UBP and tipping

[cygnets]

I know the UBP has a tip included but my DH says treat it like Vegas and always give a cash tip when drinks are delivered. Is it ok to tip cash and would a dollar a drink be decent enough or should it be more?

[janicemarie29]

You can definitely tip cash. And any amount you want. The gratuities are included in the packages so anything is a bonus.

[Demonyte]

Even without the package we often tip good waiters/bartenders $1 per drink - as said, anything on top of the standard auto-gratuity is a bonus for the staff.

[Sotermarler]

Since the UBP was free, was the 18% gratuity part of that or will I see 18% charges on my account after each drink purchased?

[Demonyte]

Since the UBP was free, was the 18% gratuity part of that or will I see 18% charges on my account after each drink purchased?

 

It's clearly stated in the T&C of the promo:

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPagesPopup.html?pageId=wave15terms

 

Ultimate beverage package option includes 15% gratuity on the package.

[Sotermarler]

Demonyte thank you for your condescending comment. I have already read and im still not sure i understand it thanks for making me feel dumb though. Would anyone else like to comment? I understand its going to be 18% on my sailing. Does that mean per drink or per package price?

[mjkacmom]

Since the UBP was free, was the 18% gratuity part of that or will I see 18% charges on my account after each drink purchased?

 

The 18% is included.

 

We paid for our UBP, and left an extra $1 on each drink.

[cb at sea]

You've already paid tips of 15-18% when you BUY the package. If you wish to give them more, then go ahead!

 

I think 15-18% per drink is more than sufficient....however, if we use one bar/bartender all week, we will tip them extra on the last night. We don't carry cash around the ship with us....so handing out dollars isn't an option!

 

In Vegas, the drinks are free (in the casino), so you do tip the waitress $1-2, since there is no way to tip a percentage on a zero bill!

Edited February 28, 2015 by cb at sea

[janicemarie29]

It's 18% of the package price that would be added if you were paying for it. Without the package, 18% would be added to each drink. I'm not sure if the employees would get the 18% per drink when the package is involved.

[Sotermarler]

Thank you all for the clarification!

[cygnets]

Thanks all, DH is hoping the $1. delivery tip will keep the bar staff coming back with some frequency. It is our only kid free vacation this year so i guess a few extra bucks to keep the drinks coming and needing no designated driver could make for a really fun trip.

[goldesq]

Thanks all, DH is hoping the $1. delivery tip will keep the bar staff coming back with some frequency. It is our only kid free vacation this year so i guess a few extra bucks to keep the drinks coming and needing no designated driver could make for a really fun trip.

 

To make them keep coming back quickly, start off giving the server 5 or 10 bucks total for the first few drinks. That will have them coming back quickly. Tip $1 or more after that for each drink.

[cygnets]

To make them keep coming back quickly, start off giving the server 5 or 10 bucks total for the first few drinks. That will have them coming back quickly. Tip $1 or more after that for each drink.

Great idea especially in casino or by the pool where we would be staying for a while.

 

We did not gamble much on last cruise with the kids, do they come to tables or machines to take drink orders or do you need to go up to the casino bar?

[Sotermarler]

Next cruise we need to find a bar we like and stick with it. Our last cruise (1st) we hit almost every bat on the ship so we never got to know any bar tenders. I hope we find a favorite right away this time.

[meggie711]

To make them keep coming back quickly, start off giving the server 5 or 10 bucks total for the first few drinks. That will have them coming back quickly. Tip $1 or more after that for each drink.

 

Yup! That's our method. Then the rest of the trip, you will have them looking out for you, calling you by name, and remembering what you like to drink and how you like it! ;)

[RedRover96]

I have read a lot of different threads on additional tipping with the UBP & UDP. My question is if you add additional tip (beyond the now 18%) directly to the receipt does it go directly to the severer. I read in one thread that is how they kept track of the value of especially UBP, $25 in $1 in tips means 25 drinks. However I don’t want to do that if that individual server who provided me the additional above & beyond service doesn't directly receive the tip from NCL. :confused:

 

Thanks,

RedRover96

[Daghis]

Great idea especially in casino or by the pool where we would be staying for a while.

 

We did not gamble much on last cruise with the kids, do they come to tables or machines to take drink orders or do you need to go up to the casino bar?

When we were on Norwegian Getaway last year, we got excellent service from the roaming bartenders while we were at the machines. I'm sure the cash tips I gave them helped. :)

 

(I'll note that we had the casino-provided drink cards, not the UBP.)

[cygnets]

If a server or bartender receive cash tips do they have to put that into a tip pool to be divided or do they get to keep the cash tips? Same question for the room steward, we tip cash and not just on the last day, do they get it or do they have to share? We did prepay the service charge but like to tip individuals for their awesome service and making our cruise experience great.

Edited March 4, 2015 by cygnets

[GEORGET]

Demonyte thank you for your condescending comment. I have already read and im still not sure i understand it thanks for making me feel dumb though. Would anyone else like to comment? I understand its going to be 18% on my sailing. Does that mean per drink or per package price?

 

when onboard the Spirit you are given the usual bar slip to sign showing the full price of the drink plus the now 18% grats.

the waiter recieves this as usual. Unless the drink is over $10 you will not see any charge on your ship account.

they usually write ubp on there copy.

hope it helps j