Bar Tips

[Mikial]

After a number of cancellations and delays, we are - finally - headed out on the Bliss Sunday!

 

For those who have recently sailed -- are we tipping on the card at the bars these days, or should I be bringing a roll of singles with me?  Not sure if NCL has gone "cashless" since the pandemic...

[1025cruise]

Any way you wish to tip I'm sure the recipient will be appreciative.

[MtnCliner]

Just now, Mikial said:

After a number of cancellations and delays, we are - finally - headed out on the Bliss Sunday!

 

For those who have recently sailed -- are we tipping on the card at the bars these days, or should I be bringing a roll of singles with me?  Not sure if NCL has gone "cashless" since the pandemic...

We brought along rolls of 5's and 1's for tips.  The staff seemed really appreciative of any and all tips.

[SimplyAlbert]

On the Breakaway they just swiped your card.  No paper was printed out for you to sign.  We just tipped in cash.  We brought a bunch of ones and fives specifically for that purpose.  The only place we got a printout for signature was in the specialty restaurants.   I don't know about any of the shops as we didn't purchase anything on board.

[JGmf]

From what I've witnessed, most people don't tip at the bars; and I guess they don't technically need to since gratuities are pre-paid when you have the drink package. 

 

That said, I'm assuming most people on this board are more generous and tip.

 

Me? I do tip at the bars, but on a drink-by-drink basis, probably not as much at my local places at home.  If you have a regular/favorite bar on your ship, being gracious and providing a tip(s) throughout the cruise helps you cut through the crowds (if there any these days) and definitely gets your "usual" poured with simple eye contact and head nod.  I've always found the bartenders to be pretty great; and it's nice to recognize their high level of service with a $5 or a few singles here and there.

 

At the casino, tipping for drink service appears even more scant.  Since I do tip, drink servers remember me after day one; and I've never waited for a drink.... sometimes I have to turn down refills that are nearly queued and ready for me. 

 

Can't wait for my next cruise!!

 

 

[Lionkingrichard]

2 years in row on the Breakaway and on the first cruise always gave a couple singles to the wait staff and Bartender outside deck. The 2nd year first day they came right over and remembered my drink of choice and with a simple peace sign✌️ my DOUBLE showed up the rest of the cruise!

[Hutcha]

Just stopped at the bank yesterday. Picked up 100 $2 bills for tipping. Mostly for bar drinks. Don't expect to go through them all on this cruise.

[Always Cruising]

I used to use $2 bills, but found some servers didn't recognize them, and thought they were fake.  I liked the uniqueness of them, though...but use two $1 bills now.

 

[callmebetty]

We also use $2 bills. Bartenders and servers have remembered us from cruise to cruise as the $2 bill people.

 

 

[SplashOfWater]

We were recently on the Encore. There are no paper slips anymore. They just take your card and swipe it. We always tip $1-$2 each time they brought us drinks. At the end of the cruise we tipped extra for specific bartenders and servers, to recognize their higher level of service to us.

[FlGoodShips]

Always tip for bartenders. It is much appreciated and the service you will receive will be fantastic.

Tip anywhere from $2 to $5. 

[FlGoodShips]

Also tip servers in Casino. Trust me...you will never be without a drink in your hand🍷🍸🍹🍺

[vpearlkc]

I just tip $1 a drink. It usually comes to $2 a round. The servers and bartenders really appreciate it. When Spending time at the bar I will use a $5 after a couple of rounds and get some of my singles back so I don't run out. 

[phillygwm]

1 hour ago, Mikial said:

For those who have recently sailed -- are we tipping on the card at the bars these days, or should I be bringing a roll of singles with me?  Not sure if NCL has gone "cashless" since the pandemic...

You do you.  It will be appreciated either way. 

 

That said, personally, I do cash.  It's easier, since you don't generally get a receipt to sign with P+.  Some prefer to tip on every drink, which is fine, but if I'm sitting somewhere for a while I'll just do a cumulative tip when I'm leaving instead.  Staff will get to know you and your glass will never be empty 🙂

[Mikial]

We have always brought rolls of singles in the past and have always made sure that the bartenders are taken care of.  Always $2+ per drink!!

 

I just wanted to to make sure that things hadn't changed with Covid and the push to cashless transactions.

 

Thank you all for your responses -- much appreciated!

[vacruizer]

1 hour ago, Hutcha said:

Just stopped at the bank yesterday. Picked up 100 $2 bills for tipping. Mostly for bar drinks. Don't expect to go through them all on this cruise.

Crew often has trouble spending these as they aren’t recognized as real at foreign ports that commonly accept US dollars. 

Edited February 18, 2022 by vacruizer

[vacation44]

On Joy now and we have been tipping in cash.

[ChiefMateJRK]

3 hours ago, Hutcha said:

Picked up 100 $2 bills for tipping.

Why $2 bills?  

[GeezerCouple]

3 hours ago, Lionkingrichard said:

2 years in row on the Breakaway and on the first cruise always gave a couple singles to the wait staff and Bartender outside deck. The 2nd year first day they came right over and remembered my drink of choice and with a simple peace sign✌️ my DOUBLE showed up the rest of the cruise!

 

I've heard of this happening.

And we've also experienced (on land) Maitre D's who are remarkable in terms of remembering a name even a couple of years later (when there was not any reservation made for the current visit).  I can't remember a name 2 minutes after the introduction. 😞

 

How do they do it!?  Do certain crew members write this down in some central informal data base?

 

GC

[LGW59]

5 hours ago, Mikial said:

After a number of cancellations and delays, we are - finally - headed out on the Bliss Sunday!

 

For those who have recently sailed -- are we tipping on the card at the bars these days, or should I be bringing a roll of singles with me?  Not sure if NCL has gone "cashless" since the pandemic...

they will not turn away your cash

[CDR Benson]

1 hour ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

I've heard of this happening.

And we've also experienced (on land) Maitre D's who are remarkable in terms of remembering a name even a couple of years later (when there was not any reservation made for the current visit).  I can't remember a name 2 minutes after the introduction. 😞

 

How do they do it!?  Do certain crew members write this down in some central informal data base?

 

GC

 

This has nothing to do with tipping, but goes to your point of the crew's incredible---and collective----memory.  

 

On our first cruise, on the first night, the Good Mrs. Benson went out to the smoking sponson and ordered coffee from one of the waiters.  For the rest of the cruise, no matter what time the GMB went back for a smoke, every waiter knew her by name and how she took her coffee.

 

But my experience on that cruise is even more remarkable.  The first two days, we adjusted to virtually every member of the crew we encountered greeting us by name as "Mr. and Mrs. Benson".  I had not said a thing about my military title, didn't make it a point in any correspondence.  

 

Then, on the second evening, I wore my service dress blues to dinner in one of the specialty restaurants.  Just a few hours, from suite to restaurant and back.  But, beginning with the next day, I was startled, then impressed, that every crewman I encountered for the rest of the cruise addressed me as "Commander Benson".

 

Now, THAT'S attention to detail.

 

 

Edited February 18, 2022 by CDR Benson

[fabnfortysomething]

the whole point of pre paid gratuititeis and auto gratuaties on bardrinks is that you dont need to carry cash on board

particularly  if you arent from USA

[Lionkingrichard]

24 minutes ago, fabnfortysomething said:

the whole point of pre paid gratuititeis and auto gratuaties on bardrinks is that you dont need to carry cash on board

particularly  if you arent from USA

You are correct. However a extra $50 is not going to hurt me, but will help them and their families back home.

 

Plus if there are 5 people waiting for a drink and mine somehow shows up first, well.

[david_sobe]

I do both.  But as someone pointed out, there are times they just swipe your card and you dont get a receipt.  Restaurants usually give you a receipt.  I do tip extra but remember if you have the drink package, you already pre-paid your gratuities.  Not being stingy, but I feel odd sometimes and have to pinch myself to remember this. 

[Hutcha]

2 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Why $2 bills?  

Will probably tip $2 per round and it cuts in half the number of bills I have to carry in my pocket.

 

Didn't think about the acceptability of them though.