Newbie question on tipping

[trvlfan]

We've never cruised before, and are going on the Oct. 4th Voyager cruise to Turkey and Greece (very, VERY excited!). I understand that gratuities are "included" and built into the price, but... does that mean you really don't tip? If we should tip (showing some kind of acknowledgment for superior service, and it seems from all the comments, that superior service is the norm on Regent), then who, and how much should one tip? Is the act of tipping extra a standard assumption, or does the all-inclusive price truly include gratuities?

 

:confused: Help (and thanks)!!

[Dolebludger]

Generally, you'll find that tipping on board service staff isn't the norm on Regent. Tips really are included. Once, I offered a tip for what I considered service "above and beyond" in connection with some delayed luggage, and the tip was refused.

[traveller333]

I never tip, IMO gratuities included means just that.

[NCCruzQueen]

I have never tipped on a Regent ship either. If you feel the urge, some here have contributed to the Crew Fund. This helps crew members who need airfare home for emergencies and other important needs.

[traveller333]

I agree. Donating to the crew fund is a no-brainer I've always done.. It is very much appreciated by the hardworking crew both the ones we see daily as well as those behind the scenes.

[Cruising Librarian]

If you don't already, I'd also encourage you to take a few minutes and fill out the customer survey you'll get at the end of the trip to acknowledge special service of individuals. It's good for management to see in writing who is offering excellent service.

[wishIweretravelling]

The one exception to the no tipping may be the spa/salon. My understanding is that it's a separate contractor, and thus doesn't share in the RSSC policy. But please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[AbeFrohman]

I tipped our cabin steward on the Navigator a month ago and it was happily accepted. She went above and beyond her duties to help us with something and I felt a tip was warranted.

[NCCruzQueen]

crys, When Steiner ran the spas, I attempted to tip after a massage and was told, "Oh no, maam, we don't accept tips." That may have changed with Carita.

 

 

This is from the rssc.com FAQ section:

Q: What is your policy about additional gratuities?

 

A: Gratuities are included in the cruise fare for all RSSC vessels. If guests feel strongly about expressing their gratitude to the crew, they should be encouraged to make a donation to the Crew Welfare Fund at the Purser Office. This money is utilized for crew parties and events.

[Paint Horse]

We contributed to the crew fund. We also gave the room steward and the butler a prepaid phone card, as it was the holidays.

[Travelcat2]

We've never cruised before, and are going on the Oct. 4th Voyager cruise to Turkey and Greece (very, VERY excited!). I understand that gratuities are "included" and built into the price, but... does that mean you really don't tip? If we should tip (showing some kind of acknowledgment for superior service, and it seems from all the comments, that superior service is the norm on Regent), then who, and how much should one tip? Is the act of tipping extra a standard assumption, or does the all-inclusive price truly include gratuities?

 

:confused: Help (and thanks)!!

 

 

Hi -- I agree with everything that has been posted regarding tipping. Just wanted to say 'hi' -- :D -- we will be on the same cruise. Check in on the "new" Roll Call that I plan on posting later today. It will give us a place to share our excitement for the next 2 months!

[bev'sid]

I guess Carita does handle it differently from Steiner! For both ships I've been on recently, PG & Mariner, tipping in the spa was definitely expected, at least in mine & my friends' experiences. While there was no line labeled gratuity on the bill, the expectation was made known verbally.

 

I have to say also that room service deliveries were quite awkward a few times when we didn't tip. There was a long, deliberate reciting of each item on the tray and a hesitation, followed by a look down at our hands...we felt terrible because we didn't have any cash on hand!

 

At first, I thought maybe I was just being paranoid until my son said, "mom, that guy was waiting for a tip. I feel bad." So, we got some change and tipped a couple dollars (nothing big) from then on.

 

But we do always leave a crew wellfare tip, even if it isn't too large an amount we have left, lol!

[Dolebludger]

This does not surprise me about the spa, as it has been known for several years that the "tips included" policy did not apply to the spa.

 

However, the comments about room service personnel expecting a tip are very disappointing, as this is "something new", to my knowledge. If it proves to be a trend, it will be a point of deterioration for Regent. I've had room service personnel recite my order to me when delivered, and never interpreted this as asking for a tip. Rather, it was my impression that they were merely checking to be sure the order was correct. Once, it wasn't, and it was corrected quickly, without tip.

[Travelcat2]

I am very surprised to hear that a tip appeared to be "expected" on Regent. From our experience, this is not typical (the spa is a contractor, so different rules may apply). Those who make a conscious decision to tip when it is against policy, make it more difficult for everyone (setting an unintended expectation).

 

Regent employees are paid considerably more than employees of cruise lines that are not all-inclusive. The service on Regent is typically exemplary -- the staff work hard and are not doing it for tips. There is something very special about the relationship of the passengers and the staff on Regent -- that's what keep many of us returning.

[goldenrod]

I agree we have been on the Navigator twice and the Mariner once and will be on the Voyager this month. We have never felt room service or anyone else was waiting for or expecting a tip, we have tipped our room steward for great service above and beyond but that was our choise, it was never expected or should it have been. Next thing you know you'll feel guilty and start paying for you drinks! Ridiculous

[Host Dan]

When Regent (or any other luxe line) says tipping is included, its just that. Unlike the mass market lines, the stewardesses and the like are no where to be found the morning of disembarkation!

 

Host Dan

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Wow, I certainly would be surprised if a room service steward stood around with his hand open! I've never tipped on Regent (except for the spa, and except a little for our first room steward who was a gem.)

 

What about butlers? I'm about to book a buttled suite, and hope that I can be tip-free there as well. (I will be, for sure, just hope it's a comfortable situation.)

[Island Cruiser]

I, too, was astonished to read that one poster perceived that a room service waiter appeared to be soliciting a tip. I've had the good fortune of cruising Regent for eighty days. I have never seen this happen. Never. We don't tip because Regent has a no tipping policy. I don't know anybody who tips. We often purchase a small gift for our cabin attendant which we leave with a thank you note at the end of the cruise. But that's it. If we used the Spa we would, of course, tip. And we'd tip a crew member who performed a special service of some kind. But gratuities included means just that.

[traveller333]

I think the man who delivered room service and expected a tip must be a total fluke. I've ordered room service 100 times and NEVER tipped nor had anyone hesitate as if they were expecting a tip.

 

I do understand that tipping is expected in the spa, maybe in the casino to the dealers as well, but no where else on board. I was told by the senior staff that they discourage tipping crew members, don't want to start any favoritisms amongst the crew, but do encourage donations to the crew fund which help the entire crew.

[Dolebludger]

Amen!

 

We don't want to "get something started" here where we will all end up tipping twice -- once when we pay the fare and once again on board! To sum up my total understanding and experience, there is no tipping on Regent. There are three and only three exceptions. You certainly may offer a tip to a crew member who does something beyond their assigned duties to help you with a problem. It may or may not be accepted, but it is fine to offer it. You may (and should) contribute to the crew fund if you very much like the over-all service. And tips are customary at the spa.

[Paint Horse]

Amen!

 

We don't want to "get something started" here where we will all end up tipping twice -- once when we pay the fare and once again on board! To sum up my total understanding and experience, there is no tipping on Regent. There are three and only three exceptions. You certainly may offer a tip to a crew member who does something beyond their assigned duties to help you with a problem. It may or may not be accepted, but it is fine to offer it. You may (and should) contribute to the crew fund if you very much like the over-all service. And tips are customary at the spa.

 

Yes, I agree.

[trvlfan]

Thanks to everyone for pretty much a consensus on Regent and its tipping policies. We will definitely fill out the survey at the end of our voyage, and also make a contribution to the Crew Fund.

 

Even at all-inclusive resorts on land, the spa services always seemed to be outside the regular "gratuities included" philosophy.

 

Looking forward to our very first cruise - and especially on the Regent Voyager! :)

[linda_22003]

Looking forward to our very first cruise - and especially on the Regent Voyager! :)

 

The Voyager was our very first cruise, too. Get used to incredulous looks if people ask you how many cruises you've taken; people can't believe you started at the "top" of the food chain, instead of "doing time" on the mass market lines first!

[LOGHL]

Wow, I certainly would be surprised if a room service steward stood around with his hand open! I've never tipped on Regent (except for the spa, and except a little for our first room steward who was a gem.)

 

What about butlers? I'm about to book a buttled suite, and hope that I can be tip-free there as well. (I will be, for sure, just hope it's a comfortable situation.)

 

Not at all necessary to tip your butler.. he gives the same service as anyone else, in fact the day we left he was no where to be seen , just to thank him!!