Appropriate tip for Concierge?

[grand isle joe]

We won't be Diamond until after our Freedom cruise in September, but I had to chime in on this thread anyways!

 

For the fellow that refuses to tip on 'free' drinks, I have this to ask. What do you do in a restaurant when they have a coupon? For example, a local family owned restaurant near us has BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) Tuesdays. The place is always packed that night. When I get my bill the charge for the cheaper entree is removed. So .... do you tip on the amount of the bill or on the amount of the bill BEFORE the 'free' entree was removed? We always tip on the TOTAL amount of the bill BEFORE the free food was removed. After all, it is not the servers fault that we had a coupon. She deserves to be tipped for the full amount.

 

So what do YOU do Mr. 'I Don't Tip for Free Drinks'???

 

 

 

 

.....you are a nice person......Karma, baby,Karma.......:)

[uksimonusa]

As an Ex Brit, it was customary when buying a round at my local pub, to say " and one for yourself" to the bar tender. Sometimes the bar tender would actually have a drink, other times would take the proceeds as a tip, so as far as I am concerned, a Brit tipping for bar service is somewhat usual, maybe those in the "white rose" counties do things differently.:rolleyes:

[SamFritz]

Well said :) This is the second time on this thread that this person has stated that Europeans/British are non-tippers.

 

Yogimax - unless you have travelled extensively on cruises in Europe and/or with many European/British cruisers and you KNOW for a fact that these people did not tip then many of us British and European cruisers would appreciate if you would not make such rash generalisations based on hearsay and on comments from a few people on these boards. :(

 

I work as a tour guide in the summer. After eleven years in this work I will say that there are generalizations that can be made about nationalities/cultural groups and tipping. But they are only generalizations. I would be a fool to assume that because a couple is from Germany I will not get a tip from them. If I treated them poorly, in favor of a couple who I thought was a better prospect, I could easily miss out on exceptions to the generalization and go home with empty pockets. I treat all my guests as equally as I possibly can.

 

With that introduction, I will share my observation, having taken hundreds of Brits on day tours of Niagara Falls. They almost never fail to tip something. But about half give a very small amount in relation to the $80 cost of the trip (maybe $1 or $2). The other half can be exceedingly generous giving as much as $15 or $20 per person. The bottom line with Brits is, they are the most unpredictable group of tippers I can think of.

 

 

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[ShakyBeef]

Well, I usually agree with you, but I think this post is poorly worded, making it sound insulting, which I do not think was your intent. I really don't want to 'throw money at anybody and everybody'. I am actually quite thrifty, but I do believe that bar servers on Royal should be tipped for services provided, even if they are serving 'free drinks'. I do not do it to get 'better service'; service has always been excellent. I do it because it is customary and a way of showing my appreciation to someone who has made my vacation pleasant. I also write thank yous and fill out the comment cards, which I am sure is also appreciated by the crew.

 

Regarding your impression that non-tipped servers perform better than tipped ones: I think that is open for debate. As I said previously, I have always received excellent service from our U.S. cruise-based bartenders so your servers must have been something special and over the top.

 

I wanted to add that I think your view of the 'american perspective' is that we like to be showy with money. It's not about that, it's about the fact that most U.S. servers, bartenders, hairdressers, etc, are considered to work in tipped positions, and the tips are what make their salary livable. This sounds wrong to people in other countries who have a minimum wage that negates the need to tip. It is two different systems. I think euros/brits like to make value judgements about our tipping behavior, which is simply a way of compensating an employee for a job well-done and is expected, unlike your system where a tip is a small amount given for above and beyond service.

 

Excellent post! I agree completely (including the part about not thinking it was Gunther & Uta's intent to sound insulting.:) In my short time on the RCI board, they have been very nice and helpful in several threads)! Thank you for putting it so well, Marci22!

[golfpccc]

First of all, let me say we always dip the bartenders $1 - $2 per drink in the DL. Recently on the Mariner we were informed by our bartender that they actually pool all their tips for the night and divide them evenly. Don't know if they do the same with the tips at the end of the week.

[Bobal]

I think we all know that ALL Euros/Brits are not like this, but when someone makes a big stink about tipping here, and you look at their location, it is usually Euros/Brits rather than U.S.

 

Or maybe it is that the same euros/brits are making repeated negative postings.

 

Well, I usually agree with you, but I think this post is poorly worded, making it sound insulting, ......

 

I wanted to add that I think your view of the 'american perspective' is that we like to be showy with money.

 

Marci, with all due respect, if you feel insulted about what Gunther said I hope you can also understand why some Europeans/British also feel insulted when they are all painted as poor tippers - and incidentally perhaps you are correct in saying that it's the same people over and over again (this thread would seem to bear that out to some extent ;))

 

I am sure Gunther is not meaning any insult but I would add that usually when someone makes a big deal about 'throwing money around' - tipping big so that the server gives good measures, tipping the steward on boarding to make sure the ice is kept filled, tipping beach attendants to get the best spots, tipping in the concierge lounge to keep the glass topped up - it usually comes from Americans.

 

Just as you say you know all Brits/Euros are not poor tippers, we also know not all people from the US think they can 'flash the cash' to solve any problem and receive superior service. It's just a shame that both of us have countrymen on these boards who do us a disservice and unfortunately perpetuate stereotypes.

[ticktoneer]

We won't be Diamond until after our Freedom cruise in September, but I had to chime in on this thread anyways!

 

For the fellow that refuses to tip on 'free' drinks, I have this to ask. What do you do in a restaurant when they have a coupon? For example, a local family owned restaurant near us has BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) Tuesdays. The place is always packed that night. When I get my bill the charge for the cheaper entree is removed. So .... do you tip on the amount of the bill or on the amount of the bill BEFORE the 'free' entree was removed? We always tip on the TOTAL amount of the bill BEFORE the free food was removed. After all, it is not the servers fault that we had a coupon. She deserves to be tipped for the full amount.

 

So what do YOU do Mr. 'I Don't Tip for Free Drinks'???

I don't tip on the bill value in restaurants. I tip what I think the service was worth.

[ggo85]

Tipping is always a personal choice. I typically visit the CL each night before dinner; my spouse may go twice during the cruise. Sometimes, we ask the Concierge to help with reservations at restaurants, the spa, etc. and sometimes not. He (they've always been male) has helped with changes to/refunds for shore excursions. He has taken us to the first tenders and arranged for quick debarkation. On a recent cruise, the concierge arranged a private wine tasting when we inadvertently missed the scheduled one and arranged for us to sit at the Captain's table.

 

Some stop by while I'm sitting in the lounge and ensure the cruise is going well. Some mostly sit at their desks but I also realize they may be busy helping other passengers.

 

We tip the concierge $100 - $130 for a 10-11 night cruise and the bartenders $25 - $40 each (for one person as my spouse almost never drinks anything). Based on the comments above, I'll probably increase bartender tips on the next cruise.

 

As noted, it's a personal decision based on what you ask/receive from the concierge, how you view tipping, and what you think is the "right" amount given the above.

[Retired LEO]

I don't tip on the bill value in restaurants. I tip what I think the service was worth.

 

So you've never been in a DL and in your mind set the service will be worth ZERO.

[joyful1nh]

I just returned from my EOS cruise in a GS and have to say I was extremely grateful that I had reviewed this thread prior to the cruise; otherwise I would have had no idea what amount was a reasonable tip for the concierge and the lounge servers.

 

I was traveling with a group and the concierge went over and above for our group, arranging a lot of extras, escorting us to the tender, making sure we were able to see the ice show more than once, helping arrange a private party for the group -- so I tipped the concierge $150 for nine nights because of the amount of service received; even though we didn't use the CL every night. Others in my group (we had three GS) tipped a bit lower but were fairly generous, they knew I was tipping for some of the services that they benefitted from.

 

To provide some additional information -- you CAN add the concierge gratuity to your onboard charge account. If you ask at the guest services desk to determine what a reasonable tip amount is - you'll probably get a blank look.

 

Years ago I worked as a bartender and waitress, so I appreciate how hard these folks work for a small amount of pay. I'm in the service industry again in a relatively low paying position where I rarely receive any sort of gratuity, and I know how much I appreciate any small gesture that confirms the client appreciates the work I've done so I try to pass along my appreciation to those who make my vacations more enjoyable.

[CruisinGerman]

While obviously it is not fair to stereotype behaviour, I do stand firm on the American perspective of tipping.

 

Marci, haven't you ever been on an RCCL cruise on embarkation day, when the line is outside the door of the Main Dining Room with passengers wishing to change their dining arrangements. And haven't you ever seen rude, loud passengers ignore the entire line and go right up to the Maitre D', shake his hand (with a few $20 bills in the handshake) and expect to get served first?

 

We've seen this many times, and the people who behave this way are usually not from Sweden or Switzerland.

 

Americans are great people, but they tend to get far too paranoid about the tipping issue. No, folks, your luggage is not going to be thrown into the ocean if you don't tip the porter on the pier (and if you do tip, it's not going to reach your cabin any faster, either). And the room service waiter is not going to spit in your coffee if you don't tip him or don't tip him what you consider a sufficient amount.

 

The employees on an RCCL ship are trained to provide excellent service, regardless of how much money they earn in tips.

 

Sorry to have offended you Marci.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

[Bobal]

Gunther and Uta - I salute you :)

[rednancy1]

We won't be Diamond until after our Freedom cruise in September, but I had to chime in on this thread anyways!

 

For the fellow that refuses to tip on 'free' drinks, I have this to ask. What do you do in a restaurant when they have a coupon? For example, a local family owned restaurant near us has BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) Tuesdays. The place is always packed that night. When I get my bill the charge for the cheaper entree is removed. So .... do you tip on the amount of the bill or on the amount of the bill BEFORE the 'free' entree was removed? We always tip on the TOTAL amount of the bill BEFORE the free food was removed. After all, it is not the servers fault that we had a coupon. She deserves to be tipped for the full amount.

 

So what do YOU do Mr. 'I Don't Tip for Free Drinks'???

 

We do the same thing and agree that it's only fair to the server. :)

[stones902]

Tipping is so subjective and there are so many variables, it really comes down to what one is comfortable with. I don't have a problem telling somewhat what we tip in the CL if they want to use that for a guideline but I wouldn't presume that our practice is appropriate for everyone.

 

I do think that it is customary on a cruise to give a gratuity to your Concierge and Servers in the CL if you use their services. It is part of the culture of cruising.

 

Anyone who has the resources to cruise enough to attain D+ or higher or to afford a large suite ought to be able to ante up a few bucks for people who provide excellent service on your vacation.

[ticktoneer]

While obviously it is not fair to stereotype behaviour, I do stand firm on the American perspective of tipping.

 

Marci, haven't you ever been on an RCCL cruise on embarkation day, when the line is outside the door of the Main Dining Room with passengers wishing to change their dining arrangements. And haven't you ever seen rude, loud passengers ignore the entire line and go right up to the Maitre D', shake his hand (with a few $20 bills in the handshake) and expect to get served first?

 

We've seen this many times, and the people who behave this way are usually not from Sweden or Switzerland.

 

Americans are great people, but they tend to get far too paranoid about the tipping issue. No, folks, your luggage is not going to be thrown into the ocean if you don't tip the porter on the pier (and if you do tip, it's not going to reach your cabin any faster, either). And the room service waiter is not going to spit in your coffee if you don't tip him or don't tip him what you consider a sufficient amount.

 

The employees on an RCCL ship are trained to provide excellent service, regardless of how much money they earn in tips.

 

Sorry to have offended you Marci.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

Good post !!!!

[NancyC]

I don't use the concierge very much but I feel the bartenders deserve higher tips than the host. The Diamond Lounge bartenders have been the best anywhere and we are some of those who monopolize the bartenders time. We seem to have the same bartenders nightly and get to know them quite well. We tip on the last night.

[Merion_Mom]

We do the same thing and agree that it's only fair to the server. :)

 

Every restaurant where I have eaten that gives coupons PRINTS RIGHT ON THE COUPON a heartfelt request to tip the server on the full amount of the bill.

[yogimax]

Every restaurant where I have eaten that gives coupons PRINTS RIGHT ON THE COUPON a heartfelt request to tip the server on the full amount of the bill.

 

Actually, the last two restaurants we ate at in which we used coupons added the standard tip on the full amount and then deducted the coupon value.

 

That worked out well!

[lisa70]

I have not ever and probably will not ever gain access to the Concierge. While I know risk getting flamed and am donning my flame suit as I type this, 50.00 seems awful steep for a tip.

 

Please dont get me wrong. Im all about tipping the staff but why does the Concierge that may or may not do anything for you deserve a lot more gratuity than your cabin attendant and waiters who work their butts off for you daily?

 

Also, isnt the Concierge a salary position? And a very decent salary at that?

 

Again, Im just curious here :confused:

 

If your paying a lot of money for a suite which i have. Why should we give a big tip?

I'm just saying. Im ready to be chewed out. i'm sorry just a question

[teajak]

Enough already.The OP asked about tipping the concierge and this has turned nasty about nationalities.Not nice.