Butler & concierge tipping

I realize that the room steward receives a portion of the daily service charge and the butler may not

All I am saying is that the butler's tip should reflect the services that he or she provides and, unless those services go well beyond the basics, should be closer to what the room steward receives from us.

Fair enough. I think you have a good framework for thinking about the issue.

I have found this to be a fascinating thread

I'm glad somebody else is enjoying it as well.

Bottom line is we tip everyone an amount that leaves us feeling good about our tips and rewards each one in relative proportion to our enjoyment and amount of their service.

That's a great goal. I try to do the same, taking into account what Fishbait17 calls the "behind the scenes" work done by the butlers and concierges, and the fact that they're not compensated out of the DSC.

So what?

 

Why do you care what other people do with their money? Are you suggesting that people who read about your so-called excessive amounts are naive or incapable of deciding for themselves?

Most people start these threads because they want to be fair and tip the same general amount that everyone else does. Which means their numbers can end up based on the larger amounts if that's what dominates the particular thread. That's not naive and incapable. That's gathering information.

I always love the posts, I didn't use the Butler. If you don't want the services of the Butler, have the consideration to let him/her know that you do not require any of his services (no refreshing the coffee/tea, no snacks, etc.), so that he\she won't waste the time doing those things and can concentrate on those customers who appreciated what he/she does for them. If you do this, he/she won't be expecting a tip from you and will leave you alone during your cruise.

I never understood why people want to have their dinner or throw a party with their "friends" in a tiny little room when there are a multitude of bars and restaurants just down the hall. I could see breakfast in the morning because you may not be ready for the day yet but dinner, really?

Because you could fit 10-15 people comfortably on my huge Sun aft balcony and enjoy good conversation ans great drinks from my blender and bar set up. I can provide snacks for said friends.

Dinner? No. But a party. Of course.

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Most people start these threads because they want to be fair and tip the same general amount that everyone else does.

Or at least to know when they are high or low. What's the right amount may not be the same for all passengers or situations, but let's not pretend that there isn't an average. Mathematically, there is both a mean and a median tip for any given level of usage. I believe there is a good reason to try to discover these averages: the butlers and concierges likely have very good ideas what they are, and react accordingly. If someone feels they have received exceptional service and want to reward commensurately, they're less likely to accomplish their goal if they tip well below the median for their level of usage. Similarly for the reverse situation.

Or at least to know when they are high or low. What's the right amount may not be the same for all passengers or situations, but let's not pretend that there isn't an average. Mathematically, there is both a mean and a median tip for any given level of usage. I believe there is a good reason to try to discover these averages: the butlers and concierges likely have very good ideas what they are, and react accordingly. If someone feels they have received exceptional service and want to reward commensurately, they're less likely to accomplish their goal if they tip well below the median for their level of usage. Similarly for the reverse situation.

About a month ago I got a call from an NCL exec. The topic of tipping came up about butlers and concierges. I stated that it was very confusing on what to tip them without feeling like you stiffed them.

He said next year they're trying out a program on a ship or two where their tips are included in cruise fare or part of an all inclusive haven package or something-- just to test it out.

I told him that I read on here about people who don't use the concierge but to be escorted on and off the ship and they tip them $100. This guy was floored. He laughed and said that was ridiculous. He even stated stuff like escorting on and off the ship comes with the higher price of booking a haven suite.

At the end of the conversation he recommended tipping on services rendered, not on a $10 pppd model or whatever everyone's number is because you may not use them that much.

I think people forget that the amenities you get when booking a haven suite you've paid for with the much higher cruise fare.

This isn't to say to not tip butlers or concierges for their services. But keep what they do for you in perspective.

Being escorted on and off the ship I'm sure is worth different its weight in gold to some, but not to others.

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Most people start these threads because they want to be fair and tip the same general amount that everyone else does. Which means their numbers can end up based on the larger amounts if that's what dominates the particular thread. That's not naive and incapable. That's gathering information.

So let me see if I got this right... A majority of responses indicate a number which you feel is excessive and you believe that's not representative of what's fair and average..?

So if they do nothing for me what is fair and average? That would be my minimum and I can go from there. Or do I start at zero each day and add an amount for each service?The other question is what services does the butler perform that I paid for when I paid for a suite? There should be an easy answer,. While all of us want to be fair, we are struggling with this. Is $10 pp per day out of line for the butler. My money doesn't grow on trees, so I need to spend wisely. I'm going with my gut feeling at the moment. What ever that is.

I never understood why people want to have their dinner or throw a party with their "friends" in a tiny little room when there are a multitude of bars and restaurants just down the hall. I could see breakfast in the morning because you may not be ready for the day yet but dinner, really?

On almost every cruise I host parties with people that I have met through CC on the ship. The reason they are held in my suite is to keep it private. Usually I host a sail-away party from the last port of call, and public venues tend to be crowded.

The tips for the Butlers and bartenders for a party are completely separate from the final tip and given just after the event.

So if they do nothing for me what is fair and average? That would be my minimum and I can go from there. Or do I start at zero each day and add an amount for each service?The other question is what services does the butler perform that I paid for when I paid for a suite? There should be an easy answer,. While all of us want to be fair, we are struggling with this. Is $10 pp per day out of line for the butler. My money doesn't grow on trees, so I need to spend wisely. I'm going with my gut feeling at the moment. What ever that is.

The problem is basically this: There is really no way a butler or concierge can "do nothing" for you unless you clearly state to them that they are to "do nothing". The concierge and butler do many things behind the scenes, and these things are simply inherent to having a suite without necessarily being asked - hosting cocktail parties and getting you invites, rushing your laundry, sometimes arranging a bridge tour for all suite guests, making dinner or spa reservations, servicing your coffee and maker, embarkation and debarkation escorts, holding reserved seats in the theater, bringing snacks, making sure you have ample clean glassware, tableware, etc, etc etc. Most of these included in the cruise fare, but the way I see it, tipping them on that service is not included. For example, getting escorted on and off the ship is definitely included, but tipping for such is not. And so, we must put a value on the service in order to calculate a tip. Let's say you utilize escorted disembarkation and think it's a great service - what price do you put on this service? $10?$50? It depends on how important it is to you. Let's say you settle on the priority disembarkation being worth $10 pp (hey, it saved you more than 1/2 hour waiting in line!) and you have four people, that's $40. Now a normal tip of 20% would make that an $8 tip for that service alone. Maybe you didn't make use of the disembarkation, so no tip is necessary. But you did likely use priority embarkation, if you went thru the suites line. The only way to avoid this would be to request regular check-in in a regular line - no tip required on the service because you did not use the service, but you also missed out on one of your included suite benefits. Let's say you value priority embarkation at the same rate - $40 total. So when you skip it, you have lost out on a $40 service to save $8 in tip. Hope that makes sense... Making a reservation for dinner might be worthy of a $5 tip, but getting you a table in a restaurant showing as full might be worth $20. Waking up every day and finding you have plenty of coffee pods for four people/two cups each is great and worth a tip, but waking up and finding your coffee drawer nearly empty is not. To some people, being able to show up last minute for a show and having reserved seats is worth $20 service/$4 tip (no wasting time arriving early), others may not ever go to a show at all. So, it's definitely extremely fluid in worth, but you likely have utilized at least a few of their services even if you requested nothing special.

For me, keeping track of each and every service, requested or not, would be a huge hassle. I just look at how much each enhanced my vacation and what I feel it's worth. Going with your gut is the best way! $150 for a butler who makes my whole week vacation much less stressful, more enjoyable, and easy peasy is a no-brainier. It's about what a decent dinner for two costs around here.

Robin

I usually never get a suite simply because most times the beds do not separate and as much as I love my SIL who I usually travel with I don't wish to sleep with her. However, I am platinum and am VIP with CAS. Therefore, I get consignor service but no butler. All my daily afternoon goodies are delivered through room service and when I'm there when delivered I tip them each time.

We don't really use the consignor as I either make my own restaurant reservations or the Casino makes them for me and we make our own excursion reservations when going through NCL. I don't like where they have 'reserved seating' so we sit where we want in the theater. Laundry we just leave in the room and the room steward takes care of it. I do use the consignor when we embark onto the ship as we wait in the Suite area. When in port if we have an excursion we meet where it says to meet at the time it says to meet and don't use the consignor and if we don't have an excursion we just wait until after breakfast and most people have already disembarked to that port. We have used the consignor for disembarking the last day of our cruise as this does speed it alone quite a bit. However, on my last cruise on the Star in October we meet with him and he simply walked us over to the elevator. That was really nothing! LOL For the few services I use them for as mentioned above I usually write them a thank you note and slip $25.00 in for the two of us as well as either a bottle of wine or champagne which I usually have left over in the room. I feel that's enough for what we use them for. I also leave our room Steward anywhere from $25 - $50.00 depending on service as we always ask him to empty our fridge and to keep our ice bucket full and to leave extra towels. We also give him lots of our daily treats that is delivered as sometimes we get 2 to 3 deliveries in a day and it's just way to much.

Am I cheap? I'm comfortable with what I leave for the services I use/ask for.

Harriet

I usually write them a thank you note and slip $25.00 in for the two of us as well as either a bottle of wine or champagne which I usually have left over in the room.

The note and wine are very nice thoughts, but I was once informed by a former NCL kids club counsellor that the crew can buy their alcohol on the ship at a small markup to what the cruise line pays for it, i.e., wholesale and duty free, so alcohol may not be a very efficient gift for cruise ship employees.

On the other hand, this same person told me her favorite gift during her assignment was a box of Tim Horton's donuts (she was Canadian, it was a Fall Foliage cruise but she was on duty for the Canadian port days):).

The note and wine are very nice thoughts, but I was once informed by a former NCL kids club counsellor that the crew can buy their alcohol on the ship at a small markup to what the cruise line pays for it, i.e., wholesale and duty free, so alcohol may not be a very efficient gift for cruise ship employees.

 

On the other hand, this same person told me her favorite gift during her assignment was a box of Tim Horton's donuts (she was Canadian, it was a Fall Foliage cruise but she was on duty for the Canadian port days):).

Just had my first NCL suite recently. Didn't use the butler or concierge. Didn't leave anything extra.

So what?

 

Why do you care what other people do with their money? Are you suggesting that people who read about your so-called excessive amounts are naive or incapable of deciding for themselves?

Why are you so interested in my reasons for my posts? What is it to you? Will you lie awake nights wondering why? If so, perhaps you need to focus on more important things than my posts.

Why are you so interested in my reasons for my posts? What is it to you? Will you lie awake nights wondering why? If so, perhaps you need to focus on more important things than my posts.

You're right. Your posts in this thread have been pointless.

I realize that the room steward receives a portion of the daily service charge and the butler may not, however, the amounts that some are recommending for the butler's gratuity, greatly exceed the amount of the DSC that the steward receives and unless the services provided go beyond the very basics, don't seem reasonable. Using your figures the steward would receive (before any additional tip is rendered) an amount totalling about $56 for two people on a 7 night cruise, which is hardly a munificent sum and which is why we regularly supplement that with an additional cash gratuity. Still it would take an unreasonably large supplement to match the hundred and fifty or more dollars that some suggest giving the butler. All I am saying is that the butler's tip should reflect the services that he or she provides and, unless those services go well beyond the basics, should be closer to what the room steward receives from us.

I question whether the stewards get anywhere near 4-5.00 of the DSC. With 15 cabins of two passengers each on a week long cruise, even at 4.00, that would be more than 800.00 a week...and some cabins have 4 passengers!! I doubt they make anywhere near that much.

I understand that can leave a bad taste, but your response seems a little harsh, at least to me. Not all suite passengers understand either a) butlers & concierges aren't included in the DSC or b) what that implies about their compensation structure. I'm sure at least some of the passengers who leave $0 for the basic/minimal services didn't intend either to "stiff" the staff or to express dissatisfaction with the services; they just weren't aware of how these particular staff are compensated.

Perhaps that did sound harsh--and did not reflect what I really think. I believe butlers and concierge should be tipped if they are alive and breathing--as they are available for anything one wants--and will turn themselves inside out to accommodate you !! It is beyond their control if you choose not to use their services--the key is that they are AVAILABLE. In the case of the butler mentioning the DSC, I would still have given him/her 10 per person per day--which, to me, is the minimum regardless of services rendered. (Not to mention that I feel ill when I read someone has removed the DSC). I just would not have given the extra beyond the 10.00 pp per day. These people COUNT on tips--it is a big part of their very small salary. It hurts me when I read passengers left nothing because they did not "use" the butler or the concierge. They ARE doing many things for everyone, whether you ask or not. BUT, I would not tip extra if they "asked" for a tip. I am still shocked by that !! I am well aware this "breathing" philosophy will not be well received on these boards, so fire away if you must.

I also find these threads very interesting. We just got off the Jewel this morning and these were the amounts we left and why.

Butler (what we considered above and beyond)-delivered breakfast each morning, snacks we preferred each day, and two glasses of juice in fridge 3 out of 7 evenings-tipped $80 for wk. We consider keeping supplies stocked in the suite part of the job.

Concierge (above and beyond)-addressed a matter with the food and beverage dept head (we were walked in on in our cabin, without them first knocking or ringing the doorbell, at a very inopportune time w/ a do not disturb posted. Lesson learned? Use the deadbolt!!), we received an invite to tour the bridge (which we made use of) and he helped with priority tendering x 1-tipped $60. We made all of our dinner reservations before boarding and did not take any excursions nor did we go to the shows so we did not make use of the reserved seating.

Room steward-he was just one of the most pleasant we have ever had. Always had a kind word, very humble, very appreciative. Did he really do anything over and above? No. But he made an effort to get to know us personally and we talked family (both his and ours) several times-tipped an extra $20.

We also always tip 20% of each 'cover charge' for the specialty restaurants and an additional small tip for the Teppanyaki chef if dining there.

While the butler handles most room service requests, after hours (usually 10p-ish to early morning) there is a night butler on duty and we tip them individually, $3-4, if used.

These amounts can and do change depending on usage. We don't eat dinner in the suite, but, if we did, we would certainly consider that above and beyond. We also haven't hosted a get together but the same would apply. Next cruise the adult kids will be joining us (although staying in a non-suite but adjoining cabin) and we will certainly take that into consideration. I am sure there will be some additional use of services as they will spend some time in our suite and make use of the aft balcony. They will not be making any direct requests of our butler as we don't see that as being appropriate, however, knowing the NCL butlers, I am sure he/she will take them into consideration a time or two and we will increase the tip accordingly.

There is no 'one size fits all' for this subject. Each should do what they feel is appropriate and be confident in their decision. I feel in some ways the tipping situation in the US has gotten to the point of ridiculousness. I can't keep up with who all I'm supposed to tip on a daily basis (and don't get me started on the end of the year chapter books of people I'm supposed to be rewarding). Crazy I tell ya.

I realize this has been discussed dozens of times over past few years, and I've read many of the threads. However, I still have a question for people who have stayed in suites:

 

Two very commonly mentioned rules of thumb are $10ppd, or $100/couple for a 1 week cruise which is the equivalent to $7ppd. The most common rule of thumb for the concierge seems to be half the butler tip. Many of the responders have added the qualification that this is for average usage and adjust up or down for usage and satisfaction. Unfortunately, very few have specified what they consider average usage.

 

When you think of an average rate, what do you consider average usage? Breakfast in the room every day? A couple of dinners in the room a week? Special requests for afternoon nibbles other than what they would have brought unsolicited?

 

I usually give the cabin butler $50pp for a 1 week cruise, so $7ppd. However, I consider myself a light user as I don't take breakfast or dinner in the room, and have only very rarely made any special requests. On the other hand I quite enjoyed having Cagneys breakfast brought up to the courtyard, and so have tipped the courtyard butler $150 for a week of that (party of 5).

 

Anyway, just hoping to get a clearer idea of the cruisecritic norms, but this time with more details about "average usage".

Last cruise was a couple of weeks ago, just my husband and I in Two bedroom Haven Family Suite. This trip we felt the butler was good but not outstanding. We had NO meals in the room and it took him 3 days of being reminded that we did not like "sweet" treats and preferred savory...I.e sandwiches, etc. most of our afternoon snacks were gifts from CAS and they had given us a questionnaire to fill out in order list our preferences.....so again, not a lot for the butler to do.

We tipped $200 total for the butler, $200 extra for the cabin steward and $500 for Concierge. We value greatly the priority boarding, tendoring, etc and also relied on our Concierge for any and everything.....as we just have grown to know him and know that there is really nothing that he cannot handle or fix!

May be excessive to some....but I think that you are just trying to get facts so that you can figure out your own solution. I know that the first time that we booked GV's I was PETRIFIED that we would not tip appropriately!

Also we have come to forge relationships with some of these people that go out of eir way to make our vacations effortless......so we tend to tip them a bit more.

I was appalled when sitting in the casino as there was a man behind me that went to great lengths to tell everyone that he happened to strike up a conversation with, to make sure to have the DSC's REMOVED! And most people were thanking him.....as they kept saying that they were not aware that they could do that! And here this guy was also a CAS guest.....so was not even paying full fare on his cabin.....was playing LOW level penny slots.......honestly !

And yes.,,,,I did tell him that I felt his advise was very short sided and I totally disagreed......I also was at the Guest Services desk near the end of the cruise having our extra gratuities added to our onboard account when a man next to me was asking them to remove HIS gratuities as well! Was telling the agent that he and his wifehadbeen "ill" corq a couple of days and therefore did not USE the services of the crew all that much...just gave him a dirty look....

I am now beginning to wonder how many people actually have their DSC's removed? As this was the first trip that I have heard so many people talking about it....or how many people just give butler and concierge something like $25 or $50?

.or how many people just give butler and concierge something like $25 or $50?

Well, I guess that would include us as stated above in my post.

But, I am slack-jawed at the amounts you just listed. $900 in tips? For two people? $200 for a butler you found "not outstanding"? Wow. Generous doesn't even begin to cover that kind of money. That's like an entire cruise fare. Way out of my league.

....was playing LOW level penny slots.......honestly !

Maybe they should make him walk the plank for such appalling behaviour.

Last cruise was a couple of weeks ago, just my husband and I in Two bedroom Haven Family Suite. This trip we felt the butler was good but not outstanding. We had NO meals in the room and it took him 3 days of being reminded that we did not like "sweet" treats and preferred savory...I.e sandwiches, etc. most of our afternoon snacks were gifts from CAS and they had given us a questionnaire to fill out in order list our preferences.....so again, not a lot for the butler to do.

 

We tipped $200 total for the butler, $200 extra for the cabin steward and $500 for Concierge. We value greatly the priority boarding, tendoring, etc and also relied on our Concierge for any and everything.....as we just have grown to know him and know that there is really nothing that he cannot handle or fix!

 

May be excessive to some....but I think that you are just trying to get facts so that you can figure out your own solution. I know that the first time that we booked GV's I was PETRIFIED that we would not tip appropriately!

 

Also we have come to forge relationships with some of these people that go out of eir way to make our vacations effortless......so we tend to tip them a bit more.

 

I was appalled when sitting in the casino as there was a man behind me that went to great lengths to tell everyone that he happened to strike up a conversation with, to make sure to have the DSC's REMOVED! And most people were thanking him.....as they kept saying that they were not aware that they could do that! And here this guy was also a CAS guest.....so was not even paying full fare on his cabin.....was playing LOW level penny slots.......honestly !

 

And yes.,,,,I did tell him that I felt his advise was very short sided and I totally disagreed......I also was at the Guest Services desk near the end of the cruise having our extra gratuities added to our onboard account when a man next to me was asking them to remove HIS gratuities as well! Was telling the agent that he and his wifehadbeen "ill" corq a couple of days and therefore did not USE the services of the crew all that much...just gave him a dirty look....

 

I am now beginning to wonder how many people actually have their DSC's removed? As this was the first trip that I have heard so many people talking about it....or how many people just give butler and concierge something like $25 or $50?

Okay, wait a minute....are you yanking our chain or something? You don't really mean you were offended because he was playing penny slots, right? It's late so maybe I was slow on the humor if that was intended. I'm not too sure though.