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Berkshire45
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Do the Hurtigruten ships have the same policy as other cruise lines where you are appointed a butler and you have to tip them?

 

I have only ever been on one cruise and that was to the channel islands but we were advised that we had to pay the person that served the rooms, is this all inclusive in Hertigruten does anyone know?

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You usually don't have a butler appointed to your cabin (I don't know what happens in the suites). And there is no necessity (nor requirement) to tip. People on board are working under Norwegian laws and have a decent salary. Expenses on board will be for excursions, drinks (water is free) and anything you want to buy from the shop. And whichever meals are not on your booking (if you travel for 5 nights on board, you will have either half board or full board depending on your booking).

Otherwise, everything is inclusive.

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Do the Hurtigruten ships have the same policy as other cruise lines where you are appointed a butler and you have to tip them?

 

I have only ever been on one cruise and that was to the channel islands but we were advised that we had to pay the person that served the rooms, is this all inclusive in Hertigruten does anyone know?

 

If you are accustomed to cruising in suites with butlers (or if this was your only cruise experience), make sure that you have read a lot about how cruising with Hurtigruten "works".

 

Not only are there no Butlers (AFAIK), but I don't think there is even "room service" (AFAIK).

We'll find out for sure next month.

 

Hurtigruten is quite a different experience in terms of "services", compared with other cruise lines, and especially with the higher end cruise lines or suites on mass-market lines.

There also aren't all of the assorted types of entertainment: night club type shows, magician, musicians throughout the ship much of the day, etc. (That's not our thing anyway, so we almost never go to the shows, so we won't miss any of that.)

And although I didn't ask, I'm pretty sure there is no casino...

 

We usually select suites these days, and they've all had butlers, and we've totally enjoyed those services.

(When we were younger, quite different, of course ! ;) B&B's with no elevator, shared bathrooms, zippo 'room service', etc., but we still totally enjoyed all of it. Well, all but one dismal place... :()

 

"Knowing what to expect" can make all the difference, of course, in this case and most others.

 

We are joking that we'll "take turns" providing room service, or being the butler :D

It's not at all a big deal, but we knew that before we made reservations.

 

Good luck, and just make sure you read up on Hurtigruten so you understand.

It's about the views and the [possible] Northern Lights, and it's just a generally less formal type of trip.

It's not a "better or worse" comparison, just "different".

 

GC

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It is not common practice to give tips on Hurtigruten's ships on coastal voyages. Crew members are reportedly well paid and not tip dependent.

but if you think crew members should be rewarded for outstanding service or special favours, there are 'tips boxes' and envelopes in the restaurant - it is entirely at your discretion.

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It is not common practice to give tips on Hurtigruten's ships on coastal voyages. Crew members are reportedly well paid and not tip dependent.

but if you think crew members should be rewarded for outstanding service or special favours, there are 'tips boxes' and envelopes in the restaurant - it is entirely at your discretion.

 

Does this mean that one shouldn't offer a tip directly to someone who has just provided some unusual assistance?

Tipping is tricky, and we don't want to insult someone who has been genuinely helpful, but we do like to show appreciation for "above and beyond" help, etc.

 

GC

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How do you define "unusual assistance"? I do think Norwegian people might get offended if you offer a reward when they offer a service in good grace. Also, I don't think it's a good idea to make people believe that they have to be tipped for helping their customers. Crew on board are supposed to help the passengers, it's part of their job (and as said, they are well paid).

The answer would be different for the expedition trips in remote part of the world (Antarctica or such). Most of the crew there is Filipino, and I believe their pay grade is not the same (they are not under Norwegian work law). And there it is specifically mention that a tip is a good idea (and they tell you how much, but it's paid as a bulk at the end of the trip and divided among the crew).

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In general, I am opposed to tipping and pre-pay when possible on cruises.

However, with the extraordinary and outstanding service, one can still tip on Hurtigruten Coastal Sailing, - but not for good service that could be expected.

There is a difference between payment when Norwegian registered ships are sailing on coastal sailing in Norway or internationally.

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I’m on Trollfjord as I write this, and I can vouch that the service is very good. There is a tip box on the desk in the dining room, but there is no pressure to tip.

 

The whole flavour of the ship is different from a conventional cruise. If you think of it as an expedition ship, you’ll have the right idea. There is no room service, but the little cafe is open 24 hours. None of the cafe food is included in your half board or full board, so you’d have to pay separately for it. The dining room has set hours, and isn’t open between mealtimes.

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I agree with the above. Perhaps the OP was referring to a room steward as a "butler"? Anyway, your room will be serviced once daily, not the multiple times you get on a regular cruise ship, and don't be surprised to see your room steward also serving in the dining room. Not luxury, but I found all the crew friendly and never felt pressured to tip. It is also not common to tip in restaurants in Norway as we do in the USA.

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Do the Hurtigruten ships have the same policy as other cruise lines where you are appointed a butler and you have to tip them?

 

I have only ever been on one cruise and that was to the channel islands but we were advised that we had to pay the person that served the rooms, is this all inclusive in Hertigruten does anyone know?

 

We were in a suite and had no butler but once we let the person servicing the room that we would like ice in our cabin we found it there everyday after they serviced it - otherwise you have to bring your ice bucket to the bar for ice.

 

At the end of the cruise we gave the room steward about $60 in our left over NOK - she was surprised but she was also very happy.

 

Also, on the excursions we tipped a nominal amount to the guide and bus driver (like $5 each). They also appreciated the tip - we only saw one other gentleman do the same on one of our excursions.

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No 'butlers' on Hurtigruten and no need to tip on the coastal ships unless the service has been absolutely extraordinary. If someone is simply doing what is expected of them then they have already been paid for that. Tipping causes so much anguish for tippers and the tipped. It really should be discouraged and workers paid the rate for the job but, unfortunately, that does not happen in every civilised corner of the planet.

 

As others have said, are you (Berkshire45) sure that you have bought what you think you have bought? Hurtigruten is not Princess!

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I agree with the above. Perhaps the OP was referring to a room steward as a "butler"? Anyway, your room will be serviced once daily, not the multiple times you get on a regular cruise ship, and don't be surprised to see your room steward also serving in the dining room. Not luxury, but I found all the crew friendly and never felt pressured to tip. It is also not common to tip in restaurants in Norway as we do in the USA.

 

Yes, there was a team of people servicing the cabins, and a charity appeal offering to make a donation on your behalf if you don’t need your cabin serviced every day. We opted for every other day, since we’re pretty tidy and were happy to use the towels more than once. There was no pressure to tip at any point.

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