Pinboy

LOL-- On a cruise ship you, oops, I tip as soon as the order is delivered, and I don't " examine " the order prior to handing over $3-5 , rather than 20 % of the bill in a restaurant on land.

What " confusion " ??? There is None !!! So , What if Celebrity says that room service is included in AI ?? For " S---" sake you are spending $$$$$ on the cruise-- These people work so hard for our enjoyment --Just hand him/her a few $$ . It's the right thing to do.

" technically correct " ? IMO ( for the xxx time )--- They are just looking , oops, found an excuse to "stiff " the person. Who the hell do you think is in the GR line on the last day of the cruise ??? " Just a pile of trays " Perhaps, there was not enough table space to set it up --- Either way, a tip is always expected and appreciated.

Agree--- But, If you read the many posts, the thread took a " Left " turn ( as in " I Left no tip 'cause I found an excuse to save $3" ). LOL--- And, I'm a " good sport "--- When our Server forgot to bring my 3 shrimp cocktails at the same ( in 2013 ) I didn't go to GR to remove the gratuities !!!

Bang On !!! If I posted what I " really " think , the Moderator would remove it immediately. In polite terms --- Let's say Pinboy ( If I refer to someone specific I could be sent to the CC woodshed for 6yrs ) orders a tray full of " whatever " and it's delivered promptly ( or even a little late ) ---then, set up for our enjoyment , etc, etc----- How the XXXX can I just say " Thanks " and not hand him/her a few $$. Never mind this AI bs--- It's just an " excuse " to stiff the person --- Good Luck to those who have no conscience and saved a few $$ !! Yea, You won !!! End of story.

Any tips that I referred to are usually given after a Staff member does something " extra " to help you-- ( get a reservation in a Specialty restaurant, a Spa treatment, a ticket for a tour , etc ). However, it doesn't hurt to imply --- " You take care of me , I'll take care of you ".

" to stop people from certain cultures from removing tips " From what I understand you can remove the gratuities from AI-- just make up some bs and it's done. With AI -- you have paid for " basic " service--- anything extra ( as mentioned in previous posts ) is " extra " and over and above what you paid for and should be recognized with a " Thank You -$$ ". It is not a bribe-- period. While it's been quoted as being a US " thing ", as a proud Canadian, I'm happy to inform you--- We do it here too-- in our " culture ". It's just the right thing to do . Merci--- ( Thank You ).

The Dealer will inform you on how the game is played, but, are not allowed to advise you as what you should to do ( how much to bet , whether to draw another card, double your bet , the many ways to play craps ). Have fun-- don't bet on " hunches or feelings " that you're going to win. You might walk away with a new skill ----But ---Remember--- Casinos were not built on Winners.

1-- From what I understand ( but would never do ) there are people who do find ( ?? ) some lame duck excuse to remove the gratuities--- Apparently there are some who remove them as soon as they board saying they would tip whom they want to and how much . They probably " stiff " everyone !! Others, line up at GR on the last night and remove them. 2-- Kindly see post #76 for a few examples. And to quote---" We all know when a tip is expected ".

Why so much talk ( debate ) on whether to tip, or , if it's included when a Server brings your room service order -- You're spending $$$$ to take the cruise, so, why look for an excuse ( ?? ) to " stiff " the Server. They expect a tip -- so, hand him/her a few $$ -- otherwise your next room service order might not be delivered. --- Hey, Now there's an " excuse " to remove your gratuities. Other tipping expectations ? Of course--- Let's say you want a reservation in a Specialty restaurant that is not available at the time you request, and, the Maitre'd " somehow " finds one--- Are you not going to Thank him/her ( $$ ) ? Or, Your back is " killing " you -- Spa completely booked --- However, the Manager " squeezes " you in--- You better Thank him/her ( $$ ) or your back will feel even worse for the next 14 days after they get finished with you. We all know when a tip is expected-- so, forget the AI bs.

The biggest " sucker " in any casino are those who tip a Dealer-- for their '' Good Luck ". All they do is turn cards, spin a little ball , and " call " the dice---and have no outcome on the results. Do they tip you as a " Thanks for playing " after losing $$$ ???

How about a little humor about Butlers/ Suites entitled " What d'ya do IF ": -Ya order breakfast every morning for 7:36 , but, ya sleep in one day and are woken up by ' tap, tap tap' on the door ? Not a pleasant sight for the Butler when ya open the door ( LOL ). - Ya give your Butler a list of the Specialty restaurants/Spa treatments etc ahead of time and there are no reservations available ? ( the back and forth would drive me " nuts " waiting to hear back re other options ). - Ya change your mind at the last minute about " anything " on your list and the Butler shows up with the 14 mini sandwiches, 12 chocolate chip cookies , and 6 shrimp cocktails ya ordered , or confirms that he " pulled some strings " and got you the reservation you couldn't get previously and now don't want ? - Ya got noooo patience and prefer to do everything for yourself, when, where , etc on a cruise and don't rely on nobody ? Let's say " You know who " decides at the last minute that You shouldn't be eatin no more red meat and your Butler shows up with the 2 filet mignons you waited for all day. In all seriousness -- from reading this thread , they really do an excellent job as do every other Staff member --- just treat them with respect ( kills me when I see otherwise ) and show them the appreciation ( $$ ) they deserve as they are doing their best to ensure that we have a great cruise.

They saved millions of $$$ when they removed the dry, limp, piece of lettuce from the plate. I wouldn't complain--- it left more room on the plate for French fries.

Excellent-- If the suite occupiers " speak up nicely " ( That could be hard for some ). " at the time they are dissatisfied with something " ( Perhaps only after several minutes of discussion it is decided that they are dissatisfied ). "provide a reasonable request" ------ ( Depends on what " reasonable " is to some, or, more appropriate " entitled " to others ) " Coming here after the fact changes nothing and is very unfair " ---( Trust me, the Staff know whether a complaint is justified or the person is just " looking for something ". LOL--- I know I should have complained when my waiter forgot to bring my 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time back in 2013--- but, I didn't need a plate of chocolate strawberries with a " form " letter from the Hotel Manager.

With due respect to all those who are suite passengers--- In reading this post it appears that most folks are suite passengers and their comments regarding their Butler(s) have been very favorable because they prepare their " wishes " ahead of time. A few others " appear " to be "entitled " and expect their Butler to " jump " to their demands, not giving any thought or care that the same Butler is " servicing " several other suites. People are people ---I doubt things will change and I applaud all Butlers that follow the rules of their Company. While we had a suite once, the value ( for us ) was not worth the extra $$$ because we did not require any services our Butler offered. He was just a really nice gentleman , always asking if we needed anything , and a pleasure to give him a nice gratuity---- because it made me feel good.

" Mindreader " ?? You don't play golf with the same guys as I do --- Trust me, I know what is in their mind while I'm standing over a 2 ft putt to win 8 carry-overs ???

Same here even though we are not Suite passengers as we would not benefit from the services offered. ( Pinboy doesn't have patience to wait for services that can easily be done by himself ---- except, maybe ( ??? ) call our Retreat Host and wait 1 hr and 60 minutes for him/her to turn on the water for " you know who's " bath ).

Bingo on a cruise ship is/was a great money maker for them. For what they charge/charged and what they award/awarded was minimal. All cruise long they build/built up to the " Snowball Jackpot "( from what I remember either a free cruise or $2000 ) where 95% of the passengers attend. Next thing you know, they will charge for : Earphones to participate in Silent Disco Admission to the Art Auction ( $$ refunded if you spend over $1000) Admission to Meet the Sr Officers ( photos $15 each ) Lessons on " How to form animal towels and napkin folding " Entry fee to play " What's My Line "-- ( Fee returned if nobody guesses in 100 questions )

From what I remember ( we haven't cruised since Covid ) they cook the Chateaubriand in the kitchen then carve and plate the balance tableside. The lobster is cooked and plated tableside -- never asked if it was warm water lobster or cold water lobster --- but , it was delicious. Now, about discounts---- Forget the first night-- it's always booked. I mentioned a few times on CC that very often you can get a discount at times during the cruise when the restaurant is not fully booked. There is competition between the restaurants and targets to be met. Also, as soon as you board, go to the restaurant(s )of your choice and try to book for later in the cruise. When the Maitre'd tells you all the prime times are already booked, leave your cabin number and tell him/her to contact you if space comes available. He/She will understand a little smile , meaning ( $$ ) when space comes available. It works every time. Some on CC expressed their displeasure and call it a " bribe ". I call it " Thanks for your help ".

You got it !! So, let's say ya book a cruise based on whom the Captain is scheduled to be. So, Whaddya gonna do when ya get on board and find out that Captain X has been transferred , is on vacation, or, or, retired ? Ya gonna be first in line at GR to remove the gratuities because of misleading information ? Whaddya gonna say when GR asks " will it affect the balance of your cruise for more than 10 seconds because of it " ? IMO, and I'm no expert on " Cruise Ship Navigation '' --- Every Captain is 100% qualified to sail the vessel and well trained in Customer Service. We never met a Captain that was not a true " professional " in doing his job. So, just book the cruise and enjoy the experience.

LOL--- You are smarter than me --- I never thought of that. Where d'ya see that "option "( ?? ) listed ?? However, I don't want to be banned from cruising on Celebrity , and besides , I have a putting tournament to defend from 2013 !!! From post #44 " If you don't like the sound of it, then don't ask for it and drive on, but it's most certainly something they are ready, willing, able, and glad to do ". That's sound advice --- Lastly, the Butlers have several suites to service--Does anyone " really " believe they are ready, willing, able, and glad to come to your suite and turn on a tap ? From post #43 "How is asking for a bath to be drawn any different than asking for a snack you could get yourself from the buffet or a specialty coffee in the morning you could go get yourself from Cafe al Bacio? Of course it's different --- Getting a snack or a specialty coffee requires " preparing and delivering "---- drawing a bath requires the Butler come to your suite to " turn a tap ". Whatever--- Ce n'est pas pour moi ( It's not for me ).

So, you return from a day of touring -- you're zapped and loaded down with all kinds of good " stuff " ( ?? ) that you couldn't resist buying ( sales never seen before and special ( ?? ) prices for your cruise ), and just want a bath/shower and have a snooze before dinner---- Are you going to call your Butler , wait for him/her ( who knows how long ) to come to your suite just to turn on a tap and pull down a bedspread ??

Talk about " Entitlement " -- To me it's a disgrace to call their Butler to come to turn on a friggin tap --- next thing you know, the water would be too hot, too cold, too high or too low in the tub--- followed by a poor tip because of it !! Luckily for them that I was not their Butler---

Excellent response !! Gotta remember-- There are some people that will never be satisfied or look for " reasons " ( ?? ) to complain no matter how hard the Butler, Server, etc tries . Who do you think is in the " Remove Gratuities Here " line ? ( Perhaps I read the term " Challenge " out of context )??

( Just a little humor ) LOL------" as one of the choices " ????? BEEEE Careful !!!!! ( I think I'm the only one on CC that doesn't know everyone's " real" name ). And, about the inserts--- it seems to me that it depends on whether the Room Attendant picks them up and puts them into the cabin, suite, or wherever you are staying.