Confused, DRINK TIPPING

[Randus62]

On NCL site it stated a 15% service charge is added to drinks. Is this the tip or are you expected to tip an additional 15% for a total of 30%?

[Toyz711]

that's the tip...but some will leave more, especially with a bartender or server that remembers them or gives extra service.

[Shelli]

Most do NOT leave more. Don't fret over it. :)

[jame_g]

You can add extra if you like, but you don't need to.

 

The same for the spa, they add an 18% service charge. You don't need to add an extra tip unless you want to.

 

There is also no requirement to add a tip in the specialty restaurants that charge a fee.

 

The places where staff are not covered by the daily service charge or service fees that are not automatically added in to the charge are: the children's activities (kids crew), the concierge, and the butler. If you use these services, then you should tip these individuals.

 

We usually tip our room steward extra. They usually work very hard and work around the time we spend in our cabin and our suitcases, etc. We also tip extra where we've had good service, or if I get the soda card and frequently use a particular bar tender to get my drinks (they usually get chosen because they are very accommodating, unlike some of the staff's response to soda cards.)

 

LOL, guess I rambled on about more than your question.

[Sauer-kraut]

The 15% IS the gratuity. If you have a great barman who is already shaking your martini as you start to enter the bar, well he might deserve a cash tip IF you feel inclined. The spa and bar staff do not share in the general tip pool that is covered by your daily service charge and therefore the gratuitiy is applied at the time of 'sale'. No need to tip above that unless you feel the server/barman/spa employee really did something spectacular for you. :)

[BIG_Steve]

As you've heard multiple times now, that IS the tip. However, the slip you sign will have a line marked "tip." Don't be confused. That line is for anything above the built in tip, and you shouldn't feel sheepish for writing "0" in it if that's your choice.

[roger001]

When wife and I are sitting up in the Spinnaker lounge (or whatever) having our evening adult beverages, I give the server $1 for each round of drinks. Don't have to, don't need to. I have found the servers, all of them, to be extremely nice and always have time (customers permitting) to chat about themselves, their homes, etc. I just like to give an extra buck or so during the evening because I'm enjoying myself so much. .

[Ms belp]

When wife and I are sitting up in the Spinnaker lounge (or whatever) having our evening adult beverages, I give the server $1 for each round of drinks. Don't have to, don't need to. I have found the servers, all of them, to be extremely nice and always have time (customers permitting) to chat about themselves, their homes, etc. I just like to give an extra buck or so during the evening because I'm enjoying myself so much. .

 

Yes, that is us as well. I will leave an additional tip of $1 or so if they go out of their way to make our cruise more enjoyable. Our favorite bartenders on the Jewel a long time ago were O'Neil and Anan. They went above and beyond. That is why we have stayed with NCL. They both are married and have children now. It's so nice to run into them! Karan is not a bartender but he made Chris' 40th birthday cruise exceptional. Plus he took care of me when I ended up in a wheelchair due to back going out. I LOVE NCL!:)

[EileenN]

I often wait until the end of the cruise and give a larger amount tip on the last day to the servers both for drinks and restaurants. We have to remember to budget that extra to prevent it being used in the casino for the wrong reasons :)

[Lulubelle6805]

Hmmm, as the other posters more or less said, I think it's a personal decision and you needn't feel obligated to tip additionally as the gratuity is indeed included. That said, on our cruise last week, we always tipped $1 per drink, including sodas, because we visited the same bartender for everything and we really liked her.