? about checking luggage when in YC

[mafig]

I know that if you are in the Yacht Club you are to bring your luggage to the white tent and then "someone" takes it. Who is "someone." Is it a porter or a butler? Do people normally tip them (like you do with the porters)?

Edited September 12, 2016 by mafig

[cruiseguyinorl]

It was my experience that the porter actually takes them and walks you to the tent where the butlers tag them appropriately. Then handed back to the porter to get put on the ship. Both the porter and the butlers were then very vocal about tipping the porter. I found that a bit annoying as I had planned on tipping them anyway. Being basically being told to tip struck a nerve.

 

Bret

[graphicguy]

Not sure of this, but I think the porters work for the dock....not MSC. And, they may just work for tips (although not sure of either of those points). At least, that's what a taxi driver in MIA told me.

 

So, probably a small rub between the Butler and the Porter, with the porter wanting to get his/her "cut" of the tips.

 

I've seen some porters who are more aggressive than others....in both NYC and MIA. Some make it clear they're expecting a tip.

[Capricruiser]

All this depends on which port you're embarking at for an MSC ship. At most ports you simply have the taxi or whatever drop you at the white yacht club tent/gazebo. A YC butler (or YC porter) will take charge of your bags at that point. A butler will then escort you to the YC check-in and your bags will eventually be brought to your cabin. There is NO tipping.

[plucasana]

in miami tipping is definitely expected and asked for. we were asked to tip the bus driver (msc transfer) and the porter. we did not tip the butler (who does not work on the ship so we were told) and no one else did.

 

in genoa there was no tipping expected or even possible. the suitcases were brought from the transfer shuttle to the cabins by a team of porters that we didn't meet.

 

 

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[Capricruiser]

in miami tipping is definitely expected and asked for. we were asked to tip the bus driver (msc transfer) and the porter. we did not tip the butler (who does not work on the ship so we were told) and no one else did.

 

in genoa there was no tipping expected or even possible. the suitcases were brought from the transfer shuttle to the cabins by a team of porters that we didn't meet.

 

 

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Any tipping stops when you get to the YC tent. The YC personnel at the tent (who by the way DO work on the ship) are not tipped.

[mafig]

Alrighty, now I'm confused.

 

I would always tip the porter.

 

I'm speaking of Miami. I'm bringing my luggage to the white tent. Who is taking my luggage? A butler? Who then gives the luggage to a porter? (who I tip), or a butler (who, I know I don't tip). Please explain the process to me for Miami.

:)

[susanrobert]

Alrighty, now I'm confused.

 

I would always tip the porter.

 

I'm speaking of Miami. I'm bringing my luggage to the white tent. Who is taking my luggage? A butler? Who then gives the luggage to a porter? (who I tip), or a butler (who, I know I don't tip). Please explain the process to me for Miami.

:)

 

In Miami, the butler's under the white tent are NOT the same butlers as on the ship. When we got to the tent they introduced themselves as our butlers, "for the day". Once on board you will meet your actual butler for the week. Our butler explained that it has something to do with customs regulations. I believe it's different in Europe but that's how it works in Miami. As far as the luggage goes, we were dropped off right in front of the tent and handed our "butler's for the day" the luggage. I hope this helps!

[mafig]

It does help, thank you.

 

Did you tip your "butler for the day?"

[deliver42]

I did not tip my butler for the day, only my butler on board at the end of the week.

[susanrobert]

It does help, thank you.

 

Did you tip your "butler for the day?"

 

No. We misunderstood what he meant. We thought he was one of the regular butler's, just not our butler. We found out afterwards that they do not come onboard.

[cruiseguyinorl]

Part of the confusion may be which luggage you are talking about. Your "butler for the day" will hand of your large luggage to the porters to be delivered to your cabin. Hence the tipping. Your carry-on bags will be taken by the "butler for the day" as he escorts you through security to the Yacht Club reception area in the terminal.

 

Bret

[mafig]

No, I know about our carry-ons. You keep them.

 

I was talking about the large luggage you usually give to the porters.

[mafig]

So let me get this right.:o

 

You do not tip your butler for the day, even though he hands off your (large) luggage to the porter. You do tip the porter.

 

Your hand luggage is brought on ship by the butler for the day, (and you don't tip him for this either).

 

Correct?:)

[graphicguy]

At MIA, anytime there is a porter involved at the dock, and they are handling your luggage, a tip is expected. "Butler for the day" sounds like they are part of the YC experience. Not certain about tipping, but it doesn't sound like those Butlers are doing anything but putting tags on. I can understand not tipping them.

 

Which brings us to another point, how much are people tipping the Butlers and concierge for a weeklong cruise in the YC?

[Capricruiser]

Okay, it seems that at the port of Miami, Florida, Yacht Club check-in is considerably different from the European ports I'm familiar with. Agreed that tipping is much more prevalent in the USA so I guess that's the norm at Miami (at Miami I only disembarked from Yacht Club once).

Mafig, I hope you're understanding all this.

Edited September 13, 2016 by Capricruiser

[Homosassa]

FYI, the porters at Miami are employees of the port and are unionized. They are paid a wage. However, tip blackmail is practiced and I wouldn't make any guarantees about your luggage making it on board ship if you don't tip.

 

As I have never traveled in the Yacht Club, do you not receive your luggage tags ahead of time? If so, why not just drop and tip the porters before you head over to the white tent?

[mafig]

My understanding is that although you do receive luggage tags beforehand, when you arrive at the YC those tags are removed and YC tags are put on.

 

I'm assuming that when I've read this and expected this, it was for Miami also.

:confused:

[Crzyfrk62]

They do replace the luggage tags in Miami, check you off and a Butler walks you thru security and into a lounge area for check in and refreshments. The Butler will carry your carry-on for you also!!

There is a Porter near/next to the white tent for YC luggage. I think it's to get that luggage on quickly. I have never had to wait more then an hour ( honestly not that long) for luggage to arrive at the room. I've had time to give a dinner time, run my credit card and grab a drink by that time luggage is in the room. I have tipped the Porter loading the luggage a few bucks.

 

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[Cruisergal1208]

We tip the "landside" butler that helps with our carryon luggage and stays with us till we reach the entrance of the gangway. We see the same ones on repeat YC cruises and they remember us. We also tip the porter that takes our luggage.

[plucasana]

if I my add one question:

what about the junior butlers, that bring the luggage to your cabin?

(who are not necessarily "your" junior butlers)?

If you tip how much? Is 1$/piece acceptable?

[Cruisergal1208]

Usually you never see the person delivering your luggage to the cabin. Our butler meets us in the foyer of the YC and escorts us to the cabin and fills any special requests at that time. We tip our regular and assistant butlers at end of cruise.

[jerseyaxn]

Thanks for all the info we are saing in the yacht club on the seaside .i have mobility issues ive requested a wheel chair hopefully that will be in the tent.I have a scooter ordered for the cabin

 

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[CarolnLarry]

Get out of your cab at the Yacht Club tent. Show them your paperwork and a butler will take you to the Yacht Club Lounge. No Tipping......to anyone you already paid for this service...Yes they will change your luggage tags so they will get expedited handling....No Tipping

[jerseyaxn]

Unions got to love em

 

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