Gratuities at Camp Carnival

[kgk]

Does anyone give a gratuity to the camp counselors? It would seem to me these people work as hard or harder than other crew members (head waiter) that we're expected to tip. To keep a group of kids safe and happy.....

 

4/17 Triumph

[mar915]

I have because I agree, they have the toughest job in the staff. I have always tip them since they have always been excellent.

 

Glory Cruise 6/26

[joebert]

I generally tip them $50.00 for the week. They do a wonderful job with the kids.

[kgk]

Do you tip at the end of the cruise? $50 for the group of counselors? Thanks for your help.

 

4/17 Triumph

[dosi]

I think we gave the counselors $60 in singles ($10 for each day my son participated...he usually went for 2-3 hours per day) We gave it in singles in a card addressed to "Team Timmy" (my DS) figuring whoever worked with him would get a share and it would be easy to divvy up.

 

doris

 

"I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine"--Caskie Stinnett

 

Elation 10/20/02

Paradise 9/21/03

Star Princess 10/24/04

[GinaDucey]

Oh yes - they did such a wonderful job for us we tipped well also. Yes they share all the tips.

 

Fantasy 11/91

Ecstasy 1/98

Fascination 11/99

Paradise 2/00

Imagination 4/02

Ecstasy 5/03

Paradise 10/03

Sovereign of the Seas 4/04

 

 

Till we leave on the Sovereign

 

 

 

 

[GayleR]

We put ours in envelopes for specific counselors. From the posts above, does that mean they pool all the tips and split them between all counselors? Just curious.

[HOSKI]

I've been told by the staff that they share tips so I usually tip $40 for the week but if one or more staff did a great job I address the envelope and a note to them. I know the money gets shared but I have recognized them for their hard work.

 

Fascination 1997 Destiny 2000

Victory 2000 Sensation 2001

Norway 2002 Legend 2002

NCL Dawn 2003 Inspiration 2003

[jeremyh]

Yes, we tipped. I was somewhat surprised that I didn't see anyone else doing it, though, when picking up their kids on the last evening.

 

---

Jeremy

  until Pride 3/28/04

 

[GayleR]

Jeremy,

 

I noticed that, too. The counselors were so gracious when we gave them the tips. I guess that's why they pool them so everyone gets something.

 

Gayle

[jeremyh]

Well, especially after they make such a big deal out of tipping the Maitre'd (however you spell it). You know, that guy who walked by our table and said hi once and that was it because we were off in the other overflow room outside the dining room, where we only ate half our dinners at anyway?

 

Meanwhile, our kids interact with the camp people nearly every day and for 2+ hours at a time, but not a peep or a prepared envelope for them..

 

---

Jeremy

  until Pride 3/28/04

 

[CruiseFever]

Porters: A buck a bag, two bucks to fool yourself into believing they will give your bags special attention if you're a "big tipper"

 

Like "Hey Charlie, put those bags on satin pillows and carry them directly to the cabin"

 

Camp Carnival Counselors: A five bucks a kid per day, ten to fool yourself into believing they will give your kids special attention if you're a "big tipper"

 

Like "Hey Timmy, you go first into the lifeboat, those girls and handicapped kids can wait"

 

....or so I hear.

 

On the one cruise that our youngest was in Camp Carnival (then 12- way too cool thereafter) we stiffed them hoping not to get her back.

 

Didn't work

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/04

Star Princess 10/04

Carnival Spirit 12/04