Tipping: Reduced when you attend Specialty Restaurants?

[MrsPete]

Remember that the tips are for serving THREE MEALS a day.

 

You're tipping your waiter $3.50 a day, so that's $1.16/meal.

You're tipping your assistant waiter $2.00 a day, so that's .66/meal.

 

I do watch my pennnies carefully. I know that the Coke card isn't a good value. I'm not going to spend money on Johnny Rocket's while the buffet is sitting there full of no charge hamburgers and hot dogs. I don't spend at the art auction or gamble in the casino. I'm careful with my money.

 

But I am not so stingy that I'd ever take $1.16 (or .66) out of the pocket of a hard working waiter. There's thrifty and then there's skinflint, and I think most people who ask this question haven't stopped to consider just how small an amount they're discussing. I don't need the $1.16 (or .66) badly enough to take it out of the pocket of some waiter.

 

Tips are low. Tips are a pittance. They are -- by far -- lower than most other cruise-related items. People who'll pay $40/day for a beach excursion will quibble over tips. People who'll run up a $500 bar tab in a week will fuss about tips. People who'll spend a couple thousand on an expensive suite will argue about tips. Before you get too caught up in it, look at the piddly amount. Just think of 'em as a service charge and pay 'em.

[MrsPete]

I dont think anyone knows for sure. They all think they do but Im not convinced.;)

Depends upon how you want to look at it.

 

They receive only a very small amount in an actual paycheck (I've seen different numbers, but I think they were all under $60-70).

 

However, they also receive housing, food, and a couple other things without cost; if you consider those as part of their compensation, the number would go much higher. I clearly remember that when I was young and just out of school my living expenses took literally every penny I had. I don't see much difference. They receive less cash, but they aren't spending it on rent.

 

But that's salary from the ship. The real question is tips:

 

If everyone just paid the auto-tips and nothing else, the wait staff would have a rather decent salary. I've seen numbers like $2500-3000/month thrown around often enough to believe them. When you consider that they don't pay taxes and (because their living expenses are covered) they could save almost every penny, that's not half bad for work that doesn't require any formal education. Don't get me wrong: They're earning every penny with hard physical labor and long hours. But the key is that their wages would be fair IF EVERYONE JUST PAID THE AUTO TIPS. All too many people try to justify going against a system that works perfectly well, and it's hurting the crew.

[marci22]

Read this interview:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1059

 

That explains it all!

 

steamboats

 

That was interesting to read.

[marci22]

Tips are low. Tips are a pittance. They are -- by far -- lower than most other cruise-related items. People who'll pay $40/day for a beach excursion will quibble over tips. People who'll run up a $500 bar tab in a week will fuss about tips. People who'll spend a couple thousand on an expensive suite will argue about tips. Before you get too caught up in it, look at the piddly amount. Just think of 'em as a service charge and pay 'em.

 

I agree. People seem to emotionalize tipping and it makes them take wildly different views on both sides. Just pay the suggested amount and you're done. If everyone did that, tipped employees' salaries would take an immediate jump and we wouldn't have 12,000 tipping threads.

[cruiserbryce]

glad you asked...the service in thos restaurants has always been great and leaving them with a partial or no tip would have been a shame

[MAZANDSTEVE]

Depends upon how you want to look at it.

 

They receive only a very small amount in an actual paycheck (I've seen different numbers, but I think they were all under $60-70).

 

However, they also receive housing, food, and a couple other things without cost; if you consider those as part of their compensation, the number would go much higher. I clearly remember that when I was young and just out of school my living expenses took literally every penny I had. I don't see much difference. They receive less cash, but they aren't spending it on rent.

 

But that's salary from the ship. The real question is tips:

 

If everyone just paid the auto-tips and nothing else, the wait staff would have a rather decent salary. I've seen numbers like $2500-3000/month thrown around often enough to believe them. When you consider that they don't pay taxes and (because their living expenses are covered) they could save almost every penny, that's not half bad for work that doesn't require any formal education. Don't get me wrong: They're earning every penny with hard physical labor and long hours. But the key is that their wages would be fair IF EVERYONE JUST PAID THE AUTO TIPS. All too many people try to justify going against a system that works perfectly well, and it's hurting the crew.

 

 

I pay my tips usually pre-pay but I am dead against tipping for salaries, yes the crew may suffer if people dont tip, but in my opinion, thats the cruislines fault for paying low wages not the customers.

From what I saw, the crew seem to be ok, while we were out shopping in one port, we saw plenty of crew shopping too and had many bags, some designer bags and one of the girls said she always go to Gucci while at this port. I dont have a problem with this at all, good for them, but I dont go with the thought that they are all struggling.

[jeffreytg]

Then maybe you can explain why in these tough economic times we don't see US citizens filling those positions. If the jobs are so good, even after taxes, it has to be better than being unemployed. You might recall that when NCL America was required to have an all-American crew, they quickly moved for a modification of that requirement because they couldn't retain enough US citizens in those service positions to meet the rule.

 

The same reason you won't see US citizens picking strawberries in Modesto, pruning vines in Napa, or washing dishes in Peoria.

[rxmurphy]

I did a little back of the envelope math. If I were eating out, three meals a day, plus staying in a hotel, my tips would be roughly (for two people):

 

Breakfast 18% of $20 = 3.60

Lunch 18% of $30=7.20

Dinner 18% of 100=18.00

Room maid = 2.00

Total 30.80 per day

 

I know the percentages and the amounts spent on meals will vary individually, but if you do this for yourself I think you will find that the suggested tipping guidelines are below what you would do outside of a cruise.

Just my $0.02

[MAZANDSTEVE]

I did a little back of the envelope math. If I were eating out, three meals a day, plus staying in a hotel, my tips would be roughly (for two people):

 

Breakfast 18% of $20 = 3.60

Lunch 18% of $30=7.20

Dinner 18% of 100=18.00

Room maid = 2.00

Total 30.80 per day

 

I know the percentages and the amounts spent on meals will vary individually, but if you do this for yourself I think you will find that the suggested tipping guidelines are below what you would do outside of a cruise.

Just my $0.02

 

 

 

Or a lot more than most people pay in the UK.;)

[lcguy]

And remember, the fee you pay for specialty dining includes the tip!

Sure, it includes the tip, but how much? I always leave more as the service is exceptional.

[lcguy]

No - they don't get $50.00 a month. I've watched a TV show on cruises and read various reports on this topic and the average wage is $2,500.00 a month...tax free unless you are a US citizen. The $50.00 amount is an urban myth.

That "wage" INCLUDES TIPS. They have a very low salary, get room and board and make their living off of gratuities.

[lcguy]

Remember that the tips are for serving THREE MEALS a day.

 

You're tipping your waiter $3.50 a day, so that's $1.16/meal.

You're tipping your assistant waiter $2.00 a day, so that's .66/meal.

 

I do watch my pennnies carefully. I know that the Coke card isn't a good value. I'm not going to spend money on Johnny Rocket's while the buffet is sitting there full of no charge hamburgers and hot dogs. I don't spend at the art auction or gamble in the casino. I'm careful with my money.

 

But I am not so stingy that I'd ever take $1.16 (or .66) out of the pocket of a hard working waiter. There's thrifty and then there's skinflint, and I think most people who ask this question haven't stopped to consider just how small an amount they're discussing. I don't need the $1.16 (or .66) badly enough to take it out of the pocket of some waiter.

 

Tips are low. Tips are a pittance. They are -- by far -- lower than most other cruise-related items. People who'll pay $40/day for a beach excursion will quibble over tips. People who'll run up a $500 bar tab in a week will fuss about tips. People who'll spend a couple thousand on an expensive suite will argue about tips. Before you get too caught up in it, look at the piddly amount. Just think of 'em as a service charge and pay 'em.

Man... I bet RCI loves to see you booking a cruise!!! :D:D:D

[lcguy]

Yes, $50/month - plus tips, plus room and board, plus health insurance. They work hard for it, but a lot of people in the US would like to earn $1-2,000/month after taxes, room/board and insurance.

But Mark, how many US citizens would work like that? Obviously not many. Hence the international flair.

[C U Onboard]

I did a little back of the envelope math. If I were eating out, three meals a day, plus staying in a hotel, my tips would be roughly (for two people):

 

Breakfast 18% of $20 = 3.60

Lunch 18% of $30=7.20

Dinner 18% of 100=18.00

Room maid = 2.00

Total 30.80 per day

 

I know the percentages and the amounts spent on meals will vary individually, but if you do this for yourself I think you will find that the suggested tipping guidelines are below what you would do outside of a cruise.

Just my $0.02

WOW! - do all Americans spend $150 per day on breakfast, lunch and dinner outside of a cruise? And what has the poor room maid done to just warrant $2 per day? :rolleyes:

[Mark_K]

WOW! - do all Americans spend $150 per day on breakfast, lunch and dinner outside of a cruise? And what has the poor room maid done to just warrant $2 per day? :rolleyes:

That was for two people. Eating three meals a day at the in-house restaurant of a good hotel would likely cost in that range, maybe more. $20+/person breakfast buffets are not unusual at Hilton/Hyatt/etc hotels.

[rxmurphy]

WOW! - do all Americans spend $150 per day on breakfast, lunch and dinner outside of a cruise? And what has the poor room maid done to just warrant $2 per day? :rolleyes:

I did say it will vary according to individual tastes, tip rates, etc. My example is if I were eating out at relatively high end restaurants. Not talking about McDonalds or Applebees. $2 per day is what I leave at a hotel for the room to cleaned/made up. Maybe I'm unusual, or cheap?

[lcguy]

WOW! - do all Americans spend $150 per day on breakfast, lunch and dinner outside of a cruise? And what has the poor room maid done to just warrant $2 per day? :rolleyes:

Only when dining in the UK. :D

[DGNY]

However, they also receive housing, food, and a couple other things without cost; if you consider those as part of their compensation, the number would go much higher. I clearly remember that when I was young and just out of school my living expenses took literally every penny I had. I don't see much difference. They receive less cash, but they aren't spending it on rent.

 

Most employees have families back in their home country. And they send money back for, amongst other things, rent.

[cynt]

Remember that the tips are for serving THREE MEALS a day.

 

You're tipping your waiter $3.50 a day, so that's $1.16/meal.

You're tipping your assistant waiter $2.00 a day, so that's .66/meal.

 

I do watch my pennnies carefully. I know that the Coke card isn't a good value. I'm not going to spend money on Johnny Rocket's while the buffet is sitting there full of no charge hamburgers and hot dogs. I don't spend at the art auction or gamble in the casino. I'm careful with my money.

 

But I am not so stingy that I'd ever take $1.16 (or .66) out of the pocket of a hard working waiter. There's thrifty and then there's skinflint, and I think most people who ask this question haven't stopped to consider just how small an amount they're discussing. I don't need the $1.16 (or .66) badly enough to take it out of the pocket of some waiter.

 

Tips are low. Tips are a pittance. They are -- by far -- lower than most other cruise-related items. People who'll pay $40/day for a beach excursion will quibble over tips. People who'll run up a $500 bar tab in a week will fuss about tips. People who'll spend a couple thousand on an expensive suite will argue about tips. Before you get too caught up in it, look at the piddly amount. Just think of 'em as a service charge and pay 'em.

 

DITTO!!! This is exactly how I feel. It baffles me how quick someone will pay $150 for an excursion and then gripe about paying tips.

[Redheada]

This is a very interesting thread. I am more confused now though because I have read in numerous places that they in fact do NOT pool tips. And if so, then why do we hand our tips (sometimes in cash) directly to the wait staff the last night (with their names on it)??? This implies that no matter what I give my personal server she then pools around with every other crew member regardless of service. This has been a struggle for me with the inception of specialty dining because I now I am paying a charge and an extra tip in addition to the MDR tips. I think now I will do the prepaid tipping but I struggle calling pooled tips... tips.

 

This contradicts the idea of tipping based on service? They shouldnt even call it tipping - they should call it a service charge and then let people TIP based on service.... Im just saying....

[Redheada]

I am not against tipping and do in fact tipped above and beyond the recommended amounts even when at specialty dining. But if you go on a cruise and have horrible service what do you do? Still tip the recommended amount because they dont make good money? I mean is it discretional based on service or not. If not and it seems to me that many people one these boards feel it should just be paid which I dont disagree with, then again I argue it should be a service charge.

[sas80]

You tip for all seven days because the tips are all pooled and will include when your severs are working either the MDR or Windjammer when you eat breakfast and lunch there too. Think of it as tips for a full day's eating, not just dinner.

 

This is INCORRECT! Tips are NOT pooled this way! Grrr, I get so irritated with all the so-called self proclaimed "experts" around here! Just because you read it on CC doesnt mean it is true people! Here is a snip from someone who actually called RCCL and asked....

 

Several posters have asserted that noone knows the "facts" of RCI tipping policy and how RCI's tip distribution actually is done. So, when faced with that challenge, I got on Google, Yellow Pages, linkedIn and found Lisa Bauer, SVP hotel operations department. Spoke with her one of her direct reports about some of these questions, so that we could get the "facts" and I could answer the OP's question about what to do if he wanted to skip MTD

 

It is true that there is no way to "opt out" of some type of dining. Although asked why this was, I got some sort of vague answer, but I intend to pursue this further. If you don't plan on eating in the MDR, then their suggestion is to register for MTD. That way they won't assign you to a table and there won't be a waiter or tablemates that are disappointed when you are not there. The tips for the MDR waitstaff is what they earn for the week, they are not pooled. However, the tips for MTD and the WJ are pooled for the week.

 

The recommended tipping amount for dining, and it is only recommended, is 6.25 pp/pd. That 6.25 is to cover all the service for breakfast, lunch and dinner for that day. Thus, even if you eat at the WJ for three meals a day and you have selected MTD, you know that the appropriate people have been tipped. If you want to leave extra, great but there is no expectation that you do so.

 

For the speciality restaurants, the portion of the service charge that is the tip for the waitstaff is 6.25-equivalent to the daily service tip. That is basically the summary of our conversation.

 

RCI's recommendation is that if you don't want to MDR, sign up for MTD, your tips will be covered and just enjoy your cruise. Your service charge for any speciality restaurant includes the tip, so if you want to tip more, have at it. If not, no problem.

[sas80]

Remember that the tips are for serving THREE MEALS a day.

 

Not true

[andrzej5914]

I'm not stingy nor do I skip on tipping, but why should I tip "double" just because I decided to have breakfast and lunch in my room and thus "tip" automatically on the bill I sign and then tip at a specialty restaurant that evening, when once again I don't have a choice? Why should I also tip the waiter(s) at MDR for that day? They have not done anything for me?

[lcguy]

Go get 'em SAS, you cheapo!!! :D