Meet and Greet Gratuity Suggestions Please

[Slammerswife]

Im taking over a Meet and Greet and have a great idea on how to make it fun. Im actually pretty excited. My question is how do I tip? This isnt really part of NCLs everyday activity. Who do I tip? I dont want to leave anyone out. Bartender, NCL Event Coor. What do I tip? Money...gift...amount?? Would it be impolite to ask other M&G party goers to chip in for the tips/gifts/gratuity? Thank you in advance!!

[Essiesmom]

I would ask this on the NCL board. But I have never heard of any group tipping for an M&G event. The bartender will get tips that are included in the drinks you buy. EM

[Hlitner]

Oh My. Call me "cheap" but after spending nearly 4 years on ships (as a passenger) we think the tipping thing has gotten out of hand. On NCL you are already being charged $12 per passenger day for gratuities (these funds are essentially put into a pot and distributed to the crew based on a "secret" formula." In addition, this line charges and 18% mandatory gratuity (the highest percentage of any cruise line) on drinks and some other services.

 

So, if after paying all these service charges/tips if you still want to pay more then you can certainly hand any member of the crew some cash. In fact, if you want to walk around the ship with a wad of $100 bills and freely hand them out to every crew member they will appreciate your generosity.

 

So my take on your question is that if a fellow passenger ever asked me to "chip in" to tip folks who have already been tipped (via your auto gratuities) I would politely tell that passenger to please feel free to add some extra money on my behalf :). I should add that we have attended M&Gs on dozens of cruises (usually do not go to them anymore) and have never, ever, had anyone ask about tipping the crew that works those functions.

 

Hank

[spookwife]

Im taking over a Meet and Greet and have a great idea on how to make it fun. Im actually pretty excited. My question is how do I tip? This isnt really part of NCLs everyday activity. Who do I tip? I dont want to leave anyone out. Bartender, NCL Event Coor. What do I tip? Money...gift...amount?? Would it be impolite to ask other M&G party goers to chip in for the tips/gifts/gratuity? Thank you in advance!!

 

you DO NOT tip for group events. and yes it would be beyond rude/tacky to request that others chip in. and yes this is a regular thing for those cruise lines that offer it.

[Slammerswife]

Thank you for responding. It just seems to me this is something extra and NOT something the cruiselines freely provide. Its more like an ass kissing party and feel that them going out of their way deserves a little thank you. Not sure a $10 bill is going to break me especially for what I paid already. If Im setting money aside knowing Im going to lose it at Bingo or the Casino than I think I will go against the grain and just tip them myself. Thank you for your opinions

[paul929207]

I have organized a number of M&G on Princess cruises and never tipped anyone for it. Bartender is tipped as part of the purchase of any drinks.

[smeyer418]

Thank you for responding. It just seems to me this is something extra and NOT something the cruiselines freely provide. Its more like an ass kissing party and feel that them going out of their way deserves a little thank you. Not sure a $10 bill is going to break me especially for what I paid already. If Im setting money aside knowing Im going to lose it at Bingo or the Casino than I think I will go against the grain and just tip them myself. Thank you for your opinions

They are happy to provide its good PR. Who do you tip? The person who set up the party? The people who bring the coffee and the snacks? As others have said the serving people are part of the behind the scenes staff that are compensated by their salary and a share of the DSC. You are of course free to give anything you want but its really not expected and the group coordinator who sets it up is a salaried employee. There generally is not a bar tender and if you are paying for the drinks or part of the UBP they are already compensated. There is nothing wrong about leaving extra but its just not expected IMO.

[marco]

Regarding the staff person who coordinates the M&G...this IS part of their job, but regardless.....it is not customary or appropriate to tip people of that type position. As others have said, the bartender will be getting the "auto tips" for beverages ordered. No need to solicit or tip anyone else.

[Slammerswife]

Thanks for clearing it up.

[swedish weave]

I have been crucified on the tip threads for mentioning gifts instead of cash, but I usually take some items to give the officers who attend the M&G. One item they all seem to like is the small LED flashlights. I have seen them using them for inspections and they work well for that purpose. They also seem to like the pens with LED and lasers in them. They are not expensive and it is my way of thanking them for supporting the CC group.

[Slammerswife]

I have been crucified on the tip threads for mentioning gifts instead of cash, but I usually take some items to give the officers who attend the M&G. One item they all seem to like is the small LED flashlights. I have seen them using them for inspections and they work well for that purpose. They also seem to like the pens with LED and lasers in them. They are not expensive and it is my way of thanking them for supporting the CC group.

 

That's a great idea. I'm sure they were pleased!!

[donaldsc]

I have been crucified on the tip threads for mentioning gifts instead of cash, but I usually take some items to give the officers who attend the M&G. One item they all seem to like is the small LED flashlights. I have seen them using them for inspections and they work well for that purpose. They also seem to like the pens with LED and lasers in them. They are not expensive and it is my way of thanking them for supporting the CC group.

 

I have to believe that any officers who need a flashlight to perform their job tasks is supplied one by the cruise company - therefore they do not need yours. You also have to remember that cruise ship staff is well trained to be polite in all circumstances regardless of what they really think. Also, any officers who attend a M&G is a member of management. You do not tip management. Would you give the ship captain an inexpensive flashlight if he attended the M&G?

 

I certainly will not crucify you but anyone who brings gifts to cruise ship employees is basically wasting their money.

 

DON

[lannp]

I have organized a few M&Gs with a cash bar. I make a point of thanking

any crew there. I don't feel a tip is necessary since there is usually an automatic tip included on the bar bill.

[Slammerswife]

Swedish weave I agree. That's why I had asked gift/gratuity. I actually just ordered a few good luck charms as thank yous. If I'm not somehow able to discreetly give them to the crew than I will pass them out to any kids that attend the MG. I know they aren't expecting anything but it's nice to be recognized. I think mostly my intention of the question was directed to the server and organizer. I'm not "paying" the captain to come schmooze with us. I'm there to meet other CC members. If they show up the only question I have is "What side are we docking on".

[smeyer418]

Swedish weave I agree. That's why I had asked gift/gratuity. I actually just ordered a few good luck charms as thank yous. If I'm not somehow able to discreetly give them to the crew than I will pass them out to any kids that attend the MG. I know they aren't expecting anything but it's nice to be recognized. I think mostly my intention of the question was directed to the server and organizer. I'm not "paying" the captain to come schmooze with us. I'm there to meet other CC members. If they show up the only question I have is "What side are we docking on".

actually what you asked was gratuity...but a unique gift(small token) is actually not a bad idea. I carry a small black flashlight in my back pack. It comes in handy to look under the bed at least to make sure I haven't forgotten something. A truly unique gift with the date of the meet and greet is something people can cherish. My wife is a graduate of Cornell. For the 40th re-union of the class one of the class members made up ties and scarfs which was a great gift to each class member. ...but he owned the factory , designed and donated them.

and giving one to the each of crew who showed up would be accepted as well...and its NOT A TIP.

Edited March 2, 2015 by smeyer418

[Flatbush Flyer]

Excuse me for a brief repeat story from an earlier thread about gifts.

In younger days, I worked as a ski instructor at a top ski area in north Lake Tahoe. Beyond cash tips for private lessons, an occasional client would give me a gift. Often it was a knit ski cap that the person made or found to their liking in a ski-shop. Since we wore uniforms (including hats), these and most other clothing type gifts (no matter how nice/expensive/unique) ended up in "the box" for re-gifting or donation. Even if only two or three folks/week (over a 25 week season)

gave me something, it meant a collection of 50-75 things per year (in and out of "the box" for almost ten winters).

 

Likewise, if only 10% of a conservative 250 couples on a mid-sized ship gave an officer a gift along the lines of an LED flashlight (or whatever) each average 10 day cruise over 6 months, s/he would have a collection of approximately 375-400 items in his/ her "box." And that gets repeated tour and tour after tour.

I thought my "box" was full!

[Lerin]

*Munching on popcorn*

 

My uncle is a minister and everyone and their mother gives him a Bible for every Christmas and birthday. He's very appreciative and writes thank you letters for each one. But they are all the same and not to mention his place of employment has closets full...last Christmas he said his Bible count was over 400.

 

Both gift giving and tipping have gotten out of hand in our society. / my2cents

[slidergirl]

My input from the hospitality business (which the cruise industry falls under):

Cash is king. You may think giving something else is fine, but like some others have said, more times than not, it just gets thrown in the "anyone who wants it can take it" box at work. Managers, under no circumstances, should keep a gratuity. If one is offered and it can't be turned down, it usually gets divided up among the hourly staff or put in the "department party" fund, or if a gift, put in The Box.

Now, when you have established a return relationship with staff, that is when I find it OK to do a gift. We have some great return guests at our hotel who will bring us a box of Hawaiian chocolates when they fly in, a King cake for Mardi Gras, a box of freshly-shelled Georgia pecans to share in the Department. But, they still give cash tips to the bellmen, room service servers, etc.

We had a gentleman last Fall at the hotel - his "tip" to any staff member was a refrigerator magnet from his hometown. If you were especially helpful, he would give you a small peacock feather. The guy was paying $500/night and he gave out junk…

 

P.S. I personally know an officer on a ship; his name is Joe ;-)

Edited March 2, 2015 by slidergirl