Diamond lounge tipping

[grapau27]

I have been to the DL every night on the current sailing of Navigator - I have yet to see a single tip being offered (500+ D and up on this sailing).

TBH my observations too.We normally keep our own company​ and sometimes we are in a group but bar myself i have and my wife has never seen anyone else tip during the week so i find this thread interesting as a lot of people say they tip every drink and I don't doubt they do but mostly we sail in Europe and i don't see it.

 

43 cruises and counting.

[CruisinShips]

TBH my observations too.We normally keep our own company​ and sometimes we are in a group but bar myself i have and my wife has never seen anyone else tip during the week so i find this thread interesting as a lot of people say they tip every drink and I don't doubt they do but mostly we sail in Europe and i don't see it.

 

43 cruises and counting.

I tipped every single drink in the SL on my cruise on the Allure a last month. I had the drink package and added $5 per 2 drinks we had throughout...on the paper receipt they provided. And I am sure no one (besides the wait staff) knew I did.

[John&LaLa]

I have been to the DL every night on the current sailing of Navigator - I have yet to see a single tip being offered (500+ D and up on this sailing).

Maybe it's a CL thing. [emoji6]

 

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[Bruin Steve]

There is a lot of confusion on these boards regarding this issue...and for good reason.

 

The cruise lines let you know about tipping. They give you guidelines about tipping waiters, assistant waiters, head waiters and cabin stewards. They let you know that drink orders automatically have a tip added.

 

Traditionally, this was enough information. But, above and beyond the recommended tips and the added drink tips, passengers were always free to add to those amounts...at their own discretion...if they felt the crew member went above and beyond that. Of course, many people did...but many others felt the recommended amounts were sufficient.

 

But, in recent years, there are some perceived anamolies in the tipping system. One example are the drink packages. You are assessed a tip at a set percentage based on the package cost..which does not necessarily correspond to the actual usage. There, you need to trust that the cruise line divides the tips assessed appropriately...though you can always add to the tip of a favorite waiter.

 

The Diamond Lounge, however, gives the cruiser another level of confusion. Unlike the drink packages, the cruise line gives no information about how the waiters are compensated. Many people assume--WRONGLY--that, since the drinks are "free" and, therefore, 18% of zero is zero, that the waiters are completely uncompensated...and, therefore, they must add an appropriate tip for every drink served.

 

But, this makes absolutely no sense. The cruise line does not take their best bar waiters--who could be earning tips in any other bar or lounge on the ship--and make them work for free...or the occasional tip...in the Diamond Lounge.

 

The servers in the Diamond Lounge ARE compensated by the cruise line. They have it all accounted for in their budgets...but they just aren't sharing the intricacies of how that works with the customer... Therefore, people are confused. Many know...or, at least, just assume that the servers are compensated. Others think that they are not, hence the need to add a large tip for each and every drink.

 

Truth, however, is that they are compensated--at least in accordance with cruise line standards. And, of course, since they are usually very good, it is not inappropriate to supplement those tips with a little extra. The waiters who get those extra tips ARE appreciative...they are earning more per drink than they'd likely get in another venue on the ship. OTOH, it is NOT inappropriate to NOT add to the tip...those passengers are NOT stiffing the servers as some of you apparently think.

 

And, in many ways, it does make more sense to give those extra tips, if one deems it appropriate, to those servers who have done an extraordinary job serving you in the DL at the end of the cruise.

[YlangYlangF9PB3E]

I have been to the DL every night on the current sailing of Navigator - I have yet to see a single tip being offered (500+ D and up on this sailing).

I feel for Kenneth, the best DL bartender on the Navigator. Never had to ask for drink, he just brought it to us. We tipped him $1 each drink and gave him a nice envelope on the last night. Almost everyone tipped per drink, except for one guy who obviously took advantage. No tips from him, just lots (and lots) of freebie drinks FOR him, served with a smile. We were on the 3/26/17 sailing.

[swoopy2110]

I feel for Kenneth, the best DL bartender on the Navigator. Never had to ask for drink, he just brought it to us. We tipped him $1 each drink and gave him a nice envelope on the last night. Almost everyone tipped per drink, except for one guy who obviously took advantage. No tips from him, just lots (and lots) of freebie drinks FOR him, served with a smile. We were on the 3/26/17 sailing.

 

There is nothing stipulated anywhere that says you are expected to tip a server in the DL.

[YlangYlangF9PB3E]

There is nothing stipulated anywhere that says you are expected to tip a server in the DL.

 

Nothing stipulated in any restaurant, either (except a few) that you should tip the waiter. I tip in restaurants and in the DL, "stipulated" or not. The guy I was speaking of was ABSOLUTELY taking advantage. I thought I read that there is a minimum of a 15 minute wait between drinks served. Not with this double-fisted jerk. This is what ruins it for the rest of us, sooner or later.

[TYMAN]

I tip above the recommended amount, with cash, for one reason and one reason only. The crew does a great job! It's not because I believe someone is being short changed, it's not because I think they're not getting tips from the "pool" and it certainly isn't because someone else is or isn't tipping in the DL. It's because the crew rocks! Have a great weekend!

[Bruin Steve]

Nothing stipulated in any restaurant, either (except a few) that you should tip the waiter. I tip in restaurants and in the DL, "stipulated" or not. The guy I was speaking of was ABSOLUTELY taking advantage. I thought I read that there is a minimum of a 15 minute wait between drinks served. Not with this double-fisted jerk. This is what ruins it for the rest of us, sooner or later.

Ylang,

Step back a couple of posts and read my last post. It explains it thoroughly.

That "jerk" you keep complaining about was NO jerk. YOur bartender WAS being compensated. The only reason to tip is that you want to ADD to his compensation. Some may, some may not. It's up to the individual. Tipping is NOT required because it is already accounted for. Nothing wrong with NOT tipping. Besides, YOU really don't know whether he tipped extra at all. Maybe he gave the guy a big tip first time he sat down. Maybe he's like me and added an extra tip on the last night of the cruise. Just because someone doesn't do what you do doesn't make them a "jerk". Maybe your watching what he does and commenting on it to others makes YOU the jerk?

[YlangYlangF9PB3E]

Ylang,

Step back a couple of posts and read my last post. It explains it thoroughly.

That "jerk" you keep complaining about was NO jerk. YOur bartender WAS being compensated. The only reason to tip is that you want to ADD to his compensation. Some may, some may not. It's up to the individual. Tipping is NOT required because it is already accounted for. Nothing wrong with NOT tipping. Besides, YOU really don't know whether he tipped extra at all. Maybe he gave the guy a big tip first time he sat down. Maybe he's like me and added an extra tip on the last night of the cruise. Just because someone doesn't do what you do doesn't make them a "jerk". Maybe your watching what he does and commenting on it to others makes YOU the jerk?

Bet Kenneth doesn't think "I'm" the jerk.

[Bruin Steve]

Bet Kenneth doesn't think "I'm" the jerk.

Seriously?

I guess you STILL haven't read my earlier post. That or an inability to comprehend.

Okay, Kenneth likes you. Sure. But, you resent that he also serves a guy who doesn't tip in the way you tip. So, why do you tip? Because you wrongly think that if you don't, Kenneth doesn't get paid? So...you think $1 per drink is adequate? If that drink would have cost $8, your tip is only 12.5%. Kenneth would do better than that serving in any other bar on board.

Or, is it just because you think he'll give you...or should give you...better service than the "jerk" who you didn't see giving Kenneth extra money?

Obviously, that's not part of the deal either. Kenneth does a great job serving EVERYONE in the DL...He doesn't like YOU better because you keep handing him a dollar every time you get a drink.

[Ontario Cruiser]

Just went the bank and got lots of one's. We are doing the Rhapsody crossing next week.

Ontario Cruiser

[grapau27]

There is a lot of confusion on these boards regarding this issue...and for good reason.

 

The cruise lines let you know about tipping. They give you guidelines about tipping waiters, assistant waiters, head waiters and cabin stewards. They let you know that drink orders automatically have a tip added.

 

Traditionally, this was enough information. But, above and beyond the recommended tips and the added drink tips, passengers were always free to add to those amounts...at their own discretion...if they felt the crew member went above and beyond that. Of course, many people did...but many others felt the recommended amounts were sufficient.

 

But, in recent years, there are some perceived anamolies in the tipping system. One example are the drink packages. You are assessed a tip at a set percentage based on the package cost..which does not necessarily correspond to the actual usage. There, you need to trust that the cruise line divides the tips assessed appropriately...though you can always add to the tip of a favorite waiter.

 

The Diamond Lounge, however, gives the cruiser another level of confusion. Unlike the drink packages, the cruise line gives no information about how the waiters are compensated. Many people assume--WRONGLY--that, since the drinks are "free" and, therefore, 18% of zero is zero, that the waiters are completely uncompensated...and, therefore, they must add an appropriate tip for every drink served.

 

But, this makes absolutely no sense. The cruise line does not take their best bar waiters--who could be earning tips in any other bar or lounge on the ship--and make them work for free...or the occasional tip...in the Diamond Lounge.

 

The servers in the Diamond Lounge ARE compensated by the cruise line. They have it all accounted for in their budgets...but they just aren't sharing the intricacies of how that works with the customer... Therefore, people are confused. Many know...or, at least, just assume that the servers are compensated. Others think that they are not, hence the need to add a large tip for each and every drink.

 

Truth, however, is that they are compensated--at least in accordance with cruise line standards. And, of course, since they are usually very good, it is not inappropriate to supplement those tips with a little extra. The waiters who get those extra tips ARE appreciative...they are earning more per drink than they'd likely get in another venue on the ship. OTOH, it is NOT inappropriate to NOT add to the tip...those passengers are NOT stiffing the servers as some of you apparently think.

 

And, in many ways, it does make more sense to give those extra tips, if one deems it appropriate, to those servers who have done an extraordinary job serving you in the DL at the end of the cruise.

Good interesting read.

 

43 cruises and counting.

[grapau27]

Nothing stipulated in any restaurant, either (except a few) that you should tip the waiter. I tip in restaurants and in the DL, "stipulated" or not. The guy I was speaking of was ABSOLUTELY taking advantage. I thought I read that there is a minimum of a 15 minute wait between drinks served. Not with this double-fisted jerk. This is what ruins it for the rest of us, sooner or later.

Theres always givers and mean takers.

 

43 cruises and counting.

[grapau27]

Seriously?

I guess you STILL haven't read my earlier post. That or an inability to comprehend.

Okay, Kenneth likes you. Sure. But, you resent that he also serves a guy who doesn't tip in the way you tip. So, why do you tip? Because you wrongly think that if you don't, Kenneth doesn't get paid? So...you think $1 per drink is adequate? If that drink would have cost $8, your tip is only 12.5%. Kenneth would do better than that serving in any other bar on board.

Or, is it just because you think he'll give you...or should give you...better service than the "jerk" who you didn't see giving Kenneth extra money?

Obviously, that's not part of the deal either. Kenneth does a great job serving EVERYONE in the DL...He doesn't like YOU better because you keep handing him a dollar every time you get a drink.

I think most of us do think it makes a difference.

 

43 cruises and counting.

[DandDDay]

Thanks next time we come over to the US i will use a vending machine.

 

43 cruises and counting.

Especially the parking machines at the hospitals 😁 But yes, tho the $2 bills are legal tender, lots of people have never seen or heard of them and can be difficult to use. Also the $1 coins are similar in size as a 50 cent piece and can be mistaken.

[ThirstyCruiser]

I feel for Kenneth, the best DL bartender on the Navigator. Never had to ask for drink, he just brought it to us. We tipped him $1 each drink and gave him a nice envelope on the last night. Almost everyone tipped per drink, except for one guy who obviously took advantage. No tips from him, just lots (and lots) of freebie drinks FOR him, served with a smile. We were on the 3/26/17 sailing.

You ran into the DL at 11 AM on embarkation day and monitored the situation 24x7 until you were escorted off at 10:59 AM the last day? This is how you know the jerk didn't slip Kenny a C note the first time he saw him, or as he walked out of the DL the last time for that sailing?

[esper10]

I do agree with the post that said that he didn't see any one tipping. We were on the Harmoney B2B and yes I tip for our drinks $1.00 for the 2 of us each drink and also ask for bottle of water to take with me. The reason I tip is so I get good service. Also you are right I hardly saw any one else tipping now and than. Nothing what's written at this thread as if so much tips are going around. Tipping is a choice and I do it so I can enjoy the service and let the server know I appreciate him with my tip.

[grapau27]

Especially the parking machines at the hospitals 😁 But yes, tho the $2 bills are legal tender, lots of people have never seen or heard of them and can be difficult to use. Also the $1 coins are similar in size as a 50 cent piece and can be mistaken.

Thanks for info i hope we never have to use hospital in US.

I have never seen a 50 cent coin either.

I am amazed after over 30 visits to the US since 1992 i have never seen or knew of, 50 cent,$1 coin or $2 notes.

 

43 cruises and counting.

[Clarea]

Thanks for info i hope we never have to use hospital in US.

I have never seen a 50 cent coin either.

I am amazed after over 30 visits to the US since 1992 i have never seen or knew of, 50 cent,$1 coin or $2 notes.

Those denominations are typically not accepted in vending machines, which does not help their popularity.

[BND]

Thanks for info i hope we never have to use hospital in US.

I have never seen a 50 cent coin either.

I am amazed after over 30 visits to the US since 1992 i have never seen or knew of, 50 cent,$1 coin or $2 notes.

 

43 cruises and counting.

 

FYI, all hospitals do not charge for parking. Usually it's only the ones in large cities where parking is limited and there is no free parking for anything. We live in a suburban area that is very populated but none of our hospitals have paid parking. And, we've lived in more than just this area with the same experience.

 

I haven't seen a $2 bill or a $1 coin in a long time. People just don't use them and I've seen reports where the crew doesn't know what they are.

[BND]

I have been to the DL every night on the current sailing of Navigator - I have yet to see a single tip being offered (500+ D and up on this sailing).

 

You can't possibly see what everyone is doing.

 

Maybe most are going to tip the last night. Also, some are very good at passing a tip without it being noticed. Our experience in DL's and CL's since 2009 is that the majority do tip each night and almost everyone does the last night. Those that we can see sitting around us anyway.

 

Our last cruise a week ago on GR, I don't think I ever saw anyone not tip per drink (those sitting around us)

[LMaxwell]

There's no way anyone here knows what everyone else is doing. You may see something at any given moment in your vicinity, or miss it entirely. If you are doing what YOU are comfortable with for the services received isn't that enough? I have never, ever watched to see if other people are leaving money, not leaving money, when, etc. None of my business. I don't control other people, they are big boys and girls.

[mattpro]

On the first night I walk into the lounge I ask the bartenders if they split their tips.

 

If yes, I give the server a $20 bill.

 

If not, I give each server $10 each.

 

Have never had a problem getting quick service.

[Beachammo]

Thanks for info i hope we never have to use hospital in US.

I have never seen a 50 cent coin either.

I am amazed after over 30 visits to the US since 1992 i have never seen or knew of, 50 cent,$1 coin or $2 notes.

 

43 cruises and counting.

I'm part owner of a coin shop and we have people all the time bring in the dollar coins thinking they are real gold.

 

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