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Author

Topic: tipping

billyboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 958

posted 02-22-2000 11:16 PM

I am starting a new thread concerning tipping. My daughter just returned from a cruise and told me a story that was rather alarming. She said, "the last night of the cruise at dinner her table was MT. Plus a lot of other table had MT seats." People "skipped out" the last night so as they didn't have to tip the waiters. Everyone knows how hard the waiters work and long hours. She said, "the waiters worked hard all week to make people happy." This will only make it bad for everyone. Has anybody else seen this happen?

Posts: 33 | From: moline, illinois USA | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-23-2000 06:58 AM

What does MT mean? I have never seen anyone skip dinner on the last night. I have seen people not hand an envelope to the dining room waiter, but then who knows maybe they gave it to him earlier or plan to give it to him the next morning.

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

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 02-23-2000 08:30 AM

I've seen people at my own table skip out on the last dinner. You know it too. The waiter's expression will tell you the story.
Too bad. I'd say a normal tip should be mandatory and included in the cruise price. The envelopes are for any extra you want to give.

The tip amount will continue to increase because we are tipping for the stiffs as well.

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

JDCasey
First Class Passenger
Member # 1065

posted 02-23-2000 09:49 AM

On my last cruise (Carnival), we were at a booth for six. By mid-week we found out that the waiting staff recieved no salary from the cruise line. Their only company compensation was uniforms, and room and board. Any take away money was tips. One couple noted that they paid well for the cruise and did not have any obligation to tip anyone. The other couple expounded on the unfairness of making the waiting staff work for tips. On the last night at sea my wife and I ate alone. It took quite a lot of persausion to keep my wife from trying to make up the difference. I will tell you that last dinner was served with a great deal of professionalism and grace by a very hard working woman.

[This message has been edited by JDCasey (edited 02-23-2000).]

Posts: 48 | From: New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

moocow
First Class Passenger
Member # 712

posted 02-23-2000 02:26 PM

I think before alot of my fellow cruisers jump to conculsions about people not tipping on the last night you should here my side of the story. My husband and I just returned from a week long cruise and had a wonderful time as well as great service all week. However on the last night of our cruise we ate at Le Bistro which is alternative dining on NCL ships. But earlier in the afternoon we found our waiter, busboy and head waiter to not only tip them but to give more than recommended because of the great service. I realize that some people may skip out on the last night to avoid tipping but not everyone does.

Posts: 13 | From: Conroe, Texas USA | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

CB
First Class Passenger
Member # 58

posted 02-23-2000 10:58 PM

This seems to happen on most lines. Wonder if anyone has seen this happen on Holland America?

Posts: 109 | From: Arlington, TX, USA | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-24-2000 09:49 AM

CB - I have never seen this happen on HAL, at least not at any table I have sat at and we always had a large table. As to the wait staff, not being paid a salary, I don't believe that. Sure, they may get a small salary and room and board, but they are paid something. Have you seen the watches they wear? I couldn't afford one. And the stereo euipment, boom boxes, musical instruments they own, and have you seen them dressed up for a night on the town - wow. We were with a group of them at the Casino in Quebec City and believe me they were not short of money. Certainly they work very, very hard and I am sure the average Canadian/American would not do the work they do, but it is better than what they have back in Indonesia or the Phillipines. Next time I go on the ship, I will ask the fellas I know about this.

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

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 02-24-2000 11:52 AM

I believe HAL is a tipping not required (we still tipped) cruise line. I have also been told by staff on different cruise lines that they do not receive a salary. Tips are their take home money and the ship provides room and board along with uniforms. They work a lot of hours for their money, but I think they can take home a good salary (two sittings maybe 6-8 tables per) and it is cash One thing to consider for the empty tables is people disembarking. I know that most German passengers get off in Cozumel!

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 02-24-2000 01:01 PM

Maybe Barryboat or other people who have worked on cruise ships can confirm what the salary is for wait staff if any. I too have been told by waiters that they do not get a salary, and they also went so far as to tell me how many kids they have back home. I wasn't sure if he was being honest though or trying to illicit a bigger tip.

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

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 02-24-2000 03:47 PM

On our cruise on the Imagination, our waiter and I'm not sure about the busboy but for sure the waiter only had two tables of eight for each sitting. All showed up for the final night at the early sitting anyway. I must admit that most people did not make use of the dinig room facilities for breakfast nor lunch. They were not open seating at that point either. Not bad when you think about it $672 US a week if everybody pays which they should unless tips are included in the cruise price.

It's a shame if anyone dosen't live up to the obligation that is very well pointed out in most brochures.

Haveagreatday

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

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 02-24-2000 04:26 PM

Whether your wait staff is paid a salary in addition to tips varies by cruise line.

Typically the higher-end cruise lines HAL, Cunard, etc. do pay their wait staff a salary in addition to tips. Lines like Carnival however may not pay the wait staff anything and they rely entirely on tips.

In some cases the cruise lines may also hold passports and return air tickets of some crew to ensure that they do not end up losing staff at the first tropical paradise the ship visits.

For most of the staff working aboard a cruise ship a typical day is very long - notice the same staff serving you breakfast in the dining room, drinks on deck, lunch in the dining room, tea in the afternoon and two dinners in the dining room - and not nearly as glamorous as represented on the Love Boat.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 02-25-2000 08:35 AM

Very good point Joe. I forgot to add the point that these folk work Mega hours and deserve all that they get and probably more.
I just can't figure out how a waiter could possibly take care of more than a couple of tables per sitting, at least not without giving you all the attention that we had while dining. On an open sitting at the Midnight Buffet our waiter even looked for us, found us and tended to our needs even though there was another waiter at our table.
Awesome service that I can't see happening elsewhere in the service industry other than cruises. Anybody that stiffs these folk should be keel hauled.

Onlymyopinion.

[This message has been edited by CTrail (edited 02-25-2000).]

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

cncservo
First Class Passenger
Member # 532

posted 02-27-2000 05:06 PM

Carnival recommends tipping at $9.50 per person per day. For a family of 4 that figures $38 per day or $266 dollars for a weeks vacation. For a family of 6 like mine does anyone expect to tip $399 for a weeks vacation. Does anyone tip that well when they vacation at home, where ever home may be. When is the last time you left that poor cleaning lady a $7 tip for the 2 of you for one night. She probable makes 6 bucks and hour and has ten times the expenses of the cruise help. When is the last time anyone left a $22 dollar tip for a family of four when you had dinner or even an $11 tip for the 2 of you. Remember these people that are waiting on you only make about $2 an hour. I don't see why all the hype about the cruise lines recommended tipping . IT IS OUT OF LINE WITH REALITY WHEN COMPARIED WITH DOMESTIC TIPPING. I do not stiff anyone on our cruises, but I will not treat the cruise help any better than the people that are paying taxes and struggling to make a living at home.

Posts: 170 | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

CTrail
First Class Passenger
Member # 64

posted 02-27-2000 10:04 PM

I personally have paid more than $11 for a tip on behalf of my wife and myself on many occassions when we eat out. Remember that the general tip is between 15% and 20% these days. As to your family of four and $22 tip, bear in mind that is for service that would be rendered for all four of you for three meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Because you don't attend these meals is not the fault of the waiter or busboy. $22 divide by 4 is $5.50 each. Divide that by three meals and that is only $1.83 each. Where do you eat at home that you only leave a $1.83 tip.

ToInsureProperService

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

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 03-01-2000 08:23 PM

I have been cruising for many years and I always tip my dining room steward,his assistant,my cabin steward and the wine steward (if I use him,of course). My rule of thumb is $3.00 US each per day for the dining room steward and the cabin steward....$1.50 US per day for the D.R.assistant steward. It all depends on how the wine steward attends me,if I use him,as to how much I tip him.
Even at the rate that I tip,it can mount up,especially if it is a long cruise. I do know that on the World Cruise,the full cruise passengers usually tip the guys every 2 weeks as it makes it much easier,moneywise,instead of leaving it till the end of a 90-day voyage!

As for the staff being paid..I do know that HAL pays the Dining Room staff a weekly salary but it is very minimal and nobody here would work an 18-hour day for their money...I know I wouldn't!! Most of them send as much money as they can to their families back home.Remember,Indonesia is still a developing country in the Third World.

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

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-01-2000 08:34 PM

Terry Lee you will be interested in this story. My husband asked a cabin steward who we knew quite well from our many trips on HAL how much of a tip he received on the World Cruise. Deri told us one man gave him $25.00 for the whole cruise. Now that is cheap, cheap. The amounts you listed as your tip for the various people is the same as we gave and it does add up when you are on for 10-14 days, plus at the end of the cruise my husband always tipped the different bar waiters/waitresses who looked after us so well.

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

lambcom
First Class Passenger
Member # 656

posted 03-02-2000 11:13 AM

My wife and I are frequent HAL cruisers and have rarely seen people stiff the waitstaff (obviously can't address the cabin attendant situation)
In talking with our waiters over the years, I got the impression that:
1) while they got paid a small salary, tips were the major part of their income.
2) while they come from Indonesia, the income they receive for their extremely long hours allow they (and their families) to live at a standard well above that of the average Indonesian.
3) All of the staff expressed pride at being HAL employees.

Posts: 179 | From: Montreal, canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

JoeO
First Class Passenger
Member # 224

posted 03-02-2000 12:11 PM

I have a very hard time understanding the thinking of people who leave meager tips (or heaven forbid--stiff) their dining room staff. These people paid at least $3000 a couple for a 10 day cruise, with touring, shopping, misc., making it from $10.00 to $1000.00 more and they complain about $9.00 to $10.50 a meal for tipping. Shame on them!
Diner in a restaurant serving food of the quality and quantity that they get on the ships would cost $60.00-$70.00 a couple without wine. That's a $9.00-$11.00 tip in my book for only one meal. (Or do they stiff restaurant help too?)
Talking about wine, remember that their is an automatic 15% tip added to bar purchases. This comes to $45-$60 for whomever serves the wine on a 10 day trip for me and my B.W.
I also grease the palm at the beginning of the cruise because I want my pre-dinner sip to be waiting for me when I enter the dinning room.
The help worked darn hard and deserve it AND SO DO I!!!!

Posts: 93 | From: St Aaugustine, Fl., U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 98 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 03-02-2000 08:04 PM

Sympatico....

I heard about that $25 World Cruise tip on one of my recent cruises and I was horrified.
How cheap can you be?

I remember on the Westerdam in '97, a very wealthy couple at my table actually left the table on the last night,whilst the steward was away bringing the dessert! They just said goodbye to the rest of us and walked out of the dining room. Our steward was very upset but mainly because they didn't even say thankyou (that is what he told me). We were all astounded at the sheer ignorance of this couple.Let's face it,these guys work SO hard and always have a smile for you. Personally,I think it is the service crew who make a cruise memorable....

But $25 for a World Cruise of 90-plus days????How crass!!!!

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

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-02-2000 11:21 PM

Terri Lee

We couldn't believe the $25.00 tip, either. Looks like the ones who can really afford it are the ones who walk away from the table on the last night. Personally I have never seen that happen.
You are right it is the service staff who do make the cruise. Whenever we came on board the ship, the ones we knew were always so glad to see us. When my husband died and a few were told by the Hotel Manager, his wife said they were very, very upset that they wouldn't be seeing "Sir Peter", as they called my husband, again. It will be hard when I see some of them in a couple of weeks.
They are always so kind and so glad to see you back again. It was like going home for us. I think it is absolutely incredible that anyone would stiff these hard working folks.

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 03-02-2000).]

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

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 03-03-2000 02:48 PM

Sympatico

You are so right about the staff on HAL.I have had many of them literally throw their arms around me when they see me returning,they are so happy to see me! Yes,it is just like going home,in fact,that is exactly how I feel when I board any of their ships.

I,too,am a widow but I never feel lonely on my cruises mainly due to the genuine friendliness of the crew.
When are you going again,Sympatico? Which ship? I know you told us earlier but I have forgotten where you posted that....

Happy sailing!!!!

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

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-03-2000 02:50 PM

Terri Lee - am leaving on March 18th for Ft. Lauderdale and sailing on the 19th on the Veendam. Too bad you won't be there. Maybe some other time.

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

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 03-03-2000 10:50 PM

Every cruise I have taken.. The tip night is the last formal night. The next night is the casual night because everyone is packing? I have always tipped more than recommended. What I hate, is when you get good service all week and after they get the tip, it's terrible! And the last day the whole staff acts like your an uninvited guest at a party. They can't wait to get you off the ship! It makes for a bad taste in your mouth. Celebrity Cruise Lines is an exception. They were very nice to the bitter end

I always thank the staff at the buffets and the bus boys in the buffet area.

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

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

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 03-04-2000 10:09 PM

Happily we’ve never shared a table with ‘tip stiffers’ and can't say we've ever felt like 'uninvited guests on the last day of any HAL cruise. Considering the work schedule ahead for waiters, busboys, stewards etc. after the last dinner, it always amazes me that on boarding, new passengers are greeted with sincere smiles of welcome and frequently, instant recognition. Those guys and gals have probably worked like dogs all night hauling luggage, taking stock etc. reconfiguring cabins and making sure that everything is spick and span for new passengers - doubt that many of them get more than a couple of hours sleep.
The fact that many of these people will greet you by name on your second day is also amazing. I personally have difficulty remembering and pronouncing their ‘foreign’ names – they make it seem the most natural thing in the world with our ‘foreign’ names.
We too have heard many times how proud they are to have been selected by Holland America Line.
We 'do the rounds' on the second last night to thank and say 'tot ziens' to new found friends. (don't know that I got the spelling right!). :-)
P.S. Nobody answered sypmatico's question - what does MT mean?

[This message has been edited by Green (edited 03-04-2000).]

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

Steve Read (sread)
First Class Passenger
Member # 788

posted 03-04-2000 10:45 PM

Just a guess, but MT sounds like "empty" and fits the sentence. I guess it's one of things like LOL for "laugh out loud".

Posts: 926 | From: Locksbottom, Kent, England | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

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