With Apologies - Extra Tipping for us regular/lower class passengers

[smelmel]

4 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

No, the gratuity is included in the Plus or Premium packages.  No need to tip twice.

Thank you! 

[smelmel]

3 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

The 18% is baked in there.  However, we are not privy to how much of a PLUS fare of $60, PCL allocates to Crew Appreciation, MedallionNet and the beverages.  I think I would be safe to state that the full amount ($16 typically) for CA gets removed and allocated to the pool.  That leaves $44.  I would hazard a guess that they devalue the amount for MedallionNet, but I have no earthly idea.  Anyway, they could be backing out 18% from approximately $40 beverage package allocation.

 

If they were generous to the max, they would use the regular bar price for every beverage ordered by a Plus package holder and allocate the 18% to the pool.  In this case, they would be allocating a LOT to the pool for many guests and probably destroying any profit margin.

 

Perhaps, they expect regular drinkers to tip an extra dollar or two for the bar staff.  Otherwise, the bar staff are better off if guests didn't have a package.  But that is just wild speculation as we don't know the calculations and such (not our business).  But PCL will be donating a certain amount for each Plus and Premier package to the bar pool as well as the CA pool.

I thought that the 18% gratuity was already included with the plus & premium packages but Thrak’s (post #6) caused me to question myself.   
 

it would be nice if the pool did receive the full 18% but we really don’t know

[Sprocket]

On a few cruises I have requested a mattress topper from my cabin steward and it’s worth it to me to tip extra for that.

 

Recent cruises we have either stayed at the front or the aft and tip extra for room service, drinks etc these cabins are the furthest away from the bars, kitchen etc.  Absolutely worth the $2 or so extra I tip to have someone deliver my orders especially morning coffees.  
 

Its an individual choice and I’ve been told I was virtue signaling by posting that we tip extra but to me it’s no different than a land based restaurant we tip above the norm if we feel the level of service warrants it.

 

 

 

 

[beaveh]

I’m a Brit and our tipping culture has always been totally different, though things have changed in recent years.

historically Brits didn’t tip unless the service was ‘ above and beyond’ what normal service was expected to be. That started to change in the late 80’s for a more European approach of a recommended 10% tip for meals. If the food and service was good. Other tips are a rarity.

 

I know the American model is different, and many lines run along the American model.
 

I pay the auto gratuities, but don’t really do any other tipping, I will be polite, friendly and tell the crew member if I think they are doing a fantastic job. It’s just the British way and cruises  are very expensive to start with. 

 

Edited June 29, 2023 by beaveh

[sunviking90]

We “usually” are prepared to give extra tips to our room steward and our waiter (we dine at the same table/time every night) because they are usually very good. Having said that we are currently on the Crown Princess and our cabin steward is only “ok”. Small things that aren’t going to ruin our cruise, but I won’t be giving extra tips to him. Our waiter in the MDR is also only “ok” -doesn’t remember that I like no ice in my water, that we like tea after dinner, etc. Maybe we’ve been lucky but these are things our waiters usually know by day 3, and we are day 7 now. He won’t be getting an extra tip. 
So basically if they’re good we tip extra, if they’re only adequate we don’t.

 

 

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, smelmel said:

I thought that the 18% gratuity was already included with the plus & premium packages but Thrak’s (post #6) caused me to question myself.   
 

it would be nice if the pool did receive the full 18% but we really don’t know

Sure, but we don't know what number PCL uses to calculate the 18% component.  I would expect they use the 18%, but on what number?

[memoak]

1 hour ago, smelmel said:

I thought that the 18% gratuity was already included with the plus & premium packages but Thrak’s (post #6) caused me to question myself.   
 

it would be nice if the pool did receive the full 18% but we really don’t know

No one knows the amount of gratuities are on a plus plan. Would they base it on someone who has say 5 drinks a day or someone like me who has 10 or more a day

[BamaVol]

As much as cash is appreciated, I do hope and believe that a mention by name can be helpful on the survey completed after the cruise.  Certainly that could be case for a crew member hoping to make a career with Princess.  We mentioned our 3 favorite bartenders and bar servers after our last sailing. 

 

On the final night of our last cruise, our headwaiter was standing by the door and next to a uniformed officer who I took to be part of the F&B hierarchy.  I shook the head waiter’s hand on the way out and remarked to the officer that this man personally was responsible for the best cruise experience of my life and needed to be promoted at the first opportunity. I hope they take delighted passenger input into consideration.

[joeyancho]

5 hours ago, Dreamscaper said:

I apologize.  I meant those who book the more expensive cabins may tend to spend more (including on extra tipping) than those who book lower category.  Of course this doesn't apply to everyone and those who book higher category shouldn't be expected to tip more or more often, but I would guess that it happens.

No need to apologize.  We're all friends here.  

[HaveDogWillTravel]

20 hours ago, Dreamscaper said:

I don't know how to ask this without sparking more controversy, but the recent thread about a dining room manager suggesting tipping his team in the Reserve Class dining room and people chiming in on how much extra they tip (or don't tip) has me wondering... I apologize if this starts off another round of arguments about what is "right" and "wrong" when it comes to extra gratuities.

 

We are just average Jo/Joes going on our third ever cruise.  We are in a balcony stateroom because they don't have ocean view on the Regal and we do appreciate an outside view.  We have Princess Plus because we enjoy having some cocktails/wifi/gratuities covered, and we will be doing one specialty dining dinner, possibly two, but that's the extent of the bells and whistles or 'extras' we'll be indulging in.

 

For us regular cattle - what is the "extra tipping" culture like?  We were kind of hoping that the included crew appreciation meant that the staff weren't looking for or expecting extra tips, but now I fear that may not be the case.  We don't want to be "uncouth".  Honestly, from the non-suite, non-reserve type of people.. should I be tipping extra?  Has anyone noticed that a certain percentage seem to tip extra gratuities?

 

I guess my question isn't "should I" or "shouldn't I" and all the arguments that come with it - but how common does this seem to be among passengers in general?

 

 

No one (at least not passengers) knows how common tipping above and beyond the auto grats is. 
 

What I do know is that crew really, really, really love to be treated kindly….. with respect…with a genuine interest in how their day is going. Contribute to them having an easier job vs a more difficult one……say please…. Say thank you…. Make eye contact…. Use their name…. Learn a phrase or two in their language and watch them smile. 
 

These are the things that are most important.  If you do this you are what the crew will call a “Gem” pax. Crew talk.  

[ckylec]

19 hours ago, mnocket said:

No you will not see people leaving tips on the table left and right.  For instance, I would estimate that when I'm sitting in a bar I only notice 5-10% of the patrons leave a tip.  A small minority. It's totally a personal choice.

This. I’m on the Royal Princess Wheelhouse bar as I post this. I have been watching for tips throughout the cruise. I have seen extra tips happen 7 times in the past 6 days, not counting casino table tips. 

[SargassoPirate]

Just now, ckylec said:

This. I’m on the Royal Princess Wheelhouse bar as I post this. I have been watching for tips throughout the cruise. I have seen extra tips happen 7 times in the past 6 days, not counting casino table tips. 

If one were sitting at a bar on land and ordered a drink, adding 18 percent would be sufficient.

 

If I were sitting at a bar on land and the check came with an 18 percent "service charge", I would have no problem not tipping double.  Service charge and gratuities are synonyms for tips. 

[roadster08]

I went on a princess cruise earlier this month and nobody made me feel like they were expecting an extra tip. Everyone was doing their best to make sure I was having a good cruise. In fact, on the rare occasion when things were not going well, staff seemed particularly stressed that I might report the incident in a way that would give them a bad rating. 

 

I've received service elsewhere where I did feel pressure to tip extra, but that was not my experience on princess. 

 

[Dreamscaper]

3 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

No one (at least not passengers) knows how common tipping above and beyond the auto grats is. 
 

What I do know is that crew really, really, really love to be treated kindly….. with respect…with a genuine interest in how their day is going. Contribute to them having an easier job vs a more difficult one……say please…. Say thank you…. Make eye contact…. Use their name…. Learn a phrase or two in their language and watch them smile. 
 

These are the things that are most important.  If you do this you are what the crew will call a “Gem” pax. Crew talk.  

100% I always treat the staff with respect and kindness.  Please and thank you's are never missed, eye contact, smiles, all of the above.  Seems like common courtesy, but I suppose it's not so common with everyone :(

 

I don't know what nationality the staff on the ships are, but I did learn a bit of spanish for our trip to Mexico.  Is there somewhere I can find this information out?

[Dreamscaper]

3 hours ago, ckylec said:

This. I’m on the Royal Princess Wheelhouse bar as I post this. I have been watching for tips throughout the cruise. I have seen extra tips happen 7 times in the past 6 days, not counting casino table tips. 

Thank you!

[Nightowl11]

10 hours ago, sunviking90 said:

" we are currently on the Crown Princess"

 

 

If you need anything or have any complaints, Gean, in passenger services/pursers desk is the man to fix things.  He was the most helpful when we had small issues thoughout our cruise last week. 

[HaveDogWillTravel]

8 hours ago, Dreamscaper said:

100% I always treat the staff with respect and kindness.  Please and thank you's are never missed, eye contact, smiles, all of the above.  Seems like common courtesy, but I suppose it's not so common with everyone :(

 

I don't know what nationality the staff on the ships are, but I did learn a bit of spanish for our trip to Mexico.  Is there somewhere I can find this information out?

The crew members’ nationality is on their name tag. I always take pictures of the crew who stand out so I can be sure to get names, positions and nationality correct when I write my survey post cruise. 

[CruiserN1]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned that I would point out because OP wants to be prepared for tipping----the shore excursion companies (whether you book one through Princess or independently) expect you to tip the team that led the excursion. One of them will usually mention gratituties at some point and there may be a tip jar out as you depart. We usually tip $20 if it's a typical 3 hour excursion and it was average, $30 if it was terrific.

[voljeep]

1 hour ago, CruiserN1 said:

One thing that hasn't been mentioned that I would point out because OP wants to be prepared for tipping----the shore excursion companies (whether you book one through Princess or independently) expect you to tip the team that led the excursion. One of them will usually mention gratituties at some point and there may be a tip jar out as you depart. We usually tip $20 if it's a typical 3 hour excursion and it was average, $30 if it was terrific.

bus, van, private carrier?

[Dreamscaper]

2 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

The crew members’ nationality is on their name tag. I always take pictures of the crew who stand out so I can be sure to get names, positions and nationality correct when I write my survey post cruise. 

Thank you - I wish we could know in advance of the sailing, but that's lovely information to see :)

[Dreamscaper]

1 hour ago, CruiserN1 said:

One thing that hasn't been mentioned that I would point out because OP wants to be prepared for tipping----the shore excursion companies (whether you book one through Princess or independently) expect you to tip the team that led the excursion. One of them will usually mention gratituties at some point and there may be a tip jar out as you depart. We usually tip $20 if it's a typical 3 hour excursion and it was average, $30 if it was terrific.

Oh yes, thanks!  I've been on excursions and before so I know they're not shy about mentioning the tip baskets and we're always prepared to take care of them, as well as the shuttle drivers coming in and out of the airport.

[ChutChut]

On 6/28/2023 at 11:45 PM, Dreamscaper said:

I don't know how to ask this without sparking more controversy, but the recent thread about a dining room manager suggesting tipping his team in the Reserve Class dining room and people chiming in on how much extra they tip (or don't tip) has me wondering... I apologize if this starts off another round of arguments about what is "right" and "wrong" when it comes to extra gratuities.

 

We are just average Jo/Joes going on our third ever cruise.  We are in a balcony stateroom because they don't have ocean view on the Regal and we do appreciate an outside view.  We have Princess Plus because we enjoy having some cocktails/wifi/gratuities covered, and we will be doing one specialty dining dinner, possibly two, but that's the extent of the bells and whistles or 'extras' we'll be indulging in.

 

For us regular cattle - what is the "extra tipping" culture like?  We were kind of hoping that the included crew appreciation meant that the staff weren't looking for or expecting extra tips, but now I fear that may not be the case.  We don't want to be "uncouth".  Honestly, from the non-suite, non-reserve type of people.. should I be tipping extra?  Has anyone noticed that a certain percentage seem to tip extra gratuities?

 

I guess my question isn't "should I" or "shouldn't I" and all the arguments that come with it - but how common does this seem to be among passengers in general?

 

 

I'm just another "regular" cruiser who tips what is required unless someone does something above and beyond. I don't tip extra for someone merely performing their required duties (then I tip what is required). Extraordinary service  yes, absolutely.

[memoak]

2 hours ago, ChutChut said:

I'm just another "regular" cruiser who tips what is required unless someone does something above and beyond. I don't tip extra for someone merely performing their required duties (then I tip what is required). Extraordinary service  yes, absolutely.

We always tip extra at the end of each cruise to bartenders who make us a priority. We alway sit at the bar and the bartenders we know usually make our drinks right swayed 

[NWA395]

On 6/28/2023 at 11:45 PM, Dreamscaper said:

I don't know how to ask this without sparking more controversy, but the recent thread about a dining room manager suggesting tipping his team in the Reserve Class dining room and people chiming in on how much extra they tip (or don't tip) has me wondering... I apologize if this starts off another round of arguments about what is "right" and "wrong" when it comes to extra gratuities.

 

We are just average Jo/Joes going on our third ever cruise.  We are in a balcony stateroom because they don't have ocean view on the Regal and we do appreciate an outside view.  We have Princess Plus because we enjoy having some cocktails/wifi/gratuities covered, and we will be doing one specialty dining dinner, possibly two, but that's the extent of the bells and whistles or 'extras' we'll be indulging in.

 

For us regular cattle - what is the "extra tipping" culture like?  We were kind of hoping that the included crew appreciation meant that the staff weren't looking for or expecting extra tips, but now I fear that may not be the case.  We don't want to be "uncouth".  Honestly, from the non-suite, non-reserve type of people.. should I be tipping extra?  Has anyone noticed that a certain percentage seem to tip extra gratuities?

 

I guess my question isn't "should I" or "shouldn't I" and all the arguments that come with it - but how common does this seem to be among passengers in general?

 

 

We were first time cruisers on the Sapphire in May.  Had the plus package that included crew appreciation.  The only extra tipping we did was to the person who delivered room service orders.  Usually 2 bucks which they seemed appreciative of.  This seemed the norm with the other passengers we spoke with.

 

YMMV

Edited July 2, 2023 by NWA395

[memoak]

4 hours ago, NWA395 said:

We were first time cruisers on the Sapphire in May.  Had the plus package that included crew appreciation.  The only extra tipping we did was to the person who delivered room service orders.  Usually 2 bucks which they seemed appreciative of.  This seemed the norm with the other passengers we spoke with.

 

YMMV

You are speaking to a v  error y small percentage of passengers. As frequent cruisers we often encounter crew we knew from past cruises that give us extra special service and yes they do get extra envelopes on the last night