Tipping porters

[camtran]

Quick question. How much are you supposed to tip the porters at the terminal?

[leaveitallbehind]

Quick question. How much are you supposed to tip the porters at the terminal?

 

There is no set amount. I would suggest using the same guidelines you are comfortable with for check in at the airport.

[RazorbackIslandGirl]

I usually tip 3-5 dollars per bag depending on the service given.;)

[struther1]

It's really up to you, but I tip $5 for 3 bags.

[camtran]

Thank you!

[Gonzo70]

Zero in US ports; there are signs up at the ports saying they do not need to be tipped. They are union longshoremen and they earn good wages (upper middle class) that are not meant to be supplemented by tips. If all you are doing is handing them your bags as you enter the terminal they only do about 10 seconds of work. They put your bag on a cart next to them, push the cart a few yards, then others take over. You are already paying a lot for this service in your port fees. Now if you have them do extra tasks such as carry your luggage and hail a cab for you at the end of a cruise, a small gratuity is nice, but you are throwing away money if you tip them for carrying out their most basic job duty.

[KMagz]

Zero in US ports; there are signs up at the ports saying they do not need to be tipped. They are union longshoremen and they earn good wages (upper middle class) that are not meant to be supplemented by tips. If all you are doing is handing them your bags as you enter the terminal they only do about 10 seconds of work. They put your bag on a cart next to them, push the cart a few yards, then others take over. You are already paying a lot for this service in your port fees. Now if you have them do extra tasks such as carry your luggage and hail a cab for you at the end of a cruise, a small gratuity is nice, but you are throwing away money if you tip them for carrying out their most basic job duty.

 

I might add that on one of my cruises (when I was younger and didn't know better) one porter (who looked like Mr. T -- only bigger) stood imposingly between me and my bags and said "This is the last time you'll see your bags before you board the ship. We would appreciate a tip. Do you care to leave us a tip?" (I am not making that up.) Being older and wiser, NOW I would report him to however is in charge. Back THEN I handed him a few bucks seeing how it took me so long to pack all that stuff. :)

 

To the OP, this is an oft-debated topic here.

[Beachin2]

Don't care if they are union or not - $5 for 2 bags is the cheapest "insurance" you will ever buy.

[Cruzaholic41]

Thank you!

 

I'm glad you got some real answers before the cheap, salary obsessed, non-tippers found this thread. These people will go as far as tell you porters make 100K. :rolleyes:

 

Yes, the appropriate amount is $1-$2 per bag. Enjoy your cruise! :)

[cb at sea]

There are signs at some ports that say do NOT tip the porters...but we always do...$1-2 per bag... It's never been turned down!

[Gonzo70]

I'm glad you got some real answers before the cheap, salary obsessed, non-tippers found this thread. These people will go as far as tell you porters make 100K. :rolleyes:

 

Yes, the appropriate amount is $1-$2 per bag. Enjoy your cruise! :)

 

I am not cheap or a non tipper at all; to the contrary I am extremely generous. That does not mean I throw money at well paid union workers for doing their most basic job duty. The people serving as porters earn in one hour what the crew on the ship earn in one month (in terms of money from their employers, not gratuities). People should save their tip money for extra gratuity for the hard working people on the ship who work their asses off to make your vacation nice, not to highly paid union workers for carrying out 10 seconds of work. The people behind the scenes do 99% of the work in getting your luggage to your stateroom - and since they are not seen, nobody tips them.

[Gonzo70]

There are signs at some ports that say do NOT tip the porters...but we always do...$1-2 per bag... It's never been turned down!

 

Correct; in some ports they are not permitted to receive tips so signs are up to alert people of this. Sadly some in these ports try to skirt the rules by asking for a "donation." In other US ports the unions have fought against rules for prohibiting tips, but there are still signs up saying they do not need to be tipped or that tipping them is optional. If you do not believe me, look for the signs yourself on your next cruise and/or call the port authority for the port you are sailing from and ask if the porters working the CRUISE ships are supposed to be tipped. This is 100% factual information and anybody who takes the time to look into will find this out as well.

[teddie]

I am not cheap or a non tipper at all; to the contrary I am extremely generous. That does not mean I throw money at well paid union workers for doing their most basic job duty. The people serving as porters earn in one hour what the crew on the ship earn in one month (in terms of money from their employers, not gratuities). People should save their tip money for extra gratuity for the hard working people on the ship who work their asses off to make your vacation nice, not to highly paid union workers for carrying out 10 seconds of work. The people behind the scenes do 99% of the work in getting your luggage to your stateroom - and since they are not seen, nobody tips them.

 

Jeesh.

 

I am so happy to be boarding, I couldn't be bothered whingeing about giving ten bucks to the nice guy placing my luggage on the cart. It's the beginning of my vacation, and I don't want to start it out worrying about how much the guy makes, or having a care if the union pays him well,or what!

 

Just my two cents.

 

Teddie

[Gonzo70]

Jeesh.

 

I am so happy to be boarding, I couldn't be bothered whingeing about giving ten bucks to the nice guy placing my luggage on the cart. It's the beginning of my vacation, and I don't want to start it out worrying about how much the guy makes, or having a care if the union pays him well,or what!

 

Just my two cents.

 

Teddie

 

And you could be just as happy handing $10 to the Captain of the ship for navigating you to ports, the Cruise Director for organizing the activities, the Guest Relations staff every time they answer a question for you, the casino purser for giving you change etc. I am not sure what being happy has to do with this. There are some people who earn low wages that are expected to be supplemented by tips (i.e. your room steward and servers on the cruise ship, tour guides, waiters/waitresses at restaurants etc.) and there are some people who earn full salaries that are not meant to be tipped for carrying out their most basic job duties. The "porters" (actually longshoremen) fall into this category. If you want to hand the person $10 for taking your bags for a few seconds, go right ahead, but realize that many more people behind the scenes are doing 99% of the work, most of who are earning a fraction of the pay.

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

I'm glad you got some real answers before the cheap, salary obsessed, non-tippers found this thread. These people will go as far as tell you porters make 100K. :rolleyes:

 

Yes, the appropriate amount is $1-$2 per bag. Enjoy your cruise! :)

 

No kidding. Thanks for saying what I was thinking. Anyone making a huge issue out of tipping the guys a few bucks...needs to re-think going on vacation.

[Mmketeer]

There are signs at some ports that say do NOT tip the porters...but we always do...$1-2 per bag... It's never been turned down!

 

I agree! :)

We always tip about $2 a bag and since sometimes their is only one bag I feel that is good. Everyone has a different budget though, so just do what your comfortable with. I agree that it's a good insurance policy. Oh and if you want your bags to be delivered first to your stateroom a $10 tip to your stateroom host to go get them works too. We found that works well if their is something you need immedaitly from your luggage. :D

[teddie]

And you could be just as happy handing $10 to the Captain of the ship for navigating you to ports, the Cruise Director for organizing the activities, the Guest Relations staff every time they answer a question for you, the casino purser for giving you change etc. I am not sure what being happy has to do with this. There are some people who earn low wages that are expected to be supplemented by tips (i.e. your room steward and servers on the cruise ship, tour guides, waiters/waitresses at restaurants etc.) and there are some people who earn full salaries that are not meant to be tipped for carrying out their most basic job duties. The "porters" (actually longshoremen) fall into this category. If you want to hand the person $10 for taking your bags for a few seconds, go right ahead, but realize that many more people behind the scenes are doing 99% of the work, most of who are earning a fraction of the pay.

 

Who said anything about doing all those things you mention? Yes, I am happy to give the porter my ten bucks. No one said that you have to agree with my sentiments. If you don't wish to tip them, then don't.

 

Happy cruising!

 

Teddie

[galavant3]

I am not cheap or a non tipper at all; to the contrary I am extremely generous. That does not mean I throw money at well paid union workers for doing their most basic job duty. The people serving as porters earn in one hour what the crew on the ship earn in one month (in terms of money from their employers, not gratuities). People should save their tip money for extra gratuity for the hard working people on the ship who work their asses off to make your vacation nice, not to highly paid union workers for carrying out 10 seconds of work. The people behind the scenes do 99% of the work in getting your luggage to your stateroom - and since they are not seen, nobody tips them.

 

Not arguing with you but how do you know this? The cruise ships actually recommend tipping the porters. This is from Princess but I've seen on other web sites as well.

 

Curbside porters are available at the pier to take baggage to the vessel for delivery by shipboard personnel to your stateroom. It is customary to tip the porter for this service. Please be advised that curbside porters are not employees of Princess Cruises. You are responsible for your belongings at all times. For security reasons, we remind you to keep your hand luggage, including laptops, cameras, any medications, all travel documentation (passports, visas, etc.) and other valuables, in your possession at all times.

[Tony O]

Correct; in some ports they are not permitted to receive tips so signs are up to alert people of this. Sadly some in these ports try to skirt the rules by asking for a "donation." In other US ports the unions have fought against rules for prohibiting tips, but there are still signs up saying they do not need to be tipped or that tipping them is optional. If you do not believe me, look for the signs yourself on your next cruise and/or call the port authority for the port you are sailing from and ask if the porters working the CRUISE ships are supposed to be tipped. This is 100% factual information and anybody who takes the time to look into will find this out as well.

 

 

You quoted,"In other US ports the unions have fought against rules for prohibiting tips, but there are still signs up saying they do not need to be tipped or that tipping them is optional".

Could you please name those ports?

[KMagz]

Anyone making a huge issue out of tipping the guys a few bucks...needs to re-think going on vacation.

 

Or the fact that these people are thrifty in everyday life (including curbside at the terminal) is the very reason they're able to AFFORD a vacation. People who accumulate wealth don't usually get there by accident. It's a way of life.

[Gonzo70]

You quoted,"In other US ports the unions have fought against rules for prohibiting tips, but there are still signs up saying they do not need to be tipped or that tipping them is optional".

Could you please name those ports?

 

Port of Miami is the port I have sailed out of most often on US cruises; there are several signs up there saying that the porters do not need to be tipped. If you search other threads on this topic, some people have posted pictures of the signs. Another poster commented on his conversation with a customer service rep who said that at Port of Miami they are earning $40 to $60 per hour (without tips) and when serving as porters are often doing overtime and earning $60 to $90 per hour. Yet some people shower them with $5's and $10's for doing a few seconds worth of work on top of this. One of the reasons why port fees are so high in Miami is because of the porters' high wages and union influence.

[Gonzo70]

No kidding. Thanks for saying what I was thinking. Anyone making a huge issue out of tipping the guys a few bucks...needs to re-think going on vacation.

 

What a ridiculous comment. :rolleyes:

 

That would be like me saying if you don't tip your dentist $1 per tooth ($2 if they are large or particular dirty) that you should rethink going to the dentist. Because I do not tip people who are earning upper middle class salaries for carrying out their most basic job duty, I should re-think going on vacation? Seriously?

 

I have already paid for their service in my port fees. Personally I save this money and use it as extra tips for the room steward, waiters and bartenders on board the ship. If you'd rather use this money to pad the wallet of an upper middle class union employee for a few seconds work then to reward the hard working crew on the ship who provide you with hours of service and receive almost no money from their employer, be my guest.

[torpeedo]

Every time I see a thread like this I think of Jerry Seinfeld! He and Elaine were going to Cincinatti and at the airport arguing about the tip to the porter and how much it should be. Jerry said $10 and Elaine, $2. They asked the porter who agreed with Jerry, of course. SO Jerry tipped, Elaine didn't. After they left, the porter picked up Jerry's luggage which he said "Cincinatti" and Elaine's " HONOLULU".. So we always tip big!!:D

[Gonzo70]

Every time I see a thread like this I think of Jerry Seinfeld! He and Elaine were going to Cincinatti and at the airport arguing about the tip to the porter and how much it should be. Jerry said $10 and Elaine, $2. They asked the porter who agreed with Jerry, of course. SO Jerry tipped, Elaine didn't. After they left, the porter picked up Jerry's luggage which he said "Cincinatti" and Elaine's " HONOLULU".. So we always tip big!!:D

 

I miss Seinfeld; such a great show.

 

The skycaps at airports are supposed to be tipped. They receive a reduced salary that is expected to be supplemented by tips. Same with bellhops at hotels. The longshoremen serving as "porters" at cruise ship terminals is a totally different cup of tea.

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

What a ridiculous comment. :rolleyes:

 

That would be like me saying if you don't tip your dentist $1 per tooth ($2 if they are large or particular dirty) that you should rethink going to the dentist. Because I do not tip people who are earning upper middle class salaries for carrying out their most basic job duty, I should re-think going on vacation? Seriously?

 

I have already paid for their service in my port fees. Personally I save this money and use it as extra tips for the room steward, waiters and bartenders on board the ship. If you'd rather use this money to pad the wallet of an upper middle class union employee for a few seconds work then to reward the hard working crew on the ship who provide you with hours of service and receive almost no money from their employer, be my guest.

 

You're right, going to the Dentist is like going on a cruise.