Do I need to tip at all if I have prepaid (almost 300)

[Augustsunshine]

Just wondering if staff on board will expect X tra. Don't really mind the prepay as

I know people work hard but it is a large amount

[sparks1093]

Welcome naybah!:) Once the service charges have been paid and if you have the UBP the gratuities associated with that package than there is no need to tip extra. (If you use spa services they will add an 18% gratuity and if you use the kids club some leave a gratuity for the staff although that is not expected and the amount is up to you.)

[Pikaia]

At the pier, it's probably a good idea to give the dock employee a dollar or two per bag. They do expect it.

 

On board, the daily service change and service charges added to drinks, room service, and specialty dining replace tipping. This money covers your obligation to your room steward, the food and drink servers, and behind the scenes people (i.e. laundry, etc.). You are of course welcome to give extra, but you are not obligated. Many do give their room steward or bartenders a bit extra if they're very happy with the service they got.

 

There are a couple of special situations that apply to some cruisers. If you use the childcare, tips are very much appreciated but not expected. We drop off an envelope with cash on the last night of the cruise. You can get envelopes from the desk, but it's not a bad idea to bring your own. (Childcare staff are salaried.)

 

If you are in a suite, your butler and concierge are not covered by the daily service charge, so they should be tipped. Tipping amounts vary, plenty of past threads on that. Those tips should definitely be handed over before the end of the cruise. It can be very hard to locate your butler or the concierge on the last day of the cruise, as they're prepping for the next cruise.

Edited May 15, 2016 by Pikaia

[roger001]

Other than a very few members of the service crew, the daily service charge covers all tips. The crew do not expect any additional tips. However, if you really like the effort or service some of the crew gives you, you are certainly welcome to give them individually additional tips. Probably most guests do tip some amount additionally during a cruise. But you are not wrong if you don't. Here's what I usually tip additionally, and this assumes the service from all the NCL crew is as wonderful as it usually is...just my thoughts on it, at the end of the cruise, the cabin steward $40. For each round of drinks delivered to our table, usually $1 when I sign the slip. Sitting at the bar, usually $1 a drink, although 18% is already charged you for that purpose. For any of the sit down restaurants in the evening, $5. If I have the free morning room service, $2 to the delivery person. But this is neither right or wrong. Tip or don't as you wish. And as someone mentioned, I give the dock porter $5 when he/she takes my bags.

Edited May 15, 2016 by roger001

[kerryincork]

Just tip the porter at port. You don't have to tip anyone else. If you don't have a drinks package they automatically add 18% to each drink purchased there is a space at bottom of slip to add additional tip if you want, just cross out if not leaving extra.

None of the staff stand around with their hands out for extra, so don't feel pressured to give more.

We have always had very hard working stewards , we leave about $20 extra. I will often tip the barrista on board if they remember my order or are extra friendly. But I don't feel obligated to do so.

[Pikaia]

If I have the free morning room service, $2 to the delivery person.

This is a good point. Deliveries from the complimentary portion of the room service menu warrant a tip. I'm not sure if this is still true, but in the past room service was often delivered by staff who were off the clock for their normal duties. They were definitely working for tips.

Edited May 15, 2016 by Pikaia

[Pikaia]

One more thought: if you take excursions, whether NCL-sponsored or not, tour guides and other staff may expect a tip at the end of the excursion. Best to be mentally and/or financially prepared for that, because it can feel awkward. :o

[beerman2]

" Do I need to tip at all if prepaid". No you don't need to, do what YOU feel is right.

 

Like any workplace you will find some who do the little extra! You and only you can determine if extra $$ are warranted!

[puglover13]

I just got off the Getaway and we tipped a few of the waiters by the pool deck on top of our prepaid. I will say I never went thirsty. They went out of their way to make sure they new us, our drinks and I always had them asking if we needed anything else. But it most definitely isn't required. [emoji4]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Demonyte]

(Childcare staff are salaried.)

 

If you are in a suite, your butler and concierge are not covered by the daily service charge, so they should be tipped.

 

 

Why would you point that childcare staff is salaried but state that concierge and butlers - that are also salaried - need to be tipped?

 

All of those positions are specifically mentioned in NCL's documentation as ones outside programs funded by DSC.

[MikeBTN]

Is there a "need" to tip? No. However a little goes a long way with bartenders, servers, etc in terms of service level, wait times, etc. Tip a bar tender a buck a drink or $5 right away and they'll remember you the entire cruise, you'll never wait, and you'll get amazing drinks. But not a requirement by any means.

 

If you have a concierge or butler, they are not included in the pre-paid tips, so you'll want to tip them based on how you use them. We almost never use the concierge so rarely tip, but the butler we will tip $50-$200 depending on how much we have them do (in-suite dining, snacks, etc).

[Nola26]

No other tips are required/expected onboard here are some places you may consider:

 

1. Porters at baggage claim are part of port, not ship so tip as you might at airport curbside

2. I tip servers in casino, just as I do at home, but it isn't necessary to do that

3. I book excursions through NCL so I pay a premium and don't feel compelled to tip. My mother has an affinity for the hustling locals so she may tip, personal choice.

4. Specialty meal packages have a service charge in the price so I won't tip extra unless there is something extraordinary about the experience due to the staff. Same is true for UBP, you pay nearly $100 in fees/taxes for a week long package, even if complimentary.

 

Bottom line nothing required, totally your choice.