Cruise Talk: Room Service Tip?

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Author

Topic: Room Service Tip?

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 09-25-1999 09:50 AM

Does anyone have an opinion about room service tips? When I was on a Celebrity ship, no tipping was allowed. Until they give you several envelopes to fill at the end of the cruise, of course. But, on Carnival it was different.I ordered room service every morning.When they came with the tray, I wasn't sure how much to tip. I ended up giving them a buck. I think it was not enough? What do you think? Next cruise, I want to be better at this. The Elation had wonderful room service. It only took them about 10 minutes from the time I phoned in the order. I always wait until morning to order. You get more selections than that cardboard thing you hang on the door at night. Like cheescake!

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99

sabine
First Class Passenger
Member # 759

posted 09-25-1999 12:07 PM

I heard that on some cruiseships you are not expected to tip, but most people would still feel they ought to. On Princess Cruises, the book says that it is voluntary - but you are still given envelopes, and the recommendation is $ 3 per day of cruise for your cabin steward and waiter, and half that for the assistant waiter. Anyone else like Maitre d' and wine waiter, etc. only if they've done extras just for you. Ask other people what they do, but if you give your cabin steward a tip at the end of the trip you don't have to tip everytime he comes with the breakfast tray.

Posts: 32 | From: Bella Vista NSW Australia | Registered: Jun 99

vanman
First Class Passenger
Member # 819

posted 09-25-1999 03:22 PM

I agree with Sabine.
However, I always give the principals, steward, waiter,asst. waiter a little extra in their gratutity, IF the service has been satisfactory.
Remember, that the gratutites are an important part of their salary. If earned they deserved it.

Posts: 18 | From: El Paso, Texas, USA | Registered: Jul 99

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 09-25-1999 05:04 PM

Mercy, I also sailed on Carnival and room service is not included in the tipping structure. The usual is one or two dollars per service. I was told by the purser that these are usually the waiters and room stewards that are in training with the cruise line and she suggested that one was sufficient. We ordered every night. The breakfast in bed was always delivered by our cabin steward and he would not accept a tip. Of course we took good care of him at the end of the trip.

Nowgotakeontheday:-)

Posts: 332 | From: Kitchener, ON Canada | Registered: Apr 99

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 09-25-1999 10:58 PM

Our room service order was never brought by the room steward. We got it from a different guy every morning. I of course filled my envelopes at the end of the cruise with more than suggested. I have heard that Holland America doesn't require tips, but all the people I have spoken to who have sailed on H.A. say they left tips at the end of the cruise. I was surprised on the Celebrity ship. They had an envelope for the head housekeeper, as well as the room steward.

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 09-27-1999 01:13 PM

I was about to write a post about room service tipping too, then I saw yours. I usually tip one or two dollars also and was wondering if that was normal. I guess it is. I too have never been serviced by my room steward when it came to food orders. Had that been the case I probably would have waited till the end of the cruise to show my gratitude for each and everytime I requested his/her services.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99

Scottylass
First Class Passenger
Member # 420

posted 09-28-1999 03:30 AM

Yes Mercy, I was on a Celebrity cruise this year and got the envelope for the House Keeper, he even wrote on it to hand the envelope to our cabin steward (obviously he wasn't going to be around) Ha Ha. As we had spoken to him a couple of times, I felt compelled to give him something, but really where does it end - the housekeeper..... whoever next....

Posts: 648 | From: Stirlingshire, Scotland | Registered: Jul 99

mitch
First Class Passenger
Member # 708

posted 10-02-1999 04:30 AM

We sailed celebrity in 98 in Alaska and only chose to tip the people we actually delt with. There were 2 Adults and 2 Children and we did not tip the head housekeeper, only our own housekeeper head waiter, assisstant waiter, wine steward, busboy etc. Because there was 4 people to an inside room we scaled it to an affordable price. This may or not be regulation but we had to maintain some affordability.

Posts: 87 | From: australia | Registered: Aug 99

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 10-02-1999 12:52 PM

Regardless of cruise line suggestions, many people tip Tom, Dick and Harry and anyone else who passes by. Fine, that's your affair.
Tell me - do you tip your Travel Agent?

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99

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