Customary Tip for Room Service

[rgmacm]

Can someone please settle a difference of opinion between DH and I? :) :)

What is the customary tip for room service?

-hot breakfast for 2?

-sandwiches for lunch?

-hot meal for dinner?

 

Does it vary based on what you order? or how much/for how many people? Or do you just tip a standard amount no matter what the meal or how much food?

Thanks!

[Cruise Junky]

Couple of bucks. If it was something elaborate like the ultimate breakfast we'd tip $5. But usually $2 or $3 for all room service

[DrivesLikeMario]

Couple of bucks. If it was something elaborate like the ultimate breakfast we'd tip $5. But usually $2 or $3 for all room service

 

Totally agree with that - or maybe a buck more.

Edited March 22, 2014 by DrivesLikeMario

[Putterdude]

We normally tip a couple of dollars which you can note on the back of the ticket or give them cash....cash is rather seems preferred.

[Loonbeam]

Rule of thumb is $1 per person for simple orders, $2pp for complex ones. You can adjust that, if you ordered for 4 $8 would probably be excessive...

[caribill]

Room service personnel share in the allocation of the "auto-tip" that is posted to your account each night.

 

That said, many passengers choose to tip in addition to that.

[1025cruise]

Just a couple of things.

 

You mention "hot breakfast" in your OP. The only room service option for a hot breakfast is an egg sandwich. While some have reported no difficulty in getting eggs or something else that was written in, its not a guarantee.

 

You also mention "hot dinner". Keep in mind that the room service menu is limited. You won't have the option of the MDR menu, just the limited burgers and sandwiches.

 

If you are staying in a full suite, this will be different.

[Colo Cruiser]

I agree $2 to $3.

[Plant]

We tip $3.00 per order to our cabin no matter how much food is involved. I can't be sure, but I don't think that the Room Service personnel share in the auto-tip :(.

 

caribill, could you tell me why or where you've found that they do? If so, we'll be changing our tips!

 

Thanks,

[marazad16]

We had coffee and yogurts and croissants each morning - I tipped $3.00

[f-mattox]

Agree with the 2-3 dollars unless it's something elaborate.

[TwoBadKnees]

We tip $3.00 per order to our cabin no matter how much food is involved. I can't be sure, but I don't think that the Room Service personnel share in the auto-tip :(.

 

caribill, could you tell me why or where you've found that they do? If so, we'll be changing our tips!

 

Thanks,

 

According to the Princess website:

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/onboard/experience.jsp#Gratuities

I interpret "waitstaff" to include room service.

[DMRick]

We asked the matre d and was told room service was not included in the daily tipping.

According to the Princess website:

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/onboard/experience.jsp#Gratuities

I interpret "waitstaff" to include room service.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[HRPro]

We usually order breakfast from room service and tip $2 in cash. They always seem very appreciative. I always take about $50 in ones with me for tipping, so I have cash available.

[OCruisers]

Yes, it is customary to tip for room service. Actually, it's sort of expected. ;)

LuLu

~~~

[Times Prince]

We tip $3.00 per order to our cabin no matter how much food is involved. I can't be sure, but I don't think that the Room Service personnel share in the auto-tip :(.

 

caribill, could you tell me why or where you've found that they do? If so, we'll be changing our tips!

 

Thanks,

In the Princess FAQ we can see:

"This gratuity will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including all waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, and housekeeping staff across the fleet."

 

"Casino dealers and Lotus Spa® personnel do not share in these gratuities, as not all passengers utilize these services."

 

If room service was separate from the "all waitstaff" then there would be a tip automatically placed on the bill, as there is for bar service. The Room Service receipt does not show an automatic tip, but allows for one to write in an appropriate tip.

 

I usually think to myself "what would I be tipping for a small breakfast if I were at Denny's, IHOP, or similar venue?" Then I add that tip for room service.

[Loonbeam]

Room service staff are taken from the waiter pool (they rotate) and are part of the auto-tip pool.

 

That said, room service is a pain in the tail (imagine maneuvering through the ship with trays of food you can't spill) so warrants a little extra.

 

I also figure they won't be sharing in the extra funds often given to MDR servers.

[caribill]

caribill, could you tell me why or where you've found that they do? If so, we'll be changing our tips!

 

Thanks,

 

I asked at the Purser's desk.

[wrongwaywatson]

I usually order coffee from room service several mornings each cruise, and request it at 6am. I'm an early riser and I enjoy drinking coffee in my room and reading early. I usually give $2 for the tray. It comes with a pot of coffee, cream and sugar.

[cruzsnooze]

Room service is included in the daily tip. Since the cruise has already figured out what is "normal" why second guess them. I do not double tip.

[RetiredNTraveling]

While we always sign up for per-paid gratuities, I always carry a stack of cash just for "Special Considerations" (Tipping)! On our 14 day Hawaiian cruise, we took $2 bills (they love them:D), $5 bills and $10 bills. I use the $2's & $5’s for early morning coffee or & $5’s with coffee, juice & roll delivery and $5 for two bar drinks. Also using the $5’s & $10’s for porters/luggage handlers, tour guides & tour drivers and use the $10’s for service at specialty restaurants and good waiters in the MDR. By the way, I ran out of cash by the time we were on our way home!! ;)

[eandj]

Because the waitstaff that deliver room service ARE included in the auto tips, "customary" is up to the individual as it is indeed just an extra tip on top of the autotip money they will get at the end of their cruise.

As the op can read here, some people double tip and some do not. Neither is right nor wrong.

[Ronnieslady]

Who gets the tip if you give cash when room service brings say coffee, juice & a few other things in the AM??? The person that brings it?? Or the person that prepared it for the cart. Or do they split it???

Of course we leave the auto-tip on.

[gr82cu2]

We get a strap of $5 bills before we leave home for room service tips. We have found that after the 2nd day those room service orders come lightning fast! It's especially important when I need coffee in the mornings :D It's worth it to us and they are very appreciative of the extra tip.

[cruzsnooze]

We have found that after the 2nd day those room service orders come lightning fast! It's especially important when I need coffee in the mornings :

I have found my coffee comes at the exact time I put on my little order form I put out the night before without double tipping so you would get that lightning fast service either way. They don't turn down tips so go ahead and tip all you want but don't think you're getting better service then anyone else. Princess has always been been great when it comes to service IMHO.