Haven tipping

[WhenIsOurNextCruise]

On 7/27/2019 at 10:42 AM, graphicguy said:

Tip whatever you feel comfortable with.

 

I have always used the concierge a lot while staying in the Haven.  I plan nothing.  I let him/her take care of all my restaurant, entertainment, excursion, etc. plans.  I also let them deal with any billing or customer service issues.  Therefore, I tip them the most ($100 per person in my cabin).  I rarely use my Butler.  So, (S)he gets a flat $50 for bringing snacks and ice.

 

Room Steward gets $75, as they are usually the ones bringing extra towels, etc.

 

I tip my favorite Haven Bartender $50 for making my favorite drinks throughout the week without me even asking.

 

Haven Restaurant wait staff seems to rotate.  So, actually don’t tip them unless they have gone over and above taking care of me.  But, I also don’t eat every meal in the Haven Restaurant, either.

 

On 7/27/2019 at 11:32 AM, cruisingator2 said:

 

 

This.......We only give gratuities when we use the service or the butler or concierge and it depends on how much we request. 

Regarding Haven Bartender and Haven restaurant, IF the service is friendly and efficient, we tip as we go which is usually 5 for breakfast, $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner.  Same goes for the bartender, we tip as we go.  Maybe after a couple of round of drinks we will leave $5.  

[sverigecruiser]

10 minutes ago, WhenIsOurNextCruise said:

 

Here is the thing.  In the Haven the concierge doesn’t just tell you where to go, unless that is all you want to know.  The concierge actually invites you to assemble in the lounge and then when you are ready he escorts you down HIS elevator and you miraculously come out at the front of the disembarkation line.  Same goes for shows, tenders, exiting at ports.  We tip the Concierge more than the Butler because he can make all kinds of magic happen!

 

Still not something I have ever asked for, which was what I talked about. 

[SpainAlien]

So I get that we tip for service e above and beyond their normal jobs but what is included and therefore would not attract a tip? I would assume that part of the butler's job is to top up the coffee machine, ice bucket and deliver the afternoon snacks but that unpacking for you or serving an in room meal would be over and above, would this be correct? For the concierge isn't it his job to make reservations for shows and dining along with priority embarkation/disembarkation, in which case what would be over and above?

 

Edited September 20, 2020 by SpainAlien

[jethrojam]

25 minutes ago, SpainAlien said:

So I get that we tip for service e above and beyond their normal jobs but what is included and therefore would not attract a tip? I would assume that part of the butler's job is to top up the coffee machine, ice bucket and deliver the afternoon snacks but that unpacking for you or serving an in room meal would be over and above, would this be correct? For the concierge isn't it his job to make reservations for shows and dining along with priority embarkation/disembarkation, in which case what would be over and above?

 

only had a butler once, but I found that it was impossible to not let him do everything like unpack or make reservations.   To the point were I had no independence...but looking back, he made my life so much easier so why fight it?   Enjoy the butler and give a tip accordingly...

[Trimone]

This subject is flogged to death.

Most US, tourists leave a tip for anything, it’s the culture, most Europeans and British only leave a tip for service above what they’ve already paid for, if you think that’s mean, take a holiday in Yorkshire England.

Tip what you like it makes no difference.

[bmwman]

41 minutes ago, Trimone said:

This subject is flogged to death.

Most US, tourists leave a tip for anything, it’s the culture, most Europeans and British only leave a tip for service above what they’ve already paid for, if you think that’s mean, take a holiday in Yorkshire England.

Tip what you like it makes no difference.

Very well said and I love your comment about Yorkshire. I suggest that you try London Cabs as well now -tips are a thing of the past  As to restaurants my colleagues  say since the pandemic customers simply removing service charge at more than 10% (and that big chains).

 

I think the issue is that US culture is you work for your tips and expect. Over here - well Yorkshire holiday sums it up 🙂

 

Tip what you like - exactly - and if that means I do not tip on a ship so be it!

[Trimone]

1 hour ago, bmwman said:

Very well said and I love your comment about Yorkshire. I suggest that you try London Cabs as well now -tips are a thing of the past  As to restaurants my colleagues  say since the pandemic customers simply removing service charge at more than 10% (and that big chains).

 

I think the issue is that US culture is you work for your tips and expect. Over here - well Yorkshire holiday sums it up 🙂

 

Tip what you like - exactly - and if that means I do not tip on a ship so be it!

We live Nr Malvern, the only pub/restaurant we use has adopted the Covid-19 rules to the letter, name address phone number on entry, stand alone terminal outside for garden service, table service only, one way system, six to a table max, and tables at least 2-3 metres apart, No cash transactions 

All good, but when this is over will the Peroni still be £5.50 a pint? And butty Bach £4.50? 
Mind you I took six for lunch the other Sunday, and they took the Cash tip...
 

[slavetoabunny]

I was in an Owner's Suite (not Haven) for a 7-night cruise.  I tipped the butler $200, concierge $100 and room steward $100.

[BirdTravels]

7 hours ago, SpainAlien said:

So I get that we tip for service e above and beyond their normal jobs but what is included and therefore would not attract a tip? I would assume that part of the butler's job is to top up the coffee machine, ice bucket and deliver the afternoon snacks but that unpacking for you or serving an in room meal would be over and above, would this be correct? For the concierge isn't it his job to make reservations for shows and dining along with priority embarkation/disembarkation, in which case what would be over and above?

 

Since your Concierge and Butler are not included in the daily service charge "tip pool", you are asked to tip them for the services they provide (i.e., tip them for their normal job). Consider going to a U.S. restaurant where you would tip a waiter 18%-22% for doing their "normal job". Same with the Concierge and Butler. You can tip your room steward (who is part of the "tip pool" for above and beyond efforts like cleaning your very large suite vs. a normal room)

Edited September 20, 2020 by BirdTravels

[valleyvillage]

We never plan on the Haven/Suite tips. By the end of the cruise we know just how much we would like to tip, it just sort of happens based on our experience. We have tipped the butler anything from $50 to $300 and the concierge about the same spread. We always tip the Steward over and above the DSC.

If I could cruise right now I would probably be so happy I would overtip! 

[Sea saw 56]

My idea of tipping is opposite of valley village.  

We (2 of us) are only/always suite cruisers, alway plan to tip the Butler $10/Day each , the Concierge $5/ day each, the Room Steward $5/each.  We adjust from there.

[oteixeira]

I give a little tip up front, when the cruise starts, to let them know I appreciate them and will make it worth their effort if they choose to go above and beyond for me.  At the end of the cruise I then tip them the "rest" of what I have already put aside, or more, depending on how they were.  On a 7 day I normally go 150 for a butler, 100 for Concierge, and 50 for room steward, that includes the day one tip in the total.

[Trimone]

We are from the UK, we normally we take about $100 in small bills in total, that covers bar staff, butler, concierge and room attendant.

We only tip for service that’s above the norm, we don’t care if NCL don’t include DSC for butler and concierge, that’s there policy, so not our problem.

We use the services, that we have paid for full stop, we have to pay our DSC upfront when booking.

[slavetoabunny]

2 hours ago, Trimone said:

We are from the UK, we normally we take about $100 in small bills in total, that covers bar staff, butler, concierge and room attendant.

We only tip for service that’s above the norm, we don’t care if NCL don’t include DSC for butler and concierge, that’s there policy, so not our problem.

We use the services, that we have paid for full stop, we have to pay our DSC upfront when booking.

The butler and concierge are not included in the service charge pool because they only provide services to a small portion of the guests on the ship. If I remember correctly, the staff in the kid's club aren't included either. Your service charge covers the staff serving the general population.  If you are staying in a suite/haven you should be able afford to tip the butler/concierge.

[Trimone]

1 hour ago, slavetoabunny said:

The butler and concierge are not included in the service charge pool because they only provide services to a small portion of the guests on the ship. If I remember correctly, the staff in the kid's club aren't included either. Your service charge covers the staff serving the general population.  If you are staying in a suite/haven you should be able afford to tip the butler/concierge.

Nobody is under any obligation to tip anyone, regardless of how much money one has.

[oteixeira]

1 hour ago, Trimone said:

Nobody is under any obligation to tip anyone, regardless of how much money one has.

I think earlier in the thread you explained your reasoning and that this is the norm in England.  What I want to make sure you understand is that the workers (and really ship) sailed (most likely) from a country where it is the norm to tip.  Also, word spreads quickly.  The butler might move to another ship, wait staff commonly rotates through restaurants, etc.  Did you notice if you go back to the same ship people actually remember you, even a year later?  It happens to my wife and I.  We are always greeted well and have great service.  I am not saying you wont, but if the staff knows at the start of the trip that you wont tip, they are not going to make the effort to go above and beyond for your suite....and honestly, I don't blame them for prioritizing suites that will get them more money for themselves and their family back home.

[pcakes122]

29 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

if the staff knows at the start of the trip that you wont tip, they are not going to make the effort to go above and beyond for your suite

How do you know this is true?  Or do you just believe that money is the only thing that motivates people?

[Trimone]

25 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

I think earlier in the thread you explained your reasoning and that this is the norm in England.  What I want to make sure you understand is that the workers (and really ship) sailed (most likely) from a country where it is the norm to tip.  Also, word spreads quickly.  The butler might move to another ship, wait staff commonly rotates through restaurants, etc.  Did you notice if you go back to the same ship people actually remember you, even a year later?  It happens to my wife and I.  We are always greeted well and have great service.  I am not saying you wont, but if the staff knows at the start of the trip that you wont tip, they are not going to make the effort to go above and beyond for your suite....and honestly, I don't blame them for prioritizing suites that will get them more money for themselves and their family back home.

I think if ones a professional, then you should do the job you are paid for, I have been greeted and welcomed back by members of staff, who have looked after us before.

The Haven, is a very expensive part of the ship, and the cost should include a certain standard, that’s what you pay for, if you really believe tipping makes any difference then someone isn’t doing their job correctly.

Do you tip on airplanes? 

[Trimone]

1 minute ago, pcakes122 said:

How do you know this is true?  Or do you just believe that money is the only thing that motivates people?

Respect and manners, I find works better?

[oteixeira]

1 minute ago, pcakes122 said:

How do you know this is true?  Or do you just believe that money is the only thing that motivates people?

I don't at all know this is true.  I am sorry if it came across that way, I was just saying that generally, you will find things like this happen in the USA with any service that you would tip.  So I am guessing it also can/might happen on ships.  Go to a restaurant a few times and leave no tip, and I am guessing the service would decrease each visit.

Again, I am not stating fact, it is just my opinion.

[Trimone]

12 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

I don't at all know this is true.  I am sorry if it came across that way, I was just saying that generally, you will find things like this happen in the USA with any service that you would tip.  So I am guessing it also can/might happen on ships.  Go to a restaurant a few times and leave no tip, and I am guessing the service would decrease each visit.

Again, I am not stating fact, it is just my opinion.

I have honestly never felt that, I have stayed in the Haven on the Breakaway and the Joy, we generally eat in the Haven restaurant or specialty ones, we are always polite, have a laugh and never to much trouble (demanding I hate) We did have conversations with bar staff, when asked about the Haven, one said last week a gentleman through his card at them, to try and get served quicker, he said some Haven passengers have an arrogance about them, and believe they are better than normal passengers. 

[oteixeira]

Just now, Trimone said:

I have honestly never felt that, I have stayed in the Haven on the Breakaway and the Joy, we generally eat in the Haven restaurant or specialty ones, we are always polite, have a laugh and never to much trouble (demanding I hate) We did have conversations with bar staff, when asked about the Haven, one said last week a gentleman through his card at them, to try and get served quicker, he said some Haven passengers have an arrogance about them, and believe they are better than normal passengers. 

I totally agree that some people are more demanding and even arrogant in the Haven.  I have seen a family of six drop a completely custom menu down to the manager at the Haven restaurant and tell her to make that their dinner each evening.  While I know they can do this, I consider the way he did it to be very arrogant.  Again, I was just stating my opinion, and I am happy that your service has continued to be good.  I for one will continue to tip as I do since it is a custom in my country, and (in my opinion) something the folks on the ship look forward to and hope for to help supplement their income.  Again, if you were to try this at a land establishment in the USA, 9 out of 10 times your service would go down and continue to go down each visit you had.  I just thought that the ship may be similar.  

[don't-use-real-name]

My Thoughts:

 

The Concierge is available to a larger pool of guests - virtually everyone with Platinum status and above.

Is not part of the DSC but obviously must be salaried by NCL to some degree - he ain't workin for nutten !

The level of personal attention can vary depending on the eligible guests personal requests (demands).

 

The Butler is assigned to a small pool of guests in cabins (suites) - status can be newbe to Ambassador.

The suite cabin assignment can be to one Garden Villa (more like two) or several other classes of suites

all in the same general area so the Butler is not running from stem to stern in his duties.

Like the "C" is not part of the DSC but certainly salaried and the level of personal attention can vary.

The Butler does compliment the services provided by the Cabin Steward while not exactly doing housecleaning

and setting up a cabin be it a suite or other cabin the Butler and Cabin Steward should work as a team for the

guests pleasure.  The "B" may be called upon to assist the "C" from time to time.

 

There is a Cabin Steward assigned to every cabin be it the GV Haven Suite or other combination.

Generally the assignment keeps him quite busy during his shift.

The Cabin Steward is part of the DSC - amount not disclosed and is salaried by NCL    

 

Now to the T-I-P-S  (To Insure Prompt Service ?)

My guidelines are not for CC members to presume that this is norm standard acceptable policy !

Residents of foreign countries have a different view of tipping compensation.

 

Base level:

"C" - $5 daily (on call) - upped to $ variable for those services requested

"B" - $10 daily and upped to $ more if something real special is requested

"CS" - $10 daily - he takes care of the filthy dirty work of taking care of your very personal needs.

 

In a Haven or GV class suite definitely consider adding to these - - -

Double occupancy (or family) the other half should add to this personal services requested by that other half.

 

There are no wrong or right answers to tipping - - -

If you win big at the Casino share your generosity around - - -

 

Tipping is Personal - there is NO rule book - just your own (heartfelt) guidelines

 

I often wonder what the NCL staff thinks - says behind closed doors about tipping - - -

 

That cheap skate

 

Did I score big on that guest

 

Do they talk about it all

Are they permitted to talk - but not to the guest

 

They sure do keep their emotions in check in the presence of guests

 

And they do have a memory like an elephant - 2nd cruise same staff and already a red carpet

  

 

 

[pcakes122]

21 minutes ago, Trimone said:

Respect and manners, I find works better?

Agree. Not that I don't believe in tipping, but money isn't everything and most people can't be bought.  Showing true appreciation for people in the service industry goes a long way.  Smiling, looking people in the face when you speak to them (can't tell you how many times I have seen someone order a meal while staring at a menu and not looking up at the server), asking about their day, complimenting their work, and saying thank you are just a few things that motivate people to want to do a great job - in my experience. I actually find tipping in advance to be insulting (it's like saying "and there's more where that came from if you do a good job!") - as if without the promise of your cash they would be lazy and inattentive.

 

Sure, are there some folks who only care about money? Yes. However, thankfully I believe they are in the minority. 

 

I think that people who ask questions about how much to tip are good people who want to make sure that they are doing "the right thing" which is awesome.  My response to that is not a tip percentage chart or a daily (made-up) guideline.

 

My take is that if you just focus on building a genuine rapport with the butler, concierge and room steward as PEOPLE, by the end of your cruise you will not only have made new friends and great memories, you will instinctively know exactly what you want to tip them and it will be the perfect amount.  ❤

[pcakes122]

2 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

And they do have a memory like an elephant - 2nd cruise same staff and already a red carpet

So you believe this was only because of the dollar amount you tipped on your previous cruise?