What do you tip the butler?

[isdoo]

If people are really tip the butler $10 per person per day and he has 10 suites, these butlers are making over $1000 per week?

 

I suspect the vast majority do not tip extra at all.

[peg013]

We tipped our butler $140 ($10/pp per day) on the Epic, and tipped the room steward $60. I just went down to the ATM in the casino on the last night and pulled out $200. There were envelopes at the concierge desk. I handed the envelopes to them personally on the last day.

 

No need to incur those ATM charges. You can add your tips to your onboard account at Guest Services. You just need to know their first and last name and position. You will receive a voucher receipt to actually give them so they know to expect the tip in their pay.

 

Does this also mean it can come out of your on-board credit? That would be great!!!

 

Not only can it be put on your onboard account - you can use any OBC for tips. While some OBC (nonrefundable) cannot be used for the $12.00 Service Charge, it can be used for tips to the butler, concierge, room steward or anyone else you want to leave a tip. I bring thank you cards to put the receipt in and write a short note telling them how they made my cruise special. :)

[peg013]

Hi Ohio, I know your post is old but I have a question since you're in the know re: tipping. It seems a regular non- butler room steward does all the same things a butler does. Or..does the suite have a butler AND a room steward? We'll be first timers in a suite so I want to do what's right. Thanks for your help.

 

I'm not sure if James is still around - haven't seen him for a long time so I will try to explain. You will have a room steward and a butler. Two totally different people with different duties. The room steward is included in the Daily Service Charge but we usually give him extra too. Of course there is no need to tip him extra - it's your choice. The butler and concierge are NOT included in the DSC and should be tipped according to use. Just remember, even if you do not ask your Butler for anything special, he/she will still be stocking your coffee needs, bringing a daily snack and is available to you whether you use him/her or not. Don't forget to ask for whatever pillows you want on the first day (or they will run out). The butler will make sure they are delivered to your suite. Hope this helps.

[mpk218]

My rough break down is as follows.. 7 day cruise in a suite.

 

Room steward $50.xtra , concierge. $50. minimal use.... Butler $200 ..

 

Adjust as needed ..... ;)

[snaiks]

you can always tip with these

[Tricialy]

This is just us personally, but - the only thing we use the Butler for is the first day tour of the room and coffee machine and the snacks they deliver in the afternoons (half the time we are already back from our shore excursion and have the do not disturb on, so maybe 4 out of 7 days) - we've given the butlers $100 and they were shocked to get that much.

 

Maybe cruise critic readers are tipping, but it makes me wonder if most people aren't tipping at all. One butler we had came back and hugged us both after he realized what my husband had handed him. (a $100 bill) - I would imagine a lot of people don't realize they aren't included in the daily charge. According to CC, we are tipping on the low end.

 

We also tip the room steward, they've always been so great and friendly - but it's just a personal choice. Our first cruise we gave him $20 and felt good about it - now we leave more. Had we been in a suite on our first cruise, we would have had no idea about tipping the butler and concierge.

 

Happy Cruising!

[DMH15]

This is just us personally, but - the only thing we use the Butler for is the first day tour of the room and coffee machine and the snacks they deliver in the afternoons (half the time we are already back from our shore excursion and have the do not disturb on, so maybe 4 out of 7 days) - we've given the butlers $100 and they were shocked to get that much.

 

Maybe cruise critic readers are tipping, but it makes me wonder if most people aren't tipping at all. One butler we had came back and hugged us both after he realized what my husband had handed him. (a $100 bill) - I would imagine a lot of people don't realize they aren't included in the daily charge. According to CC, we are tipping on the low end.

 

We also tip the room steward, they've always been so great and friendly - but it's just a personal choice. Our first cruise we gave him $20 and felt good about it - now we leave more. Had we been in a suite on our first cruise, we would have had no idea about tipping the butler and concierge.

 

Happy Cruising!

 

You sound like folks I would like to cruise with.

 

 

 

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[roddy good boy]

Last year we were in a Haven Spa suite and tipped our butler $10 per day per person. As the previous poster stated, my butler looked shocked. We gave the room steward $50. He also looked shocked, but very appreciative!!! I only knew to do that from reading cruise critic prior to the trip.

 

We are going on the same trip this coming Sept. I think I will adjust down to $100 for the butler but leave it at $50 for the Steward. We really didn't use them that much.

[sargemrs]

I was told that because the POA is an American ship that the butler and concierge ARE included, but that it is the only ship in the fleet that includes. I heard that from 2 NCL agents. We asked lots of questions about the "suite-life" to determine if we wanted to "pay the price" for it. Large tips for the room steward, butler and concierge would have been a deal breaker for us. I understand we wouldn't have to tip the steward but probably will and if the pooled tips weren't shared with the butler and concierge we couldn't in all good conscience NOT tip! Just what we were told.:confused:

[cruzsnooze]

I don't need anything from a butler and will ask them not to disturb me. I don't want snacks or extra food in my cabin. I don't plan to tip for services I don't want or need and will not use. I think I'm being fair by telling the butler up front, thank you but No thank you. Just because I like the larger cabin and location doesn't mean I should have to pay for a service I do not want.

[Ericktina]

We have all read about this subject many times. Someone will always speculate that, if everyone tips 10.00 per person per day, the butlers are making a lot of money. That does NOT happen. I happen to think 10.00 per person per day is the correct STARTING point. For example, the most difficult request a butler can have is en suite dining--particularly if courses are ordered from different restaurants. That should require a premium where tips are concerned. Anything special should require a premium.

 

For those who say to tip according to use of the services--the butlers are standing by to PROVIDE services, WANT to provide services, and are happy to do so. And they provide MANY services, even if no extras are requested. That is why a minimum daily amount should be given as a tip. Whether one actually asks for anything is irrelevant.

 

I blame NCL for these constant questions, and understand why people are uncomfortable about the subject. Moreover, no one ever gets a satisfactory answer, because everyone has such a different view of what is correct--which also applies to what I am saying here. NCL should provide more assistance in establishing guidelines by giving suggestions in the form of dollar amounts. Tipping would still be in the discretion of the passenger, but I believe the passengers would be more comfortable if they were within suggested guidelines.

[Sundiego]

you can always tip with these

 

 

Huh? I don't get it.

[Ericktina]

I have been in only one suite, but let me give my worthless two cents. If you can afford a suite make it worth your while. I budgeted $20.00 per day X 12 for a 11 night cruise.for the butler. I put 20 5's in the envelope along with the other money and planned on taking out 5 or 10 when something didn't go right. We didn't ask for a lot and I gave him all of it. While an extra $240 is a ton of money, it's a lot more in his world than mine.

I don't get it, we expect to be treated like Kings and Queens. And with that comes some extra cost. If we don't want that get a simple room. Just to add I have been on 20 plus cruises and have been in only one suite. I do value the $$$$$, but if I go first class I will pay.

BRAVO !! You said it all...would like to cruise with you !!

[snaiks]

Home alone movie. Kevin tips the butler with gum

 

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[disfan13]

Hmmm - all trhese replies makes me wonder...

 

Last week on the Gem, 9 nights..

our first suite. The Butler came in, introduced himself, showed me how to use the espresso maker. Gave him $20. Brought us coffee each morning. $5 each morning. Then $25 last night. Did we undertip him?

Concierge: $20 on day 2 when he arranged reservations for us with a couple of other couples. $50 on day 3 after a couple more arrangements made. $100 on last night. $20 when we said goodbye. We used our concierge and just had much more contact with him than our butler.

Room Steward. $20 day 1 when she brought us an ext cord. $40 on Day 6 when she was going ashore with friends. $30 last night.

 

I always thought we over tipped, but reading some of these replies, are we cheap?

 

Note we also tip extra in cash on 95% of our drinks.

Edited April 23, 2014 by disfan13

[peg013]

disfan13----- Didn't your butler leave you snacks each afternoon?

 

With the same $330 you tipped, my split would have been more like Concierge $140 and Butler $150 (or reverse it), room steward only $40 (since he also gets part of the DSC) but everyone is free to do it their way.....not mine.

Edited April 23, 2014 by peg013

[cruzsnooze]

Hmmm - all trhese replies makes me wonder...

 

Last week on the Gem, 9 nights..

our first suite. The Butler came in, introduced himself, showed me how to use the espresso maker. Gave him $20. Brought us coffee each morning. $5 each morning. Then $25 last night. Did we undertip him?

Concierge: $20 on day 2 when he arranged reservations for us with a couple of other couples. $50 on day 3 after a couple more arrangements made. $100 on last night. $20 when we said goodbye. We used our concierge and just had much more contact with him than our butler.

Room Steward. $20 day 1 when she brought us an ext cord. $40 on Day 6 when she was going ashore with friends. $30 last night.

 

I always thought we over tipped, but reading some of these replies, are we cheap?

 

Note we also tip extra in cash on 95% of our drinks.

I think you're overly generous. I don't tip over the daily service charge. That's what the cruise line asks for and that's what they think is fair or they wouldn't have set the amount and charged me accordingly.

[DMH15]

Hmmm - all trhese replies makes me wonder...

 

 

 

Last week on the Gem, 9 nights..

 

our first suite. The Butler came in, introduced himself, showed me how to use the espresso maker. Gave him $20. Brought us coffee each morning. $5 each morning. Then $25 last night. Did we undertip him?

 

Concierge: $20 on day 2 when he arranged reservations for us with a couple of other couples. $50 on day 3 after a couple more arrangements made. $100 on last night. $20 when we said goodbye. We used our concierge and just had much more contact with him than our butler.

 

Room Steward. $20 day 1 when she brought us an ext cord. $40 on Day 6 when she was going ashore with friends. $30 last night.

 

 

 

I always thought we over tipped, but reading some of these replies, are we cheap?

 

 

 

Note we also tip extra in cash on 95% of our drinks.

 

 

Did the butler bring you snacks every day? Any meals ensuite?

[j-9]

Hmmm - all trhese replies makes me wonder...

 

Last week on the Gem, 9 nights..

our first suite. The Butler came in, introduced himself, showed me how to use the espresso maker. Gave him $20. Brought us coffee each morning. $5 each morning. Then $25 last night. Did we undertip him?

Concierge: $20 on day 2 when he arranged reservations for us with a couple of other couples. $50 on day 3 after a couple more arrangements made. $100 on last night. $20 when we said goodbye. We used our concierge and just had much more contact with him than our butler.

Room Steward. $20 day 1 when she brought us an ext cord. $40 on Day 6 when she was going ashore with friends. $30 last night.

 

I always thought we over tipped, but reading some of these replies, are we cheap?

 

Note we also tip extra in cash on 95% of our drinks.

 

Tipping is what feels right to you. I personally tipped the butler a little higher, but the concierge much lower, as we didn't really have many requests of him. Room steward I tipped much less, I think maybe 20 bucks, but there wasn't a lot of interaction, it was primarily the butler that we appreciated. Also tipped the guys in the suite breakfast and lunch restaurant quite a bit as they provided wonderful service and really enhanced our vacation.

Oh, and we tipped them all at the end. Nothing along the way.

Edited April 23, 2014 by j-9

[njhorseman]

I think you're overly generous. I don't tip over the daily service charge. That's what the cruise line asks for and that's what they think is fair or they wouldn't have set the amount and charged me accordingly.

 

The butler and concierge don't receive any of the daily service charge, so your reason for not tipping them is factually incorrect and meaningless. Earlier you said you didn't tip the butler because you don't use the butler's services. Now you're saying it's because you think the service charge is enough (even though none the service charge goes to the butler). Sounds like you're having trouble keeping your story straight.

 

Not tipping the room steward is another matter all together and I suspect you're in the majority there.

Edited April 23, 2014 by njhorseman

[DMH15]

I think you're overly generous. I don't tip over the daily service charge. That's what the cruise line asks for and that's what they think is fair or they wouldn't have set the amount and charged me accordingly.

 

 

Are you in a suite? The butler and concierge are not included in the DSC. maybe you did not know that.

[GUEST080219]

I don't need anything from a butler and will ask them not to disturb me. I don't want snacks or extra food in my cabin. I don't plan to tip for services I don't want or need and will not use. I think I'm being fair by telling the butler up front, thank you but No thank you. Just because I like the larger cabin and location doesn't mean I should have to pay for a service I do not want.

 

I think it is absolutely fair and at the same time one of the reasons why I think paying people through tips is broken by design.

If half of his suite guests or even more think like that he will probably have serious financial problems and there is nothing he can do to make the situation better.

[disfan13]

Did the butler bring you snacks every day? Any meals ensuite?

Ahhhh yes he did. So did I under tip him? Honestly we used the Concierge much more than the butler. Now I feel bad! :(

[DMH15]

Ahhhh yes he did. So did I under tip him? Honestly we used the Concierge much more than the butler. Now I feel bad! :(

 

 

Myself I would have tipped more than that. But as others here have said some do not tip at all so I think you are fine. I am sure your butler appreciated what you gave him. You should not feel bad.

 

 

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[cruitenn]

Tipping is your personal choice and really based on the service provided to you. Our family started cruising in 1986 and we have cruised more than 60 times on different lines but over 40 times on NCL. Have been on the smallest ocean view (Norway 96with a porthole) on the Norway to an owner's suite on the Jewel. We always tip based on service provided to us and the butler normally gets the most, at least $10 per day for a 7 day cruise but usually $10 per day per person.

 

The cabin steward always gets extra at the end of the cruise. My husband does not get involve with the tipping and he does not want to know what we tip. He gives me an envelope with cash for the trip and as long as there's enough left to take a cab home, he's happy. Can you tell he's a spendthrift? LOL. :D