Auto tipping - Family of four with two small kids

[firefly333]

I believe the OP tried to equate the total tip to a percentage of the trip cost. That's not relevant... what matters is the dollar amount you pay. Different people pay different prices for different cabins, but everyone pays the same auto-tip.

 

So the OP's premise is flawed. This is a bogus thread.

 

that was exactly the point I was making earlier. You cant go by percentage, since service is part of the package you are buying, just doesnt make sense to do percentage to me. You get a lot of service for the dollar amount you spend.

[salty dingo]

This is my tip attitude: the auto-tip is the "baseline" that I expect to pay for standard service. That means service in line with my expectations. If my room is made up just once a day, or not at all, or if the bathroom towels are not replaced, that's not up to par. I would not take this out in tips right away - the first step is reporting the problem to management right away to get it corrected.

 

On the flip side, if I think someone is going above and beyond the standards service level, I am apt to hand them some cash at the end of the cruise. We did this for our room steward this past cruises. On other cruises, I did not feel the need to tip the steward, as I did not think the service was exceptional... just good as expected.

 

Also, the fact that kids are young should have no bearing on the tip amount. They eat and make messes that require service, just like everyone (you could argure MORE than the adults!) So, trying to reduce a tip for children is not good form, but I'm sure people rationalize ways to economize.

 

There are probably people who remove tips if they lose in the casino. :(

[Rosefloater]

Comments on the cards work both ways.

 

Im not really sure what you mean by this?

 

We had to ask for toilet paper, thats not being demanding.

 

A lot of people use the comment cards to write how much they loved this person or that thing. You can and should comment about any lousy service you receive and mention their name. All of the comment cards get read by the Maitre d', hotel manager, training manager (the person is in charge of employee classes i.e. 'How to recognize people'), bar manager and cruise director (basically heads of all departments).

[katiel53]

OP,

I think you have come to realize that the auto tip should remain in place for all of you. I am constantly amazed that those who either remove the tips, and say they prefer to pay in cash, or have some other excuse to be cheap, say that you are being bullied into paying the full amount.

 

If I had poor service as mentioned a few posts ago, I would have not put up with it and would have not tipped the cabin steward. We usually end up tipping extra as I ask for extra wine glasses, extra towels, extra ice etc.

 

Last cruise we had a wonderful cabin steward and great service in the dining room. We had so much attention from the head waiter, we tipped him a goodly amount. I am not saying that is what you should/have to do, but my point is that some people expect the cabin stewards, dining room staff to kiss their feet (or other part of their bodies) and they still wouldn't give them an extra tip or in some cases even what is suggested.

 

I'm sure you will do the right thing as I can see you are leaning in that direction already. The tipping process to us is just an expense for the cruise just like an excursion is. Enjoy your cruise and I'm sure your children will too.

[steveNcindy]

She gets something extra from me every night!

 

Well, there you go. :D

 

Now all you have to hope for is a female steward. :D:D

 

I don't know Mr. Pete, Divorce lawyers are pretty expensive - way more than the $10 pp per day you would save :D

[CruisefromNY]

What do you mean by that? Weird.

 

Had you read my other posts you would have seen that I said it mankes sense that everyone is getting the same food, and have the same size room, so should tip about the same. Figured out that cruise cost really has nothing to do with it. Suites and up may be different, as they receive higher end service.

 

Why say a thread is bogus? Are you always so jumpy? Dang, I'm having a hard time not getting mad at your comment. Have a nice Thanksgiving. But you'll probably tell the cook of your dinner the turkey is bogus!

Hi Brian

I just wanted to make a comment about suites. etc getting higher end service.

My experience has always been that the service was terrific regardless of what type of stateroom we booked. As for tipping, you do what you think is right. I have never removed the auto tips, just give extra to those who deserve it. And there is always someone who goes above and beyond

Enjoy your cruise.

Anna

[airhead22]

NY beat me to it, but I have never noticed a difference in service based on cabin. One of our best stewards ever was for our inside, butt hole of the ship cabin. I would never consider removing tips.

[pe4all]

Hmmm - we had our first (and probably last) suite on our August Fantasy cruise. Received the same standard of cabin service we have had on every other CCL cruise - no better, no worse. Now, maybe if we were in the Owner's Suite we would have seen a difference - but no difference between a balcony and suite - at least on that ship.

[14ersco]

We've sailed on Carnival once with our kids, and the autotips were the full amount. $10 per. When we sailed on NCL, the tips were half of that for the kids, in the same room with us, $5 per each child, each day. I thought that it was just fine either way, it's what the cruise line recommended.

I loved the kidsclubs on both cruises, the staff was wonderful, and while they do recieve salaries, it was strongly suggested at the event for parents on the last day of camp that our autotips don't include the camp carnival staff, and suggested we tip them if we care to show our appreciation. My son was thrilled to take his camp counselors an envelope with a handwritten note by him, and a tip. We tipped them $20.00, which I think was appropriate. They hung his note up on the wall of the kidsroom.

 

Half price is no more on NCL and the cost per day has gone up! It is now $12 per person; child or adult. For kids camp we tip $5 to $10 per day; depending on how much we use it on a given day. Also do the thank you card for DS to decorate & add a note along with the tip.

[firefly333]

Had you read my other posts you would have seen that I said it mankes sense that everyone is getting the same food, and have the same size room, so should tip about the same. Figured out that cruise cost really has nothing to do with it. Suites and up may be different, as they receive higher end service.

 

Carnival has this philosphy that all should be treated the same. I am kinda with you that I think suites SHOULD get a little extra to make them more attractive so folks book them more. I think they should get a little extra, but they dont, other than VIP boarding, they get on early with the platinum and handicapped folks.