How much to pre-tip?

[stbmom]

We are taking "several" little ones. Okay, 3 kids 3 and under.

 

We want to pre-tip the cabin stewart so they won't faint and die when they see little ones. How much should we pre-tip? I was thinking $50 bucks the first time we see our cabin steward with the assurance that they will be getting their full tip at the end of the cruise as well.

We tip for ALL of our family - a minimum the Carnival suggested rate and more, per person in our party, for excellent service.

So, no need to explain to me the "whys" of tipping. Even our little ones will be tipping the minimum of the Carnival suggested rate:D

 

I just want to know what will help our cabin steward not jump off the boat in the middle of the ocean when he or she sees we have 3 kids.

 

And yes - we have those little baggies for diapers that hide the oder and make them safer to put into the trash can.:)

Yes, we know to leave the room and take our little ones to a nice, abadoned area if they happen to get fussy to not disturb the neighbors:)

And yes, the in laws booked the cabin next door and there is a closet on the other side of our cabin - so there is a buffer:)

And yes, my kids are perfect little angels:D

And yes, I know that only my FULLY potty trained 3 year old is allowed in the pool. And no, I will not try to sneak the other two into the pool since they don't really poop at time of day anyway:p

 

See, I know the rules!!

[travelntreats]

Such a refreshing post here... and so considerate of the staff and others in staterooms near you.... sounds like you have all your bases covered ! That is a nice gestrue to pre tip.... and in the end, you may feel the pre tip will be over and above the usual gratuity ! Have a nice cruise with your family :cool:

[beckyjohns]

I don't have an answer for you, but I am curious where you get those diaper baggies......we're traveling with our twins in 3 weeks and I cannot find those bags anywhere!!!

[tunafish]

I wish some adults would be as good as OP. You sound like it is a sin to take a baby with you. We just came back with friends and had 3 kids with us. 6-2- and 6mo. In all honesty I could care less what other were thinking, but we had a blast, all formal nights and all dinners in the dining room. I see no problem with children at all. Some damn smokers create waaay more problems - I wish they would exhale in their little baggies and inhale that stuff themselves. Casino looks like a cancer alley for crying out loud.

[pungo3]

It sounds like you have everything under control. I think a $50 pre-tip is very generous and your cabin steward will be delighted. Let's face it, your 3 small children will probably be a lot less messy than some adults I've seen. I hope you have a fabulous cruise!

[stbmom]

I don't have an answer for you, but I am curious where you get those diaper baggies......we're traveling with our twins in 3 weeks and I cannot find those bags anywhere!!!

 

 

We sometimes find them at the local grocery store. We can usually always find them at Babies R Us stores though. I generally buy a bunch whenever we see them.

[Cotton]

I never think pre-tipping is necessary.....

 

However, in your case, I make exception. That's a very nice thing to do.:)

[travelntreats]

Some damn smokers create waaay more problems - I wish they would exhale in their little baggies and inhale that stuff themselves. Casino looks like a cancer alley for crying out loud.

Did you have to bring up smoking on this thread ? It was not even a part of the OP question ! :eek: Please don't encouarge others to put their 2 cents in about smoking issues and distort the original question the OP asked !

[trock]

Did you have to bring up smoking on this thread ? It was not even a part of the OP question ! :eek:

And here we agree LOL ;)

 

OP.. You are very generous and very thoughtful! I wish every parent on a cruise was as cool as you!

[travelntreats]

It sounds like you have everything under control. I think a $50 pre-tip is very generous and your cabin steward will be delighted. Let's face it, your 3 small children will probably be a lot less messy than some adults I've seen. I hope you have a fabulous cruise!

Yes, but the stress relief of knowing you don't have to pick up after 3 young children as much = PRICELE$$

[travelntreats]

And here we agree LOL ;)

 

OP.. You are very generous and very thoughtful! I wish every parent on a cruise was as cool as you!

Hey Trock.... I am sorry I got in a tiff with you on the other thread... I meant no harm... just get frustrated when people dont give the whole story to start with ! I ask for foregiveness because I don't want to be considered a """moth""" ;)

[tunafish]

I wish every parent on a cruise was as cool as you!

Are they not??? I yet to see an abandoned child on a ship! Pax with kids are ready and organized

[trock]

Hey Trock.... I am sorry I got in a tiff with you on the other thread... I meant no harm... just get frustrated when people dont give the whole story to start with ! I ask for foregiveness because I don't want to be considered a """moth""" ;)

 

 

What are you sorry for? Dont be silly.. it was just a conversation! and NO you were not the moth LOL...

 

First timers need to be given some slack.. we were all virgins once LOL

[CruiznWithHubby]

WOW,,,you can sail on my sailing anytime:D I'd say 50 bucks will go a looooooooong way in making your cabin steward happy,,,and removing a crying child from a show or activity will certainly make your traveling companions your dearest friends for the week :) Not to mention, earning you a measure of respect from anyone who groaned silently (or not so silently) when you walked in,,,

 

I get those little baggies at Walmart for my granddaughter in the baby section,,,,or you can just save those plastic shopping bags with handles you get at grocery stores,,,they work pretty well for kiddos diapers and cleaning up after puppy dog messes in public areas. The handles make them easy to tie up nice and tight. Some are more envirnonmentally friendly than others,,,,but what's the use if the bag deteriorates easily if the diaper doesn't? So I often use the grocery store bags,,,

 

Have a wonderful cruise OP,,,you and your kids will have a blast,,,,

 

Holly

[trock]

Are they not??? I yet to see an abandoned child on a ship! Pax with kids are ready and organized

nooooo!

I think our Victory cruise was the worst.. but our fault.. silly us went right after the 4th of July..

 

One couple in particular let their toddler crawl around on the floor in the buffet with his match box cars.. Some poor older lady carrying a tray did not see him. .. she went flying in the air as she tripped on him.. Mind you the wait staff asked the parents to remove him several times and they blew him off...

 

Another couple had their diapered child in the pool and hot tub GROSS

 

So no not all parents are thoughtful and considerate..;)

[travelntreats]

Are they not??? I yet to see an abandoned child on a ship! Pax with kids are ready and organized

I think what Trock was saying is that he was happy to see the OP was planning so effectively (as was I) for her travels with children. That has nothing to do with a child abandoned.

 

BTW... I have seen many parents with small children that were no way as considerate as the OP is... so I think SHE is the one that is well organized compared to some I have seen who have no clue what respect is regarding other passengers and their children.

[tunafish]

nooooo!

I think our Victory cruise was the worst.. but our fault.. silly us went right after the 4th of July..

 

One couple in particular let their toddler crawl around on the floor in the buffet with his match box cars.. Some poor older lady carrying a tray did not see him. .. she went flying in the air as she tripped on him.. Mind you the wait staff asked the parents to remove him several times and they blew him off...

 

Another couple had their diapered child in the pool and hot tub GROSS

 

So no not all parents are thoughtful and considerate..;)

WOW!!! I yet to see this! maybe cause we do not do buffets with kids - only on embarkation day!

[trock]

WOW!!! I yet to see this! maybe cause we do not do buffets with kids - only on embarkation day!

 

 

We never saw it before either.. go figure!

[trock]

I think what Trock was saying is that he was happy to see the OP was planning so effectively (as was I) for her travels with children. That has nothing to do with a child abandoned.

 

BTW... I have seen many parents with small children that were no way as considerate as the OP is... so I think SHE is the one that is well organized compared to some I have seen who have no clue what respect is regarding other passengers and their children.

 

 

ahem... T Rock is a SHE!! lol

[travelntreats]

ahem... T Rock is a SHE!! lol

well... excuuuuuuuuuse me ! :D

[trock]

well... excuuuuuuuuuse me ! :D

 

You're excused! ;) :D

[katiel53]

I don't have an answer for you, but I am curious where you get those diaper baggies......we're traveling with our twins in 3 weeks and I cannot find those bags anywhere!!!

 

 

Most times Dollar Tree stores carry them. When we babysat my granddaughter, I would buy 4 or 5 boxes at a time because sometimes they were sold out. They are great.

 

 

OP,

Thanks for being so considerate. It's rare to find parents who are as considerate as you. Enjoy your trip and I am sure the cabin steward will appreciate the extra money and treat your kids as they were his/her own.

 

Enjoy.

[dan40]

I never think pre-tipping is necessary.....

 

However, in your case, I make exception. That's a very nice thing to do.:)

 

Cotton,

I don't always pre-tip, but I do if I have some special requests.

 

In this case I think an amount equal to the $700 BILLION bailout would be appropriate.:D

 

Dan

[Traveler353]

I do not normally advicate pre-tipping (bribery?), but in your case it might not be a bad thing to do. If you do not, I still believe that you will recieve the same outstanding service. The thought is nice though. Have a great cruise.

[Pyro Tec]

nooooo!

I think our Victory cruise was the worst.. but our fault.. silly us went right after the 4th of July..

 

One couple in particular let their toddler crawl around on the floor in the buffet with his match box cars.. Some poor older lady carrying a tray did not see him. .. she went flying in the air as she tripped on him.. Mind you the wait staff asked the parents to remove him several times and they blew him off...

 

Another couple had their diapered child in the pool and hot tub GROSS

 

So no not all parents are thoughtful and considerate..;)

 

 

Why is a cruise right after the 4th of July so bad? I dont get it! :confused: