Diamond lounge tipping

[handbellplayer]

We tip per round because of the issue with multiple servers (especially on cruises with a lot of D and D+ where they have to open overflow). We also tip by the round for the three free drinks if we drink outside the lounge. We also tip at the end if someone has given us exceptional service - inside or outside the lounge.

[goneclear]

I believe you are right.....

 

On our last TA our waiter who worked there most nights would save our table by putting our preferred drinks with some nut mix out on the table before the 5pm happy hour started. He did this only for the few that were tipping.

 

Didn't see much tipping going on.

 

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That was just wrong of the waiter to do that. I can understand you may have enjoyed the benefit but it is unfair to the other members who may have arrived at the lounge before you.

[Deeliteful]

On my last cruise, service in the DL was fantastic, never an empty glass, poured almost as soon as I walked through the door and I didn't tip until the last night.

I tipped him well then though.

[rrmcdonald]

We've sailed Caribbean, Alaska, New England, and we tip $1-$2 per drink plus a tip at the end. My question now is what is the custom for Western Med? We will be doing that in October. Tip in Euros? How much/frequent?

[kevink]

We always tip on the last night.

[Colorado Babe]

We tip every round as well!

 

 

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[ggo85]

We tip the second to the last night. That way, we ensure we don't miss anyone. And we make sure the bartenders know they will get tips so they aren't worrying that we won't show the last night. This is for CL as well.

 

I prefer not to carry cash every night. And, constantly handing out cash isn't my thing. However, I have no issue with folks who tip nightly. Whatever works, provided the hardworking bartenders get their fair due.

[dplusd]

We have gone to tipping the bartenders with each round of drinks. I like that better so it's not such a big deal when we say farewell on the last night.

[JamesEM]

I tip when leaving each night and ask for a couple of adult beverages "with wheels."

[booze brothers]

Yes, on the last night.

 

Do you tip individually or a tip to share? thank you

[Clarea]

Do you tip individually or a tip to share? thank you

Individually.

[Gingerbint]

We've sailed Caribbean, Alaska, New England, and we tip $1-$2 per drink plus a tip at the end. My question now is what is the custom for Western Med? We will be doing that in October. Tip in Euros? How much/frequent?

 

We tip the same in Europe as we do in the US, as the staff are the same.

Usually $1-2 per drink and extra at the end if we have the same servers all week.

We also tip in dollars rather than Euro's but have used Euro's when run out of dollars.

It's my opinion staff prefer paper dollar bills over jangling of 1 Euro coins in their pockets.

[rrmcdonald]

Thanks, Gingerbint

[karena1]

we also see many people not tipping in the DL or CL. That is their right, but it is not what we do. I love walking in there and sitting down and our guy/gal automatically bring us drinks the minute we are there. Have never, ever had bad service from the staff in the lounges. Some of the Concereiges leave something to be desired, but most of them are pretty good.

[ggo85]

I THINK (am not certain) that it's considered a good deal for the bartenders to work in the DL or CL. They have to work anyway and they get extra money, in cash.

 

BTW, you all have convinced that I should tip daily. But I hate the thought of having to get all these small bills, since I usually go alone as my DH doesn't drink and isn't into meeting new people. So it would probably be $2 - $3 per night.

[TYMAN]

I THINK (am not certain) that it's considered a good deal for the bartenders to work in the DL or CL. They have to work anyway and they get extra money, in cash.

 

BTW, you all have convinced that I should tip daily. But I hate the thought of having to get all these small bills, since I usually go alone as my DH doesn't drink and isn't into meeting new people. So it would probably be $2 - $3 per night.

 

 

You can always join us! :D

[bmac1]

The reason I posted the original question was because on our last cruise on Grandeur I did not see anyone tipping the staff. I gave a couple of dollars per round but felt funny because no body else was tipping but after these responses I feel comfortable that I will tip per round and maybe extra on the last night on my upcoming cruise in May.

[TYMAN]

The reason I posted the original question was because on our last cruise on Grandeur I did not see anyone tipping the staff. I gave a couple of dollars per round but felt funny because no body else was tipping but after these responses I feel comfortable that I will tip per round and maybe extra on the last night on my upcoming cruise in May.

 

 

I think it was a great thread with useful information. I believe tipping is up to the individual, but I've been very blessed in my life and extra "X" amount of dollars to tip to these hard workers mean a lot to me and them. Heck, I've slow down my casino usage just to make sure these folks get what they deserve. lol!

[LisaAtlCruiser]

I am glad to see this thread. I normally just give a nice tip at the end of the week - but sometimes that has not worked out as I have a different waiter. So I think I am going to opt for tipping each round for now on.

[Bruin Steve]

First of all, I have always given each of the servers in the Diamond Lunge or in the Elite Lounge on Celebrity a generous extra tip on the last night of the cruise...And I do this not because it is a customary tip per drink served. It is an EXTRA tip for going "above and beyond" as they so often do...

 

Giving a tip for each drink or every round of drinks sort of defeats the whole idea of a "cashless" cruise. We simply do not carry cash around with us throughout a cruise. And I have NEVER had a problem with the waiters in the DL not serving me or refilling my order promptly or showing me any deficit in care or courtesy...I, simply, do NOT have to "bribe" them with a small tip on a constant basis. One nice tip at the end is just as appreciated, if not more...I've gotten to know them all cruise...and they've served me all cruise...and for that entirety of the function, I am giving them a little extra.

 

That said, know that, even though the drinks are "free", the servers are NOT getting stiffed. The cruise line actually compensates them as if they were getting the same approximate tip as they would if they were instead assigned to another bar. So, when you see many people not tipping the DL servers, know that there is actually nothing at all wrong with that. It's only because so many of us tip on top of what the cruise line pays them that makes being a DL server an even more attractive post. Servers working other venues rarely benefit from such generous additional tips.

 

That said, my standard is to typically hand out about $40 for a 7-night cruise...if I am typically served by two different servers, $20 each...If one is serving me virtually all of the time during the week, all $40. I figure that, if I average 3 drinks a night in the DL and my wife 2, then on a 7 night cruise, that's 21 for me and 14 for my wife...or about 35 drinks...so the extra tip comes out to a little over $1 a drink...That's not bad, because the cruise line is giving these servers approximately 18% of an $8 drink--about $1.44 per drink based on a share of the approximate number of drinks served in the DL each night...So, that server, with MY additional tip, is actually making about $2.50 for every drink served to me.

 

Again, the servers are NEVER being stiffed...They ARE getting their tips...They DON'T work for free just because they got assigned to the DL (Were that the case, you could expect some of the worst service on the ship...and, clearly, it's not). BUT, don't let that stop you from giving the additional tip...these guys are, generally, so good they deserve it...

 

OTOH, carrying around a pocketful of singles when everyone else on the cruise is "cashless" by design is stupid...

[ARCruisinNana]

First of all, I have always given each of the servers in the Diamond Lunge or in the Elite Lounge on Celebrity a generous extra tip on the last night of the cruise...And I do this not because it is a customary tip per drink served. It is an EXTRA tip for going "above and beyond" as they so often do...

 

Giving a tip for each drink or every round of drinks sort of defeats the whole idea of a "cashless" cruise. We simply do not carry cash around with us throughout a cruise. And I have NEVER had a problem with the waiters in the DL not serving me or refilling my order promptly or showing me any deficit in care or courtesy...I, simply, do NOT have to "bribe" them with a small tip on a constant basis. One nice tip at the end is just as appreciated, if not more...I've gotten to know them all cruise...and they've served me all cruise...and for that entirety of the function, I am giving them a little extra.

 

That said, know that, even though the drinks are "free", the servers are NOT getting stiffed. The cruise line actually compensates them as if they were getting the same approximate tip as they would if they were instead assigned to another bar. So, when you see many people not tipping the DL servers, know that there is actually nothing at all wrong with that. It's only because so many of us tip on top of what the cruise line pays them that makes being a DL server an even more attractive post. Servers working other venues rarely benefit from such generous additional tips.

 

That said, my standard is to typically hand out about $40 for a 7-night cruise...if I am typically served by two different servers, $20 each...If one is serving me virtually all of the time during the week, all $40. I figure that, if I average 3 drinks a night in the DL and my wife 2, then on a 7 night cruise, that's 21 for me and 14 for my wife...or about 35 drinks...so the extra tip comes out to a little over $1 a drink...That's not bad, because the cruise line is giving these servers approximately 18% of an $8 drink--about $1.44 per drink based on a share of the approximate number of drinks served in the DL each night...So, that server, with MY additional tip, is actually making about $2.50 for every drink served to me.

 

Again, the servers are NEVER being stiffed...They ARE getting their tips...They DON'T work for free just because they got assigned to the DL (Were that the case, you could expect some of the worst service on the ship...and, clearly, it's not). BUT, don't let that stop you from giving the additional tip...these guys are, generally, so good they deserve it...

 

OTOH, carrying around a pocketful of singles when everyone else on the cruise is "cashless" by design is stupid...

 

 

To each his/her own.

 

 

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[karena1]

I THINK (am not certain) that it's considered a good deal for the bartenders to work in the DL or CL. They have to work anyway and they get extra money, in cash.

 

BTW, you all have convinced that I should tip daily. But I hate the thought of having to get all these small bills, since I usually go alone as my DH doesn't drink and isn't into meeting new people. So it would probably be $2 - $3 per night.

 

We always take at least $100 in 1's just for tipping in the DL or CL and tipping our servers at the pool that take care of us - we both have the pkg, but still tip the guys that serve us at the pool

[TYMAN]

Too each their own is so true. I wouldn't try to convince anybody to give more than what is "included" in the going tip rate.......actually, I only commented cause the OP was looking for answers. I also know that the DL waiters are compensated by the tips that are "pooled". Do I feel better carrying some "cash" in my pocket to show the staff how much I appreciate them? Dang right. Do I think of it as a bribe? Nada. Well deserved and appreciated compensation.....

[karena1]

Too each their own is so true. I wouldn't try to convince anybody to give more than what is "included" in the going tip rate.......actually, I only commented cause the OP was looking for answers. I also know that the DL waiters are compensated by the tips that are "pooled". Do I feel better carrying some "cash" in my pocket to show the staff how much I appreciate them? Dang right. Do I think of it as a bribe? Nada. Well deserved and appreciated compensation.....

 

We feel exactly the same, it is NOT a bribe, it is to thank the people that so take care of us when we travel. We go to DR every year and take $200 in 1's with us for the same reason. The staff so appreciates it!

[wolfganghowell]

We generally give the server in the CL a $20 the first night. Some may call it a bribe, we think of it as a way to show we respect their hard work and appreciate them. We usually do this at the Pool Bar too on embarkation day since that is our hangout during the day. We get really great service - could be the $20, could be that we're always smiling and happy. Or both!