Gratuities for Concierge ?

[struther1]

Hi all, we are in a suite for the first time on 2/22 and have access to concierge service on Explorer and I was wondering if you all could give me some guidelines on when and how much to tip for this service? Should you tip at the end of the cruise? I know the amount may depend on what you use the service for but any advice would be appreciated. I already sent an Email to Ricardo and he has my ice show tickets and was very nice in asking if there was anything he could do for us before we arrive.

[marci22]

Amounts vary widely: some people will insist on $100 minimum, but I think that most people give nothing. I have no facts; it's pure speculation.

 

$25-$50 seems reasonable if you get ice show tickets and have a couple drinks each night, but I am sure that any amount is always appreciated.

 

Tipping at the end of the cruise is fine.

[jst]

The reason they have now included the Concierge on the gratuities sheet you will receive on board, is that they have cut their pay due to anticipated income they receive from passengers. We have heard from more than one, that some people who use the lounge etc., including the special services they will give if requested are not aware of this, and therefore do not tip at the end of the week assuming that this is a salaried position.

RCCL is losing some Concierges due to the fact their overall compensation is now lower.

On our last cruise we received two sheets for gratuities, one from the Concierge, and one from the Guest Services (a generic sheet). People who are not aware of the new rules for Concierges, might just use the generic gratuities sheet thinking it was covered.

They also don't seem to have everything sorted out yet either, as we did not receive the voucher for the Concierge along with the others, and when we asked at the Purser's desk there was some confusion as to how they were handling it.

Low and behold late on Saturday (luckily before dinner) they delivered the voucher to our cabin:)

[massfriends]

Last week on Explorer we got one sheet for gratuities. There was a space for the concierge that explained why it was there and it was at your discretion. There is no customary amount like for traditional Guess services. You DO have to fill in the $$ amount if you wish to have it billed to your Seapass account.

 

We prefer to give cash to the Concierge & Bar server's in the CL.....:)

[struther1]

Thanks for the information. I appreciate your help.

[tocanada]

On my Radiance cruise of Feb 1, we were given a gratuity sheet on which one could include an amount for the Concierge. However, I was told that if you include an amount, they do not provide a voucher (as they do for the Cabin and Dining Crew). When the cruise is over, apparently the concierge is given photocopies of our sheets and then receives the total amount due.

I prefer to give an envelope to the Concierge and personally offer my thanks. I withdrew some of my OBC at the Casino (and paid the 3%) and then gave the cash to the Concierge.

 

The amount to tip is a difficult one. On my Voyager cruise, there were 500 Diamond members so even at $20 each, that amounts to $10,000.

 

If anyone has some guidelines on how much to tip, I would much appreciate it. Also does anyone really know if their salary was reduced and by how much.

 

andrew

[marci22]

 

The amount to tip is a difficult one. On my Voyager cruise, there were 500 Diamond members so even at $20 each, that amounts to $10,000.

 

If anyone has some guidelines on how much to tip, I would much appreciate it. Also does anyone really know if their salary was reduced and by how much.

 

andrew

 

Tipping is never 'one size fits all'. If I had to come up with a 'formula', I would say that one should figure their CL 'bar bill', and tip 15% based on that. So if you and your partner are drinking two drinks each, each night, that is approx. a $20 retail value, so it would be worth a $3 tip per night. Times 7, that would be about $21, and if you use other services, add accordingly.

 

I have seen some cruisers monopolize the concierge without regard to others; I hope they are paying for this privilege.

 

Also, if the concierge has an assistant, I would divide the tip between the two of them, proportionally.

 

PS there is no way that all those 500 diamond members were tipping even $20 for the week. As I have said before, if the concierges were making that kind of money, Goldstein and Fain would trade their aggravation for running the lounge.

[Lynnees]

I don't give a gratuity unless the concierge does something for me. Drinks are normally poured by the bartender therefore we give a gratuity to him/her.

 

Once or twice a concierge has done something besides say hello but that's it.

[Cruising89143]

I don't give a gratuity unless the concierge does something for me. Drinks are normally poured by the bartender therefore we give a gratuity to him/her.

 

Once or twice a concierge has done something besides say hello but that's it.

 

I agree with the above and on the Freedom in November, you gained entrance to the ice show by showing your CL key. No tickets were required which is one less thing for the concierge to do.

[shelby_36]

We gave a small tip on our first cruise with a suite b/c he did very little. The second time we never used his service because we were so disappointed the first time. So we left no tip the second time.

 

We also did not leave a tip for the head waiter. We were generous with the waiters and the room stewards. I don't believe a blanket tip for all is fair. It leaves no motivation for good service.

[cruisePRN]

I have not tipped the concierge.

[cruiserbryce]

a tip at the conclusion of the cruise seems appropriate. I would thing $20-30 would be sufficient, but it really depends on how much you utilize the service

[cruzincurt]

I have not tipped the concierge.

Ditto, I've never had to use his/her services.

[sisocialworker]

Hi all, we are in a suite for the first time on 2/22 and have access to concierge service on Explorer and I was wondering if you all could give me some guidelines on when and how much to tip for this service? Should you tip at the end of the cruise? I know the amount may depend on what you use the service for but any advice would be appreciated. I already sent an Email to Ricardo and he has my ice show tickets and was very nice in asking if there was anything he could do for us before we arrive.

 

my DW is from Huber Heights....say hi to ricardo for us..he was great when we were on ExOS during christmas.....depending on what he does for you...20-25 is fine.....if you use the CL he is also ensuring it is stocked with food and drinks

have a great time and say hi to him

[struther1]

my DW is from Huber Heights....say hi to ricardo for us..he was great when we were on ExOS during christmas.....depending on what he does for you...20-25 is fine.....if you use the CL he is also ensuring it is stocked with food and drinks

have a great time and say hi to him

We certainly will say hi to Ricardo and to Huber Heights. Thanks for your help. :)

[marci22]

I don't give a gratuity unless the concierge does something for me. Drinks are normally poured by the bartender therefore we give a gratuity to him/her.

 

Once or twice a concierge has done something besides say hello but that's it.

 

I have had both: the concierge making drinks for us, and the assistant: that is why I may choose to divide the tip at the end of the week. There have been times when only the concierge made our drinks.

 

If I did not use the lounge at all, I would not tip, but we usually have drinks in the evening each night and maybe 2 breakfasts. We have also gotten priority tender tickets when we needed them, and obtained general information from the concierge, which I think warrants a tip.

[Lynnees]

I have had both: the concierge making drinks for us, and the assistant: that is why I may choose to divide the tip at the end of the week. There have been times when only the concierge made our drinks.

 

If I did not use the lounge at all, I would not tip, but we usually have drinks in the evening each night and maybe 2 breakfasts. We have also gotten priority tender tickets when we needed them, and obtained general information from the concierge, which I think warrants a tip.

 

We've never had ther concierge make drinks for us only the bartender. We also do not go there for breakfast preferring room service. We've never asked for pirority tender tickets and I won't give a gratuity for general information. I can get that at the front desk.

[jeannejj]

I do tend to use the Lounge for drinks at night. I also get my ice tickets from the Concierge. I usually tip $20/Concierge and at least $20/bartender, sometimes more, depending on extra service.

 

I have always had great service. :p

 

The tip is really a small amount for the service rendered.

[cruisePRN]

We've never had ther concierge make drinks for us only the bartender. We also do not go there for breakfast preferring room service. We've never asked for pirority tender tickets and I won't give a gratuity for general information. I can get that at the front desk.

 

I agree with you. Some people like to run around handing out tips to anyone who so much as says good morning to them. I think it makes them feel important :D

[marci22]

OP some people will not tip 'til hell freezes over; they'll find any excuse to justify why they in particular, do not require any employee to expend any effort on them (I think it makes them feel important). They think things just miraculously appear for their enjoyment and vanish, all cleaned up, once they have left the premises.

 

In the end, everyone should tip what they feel is right.

[awatt]

I agree with you. Some people like to run around handing out tips to anyone who so much as says good morning to them. I think it makes them feel important :D

 

Or theyare just plain ignorant, like us! On Freedom we did not use the services of teh conceirge, nor did we use the lounge. But DH tipped $50 anyway thinking that was what you are supposed to do, tip him for being available.

[struther1]

OP some people will not tip 'til hell freezes over; they'll find any excuse to justify why they in particular, do not require any employee to expend any effort on them (I think it makes them feel important). They think things just miraculously appear for their enjoyment and vanish, all cleaned up, once they have left the premises.

 

In the end, everyone should tip what they feel is right.

I am the OP and all the answers to my question indicate exactly what you say here. Since I had never had access to the service, this being our first time in a suite, I had no idea, but all of you have been very helpful in my figuring out what to do. Thanks to all for your help. After this cruise we will be Diamond so I think we will have access from now on. Thanks again.

[robmharper]

Does anybody happen to know if there is an age minimum in the concierge lounge? I somewhat expect it to be similar to the specialty restaurant rule but want to be sure. We have a baby that we would like keep by our side but still be able to 'stop by' the lounge and grab a quick bite if he is sleeping in his stroller. of course, out of respect, we not do so if he was awake.

 

Thanks!

 

Rob

[cruzincurt]

Or theyare just plain ignorant, like us! On Freedom we did not use the services of teh conceirge, nor did we use the lounge. But DH tipped $50 anyway thinking that was what you are supposed to do, tip him for being available.

 

What about the ship's doctor? He's available as well.:confused:

 

In 25 cruises, I have never had the need for a concierge, I'm quite capable of picking up the phone and making a reservation all by myself.

[mjyanne]

Does anybody happen to know if there is an age minimum in the concierge lounge? I somewhat expect it to be similar to the specialty restaurant rule but want to be sure. We have a baby that we would like keep by our side but still be able to 'stop by' the lounge and grab a quick bite if he is sleeping in his stroller. of course, out of respect, we not do so if he was awake.

 

Thanks!

 

Rob

 

Over 18 between the hours of 5 - 8 PM (due to the fact alcohol is served). At all other times as long as children are accompanied by the parent/adult then can be in there.