Do they really get the tips?

[Carl Nival]

There was a really nice bar waiter from Bosnia that I thought delivered above and beyond service.  On the last night of the cruise, I tipped him $30 on my last drink bill.  Usually I tip people I really like in cash, but I didn't have any on me.  His eyes got really big, and he thanked me for the generous tip.  So does he really get that $30, or does it go into the tip bank to be split 6 ways to Sunday?

 

 

[bingomamma19]

30 minutes ago, Carl Nival said:

There was a really nice bar waiter from Bosnia that I thought delivered above and beyond service.  On the last night of the cruise, I tipped him $30 on my last drink bill.  Usually I tip people I really like in cash, but I didn't have any on me.  His eyes got really big, and he thanked me for the generous tip.  So does he really get that $30, or does it go into the tip bank to be split 6 ways to Sunday?

 

 

According to John Heald, yes they keep 100% of all cash tips for themselves.

[coevan]

according to bartenders we have friended, yes they do. We met a married bartender couple from the Philippians. We are still FB friends and these folks live in a really nice house, which they only visit a month every 6 months. 

[lasekeye]

1 hour ago, bingomamma19 said:

According to John Heald, yes they keep 100% of all cash tips for themselves.

But the OP said it wasn’t a “cash tip”, it was added to the bill.

[PhillyFan33579]

33 minutes ago, lasekeye said:

But the OP said it wasn’t a “cash tip”, it was added to the bill.

 

I am friends with several bartenders on Carnival and they have all said they get to keep tips that are added to the Sign and Sail card for drinks they serve.  I have even been told by a few of them they prefer tips to be added to the Sign and Sail card, because then it gets added to their paycheck, and it is easier for them to send money home to family they are supporting in their home country. I still bring cash to tip bartenders because I know in general a lot of them like cash tips, but I more frequently also add tips on the receipt than I did in the past. 

[emm126]

20 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

I am friends with several bartenders on Carnival and they have all said they get to keep tips that are added to the Sign and Sail card for drinks they serve.  I have even been told by a few of them they prefer tips to be added to the Sign and Sail card, because then it gets added to their paycheck, and it is easier for them to send money home to family they are supporting in their home country. I still bring cash to tip bartenders because I know in general a lot of them like cash tips, but I more frequently also add tips on the receipt than I did in the past. 

I have been told this as well, they prefer to have the tip added onto the receipt so it goes directly to their bank account. I usually still ask my "bar waiter of the week" for their preference but almost always it is to put on the receipt. I like that those that work hard directly benefit from it.

[Nic6318]

Hi

 

This topic or question type has come up very many times. I am just not understanding peoples' fascination. 

 

The cruise lines generally tell their customers how the gratuities are pooled and divided. I am amazed at how many are just willing to say they just don't believe what is told to them. Some of those people you get the feeling they are just trying to justify not giving any tips. 

 

Back to my thoughts, I have never asked the bartenders where I might get a drink, or the waiters/waitresses at restaurants where I eat, if or how their tips are divided. Mainly, because it's none of my business. I give the tip, say thank you, have a good evening, good bye. So, why do so many people feel this situation different?

[lasekeye]

Oh, that’s great to know, thanks for the clarification.

I will ask from now on.

[Saint Greg]

1 hour ago, lasekeye said:

But the OP said it wasn’t a “cash tip”, it was added to the bill.

 

They get them. I asked a bartender about it a couple cruises ago. He said he knows how much is written on the receipts and he goes on the computer each night to make sure he got it.

[xDisconnections]

5 hours ago, coevan said:

according to bartenders we have friended, yes they do. We met a married bartender couple from the Philippians. We are still FB friends and these folks live in a really nice house, which they only visit a month every 6 months. 

It’s amazing how the cost of living differs in other geographical areas. We’ve befriended several couples with whom we met when sailing on Princess who go on such luxurious vacations, own several houses with multiple vehicles and are in the top percentages where they live. I’m not sure why many people on Cruise Critic believe these crew members are crying poverty.

[sc4125]

9 hours ago, Nic6318 said:

Hi

 

This topic or question type has come up very many times. I am just not understanding peoples' fascination. 

 

The cruise lines generally tell their customers how the gratuities are pooled and divided. I am amazed at how many are just willing to say they just don't believe what is told to them. Some of those people you get the feeling they are just trying to justify not giving any tips. 

 

Back to my thoughts, I have never asked the bartenders where I might get a drink, or the waiters/waitresses at restaurants where I eat, if or how their tips are divided. Mainly, because it's none of my business. I give the tip, say thank you, have a good evening, good bye. So, why do so many people feel this situation different?

I can see why someone would ask this question - are tips added to the receipt the same as cash tips.  I've never seen it asked in this way before and I had the same question a few cruises ago. 

 

I had $50 left in Bar Cash on the last evening of the cruise & knew it could only be used in the bar so I asked at GS whether a tip to my favorite server in the casino of $50 would go to that server to finish off my Bar Cash.  I was in no way suggesting that CCL was trying to fool me and I don't think the OP thought that either.  Just asking if tips left on S&S go to the individual server or bartender.  Since many on-land bars share tips added to the bill with all servers, I wondered if it worked this way on the ship.  I wasn't fascinated to learn the answer and it had nothing to do with trying to justify not giving any tips - just sayin.

[CdrescherRBL152]

12 hours ago, Carl Nival said:

There was a really nice bar waiter from Bosnia that I thought delivered above and beyond service.  On the last night of the cruise, I tipped him $30 on my last drink bill.  Usually I tip people I really like in cash, but I didn't have any on me.  His eyes got really big, and he thanked me for the generous tip.  So does he really get that $30, or does it go into the tip bank to be split 6 ways to Sunday?

 

 

It is the same as with most restaurants and bars on land. If you give them cash and yea I always have a small amount of cash on me on board

 They keep the whole amount. If you simply add it to your sail and sign account, some say they got the whole amount others have told me it goes into the divided kittie.

[BNBR]

35 minutes ago, CdrescherRBL152 said:

It is the same as with most restaurants and bars on land. If you give them cash and yea I always have a small amount of cash on me on board

 They keep the whole amount. If you simply add it to your sail and sign account, some say they got the whole amount others have told me it goes into the divided kittie.

 

Very few restaurants on land share tips. And if they do, cash and credit receipts work the same way.  Cash goes in to the pot all the same. If your server pockets the cash, then they are a thief and don't deserve the tip...

[bingomamma19]

12 hours ago, lasekeye said:

But the OP said it wasn’t a “cash tip”, it was added to the bill.

I am referring to "cash tip" as any tip that is outside of the daily gratuities.

 

So, yes, a separate tip--cash or on sign and sail--goes directly to that person that you are directing it to 100%.

[evandbob]

11 hours ago, Nic6318 said:

Hi

 

This topic or question type has come up very many times. I am just not understanding peoples' fascination. 

 

The cruise lines generally tell their customers how the gratuities are pooled and divided. I am amazed at how many are just willing to say they just don't believe what is told to them. Some of those people you get the feeling they are just trying to justify not giving any tips. 

 

Back to my thoughts, I have never asked the bartenders where I might get a drink, or the waiters/waitresses at restaurants where I eat, if or how their tips are divided. Mainly, because it's none of my business. I give the tip, say thank you, have a good evening, good bye. So, why do so many people feel this situation different?

 

Because if they believe Carnival keeps some of the tips they can justify reducing or eliminating gratuities in their minds, just as you opined.

[evandbob]

1 hour ago, BNBR said:

 

Very few restaurants on land share tips. And if they do, cash and credit receipts work the same way.  Cash goes in to the pot all the same. If your server pockets the cash, then they are a thief and don't deserve the tip...

 

HUH????

[havanadaydreaming]

13 minutes ago, evandbob said:

 

HUH????

??? 

 

every bar I worked at on land, 3 decades ago, pooled tips.  servers kept their own tips.  no idea how it works on ship. 

 

i always bring at least $100 cash for tips for 7 day cruise, even with prepaid gratuity paid on Cheers. I appreciate the staff, they work long hours. 

[BNBR]

33 minutes ago, evandbob said:

 

HUH????

 

I'm not sure what was so confusing for you... 

[jmcathome]

15 hours ago, Carl Nival said:

There was a really nice bar waiter from Bosnia that I thought delivered above and beyond service.  On the last night of the cruise, I tipped him $30 on my last drink bill.  Usually I tip people I really like in cash, but I didn't have any on me.  His eyes got really big, and he thanked me for the generous tip.  So does he really get that $30, or does it go into the tip bank to be split 6 ways to Sunday?

 

 

If you tipped him on the bill he split it with everyone else. If you want to tip a particular waiter do it in gas. In the dining room if you tip a server they do pool that and split it with the team according to the servers I have talked to. Of course some will keep the cash 

[Laurab23]

In Alchemy any cash tips they got were added to a pile behind the bar so I assume they divide it up at the end of their shift.

[lennythenose]

I have also wondered if tips are handled differently if it is the bartender instead of a server/bar waiter. It may be no different at all but I could see how especially a cash tip just left of the bar instead of handed directly to a server could go into a pool to split. 

[N7786W Flyer]

14 hours ago, coevan said:

according to bartenders we have friended, yes they do. We met a married bartender couple from the Philippians. We are still FB friends and these folks live in a really nice house, which they only visit a month every 6 months. 

 

Ah...you gotta love auto-correct... 😀 

 

Garnett

[ShakyBeef]

8 minutes ago, N7786W Flyer said:

 

Ah...you gotta love auto-correct... 😀 

 

Garnett

 

Yeah, those FB friends go waaaaaaayyyyyyy back!

[quickrate]

16 hours ago, bingomamma19 said:

According to John Heald, yes they keep 100% of all cash tips for themselves.

but it wasn't a cash tip, he wrote it on the check. so, I'm not sure in this instance he did get to keep all of the tip.

Pat

[bingomamma19]

2 hours ago, quickrate said:

but it wasn't a cash tip, he wrote it on the check. so, I'm not sure in this instance he did get to keep all of the tip.

Pat

Its cash as in its not part of the daily gratuities that get pooled.   Anything outside of that--cash or on the bill--goes 100% to the person whom it is directed to (on the receipt)