Haven tipping

[Trimone]

15 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

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.  

This year landed in Miami, showered for my first alcoholic drink of the year. South beach, two burgers, three white wines and three beers, nothing special $260 with tax and tips... holly moses

[oteixeira]

4 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

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.  ❤

I just want to be clear that I do all these things as well.  Everyone on the ship are humans and deserve to be treated great.  I ask them about their families, where they are from, etc.  By the end of the cruise most of the people I interact with on the regular say that I am one of the nicest and caring people that cruised that week.  For me, I love the stories, they don't realize it, but a lot of why I vacation is for the people I meet, and the stories I hear, that is some of the most memorable things about the vacation.

Now, on top of this I also tip, and I am not saying you have to.  Just what I do.  I actually had a server from India thank me during the last cruise (before any tip) for being so down to earth, and he went out of his way to say he enjoyed my" relaxed, and very much listening to what was around me approach to life".  That meant more to me than anything else that happened on that cruise.

[latebloomer56]

First time in the Haven was on the Gem a few years ago the butler in our DOS was wonderful and the young man at the pool was always on top of everything these two were tipped accordingly. We never saw the concierge after he took us to Cagney's for lunch and he never showed up at the end a different concierge escorted us off the ship when we asked her what we needed to do. We have traveled in suites on NCL and haven't had much contact with either we do use the Cagney's perk for breakfast though and leave extra for the wait staff there.

Next year (god willing) we have our family trip in the Haven on the Gem we shall see. Plan to use vouchers if they receive full amount it is easier for me than cash. Will however bring little thank you cards should cash be required or just leave the card with the voucher if we get a paper copy if not just a note. There will be 5 of us so will wait and see what service we get. On the Dawn the butler got nothing due to his bad attitude when I called and asked for some soup for our son. He wasn't feeling to good (I think sea sick) but needed to eat. It came 2 hours later with a bad attitude and ice cold. Only time I can remember not tipping anybody, still feel bad didn't leave a little something he did bring treats every afternoon.

OP enjoy your surprise with your husband, tip what your comfortable with. Have a safe trip.

[pcakes122]

1 minute ago, oteixeira said:

I just want to be clear that I do all these things as well.  Everyone on the ship are humans and deserve to be treated great.  I ask them about their families, where they are from, etc.  By the end of the cruise most of the people I interact with on the regular say that I am one of the nicest and caring people that cruised that week.  For me, I love the stories, they don't realize it, but a lot of why I vacation is for the people I meet, and the stories I hear, that is some of the most memorable things about the vacation.

Now, on top of this I also tip, and I am not saying you have to.  Just what I do.  I actually had a server from India thank me during the last cruise (before any tip) for being so down to earth, and he went out of his way to say he enjoyed my" relaxed, and very much listening to what was around me approach to life".  That meant more to me than anything else that happened on that cruise.

I never said I don't tip. I only said that money isn't everything and that the NCL team members I have met have never once given me the impression that the quality of service they were providing was contingent upon how much cash I handed them on the last day. (Or that if my tip wasn't what they expected that in the future they planned to degrade my service.)   Maybe I've just been lucky with the crew members I've encountered.

[oteixeira]

4 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

I never said I don't tip. I only said that money isn't everything and that the NCL team members I have met have never once given me the impression that the quality of service they were providing was contingent upon how much cash I handed them on the last day. (Or that if my tip wasn't what they expected that in the future they planned to degrade my service.)   Maybe I've just been lucky with the crew members I've encountered.

I also never said you did or did not, what I said is "on top of this I also tip, and I am not saying you have to"

[don't-use-real-name]

16 minutes ago, pcakes122 said:

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

It could be that - the 2nd cruise was a year and a half later - same "C" not same "B" but the "B" from the

1st cruise knew me.

I don't recall the amount of the tipping nor think it was out of my norm.

[sverigecruiser]

8 hours 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.

 

But why aren't the butler and concierge included in the service charge pool for those travelling in a suite? Maybe it is because they have a decent salary from the cruiseline without getting anything from the service charge pool? Do we know that they don't?

 

[sverigecruiser]

On 9/20/2020 at 5:20 PM, BirdTravels said:

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)

 

Don't they have less rooms to clean when the rooms are bigger? I don't know but just assume that they clean fewer rooms when the rooms are bigger.

[GA Dave]

Want to see some outrageous tipping?  Watch the "Below Deck" television series.

[slavetoabunny]

3 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

But why aren't the butler and concierge included in the service charge pool for those travelling in a suite? Maybe it is because they have a decent salary from the cruiseline without getting anything from the service charge pool? Do we know that they don't?

 

As I said before, the butler and concierge only serve the suite guests so are not in the service charge pool.  They depend on thhe generosity of the suite guests for tips.

[slavetoabunny]

9 hours ago, Trimone said:

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

Of course nobody is under any obligation, but it is the decent thing to do if you received good service. Even if tipping is not customary in your country, when you are on a cruise ship you are not in your country and should follow what is customary for where you are.

[FLcruisergrl]

17 minutes ago, slavetoabunny said:

Of course nobody is under any obligation, but it is the decent thing to do if you received good service. Even if tipping is not customary in your country, when you are on a cruise ship you are not in your country and should follow what is customary for where you are.

This. 

[All-ready2cruise]

22 minutes ago, slavetoabunny said:

Of course nobody is under any obligation, but it is the decent thing to do if you received good service. Even if tipping is not customary in your country, when you are on a cruise ship you are not in your country and should follow what is customary for where you are.

I totally agree! when in Rome (USA), do as they do.  I always tip extra to those who make my cruise a special vacay.  It could be only $20 or $100... it all depends on the situation.  

Cruises are meant to be enjoyed. 

[sverigecruiser]

5 hours ago, slavetoabunny said:

As I said before, the butler and concierge only serve the suite guests so are not in the service charge pool.  They depend on thhe generosity of the suite guests for tips.

 

But they could be a part of the service charge pool for the suite guests. They could just raise the DSC for the suiteguests and include the concierge and butlers in that. They only depend of the generosity of the suite guests for tips if their salary is based on that they shall be dependant on that. Is it?  

[sverigecruiser]

5 hours ago, slavetoabunny said:

Of course nobody is under any obligation, but it is the decent thing to do if you received good service. Even if tipping is not customary in your country, when you are on a cruise ship you are not in your country and should follow what is customary for where you are.

 

But what is the customary on a cruiseship? I don't remember ever reading in a brochure  from the cruiselines that tipping is needed.

 

I don't say that I don't tip but I question why anyone who doesn't ask for anything shall feel that they should need to tip if they don't want to. 

[sverigecruiser]

5 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

I totally agree! when in Rome (USA), do as they do.  I always tip extra to those who make my cruise a special vacay.  It could be only $20 or $100... it all depends on the situation.  

Cruises are meant to be enjoyed. 

 

But most cruiseships are not USA.

[Trimone]

Guests in the Haven do pay more DSC.

I don’t remember having a crew from the US? 
Rome is in Italy or if you’re on a cruise, Civitavecchia.

Please, I think this tipping in the Haven is about boasting, about have much money you have, and to show off.

Respect, being polite and good manners make a good cruise, money doesn’t buy class.

[slavetoabunny]

3 hours ago, Trimone said:

Guests in the Haven do pay more DSC.

I don’t remember having a crew from the US? 
Rome is in Italy or if you’re on a cruise, Civitavecchia.

Please, I think this tipping in the Haven is about boasting, about have much money you have, and to show off.

Respect, being polite and good manners make a good cruise, money doesn’t buy class.

Once again, the tipping topic has been flogged to death.  Respect, being polite and good manners don't put food on the crew members tables.  No matter how much discussion there is, the cheapskates still aren't going to tip and in their minds, it's OK.

[Trimone]

3 minutes ago, slavetoabunny said:

Once again, the tipping topic has been flogged to death.  Respect, being polite and good manners don't put food on the crew members tables.  No matter how much discussion there is, the cheapskates still aren't going to tip and in their minds, it's OK.

It isn’t the customers job to pay the salaries, that’s NCLs responsibility, Cheapskates? I don’t find paying several thousand pounds for a cruise makes anyone a Cheapskate.

[dexddd]

16 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

Don't they have less rooms to clean when the rooms are bigger? I don't know but just assume that they clean fewer rooms when the rooms are bigger.

The disc is definitely larger.

[All-ready2cruise]

8 hours ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

But most cruiseships are not USA.

That's OK, NCL's ships are registered in the Bahamas and the staff at hotels and the like there do expect to get tips, too. General rule of thumb for tips there are around 15%. 

 

Have a good day. 

[RocketMan275]

2 hours ago, Trimone said:

It isn’t the customers job to pay the salaries, that’s NCLs responsibility, Cheapskates? I don’t find paying several thousand pounds for a cruise makes anyone a Cheapskate.

All salaries are paid by the customers.  

[GA Dave]

2 hours ago, Trimone said:

It isn’t the customers job to pay the salaries, that’s NCLs responsibility, Cheapskates? I don’t find paying several thousand pounds for a cruise makes anyone a Cheapskate.

I live in the USA, have a job that compensates me very well, and have learned to live well below my means.  I like to tip people in many service professions just for the joy of knowing that I made their day a little brighter. 

The guys that delivered my last washing machine?  $50 tip that meant they could have a really nice lunch after their hard work.  The woman who trims my dog's nails?  $10 because she is so kind to him and treats him like her own.  And, particularly since Covid started, the wait staff at every restaurant I have gone to.  My usual 20% has been bumped to 25-30%, simply to thank them for being there and taking risks with their health to serve me that many people would not.

It's the human thing to do.

[All-ready2cruise]

36 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

I live in the USA, have a job that compensates me very well, and have learned to live well below my means.  I like to tip people in many service professions just for the joy of knowing that I made their day a little brighter. 

 

Agree with this. Though need to replace USA with Canada, but,  I love the smiles I get when I tip those who provide such good service.  

Edited September 22, 2020 by All-ready2cruise

[Trimone]

It often amazes me when someone talks about tipping they know the exact amount they tipped, if I have a meal out, and automatic gratuity is on the bill, that’s all they get, or if it’s above 10% I alter it, if the bill has gratuity not included I normally round it off to 10%, if the meal was cold, not what I ordered, slow service, I don’t tip anything.

Thats life in the U.K., everyone gets the minimum wage or above.