Room Service Tipping: Training Teens Staying Alone

[sherryf]

When we took my teens a couple of years ago, they never ordered room service. I didn't let them invite their friends into the room, nor were they allowed to go into anyone else's rooms. I found them often with a group of other teens in the buffet, at all hours. That was back when the buffet was open all night. Now I suspect I'd find them at 2 AM in the piazza eating sandwiches and desserts from the International Cafe.

Now that I think of it, I've never ordered room service either! My last couple of cruises have been in inside cabins on the Plaza deck, so I just walk out to the IC. Much faster!

[madjohn]

Originally Posted by mnh

I usually tip in in the $2-$5 range....my last cruise was the first cruise with the teens in a seperate room and I gave them some $1's to use for tips.

Because I know how messy their rooms at home can get, as soon as we got on the ship and meet the room attendent, I immediatly gave him an extra $20 up front....kind of "I am sorry"!

I get that, I laughed.

[Legalwife]

Originally Posted by FoghornLeghorn

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for teaching your kids generousity and manners.

That is the truth!! We have always told our sons manners will take you far and they have.

Definite thank you and to all the parents that feel this way in today's way of life.

[cormike1]

It was nice to hear you ask about tipping and why. So many children are not taught manners anymore....so many don't even eat at a regular table for meals. Have you watched how they use their utensils....it is sad proper table etiquette is disappearing. Our kids were taught how to use their utensils and act at the table for meals but sadly even they are losing that knowledge as their lives are a series of "revolving doors" between multiple jobs and odd working hours, they rarely sit down to a normal meal anymore. It is nice to hear there are people who still believe in teaching manners to their children. Thank you!

[Rinderoo]

I travel with teens on cruises, and they are permitted to order from room service. We always leave them with 1's and 5's for tipping. For full meals and more than one tray, we tell them to give the room service steward $5. Usually for one tray, or breakfast, at least $3 is provided.

Their cabin will not be messy because their rooms are home are not permitted to be messy. Before they leave their room for the day they need to have their clothes picked up and put away, and dirty towels in the shower.

Yes, we are horrible parents... taking kids on cruises and making them pick up after themselves. lol

[teach967]

Originally Posted by mnh

I usually tip in in the $2-$5 range....my last cruise was the first cruise with the teens in a seperate room and I gave them some $1's to use for tips.

Because I know how messy their rooms at home can get, as soon as we got on the ship and meet the room attendent, I immediatly gave him an extra $20 up front....kind of "I am sorry"!

Great idea! I think I will borrow that idea!

[Waterloomarc]

I tip $2 for our usual breakfast of a pot of coffee, a fruit plate, muffin and yogurt. (This sounds silly but I'm being serious) Beyond that I tip an extra dollar per item - I figure from there the skill required to get that tray through that narrow door warrants the extra money.

Don't often do much other than breakfast but stick with $2 then also since its generally a small amount of food.


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[dizzy1948]

What a wonderful idea - we are taking our teen grandchildren with us - so I will introduce them to this. As an aside - for those people who have travelled with kids in another room - did you get extra access cards for that room? We are thinking about getting access cards for their room - and access cards for the boys to our room? Can this be done - does anyone know? (Sorry - not trying to steal your wonderful thread)

[caribill]

Originally Posted by dizzy1948

We are thinking about getting access cards for their room - and access cards for the boys to our room? Can this be done - does anyone know? (Sorry - not trying to steal your wonderful thread)

Yes, just go to the Purser's desk and ask for them.

[sherryf]

Originally Posted by dizzy1948

What a wonderful idea - we are taking our teen grandchildren with us - so I will introduce them to this. As an aside - for those people who have travelled with kids in another room - did you get extra access cards for that room? We are thinking about getting access cards for their room - and access cards for the boys to our room? Can this be done - does anyone know? (Sorry - not trying to steal your wonderful thread)

I got a key to their room, but I didn't give them a key to mine. I wouldn't want them just walking in unannounced!

[scrapncruz]

I agree heartily! Thank you for teaching your children the basics of "service" rewards. My children worked in restaurants during high school and college and I was appalled at how they were treated. I commend you for your parenting skills.

[caribill]

Originally Posted by sherryf

I got a key to their room, but I didn't give them a key to mine. I wouldn't want them just walking in unannounced!

If you lock the door, they cannot come in.

[wests5]

When we went on our last cruise on the Ruby with the kids...... they had the room next door. And they tipped $20 when they met our steward.... she did an awesome job.... but the kids were great too... never left a mess... an occ. shirt or something on the floor esp. before dinner would always be folded neatly over the chair when she turned down beds for the night. They had $1's if they put out there morning breakfast card. But since we were on 4... they headed to the International cafe a lot for breakfast, snacks, to meet friends etc. A lot of us parents sat around for a late night snack with the kids chatting some nights.

[dizzy1948]

Thanks guys for your info

[ChiefSealthCruz]

Thanks for the info. We are going to Hawaii for Christmas 2014, with our 15 year old daughter and 17 year old niece and our younger daughters 7 and 8 years old sharing a cabin. I'm going to put a stack of $1s in their safe with the $2 - $5 directive. They will do this, no problem. They already know to be respectful to people taking care of us when we are out. When they tell the waitress what they want to eat when we go out for dinner, it is always "I would like (menu item) please" while smiling and maintaining eye contact, never "Gimme (menu item)" while staring at the menu or their hands. When food is delivered or drinks are refilled, they always make eye contact, smile, and say "Thank-you".

My wife and I didn't really have a hard time teaching them to do this, we always treat our waiters with respect and for them it is just how things are done.