Cruise Talk: Tipping on "Gratuities included" cruises?

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Tipping on "Gratuities included" cruises?

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Topic: Tipping on "Gratuities included" cruises?

DebRon
Just Boarded
Member # 1074

posted 02-08-2000 07:37 PM

Does anyone have any input on the tipping customs? We're booked on a "tips included" cruise, but have been told to expect to tip anyway. We don't have a problem tipping for good services on land or off, but were led to believe that it is expected even on such cruises. What would be the customary tips expected for good service?

Posts: 8 | From: Waterloo, Ontario | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 02-09-2000 01:35 PM

What is the cruise line?

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 02-09-2000 02:56 PM

Tip only for above and beyond the call of duty then. Whatever your heart desires. When they say Tips are included, you have already tipped them the standard amount for average service.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

DebRon
Just Boarded
Member # 1074

posted 02-09-2000 03:56 PM

Hi Gizmo: We're booked on Festival's Bolero for the March break. this is our first cruise so we are unsure of the protocol or ins and outs of cruising. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Posts: 8 | From: Waterloo, Ontario | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

topgun3
Just Boarded
Member # 1085

posted 02-09-2000 05:56 PM

We were 0n Bolero in 1998. The arrangement then was that you were provided vouchers to place in the tipping envelopes . these were supplied towards the end of the cruise. According to the on board Regent rep, these were worth the amounts recomended in the tipping schedule. We did not come under any pressure to supplement this.
Have a good trip

Posts: 9 | From: Burlington, Ont, Canada | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 02-09-2000 11:12 PM

From what I've heard and read of Bolero it's your call - if your steward - bedroom, dining room - did something special then something extra could be offerd. Otherwise 'tips included' statement is it.
You can tell, I don't agree with pre-paid tipping!

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

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 02-10-2000 12:03 AM

Remember what "T.I.P." Stands for? To Insure Promptness.

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

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-10-2000 09:55 AM

Tips included means that the Cruise line has already taken some of your hard earned cash for staff tips. No more is required.

On a recent 'Tips Included' cruise, I purchsed a few modest gifts for two members of staff, because they excelled.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

PC
First Class Passenger
Member # 1191

posted 03-26-2000 07:39 AM

The QE 2 World Cruise 2000 is the last cruise with "tips included". On the last day of a 16 day cruise segment, I did tip our cabin stewart and the waiter staff (7 in all) in the Mauretania restaurant, where we ate lunches and dinners. All I think did their best to please, but I can say that the delight and the appreciation on the faces of the waiter staff upon receiving a tip, made for a pleasant memory for me as well. I really don't know if other passengers tipped or not. This was our second cruise on the QE 2, and cruise staff have sharp memories about passengers.

Posts: 102 | From: Hong Kong, SAR | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Willy Paul
First Class Passenger
Member # 473

posted 03-26-2000 10:11 AM

We have sailed on Holland America where tips are " included " in the price. Each time we have tipped for service that we thought deserved an additional amount. You have to use your judgement. Better than expected service gets an additional tip - run of the mill service doesn't - is my rule. Most of us earn what we get and this should be the rule when tipping.

Posts: 151 | From: Auburn, Ma. | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 03-26-2000 01:27 PM

Willy Paul..

Tips are not included on HAL.Their policy is stated thus: "tipping not required" which is a far cry from "tipping included"!!!

Mind you,I always tip because the service I always receive is above and beyond the call of duty...anyway,I love to see their faces light up when I give them my envelopes!

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 03-26-2000 06:14 PM

Use your own judgement. Tip for the service you receive. I made my living from tips for 10 years in places where tipping was not required so I understand how people depend on them. We have always tipped even on HAL where "tipping is not required". We tip our room steward, waiter, busboy and wine steward. (We usually order wine.) We always find a favorite bar, its been the casino bar on HAL, that we tip the bartender and waitress. They took very good care of us and deserved a good tip.
Some lines like NCL automatically adds 15% gratuity every time you purchase a drink. We did not tip bartenders or waitress on NCL.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Winner
First Class Passenger
Member # 1188

posted 03-28-2000 06:52 PM

Where a brochure states "Gratuities included", tipping is not expected. HAL crew does expect tips but the following lines' crews do not: Cunard, Seabourn, Radisson Seven Seas, and Silversea (tips are included in your fare)

Posts: 113 | From: Santa Rosa CA USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Scottylass
First Class Passenger
Member # 420

posted 03-29-2000 01:43 AM

Tips on Cunard for UK passengers are not included in the fare. They add an amount automatically to your fare to cover tips, and that amount per day depends on which kind of cabin your are in, eg: Queens Grill a higher amount is added to your fare. So it looks like if you live in North America you get the best deal if tips are included in the fare.

[This message has been edited by Scottylass (edited 03-29-2000).]

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

stangirl
First Class Passenger
Member # 1171

posted 04-01-2000 07:10 AM

I'm with you, Terri Lee. We always tip our waiter, room steward, and bus boy on HAL. We also usually tip the guy at the dining room entrance because he is always so friendly and outgoing. But I am glad that I don't pay for tips in the price of the trip because we don't drink and it would be silly for some of our tip money to go to the bartenders. I have to say, though, that the crew on Holland America ships are always wonderful. I love those smiles, too.

Posts: 17 | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 04-01-2000 07:38 AM

Stangirl - you say "we usually tip the guy at the dining room entrance". There are usually 3-4 2nd maitre d's or supervisors standing here so which one do you tip, or do you mean the fella dressed like the "Phillip Morris" man who rings the chimes for dinner and hands out the after dinner mints. I never tip a 2nd maitre or a supervisor. They don't really do anything. It is the waiter and the bus boy who do the work. Oh, the supervisor may clear the odd plate, but I wouldn't tip him for that. What do you think, Terri Lee?

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 04-01-2000 09:12 PM

I'm with you all the way,Sympatico.....

I have never tipped any of the Maitre d's or Supervisors,they already earn a decent salary.And,as you say,it's the stewards and busboys who do all the work.
The Supervisors may clear a few dishes when it gets busy and sometimes make a flambe dessert but then,creating an extra dessert is their speciality,n'est-ce pas?

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

stangirl
First Class Passenger
Member # 1171

posted 04-02-2000 08:53 AM

We slipped the guy who rings the chimes a few bucks. He helped to make our cruise enjoyable. On one of our cruises, I had a broken arm and Erwin seemed to always be there to carry my tray or open the door, even in the Lido. I don't know how much they make, I just know that they are an important part of our total cruise experience so we show our appreciation. I don't have a problem with tipping.

Posts: 17 | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 04-02-2000 04:11 PM

I have tipped the guy that rings the chimes and hands out the mints also. Last year on the Ryndam he always had a big smile for me and reached for the mints when he saw me coming. When we left dinner the first night on the Volendam , to my suprise it was the same guy and he remembered us.
We do not tip the maitre'd or supervisor either.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 04-02-2000 04:40 PM

Has anyone met Eddie - he was on the Statendam last year and rings the chimes, gives out the mints and is in charge of the wagon with the hot rolls, croisants, etc. in the dining room at breakfast. He is the most delightful person I have ever met, in fact he is so popular that an article was written about him in Cruise Travel magazine last year. Yes, I would tip these chaps, but not the Supervisors or Maitre d's. These fellas seem to really enjoy their jobs and make it so pleasant for the passengers.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

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