tokidoki Posted December 15, 2019 #1 Share Posted December 15, 2019 All my platinum and up cruisers, when you have your comp dinners, do u leave a cash tip, since its not pre-added, or can u use OBC? thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted December 15, 2019 #2 Share Posted December 15, 2019 We've had some pretty good ones and some not good ones. I don't typically carry wallet or cash around and at the really good ones I've added tip to bill. In some cases, the servers have said bill is zero so no bill given and no chance to tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted December 15, 2019 #3 Share Posted December 15, 2019 1 hour ago, tokidoki said: All my platinum and up cruisers, when you have your comp dinners, do u leave a cash tip, since its not pre-added, or can u use OBC? thx The Discretionary Service Charge (DSC) covers the tip at ALL specialty restaurants. Of course you are free to tip anyone you want anytime you want. Just don't let others guilt you into double or triple tipping. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esm54687 Posted December 15, 2019 #4 Share Posted December 15, 2019 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Love my butler said: The Discretionary Service Charge (DSC) covers the tip at ALL specialty restaurants. Of course you are free to tip anyone you want anytime you want. Just don't let others guilt you into double or triple tipping. actually the DSC expressly states that specialty restaurants are excluded from it....... the 20% gratuity charge on the SDP covers the "tip" in the specialty restaurants. Additionally, the OP's question is about the Latitude Platinum Comp meal so regardless of DSC or SDP the comped meal is independent. Edited December 15, 2019 by esm54687 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokidoki Posted December 15, 2019 Author #5 Share Posted December 15, 2019 6 minutes ago, esm54687 said: actually the DSC expressly states that specialty restaurants are excluded from it....... the 20% gratuity charge on the SDP covers the "tip" in the specialty restaurants. Additionally, the OP's question is about the Latitude Platinum Comp meal so regardless of DSC or SDP the comped meal is independent. That’s y I am confused, since the dinners on NCL, but is the tip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podgeandrodge Posted December 15, 2019 #6 Share Posted December 15, 2019 As the platinum meals are free, and as others have pointed out, the DSC does not apply in speciality in any event, your bill/check will be zero if you purchase nothing extra. Given that 20% is the standard gratuity in general, we would always give a cash tip for that to the waiter (hoping they share it with other asst. waiters) or add it to the check sometimes if given one. They shouldn't lose out on the gratuity just because we are getting a free meal would be my thinking. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokidoki Posted December 15, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted December 15, 2019 1 minute ago, podgeandrodge said: As the platinum meals are free, and as others have pointed out, the DSC does not apply in speciality in any event, your bill/check will be zero if you purchase nothing extra. Given that 20% is the standard gratuity in general, we would always give a cash tip for that to the waiter (hoping they share it with other asst. waiters) or add it to the check sometimes if given one. They shouldn't lose out on the gratuity just because we are getting a free meal would be my thinking. Mine too 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaShark Posted December 15, 2019 #8 Share Posted December 15, 2019 To clear up the misconceptions: Specialty restaurant staff DO benefit from the DSC. NCL does NOT state that the specialty restaurant staff are excluded from the DSC. This has been previously discussed, and CONFIRMED by an NCL Hotel Director (now General Manager). See post #26 in this thread: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2207047-specialty-dining-tipping/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-47305240 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podgeandrodge Posted December 15, 2019 #9 Share Posted December 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, SeaShark said: To clear up the misconceptions: Specialty restaurant staff DO benefit from the DSC. NCL does NOT state that the specialty restaurant staff are excluded from the DSC. This has been previously discussed, and CONFIRMED by an NCL Hotel Director (now General Manager). See post #26 in this thread: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2207047-specialty-dining-tipping/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-47305240 Thanks. But in this case anyway, the DSC is not relevant as this is a free meal and the speciality would normally attract a specific gratuity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted December 15, 2019 #10 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Some folks leave tips and some folks don't. They are not expected, but are appreciated by the server, no matter what the amount is. If I feel the service is above and beyond, I'll leave a tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaShark Posted December 15, 2019 #11 Share Posted December 15, 2019 6 minutes ago, podgeandrodge said: Thanks. But in this case anyway, the DSC is not relevant as this is a free meal and the speciality would normally attract a specific gratuity. Why would a specialty attract a gratuity any differently than the MDR would? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokidoki Posted December 15, 2019 Author #12 Share Posted December 15, 2019 My original question was simply concerning the platinum perk, since 20% isn’t part of the free meal, is the staff getting stiffed if we don’t tip or is NCL including it in our perk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esm54687 Posted December 15, 2019 #13 Share Posted December 15, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, SeaShark said: To clear up the misconceptions: Specialty restaurant staff DO benefit from the DSC. NCL does NOT state that the specialty restaurant staff are excluded from the DSC. This has been previously discussed, and CONFIRMED by an NCL Hotel Director (now General Manager). See post #26 in this thread: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2207047-specialty-dining-tipping/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-47305240 Quote A specialty restaurant staff member MAY receive a piece of the DSC only if they work in the MDR, buffet or other locations that are "general passenger use" which is what the DSC is for ........ however, if a specialty restaurant waiter were to ONLY work in the specialty restaurant they would NOT receive anything from the DSC (as far as tips but they would receive things from the incentive program). This was stated by a NCL Hotel Director (now General Manager) at a CC Meet & Greet in May 2019 when asked why the 20% gratuity for SDP & UBP (now PBP) wasn't rolled into the DSC. I can make it look official with a bunch of xxxxxx to look like a correspondence and point out the post you referenced is 4 years old and things can change Edited December 15, 2019 by esm54687 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokidoki Posted December 15, 2019 Author #14 Share Posted December 15, 2019 Got my answer, as someone on FB pointed out, the service charge is included! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debnjoe1438 Posted December 15, 2019 #15 Share Posted December 15, 2019 3 hours ago, esm54687 said: actually the DSC expressly states that specialty restaurants are excluded from it....... the 20% gratuity charge on the SDP covers the "tip" in the specialty restaurants. Additionally, the OP's question is about the Latitude Platinum Comp meal so regardless of DSC or SDP the comped meal is independent. Where did you find this information? This is new to me, as I thought the DSC covered all restaurants and housekeeping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare luv2kroooz Posted December 15, 2019 #16 Share Posted December 15, 2019 1 hour ago, tokidoki said: My original question was simply concerning the platinum perk, since 20% isn’t part of the free meal, is the staff getting stiffed if we don’t tip or is NCL including it in our perk? No right or wrong and no official word from NCL. Tipping is a personal preference. You should do whatever feels right to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esm54687 Posted December 15, 2019 #17 Share Posted December 15, 2019 11 minutes ago, debnjoe1438 said: Where did you find this information? This is new to me, as I thought the DSC covered all restaurants and housekeeping. The DSC covers all things that are used by everyone..... pool staff, complimentary food locations, stewards, housekeeping, buffet, electricians, plumbers, etc. The DSC does not include staff that cost a "premium" such as butlers, bar staff, specialty restaurant staff, casino staff, youth center and spa staff for example. This is why the 20% is added to SDP, PBP, spa and you may tip separately butlers and casino etc. https://www.ncl.com/faq/money-matters https://www.ncl.com/faq#!#what-is-onboard-service-charge and attending the M&G and asking..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debnjoe1438 Posted December 15, 2019 #18 Share Posted December 15, 2019 7 minutes ago, esm54687 said: The DSC covers all things that are used by everyone..... pool staff, complimentary food locations, stewards, housekeeping, buffet, electricians, plumbers, etc. The DSC does not include staff that cost a "premium" such as butlers, bar staff, specialty restaurant staff, casino staff, youth center and spa staff for example. This is why the 20% is added to SDP, PBP, spa and you may tip separately butlers and casino etc. https://www.ncl.com/faq/money-matters https://www.ncl.com/faq#!#what-is-onboard-service-charge and attending the M&G and asking..... Thanks for the information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokidoki Posted December 16, 2019 Author #19 Share Posted December 16, 2019 was happy to read that the service charge for the comp platinum dinners are covered by NCL under lattitudes. With great service, I have the choice to add. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podgeandrodge Posted December 26, 2019 #20 Share Posted December 26, 2019 On 12/16/2019 at 12:46 AM, tokidoki said: was happy to read that the service charge for the comp platinum dinners are covered by NCL under lattitudes. With great service, I have the choice to add. You read this where? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokidoki Posted December 26, 2019 Author #21 Share Posted December 26, 2019 19 minutes ago, podgeandrodge said: You read this where? Thanks. its under latitudes perks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podgeandrodge Posted December 26, 2019 #22 Share Posted December 26, 2019 32 minutes ago, tokidoki said: its under latitudes perks My understanding is that you're not liable for gratuities, but that's different than saying staff will get gratuities on a free platinum meal. Safer in my opinion to pay a notional 20%. Doubtless, others will disagree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokidoki Posted December 26, 2019 Author #23 Share Posted December 26, 2019 4 minutes ago, podgeandrodge said: My understanding is that you're not liable for gratuities, but that's different than saying staff will get gratuities on a free platinum meal. Safer in my opinion to pay a notional 20%. Doubtless, others will disagree! it does state "gratuities", are included in this free perk, so the 20% is given to staff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podgeandrodge Posted December 26, 2019 #24 Share Posted December 26, 2019 42 minutes ago, tokidoki said: it does state "gratuities", are included in this free perk, so the 20% is given to staff. Thanks. Can you link please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokidoki Posted December 26, 2019 Author #25 Share Posted December 26, 2019 13 minutes ago, podgeandrodge said: Thanks. Can you link please! Post #18, has link to latitudes rewards and look for specialty dining 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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