Sigyn Posted July 16, 2023 #1 Share Posted July 16, 2023 (edited) Interesting - we just got off the Millennium, and gave a tip to Fernando, the maitre d', to share with his team. We specifically mentioned how much we'd enjoyed the sommelier, Liudmyla, in Luminae. Fernando said that she's not part of his team. We found that really interesting. We later tipped her separately to make sure she knew how much we appreciated her outstanding service. But did anyone else know that the sommelier in Luminae was not part of the restaurant staff? I had no idea. Edited July 16, 2023 by Sigyn 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitz18 Posted July 16, 2023 #2 Share Posted July 16, 2023 3 minutes ago, Sigyn said: Interesting - we just got off the Millennium, and gave a tip to Fernando, the maitre d', to share with his team. We specifically mentioned how much we'd enjoyed the sommelier, Liudmyla, in Luminae. Fernando said that she's not part of his team. We found that really interesting. We later tipped her separately to make sure she knew how much we appreciated her outstanding service. But did anyone else know that the sommelier in Luminae was not part of the restaurant staff? I had no idea. Is it possible she was also the sommelier for Tuscan (directly below Luminae) & therefore part of their team? She has to be under some restaurant manager I would think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestLakeGirl Posted July 16, 2023 #3 Share Posted July 16, 2023 Yes, they are not restaurant staff in the sense that waiters are. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigyn Posted July 16, 2023 Author #4 Share Posted July 16, 2023 1 minute ago, mitz18 said: Is it possible she was also the sommelier for Tuscan (directly below Luminae) & therefore part of their team? She has to be under some restaurant manager I would think. I'm not sure - she was in Luminae every single time we were there, whether for lunch or dinner, and was there for the entire meal. I can't imagine she was doing dual duty at another restaurant. But of course it's possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_T Posted July 16, 2023 #5 Share Posted July 16, 2023 We have always treated them as separate from the waiting team. Many, but not all, are deserving of that consideration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestLakeGirl Posted July 16, 2023 #6 Share Posted July 16, 2023 Sommaliers are bar staff 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigyn Posted July 16, 2023 Author #7 Share Posted July 16, 2023 We found Liudmyla to be fabulous. She said she's taking a break in August, then she'll be back for the new Ascent in November. It's tempting to do a cruise just to experience her amazing service and charming personality again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare markeb Posted July 16, 2023 #8 Share Posted July 16, 2023 The sommeliers are bar staff. That's how it works for most shoreside somms as well. They are tipped on their bar and wine sales. Not directly relevant to this thread, but in some higher end restaurants, if you order a cocktail or a glass of wine from your waiter, it's their tab. If you ask for a sommelier (we always do) your drink service now goes through the sommelier. Their share of the tip is based on the percentage of bar sales on your check. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted July 16, 2023 #9 Share Posted July 16, 2023 Sommeliers are not part of the dining staff in any of the restaurants or MDR. As such they do not get part of any extra gratuities given to the dining room staff. We always tip them separately. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare dlh015 Posted July 16, 2023 #10 Share Posted July 16, 2023 1 hour ago, Sigyn said: We found Liudmyla to be fabulous. She said she's taking a break in August, then she'll be back for the new Ascent in November. It's tempting to do a cruise just to experience her amazing service and charming personality again. Thank you for starting this thread...it's good to know what's what. Fortunately, I've always had great service from the sommelier (on all my cruises btw) and always tipped them accordingly... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichYak Posted July 16, 2023 #11 Share Posted July 16, 2023 As said above, the sommeliers are bar staff. I avoid purchasing any wine/liquor tasting events or the like until I get on board so I can buy it from the sommelier. They seem to get more of the added gratuities that way. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbcallender Posted July 17, 2023 #12 Share Posted July 17, 2023 Could also be an employee of a wine distributor working on sales commission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted July 17, 2023 #13 Share Posted July 17, 2023 The Sommeliers have always been part of the Bar Staff and not part of the tipping pool of the Luminae dining room. They also do not have to share their tips with the Dining Room Pool. We always tip separately. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whinenowine Posted July 17, 2023 #14 Share Posted July 17, 2023 Rather than cash, isn't it ok to tip the Somms in glasses of exceptional personal wines brought on board??!! 😉 (just joking, we do both). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted July 17, 2023 #15 Share Posted July 17, 2023 18 hours ago, Sigyn said: But did anyone else know that the sommelier in Luminae was not part of the restaurant staff? I had no idea. Yes, The sommelier's are part of the bar staff as others said and do not share in normal tip pool. They report to the Cellar Master, who also normally leads the wine tastings they have on the ship,. On Millennium in May, Richard was the Cellar Master and Ivana was our Sommelier in Luminae both were outstanding. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahasamatman Posted July 17, 2023 #16 Share Posted July 17, 2023 We always tip everyone in Luminae individually (even the ones who haven't worked with us). It's more personal than contributing to a pool. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichYak Posted July 18, 2023 #17 Share Posted July 18, 2023 10 hours ago, mahasamatman said: We always tip everyone in Luminae individually (even the ones who haven't worked with us). It's more personal than contributing to a pool. Though in the end, it's the same as contributing to a pool. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahasamatman Posted July 18, 2023 #18 Share Posted July 18, 2023 16 hours ago, RichYak said: Though in the end, it's the same as contributing to a pool. But far more personal. My wife also draws little cards for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted July 18, 2023 #19 Share Posted July 18, 2023 On 7/17/2023 at 10:44 AM, mahasamatman said: We always tip everyone in Luminae individually (even the ones who haven't worked with us). It's more personal than contributing to a pool. Everyone? How do you do that logistically? On E class ships that is probably 30 +/-. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigyn Posted July 23, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted July 23, 2023 (edited) I don't have the desire to walk over and tip extra to everyone in Luminae. I wrote up personal notes about those on the ship (including our waiter in Luminae) who made a difference and turned that into customer service, because I believe that should help them out in their career. I provided the tip to Fernando for the pool, and then tipped the sommelier separately. Edited July 23, 2023 by Sigyn 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Cruiser 6143 Posted July 23, 2023 #21 Share Posted July 23, 2023 Yes, just keep it simple. Give your tip to your waiter who will turn it in to the pool in Luminae. And tip the sommelier separately. And, yes, those mentions definitely help their careers, so keep doing that. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichYak Posted July 23, 2023 #22 Share Posted July 23, 2023 2 hours ago, Sigyn said: I don't have the desire to walk over and tip extra to everyone in Luminae. I wrote up personal notes about those on the ship (including our waiter in Luminae) who made a difference and turned that into customer service, because I believe that should help them out in their career. I provided the tip to Fernando for the pool, and then tipped the sommelier separately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted July 24, 2023 #23 Share Posted July 24, 2023 We have used envelopes with cash given directly to waitstaff. Recently we have taken to using the additional gratuities form and tipping Luminae staff, as well individuals. I like that Celebrity is also now providing a QR code in the daily planner that allows you to give feedback to the Hotel Director. We have used it to call out splendid service we have received from various staff members around the ship, and not just our stateroom attendant or dining room waitstaff. Positive comments to leadership always is appreciated when warranted. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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