Gratuity inquiry

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

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

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.

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

Perfect..I was going to ask the same question..exactly the same as Princess

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!

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)?

I think AlohaPride is right.

Maybe they didn't update the site though the increase went into effect months ago.

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. :)

:) Hope I'm not wrong. :o

You have me second guessing myself but I'm really quite sure they raised it a while ago.

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.

:) 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.;)

:) 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?

You are correct I believe. I just checked our final on-board account from March on the Westerdam. $12.00 for Neptune Suite.

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.

: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.

We just paid $11.50 for a regular stateroom in August, and $12.00 for a suite in May.

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

: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