Tipping on ships - generally and specifically

There's plenty of threads on here about tipping, and people go back and forth on how much they like to tip, but I've been having problems finding certain answers and hope you all can help. I'd also like anyone to say if I've misunderstood something. (New to NCL and only cruised once before so just trying to get a general feel for how much I'll be paying!)

From NCL's website, I understand that the general crew (MDR, buffet, stateroom stewards, behind the scenes staff, etc) IS included in the service charge. Maybe I'm cynical but I wonder how much they actually get paid by NCL and how much of their paycheck is because of this. At any rate, I understand that this is shared amongst EVERYONE so I have no plans to reduce this amount based on whether one or even a few of these people are offering poor service.

Then there's specialty dining and bar staff. They are NOT part of the service charge. However, I will have the both the beverage plan and the dining plan so 18% is added onto both of these to tip these people. At this point I think that's adequate unless a specific server or bartender is outstanding and then we would likely give them an extra buck or five, depending.

From here I start to get a bit iffy. We'll be in a suite, so will have a butler, concierge, and we have kids so will be utilizing the splash academy. I understand that these people are NOT in any of the above already-tipped categories and so we should tip them IN ADDITION to everything/one else.

I've seen plenty of threads on butlers - I've seen a lot of people say $10/person/day. With two pre-teens I think it's a bit much to say they should tip a butler $20 per day (because they won't use them mainly other than general maintenance of the room) - our butler is the person who cleans the rooms as well, correct? Personally I'm thinking of mentally combining the boys into one $10/day tip. ($30/day tip for butler essentially) and then adjust up or down if the service is great or bad. Opinions?

I've not seen a lot of threads on concierges - and I confess I don't know how much we'll use one. We plan to have all our specialty dining reserved and our excursions booked prior to the cruise, and I don't know what else they might do. So 1. What does the concierge do? and 2. How much do people tip their concierge?

I've also not seen how much people like to tip the splash academy people, and I can totally see how this one would vary wildly based on how old the kids are/how many kids/how often the kids are in the academy/etc. infinity. But what do you all do when tipping the people who entertain your kids when they're not with you?

Am I missing anything? TIA!

We tipped our butler $25 perday for 3 of us in the Haven.

We tipped the Concierge $120.

We tipped our steward an extra $100. She was great. Anticipated our every need.

We gave one of the Asst. Concierges $40. He was very helpful.

We left $5 with each meal. As Haven guests we were not charged a service fee on dining or beverage packages. So, similarly I tipped $1 with each drink.

If you get an upsell into the Haven then assume the food and beverage package service fees are already paid.

This is what I do/did. Your mileage might vary.

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Oooh, that's right! I forgot that we DON'T have the 18% on the beverage package - but I don't see anything where it's not included in the dining package. That could be a difference between haven vs non-haven suites maybe? I'll have to re-think the drink tipping. I find that rather odd as I think I'd rather have it automatically added so I wouldn't have to worry about tips every time. I love the idea of a general prepaid tip.

I think your butler would be very happy with $100 for the week. Unless you us them excessively.

Concierge 50

Bartenders, I carry one dollar bills with me.

I don't see anything where it's not included in the dining package. That could be a difference between haven vs non-haven suites maybe?

you never have to tip anything on a cruise. everything is covered in the fare and the daily charge and teh 18% assessed when you get a drink (individual drinks or 18% on the package cost).

butlers and conceirge are not included in teh daily fee. everyone else is. (although i cant speak for kid programs ,we dont use those).

that said, you can certainly tip more, it is appreciated, but you are not violating any social/societal norms by not tipping, the way you would by not tipping at say your local restaurant or pub.

we have had suites on 2 occasions. both we found the concierge to be utterly and completely useless. but we are planners, and always have shows and dinners booked at the 90 day mark. beyond that, i just have no idea what you use them for other than perhaps escort off the ship in port (but in the Baltics, our Butler did that and we all went in groups).

I cruise in a non-haven suite and the 18% gratuity for the dining package is not charged to me. I only eat in the specialty restaurants and leave $5 per person per meal.

Well darn. I much prefer to pay an overall base tip for things like this and then additionally tip if I felt the service was outstanding.

I wonder why NCL has done this? I can see how some people could see it as a "perk" where you don't have to pay for tips, but then... you're not tipping them if you don't do it onboard at time of service.

Another question then - will I have to bring cash for this or is there a way to tip some other way? Sheesh, I want a magic computer screen where I can swipe my keycard and tell the screen how much I want to tip just so I don't have to carry cash around. Or hey NCL, just auto-include my tips... :confused:

From here I start to get a bit iffy. We'll be in a suite, so will have a butler, concierge, and we have kids so will be utilizing the splash academy. I understand that these people are NOT in any of the above already-tipped categories and so we should tip them IN ADDITION to everything/one else.

 

I've seen plenty of threads on butlers - I've seen a lot of people say $10/person/day. With two pre-teens I think it's a bit much to say they should tip a butler $20 per day (because they won't use them mainly other than general maintenance of the room) - our butler is the person who cleans the rooms as well, correct? Personally I'm thinking of mentally combining the boys into one $10/day tip. ($30/day tip for butler essentially) and then adjust up or down if the service is great or bad. Opinions?

 

I've not seen a lot of threads on concierges - and I confess I don't know how much we'll use one. We plan to have all our specialty dining reserved and our excursions booked prior to the cruise, and I don't know what else they might do. So 1. What does the concierge do? and 2. How much do people tip their concierge?

 

Welcome to NCL, and thanks for your very thoughtful questions about tipping, a very contentious topic as you know.

To reply to your questions I've quoted above. First, the butler does not clean your stateroom, that's the job of the cabin steward. The butler will bring you afternoon snacks (and once he/she knows what your kids like, expect to see plenty of that!). The butler will be the person delivering room service food (unless at odd hours). He/she will do whatever reasonably possible in terms of your in-room needs to make your cruise special. There is no standard for tipping. Tip what you feel is sufficient based on the service you receive.

How much you use the services of the concierge depends on you. In port, he/she will ensure that you have priority disembarkation if you want it, very handy if you have a private tour booked or just want to get somewhere quickly. The concierge will help with dinner reservations; maybe you'll need to change something. At the end of the cruise, the concierge will also ensure your priority disembarkation. Things like that.

We also tip our cabin steward (assuming good service, which we've always had), even though he/she is part of the DSC.

Have a great cruise!

Two of us only. Seldom have any needs from either butler or concierge. $100 butler and $75 to concierge. No right amount or wrong amount. Whatever you feel they did for you

I think the 18% for dining & drinks is added into your jacked up Suite cruisefare so don't worry about it. If they went over & above & you want to give more, do so.

Your room steward cleans and services your cabin. Your butler will take care of things like snacks and room service, etc. I've left ships without giving the concierge a penny as they did nothing for me and where I gave a really nice tip as they facilitated some things.

There is no set amount. Tip what you feel comfortable tipping and what make sense in the circumstances of your trip - not some standard that you read about in CC. :)

- our butler is the person who cleans the rooms as well, correct?

No, that's the room steward.

Another question then - will I have to bring cash for this or is there a way to tip some other way? Sheesh, I want a magic computer screen where I can swipe my keycard and tell the screen how much I want to tip just so I don't have to carry cash around. Or hey NCL, just auto-include my tips... :confused:

You can go to Guest Services and give any amount to anyone. It doesn't have to be cash. They will give you a receipt and (if you wish) you can give the receipt to the crew member so that they know what you gave them.

We have one child age 9 and we usually do $20/day to the kids club staff. He only goes from about 7-10pm each night. I've always wondered what others do. There have been cruises where the kids staff has been awesome and we'll give more but this last cruise on the Pearl it was a little disappointing.

The kid's club counselors are pros....they aren't expecting tips. They get paid a "real" wage, unlike the "service personnel"....they make a minimum service wage, and the DSC covers their tips.

As long as you pay the DSC, you're covered.

I travel solo, cheaply, in an inside guaranty with no perks. I tip the standard service charge, kick my steward $10 extra for a 4 day cruise, and tip the bartender $1 cash on each drink I pay for. I always get a double pour.

cruising 101

tip anyone who improves your cruise experience.

the better your experience the higher the tip

DMH15 answer is excellent. My last cruise was on MSC. My room steward was best I've every had. I personally gave him $100 with thank you note. Plus, I don t travel with kids.

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The kid's club counselors are pros....they aren't expecting tips. They get paid a "real" wage, unlike the "service personnel"....they make a minimum service wage, and the DSC covers their tips.

 

As long as you pay the DSC, you're covered.

Incorrect. Kids club/casino staff and the like are not covered by DSC as not all pax use their services (same logic as bar staff tips are not in the DSC - not all folks drink). True that the kids staff get a 'proper wage' however.