Tipping for room service & PG

[travelingduo]

We have not been on a HAL ship for a number of years. The last time we were on the Amsterdam, the concierge in the Neptune Lounge told us that the "per person per day service charge" included all the service areas on the ship with the exception of wine and beverage servers (and bar tenders) who get a portion of the added 15% gratuity. We have no problem tipping additional (which we often do for good service) but we didn't know if the room service waiters and the PG waiters were considered "all service areas" as they were in the past. (And what about Canaletto?) Our TA told us that HAL instructed her that the automatic gratuity includes everyone as noted above, but I have read different opinions on this. Your thoughts? Thanks.

[taxmantoo]

Trust your TA. She was right!

All food waiters (MDR, Specialty and in-room) are included while beverage waiters do get 15% on drinks sold.

Extra tipping is at your discretion.

[sail7seas]

We always tip when we have a Room Service delivery and many here have posted they do the same. We also tip in Pinnacle. We feel the wonderful service we receive in Pinnacle deserves an extra thank you. I do think the Pinnacle stewards get a small piece of the hotel service charge but we don't feel it is enough for the lovely dinners they serve us.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

When we used to get room service, we did tip the person who delivered the food. If you decide to tip them -- have the money ready to hand over as they come in quickly and leave quickly.

We always tip extra to the wait staff in all the specialty restaurants.

At the end of the cruise, if we feel that anyone -- like maybe a server who waited on us all cruise in a bar/lounge -- has gone above duty to make our cruise an enjoyable one -- we will give an extra tip to them.

[msteries]

Since it's just me getting room service breakfast, I keep a small stash of ones handy. I always take cash to tip my cabin stewards. They are tremendously over-worked so that HAL can cut costs, yet they always have taken extra time to check on a solo traveler, no matter what class of cabin I was in. Their service and cheerfulness are one of the reasons I choose HAL.

Mary

[boards]

We tipped the last time we ate in the PG, however I had to request the waiter to give them the tip. I actually was somewhat embarrassed to have to that. so I not sure if you need to tip them if you have to do that. They were not where around when we decided to leave. I will not go through that again to leave a tip.

Edited January 21, 2014 by boards

[cruz chic]

We tipped the last time we ate in the PG, however I had to request the waiter to give them the tip. I actually was somewhat embarrassed to have to that. so I not sure if you need to tip them if you have to do that. They were not where around when we decided to leave. I will not go through that again to leave a tip.

I just leave mine in the bill folder if you get one. If not I leave it on the table sort of out of reach so someone can't take it easily. That said, there has been a few times when the service has been dismal so I've left nothing extra.

[alwaysfrantic]

Just a head's up for those who think they might want to tip in P G. Take cash. We had no ticket to sign at the end to which we could add a gratuity. Other lines always had a ticket where we could add a tip.

[rkacruiser]

I always offer a small gratuity to the Room Service steward. It is truly appreciated by them.

 

On the Westerdam's January 4th sailing, when dining in the Pinnacle Grill, I saw no one--and I was carefully watching when others left their table and the restaurant--leave a gratuity. For my first time in dining at a specialty restaurant on any ship, I did not leave one either. The service was not as professional and pleasant as what I was experiencing in the Main Dining Room.

[whogo]

The PG waiters and room service personnel are included in the hotel service charge. They do not hang around in expectation of a tip.

[cruz chic]

I always offer a small gratuity to the Room Service steward. It is truly appreciated by them.

 

On the Westerdam's January 4th sailing, when dining in the Pinnacle Grill, I saw no one--and I was carefully watching when others left their table and the restaurant--leave a gratuity. For my first time in dining at a specialty restaurant on any ship, I did not leave one either. The service was not as professional and pleasant as what I was experiencing in the Main Dining Room.

I have to agree with you. I know people say they slip it to them when they shake their hand. I don't see any hand shaking either. I don't care what others do. If the service is good, I'll tip (extra). If it sucks I won't. I'm not a fan of people telling me I shouldn't.

[RJ2002]

When we order from room service, we always give a small tip.

 

In the PG, one time we wrote in the tip on the check we had to sign for the cover charges. We were surprised at the end of the cruise to see that it had not been added. :confused:

 

We've also dined in the PG when the service did not warrant a tip, and we didn't leave one. However, will do acknowledge good service when we receive it.

Edited January 21, 2014 by RJ2002

[serendipity1499]

We have not been on a HAL ship for a number of years. The last time we were on the Amsterdam, the concierge in the Neptune Lounge told us that the "per person per day service charge" included all the service areas on the ship with the exception of wine and beverage servers (and bar tenders) who get a portion of the added 15% gratuity. We have no problem tipping additional (which we often do for good service) but we didn't know if the room service waiters and the PG waiters were considered "all service areas" as they were in the past. (And what about Canaletto?) Our TA told us that HAL instructed her that the automatic gratuity includes everyone as noted above, but I have read different opinions on this. Your thoughts? Thanks.

 

Trust your TA. She was right!

All food waiters (MDR, Specialty and in-room) are included while beverage waiters do get 15% on drinks sold.

Extra tipping is at your discretion.

 

Agree with taxmantoo, your TA is right.. Every Steward & Servers which include room service, Pinnacle, Canaletto, Lido, Tamarand, Main DR & Explorations café is included in the daily service Charge, with the exception of the wine & beverage servers who get their tips from the 15% added to your beverage checks..

 

If you wish to give extra tip for excellent service that is strictly your decision.. We often give a little extra with a Thank You note to those who have made our cruise extra special..

 

In addition, the most important thing for each member of the crew to receive is a good evalutation on your cruise.. It really helps if you mention them by name when you send in your evaluation..

 

Cheers..Betty

[Typhoon1]

All staff members share the HSC.

 

Additional tipping is completely discretionary.

[sail7seas]

When we order from room service, we always give a small tip.

 

In the PG, one time we wrote in the tip on the check we had to sign for the cover charges. We were surprised at the end of the cruise to see that it had not been added. :confused:

 

We've also dined in the PG when the service did not warrant a tip, and we didn't leave one. However, will do acknowledge good service when we receive it.

 

 

There is no 'tip line' on HAL tabs as they do not permit write in tips. All tips over and above the automatically charged hotel service charge are given in cash. The Pinnacle stewards you intended to tip received nothing extra.

 

Edited January 22, 2014 by sail7seas

[whogo]

Here is the information from the horse's mouth - HAL's website:

Is There A Hotel Service Charge (Gratuity/Tip)?

Our crew works very hard to make sure that every aspect of your cruise meets the highest standards. This includes those crew members who serve you directly, such as Dining Room wait staff and the stewards who service your stateroom each day. There are also many others who support their efforts whom you may never meet, such as galley and laundry staff. To ensure that the efforts of all of our crew members are recognized and rewarded, a daily Hotel Service Charge is automatically added to each guest’s shipboard account.

The daily Hotel Service Charge for suites is US$12.00 per guest per day, and US$11.50 per guest per day for other staterooms. (The charges are subject to change without notice)

If our service exceeds or fails to meet your expectations, you are free to adjust this amount at the end of each segment and/or voyage. The Hotel Service Charge is paid to Holland America Line crew members, and represents an important part of their compensation. A 15% Bar Service Charge is automatically added to bar charges and Dining Room wine purchases. In terminals, airports, ports of call and on shore excursions, we suggest that you extend gratuities consistent with customary local practices.

[Loreto]

I always keep a "stash" of dollar bills in the dresser drawer for breakfast room service.

 

When we ate in the Pinnacle Grill last month we had wonderful service, and we did give each server an extra gratuity. The meal was very enjoyable...we have had some not so good experiences in the past.

 

Karen

[RuthC]

On the Westerdam's January 4th sailing, when dining in the Pinnacle Grill, I saw no one--and I was carefully watching when others left their table and the restaurant--leave a gratuity.

Had I been in the Pinnacle Grill when you were, you wouldn't have seen me leave an extra tip, either. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't have left one.

 

I fold the bill when I put it in my purse. Near the end of coffee/dessert, I slip it out of my purse, and under the dessert plate or saucer.

Perhaps others did similarly when you were looking the other way.

[RJ2002]

There is no 'tip line' on HAL tabs as they do not permit write in tips. All tips over and above the automatically charged hotel service charge are given in cash. The Pinnacle stewards you intended to tip received nothing extra.

 

 

Yes, lesson learned! It was our first HAL cruise. :o

[elsie60]

I love the "cashless" society now on HAL. I remember the days when our last cruise day was spent figuring out all the people that served us so well and putting cash in envelopes to deliver. We always keep a supply of 1's to tip the room service person that brings our coffee in the morning. During the duration of the cruise my DH keeps a list of the people that we thought went above and beyond and we deliver an additional tip to them the last day including our room stewards. Since I go to the casino and he does not I always take some extra cash the last couple of days to tip the staff that took care of me. We automatically figure in the hotel charge and tips in our budget so we know what to expect. The staff works so hard for us and we love to help out. We are middle class and by no means anywhere near to being wealthy but we budget the extra cash for the crew all year long by saving our change so we have plenty of cash for tipping.

[sail7seas]

I always offer a small gratuity to the Room Service steward. It is truly appreciated by them.

 

On the Westerdam's January 4th sailing, when dining in the Pinnacle Grill, I saw no one--and I was carefully watching when others left their table and the restaurant--leave a gratuity. For my first time in dining at a specialty restaurant on any ship, I did not leave one either. The service was not as professional and pleasant as what I was experiencing in the Main Dining Room.

 

 

One does not have to 'make a show' when they provide a tip. You would never notice when DH tips in Pinnacle. ;)

 

I'm not sure I'd spend so much energy carefully watching who was tipping or not...... actually it doesn't matter to me. We tip because we want to; not because anyone else does or does not.

Edited January 22, 2014 by sail7seas

[Linda&Vern]

What do most people do when you want to tip extra for breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill? Tip each day or tip at the end of the cruise? I ask because on our last cruise I swear every one of the staff had some part in our breakfast routine. Someone brought coffee, another took our order, someone else brought juice, another staff brought pastries, and one of these wonderful staff brought our food. Leaving one tip seemed impossible to do. We ended up dropping a card w/$$ "to PG Staff" at our last breakfast.

[sail7seas]

What do most people do when you want to tip extra for breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill? Tip each day or tip at the end of the cruise? I ask because on our last cruise I swear every one of the staff had some part in our breakfast routine. Someone brought coffee, another took our order, someone else brought juice, another staff brought pastries, and one of these wonderful staff brought our food. Leaving one tip seemed impossible to do. We ended up dropping a card w/$$ "to PG Staff" at our last breakfast.

 

 

That was a tasteful and generous way of saying thank you. :)

[travelingduo]

Thanks for all your "tips!":D

[croydonCruiser]

Can we tip the room service steward or PG waiter in Euros while on a Mediterranean cruise? We won't have any US currency, as we will be coming from Australia.

I could get some USD before we leave, but I doubt that they'd give it to me in ones :rolleyes:.

Also exchange outlets here have a minimum amount. It seems a bit silly to get $200 or so for the sake of 6-10 breakfasts in our cabin.

 

I think I've answered my own question! Looks like it's Euros or it's nothing! :D