Tipping

[MikeD1000]

We wondered what people thought was a reasonable tip for the cabin steward and butler.  Does  it depend on the level of service?

[twotravellersLondon]

7 minutes ago, MikeD1000 said:

We wondered what people thought was a reasonable tip for the cabin steward and butler.  Does  it depend on the level of service?

 Do you mean in addition to the included gratuities which are already part of the cruise price?

[LondonLad60]

Not being funny, I've never been in the fortunate position to be able to tip a butler! It's an obvious thing to say, but we tip various crew ( steward, bar crew, waiters) depending how far beyond  the extra mile they have gone. Only you can decide how far beyond they have gone.

 

[MikeD1000]

Yes.  I realise gratuities are included.  The question was whether, and how much, people would add to this, given that the service is more peronal.

[LondonLad60]

8 minutes ago, twotravellersLondon said:

 Do you mean in addition to the included gratuities which are already part of the cruise price?

I know what you mean, but on every Saga cruise we have been on, there have always been at least a couple of crew members that have deserved a little extra. How much extra to add is a personal thing...

Edited July 26, 2023 by LondonLad60

[Windsurfboy]

Saga make it clear that tips are not necessary.  Going above and beyond is actually what service is about. As long as Saga pays it's staff well there should be no need to tip. If you think that is not the case then why cruise with a bad employer.

 

 

[twotravellersLondon]

3 hours ago, MikeD1000 said:

Yes.  I realise gratuities are included.  The question was whether, and how much, people would add to this, given that the service is more peronal.

 

Surely tipping is what SAGA is trying to avoid because like most forward-looking businesses the company is looking to forge co-operative effective team working in all areas of their ships. 

 

We believe that SAGA already pay above average industry rates, provide education for staff's children, health care for their families and have one of the most advance social-care support packages in the world for cruise crew. SAGA is one of the very few cruise line where partners can work on the same ship.

 

Why pay a steward more for doing the job but not the supervisor who trained him and ensures that he keeps everything tip-top and why not the bed-changer who helps him out?... or indeed the laundry department who supplies him with the fresh towels and linen or the deck crew who wash the balcony windows... somehow doesn't seem fair on the rest of the crew who contribute to his extra-earnings. Why tip a butler for nicely delivering the canapés and forget about the commis-chef who made them or the specialist chef who designed them.

 

Tips can very easily leave to a member of staff earning more than his manager or his manager's manager.

 

On some cruise-lines, tips created animosity and resentment in those staff who don't get them, leave those staff who do get them subject to peer pressure to share and make crew discipline more difficult. In some countries where we stayed in 5* hotels, staff are banned from taking tips because it's considered as a form of corruption. On a cruise ship... staff quickly assess which passenger may or may not tip... the mess grapevine shares information on regular cruisers... cruise-lines often find that those who are reckoned as "tippers'" are nurtured by some staff but to the disadvantage of other clients. 

 

We often leave a thank-you card, have sometimes given a little financial gift by way of a "thank-you" for exceptional service and... on special high-days and holidays may give a little surprise... like small a bag of chocolate Easter eggs... something that, if the member of staff wants to, s/he can share with friends and work team. 

 

However... tipping is a very personal thing... it's acceptance varies hugely from country to country and culture to culture. In the wider context... we find it a difficult call... and that's why we like the fact that... "tips" can be included onto the cost of a Fred Olsen and Ambassador cruise and are included in the cruise-price on Marella Cruises, P&O Cruises and on SAGA.

 

[Vivaldi]

I have never given an additional tip on a Saga cruise, but have made sure to show my gratitude by personally thanking those who have been helpful, and by praising their efforts on the end-of-cruise survey. 

 

As will be clear, I am not a fan of the tipping culture and would much prefer people to be paid a decent and fair amount for their services. Expressing how much someone's work has added to one's enjoyment of the cruise can be done verbally and, in my experience, has been much appreciated. No doubt mine is a minority view and I'll be regarded as a terrible miser.

[Glenndale]

If you feel you want to reward all of the hardworking staff, leave a donation to the crew fund. The reception staff will be happy to help.

 

[MikeD1000]

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

 

We are new to Saga, but have cruised many times on Seven  Seas and Silversea, which also have included gratuities, but we have always given a token tip to butler and room steward if they have provided excellent service,

[Brummijam]

1 hour ago, Glenndale said:

If you feel you want to reward all of the hardworking staff, leave a donation to the crew fund. The reception staff will be happy to help.

 

That’s seems to be a fairer solution.👍

[Ladycommonsense]

On 7/27/2023 at 8:45 AM, twotravellersLondon said:

 

Surely tipping is what SAGA is trying to avoid because like most forward-looking businesses the company is looking to forge co-operative effective team working in all areas of their ships. 

 

We believe that SAGA already pay above average industry rates, provide education for staff's children, health care for their families and have one of the most advance social-care support packages in the world for cruise crew. SAGA is one of the very few cruise line where partners can work on the same ship.

 

Why pay a steward more for doing the job but not the supervisor who trained him and ensures that he keeps everything tip-top and why not the bed-changer who helps him out?... or indeed the laundry department who supplies him with the fresh towels and linen or the deck crew who wash the balcony windows... somehow doesn't seem fair on the rest of the crew who contribute to his extra-earnings. Why tip a butler for nicely delivering the canapés and forget about the commis-chef who made them or the specialist chef who designed them.

 

Tips can very easily leave to a member of staff earning more than his manager or his manager's manager.

 

On some cruise-lines, tips created animosity and resentment in those staff who don't get them, leave those staff who do get them subject to peer pressure to share and make crew discipline more difficult. In some countries where we stayed in 5* hotels, staff are banned from taking tips because it's considered as a form of corruption. On a cruise ship... staff quickly assess which passenger may or may not tip... the mess grapevine shares information on regular cruisers... cruise-lines often find that those who are reckoned as "tippers'" are nurtured by some staff but to the disadvantage of other clients. 

 

We often leave a thank-you card, have sometimes given a little financial gift by way of a "thank-you" for exceptional service and... on special high-days and holidays may give a little surprise... like small a bag of chocolate Easter eggs... something that, if the member of staff wants to, s/he can share with friends and work team. 

 

However... tipping is a very personal thing... it's acceptance varies hugely from country to country and culture to culture. In the wider context... we find it a difficult call... and that's why we like the fact that... "tips" can be included onto the cost of a Fred Olsen and Ambassador cruise and are included in the cruise-price on Marella Cruises, P&O Cruises and on SAGA.

 

What a totally excellent reply ….. I agree with all you say!!

[FatBoy20]

When Covid hit Saga paid a high percentage of Wage Retainer to its Staff thus avoiding the shortage of Staff other Lines found when opening up because they only paid to end of Contract.