Help needed! Tipping in the Haven

[ColeThornton]

Everyone’s experience is different and therefore everyone tips differently. If you do not want to tip the butler, explain to them you won’t be needing their services and to not even bring daily snacks. We happened to use the butler daily and tipped him what we felt comfortable with. We barely used the concierge team, but tipped them a bit for the priority disembarkation they helped us with. If you cruise in the Haven, I feel you should budget something for tipping the extra staff that you use that aren’t part of the DSC group and/or those that go above and beyond.

 

 

But here's the deal on that. People have already paid for butler service that is included as part of the much higher fares for cruising in Haven suites. Why should they have to pay more for something that is included? :confused:

[FLcruisergrl]

But here's the deal on that. People have already paid for butler service that is included as part of the much higher fares for cruising in Haven suites. Why should they have to pay more for something that is included? :confused:

 

By that logic, nobody should feel the need to tip anyone on a cruise ship, as their services are included in the fare. You tip the bartender for bringing you a drink, so why wouldn’t someone tip a butler for bringing snacks?

[ColeThornton]

By that logic, nobody should feel the need to tip anyone on a cruise ship, as their services are included in the fare. You tip the bartender for bringing you a drink, so why wouldn’t someone tip a butler for bringing snacks?

 

 

EXACTLY! You don't need to tip anyone if you don't want to. Gratuities are added on to drink prices, why tip twice? Butler service is included in your higher fare.

 

Repeating the point that has been made ad nauseum. Tip, if you want, how much you want...or don't. Doesn't matter what others do or think.

[ClarkBHM]

I've never heard of tipping the Haven common area attendants (granted I've never sailed in the Haven). I figured they just shared the DSC.

[erdoran]

I've never heard of tipping the Haven common area attendants (granted I've never sailed in the Haven). I figured they just shared the DSC.

I, too, thought they were covered under the higher dsc

[Vyhanek]

I think the question is....."how much do you tip beyond the standard service charges".

 

And yes, tipping is personal and discretionary but the poster is asking more, what did you do. If it's too personal for you to answer then this isn't your thread. I don't find it all that personal.

 

I tip the Haven dining staff $100. This is obviously above the standard gratuity deducted.

I tip the conceirge $50 I tip our room steward $50. I tipped the Butler 0 since we didn't use him at all.

[kelwong4]

May I ask who you gave the $100 to when tipping the Haven Restaurant staff?

[tbae]

Hmmm, it seems to me that the butler doing things like fetching food, running baths, escorting them to the shore (which I thought is actually done by the concierge) does not make them slaves. What it makes them is employees doing the job for which they are employed. In any event, my family of 7 will be cruising in a GV in a couple of months. This is both our first ever cruise and obviously our first time in the haven. I expect that we will use the butler and concierge a fair amount for restaurant/show booking and escort duty as well as in-suite food delivery. The "suggested minimum" I have read on other threads of 10 to 15 per day per person to the butler is absurd with this number of people. Doing the math,

 

15*7 = 105 per day * a 7 day cruise = 735

 

While this may work for 2 people in a suite using the butler extensively, it certainly does not scale well. I am guessing, as a baseline, that I will plan for a tip of around 250 to 300 for the butler, half that for the concierge, and a quarter of that for the common area attendants. This does assume the following,

 

1) That we will use the common area attendants minimally or not at all.

2) That services we request will be performed well, in a timely manner and with a positive attitude.

 

Finally, these numbers will be adjusted up or down depending on what we actually experience. There is a reason why we are cruising in the haven and I suspect that the services received will significantly affect our enjoyment of the cruise.

 

Let the positive and negative comments now flow...Have a nice day.

 

 

 

What ship is this? We are looking for a 3-bedroom villa, and always book a 2 bedroom -but I’ve never heard of a GV in the Haven. Well certainly it would not be within the courtyard complex. It has always been my understanding that the Garden Villa are on the ships that do not have the Haven. Like the dawn, sky, etc.

[GeezerCouple]

What ship is this? We are looking for a 3-bedroom villa, and always book a 2 bedroom -but I’ve never heard of a GV in the Haven. Well certainly it would not be within the courtyard complex. It has always been my understanding that the Garden Villa are on the ships that do not have the Haven. Like the dawn, sky, etc.

 

The Jewel class ships have a huge GV right in the Haven area (meaning, within the restricted entry elevator access, etc.).

 

All you have to do is look at the upper decks' Deck Plans to find the GV's and their location on the ships.

 

GC

[Trimone]

What ship is this? We are looking for a 3-bedroom villa, and always book a 2 bedroom -but I’ve never heard of a GV in the Haven. Well certainly it would not be within the courtyard complex. It has always been my understanding that the Garden Villa are on the ships that do not have the Haven. Like the dawn, sky, etc.

Your right, on the Epic, the biggest is two bedrooms, max capacity of six..

[benzygirl]

I haven't read all these comments, but as far as tipping at the beginning or end, I like to give a $50 or $100 at the beginning, and say take good care of us and there is more. I think you get better service when they know you are a good tipper.

[ColinIllinois]

I haven't read all these comments, but as far as tipping at the beginning or end, I like to give a $50 or $100 at the beginning, and say take good care of us and there is more. I think you get better service when they know you are a good tipper.

 

 

Yea, that's called a bribe. Many of the crew find that insulting. I agree with them. Good service should be a minimal expectation. I've never done that and have rarely ever had bad service on NCL.

[benzygirl]

Yea, that's called a bribe. Many of the crew find that insulting. I agree with them. Good service should be a minimal expectation. I've never done that and have rarely ever had bad service on NCL.

 

Are you really saying that many of the crew are insulted by getting an upfront gratuity and being told more is coming? What planet do you live on? No offense intended. But think you are dreaming if you think the crew doesn’t live for gratuities ��

[AlexandNessa]

Yea, that's called a bribe. Many of the crew find that insulting. I agree with them. Good service should be a minimal expectation. I've never done that and have rarely ever had bad service on NCL.

 

I have never, ever done this either, and find it tacky. We always tip at the end, have had butlers friend us on social media, and ask after our next cruises. Our butler from one of our previous cruises will be on the ship for our next cruise, and we're conspiring to ensure she's our butler again. No bribe required. She was amazing without a tip up front.

[ColinIllinois]

Are you really saying that many of the crew are insulted by getting an upfront gratuity and being told more is coming? What planet do you live on? No offense intended. But think you are dreaming if you think the crew doesn’t live for gratuities ��

 

 

Yes, I am saying that. Of course, they want the tips, but they are also professionals. Treat them that way. There has been many posts on here about the butlers and other crew turning down tips and saying "tip me at the end of the cruise if you are happy with my performance".

[tbae]

Interesting... thanks for sharing that. [emoji1]

 

 

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[ama123]

Probably over thinking this but - We plan to tip the butler, concierge and room steward at the end of the cruise... but when it comes to the wait staff in the Haven restaurant, what is the best way to tip the waiters/waitresses? Assuming waiting til the end may not make sense because if we eat multiple times in the Haven restaurant we are not likely to have the same wait staff every time?

[emcelh]

Yes, I am saying that. Of course, they want the tips, but they are also professionals. Treat them that way. There has been many posts on here about the butlers and other crew turning down tips and saying "tip me at the end of the cruise if you are happy with my performance".

Completely agree. I can't imagine handing someone money and telling them that if they do a good job there's more to come. I think I would find that a bit condescending if I were on the receiving end.

 

We had a situation a few years ago when a piece of luggage wasn't delivered to our cabin. Either the butler or steward found it (can't remember which) and DH tried to tip him when he brought it. He told us to wait until the end of the cruise.

[Trimone]

Our cruise is over halfway over and we have never used the butler or concierge for anything. I am aware that the butler has replaced our coffee pods for the coffee maker and brought us afternoon snacks but other than that we have not asked for anything. No room service or special requests. We booked our dinners online also the one show we wanted to see. We stayed onboard loving the Haven so much and having visited the ports often so no shore excursions booked. Basically I guess my question is...regardless of using the services or not...is there an amount expected to be tipped daily? Thanks for you help in this!

Nothing is expected, if you want to tip then do so, you are under no obligation to tip anyone.

[benzygirl]

Completely agree. I can't imagine handing someone money and telling them that if they do a good job there's more to come. I think I would find that a bit condescending if I were on the receiving end.

 

We had a situation a few years ago when a piece of luggage wasn't delivered to our cabin. Either the butler or steward found it (can't remember which) and DH tried to tip him when he brought it. He told us to wait until the end of the cruise.

 

Perhaps I didn't explain myself clearly. On the first day we use the butler's services a lot. He makes our dining reservation, takes our pressing, helps with any excursions and sometimes changes our liquor, as well as often sending up platters for sailaway. NCL states that tipping is allowed and appreciated for exceptional service. When I tip the butler, lets say $50 on that first day, I am saying there is more to come so that he doesn't think that is all he is getting. I would say take good care of us, whether I was tipping him the first day or not, so that he would know we will require his services. I have never, ever had a gratuity handed back to me. But as I've learned, others have. I don't consider tipping a bribe:')

[ColeThornton]

Perhaps I didn't explain myself clearly. On the first day we use the butler's services a lot. He makes our dining reservation, takes our pressing, helps with any excursions and sometimes changes our liquor, as well as often sending up platters for sailaway. NCL states that tipping is allowed and appreciated for exceptional service. When I tip the butler, lets say $50 on that first day, I am saying there is more to come so that he doesn't think that is all he is getting. I would say take good care of us, whether I was tipping him the first day or not, so that he would know we will require his services. I have never, ever had a gratuity handed back to me. But as I've learned, others have. I don't consider tipping a bribe:')

 

 

Yea, you didn't explain yourself very well in your original post, that's why you go the comments you did. Most people still wouldn't tip on the first day, but to each their own. It's your money! ;)

[benzygirl]

Yea, you didn't explain yourself very well in your original post, that's why you go the comments you did. Most people still wouldn't tip on the first day, but to each their own. It's your money! ;)

 

Yes I get it, but they have performed services and I do thank them. I am not randomly handing out money for no reason as it may have sounded in my first post. Thanks for clarifying

[graphicguy]

Perhaps I didn't explain myself clearly. On the first day we use the butler's services a lot. He makes our dining reservation, takes our pressing, helps with any excursions and sometimes changes our liquor, as well as often sending up platters for sailaway. NCL states that tipping is allowed and appreciated for exceptional service. When I tip the butler, lets say $50 on that first day, I am saying there is more to come so that he doesn't think that is all he is getting. I would say take good care of us, whether I was tipping him the first day or not, so that he would know we will require his services. I have never, ever had a gratuity handed back to me. But as I've learned, others have. I don't consider tipping a bribe:')

 

Are you sure you didn’t tip the Concierge to set up dining reservations and excursions? None of the Butlers I had did any of that. That was the concierge’s job.

 

The Butlers did take my clothes to be washed and delivered them back. They would also take care of liquors and platters you would have delivered to your room.

 

I use the Concierge much more than I do the Butler, so I tip the Concierge more.

[Got No Real Name]

Our cruise is over halfway over and we have never used the butler or concierge for anything. I am aware that the butler has replaced our coffee pods for the coffee maker and brought us afternoon snacks but other than that we have not asked for anything. No room service or special requests. We booked our dinners online also the one show we wanted to see. We stayed onboard loving the Haven so much and having visited the ports often so no shore excursions booked. Basically I guess my question is...regardless of using the services or not...is there an amount expected to be tipped daily? Thanks for you help in this!

 

 

As dad says the only rules about tipping are these.

 

1) Tip whoever you want

2) Tip them whenever you want

3) Tip them however much you want

4) There is no right/wrong/expected amount to tip

[Trimone]

As dad says the only rules about tipping are these.

 

1) Tip whoever you want

2) Tip them whenever you want

3) Tip them however much you want

4) There is no right/wrong/expected amount to tip

You Dad, like most Dads is very wise and correct