Gratuity Question

[Jamnchase]

I have a general question regarding gratuities for Drink Services. On our past cruises we have generally left a small gratuity per drink served or based on a percentage of the total bill (on the Cheers Program). I was aware a Gratuity was included each day on our Sail & Sign account and this went to various departments including the Food & Beverage Department. Is it common to leave additional gratuities or only when you receive exceptional/personal service?

[cruising_diva]

If I'm not mistaken, an automatic 15% gratuity is included in the purchase of the Cheers program. I also have always assumed that an automatic 15% was automatically tacked on to all individually purchased drinks as well. I'm sure it won't take long for someone to correct me if I'm wrong.

If you don't do prepaid gratuities, then yes, gratuities of $11.50 per per per day are added to your sail and sign. Some people do give additional gratuities to certain individuals (steward, etc). Its strictly your choice. You can also go to Guest Servies and have them to reallocate what you have already automatically paid.

[Cruising Photographer]

Yes, I believe that you have already paid a 15% gratuity on the Cheers Program purchase. That gets split among the drink staff. But if you have a good waiter, leave a little extra for him if you wish. He'll appreciate it and may become your best bar staff friend.

[klfrodo]

Since 15% is already tacked on,,, I just sign and move on to my next fun filled activity.

[kona_wahine]

Yes, already added in with a nice tip. I don't tip extra.

[klgreen803]

Because the gratuity is included in the price of the drink, we don't tip extra UNLESS we like the wait person or the particular bartender. On our last cruise we never warmed to a bartender, but we had a bar waiter who was terrific. We tipped her often and well; when she saw us approaching she would hold up two fingers, we would nod and sit down. Very shortly she was serving us at our table.

[092306]

We typically don't add extra unless it's a waiter who served us well throughout the cruise. Last time on Splendor we tipped our bar waiter in the MDR extra. He was fantastic.

[Lovefuninthesun]

We have had several bartenders who really went above & beyond - we always tipped a little extra, rounded up, etc.

 

 

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[1threadshort]

okay so 2 people. 2 drinks. how much is a bit extra.

[Jamnchase]

Yes, I believe that you have already paid a 15% gratuity on the Cheers Program purchase. That gets split among the drink staff. But if you have a good waiter, leave a little extra for him if you wish. He'll appreciate it and may become your best bar staff friend.

 

Yes, from what I gather we pay 15% Gratuity with the Cheers Program in addition to the $11.50 per guest per day Gratuity that is added to our Sail & Sign. The last cruise we did have an awesome bartender (Gladis on Victory) and we added $1 to $2 per drink for the exceptional service she provided - she always remembered us and always remembered what we drank. She even gave us some tips/work arounds to be able to order doubles on the Cheers Program. However, we often found ourselves leaving anyone who brought us a drink $1 or so. Thanks for everyone's replies and help!

[dorisis]

If you have a favorite bar and bartender, it will be proper to tip additional for good service.

[LambKnuckles]

That's what the dollar bills are for...

 

Yep, I'll tip when I sit at the bar or if I get fast service out at the pool. I tip ALWAYS in the Theater/Lounge, even at the Past Guest party.

 

In the dining Room, I tip the cocktail server on the last day, when I give additional cash to the table servers.

 

I even tip at breakfast and lunch for great service to the wait staff or cocktail server.

 

I also gave my DD enough dollar bills to tip when she'd get a "free" soda from the bar on her Soda Card. I've never done the CHEERS program, but I would tip.

[mikemartha]

LambKnuckles, you and I are on the same page. We put away dollar bIlls every day; so we have our extra tips when we travel. We even trade the ones in for two dollar bills to cut the size of the wad. While an extra $ on top of the 15% per drink is expensive, it means a lot more in their economy and wage level. The good one gravitate to the tippers. Saying that I expect service and a smile. We are not well to do, but when we do travel we try to do it right.

[LambKnuckles]

LambKnuckles, you and I are on the same page. We put away dollar bIlls every day; so we have our extra tips when we travel. We even trade the ones in for two dollar bills to cut the size of the wad. While an extra $ on top of the 15% per drink is expensive, it means a lot more in their economy and wage level. The good one gravitate to the tippers. Saying that I expect service and a smile. We are not well to do, but when we do travel we try to do it right.

 

I might not have lots of money -- but I have enough to share with folks that don't make that much!!!

 

I'm glad you do too!!!

 

I wish there was a LIKE button ... I would have pressed it on your post!!!

[fishtaco]

I have only been on 2 cruises out of US but am yet to see anyone pass over cash tips to anyone except for dinning room staff last night and the odd chip at the casino table from drunk winners!

 

I am from Australia and classed as from a non tipping culture so have made it a point to take notice as much as possible on both carnival cruises.

 

People dont tip nearly as much or often as some profess and others think, this was also very obvious on the ship organised tour transport.

 

I actually cut back my extra tips this year at sea as it was obvious many people no longer tip anything unless they have to, this also includes watching who signs for extra bar tips to which I see Zero.

 

Drinks already have a gratuity (tip) added at purchase time, its not the same as a bar on land so not sure why so many keep asking how much extra to tip:confused:If they want to tip extra just tip as you would on land in a bar or restaurant :confused: after all people in US are so used to tipping they shouldn't need guidance! lol

 

Admittedly I cant watch everyone or what others do on other cruises but I can safely say my observations were correct for what I witnessed.

 

It seems to me that only CC member who answer to tipping threads tip extra and often:D:D:D

[RWolver672]

I agree with fishtaco. I think more people say they do than what actually does.

[WindsorFred]

Because the gratuity is included in the price of the drink, we don't tip extra UNLESS we like the wait person or the particular bartender. On our last cruise we never warmed to a bartender, but we had a bar waiter who was terrific. We tipped her often and well; when she saw us approaching she would hold up two fingers, we would nod and sit down. Very shortly she was serving us at our table.

 

Have had the same experience on almost every cruise, a little extra tip and you are never "empty" (waiting for a drink). Always have a favorite server on deck.

Edited June 28, 2014 by WindsorFred

[Sue Do-Over]

We are casino regulars, and tip the dealers if we're having fun. The supervisors notice, and often comp drinks (we usually earn the free drink card pretty quickly, too).

 

So, our drinks are free in the casino... but we still tip $1 to the bar waiter for each one. Funny, how she keeps them coming, and always delivers my special drink quickly. (diet sprite instead of soda/sugar syrup in my mojito)

[irishnyc]

We didn't tip extra with Cheers because there was already a 15% grat. charged. We also never tip additional without Cheers because 15% is already what we would tip. Ordinarily we tip $1/drink in a land bar, more in a higher end bar, but at the price level of Carnival drinks, $1 is fine. The frozen drinks are $8ish, so a 15% tip is $1.20. Yeah, that's enough tipping, thank you very much. The Lido bartender on the Splendor kept my drinks coming and kept them strong, despite me having Cheers, and not tipping additional.

 

I agree with fishtaco. I think more people say they do than what actually does.

 

 

I have to agree with this. I have never seen anyone hand over cash at a cruise bar, and I loooooove to people watch.

Edited June 28, 2014 by irishnyc

[Elaine5715]

I write in the extra $1 when I sign .

.

[WindsorFred]

I write in the extra $1 when I sign .

.

 

 

Same here. Than some cash at the end of the cruise.