A question from the unsophisticated (that's me)

[Orcrone]

For our cruise we ordered a couple of bottles of wine from ship services, to be delivered at dinner. At home we never dine in a restaurant with a wine steward (happy if the waiter doesn't have a paper hat).:D

I'm sure the wine steward will come over and offer his suggestions and help us. What is the norm for when to tip the steward (at the end of the cruise, each time he helps us, at the end of the first evening that he helps us, etc.) and what is considered a normal tip?

[torpeedo]

In the past we tipped the wine steward at the end of the cruise about 20% of the cost of the wine. With the new tipping policy, there may be a gratuity added when you receive your wine. Likely it would be 15% if added. Others who have cruised since the tipping policy was changed might know better. Just check the bill when you sign for it to see if there was a gratuity added. Then at the end of the cruise you might want to give him more for good service... or not as the case may be.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Marc, we waited till the end of the cruise on the last night to tip our Wine Steward. I think how much you give him depends on how good the service was. Remember they do charge you 15% of what you wine or champagne cost. We really did like out last Wine Steward and we did tip him another 15 to 20 percent. We have really liked the Wine Stewards on HAL so hopefully you will enjoy also. The only time we have wine or champagne out has been on special occasions. But we do it every night on a cruise:p

[Peggy Sue]

Our wine steward on the Zuiderdam May 03 was fantastic. We enjoyed wine every evening with our dinner, and he would cork and bring back any wine we didn't finish the following eveing. He was charming and attentive. This was before the automatic 15% was in place. We tipped him the last evening of the cruise.

With the new automatic 15% at time of purchase, we will like an additional tip at at the end of the cruise if we find the service has been attentive.

Have a great time on your cruise!!

Peggy Sue

[Orcrone]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I can't believe how many questions I have answered on these boards. I feel like a veteran. I can only imagine how I'll feel after I've actually cruised on a HAL ship.:D

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

An early tip slipped to the wine steward and head waiter goes a long way during your cruise. You can balance the rest of your tip at the end of your trip.

[estj]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I can't believe how many questions I have answered on these boards. I feel like a veteran. I can only imagine how I'll feel after I've actually cruised on a HAL ship.:D
noticed that you are leaving today...enjoy!!!

[Orcrone]

noticed that you are leaving today...enjoy!!!Thank you very much. However, I live 20 minutes from the pier, so today is a normal day at work.:(

Ok, I'll be leaving a little early.:D

Just noticed you'll be leaving before I return. You have yourself a great cruise!!!!:)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Thank you very much. However, I live 20 minutes from the pier, so today is a normal day at work.:(

Ok, I'll be leaving a little early.:D

Just noticed you'll be leaving before I return. You have yourself a great cruise!!!!:)
Marc I bet you are close to launching from work and have been looking at your watch way too much. Just Go Home!!!!!!!

[Orcrone]

Marc I bet you are close to launching from work and have been looking at your watch way too much. Just Go Home!!!!!!!I planned on leaving around 1:15 to pick up my mother from the airport, but her plane was delayed. So I actually managed to stay until after 3. However, it was definitely not my most productive day.;)

Just a few last minute things and we're ready to go.

[ualtim]

When you purchase a wine package, a 15% gratuity is added at the time of purchase. As far as tipping goes, we normally tip on the last night and add a little extra if their service has been good. We have been blessed with two very outstanding wine stewards (sommeliers) on our last two cruises and have tipped more than we normally do for good service. Cherito (aboard the Veendam) was very attentive and always had our preferred non-alcoholic beverage waiting for us as we arrived at the table on the nights we were not having any wine. Antonio (aboard the Zuiderdam) was very knowledgable, friendly, and always had our wine selection for the evening ready and waiting for us. We have found that dicussing the next few days menus ahead of time with the sommeliers and scheduling a wine beforehand to be beneficial as the correct wine will be waiting when you show up at the table and you will not have to wait for it to be retreived.

The only time we do not tip on the last night is with the bar staff. We usually bring along some 1$ gold coins with us an tip as we go. This is not as necessary now that HAL adds 15% gratuity to all drink orders, but when we come across someone who is special, we love to reward them.