How is additional tipping handled?

Was wondering if anyone knows how tipping is handled onboard.

YES...I do know that tips are included, however we always like to recognize extra special service.

On our last cruise, in talking with the bartenders they said if we tipped them personally it would still have to be pooled and they wouldn't get the money, so we gave them personal gifts.

The room stewards, however, WERE able to keep the money we gave them...

Just wondering as we always like to give a little extra to those who go the extra mile....;)

We always give extra to the crew that provide exceptional service, and on most cruise it is everyone. We give extra to the waiters, asst waiters, room stewards, butlers. They each confirmed that they get to keep whatever they get. We also mention them, by name, on the survey. That is very important to them

On recent Azamara trips we have found it really hard to determine who to give extra to - where do you draw the line?

Our solution was that one or two very special people were given extra personally and through Gyest Relations we made a donation to the crew welfare fund. That is the fund that pays for below deck parties, DVDs outings etc.

We got a lovely written acknowledgement via the hotel director and were told they tell the crew of donations via the crew newsletter and we could give her a message for all of the crew.

So something to think of doing if you cannot work out "where to draw the line"