Should I be tipping anyone on board? First time NCL cruiser who "pre-paid service charges" needs to know.

[IdRathrBCruzn]

I'm trying to figure out what NCL means by Service Charges vs Tips/Gratuities. I am happy to abide by what is customary. I'd just like to have a handle on it before stepping onboard. I'm a Silversea and Regent cruiser looking forward to a fun week on NCL with a group of friends who also are new to NCL.

 

The section on "service charge" on the NCL website says

"Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports." So unless there is above and beyond service, I should feel comfortable knowing that my pre-paid service charges covers them.

 

The section on "gratuities" on the NCL website says

"certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities."

 

So if I use the services of a concierge, I  should tip. I won't have a butler or utilize youth program staff. What about beverage service then? The website says there is a "20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases" I think the "Premium Beverage Package" I have covers the gratuity and beverage service charge unless I purchase a drink that costs more than $15. Then the charge has the 20% added on (e.g. if the drink costs $18, I will be charged $3.60)

 

I have also read on this forum that if I get room service, I should tip the person who delivers it. I'm good with that.

 

Am I missing anything or got something wrong? Thank you for your help.

Edited December 27, 2022 by IdRathrBCruzn

[stefmaia]

You have it correct. If you choose to tip more for a service above and beyond, then of course that is always welcomed, but you have covered all the requirements if you have prepaid your service charges.

[IdRathrBCruzn]

2 minutes ago, stefmaia said:

You have it correct. If you choose to tip more for a service above and beyond, then of course that is always welcomed, but you have covered all the requirements if you have prepaid your service charges.

Ohhhh, Thank you so much for confirming my analysis.  🙂  I gave it my best effort before posting this. I just wanted to be sure. Thanks!

[GUT2407]

You’re covered, but some will always brag about how much extra they tip.

[EADW1991]

We tip a little cash when we are poolside because it typically makes your drinks come faster and more often. But I work in hospitality and I know sometimes a little goes a long way. But no1 will look at you weird or judge you for not tipping as it is “appreciated but not expected”. 

[CILCIANRQTS]

8 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

You’re covered, but some will always brag about how much extra they tip.

And some will not tip a penny more, because they don’t “have to”.

[roger001]

And this is still the question for which no one has the most correct answer , because no one has ever discovered where the service charges (tips) actually go.  How much of then do the crew and which crew members actually get, don't know.  

[kdawg954]

I often do prepaid gratuities or get them as a booking perk.  I just love not worrying about who to tip and how much to tip.  The standard rate absolutely works for me.

 

But more recently I have started tipping my favorite bartender(s) at the end because they remember my name, my drink and they put on a show.  They often go out there way to fill requests and my wife is very specific with her drinks.

 

No obligation to do any of that, but if you feel like somebody went above and beyond, as a personal gesture you can absolutely tip them extra.  Your choice.

 

From what I understand the only people who don't get gratuity is the room service delivery folks (though with increased room service charges maybe they have included a gratuity for them).

[kdawg954]

5 minutes ago, roger001 said:

And this is still the question for which no one has the most correct answer , because no one has ever discovered where the service charges (tips) actually go.  How much of then do the crew and which crew members actually get, don't know.  

 

Honestly not my problem to figure that out.  The cruise line has designated a service charge and distributes it amongst the crew.  I won't micromanage their process, the process staff has agreed to work under, on my vacation.  

 

I will tip extra if I'm feeling like it or I won't.  Nobody should ever feel forced to tip extra when their is a $100ish charge per person for 7 day cruises that covers this.

[Treasure Hunter]

In the Haven we tip the concierge and butler at the end of the cruise either the amount depending on how much we asked of them. We always tip the steward a little extra first day and last. I tip a few dollars to the bar server and casino server every time. Whether in the Haven or not. NCL is so much fun and lively and jolly but it will be a shock coming from Regent ( we’ve been and done) and Silversea ( not for us). 

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, CILCIANRQTS said:

And some will not tip a penny more, because they don’t “have to”.

Heyyyyyy!!!! That's me!! 

 

Then...my husband decides we have to tip three of the servers, the restaurant host, and three other random crew members. 

[SeaShark]

There are four factors to be considered:

1. The payment must be made free from compulsion
2. The customer must have the unrestricted right to determine the amount
3. The payment should not be the subject of negotiations or dictated by employer policy
4. The customer has the right to determine who receives the payment

 

If all of these are met, then the payment is a tip/gratuity. If any one of these are not met, then the payment is a service charge.

[CILCIANRQTS]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

Heyyyyyy!!!! That's me!! 

 

Then...my husband decides we have to tip three of the servers, the restaurant host, and three other random crew members. 

Good for him!! 😉😎

Let me know if you run out of money and I’ll try to help out. 🤞🤞

[bowlinmoe]

So I shouldn’t feel required to add a buck when I order a drink if I prepaid gratuities/service charges?

 

What about the stateroom attendant?

 

I was thinking about flipping him/her an extra $20 at the beyond the cruise thinking maybe I’ll get better service. My wife thinks we’re better leaving a few bucks each day in the room when they do the turn down service. Thoughts?

[cruiseny4life]

9 minutes ago, bowlinmoe said:

So I shouldn’t feel required to add a buck when I order a drink if I prepaid gratuities/service charges?

 

What about the stateroom attendant?

 

I was thinking about flipping him/her an extra $20 at the beyond the cruise thinking maybe I’ll get better service. My wife thinks we’re better leaving a few bucks each day in the room when they do the turn down service. Thoughts?

You should not feel obligated to tip any bartenders. Some will tip, others won't, but you have already prepaid the gratuity. I say this, but I do tip one or two bartenders at the end of my trip. I don't do it as I go along, but at the end.

As for the stateroom attendant, they are covered in the daily service charge. Since my stateroom attendant always does a great job, I do provide a tip to them. Again, you should not feel obligated to, but if you want to, then go for it!

 

Here is an example of what I did on my most recent trip (last week):

 

Stateroom attendant - $20

2 bartenders - $20, each

 

Others tip more. Others less. Some tip nothing. Every answer is totally ok!

 

[Liljo22]

8 minutes ago, bowlinmoe said:

So I shouldn’t feel required to add a buck when I order a drink if I prepaid gratuities/service charges?

 

What about the stateroom attendant?

 

I was thinking about flipping him/her an extra $20 at the beyond the cruise thinking maybe I’ll get better service. My wife thinks we’re better leaving a few bucks each day in the room when they do the turn down service. Thoughts?

No not at all.  At the last night of the cruise, I will usually tip crew members that I feel made the trip special.  

 

I always hand the stateroom attendant a tip at the end.  

[PATRLR]

On 12/27/2022 at 1:42 AM, EADW1991 said:

We tip a little cash when we are poolside because it typically makes your drinks come faster and more often. But I work in hospitality and I know sometimes a little goes a long way. But no1 will look at you weird or judge you for not tipping as it is “appreciated but not expected”. 

I agree with this statement about tipping roaming servers (e.g. poolside).  I also will tip a buck or so to bartenders at busy bars (e.g. pool) or bars I frequent (Vibe if I have that pass).  I do find I seem to get better service. 

 

22 minutes ago, bowlinmoe said:

So I shouldn’t feel required to add a buck when I order a drink if I prepaid gratuities/service charges?

 

What about the stateroom attendant?

 

See above for how we handle bar servers.  As for our room attendant, we tip as we go so to speak.  We will almost always ask for a mattress topper.  After that shows up, we throw him a $20.  If we ask for anything else that is above and beyond normal day to day stuff, we throw him some more.  at the end of the cruise, it all depends on how things went through the  week.  Sometimes we tip some more some times we don't.  Can't quantify it, but somehow my wife and I just see to know when to tip a bit more.

[FLAHAM]

My dad, long gone, taught me to tip anyone who provides me a personal service.  I cruise solo.  I give a buck to anyone who brings me a drink.  I leave $3 in the MDRs and $5 in specialty restaurants.  The cabin steward gets $20 for a week.  

[ColeThornton]

39 minutes ago, bowlinmoe said:

So I shouldn’t feel required to add a buck when I order a drink if I prepaid gratuities/service charges?

 

What about the stateroom attendant?

 

I was thinking about flipping him/her an extra $20 at the beyond the cruise thinking maybe I’ll get better service. My wife thinks we’re better leaving a few bucks each day in the room when they do the turn down service. Thoughts?

 

 

MY preference is to tip extra, if it's warranted, at the end of the cruise once they have earned it.

[wcook]

If you drop your bags off at the port to be brought up to your room, those guys work for the port and have not been tipped. Same with any local guides you get on shore.  But everybody on the boat is included in your service fees and mandatory 20% gratuity. Feel free to tip more, especially if somebody has gone above, but you can go the entire cruise without tipping a dime and feel zero guilt. 

[MoCruiseFan]

On 12/26/2022 at 10:34 PM, IdRathrBCruzn said:

I'm trying to figure out what NCL means by Service Charges vs Tips/Gratuities. I am happy to abide by what is customary. I'd just like to have a handle on it before stepping onboard. I'm a Silversea and Regent cruiser looking forward to a fun week on NCL with a group of friends who also are new to NCL.

 

The section on "service charge" on the NCL website says

"Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports." So unless there is above and beyond service, I should feel comfortable knowing that my pre-paid service charges covers them.

 

The section on "gratuities" on the NCL website says

"certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities."

 

So if I use the services of a concierge, I  should tip. I won't have a butler or utilize youth program staff. What about beverage service then? The website says there is a "20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases" I think the "Premium Beverage Package" I have covers the gratuity and beverage service charge unless I purchase a drink that costs more than $15. Then the charge has the 20% added on (e.g. if the drink costs $18, I will be charged $3.60)

 

I have also read on this forum that if I get room service, I should tip the person who delivers it. I'm good with that.

 

Am I missing anything or got something wrong? Thank you for your help.

 

There is really noting t all to figure out.  Tipping is not required on NCL.  A lot of people will give opinions as to the daily service charge, but that fee is irrelevant.  The only 'rule' about tipping on NCL is to tip whoyou want, when you want, however much you want.  What others choose to do as far as tipping is also irrelevant.  Enjoy your cruise, and tip as you please.  There is no suggested, normal, usual, or common amount to tip anyone.

[Sailing12Away]

We abuse the bartenders when we cruise, so we tip generously midway through and again at the end. By abuse, I mean we ask them to make all sorts of funky convoluted concoctions that can take 5+ mins per drink. If they're just pouring a glass of wine or popping the cap on a beer bottle... I wouldn't tip as much as we do.

 

Haven is a different beast all together, so I won't touch that since the fork has been shoved in and pulled out so many times on these boards there's no meat left to stick it into any more.

 

Cabin steward - again, for us it depends on where we're going and what we do. Warm weather trips where I know I'm trekking in sand in my bag, shoes, snorkeling gear and bathing suit - they definitely get extra for cleaning all that up each day. Colder weather trips we tend to stock up on a lot of local beer/wine to bring back home, so the cabin looks like a chaotic mess midway with all our bags and purchases. So even though they're already covered in the daily service charge, for us we throw them a few extra bucks as our way of saying 'sorry we're such slobs'.

[luv2kroooz]

On 12/26/2022 at 10:34 PM, IdRathrBCruzn said:

I'm trying to figure out what NCL means by Service Charges vs Tips/Gratuities.

So...after 20 or so replies, is it any more clear to you? I didn't think so.

 

Tipping is a very personal and intentional decision. Do what feels right to you. Then you'll always get it "right"! Have a wonderful cruise!!

[cruiserbear55]

On 12/26/2022 at 10:34 PM, IdRathrBCruzn said:

The website says there is a "20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases" I think the "Premium Beverage Package" I have covers the gratuity and beverage service charge unless I purchase a drink that costs more than $15. Then the charge has the 20% added on (e.g. if the drink costs $18, I will be charged $3.60)

     The package covers drinks up to $15.00. You've already paid the 20% gratuity when you purchased the package. If you order a drink that costs $18.00, you'll be charged $3.00 plus 20% gratuity, or an extra $3.60.

[MoCruiseFan]

From the NCL web site FAQ...

 

What about gratuities?

Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on our ships for service that is generally rendered to all Guests. While you should not feel obligated to offer a gratuity, all of our staff are encouraged to “go the extra mile,” so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities for exceptional or outstanding service if you care to offer them. Also, certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. Additionally, there is an 20% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as an 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and an 20% gratuity and specialty service charge added to all specialty restaurant dining and entertainment based dining.

There you go the official answer which boils down to what I posted earlier, tip whoever you want however much you want whenever you want and then move on.