CrznonRmynd Posted September 14, 2013 #1 Share Posted September 14, 2013 We cruised HAL about 4 years ago, and I don't recall HAL's gratuity method. :confused: Do we have to bring $$ along to place in the various envelopes, or is there some other method? On RCL we prepaid our gratuity, and towards the end of the cruise we received envelopes with vouchers for the standard gratuity. We usually added cash for our cabin stewards and MDR waiters. Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted September 14, 2013 #2 Share Posted September 14, 2013 We cruised HAL about 4 years ago, and I don'trecall HAL's gratuity method. :confused: Do we have to bring $$ along to place in the various envelopes, or is there some other method? On RCL we prepaid our gratuity, and towards the end of the cruise we received envelopes with vouchers for the standard gratuity. We usually added cash for our cabin stewards and MDR waiters. Donna On HAL, there is a Hotel Service charge applied to your onboard account. This covers all the gratuities/tipping suggested for onboard. It's a pool that covers your dining room server, asst server, head server, and room host, as well as other "backstage" personnel you may never see. You can, however, tip additionally to this, if you wish. You won't receive envelopes or anything. You can just hand them cash. The daily Hotel Service Charge for suites is US$12.00 per guest per day, and US$11.50 per guest per day for other staterooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted September 14, 2013 #3 Share Posted September 14, 2013 On HAL, there is a Hotel Service charge applied to your onboard account. This covers all the gratuities/tipping suggested for onboard. It's a pool that covers your dining room server, asst server, head server, and room host, as well as other "backstage" personnel you may never see. You can, however, tip additionally to this, if you wish. You won't receive envelopes or anything. You can just hand them cash. front desk is happy to give envelopes for your tips - no problems at all:D I prefer to use the envelope to either put a note on or in it depending upon whom I am giving it to:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunsetbeachgal Posted September 14, 2013 #4 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Perfect..I was going to ask the same question..exactly the same as Princess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlohaPride Posted September 14, 2013 #5 Share Posted September 14, 2013 The daily Hotel Service Charge for suites is US$12.00 per guest per day, and US$11.50 per guest per day for other staterooms. Oh! I thought it was $12 and $12.50. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted September 14, 2013 #6 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Oh! I thought it was $12 and $12.50. Thanks! I got that from the HAL site: http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard+Life&contentMenu=Money+Matters&contentSubMenu=Is+There+A+Hotel+Service+Charge+(Gratuity/Tip)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted September 14, 2013 #7 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I think AlohaPride is right. Maybe they didn't update the site though the increase went into effect months ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted September 14, 2013 #8 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I think AlohaPride is right.Maybe they didn't update the site though the increase went into effect months ago. I yield to your expertise. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted September 14, 2013 #9 Share Posted September 14, 2013 :) Hope I'm not wrong. :o You have me second guessing myself but I'm really quite sure they raised it a while ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted September 14, 2013 #10 Share Posted September 14, 2013 We leave the Hotel Service Charge in place. That way any extra cash tips we give at the end of the cruise to certain crew members --they can keep and they do not have to turn it in to be pooled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted September 14, 2013 #11 Share Posted September 14, 2013 :) Hope I'm not wrong. :o You have me second guessing myself but I'm really quite sure they raised it a while ago. Well, I believe you. I'll find out next month for sure.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted September 14, 2013 #12 Share Posted September 14, 2013 :) Hope I'm not wrong. :o You have me second guessing myself but I'm really quite sure they raised it a while ago. :confused: The HAL page linked to says 11.50 and 12.00, and I haven't heard anybody report any increase beyond that. What did you just pay on the Veendam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda&Vern Posted September 14, 2013 #13 Share Posted September 14, 2013 :confused: The HAL page linked to says 11.50 and 12.00, and I haven't heard anybody report any increase beyond that. What did you just pay on the Veendam? You are correct I believe. I just checked our final on-board account from March on the Westerdam. $12.00 for Neptune Suite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlohaPride Posted September 15, 2013 #14 Share Posted September 15, 2013 You are correct I believe. I just checked our final on-board account from March on the Westerdam. $12.00 for Neptune Suite. Niiiiiice! That's a savings of $2.50 per day for our family ;) ROFL Not like we won't be paying that elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted September 15, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 15, 2013 :confused: The HAL page linked to says 11.50 and 12.00, and I haven't heard anybody report any increase beyond that. What did you just pay on the Veendam? I never looked at our bill. DH checked it. I'll have to pull it out and have a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare sunviking90 Posted September 15, 2013 #16 Share Posted September 15, 2013 We just paid $11.50 for a regular stateroom in August, and $12.00 for a suite in May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrznonRmynd Posted September 15, 2013 Author #17 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Thank you Shmoo here , Kazu, and Krazy Kruizers for your quick replies. I am in my final week of preparing for our cruise. I was aware of the daily gratuity rates; but wasn't sure what HAL's policy was. We also like to leave additional cash tips for various staff. Just wanted to make sure we had that covered. :) Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBC Posted September 15, 2013 #18 Share Posted September 15, 2013 :confused: The HAL page linked to says 11.50 and 12.00, and I haven't heard anybody report any increase beyond that. What did you just pay on the Veendam? jtl513 - you are correct... we paid $12 on the Rotterdam 2 weeks ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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