Anytime Dining Question

[the penguins]

11 hours ago, Pinboy said:

"Have never given a "little something"--- Really ??

Is is such a " big deal '' to hand a few $$ to a service person that you asked a favor from ?

They rely on tips ( $$ ) -- they deserve tips ( $$ ) when they do a little extra for us to enjoy our cruise.

( No need for the " you do what you do, but, don't tell me what to do " ). 

 

I entirely agree with tipping extra for an extra service and we do it on every cruise.

The suggestion in this case was to offer a "little something" in order to get what you want which , in my opinion, changes a tip to a bribe. 

[Pinboy]

On 8/25/2022 at 3:37 PM, Ellesor826 said:

I'm going to try this on our upcoming cruise and just want to make sure we handle it properly.

( This type of conversation has been discussed many times on CC ).

If you read the replies, it appears that many folks think it's a bribe to hand someone a few $$ for their assistance in getting you a table in the MDR that you would prefer, or getting you a reservation in a Specialty restaurant at a time when it appears that nothing is available, etc, etc.

Some even laugh at the suggestion. 

You will see these same people in line at the Guest Relations Counter removing the Gratuities.

( It happens on every cruise ).

You're going to spend X  amount of $ on the cruise--- you want to " make sure we handle it properly ", then tip a few $$-- ( You might need their help again sometime ?? )

It will be appreciated and make you feel better .

 

 

 

 

 

[the penguins]

2 hours ago, Pinboy said:

( This type of conversation has been discussed many times on CC ).

If you read the replies, it appears that many folks think it's a bribe to hand someone a few $$ for their assistance in getting you a table in the MDR that you would prefer, or getting you a reservation in a Specialty restaurant at a time when it appears that nothing is available, etc, etc.

Some even laugh at the suggestion. 

You will see these same people in line at the Guest Relations Counter removing the Gratuities.

( It happens on every cruise ).

You're going to spend X  amount of $ on the cruise--- you want to " make sure we handle it properly ", then tip a few $$-- ( You might need their help again sometime ?? )

It will be appreciated and make you feel better .

 

 

 

 

 

Boy is that some generalisation, an amazing leap of logic and I suspect with nothing to substantiate it.

Noone at the restaurant desk has ever refused to help because I haven't been having waving 💲 in their face. To even consider it to be necessary is tantamount to questioning their professionalism i.e. unless you pay me I won't help you. I don't demand and am always polite.

When I receive a service that goes beyond the expected for example my wife has mobility issues and we always ask our cabin steward if they can get her a footstool to use on the balcony. This extra service is rewarded with an immediate 💲10 tip.

We have never removed the auto tips and never will.

We have tipped extra on every cruise bar 1 where our Cabin Steward was so appalling he had to be disciplined by a Senior Officer. Even then we did not remove the autograts because to do so would have impacted all the other recipients who were not at fault. 

On 2 occasions we have had such a level of support that we rewarded the 2 girls concerned by buying them both their favourite perfume from the ship. 

 

 

[davekathy]

To bad this thread went down the tipping rabbit hole!  Tipping, politics and religion. An endless argument. 

[Pinboy]

37 minutes ago, the penguins said:

1---Boy is that some generalisation, an amazing leap of logic and I suspect with nothing to substantiate it.

2---Noone at the restaurant desk has ever refused to help because I haven't been having waving 💲 in their face. To even consider it to be necessary

1--- I won't " bite " on that statement. 

2--- Of course----- it's their job to help Guests .

No employee is going to risk being disciplined or lose their job because they refused to change a table or accommodate a reasonable request. 

I wouldn't recommend " waving $ " in anyone's face on a cruise ship or anywhere else ( Not a very classy move ).

And ,you don't have to " consider it to be necessary"--- but it's an appreciated way of saying " Thank You for your help ".

Just respect the fact that they are in a Service Industry where Employees  rely on tips.

Can we at least agree on that ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[neverlaysup]

On 8/25/2022 at 7:12 AM, ScottC4746 said:

Seeing another post regarding this and their experience of getting a two top always near the kitchen door, bus area, or drinks area, I would like to avoid this?  Is there a way since we are in Concierge Class of somehow reserving like 6:30 PM with requests of not near these areas.

I would like to enjoy our dinners without having views of butts at the bus station or drinks station or having to hear the clatter of the kitchen.

Just say NO when they try to seat you there. My DW has some anxiety issues and I always ensure she is on the wall or in the corner away from high traffic areas. They will accommodate you if you ask for a different table.

[davekathy]

17 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

1--- I won't " bite " on that statement. 

2--- Of course----- it's their job to help Guests .

No employee is going to risk being disciplined or lose their job because they refused to change a table or accommodate a reasonable request. 

I wouldn't recommend " waving $ " in anyone's face on a cruise ship or anywhere else ( Not a very classy move ).

And ,you don't have to " consider it to be necessary"--- but it's an appreciated way of saying " Thank You for your help ".

Just respect the fact that they are in a Service Industry where Employees  rely on tips.

Can we at least agree on that ?

Speaking only about the Maître D. Part of the tipping pool? Not my understanding. Back to the topic, SD always works better for us. We have reservations for our next two cruises and will pick a table we like and request it when we first board the ship, like we always do. Even when we did TD. 

 

Edited August 28, 2022 by davekathy

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

33 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Just respect the fact that they are in a Service Industry where Employees  rely on tips.

Can we at least agree on that ?

 

Tips AFTER the fact? Absolutely. Along with a mention by name in an email following the cruise - THAT goes much further than simply adding tips while on board as it gets their name out there for promotions which have higher pay scales in the long run.

 

Bribes BEFORE the fact? Nope.

[the penguins]

2 hours ago, Pinboy said:

1--- I won't " bite " on that statement. 

2--- Of course----- it's their job to help Guests .

No employee is going to risk being disciplined or lose their job because they refused to change a table or accommodate a reasonable request. 

I wouldn't recommend " waving $ " in anyone's face on a cruise ship or anywhere else ( Not a very classy move ).

And ,you don't have to " consider it to be necessary"--- but it's an appreciated way of saying " Thank You for your help ".

Just respect the fact that they are in a Service Industry where Employees  rely on tips.

Can we at least agree on that ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We already did.

[Pinboy]

1 hour ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Tips AFTER the fact?

Thanks---That's what I meant all along.

AFTER the Maitre'd or " whomever " helps you with your request----THAT is the time to hand over a few $$. If he/she says " Sorry , nothing I can do "-- end of story-- no tip.

At the end of the cruise, we always compliment in writing on the survey , plus, a hand written letter to the Hotel Manager on board regarding Staff people that provided the excellent we received.

 

 

 

 

[Pinboy]

2 hours ago, davekathy said:

Speaking only about the Maître D. Part of the tipping pool?

I " assume " the Maitre'd receives a portion of the Gratuities pool.

Also, on every cruise we have been on, the Maitre'd visited our table from time to time to see if everything was to our satisfaction and to let him/her know if there was anything they could do for us.

Ok-- no problem--- another few $$ added on to the cost of the cruise.

That's how the " system " works. 

 

[Pinboy]

3 hours ago, Pinboy said:

That's how the " system " works. 

( If not within the Guidelines, please delete ).

Yes-- nothing funny (haha ) about it, so, why the reaction ??

 

[Redtravel]

Reserve tables before sailing.  On Summit in June.  We reserved a table for 2 when we booked.  Glad that I did.  The lines at dinner to get a table were huge. There are 2 lines, reserved and not reserved.   On the first night we were escorted to a table and asked if we liked it.  The wait staff were excellent.  After eating, we requested that table for the entire cruise. Request was noted.  After the first night, we never waited in a line again. We just walked up and went to our table.  We reserved in the select dining area every night 6:30.   Many people don’t realize that you can reserve in Select Dining. They line up every night and wait with buzzers. It’s a mess.  Pick a time and reserve before you embark.  On Summit, they wouldn’t let Select reserve on the ship.  

[thon]

For our last 3 or so cruises we have reserved a table for 7 p.m. (or as close to as possible) shortly after making our reservations.  While we haven’t always got the same table, we have always been in the same section each cruise with the same staff which is good as they very quickly learn what you like, etc and we’ve often had the asst. waiter come fill up our wine glass without asking.  The odd time we’ve had to take one of those buzzers and wait awhile as the earlier diners were lingering over their meal.  But that has been infrequent so hasn’t bothered us really.

[tabby50894]

1 hour ago, Redtravel said:

Reserve tables before sailing.  On Summit in June.  We reserved a table for 2 when we booked.  Glad that I did.  The lines at dinner to get a table were huge. There are 2 lines, reserved and not reserved.   On the first night we were escorted to a table and asked if we liked it.  The wait staff were excellent.  After eating, we requested that table for the entire cruise. Request was noted.  After the first night, we never waited in a line again. We just walked up and went to our table.  We reserved in the select dining area every night 6:30.   Many people don’t realize that you can reserve in Select Dining. They line up every night and wait with buzzers. It’s a mess.  Pick a time and reserve before you embark.  On Summit, they wouldn’t let Select reserve on the ship.  

Totally agree with reserving your table before sailing. Count us among the people that didn’t realize you should reserve in Select before boarding. We have never had an issue with reserving on the ship, but we just got off the Millennium Alaska cruise and we weren’t allowed to reserve on the ship. The wait every night was ridiculous. Everyone had to wait in line to get a buzzer, and then the wait time ranged from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. 

[NutsAboutGolf]

Each time you check in with the host/hostess (which usually isn't the Maite D) you'll should make all your table requests there.

 

I've seen this scenario play out an average of once per MDR dinner, folks get to their host assigned table, are unhappy with the location, request a new location with the waitstaff who tell them if they're unhappy with their table they'll need to head back to the host stand.  Very rarely do folks follow those instructions, rather they just sit down at an unassigned table they want.  The waitstaff will reiterate that they need to visit the host stand and from there I've seen all sort of things and unfortunately almost all have been unpleasant for the waitstaff.  Many do not want to get up to do a "walk of shame" back and forth to the front and/or they don't want to lose the (unassigned) table they're sitting at.

 

 

[Pinboy]

9 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Many do not want to get up to do a "walk of shame" back and forth to the front and/or they don't want to lose the (unassigned) table they're sitting at.

That's very easy to fix--- NO SERVICE , Bye, Bye !!

( Let's see if this brings on the HaHa from X )

 

[Gatordad1967]

first world problems

 

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 hour ago, Pinboy said:

That's very easy to fix--- NO SERVICE , Bye, Bye !!

( Let's see if this brings on the HaHa from X )

 

 

I wish it ended that way but it seems X will reward bad behavior if the pax are loud and/or disruptive enough.

[NutsAboutGolf]

15 minutes ago, Gatordad1967 said:

first world problems

 

 

???  Wouldn't cruising in an inside cabin also qualify as a "first world problem"?

[Pinboy]

44 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

???  Wouldn't cruising in an inside cabin also qualify as a "first world problem"?

Not as much as:

Not knowing who's the Captain on my cruise in 2024, etc, etc .

My Butler didn't draw my friggin bath on time-- and, he/she is going to hear about it !!

I didn't tip the room service delivery person because gratuities are included  ---next time I had to wait 92 minutes for my 3am order.

And my favorite and only complaint in all our cruises----

Our Server , the bum, forgot to bring my 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time !!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by Pinboy
Forgot a point

[the penguins]

9 hours ago, Redtravel said:

Reserve tables before sailing.  On Summit in June.  We reserved a table for 2 when we booked.  Glad that I did.  The lines at dinner to get a table were huge. There are 2 lines, reserved and not reserved.   On the first night we were escorted to a table and asked if we liked it.  The wait staff were excellent.  After eating, we requested that table for the entire cruise. Request was noted.  After the first night, we never waited in a line again. We just walked up and went to our table.  We reserved in the select dining area every night 6:30.   Many people don’t realize that you can reserve in Select Dining. They line up every night and wait with buzzers. It’s a mess.  Pick a time and reserve before you embark.  On Summit, they wouldn’t let Select reserve on the ship.  

A question - you reserved for 6.30 before you boarded - which is what we do.

However the reservation system has never allowed you to book a table size. How did you manage that?

Or did you mean you pre-booked for 6.30 and sorted out the table size on the ship? If you can book a size that might help others.

[cw2go]

27 minutes ago, the penguins said:

A question - you reserved for 6.30 before you boarded - which is what we do.

However the reservation system has never allowed you to book a table size. How did you manage that?

Or did you mean you pre-booked for 6.30 and sorted out the table size on the ship? If you can book a size that might help others.

I booked and selected the guests in my reservation which is 2 so assume I'll have a table for 2. My friend did the same, we have linked reservations so now plan for a table for 4.

 

Patty 

[the penguins]

12 hours ago, cw2go said:

I booked and selected the guests in my reservation which is 2 so assume I'll have a table for 2. My friend did the same, we have linked reservations so now plan for a table for 4.

 

Patty 

Sorry it doesn't work like that. When you arrive at the desk they will ask you if you want to share and allocate the table accordingly. The only ways to try and ensure that you and your friends will have a table of 4 together is either:

1) For you to go to the desk when you board and ask if they can do that - usually works but not guaranteed.

2) Turn up together at the time you have booked and ask for a table for 4 - again not guaranteed.

In our case, when we arrive at the desk we prempt the question by immediately saying our cabin number followed by "sharing please table for 6" .

 

 

[the penguins]

13 hours ago, cw2go said:

I booked and selected the guests in my reservation which is 2 so assume I'll have a table for 2. My friend did the same, we have linked reservations so now plan for a table for 4.

 

Patty 

I have just reread your post.

If I am reading you correctly you have reserved for 2 people. If you go back into the reservation you will see there is a feature called add guests. Click on that and you will be able to add your friends - you will need their cabin numbers. To do it you might need to cancel and start again but that would join you as a 4 for dining. It won't guarantee you a table for 4 but you will be getting closer. Also it might not work until your friends have cancelled their reservations. If you have the patience a call to X and they might do it all for you - they did do something similar for us.