How do you handle tips on long cruises?

[Bra_BE2014]

Hello,

 

I'm from Belgium and I will take my first NCL cruise next year, a 16 day transatlantic, yay!

 

However, I'm a bit worried about what's appropriate when it comes to tips.

 

I'm traveling on a budget and if I tip on every single drink I will have that can quickly become hundreds of dollars I can't afford (I have the UBP perk)

 

So I'd like to ask you experts, how much and how often you tip on long cruises?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Priscila

[Casino Comp Chick]

I bring a stack of $2 bills with me but at the very least a dollar a drink is the norm.

[KeithJenner]

You don't need to tip anything at all. The gratuity on the package covers it. Being from Belgium you may not have actually paid the gratuity as you got the package free, but it will have been accounted for.

 

However, many people also leave some extra per drink. $1 per drink is often quoted and the staff will appreciate it.

 

Given your budget constraints, I would give a when you think it's appropriate (particularly good service, friendly staff etc), but don't feel that it is necessary. Maybe put aside an amount per day for that purpose.

[BirdTravels]

Your daily service charge covers the majority of the staff. People not covered would be busters in suites and child minders if you are using the child care facilities. Otherwise don't worry about any additional tips if you are truly on a budget.

[xcell]

Ok - I know I'm going to get flamed for this but...

 

I don't understand this tipping thing...it's your job, you get paid for it, so that should be it...

 

Does every job out there get a tip? If you doctor goes above and beyond (i.e. actually sees you on time), do you tip him/her for that? If the person who takes your special order from McD doesn't screw it up, do you tip for that? Probably not, so then why tip the guy who brings you a beer.

 

Now after a long cruise, you find you have a bond with your bartender, he/she tells you great stories, etc... then sure, show some appreciation (I am not saying not to tip...just saying we need to be selective not mechanical...here's your drink, here's your $1).

 

The best example is at the port...the guy grabs your bag, we tip him $5 for lifting it less than a ft to the trolley. We are scared that if we don't tip that our bags won't make it there...

 

So again, to make it clear so my flamming is limited -- GREAT service would get a tip, service gets a thank you... but again, this is IMHO

Edited May 14, 2016 by xcell

[illiniwahoo]

I don't tip extra for every drink. I typically wait a few days and then tip our favorite and most used bartenders $5. On a longer cruise, I would probably do that three times. I don't feel obligated to tip extra for normal service as a gratuity has already been paid.

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[FreestyleNovice]

Being a non American is a benefit when it comes to tipping on board, no flame intended.

 

My tip: Just tip as you would do in Belgium in a bar, restaurant etc.

 

Don't feel obligated to tip, your DSC covers almost anyone you may encounter on board a NCL ship (as described above by a previous poster).

 

Especially since you're on a budget you should not have to worry about tipping when you pay the full DSC.

[vicocala]

I'm already paying 18% which I already think is criminal for a tip, especially since inflation should cover pay raises when on tips so I only tip if in a suite and tip the butler, steward and concierge. I also often tip on tours to the guide/driver. I don't have need for child care services or I would tip them too.

 

Otherwise I feel like I am throwing away money when tips have already been paid.

[luvtheships]

I bring a stack of $2 bills with me but at the very least a dollar a drink is the norm.

 

 

$2 bills. It figures

[cdnsteelman]

The first thing I'll say is that the length of your cruise shouldn't factor in - if you can work the cruise into your budget, that budget should cover all aspects.

 

An 18% gratuity for bar staff is already calculated in to your UBP perq (bar staff are not covered by the DSC - daily service charge) so there is absolutely no need to tip on a per drink basis.From this perspective you are completely safe if budgeting zero dollars for extra bar staff tips. That said you may find a member or two of the bar staff who become your regular servers and you may wish to give them something extra - how much and when are completely at your personal discretion but one suggestion would be part of the amount a few days in and part of the amount at the end.

 

This is not unlike people (like myself) who typically give their room steward something extra at the end of the trip for excellent personal attention.

 

People who tip a dollar or two per drink are very generous and I'm sure the staff appreciate it but they are essentially double tipping. Again - this is totally personal preference.

 

I hope you have a great cruise!

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Ok - I know I'm going to get flamed for this but...

 

I don't understand this tipping thing...it's your job, you get paid for it, so that should be it...

 

Does every job out there get a tip? If you doctor goes above and beyond (i.e. actually sees you on time), do you tip him/her for that? If the person who takes your special order from McD doesn't screw it up, do you tip for that? Probably not, so then why tip the guy who brings you a beer.

 

Now after a long cruise, you find you have a bond with your bartender, he/she tells you great stories, etc... then sure, show some appreciation (I am not saying not to tip...just saying we need to be selective not mechanical...here's your drink, here's your $1).

 

The best example is at the port...the guy grabs your bag, we tip him $5 for lifting it less than a ft to the trolley. We are scared that if we don't tip that our bags won't make it there...

 

So again, to make it clear so my flamming is limited -- GREAT service would get a tip, service gets a thank you... but again, this is IMHO

 

 

Really????? You make no sense at all. Wait staff and jobs like this make very small amounts even on land. When I was a waitress I made $2 an hour I counted on MY TIPS TO HAVE A REAL SALARY. The wage I made for a 5 hour shift was $10 but with tips it was more like $100 or more so obviously you have no clue what your talking about comparing doctors to wait staff is ridiculous think before you type next time please.

Edited May 14, 2016 by CasinoCruzGirl

[CasinoCruzGirl]

$2 bills. It figures

 

What is that supposed to mean?

[xcell]

Yes but on the cruise we are already paying the tips for the room attendants and wait staff, specialty restaurants, udp, etc... so to tip beyond that is up to you and should not be mechanical... that's all I mean.

 

If you as a wait staff provide good service...sure I don't mind tipping but it should not be an automatic thought. Crappy service... no tip... since the cruise lines charge us all the service fees, then additional tips should NOT be expected. ..only rewarded when good service is provided...unless you tip everyone regardless. ..it's your money you can do whatever you like

Edited May 14, 2016 by xcell

[xlxo]

Ok - I know I'm going to get flamed for this but...

 

I don't understand this tipping thing...it's your job, you get paid for it, so that should be it...

It really depends on where you are from.

• yes, in some countries when I try to leave a tip.... it's returned to me.
  
• I remember when 10% was the norm. Now I hear 20% or more is considered a good tip for good service.
  
• some restaurants will automatically add a tip for large groups of 6 or more. I need to pay attention to the bill, so I don't double tip.
  
• can't believe Vegas cabs have a button for 40% tip. Especially when you get long hauled from the airport.
  

[Casino Comp Chick]

What is that supposed to mean?

 

It means they tip minimally.......

If at all

:rolleyes:

Edited May 14, 2016 by iimmie

[swedish weave]

Really????? You make no sense at all. Wait staff and jobs like this make very small amounts even on land. When I was a waitress I made $2 an hour I counted on MY TIPS TO HAVE A REAL SALARY. The wage I made for a 5 hour shift was $10 but with tips it was more like $100 or more so obviously you have no clue what your talking about comparing doctors to wait staff is ridiculous think before you type next time please.

 

I find this post offensive. Tipping is a personal choice, and nobody should be criticized for their beliefs on this subject.

[Love my butler]

Really????? You make no sense at all. Wait staff and jobs like this make very small amounts even on land. When I was a waitress I made $2 an hour I counted on MY TIPS TO HAVE A REAL SALARY. The wage I made for a 5 hour shift was $10 but with tips it was more like $100 or more so obviously you have no clue what your talking about comparing doctors to wait staff is ridiculous think before you type next time please.

 

Really????? NCL has made it so you never have to tip. They built in the 18% gratuity on ALL drinks, for your convenience of course. The culture on these boards of 'shame' tipping is ridiculous. The staff are getting their basic salary and their basic tips. Tipping beyond that is overkill. If it makes you feel good, go for it. However, don't do it because you have incorrect information that these 'poor' workers are not making any money. The crew renew their contracts year after year because they are making a good income. These people that double and triple tip do it mostly out of pure ignorance.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I find this post offensive. Tipping is a personal choice, and nobody should be criticized for their beliefs on this subject.

 

 

My MAIN objective if you read my post coherently is hers/his comparison from wait staff to doctors so I wasn't saying tip or not tip I was pointing out the ridiculous comparison. Please read the entire post and understand it before commenting that your offended.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Really????? NCL has made it so you never have to tip. They built in the 18% gratuity on ALL drinks, for your convenience of course. The culture on these boards of 'shame' tipping is ridiculous. The staff are getting their basic salary and their basic tips. Tipping beyond that is overkill. If it makes you feel good, go for it. However, don't do it because you have incorrect information that these 'poor' workers are not making any money. The crew renew their contracts year after year because they are making a good income. These people that double and triple tip do it mostly out of pure ignorance.

 

Yep we know all about your beliefs just reading your signature

[swedish weave]

My MAIN objective if you read my post coherently is hers/his comparison from wait staff to doctors so I wasn't saying tip or not tip I was pointing out the ridiculous comparison. Please read the entire post and understand it before commenting that your offended.

 

I read your post and fully understand what you said. However, you need to understand that you chose your profession just like the doctors and waitstaff did theirs.

 

That still leaves tipping as a personal choice and you have no right to criticize anybody for their beliefs.

[ColinIllinois]

[xcell]

My comparison to doctors to wait staff was an extreme example... we are all in the service industry and get paid to our jobs. Good service should be inherently built into what we do and we should not expect anything more from it. I do realize that doctors make much more than waiters, etc... and hence why I picked that as the "extreme" example.

 

I may not tip my doctor but for Christmas I send him and his staff a small token for the good service my family receives...I don't expect everyone to do so but I feel the need to.

 

So I understand how the world works....again the answer to the ops question can be boiled down to this. ..

 

Tips are built into our fee.

 

Don't feel obligated to "have to tip" but tip because the person did something to deserve the extra appreciation ...

Edited May 14, 2016 by xcell

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I read your post and fully understand what you said. However, you need to understand that you chose your profession just like the doctors and waitstaff did theirs.

 

That still leaves tipping as a personal choice and you have no right to criticize anybody for their beliefs.

 

Explain to me exactly where I criticized her/him for not tipping? I expressed MY beliefs for MYSELF and my main objection was the comparison of waiters to doctors it's just obsurd to make that type of comparison for good service. People really just see what they want to see and dont read the entire post

[Casino Comp Chick]

Beliefs? Why is this sounding like a religion as opposed to what it is? Another tipping thread gone to hell.

Edited May 14, 2016 by iimmie

[abbyar]

As part of the budget for our cruise we bring tips for good service. It is the practice in the U.S. - for a U.S. Bound cruise I would consider this as standard practice. At 3-4 drinks per day and we tip about $2/round, it is not a huge amount of money, maybe $10 a day, and it is returned to us with extremely prompt service and sometimes upgrades. By the end of our last cruise the bartender was making my drinks so strong with a premium rum I had to ask him to lighten up a bit - I was completely drunk after one drink!! Hence I always know when someone complains about week drinks - they probably didn't take care of their bartender/ were otherwise impatient or rude. Treat people well and you will be treated well in return.