Sissaaaaaa Posted February 20, 2017 #51 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Heading out today on our first cruise on the Breakaway. Read lots of informative info the last few weeks here, one of which was to tip your room steward on the first day. Just wondering how much? $20? :confused: We usually give $20 on the first day when we meet him or her, and leave the rest on the last night of the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kruizin'Kath Posted February 20, 2017 #52 Share Posted February 20, 2017 We always tip $20.00 when we meet our steward and often have a small gift from home. We then tip again at the end of the cruise... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted February 20, 2017 #53 Share Posted February 20, 2017 We only tip at the end it it's deserved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minerva Posted February 20, 2017 #54 Share Posted February 20, 2017 We also tip $20 on the first day, when we make a few miscellaneous requests. Then an additional tip at the end. We often get to know our stewards a bit, and seems like they always have a family back home, little kids they don't see for months at a time. They work really hard, are grateful for the extra cash and we're happy to give it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pspercy Posted February 20, 2017 #55 Share Posted February 20, 2017 . . . . I will miss having the same waiter/waitress at the main meal. But I'm willing to give freestyle a chance. If you get waiters you like you can always request them the next time you're in that venue:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pspercy Posted February 20, 2017 #56 Share Posted February 20, 2017 duplicate, website hiccup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dongordon Posted February 20, 2017 #57 Share Posted February 20, 2017 We give $20 the first day when we meet them, then we leave $40 in a card on the last evening. Sent from my iPhone using Forums I do the exact same thing:).... I also bring "thank you" cards for other members of the cruise that have provided me with excellent service during our cruise. That being said, I believe this is nice to do on longer cruises when you get to know some of the crew better than on a 7 day cruise. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvtheships Posted February 20, 2017 #58 Share Posted February 20, 2017 We always tip $20.00 when we meet our steward and often have a small gift from home. We then tip again at the end of the cruise... Oh nice a small gift!! What do you give him/her? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted February 20, 2017 #59 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Giving money to a steward on boarding day, unless you have asked for something out of the norm, is not a tip or gratuity, it is a bribe. You can cal it anything you want, you can justify it any way you want but you only make yourself look foolish. In the steward's eyes you are telling them that you don't believe that they will do their job if you don't give them something ahead of time. Would you ever tip a waiter in a restaurant as soon as you sit down? If the answer is yes then by all means continue to tip your steward, but if the answe is no then you know whether or not it is appropriate to give tip on the first day you meet your steward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjrpar Posted February 20, 2017 #60 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Heading out today on our first cruise on the Breakaway. Read lots of informative info the last few weeks here, one of which was to tip your room steward on the first day. Just wondering how much? $20? :confused: Don't believe everything you read. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ColeThornton Posted February 20, 2017 #61 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Observing and listening. Nope. When there is thousands of people on a ship you haven't observed most people tipping their steward. Stop making stuff up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packer99 Posted February 20, 2017 #62 Share Posted February 20, 2017 We tipped our steward the 1st day $10 because she opened the balcony divider and got us ice right away. We had great service the whole week. We gave her an additional $20 at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clskinsfan Posted February 20, 2017 #63 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Giving money to a steward on boarding day, unless you have asked for something out of the norm, is not a tip or gratuity, it is a bribe. You can cal it anything you want, you can justify it any way you want but you only make yourself look foolish. In the steward's eyes you are telling them that you don't believe that they will do their job if you don't give them something ahead of time. Would you ever tip a waiter in a restaurant as soon as you sit down? If the answer is yes then by all means continue to tip your steward, but if the answe is no then you know whether or not it is appropriate to give tip on the first day you meet your steward. It is absolutely a bribe. You are right. But if that $20 bribe gets me better service than it is worth it to me. Like I said earlier I have a special request up front that a cooler stay full of ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrugler Posted February 20, 2017 #64 Share Posted February 20, 2017 I actually read a post a couple years back of a couple who gave their steward a framed photo of themselves for him to hang in his room! I do not know if they signed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisercl Posted February 20, 2017 #65 Share Posted February 20, 2017 "Actually they ONLY call it that when getting the DSF paid for you is part of the free at sea. Everywhere else it is still called the DSF (or DSC) and rightfully so" The THAT refers to me responding to someone calling the DSF a gratuity. NCL does only call the DSF a GRATUITY in the Free At Sea promo,. So basically you are agreeing with me, thank you! OK, good. It appeared that your original statement had some redundancies in it so it was contradictory. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisercl Posted February 20, 2017 #66 Share Posted February 20, 2017 "Actually they ONLY call it that when getting the DSF paid for you is part of the free at sea. Everywhere else it is still called the DSF (or DSC) and rightfully so" The THAT refers to me responding to someone calling the DSF a gratuity. NCL does only call the DSF a GRATUITY in the Free At Sea promo,. So basically you are agreeing with me, thank you! OK, good. It appeared there was some redundancy in your original statements that seemed contradictory. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrugler Posted February 20, 2017 #67 Share Posted February 20, 2017 A couple of years ago someone posted that instead of money they gave the steward a framed photograph of themselves so he would remember them. I do not know if they signed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbrugler Posted February 20, 2017 #68 Share Posted February 20, 2017 I read on these boards once about a couple who gave their steward a framed 12X14 picture of themselves so he would remember them. I do not know if they signed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kruizin'Kath Posted February 21, 2017 #69 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Oh nice a small gift!! What do you give him/her? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Usually a sport team tee shirt or hat (Patriots or Red Sox ;)), sometimes local candy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashells Posted February 21, 2017 #70 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Don't believe everything you read. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Exactly! The Cruise Company gets the money the crew does the work. Week in and week out. I always carry money with me and having been in the 'service' industry' long ago know it's much appreciated. I make sure I meet my cabin stew on day 1. Even if it's in the evening. If I require something (Which I do) it is written down and handed to him/her as they are very busy that first day. I leave tips every day, just because I desire, not to bribe, but to show appreciation. I tip bartenders, extremely good waiters, busboys who pick up my dishes, and even the cleaning lady in the public bathrooms that some seem to ignore, as if she is not visible. In all my years of cruising I have never had a bad stew. They are allowed to keep the tips they receive from you for themselves, while the onboard tips are divided. The absolutely best thing you can do for your cabin steward, is to PICK UP your stuff. Some of the cabins I have seen, look like they live in a cave whirlwind, and expect everything to be picked up by someone, who has anywhere from 15 to 20 cabins to clean and make beds. No, you don't have to tip one single person at all, but it would be nice IF you are asking for something. I wrote a letter for a crew member who chased me down as I was leaving the ship. He gushed with pride that a passenger would take the time to write about his work, and he was sending it to his mother at home. That alone made my cruise, that such a small thing made a persons day. A follow-up letter is written to HQ. My grandchildren are required to write a letter for someone who made their cruise exceptional. When we return to a ship they are recognized and given personal attention. It is the act of appreciating ones WORK that they desire most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistizoom Posted February 21, 2017 #71 Share Posted February 21, 2017 There is a difference between the steward 'getting some' of that money and it being a tip. That money is NOT a tip. And I didn't say it was....???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cage keeper Posted February 22, 2017 #72 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Exactly!The Cruise Company gets the money the crew does the work. Week in and week out. I always carry money with me and having been in the 'service' industry' long ago know it's much appreciated. I make sure I meet my cabin stew on day 1. Even if it's in the evening. If I require something (Which I do) it is written down and handed to him/her as they are very busy that first day. I leave tips every day, just because I desire, not to bribe, but to show appreciation. I tip bartenders, extremely good waiters, busboys who pick up my dishes, and even the cleaning lady in the public bathrooms that some seem to ignore, as if she is not visible. In all my years of cruising I have never had a bad stew. They are allowed to keep the tips they receive from you for themselves, while the onboard tips are divided. The absolutely best thing you can do for your cabin steward, is to PICK UP your stuff. Some of the cabins I have seen, look like they live in a cave whirlwind, and expect everything to be picked up by someone, who has anywhere from 15 to 20 cabins to clean and make beds. No, you don't have to tip one single person at all, but it would be nice IF you are asking for something. I wrote a letter for a crew member who chased me down as I was leaving the ship. He gushed with pride that a passenger would take the time to write about his work, and he was sending it to his mother at home. That alone made my cruise, that such a small thing made a persons day. A follow-up letter is written to HQ. My grandchildren are required to write a letter for someone who made their cruise exceptional. When we return to a ship they are recognized and given personal attention. It is the act of appreciating ones WORK that they desire most. Thank you. I agree with you 100%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenquixote66 Posted February 22, 2017 #73 Share Posted February 22, 2017 We never tip on the first day and only after the cruise if it is warranted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted February 22, 2017 #74 Share Posted February 22, 2017 We never tip on the first day and only after the cruise if it is warranted. I agree wholeheartedly with this, it usually is warranted along with lots of thanks and praise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvtheships Posted February 22, 2017 #75 Share Posted February 22, 2017 I never tip on the 1st day because then the steward would be around too much. Lol Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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