How much do you leave in cagneys for a tip with dining plan

[cruiseny4life]

$0 is what I tip as I only use the Free at Sea dining. On my cruise summary the charge for my Free at Sea Offer includes a 20% gratuity charge. It's not a DSC, it's not a service charge of any type. It specifically states it is a gratuity. One should be able to assume that this means the team who served me will receive that 20%. The team being runners, servers, and bussers. Of course this is NCL, so perhaps Frankie boy just keeps the tip in his big fat pocket.

 

You'd have to be one heck of a server on land to get more than 20% from me. Then again, you'd have to be one terrible server to get less than 20% from me. So, I'll just let that 20% Free at Sea Offer gratuity pay the restaurant team. 

 

[Old Fart Cruisers]

1 hour ago, ColeThornton said:

 

Why would you if you are already paying 20%?

 

That was my point.  A lot of people say you should tip above the gratuity that is added to the cost for specialty dining on board (in addition to the daily gratuity charge that you have already paid).  How is this any different?

[SeaShark]

4 minutes ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

 

That was my point.  A lot of people say you should tip above the gratuity that is added to the cost for specialty dining on board (in addition to the daily gratuity charge that you have already paid).  How is this any different?

 

It is different because what it added is a service charge (property of the business) and not a gratuity/tip (property of the employee).

[darius427]

4 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

It is different because what it added is a service charge (property of the business) and not a gratuity/tip (property of the employee).

Actually, it is a gratuity per the website.  Mock booking below with the summary of charges.

• Subtotal

  $2,618.20
• Gov. Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses

  $518.80
• Open Bar Gratuities

  $277.20
• Specialty Dining Gratuities

  $35.60
• Airfare

  $238
• Ground Transportation

  $150

Total Due

$3,837.80

[Two Wheels Only]

People shouldn't get so wrapped up in the "words" that NCL uses when it comes to the 20% "thing". 

 

There have been times that NCL has called it a gratuity in the Terms & Conditions.

There have been times that NCL has called it a service charge in the Terms & Conditions. 

There have been times that NCL has called it a gratuity & service charge in the Terms & Conditions (20% gratuity and spa service charge/20% gratuity and beverage service charge/20% gratuity and specialty service charge).

 

NCL has also used different words for the DSC (tip/gratuity/service charge) depending on the phase of the moon. 

 

No matter what you call it, the same amount comes out of your pocket. Whatever you add, don't add, or take away (when applicable) is up to you. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

12 hours ago, Da-Painter said:

Any tip you leave does not go specifically to those that served you.

It goes into the big tip jar of NCL, who will not tell you how it is disbursed. 

Is this true of a cash tip?  

[SeaShark]

Actually, the WORDS matter (they always do).

 

If the giver (the guest) determines the amount, it is a gratuity. If the amount is dictated, then it is, by law, a service charge. 

 

A business can recommend a 20% gratuity, but if they assess the 20% then it legally is a service charge...no matter what they call it.

 

People should really take the time to research, read, and learn rather than try to parse and argue. Just a basic, what is the difference between a service charge and a gratuity? If they are the same, why the different names? What are the ramifications of one over the other?

 

However, we don't do that on CC...

[Two Wheels Only]

5 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

Actually, the WORDS matter (they always do).

 

They don't matter to NCL. They should matter to NCL (and us) but NCL uses the words to mean what NCL wants people to believe. 

[cruiserbear55]

10 hours ago, TrumpyNor said:

I actually asked a waiter on NCL about that, and was told that if the tip was added on the receipt that you sign at the end of the meal, then that tip would go to the waiter who's name was on the receipt. And cash tip would be shared. But this was 3-4 years go, they may have changed it since then....

 

In speciality restaurants, if the sevice was very good, then we add $5 as extra tips at the end of the meal. And on very rare cases $10 is added. After all, there has already been paid 20% tips that is shared among all the waiters on board (that was also confirmed by the same waiter).

     Asked the exact same question to our waiter in Cagney's back in April. Was told they keep cash and split tips added to receipt.Policy may have changed. Or not!!

[complawyer]

you dont need to research, read,learn or anything else. you dont need to overthink this issue.

 

regardless of what it's called , if you want to trip extra, do it. if not dont!

and cruiseny4 life, you're coming across as an entitled grump. dont tip if  you dont want to. no one really cares about the rationale, and no  one will get on your case if you choose not to tip any extra

 

just remember, it doesnt hurt to leave a few dollars extra. i assure  you, whoever is serving you, regardless of the venue (bartender, cocktail waitress, waiter/waitress, blackjack dealer) they will all appreciate the extra $$$

[ChiefMateJRK]

14 minutes ago, cruiserbear55 said:

     Asked the exact same question to our waiter in Cagney's back in April. Was told they keep cash and split tips added to receipt.Policy may have changed. Or not!!

That makes a whole lot more sense.  Thanks.

[cruiseny4life]

31 minutes ago, complawyer said:

regardless of what it's called , if you want to trip extra, do it. if not dont!

and cruiseny4 life, you're coming across as an entitled grump. dont tip if  you dont want to. no one really cares about the rationale, and no  one will get on your case if you choose not to tip any extra

Hey now! It's not your turn to call me a grump. I'm still smarting over you calling me a fat pig, even though those were my words. Haha, I'm kidding! Perhaps I'm both.

 

Anyway, I actually don't think I'm entitled in this situation - I paid the gratuities when I selected the Free at Sea upon booking. NCL wraps the dining and drink package Free at Sea Offer Gratuities into one payment (see below).

 

 

So, I've paid for the gratuities, which is why I'm slightly confused by being called entitled. I'll take the grump charge any day as I am a grumpy Millennial. 

 

If NCL didn't charge the Free at Sea gratuities I would absolutely lay down 20% of the meal cost, but I'm confused when people pay the Free at Sea, then also pay an additional gratuity on top of that. I suppose if that's entitlement in your eyes, I'm guilty of it. It doesn't strike me as so in my eyes though. Alas....someday I'll buy you a scotch and maybe even give the bartender a couple bucks on top of that Prepaid Service Charge you see there. 😉 

[ChiefMateJRK]

IIRC, NCL used to tout the prepaid gratuities as part of the whole "Freestyle cruising" philosophy.  No set dining times, no tipping, no restrictive dress codes, etc.  Just relax and enjoy your cruise.  Did I just imagine that?  I do some cash tipping for outstanding personalized service (bartender, server, steward, etc.), but I doubt I've ever left any additional tips in dining rooms.  To be honest, I don't think it has even crossed my mind.

[TrumpyNor]

11 hours ago, TrumpyNor said:

I actually asked a waiter on NCL about that, and was told that if the tip was added on the receipt that you sign at the end of the meal, then that tip would go to the waiter who's name was on the receipt. And cash tip would be shared. But this was 3-4 years go, they may have changed it since then....

 

In speciality restaurants, if the sevice was very good, then we add $5 as extra tips at the end of the meal. And on very rare cases $10 is added. After all, there has already been paid 20% tips that is shared among all the waiters on board (that was also confirmed by the same waiter).

 

1 hour ago, cruiserbear55 said:

     Asked the exact same question to our waiter in Cagney's back in April. Was told they keep cash and split tips added to receipt.Policy may have changed. Or not!!

The reply to my question a few years ago was probably the same as you got in April, so opposite of my original reply - sorry for causing any confusion!

 

[TrumpyNor]

5 hours ago, erin21497 said:

When traveling on a Mediterranean cruise, is it better to tip the waiters in euros or USD?

Both Euros and USD is highly appreciated.

[ChiefMateJRK]

26 minutes ago, TrumpyNor said:

 

The reply to my question a few years ago was probably the same as you got in April, so opposite of my original reply - sorry for causing any confusion!

 

Thanks for the clarification.  It makes more sense that a person could just pocket a cash tip.  I'm sure that those who provide cash tips intend it for the sole benefit of the person that they are giving it to, and not to be spread out among thousands of crew members.

[complawyer]

mine are always cash tips. this insures that the person i'm tipping gets the money

[Crown Vic]

Was on the Norwegian Sky at the end of May and we dined in Cagneys. Waiter was top notch. Gave him a generous tip during the meal service. His comment was that giving him a tip wasn’t necessary. Also gave him another generous tip as we were leaving the restaurant as he was so good. His comment was “You’ve already tipped me once. You don’t have to do anything else”. The moral of the story is tip as you see fit. 

Dined at Cagneys a second time but the waiter was in Covid isolation or so we were told.

 

[complawyer]

that's the bottom line on this  post. tip if you want to (especially if the service is really good) dont tip if you dont want to. there is no right or wrong answer. 

since the "gratuities" are already factored into the price of the cruise, you are perfectly within your rights not to add any more money as a tip.

 

however, as most things in life, it's really not that simple!  most of the people working on a cruise ship are from 3rd world countries, dont make a great deal of money on these cruises, work hellacious hours without much time off, live in very cramped quarters, and most of their pay is sent back to their families.

 

while im not trying to tug at your heartstrings or bring a tear to your eye, to me, being on a cruise ship along with  the attached bells and whistles, is a luxury, even if youre in an inside cabin (note im not criticizing inside cabins). we're on a floating 5 star hotel. the food and drinks flow, youre going to exotic places around the world. (my wife and i have been to places i never even dreamed of ever seeing, but for the cruises we've been on), is it so horrible to cough up a few bucks for the people that are performing a service for you.

 

we go to vegas quite frequently, and if im doing well and on a streak, i always tip the blackjack or pai gow dealer. if you want a better seat, it's called the vegas handshake ($20) usually takes care of business, and we have a casino host where all we need to do is give him a call and there's a comped room waiting. he always gets the handshake,  as should your butler and concierge if youre fortunate enough to book a haven.

 

think of it this way, the next time you dock in an exotic port, if we're lucky enough to be able to be on this ship (or any cruise ship, cruise line) for that matter, im sure you can find it in your heart (and certainly in  your wallet or purse) to leave an extra few dollars as a tip.

 

the new disney wish, features a cocktail for $5,000. while personally i think that's obscene, if you can afford to order one, and dont leave a tip for the bartender, you should continue the cruise with a sign on your back "cheap s.o.b."

 

sorry for the length of this post, but i'm sure you get the picture that i'm a very strong proponent and advocate of leaving an extra tip, no matter who is serving me. 

 

ok chiefmate, have fun with this one!

[MoCruiseFan]

On 7/13/2022 at 4:12 PM, mamashamiller said:

Never know how much to leave waiter above what is included in plan

 

How much I tip is between me and my server.  The ONLY correct answer to tipping is to tip anyone you want whenever you want and how much you want.  Ther is no recommended, right, or wrong amount to tip. EOS.

[phillygwm]

On 7/13/2022 at 4:12 PM, mamashamiller said:

Never know how much to leave waiter above what is included in plan

The answer is "You Do You."

 

You won't find any consensus here, or in the countless threads previously written on the topic.  Some will say zero, because grats are included in your dining package.  Others will say $20 or more on top of everything.  While I'm somewhere in between, whatever I choose to do shouldn't impact your decision.

 

That said, I know if I tip a favorite bartender my drink will never be empty.  Likewise, I'll tip my room steward because I know any special requests (within reason) will be handled.  And I'll also throw a few bucks to my specialty servers for exceptional service (and, compared to land-based restaurants, the service is usually exceptional.)  It won't leave me destitute and I know it's appreciated and hard earned.  I'm not doing it to be especially charitable but I can't help thinking that $x will go a lot farther wherever the crew member is sending it than it will in your country. 

 

But it certainly isn't mandated and I've invariably been told it isn't an expectation.

Edited July 15, 2022 by phillygwm

[barb65]

We usually tip $5 -$10 per person for specialty dining. Servers have always treated us like royalty, plus it puts a big smile on their face.

[ChiefMateJRK]

4 hours ago, complawyer said:

ok chiefmate, have fun with this one!

I'll try....

4 hours ago, complawyer said:

even if youre in an inside cabin

 

4 hours ago, complawyer said:

if youre fortunate enough to book a haven

I would likely just boil it down to "those of us fortunate to be passengers on a cruise ship" and leave it at that.

[Peachypooh]

I give extra cash in the restaurants...at least $5-$10 per person. However I hand it directly to the server. Never knew if they get to keep it or share so I will let them deal with that.FWIW my cabin steward thanked me once for giving him his end of cruise tip when he was in the room and not in the hallway. He says that the other workers get sad if he gets something and they don't from their cabins.

P.S. In the restaurant I hand it to them in a" Grandma handshake". AKA discreetly  in handshake.

Edited July 16, 2022 by Peachypooh

[LaCal]

We leave $20