Tipping on Seabourn, acceptable though not expected..or not?

This topic is a complicated one...it came up on the Quest review thread after I posted a comment which included the fact that I had tipped the hostess at the end of my cruise. Many took issue with that.

Tipping policy varies across cruise lines. Seabourn advertises that gratuities are included and tipping is not expected. It isn't " banned " anywhere that I have read however.

On Celebrity there is a general gratuity charge that's added to the bill, somewhat like the optional crew fund on Seabourn. Tipping is still commonplace.

Personally I've chosen to privately and discreetly tip a few members of the crew that I felt went out of their way to make my cruise exceptional.

The hostess on our last cruise made an effort to get to know us, not unlike many of the the crew do. We spoke to her before and while being escorted to whatever table she had available for us, at lunch,breakfast and dinner.

We liked one location of the Restaurant, because it had a wait staff that we had gotten to know and liked. We also like being against the back wall at a table for four sited next to each other. We politely requested that type of table in the section we liked. We offered to eat later to make our request easier to fulfill. On most but not all evenings we were able to sit at a table we liked.

At the end of the cruise we gave her a relatively modest gratuity ( given the length of the cruise, 30 days ). We handed it to her in an envelope with a nice note. We did the same for our cabin attendant .

I was roundly criticized for doing this...I was told that I was spoiling it for everyone else, breaking company policy and it was intimated that I was paying off the hostess to get a better table.

Yes, the crew fund is worthwhile and evenly distributed. One must remember that these are young people, paid little and on a six month contract.

I realize that Seabourn has a gratuity included policy, but does that or should that preclude one from selectively and discreetly tipping a few crew members AFTER. the cruise?

Kevin, the travel agent from Australia posted the proper response on the other thread. You have been misinformed about a few items. One would be that the typical crew member you have contact with works a six month contract. They work four month contracts. Another would be that they are paid little.

“Tipping is neither required nor expected – service simply to delight you. Our award-winning staff is driven only by their sincere desire to please.” Am I missing something? I don’t think it could be any clearer. When we sail on Seabourn, we are purchasing a package which includes luxurious suites, world class dining, unrivaled service, plus complimentary fine wines & spirits. It is all incorporated into the price we pay. I personally think it is irresponsible for guests to disregard this policy and tip staff.

Don’t get me wrong – I am a generous tipper. At the same time I try to be cognizant of what the situation dictates. If I am in a country where service is included in the bill and gratuities are not common, then I do not tip. I will take the time to research what is the norm and adhere to it. In other words, I avoid inserting our North American standards into the mix. It really is beginning to get out of control. I know people who think they have to tip everyone – even plumbers!

We are taking our grandchildren on a Disney cruise this summer where it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service. However, even Disney has acknowledged that the tipping rigmarole has become rather onerous. Instead of our having to going through the process of stuffing envelopes with cash, Disney will automatically add the suggested gratuity amounts to our onboard account.

I personally dislike being in those awkward situations where everyone has their hands out. It is one of the reasons I choose the Seabourn experience – it has all been taken care of and paid for in advance. I am “neither required or nor expected” to even think about it!

After saying all of this, I must admit that if I am in a port and see something that I know a particularly exemplary staff member would enjoy, I will buy it as a gift for them. But this is the exception, not the norm.

The crew fund is the best way to reward ALL crew members who work so hard to make our cruises special, not just the ones with whom we come into contact.

Tipping is included in the fare. Period. Please don't compare Seabourn to Celebrity where mandatory tips are added to your account and you feel the need to tip extra. Why does no one ask if they should plonk down a twenty for their martini even though drinks are included????

Hopefully she passed it on to the Crew Fund. They work as a team.

I have stayed out of the tipping debates until now because it is not in our culture and it is something that I find awkward. What I don't understand, is why you think the hostess did an exceptional job and made such a difference to your experience just by finding you a table that you liked. You even say you ate later to make it easier. How is this going above and beyond the call of duty? Isn't this her job?

Slice Salentino says next we will tip the plumber. If my drain is blocked, I would rather tip the plumber than someone who shows me to a table we wanted MOST nights.

I really hope people don't go down this path, it would be a game changer for us.

One should tip according to the country's tipping culture and practice. Tipping is an American - and apparently also Canadian - obsession. In most of the world, it is included or unnecessary. (In Japan, tipping generally causes embarrassment, if not insult, to the recipient; a rare exception is the ritualized and discreet tipping in an envelope to your attendant at the end of a ryokan stay.)

As others have said, it is not necessary to tip on Seabourn. If one absolutely feels the need to tip, even though it's not necessary, go ahead - it's not a crime. But please do so discreetly and appropriately. It seems a lot of Americans tip to make themselves feel better and to brag about it to their friends or online. I have only heard or read comments like "I tipped her well" or "I left him a big tip", etc. from Americans. And I, for one, really don't care how much or how well, others tip! :)

I have stayed out of the tipping debates until now because it is not in our culture and it is something that I find awkward. What I don't understand, is why you think the hostess did an exceptional job and made such a difference to your experience just by finding you a table that you liked. You even say you ate later to make it easier. How is this going above and beyond the call of duty? Isn't this her job?

Slice Salentino says next we will tip the plumber. If my drain is blocked, I would rather tip the plumber than someone who shows me to a table we wanted MOST nights.

I really hope people don't go down this path, it would be a game changer for us.

I've experienced other host/ hostesses/ maître d's on Seabourn and other lines that were always too busy to fulfill individual requests. Always polite ..but sorry, never remembering what you prefer or why. But " Doing their job ".

We enjoyed conversations with the hostess in the Colonnade, and in the evenings after dinner. She made a sincere effort, and it really made a difference to us. I can say that we were not alone. I witnessed money/ envelopes being given and handshakes followed by a reach into the pocket numerous times and with a variety of crew on the last night of each cruise .

This reminds me of the line in Casablanca, " I'm shocked, shocked to find out that there's gambling going on here "!

We also made a point to mention at least eight crew members by name on the comment card for exceptional service.

I'm sorry if the idea of rewarding someone for their extra effort and attitude is such a " culturally " foreign concept to some, but it isn't to everyone...thankfully for the crew.

kevnsworld,

By all means tip everyone you find gives you exemplary service on Seabourn.

That would probably be a lot of folks, and I bet they are all delighted to receive your dosh. The Seabourn product is delivered by some of the best crews on the seas. As for me, I tip my stewardess and the crew fund. That's it.

I suppose that this tipping business is a cultural thingy. I know that many Americans like to tip as they do at home- whether it is expected or not. But the norm at Seabourn is different - as per their brochure, their longstanding policy and as supported through many other passengers' comments here.

A perfect example of a no tipping situation is a country like Japan where tips are generally returned to the donor due to Japanese tradition and consensus that tipping degrades the worker. The idea is that good service is the norm, something that people in the service industry are trained to do and nothing extraordinary that deserves special recognition. When you know this you would logically alter your approach to tipping there.

You have spent a lot of time on mass market lines like Celebrity where for all I know people work for tips and their salaries are lower for that reason. It follows that Celebrity crew know returning tippers when they see them and prioritize them over others for more service and more tips.

But Seabourn is not Celebrity and I, for one, hope it stays that way! Staff on Seabourn ships don't work for or expect tips. As for Seabourn passengers, we get that too and so we prefer the simplicity and dignity the current policy affords us.

That's how I see it, at least.

Happy sailing!

As far as I can see if you saw people tipping staff then they were doing it wrong as I thought the whole point was to do it discretely . :rolleyes:

I come from a non tipping culture but I understand your point about following the countries you visit which is what we do when we travel. I would think that also applies to a guideline from a cruise line. One thing that concerns me in Australia is we are starting to see more tipping jars and expectation here from people in the hospitality industry due to exposure to tourists who like to tip. Please if you come here just round up or sometimes 10%. Our workers get get paid very well especially weekend penalties.

We donate to the crew welfare fund and sometimes to our stewardess if we have required extra or they have done unique little things to make our cruise special. We are very tidy and rarely have special requests. Funnily we had two stewardesses who helped with extras and were truly above and beyond on two different cruises. Both of them when we went to tip at the end because they were exceptional and they both refused as "tipping is included". Luckily as I wanted to express my appreciation I had small extra earrings/necklace that I had for nieces and they accepted these as a gift.

I also understood that the crew from what they have told me usually do a four month contract, though sometimes they choose to extend. We have met some who do this. We also know of some who have returned to Seabourn after working on land for a while as they can get ahead financially. Especially if they manage to get promotions from our comments. This is all just what we have experienced.

Julie

kevnsworld,

 

By all means tip everyone you find gives you exemplary service on Seabourn.

That would probably be a lot of folks, and I bet they are all delighted to receive your dosh. The Seabourn product is delivered by some of the best crews on the seas. As for me, I tip my stewardess and the crew fund. That's it.

I suppose this tipping thing is a cultural thingy.

Curious: Why do you feel it appropriate to tip your stewardess, yet no other crew that gave you exemplorary service ? Is that an example of what you consider an appropriate " cultural thingy "? ( stewardess's only? ) :)

Re : Japanese customs. If I was sailing on a Japanese cruise line, I would adhere to Japanese custom. Seabourn is an American cruiseline employing Europeans mostly.

Re: discretion. I was as discreet as possible when I gave the hostess her well earned yet modest gratuity. That can't be said obviously for others that I've seen on my Seabourn cruises.

Re: Celebrity etc.. I only brought up Celebrity because they have a gratuity included policy, though it's an add on. I could have mentioned Regent or Oceania....I wouldn't want Seabourn to be Celebrity either, what would be the point of that?....

Bottom line, I believe in discretion and polite courtesy ..I was surprised by the self righteous indignation expressed by those that were offended by the fact that I gave the Restaurant hostess a gratuity. Evidently tipping or " gifting " stewardesses is ok..." Culturally " speaking of course...;).

Obviously everyone can do what want regarding tipping. However, IMO a donation to the crew fund, plus putting good reports down on your post cruise questionnaire on everyone who you thought gave really good service is quite sufficient. We take care to write down the names of barmen, wait staff and all others who are particularly helpful - and most of them are. This means a lot to them, and can assist with promotion.

Tipping is just one of those items you are not going to get consensus on.

Even if you ask simply how much to tip a porter checking in luggage or what percentage to give a taxi driver answers will be all over the place.

So with all do respect if you are looking to get consensus on this you will not.

Some people sail inclusive lines such as Seabourn and do not tip. Others tip their stewardess. Other tip their stewardess and or selected staff and/or give to the crew fund.

In the end, do what you want on this and just don't worry about what others say.

If I gave advice it would be to be discreet when you tip (when I say that don't make it so obvious to people around you) and just keep whatever you do to yourself.

Again, there is no right or wrong on this and the only opinion that matters is your very own.

Keith

Keith1010 is right by me. Do what you want and assert your rights to do so. You know best.

As far as what I do, well, the same applies. After seeing my hardworking stewardess a few times a day I got to know her and thereby established a sort of friendship. So I tipped her. After cruises that last 2-10 weeks (my longest) I have decided that this is a small gesture of appreciation for the stewardesses- and there have been many.

As far as what else I do, I don't tip a meet and greet dinner hostess. In fact, I am not even convinced they are necessary, partly because we did very well during the first 4 years of sailing on the Odyssey class ships without. If they provided a seemless service and appeared well trained, I would not wonder whether their gaffes cause more trouble than they are worth.

I hope you don't mind too much the bit about Japanese tipping customs. But apparently you do... Suffice it to say (again) you can do as you like. I was simply stating that the American head office of this cruise line has already established its policy which is "none expected" etc. So I thought it might be helpful to use Japanese service standards and describe how foreigners might as well understand why tipping there is frowned upon to illuminate what Seabourn means by its policy: superior service is the order of the day. Nothing that needs be rewarded, as such.

Happy sailing!

Tipping is my business and absolutely is done discreetly. It is none of your concern whome I tip and you don't tell me how to spend my money.

Here's a tip! As indicated by others Tipping is derived from US where service industry employees are paid a pittance and rely on tips to earn a reasonable living. The tips were initially derived from providing service that warranted the tip. It seems that the service delivery has somewhat diminished but the expectations remain.

Although Seabourn is US owned, the crew are generally European and paid well by industry standards, and on a basis that does not presume tips also need to be earned to derive a reasonable income.

The Seabourn policy is specific and deliberate. It is a way of attracting those people who, in addition to wanting to experience the high standards of service, food etc, also want to avoid the situations faced on those other lines which impose daily tips and encourage the service staff to "sell" everything possible. Unless you come from a "culture" where tipping is frowned on it may be hard to understand how those of us who do find it to be something to be avoided

My question is what do you consider well paid? Do you actually know what a crew member is paid?

TIP - to insure perfection - sign in the kitchen of a favorite restaurant

My question is what do you consider well paid? Do you actually know what a crew member is paid?

No I have no idea what they are paid because I was taught it is bad manners to ask what others earn. However the fact that two stewardesses refused a tip and other crew I have got to know tell me that Seabourn is a good line to work for as they pay well is enough for me.

Now I just donate to the crew fund for all share.

Julie

Secoma4 is right and this perspective is made by Seabourn managers and crew themselves who know the market. And it's on the basis that they and a Seabourn know what's what that the hiring takes place.

Nothing to argue about, then.

Happy sailing!

I do what my heart tells me to do both on land and at sea. We have everything we need in life so we share. As the old Scottish saying goes, the shroud has no pockets. When somebody does something beyond and not expected we add a little extra and also to the crew welfare fund. Tipping is our prerogative and no luxury line will throw you off the ship for doing it.

One of the reasons we choose Seabourn is the policy on tips, like other we will write favourable reports on key staff who contribute to our time on board and make a donation to the crew fund.

If people chosse to tip then that is their choice, however if the relationships between guests and crew become influenced by tipping then it becomes eveyones concern.

Kevin, the culture on Seabourn and other so called luxury lines has been to not tip individuals. But you, and many others bring your own ideas on how to operate with total disregard to what was established many years ago.

It's fine, because the whole concept of what SB was at one time is totally different than where it is heading.

... And throw out the baby with the bath water?

Not so fast!

Happy sailing!

Tipping is my business and absolutely is done discreetly. It is none of your concern whome I tip and you don't tell me how to spend my money.

Exactly and perfectly phrased.