tipping

[hansol1966]

Very well said Heywood.

Its not the size of your wallet its your circumstances.

Fred & Sian

[hansol1966]

Cunard debits everybody $11-$13 for tipping for an White Star Service per day per person which in fact amounts to $22 (£15) per room. With todays ecomomic climate this should be quite adequate. Most people are on a budget and should not be embarrassed to tip more than what Cunard deem quite adequate.

Obviously tip extra at your discretion.

Fred & Sian.

[Bigmike911]

what is the tipping protocol for the cabin steward.

Here are my rules for tipping. I feel no hesitation of reducing or eliminating payment if service has been sub standard. Butler $10 per day, Second attendant $5 per day, Principle waiters $10 per day, Bread person $5 per day. If traveling more than 10 days I cap it at 10 days. I always ask for a particular table in the QG. If I get it, I give the Maitre'd $50, or if not, my thanks.

 

I write notes for each person. For the food staff, I give it the last dinner, as many of them have other assignments on the final day, so I don't want to miss them. The room staff have envelopes left for them. I don't tip the Sommaliers as they get commissions ( which can explain a certain pushyness some have ) I add a small amount to bills for the bartenders and club wait staff, and it assures excellent service.

 

Like most people who work in the hospitality industry, their pay is low and hours are long, so good service has its reward.

 

The only problem is remembering to bring enough cash aboard at the beginning of the cruise, The ATM in the Casino is my back up.

 

Mike

[pb82]

... The only problem is remembering to bring enough cash aboard at the beginning of the cruise, The ATM in the Casino is my back up.

 

Mike

I don't gamble, but won't it be cheaper just to win the extra cash at the Casino instead of withdrawing it?

[David2115]

Here are my rules for tipping. I feel no hesitation of reducing or eliminating payment if service has been sub standard. Butler $10 per day, Second attendant $5 per day, Principle waiters $10 per day, Bread person $5 per day. If traveling more than 10 days I cap it at 10 days. I always ask for a particular table in the QG. If I get it, I give the Maitre'd $50, or if not, my thanks.

 

I write notes for each person. For the food staff, I give it the last dinner, as many of them have other assignments on the final day, so I don't want to miss them. The room staff have envelopes left for them. I don't tip the Sommaliers as they get commissions ( which can explain a certain pushyness some have ) I add a small amount to bills for the bartenders and club wait staff, and it assures excellent service.

 

Like most people who work in the hospitality industry, their pay is low and hours are long, so good service has its reward.

 

The only problem is remembering to bring enough cash aboard at the beginning of the cruise, The ATM in the Casino is my back up.

 

Mike

 

is all this on top of the automatic tipping?

[bobnatt]

Here are my rules for tipping. I feel no hesitation of reducing or eliminating payment if service has been sub standard. Butler $10 per day, Second attendant $5 per day, Principle waiters $10 per day, Bread person $5 per day. If traveling more than 10 days I cap it at 10 days. I always ask for a particular table in the QG. If I get it, I give the Maitre'd $50, or if not, my thanks.

 

I write notes for each person. For the food staff, I give it the last dinner, as many of them have other assignments on the final day, so I don't want to miss them. The room staff have envelopes left for them. I don't tip the Sommaliers as they get commissions ( which can explain a certain pushyness some have ) I add a small amount to bills for the bartenders and club wait staff, and it assures excellent service.

 

Like most people who work in the hospitality industry, their pay is low and hours are long, so good service has its reward.

 

The only problem is remembering to bring enough cash aboard at the beginning of the cruise, The ATM in the Casino is my back up.

 

Mike

 

Mike I agree with you completely. However be prepared for barbs from a lot of folks on the CC thread who disagree.

 

In terms of cash, I always bring a few thousand dollars in travellers checks that cash at the front desk at the end of the cruise for the tips.

[Bigmike911]

PB 82, If I had to rely on my casino winnings for tip money, I am afraid there would not be any tips. I do like to play the machines in the Casino, but I limit myself to $ 20 per day. When its gone, I am finished.

 

Mike

[Bigmike911]

is all this on top of the automatic tipping?

David, Yes this is in addition to the auto tips. When one considers how many people we are tipping with the $26 per day, none are getting much. And, as I said earlier, I appreciate excellent service. Remember, I pay at the end of the voyage, and if the service has been less that satisfactory, no tip.

 

Mike

[VirginCruiser II]

Here are my rules for tipping. I feel no hesitation of reducing or eliminating payment if service has been sub standard. Butler $10 per day, Second attendant $5 per day, Principle waiters $10 per day, Bread person $5 per day. If traveling more than 10 days I cap it at 10 days. I always ask for a particular table in the QG. If I get it, I give the Maitre'd $50, or if not, my thanks.

 

I write notes for each person. For the food staff, I give it the last dinner, as many of them have other assignments on the final day, so I don't want to miss them. The room staff have envelopes left for them. I don't tip the Sommaliers as they get commissions ( which can explain a certain pushyness some have ) I add a small amount to bills for the bartenders and club wait staff, and it assures excellent service.

 

Like most people who work in the hospitality industry, their pay is low and hours are long, so good service has its reward.

 

The only problem is remembering to bring enough cash aboard at the beginning of the cruise, The ATM in the Casino is my back up.

 

Mike

 

You tip the bread person $5 per day? And all those other tips - for "White Star Service" we have already paid thousands of dollars for!

Ridiculous.

[VirginCruiser II]

Mike I agree with you completely. However be prepared for barbs from a lot of folks on the CC thread who disagree.

 

In terms of cash, I always bring a few thousand dollars in travellers checks that cash at the front desk at the end of the cruise for the tips.

 

....a few thousand dollars just for the tips! OK Walter Mitty, we get the joke!:D

[David2115]

You tip the bread person $5 per day? And all those other tips - for "White Star Service" we have already paid thousands of dollars for!

Ridiculous.

 

I agree, is it possible the poster is having a laugh because that is just riduculous and some what pretentious if true.

[SeaMatesNYC]

David, Yes this is in addition to the auto tips. When one considers how many people we are tipping with the $26 per day, none are getting much. And, as I said earlier, I appreciate excellent service. Remember, I pay at the end of the voyage, and if the service has been less that satisfactory, no tip.

 

Mike

 

Mike,

 

Pay no mind to those who would criticize you for your generosity in rewarding excellent service. If it fits in your budget and makes you happy, keep it up. The recipients are very happy, no doubt. Those who criticize you are doing so since they seem to believe that your generosity will make them appear tight-fisted and they would have you stop so that they don't run the risk of looking less than generous. Or of you getting some even more attentive service than they. But, as you have indicated, you tip at the end, so how could this be so?;)

 

From my time on these boards and from talking to others, I believe it to be the norm for a good majority to tip extra, beyond the auto-tip.

 

So you keep doing what you are doing. If the service is up to snuff, put a little more in the grateful hands of those who provided it. Because the truth is, there are staterooms throughout the ship that have struck the auto-tip. Yes, even on Cunard! How much ends up being handed out personally? Hmmm, that I can't say...I have however, read posts from many non-Americans who object to the compensation model, on principal, believing that the company should not be asking its customers to subsidize a wage for the service staff onboard (yet still they book the cruises:rolleyes:). The reality is that these tips ARE the wage for many. Cut them and you take food out of their families' mouths.

 

Don't let negative postings about your personal choices that inure to the benefit of the staff involved get you down. In future though, you may want to consider keeping these practices private. You can see the results on this board. On the other hand, perhaps some people should be a bit ashamed of how little they give after demanding and receiving so much.

 

Bon voyage!

[David2115]

Mike,

 

Pay no mind to those who would criticize you for your generosity in rewarding excellent service. If it fits in your budget and makes you happy, keep it up. The recipients are very happy, no doubt. Those who criticize you are doing so since they seem to believe that your generosity will make them appear tight-fisted and they would have you stop so that they don't run the risk of looking less than generous. Or of you getting some even more attentive service than they. But, as you have indicated, you tip at the end, so how could this be so?;)

 

From my time on these boards and from talking to others, I believe it to be the norm for a good majority to tip extra, beyond the auto-tip.

 

So you keep doing what you are doing. If the service is up to snuff, put a little more in the grateful hands of those who provided it. Because the truth is, there are staterooms throughout the ship that have struck the auto-tip. Yes, even on Cunard! How much ends up being handed out personally? Hmmm, that I can't say...I have however, read posts from many non-Americans who object to the compensation model, on principal, believing that the company should not be asking its customers to subsidize a wage for the service staff onboard (yet still they book the cruises:rolleyes:). The reality is that these tips ARE the wage for many. Cut them and you take food out of their families' mouths.

 

Don't let negative postings about your personal choices that inure to the benefit of the staff involved get you down. In future though, you may want to consider keeping these practices private. You can see the results on this board. On the other hand, perhaps some people should be a bit ashamed of how little they give after demanding and receiving so much.

 

Bon voyage!

 

 

gosh, how eloquent, that puts everyone in their place, of course people are free to give money away exactly as they please, it is no more correct for you to criticise those who have just use automatic tipping than it is for others to criticise those who are very generous with their cash on top of the auto tip, i reality who cares what you or I do or think, its just everyones own opinion about something not very important, we will all do whatever we want anyway.

[Cruiser765]

The question of tipping as usual always has this adverse effect on the boards.

 

We all have our opinions.....we all do our own thing...it really is a very personal choice....end of.

 

Jackie :)

[southwestie]

The question of tipping as usual always has this adverse effect on the boards.

 

We all have our opinions.....we all do our own thing...it really is a very personal choice....end of.

 

Jackie :)

 

 

Perfect reply.

 

Now I must go to bed, 12 hours and 2 mins to go

[SeaMatesNYC]

gosh, how eloquent, that puts everyone in their place, of course people are free to give money away exactly as they please, it is no more correct for you to criticise those who have just use automatic tipping than it is for others to criticise those who are very generous with their cash on top of the auto tip, i reality who cares what you or I do or think, its just everyones own opinion about something not very important, we will all do whatever we want anyway.

 

My criticism is of those who remove the auto-tip out of "principle" not wanting to support the cruise line's business model of having this be the primary wage source for the service staff. And of those who attack those who are (perhaps too openly honest about how much they are) tipping above-and beyond. In the end, we do agree however, it is up to each and their own conscience. I disagree with you completely about it being "something not very important." The facts are that these tips are the vast bulk of the service staff's earnings. Surely it is very important to them.

[UstolemyNAME]

Hi All - just adding my 2 cents. (very appropriate for the discussion ^^)

 

I find that the idea of tipping differs greatly between places like America and places like Australia (thats me!). Mainly because of how much people in hospitality get paid. I am a waitress myself and I get paid exactly $1 (AUS so that only 50c US) less than I do for my retail job. As a waitress I would not expect a tip unless I had made a connection with the table. If I had answered their questions, helped with their choice in meal and had a nice laugh (made their experience more fun), then maybe a tip. If the customer comes in, sit down, orders in two words, eats and leaves, then no tip. They did not need my help and I wouldnt deserve it. I know that the staff on the cruise get paid less than me (does anyone know how much?) but it is hard to get your head around when your used to people having a standardised wage. I just dont feel right tipping people for just doing their job (I will try to get over it!)

 

Also, out of curiousity - are poor underpaid waiting staff expected to tip waiting staff when they dine out?

 

P.S

I have to pay for my cruise in 3 weeks and even with 5 jobs (not exagerating) am still way off, so please consider the people who will be in hock up to their eyeballs and have no money left to tip with

[southwestie]

Hi All - just adding my 2 cents. (very appropriate for the discussion ^^)

 

I find that the idea of tipping differs greatly between places like America and places like Australia (thats me!). Mainly because of how much people in hospitality get paid. I am a waitress myself and I get paid exactly $1 (AUS so that only 50c US) less than I do for my retail job. As a waitress I would not expect a tip unless I had made a connection with the table. If I had answered their questions, helped with their choice in meal and had a nice laugh (made their experience more fun), then maybe a tip. If the customer comes in, sit down, orders in two words, eats and leaves, then no tip. They did not need my help and I wouldnt deserve it. I know that the staff on the cruise get paid less than me (does anyone know how much?) but it is hard to get your head around when your used to people having a standardised wage. I just dont feel right tipping people for just doing their job (I will try to get over it!)

 

Also, out of curiousity - are poor underpaid waiting staff expected to tip waiting staff when they dine out?

 

Very well put, here in the UK, wait staff are paid £6 an hour, thats the minimum wage, if they really need more and I know many do they also huge goverenment benifits on top, and yes do they leave tips on top.

 

tipping is a difficult thing for us in the UK, we really it hard to deal with, I know cunard stewards etc arnt paid so well and we get good service and we tip, however I have a friend who works for princess and she is paid quite well.

 

But your reply was very well put

[David2115]

My criticism is of those who remove the auto-tip out of "principle" not wanting to support the cruise line's business model of having this be the primary wage source for the service staff. And of those who attack those who are (perhaps too openly honest about how much they are) tipping above-and beyond. In the end, we do agree however, it is up to each and their own conscience. I disagree with you completely about it being "something not very important." The facts are that these tips are the vast bulk of the service staff's earnings. Surely it is very important to them.

 

Of course it is important to the staff, as for supporting a business model then that is not some thing i consider when going on holiday. The business model the cruise companies chose was an automatic tipping sysyem, i assume it was intended to take all the confusion out of the tipping system, and there clearly is some confusion, are the passengers there to make the lives of cruise ship staff better, no i think not, posters been "openly honest" about there tips they leave ( $5 per day for someone putting bread on a plate, $50 for Maitre d,)is not helping the situation and merely perpetuates the myth that cruising is for more wealthy class of passenger, if that sort of tipping was the norm i believe the crusie industry would die as people would choose alternate forms of holiday.

[SeaMatesNYC]

Hi All - just adding my 2 cents. (very appropriate for the discussion ^^)

 

I find that the idea of tipping differs greatly between places like America and places like Australia (thats me!). Mainly because of how much people in hospitality get paid. I am a waitress myself and I get paid exactly $1 (AUS so that only 50c US) less than I do for my retail job. As a waitress I would not expect a tip unless I had made a connection with the table. If I had answered their questions, helped with their choice in meal and had a nice laugh (made their experience more fun), then maybe a tip. If the customer comes in, sit down, orders in two words, eats and leaves, then no tip. They did not need my help and I wouldnt deserve it. I know that the staff on the cruise get paid less than me (does anyone know how much?) but it is hard to get your head around when your used to people having a standardised wage. I just dont feel right tipping people for just doing their job (I will try to get over it!)

 

Also, out of curiousity - are poor underpaid waiting staff expected to tip waiting staff when they dine out?

 

P.S

I have to pay for my cruise in 3 weeks and even with 5 jobs (not exagerating) am still way off, so please consider the people who will be in hock up to their eyeballs and have no money left to tip with

 

Stewards and waiters have a wage that is effectively nil ($50-100 per month). Of course, they receive their food and lodging (such as it is) for free. Essentially, the wage they earn IS the tip. That is what they work for. It is handled just like wages. It is collected (through auto) by the crew bursar and dispensed weekly into accounts for the staff. Cutting the gratuity off the bill makes the service staff work for free. Like it or not, this arrangement keeps fares lower. If you don't take this account when budgeting for the cruise, you have to accept the fact that you are hurting the staff so that you can enjoy a holiday. Simples, really.:)

[bobnatt]

....a few thousand dollars just for the tips! OK Walter Mitty, we get the joke!:D

 

What joke? Going on the 15 day QM2 holiday/new years cruise. QG Cabin cost over $15,000. Spending $1500 to $2000 on tips is only 10%-12% of the voyage cost on tips of which only about $400 is automatically added to the ship board account and another $1000-$1500 goes to cabin steward, butler, waiter, assit waiter, bus boy. Head waiter, wine steward and Maitre D doesn't sound inappropriate to me.

[capnpugwash]

What joke? Going on the 15 day QM2 holiday/new years cruise. QG Cabin cost over $15,000. Spending $1500 to $2000 on tips is only 10%-12% of the voyage cost on tips of which only about $400 is automatically added to the ship board account and another $1000-$1500 goes to cabin steward, butler, waiter, assit waiter, bus boy. Head waiter, wine steward and Maitre D doesn't sound inappropriate to me.

 

Bob Nutt, how I have missed you. Your logic is flawless. I am glad that in this alleged recession you continue to spread the money around. Keep it up, I do so love to read your posts.

[LimaSierra]

"What joke? Going on the 15 day QM2 holiday/new years cruise. QG Cabin cost over $15,000. Spending $1500 to $2000 on tips is only 10%-12% of the voyage cost on tips of which only about $400 is automatically added to the ship board account and another $1000-$1500 goes to cabin steward, butler, waiter, assit waiter, bus boy. Head waiter, wine steward and Maitre D doesn't sound inappropriate to me. "

__________________

Bob from Connecticut

 

Mister Bob

I certainly have respected your comments here and in the past; however, I do believe your latest is over the top. In addition, I think you may need to look for a new TA.

[garigoun]

What joke? Going on the 15 day QM2 holiday/new years cruise. QG Cabin cost over $15,000. Spending $1500 to $2000 on tips is only 10%-12% of the voyage cost on tips of which only about $400 is automatically added to the ship board account and another $1000-$1500 goes to cabin steward, butler, waiter, assit waiter, bus boy. Head waiter, wine steward and Maitre D doesn't sound inappropriate to me.

 

Strange though it may seem, I can actually see where Bob is coming from on this. Some long time ago we went for a holiday on a ranch in Colorado. We were the only Brits, all others were Americans. As the holiday came towards its end I heard some talk of tipping the staff. Not having a clue as to who or what to tip, (there were the wranglers, waiters, camp boss and all sorts of people), I asked a lady we had become friendly with. She was from Washington DC and her husband was Swiss. She told me about 10 to 15% divided up depending how I viewed the service we'd had. I, in my innocence asked, '10/15% of what though'. She looked at me strangely and said, 'Of the holiday cost.' Only the Brits reading this will appreciate the look of astonishment on my face.

Gari

[paulista1950]

Don't get me wrong, I always tip according to the country I'm visiting "rules". Actually on my last trip (to the States) I over tipped a little bit and the rationale was: Since I'd never tip less than what is usual, the extra cost (for over tipping) was around $200 for the whole trip and I got very good service and appreciation, so why not?

 

That being said, I hate all this discussion on the issue! Why should be my problem to pay for other people's employees? Why don't we even thing on tipping a stewardess? Or a bus driver? See my point? It's all arbitrary and senseless! And yes, I'm perfectly aware that if the salaries were higher so would be the prices but since we are paying either way...:cool: