MarinaDCA

So I guess a thread on any part of tipping cannot be had without certain people, who do not believe in tipping, coming onto it with a bunch of hostility?

I was more curious about what other people, who DID tip the room steward did. I am going to tip. End of story. If you (Adidas and Ladiesign) do not want to its not my business to make you. But absolutely I will judge your character negatively if that is what you choose to do. You are free to do what you want, and others are free to think whatever they want of your actions.

Since I am relatively new to cruising, I have a hypothetical question. What happens if you pre-tip your steward and you receive terrible service? Do you ask for your money back?

Interesting - I am going into this assuming the service will be "good" but if I were getting truly terrible service I think I might go to guest relations. Not to get my tip back, that $20 is gone, but to resolve the issue. I am thinking terrible service = doesn't make the room up, is rude to me, ignores my requests, something on that level.

But really, I am just going to be happy to be on vacation. Unless its awful I don't think it's going to bug me enough to do anything about.

I do it that way because I don't want to train them to expect a tip every time they do something for me. I tip them when they've done nothing special at that moment.

 

I'm the same way with my spousal unit. I bring her roses when I feel like she'd like them because the two dozen looks great and for no other reason. I never use flowers as an apology or thank you. That way she never knows in advance when she'll get them and doesn't say, what did you do wrong. lol

Now THAT is a great idea :)

On a recent cruise, handed our main cabin attendant two $10's three days into the cruise and suggested he could decided what to do with it. They had done several of the things I like such as an egg create mattress topper, emptying the fridge, ice, oranges instead of apples etc.

 

He immediately went to his assistant and gave him $10. I was testing to see how he handled it. The last night I gave him another two $10's because of additional things they did and their personalities/interaction. We had problems with plumbing and electrical.

 

I've been on another cruise where the attendant was non personable and just did his job. He only received his regular gratuity.

 

So it's really up to you to decide if what they do for you warrants additional compensation. BTW they do get to keep what you hand them without having to pool it.

This is a good idea actually, to tip a few days in to the cruise, thank you! :)

Well, if everyone agreed, what a boring world this would be.

 

Are you also planning to pre-tip your waiter in the MDR to ensure great service? :rolleyes:

Yes - because I will ask the waiter to drag an egg crate to my room and to empty our my fridge!

I agree that it would be a boring world if we all agreed. But I did not ask SHOULD I do this, I asked since I AM going to do this.... Maybe not a great place to debate whether or not to do something. As I said (several times) I get that this is not something everyone does or wants to do or even thinks should be done. Are you unable to get why someone else might have a different opinion to yours?

Thank you to all you answered the question I actually asked and did not want to debate tipping. I agree that its very personal and I did not want this to become one of THOSE threads :)

Some people can't seem to help themselves and cannot let others discuss something without weighing in with disagreement about it. But I have gotten some great advice and feel more comfortable about my plan going forward :)

What airports even have smoking rooms anymore? At least in the US, I can't think of one.

 

 

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They are still very much a thing. They exist at Dulles: http://www.flydulles.com/iad/smoking-areas

I agree that almost no people will die walking through a smoking area. But it can be pretty unpleasant. I don't really like to spend time in the casino, but I would not like it if an area I did want to spend time/do an activity in was smoking. I am OK with it for a short time, but wouldn't want to hang out in an area where people were actively smoking.

I am an ex smoker....so maybe I am more sensitive to the smell.

Do you normally go into an expensive restaurant and tip the waiter when he initially greets you and pours you a glass of water?

Yes - that's totally the same situation :rolleyes:

I can understand your side of this discussion, but some people seem unable or unwilling to see the other. I have nicely (twice at least) thanked people with the "it's a bribe!" type opinion for sharing their thoughts, but some folks seem hell bent on being rude.

I asked what people gave as I WANT to. I do not think you have to at all. I am not trying to "bribe" my steward. I do plan to make a request right away and want to thank then for it and for taking care of our room for 7 days. What would I be bribing them for anyhow?

We are on this cruise, too. [emoji1319] It will be my 38th cruise. [emoji51]

 

Here is what I do. If I have requested something above and beyond normal services, I tip the steward either when I ask, or when it comes. Example, back in pre drink package days, I would always ask upon boarding for a bucket of ice to be kept in the cabin, and offer a 20$. That's not relevant now. Or, some times the beds had to be moved together or apart, and I would ask for the switch and casually mention that we like to sleep in late and likely wouldn't need anything when they do morning cabin cleaning, and give them a 20 then. That was a good investment. Haha! I know your question was about the steward, but I will suggest befriending a couple of bartenders ASAP, and tipping them early, and they won't let you down when things get crazy later in the week. Getting a poolside drink is a rat race on busy days. [emoji6]

 

Looking forward to meeting you. Not looking forward to packing. [emoji85]

 

Debbi

 

 

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Ugh packing!!! Aside from making sure I have the things I want I have not really gotten started.

I most likely will make a request at the beginning, depending on how firm the bed is I will want a topper.

And bartenders are important, I plan to be good to a few of my favorite bartenders!

Looking forward to meeting you too :)

I've concluded that if you give the master of the vessel a $1,000 tip at the beginning of the cruise you will have better weather and smoother seas. ;)

That was very helpful - thanks! :D

I had 2 cabins and gave $20 per cabin on mtg and $20 per cabin on leaving and left the daily amt in place

 

 

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Thank you, this was exactly what I was thinking and wasn't sure what a "good" amount.

I hear all you folks you say not to tip ahead, I understand your opinions, and thank you for sharing them.

I understand that some people don't care for this practice, thank you for sharing, we all have such different experiences and opinions :)

There is a suggested daily amt for each stateroom category...can be added on to your account.

 

We also give extra upon meeting, for extra service along the way and at the end...amts vary. Our last attendant was amazing...so we rewarded him.

Oh yes - we will be leaving the daily tip in place. But I have seen people discussing tipping the steward upon meeting, and I was wondering what a decent amount for this way. :)

Hi All :)

We are on the Reflection this Saturday (yay!) and I am wondering what amount to tip my cabin steward.

Please, no tipping debates. I know I don't HAVE to tip the steward before hand but I WANT to do so.

So, now that I have decided that we'd like to tip...how much? Hand it to them at the first meeting?

Thanks for any insight for others who have done this.

I really dislike hard beds - was this something most have experienced? We are on the reflection on the 10th! :)

was just on reflection you can order what you like no charge if you on udp in sushi on 5

Awesome, thank you!

Random question - I prefer egg whites to whole eggs...is this a request I can make?

I am in a concierge cabin if it matters.

Yes...easily walkable....closer than you might imagine.

Awesome! Thanks! :)

If a good mojito is what you like then you need to stop by Carli's. Small bar area but the making of the mojito is like an art form. Never had a better one. They have live music most night I think and an outdoor patio area if you want to sit outside. http://www.carlisworld.com/restaurant/

That sounds so tasty!

Are these places, like the above and Parrot club walkable from the ship?

Thank you for the suggestions, I love a good mojito so the Parrot Club may be the place.

The reason I planned to have dinner on the ship was that we were purchasing the specialty dining package and I hate the thought of wasting the money :)

The food to be found in SJ is most likely amazing!

Hello all! Our cruise is docking in SJ from 3:30 - 11pm so we really won't be able to do many of the regular excursions.

I was thinking that perhaps we'd have dinner on the ship at usually and then venture into SJ during the evening for a drink or two.

Is that a stupid idea? Is there anywhere reasonably close to the port that anyone recommends?

Thanks for any ideas :)

Thank you very much for your review, photos and follow up posts. I am on the reflection in Dec and I love reading all about it and getting excited to go.

You sound like such an even headed person, I very much appreciate your honesty and straight forward manner.

I missed it too! My cruise is on Dec 11 and I think I will wait until at least Dec 1. Maybe we will get lucky and they will have a sale for black Friday.

Thats a great idea - I will buy after Black Friday and see if they have a discount :)

Aww I missed the sale! I loooove pictures so I might still buy the package. Its now $200, which is still not bad. My cruise is 12/10 and I wouldn't think it would go on sale again before then.

Usually we only get pictures of 1 of us, a few of the two of us would be great, but remember the last/first cruise we were on they were expensive and I spent some time picking 1-2 that I really wanted. Would be nice not have to spend the time picking. And good tip to hit all the spots to increase the odds of getting a good shot!

Thank you for posting that! I had not seen that image before - answers some questions.

My other question - one of the bars had tapas...are those included?