Even after reading lots of topics - I am still confused - tipping in a suite....

[Imalismom]

Still trying to figure out how much to tip the concierge and butler.

 

We will be on the POA.

 

I have made all our dinner reservations, and have made all our shore excursions for each port.

 

We will be DH, me, DD (aged 22) and her friend ( also 22 - figured she might want someone her own age to pal around with) .

 

We may or may not have some breakfast in the cabin - but if it is hard getting the two girls up, we might for them.

 

We did request the mini frig be emptied, and we requested some pillows. We also are having a "congrats" package put up before we get to the cabin.

 

I have an envelope for each day already for whoever cleans the cabin ($20 each day).

 

I want to have these two tips in an envelope also already. I was thinking $100 for the butler and $50 for the concierge - but I do not want to give them too little - however, I think for what we are doing $350 as some have suggested in other topics is too much.

 

What would you do in my case?

Edited July 5, 2015 by Imalismom

[herdingdogmom]

I think your Butler and Concierge amounts will be fine - adjust depending on usage and service. The POA is quite different from other cruises in that you are in port every day all day. I would however highly suggest using the breakfast in the room service. There will be no room service charge since the butler delivers the food and darting into the buffet for a quick bite is not a relaxing vacation experience. It is a zoo in the buffet. The suite breakfast venue will be nice, but you may want to get on with your day asap since there is a lot to see on the islands.

 

No need to tip the room steward each day. He or she is part of the $14.95 per person per day service charge ($60 per day) you are already paying. If at the end of the cruise you feel the room steward has excelled, a cash tip will be welcome I'm sure.

 

Be sure to let the butler know what type of afternoon snacks you would like. I don't care for the fishy canapés they usually bring.

Edited July 5, 2015 by herdingdogmom

[Sauer-kraut]

The steward is already part of the DSC so you might want to back down on that tip. Perhaps $20 per head for the entire cruise would be a great tip. The Butler IF he does extra for you will garner extra AND he isn't in on the DSC so he should be tipped. Since you have booked all your excursions and dinners the Concierge won't have to do that for you, so perhaps backing off on that amount too unless you ask them to do some reservation re-arranging or something of that sort.

[asubaru]

Still trying to figure out how much to tip the concierge and butler.

 

We will be on the POA.

 

I have made all our dinner reservations, and have made all our shore excursions for each port.

 

We will be DH, me, DD (aged 22) and her friend ( also 22 - figured she might want someone her own age to pal around with) .

 

We may or may not have some breakfast in the cabin - but if it is hard getting the two girls up, we might for them.

 

We did request the mini frig be emptied, and we requested some pillows. We also are having a "congrats" package put up before we get to the cabin.

 

I have an envelope for each day already for whoever cleans the cabin ($20 each day).

 

I want to have these two tips in an envelope also already. I was thinking $100 for the butler and $50 for the concierge - but I do not want to give them too little - however, I think for what we are doing $350 as some have suggested in other topics is too much.

 

What would you do in my case?

 

IF you are set to do envelopes and cash ahead of time, I would take (3) envelopes and

300.00 cash. I would allocate the night before departure based on how much I used them and their performance(s). You can always add or subtract the amount of your "kitty".

 

On my last cruise, my circumstances were not like anything I had experienced previously or read about and the majority of my tip money went to the concierge.

[herdingdogmom]

Definitely use the concierge for priority tender in Kona and disembarkation in Honolulu. And maybe theater seats if you go to the evening shows on board. Printing boarding passes before the Napali coast was a bit hectic. Maybe the concierge could help with that task.

Edited July 5, 2015 by herdingdogmom

[Planmaam]

I think you should not stress too much about it at this time! Take the envelopes and money with you and divide it up accordingly at the end of the cruise. That way you can tip according to the service you received rather than in anticipation.

 

Have a wonderful cruise, and enjoy that suite!

Edited July 5, 2015 by planma'am

[roger001]

About a year ago I researched this exact topic. I think of all topics posted on CC, this one has more wide swings in opinion than any I've ever seen. I came to the conclusion there is no right or wrong and not ever really a good ball park figure. For the two of us, and we do not use the services of either much at all, if at any, I decided $75 butler, $50 concierge, and $50 cabin steward...7 day cruise. I figured that was a fair minimum for them having been available if needed, or used for just a very few occasions .

[Kingmaker_inc]

Personally, I find the amounts suggested for the Butler and Concierge to be a little low - if you are going to use them. There is also the Courtyard Steward to consider. He will be bringing you many meals, if you eat in the Courtyard. There is your Room Steward, and they have an Assistant. And you will find certain servers (if you eat regularly at the same place) that you may want to tip extra.

 

You could set aside $500, and see how you feel about all of the above people when you are considering your cruise on the last night. You might spend it all, or you might bring some home. It depends on how you feel after you've experienced the service aboard.

[cruzsnooze]

Still trying to figure out how much to tip the concierge and butler.

 

We will be on the POA.

 

I have made all our dinner reservations, and have made all our shore excursions for each port.

 

We will be DH, me, DD (aged 22) and her friend ( also 22 - figured she might want someone her own age to pal around with) .

 

We may or may not have some breakfast in the cabin - but if it is hard getting the two girls up, we might for them.

 

We did request the mini frig be emptied, and we requested some pillows. We also are having a "congrats" package put up before we get to the cabin.

 

I have an envelope for each day already for whoever cleans the cabin ($20 each day).

 

I want to have these two tips in an envelope also already. I was thinking $100 for the butler and $50 for the concierge - but I do not want to give them too little - however, I think for what we are doing $350 as some have suggested in other topics is too much.

 

What would you do in my case?

Why don't you wait to see if you use their services and if you even use them. I never used the butler nor the concierge so didn't feel compelled to tip them. I plan to use cash next cruise in the dining rooms because using Cagney's is where my tip belongs not in the general pool. I plan to tip the cabin steward in cash too. I remove the auto tips and bring singles and fives with me. If I run out I can get more small bills in the casino.

[Medtech2]

It's great that so many on here seem to be very generous tippers! Personally for me, I tipped the concierge on the amount of time she spent handling an excursion request and escorting us to a show, times what I make per hour...seemed fair to me.

 

Same with the butler, and he certainly spent more time on requests than she did. I counted the times I called him on the phone also, again times my own salary.

 

Our steward did absolutely nothing out of the ordinary and we never saw him, so just went with the DSC.

 

Just basing these tips on my own hourly wage I feel we each can tip according to our means, rather than some arbitrary number.

[Leavethekidswithmom]

Why don't you wait to see if you use their services and if you even use them. I never used the butler nor the concierge so didn't feel compelled to tip them. I plan to use cash next cruise in the dining rooms because using Cagney's is where my tip belongs not in the general pool. I plan to tip the cabin steward in cash too. I remove the auto tips and bring singles and fives with me. If I run out I can get more small bills in the casino.

 

 

The OP is asking for advice on tipping the butler and concierge. You are stating that you stiff your Butler and concierge then remove the DSC.

 

You my friend should be the LAST one to give advice on tipping. [emoji33]

[quillwercruisers]

It's great that so many on here seem to be very generous tippers! Personally for me, I tipped the concierge on the amount of time she spent handling an excursion request and escorting us to a show, times what I make per hour...seemed fair to me.

 

Same with the butler, and he certainly spent more time on requests than she did. I counted the times I called him on the phone also, again times my own salary.

 

Our steward did absolutely nothing out of the ordinary and we never saw him, so just went with the DSC.

 

Just basing these tips on my own hourly wage I feel we each can tip according to our means, rather than some arbitrary number.

 

I like this thought. It seems pretty fair to me. Thanks for sharing.

[ndabunka]

The OP is asking for advice on tipping the butler and concierge. You are stating that you stiff your Butler and concierge then remove the DSC.

 

You my friend should be the LAST one to give advice on tipping. [emoji33]

 

What is AMAZING is that he actually thinks he is "doing it right" when he is actually going through extensive lengths to be extremely cheap.

 

On the other side, there is NO WAY IN HELL I would bring $500 for "additional" tipping as one of the people in this thread suggested.

 

There are all kinds of guidelines for tipping and the auto DSC was DESIGNED to make answering this quesiton easier for all. The ONLY real question here is the bulter and concierge and those should be based on the service those resources actually provided during your particular cruise. The problem here is that many (including clueless above) have a hard time understanding when they are actually using butler/conceirge services.

 

To the Original Poster - We are in an SG Suite on POA the week after you and will have $100/$50 cash set asisde for the final day for our Butler/Conceirge. Any additional for the room stewards can be added to your account so not need for more cash there.

Edited July 5, 2015 by ndabunka

[vinnytman]

There were 5 of us in a GV last year (and again this year too). Since it was our first time in a suite on a cruise we were going to follow the $10 pp/pd for butler, $5 pp/pd for concierge, and nothing extra for room steward (since they're part of DSC) -- that was our plan.

 

At the end, our views change. We didn't expect the level of service that was given. It was amazing. But we didn't use the concierge except for when he showed up one morning unannounced when we got into port, had and elevator locked off for us, and had a tender waiting for us before anyone else was able to get off the ship! It was crazy!

 

We had an early flight when we returned, he made sure we were first off the ship and escorted us past a sea of hundreds of people and through customs.

 

Our butler was amazing. Didn't think we'd use him much, but he just showed up at least 5 times a day to make sure things were to out liking.

 

We all had the UDP and never made a single dinner reservation. We always just walked up to a restaurant and they seated us. So no need to use the concierge for that. We never had the concierge escort us to shows-- seems ridiculous you can't just walk to the theater by yourself.

 

My point is, you may use their services more or less than you think once your on your cruise.

 

But we ended up tipping the butler $800; concierge $200; room steward $200 since he was in our GV a few times a day making sure that very thing was nice and neat.

 

But by all means tip what YOU are comfortable with, the services rendered, and what's within you budget. Everyone tips differently.

[MAMATAMA]

I have stayed in a suite several times, I often find that our cabin stewart is the most helpful and friendly….except for Bruce he was the best we ever had….miss him… We tip according to services used…. Butler fills the fridge brings the treats that we request and what ever else we need. We tip according to service but we are big tippers for our cabin stewards that go out of there way.

[NLH Arizona]

What is AMAZING is that he actually thinks he is "doing it right" when he is actually going through extensive lengths to be extremely cheap.

 

On the other side, there is NO WAY IN HELL I would bring $500 for "additional" tipping as one of the people in this thread suggested.

 

There are all kinds of guidelines for tipping and the auto DSC was DESIGNED to make answering this quesiton easier for all. The ONLY real question here is the bulter and concierge and those should be based on the service those resources actually provided during your particular cruise. The problem here is that many (including clueless above) have a hard time understanding when they are actually using butler/conceirge services.

 

I love when someone says they don't use the services of the Butler and/or Concierge. Do these folks not use the suite lounge and are not given escorted priority boarding? Do they not use the coffee maker in the rooms? Do they not get the daily snacks? Do they not take advantage of the priority tendering or when getting off at ports? Do they not use the priority disembarkation? Do they not use the other services that they just take for granted. I think saying, we don't use their services is just an excuse.

[roger001]

I love when someone says they don't use the services of the Butler and/or Concierge. Do these folks not use the suite lounge and are not given escorted priority boarding? Do they not use the coffee maker in the rooms? Do they not get the daily snacks? Do they not take advantage of the priority tendering or when getting off at ports? Do they not use the priority disembarkation? Do they not use the other services that they just take for granted. I think saying, we don't use their services is just an excuse.

 

I'd say speak for yourself. Because for us....we don't..we don't...and we don't...any of the above...except the coffee maker (for me) and the suite boarding area at embarkation. We don't have a need for the other items, don't enjoy that level of service, and prefer doing things for ourselves. Personal preference.

[NLH Arizona]

I'd say speak for yourself. Because for us....we don't..we don't...and we don't...any of the above...except the coffee maker (for me) and the suite boarding area at embarkation. We don't have a need for the other items, don't enjoy that level of service, and prefer doing things for ourselves. Personal preference.

My point, you do use some of the services. I was talking about those folks who say they don't tip because they don't use any services.

 

I do most every thing myself and I use my Butler and Concierge very little (priority embarkation and disembarkation and a pitcher of ice water or iced tea daily), but I still tip them what I consider the average amount for tips.

[chars]

As far as I am concerned, when I pay the large price for the Haven I am paying for these services. These are not services taken for granted, but have been paid for. That being said I do tip for services above and beyond. But to tip extra because an elevator was held or a tender was waiting for me or a reservation was made is, as far as I am concerned, the concierge`s job and what I have paid for in the hefty price.

[valleyvillage]

These threads about tipping and the DSC are a festival of Confirmation Bias!

[hpecorari]

There were 5 of us in a GV last year (and again this year too). Since it was our first time in a suite on a cruise we were going to follow the $10 pp/pd for butler, $5 pp/pd for concierge, and nothing extra for room steward (since they're part of DSC) -- that was our plan.

 

At the end, our views change. We didn't expect the level of service that was given. It was amazing. But we didn't use the concierge except for when he showed up one morning unannounced when we got into port, had and elevator locked off for us, and had a tender waiting for us before anyone else was able to get off the ship! It was crazy!

 

We had an early flight when we returned, he made sure we were first off the ship and escorted us past a sea of hundreds of people and through customs.

 

Our butler was amazing. Didn't think we'd use him much, but he just showed up at least 5 times a day to make sure things were to out liking.

 

We all had the UDP and never made a single dinner reservation. We always just walked up to a restaurant and they seated us. So no need to use the concierge for that. We never had the concierge escort us to shows-- seems ridiculous you can't just walk to the theater by yourself.

 

My point is, you may use their services more or less than you think once your on your cruise.

 

But we ended up tipping the butler $800; concierge $200; room steward $200 since he was in our GV a few times a day making sure that very thing was nice and neat.

 

But by all means tip what YOU are comfortable with, the services rendered, and what's within you budget. Everyone tips differently.

 

I happily volunteer to be your butler for one week! LOL $800.00?

 

Harriet

[medicalma'am]

I totally agree with Medtech2 about tipping according to you own salary. Some of us could NEVER EVER tip $800 to someone for the week. To others, $100 to the butler is a generous sacrifice and our "widow's mite".

 

But if we are tipping by time and according to our own hourly wages....now that is a good measure to tipping IMO.

[hpecorari]

I totally agree with Medtech2 about tipping according to you own salary. Some of us could NEVER EVER tip $800 to someone for the week. To others' date=' $100 to the butler is a generous sacrifice and our "widow's mite".

 

But if we are tipping by time and according to our own hourly wages....now that is a good measure to tipping IMO.

[/size']

 

What about those who are retired?

 

Just asking.....LOL

 

Harriet

[Linda the Book Lover]

What about those who are retired?

 

Just asking.....LOL

 

Harriet

 

We are retired and we tip according to what we ask of the butler, concierge, and room steward. We figure $300 and split accordingly. If there is above and beyond maybe more. We also tip the Cagney's hostess and wait staff. We are not millionaires by any stretch but we factor in special tips as part of our vacation.

[jaja]

We are retired and we tip according to what we ask of the butler, concierge, and room steward. We figure $300 and split accordingly. If there is above and beyond maybe more. We also tip the Cagney's hostess and wait staff. We are not millionaires by any stretch but we factor in special tips as part of our vacation.

 

Sounds like a plan :) It is in line with what we do..We budget for tips..and decide on the day before disembarkment ..how to allocate our allotment...!

Edited July 5, 2015 by jaja