Question I cannot answer Re Tips

[GEORGET]

HELP

 

I have been asked this Question regarding Dinning room staff, by a new cruiser to RCCL.

 

QUESTION

 

We will not be using the main dinning room but will be using Chops, Portofinos, Windjammers, and Johnny Rockets.

If I tell the Maitre D on arrival my family will not be using the MDR why should I still have to tip the dinning room waiters who i will not see or meet?

 

This person does tip and the Grats are included in the specialist diners, now as the tips are not pooled why should he?

 

If he did not tip the MDR this would save his family $200 dollars+

 

As i have said he tips so others will recieve it, but say others passengers didn't.

 

Also On my recent cruise the tip box for the Windjammers was not there.

 

IMHO I think that the Service Charge (tips/grats) should be included in the cabin price and shared among all the staff. Then any extra they are given they can keep without informing RCCL

Does he tip them or not? and if so why?

[marci22]

That's a hard question to answer. Some people would say tip the MDR staff anyway and consider yourself covered. Since your friend probably won't do that, I would suggest tipping the people in WJ who service their table when they eat dinner there. If there was no tip box, I would give them the money directly.

 

As to your comment about other passengers not tipping, yes, that is true, but I wouldn't use that as a guideline.

[madforcruising]

Thi will again, like all tipping threads bring out all the different opinions about tipping. So I´ll give mine as well which is based on my knowledge of the tipping system onboard.

 

The recommended tips are the major part of the crews monthly payment. The waiters rotate between Dining room and Windjammer, The system is et up in a way that while they are stationed in the Windjammer they will not receive tips from the recommended list, but the other weeks in the MDR compensate for that. So to keep the system running IMO everybody should at least tip the recommended amounts, regardless if using the MDR or not. Of course tips above and beyond for great service are always in order. If you Now when people start skipping MDR tips and give their servers in the WJ the tips it screws the system, as some in the MDR get stiffed and some in the WJ receive sort of "double tips", because the MDR waiter not getting a tip might not get an additional tip during his WJ time, while the guy tipped in the WJ might still get the full tip during his MDR time.

 

I´m not saying this is the best system and I know many will disagree with me and that´s fine.

[petesweet]

Sorry - my response did not fit the situation since we did not eat in the specialty restaurants. (Too bad - I spent a lot of time writing it out!!!)

[marci22]

So to keep the system running IMO everybody should at least tip the recommended amounts, regardless if using the MDR or not. Of course tips above and beyond for great service are always in order. If you Now when people start skipping MDR tips and give their servers in the WJ the tips it screws the system, as some in the MDR get stiffed and some in the WJ receive sort of "double tips", because the MDR waiter not getting a tip might not get an additional tip during his WJ time, while the guy tipped in the WJ might still get the full tip during his MDR time.

 

 

And I totally agree, but based on the phrasing of the question, and the fact that the poster is from UK, I modified my answer.

[madforcruising]

That is a difficult question, and I understand the reason for asking. We had the same situation on the second leg of our B2B. The first leg, we enjoyed the MDR experience (as we always do), but we decided on the second leg to go strictly to the Windjammer for dinner. For breakfast and lunch, however, we went to the MDR. What to do with our tips?

 

We definitely wanted to tip! In fact, we prepaid our tips, but we didn't know who should get the voucher. I asked this question here on CC and got many kind answers, but none of them seemed to fit our situation. I asked the maitre d', and his response did not seem workable. (Don't remember what it was.) No tip jar in the Windjammer either.

 

Do what we did was probably not the fairest thing, but it's what we did. Our previous table (first leg of our B2B) had a great wait staff. We had checked back with our servers on the second leg just to say hello, and we saw what WE THOUGHT (we could have been wrong) was a nontipping group, so we gave our vouchers to them.

 

Probably not the right thing to do. Who knows? But since we used the MDR for breakfast and lunch most days, we knew that would be fair to the servers there. As far as the Windjammer, we never experienced much service. We usually had to get up to get our own drinks, etc.

 

While I don't wish tips were added to the cost of the cruise, I would be VERY PLEASED if RCI did like NCL and added a daily service charge. Some on RCI have stated this preference as well, and some on NCL wish it was not like that. Can't please everyone.

 

And, of course, your friends' situation is very different because they dine in the specialty restaurants and tip there, but we never go to the specialty restaurants.

 

I know this doesn't answer your question. Sorry. Just sharing my confusion.:confused:

 

Kathy

 

By the way, here's a link to the thread I started on dealing with this subject: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=885191&highlight=tips We ended up not doing the MTD after all, and that complicated the situation.

 

 

As far as I understand the prepaid tipping syste, and the vouchers, you don´t have to give them to anybody. They are just a gesture and no more worth for the crew than the paper they are printed on. The prepaid tips are going to your assigned servers, not to those that have the voucher in hand and they don´t need the vouchers to get the money. So your servers from the first week couldn´t claim those tips at all even with the vouchers, unless ythey were your assigned waiters for the second leg as well.

[wraithe]

IMO, which is based on having my head waiter, waiter and assistant waiter serving me at breakfast and lunch while in the Windjammer, I would add the tip whether I used the MDR or not. I can't imagine not going to the MDR, but if I didn't, I'd still add in the tips.

[phoenix1181]

I was under the impression that one of the benefits to pre-paying tips is that you don't need to chase down staff to give them an envelope? Unless you've added cash, that is. Doesn't the cruise line automatically credit your assigned dining staff or cabin steward?

[madforcruising]

I was under the impression that one of the benefits to pre-paying tips is that you don't need to chase down staff to give them an envelope? Unless you've added cash, that is. Doesn't the cruise line automatically credit your assigned dining staff or cabin steward?

 

 

Exactly my understanding.

[petesweet]

I see madforcruising copied my deleted post before I deleted it. You're fast on the draw, MFC!

So my situation was different, because we added the My Time Dining in the mix (which we didn't use anyway). And their tip situation is different because they pool the tips. I had forgotten that part until I reread the original post. Great confusion.:confused:

But I definitely agree that OP's friends should tip the suggested daily amount, no matter how they get rid of the vouchers.

Good responses here.

Kathy

P.S. Oh, and they should release their MDR assigned table if they do not plan to use it. That's just a courtesy.

[marci22]

This person does tip and the Grats are included in the specialist diners, now as the tips are not pooled why should he?

 

If he did not tip the MDR this would save his family $200 dollars+

 

As i have said he tips so others will recieve it, but say others passengers didn't.

 

These three statements lead me to believe that the poster's friend is probably not going to tip the MDR staff, since he is not really 'using' them during his cruise.

 

In this case, for everyone to say 'pay your MDR staff even if you do not use them' is not going to make any sense to him. Therefore, I gave my modified response.

 

The fact is, tipping, as Royal Caribbean describes it, is completely optional unless you use MTD. Therefore, people have the right to tip as they see fit. I know that many posters want to make sure the waiters get their due, but the way it is conveyed may actually end up costing the waiters some tips.

 

I can see where it would not make any sense to some cruisers to tip for services they are not using, so other views & advice may do some good, even if it is not what I personally would do myself.

[GEORGET]

RE OPENING THREAD

 

Please note he is NOT pre paying his gratuities.

 

it has been mentioned to pay the dinning staff he wont see, but then he does not have to tip the ones who serve him. That going to be hard to explain.

[madforcruising]

These three statements lead me to believe that the poster's friend is probably not going to tip the MDR staff, since he is not really 'using' them during his cruise.

 

In this case, for everyone to say 'pay your MDR staff even if you do not use them' is not going to make any sense to him. Therefore, I gave my modified response.

 

The fact is, tipping, as Royal Caribbean describes it, is completely optional unless you use MTD. Therefore, people have the right to tip as they see fit. I know that many posters want to make sure the waiters get their due, but the way it is conveyed may actually end up costing the waiters some tips.

 

I can see where it would not make any sense to some cruisers to tip for services they are not using, so other views & advice may do some good, even if it is not what I personally would do myself.

 

I can see your point, however the question by the OP was why should the MDR servers been tipped even though not used and I gave my answer / opinion to this question. To me the fact the SR are used on some nights as well does not make a difference to me, but that´s again my opinion and as I stated in my first post many people will differ.

[madforcruising]

I see madforcruising copied my deleted post before I deleted it. You're fast on the draw, MFC!

 

 

Sorry, too late to edit out for me:o

[Suebee]

I was under the impression that one of the benefits to pre-paying tips is that you don't need to chase down staff to give them an envelope? Unless you've added cash, that is. Doesn't the cruise line automatically credit your assigned dining staff or cabin steward?

 

We just got off Vision of the Seas and on the last day we got our top vouchers which were already printed with our names and the person the tip went to. We also got 4 envelopes to place the vouchers in and hand them to the appropriate people at our last dinner. Another choice was to drop all of the envelopes off at Guest Services with your comment cards. We handed our envelopes to our waiter and asst waiter, left our stewards in our room and dropped the Head Waiters off at Guest Services since he didnt bother to appear at our table for any reason. So to answer your response, yes you get the envelopes still but you do not have to chase people down if you dont want to. As for what happens if the vouchers get tossed or lost, no idea.

[Sue L]

RE OPENING THREAD

 

Please note he is NOT pre paying his gratuities.

 

it has been mentioned to pay the dinning staff he wont see, but then he does not have to tip the ones who serve him. That going to be hard to explain.

 

 

didn't read every response so forgive me if this was mentioned before. The MDR staff also works in the Windjammer and other locations all over the ship. Are they planning to eat breakfast and lunch, then yes they are being waited on by the DR staff and they should be tipped.

[Debde]

To the OP

You will get so many opinions on what do do-the good thing about that, is, you can choose the senario that you feel works best for you.

 

Being you are never in the MDR-I would not give my tips to them at the end of the cruise.

 

At dinner-I would make sure all of my servers recieve a tip. If that means bringing cash with me-I'm OK with that.

 

Some cruiser do not eat every breakfast and lunch in the WJ. Some may use room service-some may use the CL [if they have use of it],others may be out on excursions for lunch, and some may grab a plate-go back to their room and enjoy a meal on the balcony [if they have one]. Room service-you would tip-the Concierge-should recieve a tip. You're covered.

I-personally then-if was sitting, eating and being served by the WJ staff-be it morning or afternoon or evening-would again-bring some cash to say thanks for serving me. My system, then again, works for me, not all! :)

 

Question:

I have read some folks talk about a WJ tip bowl or whatever you call it. Only been on 3 cruises and have never seen one. This is a great idea! This should be fleetwide if not. Does anyone know where it is placed if one is available?? This is a great idea for folks who do not use the MDR often. Being RCCL is offering so many other dining options now-The MDR may not be used all that much now-prior to the multiple other dining options!

[138east]

I try and look at the big picture. It's simply not the usual system in the US where you tip 15-20% of the food bill each time you eat out and give that money directly to your server. The cruise is a pooled effort. Cruisers put their money into a tip pool and the wait staff gets their money from the tip pool. Not as personal as many people might like, but the alternative is having to worry about tip money every time you get food service - something most cruisers don't want to do. The cruise line says the tips are for your waiter and asst. waiter (that is supposed to make it more personal), but I look at the big picture and consider these tips to be for ALL the wait service (except bar and room service) that I receive on the cruise.

 

If you are tipping wait staff $6/day, then the value of your day's food is $40 at a rate of 15% and only $33 at a rate of 18%. Where can you go on vacation and buy 3+ nice meals/day for $33-$40/pp and $6 in tips?

[marci22]

RE OPENING THREAD

 

Please note he is NOT pre paying his gratuities.

 

it has been mentioned to pay the dinning staff he wont see, but then he does not have to tip the ones who serve him. That going to be hard to explain.

 

And that is exactly why I gave the answers I did, if you re-read all of my posts.

 

The 'correct' thing to do is to tip your MDR staff regardless, because they are serving you in other places such as WJ for breakfast and lunch.

 

Since I know that many people do not understand or agree with this concept, I recommended that he tip his WJ staff personally when he uses the WJ, as his gratuity is part of the payment for the SR's, including JR's.

 

I hope you are able to explain this in a way to him that helps him understand, and at least partially rewards the people who are serving him.

[ehfl]

Oh no....not someone trying to get out of tipping again. The staff rotates between the MDR, Windjammer and other restaurants. That means, that sometimes they get tips...sometimes they don't.

 

When you tip in the MDR....that has to cover the staff through their next rotation into other venues where they may not receive tips.

 

When you cheat them out of their MDR tips, they lose about 95% of their income....meaning they then have to work the Windjammer and other places basically for free.

 

These are hard working people, who are trying to make a little money for their families back home. Tips are nothing for us, but they really mean a lot to them. I just can't imagine spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a cruise, and then whining about spending a few dollars to support the staff that helps us have such a wonderful vacation.

[cruisinmom1]

We prepaid our tips due to MTD- and it worked fine because we didn't have the same waiter each evening. We also tipped extra $5/pp at Portofino's and Chops. Also, we tipped our cabin stewart $20 extra per cabin- he said that you don't need to give him the voucher-he already gets credit for our prepaid tips.

[crusinmama06]

Our MDR Assistant Waiter on Freedom waited on us every morning in the Windjammer.

 

So unless he plans on skipping breakfast and lunch, then leave the dining tips on.

 

And can I ask, you say the dining tips are $200 for his family? Just curious, how many are in his family? How many days? It seems like he is counting all of the tips, not just the dining.

[GEORGET]

Oh no....not someone trying to get out of tipping again. The staff rotates between the MDR, Windjammer and other restaurants. That means, that sometimes they get tips...sometimes they don't.

 

When you tip in the MDR....that has to cover the staff through their next rotation into other venues where they may not receive tips.

 

When you cheat them out of their MDR tips, they lose about 95% of their income....meaning they then have to work the Windjammer and other places basically for free.

 

These are hard working people, who are trying to make a little money for their families back home. Tips are nothing for us, but they really mean a lot to them. I just can't imagine spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a cruise, and then whining about spending a few dollars to support the staff that helps us have such a wonderful vacation.

 

I take exception to your comment

He is Not trying to get out of tipping and knowing him will give far more than the $200+ expected. He is used to ships that include tips in the price and then gives more for good service.

If the tips were pooled then there would be no problem but they are not on RCCL.

I personnally pre pay my tips and use the MDR he wont . Hence the opening question.

[GEORGET]

QUOTE=crusinmama06;20634135]Our MDR Assistant Waiter on Freedom waited on us every morning in the Windjammer.

 

So unless he plans on skipping breakfast and lunch, then leave the dining tips on.

 

And can I ask, you say the dining tips are $200 for his family? Just curious, how many are in his family? How many days? It seems like he is counting all of the tips, not just the dining.

 

Family of four 14 day cruise. His children do not want to dine in the MDR.

will mention that the staff rotate though, something i never thought of as we always have MTD.

If all the tips were pooled it would make this question easy to answer.

[PrincesScuba]

QUOTE=crusinmama06;20634135]Our MDR Assistant Waiter on Freedom waited on us every morning in the Windjammer.

 

So unless he plans on skipping breakfast and lunch, then leave the dining tips on.

 

And can I ask, you say the dining tips are $200 for his family? Just curious, how many are in his family? How many days? It seems like he is counting all of the tips, not just the dining.

 

Family of four 14 day cruise. His children do not want to dine in the MDR.

will mention that the staff rotate though, something i never thought of as we always have MTD.

If all the tips were pooled it would make this question easy to answer.

 

George, the explanation given by madforcruising is the correct one.

 

Everyone eats on the ship, somewhere. Royal Caribbean has devised their system for ensuring that each server gets a fair share of passengers' gratuities. *We* might not have invented the same system, but the workers are apparently content and believe that each one gets a fair amount from it.

 

That is why people are telling you to just tip the people as suggested: $9.75 per person per day, regardless of age of the passenger or where they eat on board. That covers the cabin steward, waiter, assistant waiter and head waiter.

 

That is why "$200 for the cruise" does not begin to meet the minimum suggested guidelines for four people for fourteen nights, even for just the dining room staff, ignoring the cabin steward.

 

That would be $3.50 + $2.00 + .75 = $6.25 x 4 x 14 = $350.