Tipping 2

[sail7seas]

We would never remove auto hotel service charge.

If the service was not to our expectation, I would address the issue to have it improved rather than sulk and stew about the lacking service. The goal, for us, is to be taken care of nicely and we are then very happy to leave the hotel service charge in place and to tip additional to those we feel made our cruise more special by taking 'extra good' care of us.

 

To remove the auto charge because of poor service seems such a shame to have not gotten it addressed and improved during your cruise.

 

In the event, you could not get it made better.......

pursue the issue further. IMO

 

[George C]

 

To remove the auto charge because of poor service seems such a shame to have not gotten it addressed and improved during your cruise.

 

In the event, you could not get it made better.......

pursue the issue further. IMO

 

 

HAL does not always address there problems durring a cruise.

[GeorgesGal]

We leave the auto tip in place. But we also tip each time room service delivers, give addl tip to our stateroom attendants, and on recent cruise signed up for cabana club, so we also tipped the stewards there cause they were great guys!

 

Donna

[Candy]

...snip... To remove the auto charge because of poor service seems such a shame to have not gotten it addressed and improved during your cruise... In the event, you could not get it made better.......pursue the issue further. IMO

So true, Sail... if service is not to your liking, it's easy to ask your attendant to change or fix something. If you are still not satisfied, a simple phone call or short note to the Housekeeping, Beverage, Hotel or Dining Room Manager should get results.

 

In the unlikely event there was still no change, and you choose to remove the auto-tips, please get some envelopes and tip those whose service you DID enjoy, so they are not penalized for someone else's bad service. These tips will go into the tip pool, but at least they'll get something extra.

[Candy]

HAL does not always address there problems durring a cruise.

It's true, some things cannot be fixed during your cruise, but, for me, HAL goes the extra mile to please the passenger.

 

On one cruise my cooler didn't cool, so I told the steward and someone in maintenance fiddled with it. It ran for awhile and quit, so maintenance was called again. After several failed attempts, they took a refrigerator from someplace and placed it in my cabin. Problem solved.

[pearliemae]

On a recent thread, the question was asked if someone cancelled the hotel service charge at the end of the cruise, and they had given cash tips to crew members during the cruise, would the crew members have to turn in those tips received prior to the cancellation?

If the tip was phone cards, lunch or drinks in port, or cash, are these hard working crew members penalized for some cruisers decision to stiff the staff?

Does anyone know how this would be handled?

[ASIWISH]

Regardless of the situation, we would never remove the Auto-Tip.

 

There are thousands of "tip worthy" events that happen over a seven day cruise, and one issue shouldn't cancel them out.

 

We are over-tippers, and will gladly spend the last week of our lives broke if we happen to run out of money! That's why we had kids….!!!

 

I think Krazy Kruizers' story happens way more often than we want to admit it! It's always so sad to see so many empty tables on the last evening, and the Lido so crowded. I mean, packing is important, but really?

[sail7seas]

On a recent thread, the question was asked if someone cancelled the hotel service charge at the end of the cruise, and they had given cash tips to crew members during the cruise, would the crew members have to turn in those tips received prior to the cancellation?

If the tip was phone cards, lunch or drinks in port, or cash, are these hard working crew members penalized for some cruisers decision to stiff the staff?

Does anyone know how this would be handled?

 

 

If a guest removes auto hotel service charge from their account, any cash they give to anyone as tips must be turned in and pooled among all who would have shared in the automatic tip.

 

If you leave the hotel service charge in place on your account and choose to tip 'over and above', anyone you give it to can keep it.

 

[lindaler]

Okay, I have asked other cruisers when on a cruise but have never heard about the stairs and the goodbye. I don't even remember the goodbye stair thing but have never run out on a dinner. Is that stair thing when you are supposed to tip your servers at dinner? What do you usually tip them? I never knew. Now I feel like I did something wrong but if no one tells you. We were at a table for four and the other couple had 200 cruise days. You are right that they didn't show the last night but never said a thing to us about it being proper to tip at that time.

[kazu]

Okay, I have asked other cruisers when on a cruise but have never heard about the stairs and the goodbye. I don't even remember the goodbye stair thing but have never run out on a dinner. Is that stair thing when you are supposed to tip your servers at dinner? What do you usually tip them? I never knew. Now I feel like I did something wrong but if no one tells you. We were at a table for four and the other couple had 200 cruise days. You are right that they didn't show the last night but never said a thing to us about it being proper to tip at that time.

 

The example of running out on the dinner that Kk gave was from the OLD days when the HSC was not in place. Have to say - unfortunately - we also saw the same thing.

 

Tipping at the end is not necessary at all if you leave your auto tips in place. Many of us choose to do it - but it is our choice - not a requirement at all.

 

We have normally had very good service and if that is the case, yes we like to leave a bit extra:) But it is NOT required;)

[Randyk47]

I do remember way back in 1995 on our first cruise with HAL that we were totally unprepared to hand out tips. We'd gone on our first cruise on Carnival the year before and had been counseled by our TA on tips, etc., which we handed out during that cruise so it wasn't like we didn't know about them. Anyhow, we went back to the same TA and based on our Carnival experience she recommended we try HAL and we booked a cruise on the then not even in service Ryndam. Back then, at least with this brick and mortar agency, you actually went to the agency to pick up your HAL folder, the old blue pleather one with all the neat information. We were very excited but knew very little about cruising other than our very short cruise on the Fantasy so we asked a lot of questions. One of the things she explained was tipping was not required or expected.....she made a point of it stated that Holland America was an upscale cruise line, paid its crew and staff well, etc., etc. Luckily we noticed people handing out tips the evening of the last evening before dinner and we asked another couple who we'd met on the cruise. They set us straight and we were able to scramble around and make it happen. Post-cruise our TA maintained to the last that we were not required or expected to tip.

[sassy~one]

Our crew works very hard to make sure that every aspect of your cruise meets the highest standards. This includes those crew members who serve you directly, such as Dining Room wait staff and the stewards who service your stateroom each day. There are also many others who support their efforts whom you may never meet, such as galley and laundry staff. To ensure that the efforts of all of our crew members are recognized and rewarded, a daily Hotel Service Charge is automatically added to each guest’s shipboard account.

The daily Hotel Service Charge for suites is US$12.00 per guest per day, and US$11.50 per guest per day for other staterooms. (The charges are subject to change without notice)

If our service exceeds or fails to meet your expectations, you are free to adjust this amount at the end of each segment and/or voyage. The Hotel Service Charge is paid to Holland America Line crew members, and represents an important part of their compensation. A 15% Bar Service Charge is automatically added to bar charges and Dining Room wine purchases. In terminals, airports, ports of call and on shore excursions, we suggest that you extend gratuities consistent with customary local practices.

[citygirl62]

I just got back from a Carnival Legend cruise Sept 23-30 and had to go to Guest Services on the last night because I had misplaced my S and S card. I was appalled to hear a young guy (maybe late 20's) explaining to the purser that he wanted to remove all tips pertaining to the room steward's tips because he and his wife had brought their own sheets and towels and made up the bed and cleaned, etc.!! I was in shock and wanted to hang around and hear the outcome but they got me a replacement card so quickly. What gall. If you are that cheap stay home. I can't imagine what the steward felt but even if they did make the bed, did they vacuum, top up the ice bucket and clean the balcony?

[RuthC]

I was appalled to hear a young guy (maybe late 20's) explaining to the purser that he wanted to remove all tips pertaining to the room steward's tips because he and his wife had brought their own sheets and towels and made up the bed and cleaned, etc.!!

Did you happen to notice if, as he spoke, his nose grew???

[Randyk47]

I just got back from a Carnival Legend cruise Sept 23-30 and had to go to Guest Services on the last night because I had misplaced my S and S card. I was appalled to hear a young guy (maybe late 20's) explaining to the purser that he wanted to remove all tips pertaining to the room steward's tips because he and his wife had brought their own sheets and towels and made up the bed and cleaned, etc.!! I was in shock and wanted to hang around and hear the outcome but they got me a replacement card so quickly. What gall. If you are that cheap stay home. I can't imagine what the steward felt but even if they did make the bed, did they vacuum, top up the ice bucket and clean the balcony?

 

Did you happen to notice if, as he spoke, his nose grew???

 

Holy moly!! That's incredible!! And a great comment Ruth! :D

[travelerone]

Thanks for all the information . It is very helpful since we have only been on a 3 day cruise and then overland in Alaska and Canada. 3 days isn't enough to really understand cruising. This time we are going on a 10 day Panama Canal in November. I think the auto tips give people the idea that nothing else is needed and it is good to hear that not everyone feels that way. We used to go to resorts in Mexico and always tipped even the entertainment staff.

[cruiseing marly]

I have been on ten Holland America cruises and doubt that there should be a reason to remove the hotel service charge. Appears to me that some people can be cheap and some think there more important than they are !! Just saying

[Candy]

...snip... It's always so sad to see so many empty tables on the last evening, and the Lido so crowded. I mean, packing is important, but really?

We don't do Main Fixed any more because it interferes with the Hold'em table opening at 9:00. We will dine in the Lido or get to the MDR early enough to be done by then.

 

When we dine elsewhere on the last night, I make a special trip to the DR to tip my favorite waitstaff.

 

For those of you on a Collector's Cruise, you should tip at the end of each leg.

[sail7seas]

We don't do Main Fixed any more because it interferes with the Hold'em table opening at 9:00. We will dine in the Lido or get to the MDR early enough to be done by then.

 

When we dine elsewhere on the last night, I make a special trip to the DR to tip my favorite waitstaff.

 

For those of you on a Collector's Cruise, you should tip at the end of each leg.

 

 

Candy,

Another thing about which you and I agree. :)

 

We almost always go to Pinnacle the last night. DH will either go to MDR during our pre-dinner cocktail hour when the stewards are serving the first seating (Main Upper) and give them envelopes to thank them. Or if on Maasdam where Pinnacle is right beside the dining room, he will go in between courses. I often pop in after dinner to say thank you and goodbye.

 

They are almost always surprised because they expect those who are dining elsewhere probably will not go to the bit of extra to come to say thank you and goodbye to them.

 

There are a group of us, like you, who wouldn't dream of leaving without doing this....assuming we have had the usual wonderful service we always enjoy.

 

 

 

[cruz chic]

I've been known to eat elsewhere on the last night because I hated the master chef dinner. The times i've left additional I've left it the night before the last one. That way I don't have to remember. That works better for me.

[Typhoon1]

Leave the HSC in place. Anyone that has provided you with exceptional service should deserve a little extra.

[sail7seas]

I've been known to eat elsewhere on the last night because I hated the master chef dinner. The times i've left additional I've left it the night before the last one. That way I don't have to remember. That works better for me.

 

Now that you mention it, I think we've done that a few times, too.

 

[Candy]

Pinnacle: Consider at least $5 cash per person for the waiter and wine steward. Tips cannot be added to the dinner check or charged on your room card.

 

Events: If you host a private event (cocktail party, Meet 'n' Greet, seminar), tip in cash at the time of the event.

 

Spa: 10-15% can be added to the check. Tip on the amount of the treatment, not on any product you may purchase.

 

Concierge: This depends on the amount of personalized service (over and above making simple reservations, restocking the goodies or bussing dishes) you received. If they help you plan a party, including printing and delivering invitations, ordering food, arranging for a bartender, etc., I would be very generous. The Concierges share the tips with each other, so you can put both names on the envelope.

 

Casino: If the Host buys you a drink there is no 15% service charge for the waiter, so I tip $1-2 in casino chips each time.

 

[kazu]

Pinnacle: Consider at least $5 cash per person for the waiter and wine steward. Tips cannot be added to the dinner check or charged on your room card.

 

Events: If you host a private event (cocktail party, Meet 'n' Greet, seminar), tip in cash at the time of the event.

 

Spa: 10-15% can be added to the check. Tip on the amount of the treatment, not on any product you may purchase.

 

Concierge: This depends on the amount of personalized service (over and above making simple reservations, restocking the goodies or bussing dishes) you received. If they help you plan a party, including printing and delivering invitations, ordering food, arranging for a bartender, etc., I would be very generous. The Concierges share the tips with each other, so you can put both names on the envelope.

 

Casino: If the Host buys you a drink there is no 15% service charge for the waiter, so I tip $1-2 in casino chips each time.

 

 

Well, I always thought that DH and I were generous tippers - however, I do arrange meet and greets and I have never tipped for that:eek: other than one time when they served mimosas and the head bar person was there so I gave it to him?

 

So are you saying that the organizer of the meet and greet should be tipping? and to whom? I've done thank you notes - but not tips.

 

I 'm at a loss now. I never considered this (other than the example I gave) before. Basically, they set up cookies, water, tea and coffee. I always order a no host bar so the bar gets gratuities when people order.

 

Have I missed the boat? (seriously)

[Bluwater7]

On a long trip 88 days - when would you do your do your extra tipping? Have done B2b not a problem there. This cruise has so many segments I am not sure what to do. Suggestions please.