Tipping when you first meet your room steward?

[Vanessa L]

I have read in several threads that people like to tip their room steward a little something when they first get onboard. This is to ensure better service. How much would you say is a good amount to give?

 

After tipping $20 up front 3 years ago we have learned to give it a couple of days. The cruise 3 years ago was on the Fascination and our steward was horrible. Had the personality of a dead elephant, we never saw him, small things like the ice bucket always being full was non-existent. Even AFTER the $20. We learned to wait a couple of days and see how the steward is going to be with us. Our steward on the Fantasy this week was WONDERFUL! Always happy, joking around with us, ice bucket always full, every request met (simple things like borrowing a hair dryer). As such, we gave him $30 on day 3 of a 7 day cruise. Our personal opinion is to wait a few days and see how it goes.

[Chacooe]

Do whatever you feel comfortable with ... after he/she leaves the diet coke (of course they won't mind) in the mini bar for you, expect to see the charge for it in addition to the 15% gratuity on your account.

 

Howard

 

They will only see the charge if they use it, not to put extras in the fridge.

 

I have to say my steward on the Pride was fantastic to me. It seemed like he knew what time the of the day I would be leaving my room since he was always there and helped me with my walker (since they do not fit through the doors, just about 1/2 inch shy of making it), he always made sure that I had some extra plastic bags in my room for medical reasons, I could just list all the extras he did for me. On the first day, I asked for some extra pillows and within 3 minutes they were there, so I went ahead and gave him $20.00 that night for everything he did for me, Well in total I have him about $80.00 by the end of the cruise and I will say it was worth every dime, that is how much he went over and above for me and I apprecated it. Everyday he would leave me a note asking if there was anything that I would need that day, some days there were and some days there wasn't and what amazed me was he did this for all of the people he took care of. There was one day when I twisted my ankle as I was leaving the room, so I knew I would have to stay off of it (thank God it was a sea day), but, my stweard would check in on me to make sure that I did not need anything (I was traveling alone) or if I would like for him to go get me something to eat. This is why I tipped him what I did.

 

When I got home, I decided to send Carnival Cruise line a letter about how much this one person did for me and how he went over and above when he really did not have to. I told them that he was one steward that really cares about his passengers.

 

So if any of you that take a cruise on the Carnival Pride and get Vincent, you will have the best steward on the ship.

[CeleBrat]

I recall reading an interesting article from Joyce, who writes the "Under The Captain's Table" articles here on Cruise Critic. She always shared secrets from the cruise industry, from having traveled as a Captain's wife for many years. In an article about tipping, found here http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=261 , she writes about the pre-tipping strategy that definitely made me think twice about doing so:

 

When to Tip

 

One strategy many Cruise Critic members recommend is to offer a partial tip to your steward and waiter at the beginning of the cruise (paying the remainder at the end). Here's a surprise: Not always is an "early" tip taken positively. Crew have confided their feelings of wonder (and a sense, sometimes, of being insulted) that when tipped early, they feel that you think they cannot do the job right without that money or that it is a "little" bribe. Their choice to show you how they genuinely work has been taken away.

 

Here's another hint. What makes a serious difference, to them, beyond receiving gratuities, is you. Your smile is going to travel more miles than your cash. Show kindness. Treating them with a ray of light, laughter and a good time will set the pattern of great service.

 

Something to think about....CeleBrat

[Pyro Tec]

Um, i cannot beat the above comment!!! i do want to re-iterate the fact you should wait a couple of days and see what they are like before tipping them....i used the towel animal he made us to leave tips! I did this 3 times, $5 each time, just as a little thank you....he was better then my last room steward, said hi and how was our day etc everytime he saw us, gave us extra wine glasses without asking, etc. and let us take everything out of the mini bar for us to use the fridge for our soda!! Attached is a picture of how it looked! :D:D

 

[Kcarp]

Here's a surprise: Not always is an "early" tip taken positively. Crew have confided their feelings of wonder (and a sense, sometimes, of being insulted) that when tipped early, they feel that you think they cannot do the job right without that money or that it is a "little" bribe. Their choice to show you how they genuinely work has been taken away.

 

I wonder how many didn't take the money because their feelings were hurt? I bet that number is very low! lol

[cruisingbajan]

Am I correct in assuming, by the comment made above, that the beds are singles when you arrive and you have to ask to have to them put together?? I would have thought as a Mr & Mrs they would put them together prior to your arrival :)

 

Thanks

My first cruise I was not married and me and my GF at the time had different last names...and our bed(s) was still a queen size. I believe as long as you are a male & female traveling together the beds will be made as one.

[Name Of The Game]

The beds were made into one when my mom and I boarded the Triumph. The steward saw us enter the room and asked if we were mother and son and said he would separate them in the evening. I guess our cruise agent failed to notify them that we weren't a married couple. :rolleyes:

[eedee]

I recall reading an interesting article from Joyce, who writes the "Under The Captain's Table" articles here on Cruise Critic. She always shared secrets from the cruise industry, from having traveled as a Captain's wife for many years. In an article about tipping, found here http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=261 , she writes about the pre-tipping strategy that definitely made me think twice about doing so:

 

When to Tip

 

One strategy many Cruise Critic members recommend is to offer a partial tip to your steward and waiter at the beginning of the cruise (paying the remainder at the end). Here's a surprise: Not always is an "early" tip taken positively. Crew have confided their feelings of wonder (and a sense, sometimes, of being insulted) that when tipped early, they feel that you think they cannot do the job right without that money or that it is a "little" bribe. Their choice to show you how they genuinely work has been taken away.

 

Here's another hint. What makes a serious difference, to them, beyond receiving gratuities, is you. Your smile is going to travel more miles than your cash. Show kindness. Treating them with a ray of light, laughter and a good time will set the pattern of great service.

 

Something to think about....CeleBrat

I wouldnt mind being insulted with a tip, and I'd prefer a tip over a smile anyday

[sam1148]

I recall reading an interesting article from Joyce, who writes the "Under The Captain's Table" articles here on Cruise Critic. She always shared secrets from the cruise industry, from having traveled as a Captain's wife for many years. In an article about tipping, found here http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=261 , she writes about the pre-tipping strategy that definitely made me think twice about doing so:

 

When to Tip

 

One strategy many Cruise Critic members recommend is to offer a partial tip to your steward and waiter at the beginning of the cruise (paying the remainder at the end). Here's a surprise: Not always is an "early" tip taken positively. Crew have confided their feelings of wonder (and a sense, sometimes, of being insulted) that when tipped early, they feel that you think they cannot do the job right without that money or that it is a "little" bribe. Their choice to show you how they genuinely work has been taken away.

 

Here's another hint. What makes a serious difference, to them, beyond receiving gratuities, is you. Your smile is going to travel more miles than your cash. Show kindness. Treating them with a ray of light, laughter and a good time will set the pattern of great service.

 

Something to think about....CeleBrat

 

I agree--in part. But things have Changed since then, and Joyce isn't one of them. In the past tipping was done at the end in little envelopes. I'm also betting her suggestions are tinged with a bit of upper class European attitude towards tipping.

 

Now with the pre-pay that tradition is gone.

 

I find it difficult to believe that any but the greenest cabin steward would be insulted by a upfront tip...but still I wouldn't tip a waiter up front.

 

I can see some old school stewards working for years on higher class European lines take that level of pride in the days before pre-paid tips also. But things have changed, mostly the passengers, who some think there's no reason to tip at all--something the past high society of cruisers would never consider. Which is why drinks on Carnival and other lines INCLUDE a tip.

 

I interact more with the steward in a cruise and with pre-paid tips many pax simply forgo any extra tip at all at the end.

[Flynlo]

I wonder how many didn't take the money because their feelings were hurt? I bet that number is very low! lol

 

Boomer Sooners! This is the year! :D

[big_duck]

Tipping ahead is pointless, it accomplishes nothing.

 

Never done it and service has always been excellent.

 

No one can prove their service was better with an up front bribe.

 

Tip well, but at the end after services are rendered.

 

On the other hand, if a Steward performs a requested special service, then a tip could be offered at that time.

[sappygirl]

I don't tip extra to ensure better service, I tip extra because they work hard for their money. I tip $20 at the begining of the cruise.

Then why do you tip $20 at the beginning???

[sappygirl]

DW and I travel as Mr. and Mrs. and the bed is always a Queen upon our arival.

Ours also.

[sappygirl]

We do not tip before hand. Have always had excellent service. We do tip extra at the end whether or not they did something extra for us. We feel they deserve it. They really work hard keeping us happy.

[CruisingNoob]

Um, i cannot beat the above comment!!! i do want to re-iterate the fact you should wait a couple of days and see what they are like before tipping them....i used the towel animal he made us to leave tips! I did this 3 times, $5 each time, just as a little thank you....he was better then my last room steward, said hi and how was our day etc everytime he saw us, gave us extra wine glasses without asking, etc. and let us take everything out of the mini bar for us to use the fridge for our soda!! Attached is a picture of how it looked! :D:D

 

 

 

That is SOOOO cute! What a great idea!!

 

We stole an idea here from CC. We would wrap up a mini candy bar with a dollar every night, sometimes $2. Our last night, we wrapped two candy bars, each with $3, plus DH gave our steward $10. He was amazing. We never had to ask for anything, other than day 1 to empty the mini bar for our soda & water. He kept our ice bucket filled, gave us clean towels continuously (even when we didn't put them on the floor), was friendly & gracious each & every time we saw him, etc etc etc.

[Kcarp]

Then why do you tip $20 at the beginning???

Because we spend a good bit of time in our cabin/balcony and request our ice chest full all the time, plus clean wine glasses.

[TammieLand]

My first cruise is in 12 days! Yeah -

 

As such, I've been haunting these boards since we booked our cruise and I have found the issue of tipping to be quite the "thread starter".

 

I'm in the entertainment business and I can tell you - when someone comes in and tips me upfront - I'm going to make sure they have a good time. Before you get the wrong idea :o, I'm not a stripper - I'm a singer! I'll sing and play whatever they want.

 

I would have done that anyway; however, it is added incentive. Doesn't insult me in the least!

 

Just my two cents....:)

[tef43]

Let's say you are going out to a restaurant.

 

You are seated and the waitstaff comes to take your order.

 

Do you tip them anything at that moment?

 

Didn't think so.

 

So why would you embrace such a practice on the ship? :confused:

[MrPete]

I have read in several threads that people like to tip their room steward a little something when they first get onboard. This is to ensure better service. How much would you say is a good amount to give?

 

This is considered nothing more than a bribe, and has also been posted that it is insulting.

 

Tip ON service, not EXPECTED service.

[Kurbanfan]

I wonder how many didn't take the money because their feelings were hurt? I bet that number is very low! lol

 

LMAO!!! I would wager it is pretty much near zero;)

But I'm sure someone will come back and post a story:p

[MrPete]

I'm reading this, wondering how many of these "pre tippers/bribers", that work, would actually do a better job if their boss paid them at the BEGINNING of their work week.

 

Yeah, right. :rolleyes:

[cruiser1465]

I tip upfront for good reason.

 

I tend to cruise solo and therefore my room steward's autotip is cut in half for my cabin. I always hand him a $20 with the excuse, "let me give this to you now in case I lose all of my money in the casino." This way his anticipated tip for my cabin is what it should be and I have garnered a little good will to be used during my cruise without insulting him. I also leave him a tip at the end (sometimes another $10, sometimes another $20, depends on my total net worth by the end of the cruise and because I have already given him his core extra tip).

 

For a room steward, my thinking is that I might as well reap the benefit of the extra tip.

 

I am not picky and usually have only one request of my room steward. I will ask him to leave my towel animals and allow them to accumulate throughout the cruise. I explain that I am trying to create a towel zoo and need to keep my animals all together!!:p

 

Plus, I tend to "tidy up" a bit before leaving my cabin for the day.

[Kurbanfan]

I'm reading this, wondering how many of these "pre tippers/bribers", that work, would actually do a better job if their boss paid them at the BEGINNING of their work week.

 

Yeah, right. :rolleyes:

 

 

Cruise passengers are not the crew members employers;) I'd be willing to bet that the cruiselines offer incentives/bribes to their employee's all the time..........

[MrPete]

Cruise passengers are not the crew members employers

 

Does it matter? Cash up front is cash up front.

[joebat1]

Tipping ahead is pointless, it accomplishes nothing.

 

No one can prove their service was better with an up front bribe.

 

On the other hand, if a Steward performs a requested special service, then a tip could be offered at that time.

 

Welllll.. I am willing to bet the nice tip of a gift up front was the ONLY reason I received 30 past guest pins(also an additional $10.00 each of the 3 days he/she left the puns)~~!!~~