Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Diamond lounge tipping

bmac1

By bmac1,
in Royal Caribbean International

 Share

Recommended Posts

Bruin Steve

Bruin Steve

Posted
Posted

Please don't take offense at the use of the word "bribe"...I called it that for the case of those people who keep stating that THEY get great service BECAUSE they tip the servers every night, every drink. Some of those folks apparently think they are getting that service because of the method by which they tip. They are NOT. Those DL servers give great service to EVERYONE--even the ones who don't tip extra...

 

If you read the entirety of my post, you'd see that I said the reason I give them that EXTRA tip--at the end of the cruise--is that the service typically goes above and beyond what is expected. I bring along cash...not in singles, but in $10s and $20s...so that I can show any of the crew who goes above and beyond for me something extra...And, given at the end of the cruise, they will know that it is given in appreciation for their service all cruise long...and not as just a token add-on to each purchase...

 

BTW, if I am purchasing a drink in a lounge other than the DL, and I want to add a little something to the tip, I do it right on the receipt that I sign...It is all designed that way for the express purpose of allowing the cruiser to NOT carry a wallet around the ship. We don't carry cash to purchase items at the gift shop...or the shorex desk...or the photo gallery...or the bars. Most of the ship's venues won't even take cash. And, for tipping in general, they're moving away from cash., When I started cruising, we brought along hundreds of dollars in proper denominations to divide into little envelopes to tip every one of the customary crew members in cash. But, the cruise line realized how silly this all was and went to just adding the tips to the account. These arbitrary extra tips are the ONLY thing we do in cash nowadays on the cruise...and, for that reason, I would keep the frequency of doing such to a minimum number of times. When I board the ship, my wallet, with all of my cash, goes into the room safe...It only comes out for trips into port and on the last night of the cruise to give the more meaningful extra tips to those deserving.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
karena1

karena1

Posted
Posted

 

BTW, if I am purchasing a drink in a lounge other than the DL, and I want to add a little something to the tip, I do it right on the receipt that I sign...It is all designed that way for the express purpose of allowing the cruiser to NOT carry a wallet around the ship. We don't carry cash to purchase items at the gift shop...or the shorex desk...or the photo gallery...or the bars. Most of the ship's venues won't even take cash. And, for tipping in general, they're moving away from cash., When I started cruising, we brought along hundreds of dollars in proper denominations to divide into little envelopes to tip every one of the customary crew members in cash. But, the cruise line realized how silly this all was and went to just adding the tips to the account. These arbitrary extra tips are the ONLY thing we do in cash nowadays on the cruise...and, for that reason, I would keep the frequency of doing such to a minimum number of times. When I board the ship, my wallet, with all of my cash, goes into the room safe...It only comes out for trips into port and on the last night of the cruise to give the more meaningful extra tips to those deserving.

 

And the reason we don't add it to the check is b/c if you do, they have to share it. If we give a server a tip in cash it goes in his pocket and it is his. That is totally the reason we take cash with us, we want to make sure the person we tip gets to keep it and not share it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MrYellowDuck

MrYellowDuck

Posted
Posted
I'll keep using $2 bills and we'll see who gets their drinks first.

 

But the reward for being first is the same as coming second save a thirty second delay (if your view is correct); coming last is pretty much the same outcome too. And, given the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is pretty constant for most passengers on a cruise ten minutes past boarding until they leave it's not clear to me that a tiny delay makes any difference even if it really occurs. Not to mention that you'll be taking your measurement whilst suffering from observer error.

 

I don't tip for drinks (I'm not American) and I think I get mine instantly too; the technique I use instead of tipping is to be genuinely nice to people and this seems to work for me in all situations and in all countries.

 

I do tip from time to time and always when on holiday in the US since the laws to protect service employees seem entirely deficient from the perspective of an outsider. I do tend to dispose of excess US dollars when leaving the ship / US too - they're of no use to me most of the time and especially not the absurdly small notes that exist only to be given away when a service person smiles at you. At my last meal I might leave a tip of $200 when a fraction of this would be the norm; this solves a problem for me (I can't be bothered going to the bank to change back such a small amount of currency), makes me feel happy (I pretend I'm making a difference), and probably this gesture is quite memorable in a nice way for the recipient too.

 

I'm not bagging the US system but it's not "normal"; it does seem to work quite well (and your average American service person is lovely to deal with) but then so do approaches that are more normal on the international stage. The norm where I live is to never leave a tip at all, and by and large that works perfectly well since the service staff actually get paid by their employer and the law protecting their employment prevents their employer from terminating them without first scoring ten points for jumping show-pony style through a dozen diamond encrusted golden hoops.

 

An RCL cruise ship is not an extension of the US; if it were many here would be unable to afford to board at all. RCL caters for the desire of some people (primarily those who live in the US) to keep giving their money away as it does equally to those who don't have this compulsion. In reality everyone is treated pretty much the same given their paid-for status on the ship. For example, a first-time suite passenger is generally better pampered (save for superficial loyalty benefits) than someone who has a high loyalty arising from 50 cruises in the cheapest interior cabin.

 

Beyond personal perception there is no difference in service on an RCL ship between tipping continuously and not. Yes, some people can't believe this due to the perception filter they live their lives through and any conversation on this type of topic with such friends present is likely best changed to keep civilities ticking along.

 

Everyone should simply do what makes them happiest.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LMaxwell Great Review Rare

LMaxwell

Posted
Posted
I'll keep using $2 bills and we'll see who gets their drinks first.

 

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

 

They''ll go to the person holding two $1 bills because they can actually use that money without trouble. Your hearts in the right place but the novelty factor is a real issue for crew; ask them next time about trouble using those bills.

 

I tip in the Diamond Lounge for each round of drinks we order.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Grandma Dazzles

Grandma Dazzles

Posted
Posted

For many years I have tipped diamond lounge staff at the end of a cruise. However, I am beginning to re-think that and on my last cruise, just a few weeks ago, tipped nightly. Made that decision on night 2 of a 9-day cruise.

 

There were a lot of diamonds/diamond plus using the actual lounge and overflow (old Viking Lounge). This was on the Navigator.

 

 

I started out in the actual lounge and then the "overflow" joining people who were already seated. There were several waiters and really two bars. Because of this it became obvious that depending on where you were seated you might end up with different staff.

 

 

Service was very good. Always took a glass of wine to dinner. Just seemed to make more sense to tip nightly. I must admit I really didn't notice a lot of people tipping (shame as staff was very friendly and did a good job). Perhaps people waited until the last night - don't know - maybe I missed it - but didn't notice any cash being offered/used. Even as a solo female it's easy to take singles in a small purse and extend to staff when leaving.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dagunny

dagunny

Posted
Posted

We give each bartender $5/$10 a night in CL or DL, on the first round, in whichever lounge we like better. Some CL are like caves (Independence) and some are lively. On Transatlantics we go to the CL as we normally get suites and they have a real bar. If they are really good they get more and/or a bonus at the end. On the Empress there is no lounge so we give the bartenders $5/$10 for each free round of drinks (you generally get three but there are exceptions). I used to be a bartender so I can appreciate the gestures. Now that we are well off we try and compensate those that make our life experiences better. For example - once on Explorer during 2011, there were 700+ diamond and above so they commandeered the large lounge for seating. The bartender we took care of had drinks set out at a table for us prior to opening, and we always had a good seat. If we go from US to Europe, we tip in Euros, and from Europe to US, dollars - so they can spend it without changing and losing. It's only money. I also make pins and they get one for each cruise. To each his/her own but this is the life we choose. Semper Fi!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TYMAN

TYMAN

Posted
Posted

Although the cruiseline is going to an all "cashless" system, I still agree with karena1 that the staff would still like cash in pocket rather than tip added to receipt. We all know the tip added to receipt is split between their "team", but cash handed to them individually is put straight in the pocket, or as I like to say, straight to their family at home which they are supporting. Anyway, I'll continue to tip the way I've done since my first Nordic Empress cruise in 1991, and the opinions of others is just that, opinions of others. Happy cruising!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dagunny

dagunny

Posted
Posted

We're seriously thinking about not doing the shipboard gratuities and giving the same amount of cash directly to those that help us. I agree that it benefits those that go above and beyond as it should. If that were in effect, crew would try harder to please the guests for greater rewards. What I don't like is subsidizing wages because the cruise line is too cheap to pay the staff. I would really love to know how the gratuities are "really" added to the pot and distributed. We don't actually "know" that it goes to the crew. For example, how much of the pot does the janitorial staff get compared to the room stewards? What about those that paint the ship? Does the company get a kickback? Officers? Just being inquisitive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
grapau27

grapau27

Posted
Posted
We tip each round of drinks. Never know if you will see the same bar servers on the last night.

I usually tip every night to the first server but i like all your answers so in future i will tip a smaller amount with every round of drinks.

 

43 cruises and counting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
grapau27

grapau27

Posted
Posted
I'll keep using $2 bills and we'll see who gets their drinks first.

 

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

We have been coming to the US since 1992 never seen a $2 dollar bill or $1 coin.

Graham from England.

 

43 cruises and counting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
grapau27

grapau27

Posted
Posted
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.

We sail mainly in Europe and a good tip with my first drink but TBH except for the last night i have not seen anyone else tip during the week.

 

43 cruises and counting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
We have been coming to the US since 1992 never seen a $2 dollar bill or $1 coin.

Graham from England.

 

43 cruises and counting.

Those are not common in general circulation, but still legal tender. We used to see real $1 coins in the casinos years ago, but no more. Also saw $2 bills at the racetrack, but have not been to one in many years, so I don't know if that's the same anymore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TriCoachCruising

TriCoachCruising

Posted
Posted
We also tip with each round of drinks, also in suite/concierge lounge, we sail at the end of the month and will go to the bank soon and get about 50 in singles and 50 in fives ( got this idea from someone else on this site) also good to have small bills in Caribbean islands

DW and I do the same thing, we take a bunch of singles and tip everywhere that a server assists us. A small token of our personal appreciation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
grapau27

grapau27

Posted
Posted
Those are not common in general circulation, but still legal tender. We used to see real $1 coins in the casinos years ago, but no more. Also saw $2 bills at the racetrack, but have not been to one in many years, so I don't know if that's the same anymore.

Thanks.I can't believe after coming to Florida for 25 years i haven't seen either or even knew they existed.

I have got a silver dollar 1922 i think.

 

43 cruises and counting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
Thanks.I can't believe after coming to Florida for 25 years i haven't seen either or even knew they existed.

I have got a silver dollar 1922 i think.

 

43 cruises and counting.

Keep that, the silver alone makes it worth much more than $1.:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...