ho-hum

45 minutes ago, UUNetBill said:

Like I said, knock yourself out.

 

Oh, and thank you for your reply.  🙂

 

No problem, you deserved it.

On 4/8/2024 at 4:35 PM, UUNetBill said:

I don't often jump into the tipping discussions (we don't on Regent) but with the prevalence of tip culture in the US I just wanted to agree with pcardad's suggestion to donate to the crew fund. Although we always tip off the ship, I believe that if Regent says no tipping is necessary, then by God no tipping is necessary.  Pre-tipping?  Hell no - not for me.

 

Over the last 15 years of cruising on Regent we've spoken with many of the crew members and officers and I agree that the best things you can do are to mention exemplary crew members by name in the surveys (difficult sometimes as there are just so many who are just so darn good), donate to the crew fund if the mood strikes you, and most importantly - treat the crew like human beings!  I've seen too many people be either dismissive or outright hostile to crew, and I find that behavior abhorrent.  I think that being a good person to the crew is a better way to get good service than 'pre-tipping'.  But that's just me.

 

But you know, these cruises are not inexpensive.  It's easy to spend tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for a few weeks or months of relaxation.  So if you want to toss around a few hundred more here or there, knock yourself out.  Doesn't affect me at all.  🙂

 

Glad you’re in-affected. I will carry on tipping then AND write Thankyou notes (you didn’t mention that in your out-pouring)

2 hours ago, d9704011 said:

Why not just give them more money?

You wouldn’t understand 

2 hours ago, Host Dan said:

Not at all!  Sleeping under the stars.  Was able to nab the bed in the front of the ship. Really spectacular!

You didn’t say at night originally .…… geddit now

Oh I see….

1 hour ago, Jim Avery said:

Yours is always available Mr. Hum.🍸

Hum knows a man

"Balinese bed reservations" ?  You're kidding right ?

Hum still on the run from Sheriff Dan who brought Seadream Yacht Club to its knees….

Tell Hum all about Grandeur.

Great to hear from you 

Well I don’t know if y’all remember 

but it was Ho-hum who began this post 

and I am coming to the end of my “virgin” voyage 

BTW it has been wonderful …… if you are interested (of course you are or should be)

the top three things about the voyage have been 

1. crew

2. crew

3. crew

so tipping 

I am giving THANKYOU NOTES: 8 in total !

Tips to Butler, H/keeping & 4 wonderful servers (in various proportions).

Thankyou wonderful people for your contributions 

Goodbye

14 minutes ago, Mahogany said:

Does this card include money? 😀And I assume you include the crew member's name somewhere?

Unfortunately no money…. Hum’s person signature is generally considered of more value (yeah right……).

It is addressed to mikeenbob 

8 hours ago, mikenbob said:

A quick search of the Regent board will show hundreds (if not thousands) of comments regarding tipping (true confession, some from me). So far, after all the comments has various comments have not resolved the issue to everyone’s liking. Seems like it boils down to a personal decision. It is not against Regent policy for any of the staff members to accept a gratuity and they are certainly do not require (or suggest) that guests participate in anything beyond the fare. Some like to tip, some hate it. Some Americans tip, some don’t. Some people from other parts of the world tip, some don’t. Simple as that. If you are satisfied with this post, feel free to send a gratuity to my Venmo account! 🙂

I have it from various authorities that tipping is included….but please accept this THANKYOU CARD (whether it’s upside down or not: it’s the thought that counts)

oh that didn’t work out !,

2 hours ago, Pcardad said:

I have no desire to "cloud" the waters but I think people would be surprised at what Regent (really Apollo Management as 97% of the staff on board do not work for Regent) pays their people vs. what a customer contact person can make on a different line.

Surprise us Pcardad ….. please (always willing to learn and listen to others)

4 hours ago, Pcardad said:

If you want to have a discussion about what they are paid vs. another cruise line, let's start a new thread.

Sorry Pcardad,

I overlooked your final comment……possibly because I couldn’t understand how a comparison is possible BUT don’t let me “hold you back”.

if you wish to start a new thread along your suggestion I would be interested.

All the best 

Ho-hum

4 hours ago, Pcardad said:

I am somewhat reluctant to add a comment but it is fact so I will put it here.  For your consideration...

 

Regent does not have any policy against tipping and most departments on board have a policy (generally ignored) on how to deal with tipping (I.e.. Tips over $20 should be shared.). 

I will add that you are free to do what you want - and you should do what you feel is right. Tip if you wish but know it is not expected and already included. Please fill out the post cruise survey and name the good staff - this really does the most for them. The crew fund doesn't do what it did in the old days (Help crew in financial distress) - please ask the GM on board if you want a description of what it does. The main objection people have to tipping is that it makes those who don't tip look cheap. While this might be true, until Regent bans it (and loses half their staff), it is permissible to do so. Discretion is helpful. 

If you want to have a discussion about what they are paid vs. another cruise line, let's start a new thread.

4 hours ago, Pcardad said:

 

Your comments, advice, suggestions (and illustrious prominence as a highly respected contributor) are fully recognised and appreciated (as have all those that have participated…..bless you).

I love to at least recognise good service and would be happy to offer a modest gratuity for service beyond the usual parameters.

But there is another consideration…. which frankly outweighs the guest’s approach.

I have always been appreciative and many times humbled by a significant number of ship crew with their consideration of others.

I often wonder if the “shoe was on other foot” how would they treat service.

And to be frank, I don’t think there would be any difference between the two (us and them…terrible expression but I’m not standing for President…..so get over it).

However there are crew where a thankyou and gratuity has genuinely meant a lot AND it has not always been immediately obvious.

So, I aspire to the “higher ground” and at least try to reciprocate with those amazing crew I have met over the years.

I have also recently learned that even “pre-tipping” has a “place” if delivered in a private and modest manner (for special occasions).

Yet nothing can surpass a genuine thankyou (with or without a gratuity) and I thankyou all for your valued consideration and varied advice: each and all is respected.

11 minutes ago, ho-hum said:

Well, 

By now many of you will be thinking “what’s this guy so hung up about this for ?”

And you would be right.

BUT …… to me at least, it is important and for some odd reason I have been fixated on it.

Yea Gods !

I hear you cry.

 

But, I want to share with you wonderful, kind and tolerant people.

ONE THING

 

An article by a Cruise Critic own expert - ELLISA GARAY

 

This intelligent lady ( lays out the professional “cruisers” view and response to TIPPING.

 

”Fingers crossed” I have copied it correctly !

 

I promise it won’t lead you to a Russian scam site !

Check it out 

If it doesn’t work…..please tell me as opposed to demanding I “walk the plank”

It is such an intelligent article deserving of consideration (8 minutes of your life ! Sure you can imbibe on your favorite beverage during the perusal……how do you think I got through it !)

 

What do you think ?

 

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles/an-insiders-guide-to-tipping-on-a-cruise

1 minute ago, d9704011 said:

By golly, I wish I had seen this months ago so that I'd have known exactly what to do, why and when.

It’s a “Godsend” isn’t it ?

I can now go on Regent pretending to be a sophisticated “man of the world”  !

That will be a First !

5 minutes ago, ho-hum said:

Well, 

By now many of you will be thinking “what’s this guy so hung up about this for ?”

And you would be right.

BUT …… to me at least, it is important and for some odd reason I have been fixated on it.

Yea Gods !

I hear you cry.

 

But, I want to share with you wonderful, kind and tolerant people.

ONE THING

 

An article by a Cruise Critic own expert - ELLISA GARAY

 

This intelligent lady ( lays out the professional “cruisers” view and response to TIPPING.

 

”Fingers crossed” I have copied it correctly !

 

I promise it won’t lead you to a Russian scam site !

Check it out 

If it doesn’t work…..please tell me as opposed to demanding I “walk the plank”

It is such an intelligent article deserving of consideration (8 minutes of your life ! Sure you can imbibe on your favorite beverage during the perusal……how do you think I got through it !)

 

What do you think ?

 

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles/an-insiders-guide-to-tipping-on-a-cruise

I found this section on PRE-TIPPING particularly interesting:

”Pre-tipping can be strategic in some situations.

If you have special requests or require extra service in your cabin -- nightly ice or hosting gatherings in your room, for instance -- a well-placed tip at the beginning of the cruise can do wonders to help ensure that they help you out.

Likewise, tipping the bartender at your favorite bar on the first day can mean the perfect drink every time (and maybe even faster service when you're in a crowd).

The same goes for dining. If you're after a coveted window seat, a nice tip to the maitre d' on day one can help ensure that they never fails to have that table waiting.

Room service stewards should be tipped on the spot, as should non-cruise workers like in-port baggage handlers or tour operators on shore excursions”

So, is this expert right, wrong or do you have another viewpoint ?

please remember nobody is right (except Blondie…..my missus, who I obeyed at all times she is in earshot !)

On 3/4/2024 at 9:16 PM, ho-hum said:

It will be my first time on Regent.

I’m not American (where “tipping” is expected and I fully accept that because wages are lower: no offence intended).

So what should I do onboard ?
Thanks in appreciation of valued advice by experienced Regent guests.

Well, 

By now many of you will be thinking “what’s this guy so hung up about this for ?”

And you would be right.

BUT …… to me at least, it is important and for some odd reason I have been fixated on it.

Yea Gods !

I hear you cry.

But, I want to share with you wonderful, kind and tolerant people.

ONE THING

An article by a Cruise Critic own expert - ELLISA GARAY

This intelligent lady ( lays out the professional “cruisers” view and response to TIPPING.

”Fingers crossed” I have copied it correctly !

I promise it won’t lead you to a Russian scam site !

Check it out 

If it doesn’t work…..please tell me as opposed to demanding I “walk the plank”

It is such an intelligent article deserving of consideration (8 minutes of your life ! Sure you can imbibe on your favorite beverage during the perusal……how do you think I got through it !)

What do you think ?

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles/an-insiders-guide-to-tipping-on-a-cruise

31 minutes ago, Techno123 said:

Like many UK nationals I feel very 'uncomfortable' with the type of tipping that is the 'norm' in the US.

 

On land, I tip when service has been very good to excellent -always after the service is provided and nothing if the service isn't up to scratch - even in the US 😜. On a recent trip to Madrid the food at lunchtime was awful - the waiter took my barely touched plate away - he didn't check why I hadn't eaten it or if he could get me something else - to me that is poor service - so when he told me the tip wasn't included in the price I told him that's good because I'm not planning on leaving one 😜

 

On an all inclusive like R, S and SS I leave something for the staff fund if the overall experience has been positive. I don't tip in countries where it isn't the done thing (looking at you Australia and Japan) and I know several Aussies who get so hacked off with people from the US insisting on tipping as it's changing the accepted culture.
 

I work in our health care system - if we accepted money for providing a better service to one patient than another we would be sacked I therefore absolutely do not agree with the concept of bribing staff to provide you with better service than others - it also makes me a bit queasy seeing people 'smarming' over those people because they have flashed cash at them 🤢

Respect to you Sir.

Health care workers in the UK are thoroughly respected and appreciated (but maybe not enough by the government……but moving swiftly on !).

On the basic level whenever you have had good service just say thankyou.

From there on “lies the rub”.

By and large the advice from this wonderful board has generally aligned with my own.

I will express gratitude proportionally most often by just saying thankyou, writing thankyou cards, tipping to crew fund and significant individuals at the END of the voyage.

Who am I kiddin’ ?

I’m not a “high roller, schmoozer” who pre-tips !

Besides my wife would not speak to me……what a vacation that would be !

39 minutes ago, Gilly said:

 

Certainly doesn't.  I'm with your wife on this one and feel similarly horrified.  Smacks of buying favours.

There is a saying: "when in Rome" and hence my initial enquiry on this "thorny" matter for an un-worldly person (moi meme)

It doesn't just "smack" of buying favours ..... it is all that it could ever mean !

   .... and yet, I fully accept it WORKS too

But I dont want to live in a world like that.

Besides how does the person ever know what is genuine, authentic service ?

It devalues the role of those genuine persons who believe that hospitality really matters.

Oscar Wilde sums up the person quintessentially: "he knows the cost of everything BUT the value of nothing"

Dear Gpilon,

Nice thought.

I have done the same but only to crew I know (but never sailed with Regent before so I don’t feel so confident to do so…..well this time).

I fully concur (tipping butler and housekeeper).

Pre-tipping has its merits BUT I could never do it ……. too darn English !

I did ask a chum who used to be a butler on one of the big, posh ships for advice and he told me to give the butler a pre-tip of half the full tip (the remaining half would be given at the end….obviously) but when this was suggested to my wife she was horrified  !

It just doesn’t feel right.

Sorry Pcardad but I agreed with you completely and Gilly’s emphasis on thanking persons completely “synced” with me.

I feel confident now.

May I make an additional request ?

Do you and the wider viewers of this post have any  general TIPS for me ?
 

As I explained before,I am a “newbie” when it comes to larger vessels.

i am aware that Regent has one of the best reputations BUT to be “forearmed “…….

Dear Gilly,

Funny you mention that, I have just had made a whole "bunch" of THANKYOU CARDS: I get through so many !

I once sent a Dessert Chef a written note thanking him for his array of dishes: subsequently we did a "Kitchen Tour" and lo and behold there was my note pinned to a board !

Ever since then, I write THANKYOU CARDS: some say "compulsively" !

We are on the "same page" on that item.

....... and THANKYOU for your post Gilly.

I hope there are nice guests like you all on Regent ...... and why shouldn't there be !

PS....sorry its upside down

Appreciated eroller.

The future Regent voyage is expensive so I wondered whether tipping was expected too or would be included as you clarified

It  is also by far the largest vessel I have ever been on so I am assuming it wouldn’t feel that personal hence there would be less of a relationship to personnel and a subsequent inclination to tip.

However if I am contact regularly with personnel (say housekeeper and butler) then I would tip.

Pcardad’s suggestion of donating to the Crew Fund is an excellent and obvious suggestion and will be done assuming service is good and why wouldn’t it be (my attraction to Regent was the reputation it has).

Thankyou BBWC & especially Pcardad.

Pcardad, your points will be taken.