restaurants. Working on a $20 pppd formula comes to $1120!! But if we use $5pppd, then the total comes to $280. Big difference. Anyone has any suggestion as to what is reasonable? I thought I'll shell out $500 if we want breakfast and dinner in the cabin most days.

[retiredonthesea]

XYZXYZ----- I think your Butler would be most pleased with the $500.00 if you use him/her as much as you think you will. You sound like a very generous person. Have a wonderfull cruise and enjoy your penthouse.:)

 

Retiredonthesea

[CarolynB]

I was just on the NCL Jade in an AC Penthouse. The butler basically gets things for you. The concierge basically makes reservations for you.

 

The butler spent most the cruise asking me to make a request of him. So he ended up bring me 3 DVDs to watch, all the snack gifts I got every day and my laundry.

 

I called the concierge for dinner reservations (when I needed reservations) and when half of the lights in the cabin failed (circuit breaker I assume) and I got locked in the cabin (all this happened at the same time). So she called the electrician and the carpenter.

 

Here is a link to my review if you want to read it ...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=38933

 

The advantage is that each can make things happen behind the scene that nobody will know about, and yet magically you end up with what you requested.

 

Each should be tipped based on how much you use them. Also the tip should reflect the complexity of the request. I would tip a butler that brought me seven dinners more than I would tip the same butler who brought me seven snacks. Neither is included in the $10 per day service charge.

 

That said, guidelines on this subject are hard to come by. Usually the only post are from people bragging how they tipped their butler or concierge $100 per day and as a result got great service. Well, I did tip them both, and they both seemed very happy with my tip, but it was nowhere near the amounts many claim they tip, and I also got great service.

 

The only guidance I could find on this subject, that did not come from someone bragging how they tipped $1000 per week is from the Crystal and Celebrity websites ...

 

From Crystal: Gratuities

Because tipping is a personal matter, Crystal Cruises does not include gratuities in the cruise fares. Suggested guidelines for stateroom and dining service gratuities are as follows: stewardess, $5 per guest, per day (single travelers, $6 per day); senior waiter, $5 per guest, per day; waiter, $3 per guest, per day; butler (Penthouse Decks), $4 per guest, per day.

 

Tips for the maître d', headwaiter, assistant stewardess and night Room Service personnel are at your discretion. Gratuities may be prepaid or charged to your shipboard account.

 

From Celebrity: Gratuities

On the last night at sea, it is customary to offer gratuities to staff members you feel have given you exceptional service and personal attention. We suggest the following guidelines:

 

Staff Member Suggested Gratuity (Per Day) Assistant Chief Housekeeper $0.50 Stateroom Service $3.50 Stateroom Service (Concierge Class) $4.00 Assistant Maitre'd $1.00 Waiter $3.50 Assistant Waiter $2.00 Butler (for suites only) $3.50

 

The rates suggested above are per person.

 

Note: Bellboys are tipped as service is rendered.

 

When you say you used your butler for laundry, how does that work? Do you send it out by the piece and the butler gets it back to you, or does the butler do the laundry for you?

 

This will be our first Norwegian cruise and our first in an AB suite. I really don't know what all comes with a butler, except what I have read on the boards. Lots of good information here, but the laundry part is a first for me!

[retiredonthesea]

The Butler just takes it down for you and brings it back. Seems like the service is faster when you give it to him instead of your cabin steward. Also on the first day they have a pressing special--- any one item $1.00 as many items as you want pressed. I use to iron everything before the cruise and then have items wrinkled when we unpacked--now I just hand everything to the Butler as soon as he/she comes to the suite and it's back the next morning. Gotta Love it!:D

 

Retiredonthesea

[Cuizer2]

When you say you used your butler for laundry, how does that work? Do you send it out by the piece and the butler gets it back to you, or does the butler do the laundry for you?

 

This will be our first Norwegian cruise and our first in an AB suite. I really don't know what all comes with a butler, except what I have read on the boards. Lots of good information here, but the laundry part is a first for me!

When I was on the Jade there was self service laundry facilities. The Jade is in dry dock now, and the self service laundry machines are being removed. However, they were there while I was on the ship.

 

At any rate, I was going to use the self service laundry until I found the line was getting longer and longer. I was not willing to give up part of my vacation by waiting several hours to use the self service laundry just to avoid a $30 laundry bill. So, I decided to go with the ship's laundry service.

 

There is an express service and a standard service. The express service is in by 9am, out by the next day. Express service costs 50% more. Standard service is in by 9am, out two days later.

 

However, by the time I realized self service laundry was no longer an option, it was 11:00am. So either I paid an additional $15 or I would have to wait for three days. The next question was, what do I do with the laundry bag?

 

Well, as it turns out, just before I can call him, the butler is knocking at my door. I ask him about the laundry and he says he'll take care of it. He also says he'll have it back to me the following day.

 

Sure enough, he brings it back to me the following day. Had I been in a normal cabin, I would have had to pay an extra $15 and not received the laundry back for two days (because it was already after 9am). So, via the butler, I was treated as though I had actually turned in my request two hours earlier than I had and I received express service without paying the 50% express service charge.

 

Did the butler do the launder himself? I doubt it. He just knew how to get my clothes into the front of the line without my having to pay extra and even though I was two hours past the deadline.

 

Of course if you count the tip, I paid a lot more than the extra $15 express service charge would have been.

 

My butler also noticed that I had guest that day (he brought back my laundry the following afternoon, which was the day we went through the Panama Canal), so he brought some extra snacks (without my asking for it).

 

When I gave him the tip he said that he didn't do that much for me. True, but as I noted in my review, the tip also included his willingness to help, even when I didn't want or need it.

[lil buddy]

xyzxyz

I think that $500 is very, very generous and perhaps more then

necessary. I would look at more like $400 and that too is being

very generous.

Have a great time and use the butler, you can't take him home with you.

DARN!;)

[WinnieinWA]

From Frommer's:

 

quote: Among lines that don't add an automatic charge, suggested tipping amounts vary slightly with the line and its degree of luxury, from about $8 to $14 total per passenger, per day, and half that for children. As a rule of thumb, each passenger (not each couple) should expect to tip at least $3.50 per day for his or her cabin steward, $3.50 for the dining room waiter, about $2 for the assistant waiter, and sometimes 75? for the headwaiter. *****Guests staying in suites with butler service should also send $3.50 per day his way.***** Some lines suggest you tip the maitre d' about $5 per person for the week and slip another couple bucks to the chief housekeeper, but it's your choice. If you've never even met these people, don't bother. end quote.

 

I think that $3.50 pppd is way too cheap! I plan on using my butler in the OS on the Sun in August and tipping a whole lot more. :D

[LFM]

We always have taken the cruise line's suggestions into consideration, but have never let them simply add a number to our cabin bill. We always tip

directly to the person who has provided the service. Everyone has always

seemed pleased with this.

[211Flyer]

Not travelled in a Penthouse before so not sure what to tip the Butler, anyone know what the norm is? I know that NCL will charge for general tips for the crew but I assumed most people give the Butler an extra payment?

 

We recently sailed on the Jade thru the Panama Canal in a GV. My father needs a wheel chair so we ate in a lot. On excursions we needed extra help disembarking and reboarding. We tipped our butler, Ramadhen, $400. As it was a 13 night cruise, in hindsight that might have been a little low. The conceirge Ruth was very helpful and we tipped her $500. Probably about right.

[Chipster2]

We recently sailed on the Jade thru the Panama Canal in a GV. My father needs a wheel chair so we ate in a lot. On excursions we needed extra help disembarking and reboarding. We tipped our butler, Ramadhen, $400. As it was a 13 night cruise, in hindsight that might have been a little low. The conceirge Ruth was very helpful and we tipped her $500. Probably about right.

 

A bit confused here. You tipped the concierge more than the butler? The more I read about this the more confused I am getting.:confused:

 

Please take no offense. I am just attempting learn a bit here.