Can someone please explain tipping?

[Emmie]

I know that there is a gratuity added to the bill at the end of the cruise, but I notice folks posting about the tips to their waiters, wine steward, etc. Can someone please let me know what is standard? How much, when, to whom? And do the staff care if it is Euros or American dollars? I'd like to make sure we have enough cash availible with us.

Thanks,
Emmie

[CaptData]

Very simple $10 per day per person takes care of your Room Steward, your waiter, Asst waiter and Maite'd. It goes on your room card each day and shows up at the end of your trip, for seven days it is $70.00/person ($140 for couple). When you purchase drinks ie beer, wine, pop/soda, special coffees a 15% tip is automatically add to the tab. Tipping is taken care of for the most part. If you wish to tip more for excellent service you can. If you need envelopes just ask at the front desk. For those in Suites it will be a little more for your Butler.

You will need US dollars for tipping the person who delivers you Room Service things. Also the porters at airports and taxi drivers, tour operators etc for good service.

[Charliesmom]

Usually the standard on cruises from the US is dollars.

If you want the tips for ship personnel to go on your credit card, you can increase the amount that is charged to your shipboard account, which can then be charged to your credit card.

Ship personnel who work for tips usually do not get any or much other compensation, so your tip is their livelihood.

Roberta

[doone]

Suites have butlers???????? I have a suite for the first time and I wasn't aware HAL had butlers.

[sea-n-me]

No butlers....just the concierge.

[doone]

Thank you, I thought I was missing something.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We don't go to the disembarkation talks but we do turn them on once in a while in the cabin.

This was the first time that we heard this statement: "The cabin steward gets $3, the waiter gets $3, and the other $4 goes into a pool for the rest of the crew." Before when we listened to these talks, they made it sound like the cabin steward ges $3, the waiter and his assistant split the $3, and the remaining $4 went into the pool. The cruise director made it sound like on the Westerdam that the assistant waiter was part of the pool.

For once we are now confused as to how much and from where the assistant waiter gets.

We did tip both our concierge and his assistant in the Neptune Lounge.

[Emmie]

So far, this is very helpful! If you do wish to tip the maitre d', the wine steward, or other dining room folks, how much would you say is appropriate? We are going on a 10 day cruise, I am thinking an extra $20 would be standard, perhaps more if they really take care of us and go out of their way.

Emmie

[doone]

Depending upon how much you use them, I think what you plan on tipping over and above the auto tips, is perfect.

[kryos]

Very simple $10 per day per person takes care of your Room Steward, your waiter, Asst waiter and Maite'd.
That's the nice thing, in my opinion, about the auto tip. Takes all the guesswork out of it. If you request a lot of "special services," of your wait staff, or of your cabin steward ... or if you are in a suite and you entertain a lot, thus requiring your steward to coordinate food, bar, etc. ... then of course, you tip extra.

But if you're like me ... inside cabin, nothing special requested ... just a clean room, clean towels ... the auto tip is fine and is designed to compensate those folks for their efforts. Then, if someone went above and beyond in any respect, you can give them extra at your discretion.

Blue skies ...

--rita