Dinner MDR tips

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I have already paid my service charges but I would feel funny not leaving something after dinner or lunch or breakfast for that matter when I eat in The MDR Do people leave tips nightly? How much would be good to leave?

[Demonyte]

It's all up to you - tips are not expected but you can tip if you feel like it.

[che5904]

I don't since it is already included. I've had good service in the MDRs on all of my cruises, really no complaints but I can't say that I've had over the top service that would leave me feeling I wanted to tip beyond the DSC.

 

But it does take a little getting used to walking out without leaving a tip. I remember my first two cruises, I left, always feeling like I had forgotten something.

Edited January 12, 2014 by che5904

[ColinIllinois]

Obviously your choice but why would you feel funny? Just curious.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Obviously your choice but why would you feel funny? Just curious.

 

Maybe having been a waitress a long time ago makes me feel weird not leaving something. Maybe I'll leave a few bucks if it doesn't kill my pocketbook it might make someone happy.

 

 

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[B6ConMe]

Maybe having been a waitress a long time ago makes me feel weird not leaving something. Maybe I'll leave a few bucks if it doesn't kill my pocketbook it might make someone happy.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

I can understand feeling funny about not leaving a tip and what we do is just leave a couple of bucks @ breakfast & lunch and then dinner is up to you. We usually left about $5+or- depending on service. We were lucky and had the same waiter almost every day in Cagney's for B&L so we left a little extra at the end, as well.

Edited January 12, 2014 by B6ConMe

[kcwingwalker]

I have already paid my service charges but I would feel funny not leaving something after dinner or lunch or breakfast for that matter when I eat in The MDR Do people leave tips nightly? How much would be good to leave?

 

Have never tipped in the MDR. Now if a waiter saved my life performing the Heimlich maneuver I certainly would be tipping very well. I would also tip if I made a special request.

 

When the service is good in a specialty restaurant I do tip. But if the service is lacking I do not.

[Medtech2]

I have already paid my service charges but I would feel funny not leaving something after dinner or lunch or breakfast for that matter when I eat in The MDR Do people leave tips nightly? How much would be good to leave?

If you happen to get exceptional service filling out a Style or Hero card (or whatever they are calling those cards now) would be better than money.

 

Bonuses and promotions (or assignments) are based in part on those...

[1smudslide]

I also leave $3 for breakfast or lunch and usually $5 for dinner. I am confused about the specialty restaurants. I thought they also were included in the sharing of the service charges, and this made me think that leaving $5 was decent. Now when I read the faq about the specialty, it said that gratuities are not included. That make me think I should be tipping more like $15. Was I reading that right?

[Love my butler]

I also leave $3 for breakfast or lunch and usually $5 for dinner. I am confused about the specialty restaurants. I thought they also were included in the sharing of the service charges, and this made me think that leaving $5 was decent. Now when I read the faq about the specialty, it said that gratuities are not included. That make me think I should be tipping more like $15. Was I reading that right?

 

The FAQ is hogwash. They are playing semantics. Every server in every restaurant on the ship is included in the DSC pool. If you want to tip again you sure can, but the DSC tip is already given to every server on the ship, specialty restaurants included. If anyone tries to tell you differently they are mis-informed.

[njhorseman]

I also leave $3 for breakfast or lunch and usually $5 for dinner. I am confused about the specialty restaurants. I thought they also were included in the sharing of the service charges, and this made me think that leaving $5 was decent. Now when I read the faq about the specialty, it said that gratuities are not included. That make me think I should be tipping more like $15. Was I reading that right?

 

No, you're not reading it correctly. All NCL wait staff, even if they work in a specialty restaurant carrying an upcharge, are compensated through the DSC. It's not necessary to tip in any restaurant...but it's certainly permissible to tip if you feel it's warranted.

[1smudslide]

I put this on another thread, but I read this when I was looking at the UDP. Q. ARE GRATUITIES INCLUDED IN THE ULTIMATE DINING PACKAGE PURCHASE PRICE?

A. No. If you wish to recognize the crew for their service, you may do so at time of service using the gratuity line on the check. Plus, a beverage gratuity of 15% will automatically be added to all beverage sales.

[vols_159]

I put this on another thread, but I read this when I was looking at the UDP. Q. ARE GRATUITIES INCLUDED IN THE ULTIMATE DINING PACKAGE PURCHASE PRICE?

A. No. If you wish to recognize the crew for their service, you may do so at time of service using the gratuity line on the check. Plus, a beverage gratuity of 15% will automatically be added to all beverage sales.

 

 

I take that they don't add a extra 15% on the package for extra tips .. Tips are paid threw the dsc. U can tip extra or not up to you

[lovetrauma]

I believe NCL does not consider the DSC as gratuities. To them it is just a DSC. So I take it that they are thinking if you want to leave a gratuitie you can.

[Love my butler]

I believe NCL does not consider the DSC as gratuities. To them it is just a DSC. So I take it that they are thinking if you want to leave a gratuitie you can.

 

NCL can consider it whatever they want. It's a tip. They explained it as such 10+ years ago when they went to freestyle dining and came up with the DSC.

[Demonyte]

NCL can consider it whatever they want. It's a tip. They explained it as such 10+ years ago when they went to freestyle dining and came up with the DSC.

 

So what you're actually saying is that it doesn't matter what NCL currently clearly says on their website because you claim that they said something else 10+ years ago. Sorry to say but this is a new low playing the devil's advocate.

[newmexicoNita]

I have already paid my service charges but I would feel funny not leaving something after dinner or lunch or breakfast for that matter when I eat in The MDR Do people leave tips nightly? How much would be good to leave?

 

don't feel bad: this is what the whole service charge thing is all about. The MDR staff does not expect another penny. If you eat in the specialty restaurants you might want to add something. I think most people do, the service is usually above just good!!!!

[roger001]

In the MDR, I usually leave $5 for evening meal, $3 for breakfast or lunch if we eat there. As others have said, only leave a tip if you feel like you want too. Certainly not required or expected. I try to, at the end of the meal, hand the tip to the person who has served us rather than leaving it on the table.

[MCAT48]

So if the staff in every dinning venue is covered by the dsc why leave a tip in the specialty restaurants but not the mdr? I never realized the crew in the specialty res. were covered in this.

[ColinIllinois]

So if the staff in every dinning venue is covered by the dsc why leave a tip in the specialty restaurants but not the mdr? I never realized the crew in the specialty res. were covered in this.

 

 

Customers choice. Perhaps they feel they are getting exemplary service in the specialty restaurants or perhaps as others have alluded to they are just "conditioned" to leaving tips in nice restaurants.

 

Who knows?

[mc_reeve]

So who gets the service charge if the dining staff doesn't? Why not just go back to the old way of tipping everyone so that we know who is getting the money. Its a pretty fair amount of money - $24/day for a couple. I can give out a lot of tips with that kind of money if its not going to the dining staff.

[njhorseman]

So who gets the service charge if the dining staff doesn't? Why not just go back to the old way of tipping everyone so that we know who is getting the money. Its a pretty fair amount of money - $24/day for a couple. I can give out a lot of tips with that kind of money if its not going to the dining staff.

 

Who said the dining staff doesn't get the service charge??

 

The DSC is used used to compensate the dining room staff, cabin stewards, and certain back-of-house staff that support those functions.

 

It's the bartenders, bar waiters, concierge, butlers, kids club staff , cruise director's staff and spa staff, as well as officers and other salaried crew positions that don't share in the DSC.

Edited January 12, 2014 by njhorseman

[numberguy]

Maybe having been a waitress a long time ago makes me feel weird not leaving something. Maybe I'll leave a few bucks if it doesn't kill my pocketbook it might make someone happy.

 

Heck, I'm coming up on my sixth cruise, and I still feel weird just getting up and leaving without signing something!

 

--Michael

[Love my butler]

So what you're actually saying is that it doesn't matter what NCL currently clearly says on their website because you claim that they said something else 10+ years ago. Sorry to say but this is a new low playing the devil's advocate.

 

Nope, I am saying I don't play the semantics game. Use the word you want, DSC, tip, gratuity. To me, it's all the same. Life is too short to play games.

[LoveyHowell]

Have never heard of anyone leaving small tips in MDR for regular service. You're already paying "behind the scenes" so everyone is compensated fairly and there isn't awkwardness.

 

 

The only one feeling awkward or funny is the OP. And if makes you happy, OP, to tip at each meal go ahead, they sure won't stop you, but I find it very weird to do so after you are already paying the DSC.