Crusing5960

22 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Crusing5960 You are right, gratuities is a hot bed for debate and controversial responses.  So lets start with the normal response. 

 

• Gratuities are personal, give what you think is right based on the experience you received.
• Give the Butler his/ tip on day one.
• Give the Butler half his/her tip on day one and the other half at the end based on service. 
• Only provide gratuity to the butler at the end of the trip and only if they did a great job. 
• No need to tip the Haven Concierge, wait staff or bartender. 
• Always tip the Haven Concierge, wait staff or bartender. 
• Never give extra to the room steward.
• Always give extra to the room steward.

 

Did you get all that.  Now for what I think you are really trying to do.  You are new, you want to prepare, you want to be fair because gratuities is so important to the crew. I will share what I do and as so many people have told me over the many years, that does not make it right.

 

• Butler:  I usually give the butler between $100 and $150 per seven day cruise.  I am not sure if you will have the same stateroom and butler for the 21 days so you might want to provide the gratuities at the beginning or end of each week.  You know your situation best.  The Butlers on NCL do not participate in the pre-paid gratuities program. 
• Haven Concierge: I usually give $50.00 to the Concierge staff per seven day cruise.  Usually at the end of the week the day before we leave.  Since you are on a 21 day cruise, you can do it three times or all at once at the end.  Some pay more, some pay less, some don't tip at all. 
• Servers and Bartenders:  If you get great service or you feel it would make your future service better, provide gratuities as it seems appropriate.  I usually tip the bartender on day one with $20.00.  I do it again a couple of time if my service is good to great. Some guest do more, less and none. Servers are if the service was outstanding.  I tend to wait to the end of the cruise to pick and choose who did the best job. 

 

I am sure other will kick in.  Hope that was helpful.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

Thank you so much! @Sthrngary

Hello, I apologize for having to ask this controversial question, but here goes…

I am about to go on a 21 day cruise and first time in the haven. I have read every page on this thread a few months ago and took many notes on tipping for Butler, Concierge, Bar, Restaurant, etc. Now I am getting my tip money ready and I can not find any of the notes on the suggestions I have read. This will be for a two person, haven cabin for 21 days. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated and extremely helpful for this subject!!

Thank you @Sthrngary for starting this topic and all your great advise. Also, thanks to all who have contributed by asking and answering questions. We have cruised NCL in the past but this will be our first time in the Haven. We are sailing on the Encore in April for 21 days! I read through all 135 pages and took notes. I feel that any question I had what I started on page one has been answered, but it is good to know this is here in case something comes up between now and April.