Note to those with UBP

So they actually have tip jars now? that is new (we've cruised NCL several times in the last 10 years).

On my December cruise, I never saw a tip jar anywhere.

 

Just reread the post, the poster was on another line where there was a jar.

Edited January 18, 2016 by NLH Arizona

We cruised in October with another cruise line and had the UBP. I usually added $1 when given a slip, and dropped some $1's in the jug when not given one. Our service was much better than most other passengers and at one point I had someone ask why I got such quick and friendly service. At the pool area some sunny days we were 2-3 deep waiting for drinks. Occasionally (most of bartenders) would just make my drink of choice when they saw me in line and serve me before anyone else. For a few dollars a day, it was worth the tip...:D

 

This is a perfect example of why we now have to tip extra.

A cruise is supposedly based on a cashless system, but now I will have to remember to add $1.00,$5.00 bills to my packing list for my 12 night cruise.

If I'm adding correctly I'm now paying approximately 30% tip with the free UBP, I guess it's still better than 118% without it.:D

Brilliant move NCL, charging a service charge before a service is performed.

He actually said:

 

"I'm not asking for the moon, but an extra $3 or $4 per person. There are two people per room, for a seven-day cruise that is an extra $50. Can I get $50 from you and your wife to come aboard my ships versus someone else's ships, and how do I get you to do that? I think I have a lot of different levers to pull."

 

From: http://goldringtravel.blogspot.com/2015/05/how-frank-del-rio-sr-and-new-norwegian.html

And here is one from Bloomberg:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-27/norwegian-needs-you-to-spend-just-4-more-per-day-on-your-cruise

 

Squeezing out a further $4 per day may sound trivial. “My Starbucks coffee this morning cost me more than that,” Del Rio told investors this week. A couple on a weeklong cruise would need to spend about $56 more total to meet his goal. “I don’t think that’s impossible. We’re going to try to do it.”

A bartender I trust to be honest is reporting tips are pretty much in half since slips/signatures for UBP drinks are no longer being given. I asked because it's what I suspected. So if you used to be inclined to tip an extra $1 with a drink when service was superb, make note of that and throw some cash in your pockets. If you dont give a flying fish about tipping them any more than the mandatory service charge, you can ignore this post and move on.

 

 

Thank you very much. I was just on RCCL Indy over NYE and they didnt have us sign for the each drink but I did tell my dh I bet they are not getting as much tips as they ise to get when it was easy to add extra. Going on CCL Breeze in two weeks and will bring cash especially if we find a great bartender that mixes well. We had Jellyroll on Breakaway in Haven and she was great. Hope she is still there in August. Thanks for the information.

You don't need to tip a penny beyond the service charge if you don't want to. Many people don't. Tip a ton extra, don't tip extra....to each their own. No right, no wrong.

 

I've never quite understood why people worry about this so much.

Ok, so, I'm confused and not being disrespectful, so please don't take it that way.

 

 

 

If we have UBP and paid the 18% gratuity, why is it our fault that NCL is not distributing the tips as they should be and that we should be tipping extra to make up for that? That means my $7 dollar drink just cost me $9.26. (18% gratuity plus an extra $1). That defeats the whole purpose of having UBP. And no one thinks that this was the plan all along by FDR? He said months ago that he wants to make an additional $250 per person on every cruise. This is just another way of getting more money from us. Not going to happen with this couple!

 

 

 

I'm sorry, but I am not paying 18% gratuity and then leaving additional money on top of that. :( That's double tipping and we're just not doing that.

 

 

I understand what you are saying but if you usually tip 18% at a restaurant for regular service and service was better than usual you would probably tip a little extra, correct, like 20%. Thats what the OP is saying. Somenuse to add an additional $1 or $2. I rather give cash anyway in the beginning if we know we will be frequenting a bar for the week. Our service will be much better. I do the same at home for my pedis and hair blowout. I tip my girl more than expected and she always takes longer to massage my legs and feet and my hair wash and massage last 30 minutes :)

You don't need to tip a penny beyond the service charge if you don't want to. Many people don't. Tip a ton extra, don't tip extra....to each their own. No right, no wrong.

 

I've never quite understood why people worry about this so much.

 

Agree tip, don't tip it's each individual/couples CHOICE!

On my December cruise, I never saw a tip jar anywhere.

 

Just reread the post, the poster was on another line where there was a jar.

 

Thanks!

We cruised in October with another cruise line and had the UBP. I usually added $1 when given a slip, and dropped some $1's in the jug when not given one. Our service was much better than most other passengers and at one point I had someone ask why I got such quick and friendly service. At the pool area some sunny days we were 2-3 deep waiting for drinks. Occasionally (most of bartenders) would just make my drink of choice when they saw me in line and serve me before anyone else. For a few dollars a day, it was worth the tip...:D

 

Or just be polite, hang around, have a good chat and get the same result without tipping big in the beginning.

Find it depends on the cruise - if I am on one with all port days, I just tip 1 per drink - if I think I will be on the deck by the pool a lot - I prepay a waiter that asks if I want a drink - never one I have to chaise... then I do not need to carry 1's with me to the pool. Find having to sign for each drink annoying - but see where a lot of servers get no tip because of it - but then, we are told they"share" all the tips put on pre paid on UBP ? wonder if that happens and how many hands get that share?

No real fair way to see everyone gets the same deal - if staff were paid a good wage, and no tipping allowed - cost of the cruise would be beyond most of us.

Or just be polite, hang around, have a good chat and get the same result without tipping big in the beginning.

So true!

I have no interest in whether you tip extra or not, your choice. I would like to know where you came up with FDR looking for an extra $250 per person or $500 per couple? I don't believe he ever said that! Source please! Of course now that it is on this post, it will now be quoted for the next 18 months.

 

 

That statement similar to that was said by Del Rio at the shareholders meeting last year. However, he is not taking it out of the DSC or the included grat from the UBP. That would be STUPID, and he would not have anyone working his ships. You do not have to agree with his changes, but you have to think logically. And stealing from your employees would be a disaster for any company. FDR is no dope. He's been around the block a few times.

I understand what you are saying but if you usually tip 18% at a restaurant for regular service and service was better than usual you would probably tip a little extra, correct, like 20%. Thats what the OP is saying. Somenuse to add an additional $1 or $2. I rather give cash anyway in the beginning if we know we will be frequenting a bar for the week. Our service will be much better. I do the same at home for my pedis and hair blowout. I tip my girl more than expected and she always takes longer to massage my legs and feet and my hair wash and massage last 30 minutes :)

 

 

All bars like the casino at under constant surveillance by the "eye in the sky"

So following the cash tip logic at the bars, with the exception of the drink runners, if a cash tip s givin, it HAS to go into a pool. If they are caught on camera pocketing the tip, they "the bartenders" are FIRED.

I am more inclined to agree with jennmaybe and others. I paid an $83 service fee for what was a so called "promo". On top of what I paid for the cruise I am on vacation and it shouldn't be my concern how the money is distributed. How ever I tip when in a specialty and have nothing against giving someone extra dollars for good service.

Or just be polite, hang around, have a good chat and get the same result without tipping big in the beginning.

 

That can be hard to do if it's two deep at the bar, or with an understaffed pool servers.

[quote name='Golfin55']All bars like the casino at under constant surveillance by the "eye in the sky"
So following the cash tip logic at the bars, with the exception of the drink runners, if a cash tip s givin, it HAS to go into a pool. If they are caught on camera pocketing the tip, they "the bartenders" are FIRED.[/QUOTE]

Where does it say that cash tips have to be pooled?
As far as I understand, the 18% is pooled and any cash tips above that can be kept by the reciepient.

[quote name='jennmaybe']Ok, so, I'm confused and not being disrespectful, so please don't take it that way.

If we have UBP and paid the 18% gratuity, why is it our fault that NCL is not distributing the tips as they should be and that we should be tipping extra to make up for that? That means my $7 dollar drink just cost me $9.26. (18% gratuity plus an extra $1). That defeats the whole purpose of having UBP. And no one thinks that this was the plan all along by FDR? He said months ago that he wants to make an additional $250 per person on every cruise. This is just another way of getting more money from us. Not going to happen with this couple!

I'm sorry, but I am not paying 18% gratuity and then leaving additional money on top of that. :( That's double tipping and we're just not doing that.[/QUOTE]

No he didn't say he wanted to make a total of $250 on each passenger or if he did I would like to know when? Yes, he did say he wanted to make more than before he took over. I do agree with you about the 18% unless we have a bar tender that always goes above and beyond. Then we will tip extra. As for getting money from us, FDR has nothing to do with any of us leave an extra buck or so for the wait staff.

[quote name='rvsullivan'][COLOR="Red"]I have no interest in whether you tip extra or not, your choice. I would like to know where you came up with FDR looking for an extra $250 per person or $500 per couple? I don't believe he ever said that! Source please! Of course now that it is on this post, it will now be quoted for the next 18 months.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

thanks, my thoughts exactly. I don't know where some of these people get their ideas, but it just takes one and at least 1/2 dozen more jump on the bandwagon.

Two Questions:

1. Do they still swipe your card or just look at it?

2. In the Dining Rooms, can you still use the UBP for a cocktail and a glass of wine?
(or has this changed?)

Don

[quote name='newmexicoNita']thanks, my thoughts exactly. I don't know where some of these people get their ideas, but it just takes one and at least 1/2 dozen more jump on the bandwagon.[/QUOTE]

It's been stated by many different wait staff (that don't know each other) that following the UBP service charge change, their pay was reduced and they now get a flat fee and do NOT get the 18% service charge. One was from an ex casino employee who just heard from one of his bartender friends that he's looking for work elsewhere as it's getting ridiculous. Wanted to point that out before people jump on here and say they are just looking for extra tips.

Just because the threads are not around, does not mean that many different people on here did not see them.

If you want your server to get a tip, tip cash. If you don't, then don't. It's pretty straight forward. Edited January 18, 2016 by SuiteCruiser

The math isn't adding up. IF the 18% was going to bar servers, salaries should be INCREASED due to UBP.

I'm going to round figures and negate any additional cash tips for simplicity.

The last two years we've cruised NCL (without UBP) our bar tab at the end of the week was approximately $300.00. That means we spent approximately $250 on booze and auto tipped 18% or about $50.00. Negating any additional cash tips.

If I was to select free UDP we would pay approximately $140.00 upfront for beverages service charges. I can't see us consuming that much more just because it's "free". If the servers were getting the 18%, they would receive an additional $90.00 from us this year.

If it is true that tips are down due to UDP, basic accounting gives credit to the claim that the 18% is not going directly to the servers. Edited January 18, 2016 by BermudaBound2014

[quote name='BermudaBound2014']The math isn't adding up. IF the 18% was going to bar servers, salaries should be INCREASED due to UBP.

I'm going to round figures and negate any additional cash tips for simplicity.

he last two years we've cruised NCL (without UBP) our bar tab at the end of the week was approximately $300.00. That means we spent approximately $250 on booze and auto tipped 18% or about $50.00. Negating any additional cash tips.

If I was to purchase UDP we pay approximately $140.00 upfront for beverages package. I can't see us consuming that much more just because it's "free". If the servers were getting the 18%, they would receive an additional $90.00 from us this year.

If it is true that tips are down due to UDP, basic accounting gives credit to the claim that the 18% is not going directly to the servers.[/QUOTE]
The UBP is around $400 pp.

[quote name='mjkacmom']The UBP is around $400 pp.[/QUOTE]

Sorry, I corrected my original post. For clarity I should have strated: "If we selected the UBP PROMO we would pay around $140 in service charges." Edited January 18, 2016 by BermudaBound2014

[quote name='cruzsnooze']That's the best to do it if you want to be sure the money gets into the hands of those that serve you. I remove the auto grats and tip in cash in the dining rooms, and for the room steward. Since the bar already has 18% tip I leave it at that, no extra.

Anyone crew member who discusses their salary with a passenger should be reported to their boss and taken with a grain of salt. They apparently are a disgruntled employee which isn't good for NCL.[/QUOTE]

I'm the OP. First, I made it clear I was poting this for those who want to tip above and beyon. I tip 20% on land for good service. Therefore, when I get great service on board, I tip a little extra. As I said in the original post, if you dont want to tip extra, then fine, move along.

The bartender is the one bartender we've become good friends with over 15 years of cruising NCL. I specifically asked him. He wasn't disgruntled at all. Said they were told this is a test period and shrugged and said, "so we'll see." Don't jump to negative conclusions that quickly.

[quote name='dongordon']Two Questions:

1. Do they still swipe your card or just look at it?

2. In the Dining Rooms, can you still use the UBP for a cocktail and a glass of wine?
(or has this changed?)

Don[/QUOTE]

They swipe it. And yes, you can use the UBP for a drink anywhere. We had wine or cocktails with dinner in the MDR and specialties. All were included in the UBP.