Does Everybody Tip for Room Service?

[griffy116]

We never have our Cabin Steward be the one to deliver room service. Maybe we are the odd man out, but it's always been someone else. We would tip for room service, regardless, but I don't consider this either the normal service for our waiter or our cabin steward. We have a couple of 17 year olds traveling with us and in the cabin across from us. They will have the same set-up as us. They will be furnished with a "tip" pouch as soon as we check into our cabins. It will be handy and ready for the person who delivers room service. Even my 17-year old Grandson knows that it's a courtesy and is appreciated by their staff. He loves ordering room service late at night and considers this one of the perks of cruising. Pizza, cookies and soft drinks are his usual order. He tips a couple of bucks. I love to have coffee delivered as my wake-up call. I tip a couple of bucks. It's just not a biggie. My SIL has to be shamed into leaving tips as he's the cheapest man on earth. He loves to find excuses not to tip, however, on a cruise, even he has never found a reason to complain.

[staygulf]

I am the Cruise critic person of the family. Hubby has not been on here. I just turned to inquire.. "Hon do you tip for room service on ship?" "Of course: Its an extra service.." was his reply!

 

How is it an extra service any more than, say, the person who wipes down your table in the buffet restaurant or the person who answers your questions at guest relations. It is a complimentary service provided by the cruiseline among all their other services which you can choose to use if you so wish. It is NOT an extra service.

[GlendaleCruiser]

How is it an extra service any more than, say, the person who wipes down your table in the buffet restaurant or the person who answers your questions at guest relations. It is a complimentary service provided by the cruiseline among all their other services which you can choose to use if you so wish. It is NOT an extra service.

 

BUT, the person who wipes down the tables in the Lido and serves you bacon and makes your omelet share in the daily tips/gratuities.

 

I can assure you that the person delivering room service DOES NOT. I cannot imagine NOT tipping him/her.

[ggrouter]

I don't think it's any different than tipping the pizza delivery guy. And I always do that!

[uppitycats]

How is it an extra service any more than, say, the person who wipes down your table in the buffet restaurant or the person who answers your questions at guest relations. It is a complimentary service provided by the cruiseline among all their other services which you can choose to use if you so wish. It is NOT an extra service.

 

The person who wipes down your table is likely part of the tipping pool. The person who answers your questions is a salaried individual, and not part of the tipping pool. The people who deliver your room service menu are NOT part of the tipping pool..and are NOT salaried, at least to the same level as the customer service people.

[UV830]

The person who wipes down your table is likely part of the tipping pool. The person who answers your questions is a salaried individual, and not part of the tipping pool. The people who deliver your room service menu are NOT part of the tipping pool..and are NOT salaried, at least to the same level as the customer service people.

 

 

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I'm curious.

 

Do you think the staff members that deliver room service do nothing BUT deliver room service?

 

Or do you think this is just one of their duties, say...in addition to waiting tables in the MDR in the evening, or acting as a room steward during the day?

 

I don't know the answer. I'm asking....

[smeyer418]

The room service delivery is not part of the tipping pool.

It is on at least Princess, and Cunard. I am not sure about Celebrity one way or the other.

 

But I still occasionally leave extra even on those. $ 1 or two or more depending on the size of the order.

 

Occasionally on other lines its the room steward or the assistant-which I am already tipping elsewhere. Also these are generally the same people who are working the buffet or other venue(they are the junior employees working their way up).

 

If you notice its the same attitude-mostly- about those who don't like the tipping/auto-tip anyway that say no....

 

The tipping pool on most ships covers all these "behind" the scenes people.

 

 

but lets not start that again....

[mbisson]

but lets not start that again....

 

Thanks Sid LOL. I thank many here (most?) share your tipping philosophy...and there are others who will do whatever they can to avoid tipping whenever possible

[uppitycats]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I'm curious.

 

Do you think the staff members that deliver room service do nothing BUT deliver room service?

 

Or do you think this is just one of their duties, say...in addition to waiting tables in the MDR in the evening, or acting as a room steward during the day?

 

I don't know the answer. I'm asking....

 

The people who deliver room service -- in my experience -- have not been my steward. Perhaps they do wait on tables, or clean somewhere on the ship, or have other duties. I tip for room service because I am interrupting whatever else they're doing...they stop doing that and deliver (upon request from the kitchen) whatever I've ordered, then go back to whatever their regular duties are. I've had all kinds of crew deliver food -- many of whom don't handle food at all for their regular jobs.

 

As I said earlier...the tip isn't compensation. It's a token "thank you for interrupting whatever you were doing to deliver this food to me that I'm too lazy to go get myself".

[staygulf]

The people who deliver room service -- in my experience -- have not been my steward. Perhaps they do wait on tables, or clean somewhere on the ship, or have other duties. I tip for room service because I am interrupting whatever else they're doing...they stop doing that and deliver (upon request from the kitchen) whatever I've ordered, then go back to whatever their regular duties are. I've had all kinds of crew deliver food -- many of whom don't handle food at all for their regular jobs.

 

As I said earlier...the tip isn't compensation. It's a token "thank you for interrupting whatever you were doing to deliver this food to me that I'm too lazy to go get myself".

 

Interrupting their duties for which they are presumably already being paid ? Ah, so it's more like a guilt trip then ?

[PS90]

I don't think it's any different than tipping the pizza delivery guy. And I always do that!

 

Admittedly, it was a long time ago, but back when I was delivering pizzas, I would estimate that about 60% (or so) of customers tipped me. It certainly was not a given.

 

 

And thanks to everyone for the help/opinions. Sorry, I didn't mean to start another "fight thread" about tipping or not. It seems that the majority of replies support tipping their room service waiter (which I will do on my X cruise coming up), although I get the impression that it is more of an option than some posters make it sound...

[Aquahound]

....although I get the impression that it is more of an option than some posters make it sound...

 

You really are correct with that assessment. You have to realize these crew members have seen it all and heard it all. They deal with all the World's cultures and attitudes, so while it most certainly is our culture to give a gratuity for something like room service, it isn't everyone's. If you or someone else stiffs the server, it won't ruin their night. They know the next person may be a very generous tipper.

 

Celebrity uses a buddy system with the room attendants. You will have a main steward and an assistant. Your pre-paid gratuities do cover them. If you order room service and they are on the clock, it will be one of them who delivers your food. Otherwise, it will be someone else. As stated earlier in this thread, the room service is something beyond their normal duties, so it it customary to tip if you choose to utilize your room service option.

 

Either way, enjoy your cruise. :)

[klfrodo]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I'm curious.

 

Do you think the staff members that deliver room service do nothing BUT deliver room service?

 

Or do you think this is just one of their duties, say...in addition to waiting tables in the MDR in the evening, or acting as a room steward during the day?

 

I don't know the answer. I'm asking....

 

I'm pretty sure the answer to you question, I received during the "Behind The FUN" tour.

The officers have a small area where they take their meals on the lower decks. This dining area is set up exactly like the cruisers dining area. Linens, china, multiple glases, plates, and silverware.

The people waiting on these officers are "waiters and assistant waiters" in training. Not only do they learn how to serve, they also learn how to take orders, learn how to interact with westerners, learn english, they also learn how to deal with high maintenance people shall we say.

This is all before they are allowed up stairs.

 

I believe we were told that part of their training was to deliver room service. This duty was to be one of their first interactions with passengers.

 

So, NO, they are not part of the gratuity pool.

 

From what I've read on this thread so far, this is their first lesson on how to deal with entitled, ungrateful, buttheads.

[mbisson]

I'm pretty sure the answer to you question, I received during the "Behind The FUN" tour.

The officers have a small area where they take their meals on the lower decks. This dining area is set up exactly like the cruisers dining area. Linens, china, multiple glases, plates, and silverware.

The people waiting on these officers are "waiters and assistant waiters" in training. Not only do they learn how to serve, they also learn how to take orders, learn how to interact with westerners, learn english, they also learn how to deal with high maintenance people shall we say.

This is all before they are allowed up stairs.

 

I believe we were told that part of their training was to deliver room service. This duty was to be one of their first interactions with passengers.

 

So, NO, they are not part of the gratuity pool.

 

Never having taken part in that tour, I want to thank you for the insight

 

Stay warm over there in Tacoma!

[GlendaleCruiser]

I'm pretty sure the answer to you question, I received during the "Behind The FUN" tour.

The officers have a small area where they take their meals on the lower decks. This dining area is set up exactly like the cruisers dining area. Linens, china, multiple glases, plates, and silverware.

The people waiting on these officers are "waiters and assistant waiters" in training. Not only do they learn how to serve, they also learn how to take orders, learn how to interact with westerners, learn english, they also learn how to deal with high maintenance people shall we say.

This is all before they are allowed up stairs.

 

I believe we were told that part of their training was to deliver room service. This duty was to be one of their first interactions with passengers.

 

So, NO, they are not part of the gratuity pool.

 

From what I've read on this thread so far, this is their first lesson on how to deal with entitled, ungrateful, buttheads.

 

That is what we were told, too. They do not work the buffets or dining rooms and are not part of the gratuity pool.

[redridinghood]

interesting thread...

 

I do pity the employees who work on the ships frequented by UK travellers as Americans seem to tip for everything as a standard and we tip for service that goes 'above and beyond' the expected (and expectations vary greatly). It's a cultural thing and this is why it seems to be such an awkward topic. We always tipped for room service breakfast on P&O but when we tried to do the same on Cunard we were met by bewildered expressions and embarrassment. We were utterly convinced that they did not expect a tip and felt awkward in receiving it. It actually made up feel very embarrassed, as if we had offered money to someone who didn't need it (and I know they do not earn much as a basic wage). Has anyone else experienced this?

[Nansafan]

I am very diligent (ok a bit OCD) about doing research. I was all over the Carnival cruise line website before we left on our first cruise. On their website it said that something like if you have prepaid your tips, the only people who weren't covered were room service waiters and the Maitra'd. So yes, we tip the room service waiter.

[velotaco]

Does everyone tip the waiter for room service on a normal basis? Seriously, I don't know.

 

 

No need to tip extra. It's included in the daily tipping charge.

[CalGal777]

no need to tip extra. It's included in the daily tipping charge.

not true!!!!!!

[uppitycats]

No need to tip extra. It's included in the daily tipping charge.

 

If you actually read this thread you'd find your answer is wrong.

[mintjulip123]

Funny story - I just got home from a cruise on the Ruby Princess and for the first time I decided to tip our room stewart mid way through the cruise, I know he is getting a cut of the $10.50 per day that is added to my cruise bill but I felt he was doing a great job of looking after us and I had also read where people who do tip early in the cruise seem to get "better" service. Well - things when down hill in a hurry from there. I won't make that mistake again!!

 

Oh and I always pay the room service a tip of 2.00 if I get something brought to the room.

 

Karen

[PS90]

Funny story - I just got home from a cruise on the Ruby Princess and for the first time I decided to tip our room stewart mid way through the cruise, I know he is getting a cut of the $10.50 per day that is added to my cruise bill but I felt he was doing a great job of looking after us and I had also read where people who do tip early in the cruise seem to get "better" service. Well - things when down hill in a hurry from there. I won't make that mistake again!!

 

Oh and I always pay the room service a tip of 2.00 if I get something brought to the room.

 

Karen

 

That's interesting, Karen; would you care to elaborate on how it went downhill?

 

I think some people tip the RS early as a "bribe" to do a good job, but maybe he felt like you gave him his full tip a little early (instead of the last day, I mean), so it wasn't worth trying anymore?

 

 

Thanks again for everyone's advice! Still sounds like the majority advocate tipping the waiter who brings room service separately than the tip pool. :cool:

[mintjulip123]

That's interesting, Karen; would you care to elaborate on how it went downhill?

 

I think some people tip the RS early as a "bribe" to do a good job, but maybe he felt like you gave him his full tip a little early (instead of the last day, I mean), so it wasn't worth trying anymore?

 

 

Thanks again for everyone's advice! Still sounds like the majority advocate tipping the waiter who brings room service separately than the tip pool. :cool:

 

I wondered about that too. Maybe there is still an expectation of more if you wait until the last day??

We suddenly didn't get ice in our bucket, or our dishes taken out of the room. Not big things mind you but definitely a drop in service. You see I had won at the casino twice and felt I had a bit extra to share. The stewart had been quite attentive even checking on me the one night I didn't feel well.

Karen

[ThePatientOne]

I will add to the general consensus of the thread..

On our first cruise we did not tip the room service guy or gal.. I felt bad too.. I can't remember why I did not, I just didn't.. Now the rest of our cruises we have and have well.. They do appreciate it however it is not expected..

As for the room Steward.. We do leave the auto tip in place.. That goes to him/her as well as his/her staff.. We also will leave a nice little surprise for him/her on the last night of the cruise on the bed.. IF and I do say IF the service has been up to standard.. (And so far it has) I leave them a $50.00 bill and they have always been very happy with that.. (They usually leave a nice, extra thank you)

I even will find a good Lido drink server, one that really takes care of me and slip them a $20.00.. They usually chase me down all during the cruise..

General rule, if you take care of them, they will take care of you...

[staygulf]

I will add to the general consensus of the thread..

 

On our first cruise we did not tip the room service guy or gal.. I felt bad too.. I can't remember why I did not, I just didn't.. Now the rest of our cruises we have and have well.. They do appreciate it however it is not expected..

 

As for the room Steward.. We do leave the auto tip in place.. That goes to him/her as well as his/her staff.. We also will leave a nice little surprise for him/her on the last night of the cruise on the bed.. IF and I do say IF the service has been up to standard.. (And so far it has) I leave them a $50.00 bill and they have always been very happy with that.. (They usually leave a nice, extra thank you)

 

I even will find a good Lido drink server, one that really takes care of me and slip them a $20.00.. They usually chase me down all during the cruise..

 

General rule, if you take care of them, they will take care of you...

 

I can assure you that "they will take care of you" even if you don't give a superfluous tip, it's their job to do so. I don't feel that I have been treated any differently to any other passenger on a cruiseship without leaving these "I'm superior to you look how much I can afford to give you over and above what you are expecting" tips. I guess it probably makes you feel better about yourself ?