Why Tip at the Beginning of a Cruise?

[CallyCruzer]

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

But it is different, very different. Unless, of course, you tip when you are brought your menu, then tip again after each course is brought to your table, and then tip again at the end of the meal.

So if you are staying at a hotel, and go down for breakfast in the morning, I assume you tip.  If you go back that evening for a meal, do you not tip again?  Same restaurant, right?  But another meal.  I feel the same way about my cabin steward.  They make up my room two times a day.  I don't tip them twice a day.  But I do tip several times during my cruise.  And yes there is an automatic tip - but usually $13 or $14 a day - that the cabin steward probably receives $3 or $4.  That is nothing compared to the service I get.  I am not shaming you or anyone else that decides not to tip more than the automatic tip.  But don't shame me because I believe in paying for service that I receive.  As I said previously, its my decision to tip for service - and its not a bribe for goodness sake!  

[CallyCruzer]

55 minutes ago, sippican said:

 

This ^^^^^^^

And tip again, even though the restaurant has already added a service charge to the bill.

If the restaurant only adds a 3 or 4% tip, then yes I would add more to the tip.  (that is about the amount your cabin steward gets out of the automatic tip on the daily cost of your cruise.  Many restaurants I go to have an automatic 15% tip.  I do add at least 5% if the service is good.  Again, if you don't tip - that's your business.  But I just think people saying I am bribing my cabin steward if I tip several times during my cruise after they have given me great service, is sad.  

[Fouremco]

2 minutes ago, CallyCruzer said:

So if you are staying at a hotel, and go down for breakfast in the morning, I assume you tip.  If you go back that evening for a meal, do you not tip again?  Same restaurant, right?  But another meal.  I feel the same way about my cabin steward.  They make up my room two times a day.  I don't tip them twice a day.  But I do tip several times during my cruise.  And yes there is an automatic tip - but usually $13 or $14 a day - that the cabin steward probably receives $3 or $4.  That is nothing compared to the service I get.  I am not shaming you or anyone else that decides not to tip more than the automatic tip.  But don't shame me because I believe in paying for service that I receive.  As I said previously, its my decision to tip for service - and its not a bribe for goodness sake!  

I totally agree that cabin stewards are extremely hard working, and as I said in a recent post, usually tip them $5 a day over and above the auto gratuities. So don't assume that I'm shaming you for paying more than the auto grants. Also, please not that at no point did I mention paying your steward during the course of the cruise constituting a bribe. What I did say was that I pay my stewards at the end of the cruise, not throughout, and I found that your comparison to tipping in a restaurant actually supports my approach (end of the cruise or meal), not yours.

 

As for your latest comparison, my cabin steward doesn't change during the course of the cruise, whereas it's unlikely that I'd have the same waiter for both breakfast and dinner, if in fact I'd even eat both meals at the hotel.

[Loujul]

On 2/2/2020 at 10:57 AM, morfred said:

I tip the first day at the Martini Bar and am happy to report that this tip i.e. bribe gets me excellent service for the rest of the cruise when I tip again. Not to be a wise guy but I usually have my drinks while others are frustrated waiting and cannot understand why they are waiting so long.

Is it fair? -I don't know. I just know that I never have to wait for a drink.

You are the reason that all tipping should be banned.  

[Beanb41]

12 minutes ago, Loujul said:

You are the reason that all tipping should be banned.  

Approx 4 years ago after many complaints from New Zealanders and Australians about the cost extras like tipping added to cruise lines which often resulted in many hundreds of dollars being added to the cruise fare at the end of the cruise.. As a consequence Princess removed the gratuity component from our cruise fares citing as it was contrary to the culture of those down under gratuities would be removed as an addition to the cruise fare. The consequence was that our cruise fares increased by the amount of the gratuities. That was okay and this philosophy was quickly adopted by RCCL ships as they were becoming a stronghold down under. AS far as Celebrity was concerned it removed pre paid gratuities as a perk but instituted and additional $US300 OBC instead. Back then it probably broke even if one selected that perk. Moving forward should anyone booking a cruise on RCCL ships or Princess regardless where it is but booked from the NZ or Australian website gratuities are not an option anymore as according to the cruise line gratuities are no longer charged to us. Whilst there are some who regularly line up on day 1 or 14 at Guest relations to cancel daily gratuities we cant do that  for reasons explained above.  When I go cruising these days I always have the drinks package included as part of my cruise package. Sure I pay a bit extra over the cruise but it gets my wick  when I ask for beer at a bar and then have to pay $2.50 extra for the barman to turn around to the fridge open the door grab a bottle and put it on the bar in front of me especially considering to price of the beer to start with.  $2.50 allows for currency exchange rates before I get picked up on the cost. When I pay for my cruise I pay in our dollars so its considered real money. I have been criticised about meeting with the cabin steward early to discuss wants and needs. This is a two way street. WE try to make their job as comfortable as possible but we pay for certain standard and that standard should be maintained. We have found that establishing wants and needs makes for a great cruise. Only once did we have a surly attendant and that was reflected at the end of the cruise. Whilst cash is appreciated the comments made in writing on the end of cruise report are more important as it is these reports that determine future contracts.  Treat your staff with respect and it will be returned and you wont have to buy your way around the ship for the length of the cruise as it appears many have to do. PLease and thank you go a long way

[miched]

18 hours ago, Mike981 said:

 

We do that as well, I believe we had four mentioned on the comment card last month.

And just for the record for those keeping score at home, I don't tip so other cruisers think I'm a big shooter or trying to be (come on, were talking $1/$2 here). It's just what I do. A good drink with a smile and I'm a fan. We had a woman at the Ensemble lounge on the Reflection last month who was UNBELIEVABLE with everyone. Well, except for the jerk who walked up banging his room card on the bar and kept clearing his throat. She looked at him and said, "I will be there in a few moments." She made sure everyone at the bar was served and then took care of Mr. Self Important.

 

The BTs hate the card bangers.  They usually know or most passengers will let them know who is next and even though it is annoying they will ignore those A holes as long as possible.    The BTs in the Vegas casinos feel the same.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Pinboy]

22 hours ago, Life Buoy said:

I've found that a sincere "thank you" works well. A positive comment card notation is also appreciated. 

That's true-- However, They can't take that to the bank .

An envelope with a few extra $$$$ works pretty good also.

 

[Pinboy]

On 2/5/2020 at 7:12 PM, drakes2 said:

Mine did it twice I told him the first time did it again and I reported him. I'm sure he cut off our luggage tags.  

That's a real good bet.

Lucky he didn't remove anything from your suitcase .

Bye the way---Reported it to whom ?? Guest Relations ?  All they do is take notes and say " Sorry 'bout that " .

 

[drakes2]

5 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

That's true-- However, They can't take that to the bank .

An envelope with a few extra $$$$ works pretty good also.

 

No that certainly won't help support their families back home 

[drakes2]

32 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

Bye the way---Reported it to whom ?? Guest Relations ? 

I told guest relations the second time it happened and they said they would speak to him. He was a very surly stateroom attendant and neither DH nor I liked him much.  Now I even lock bathroom door if alone in the cabin for fear someone might come in.

[davekathy]

47 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

That's true-- However, They can't take that to the bank .

A high scoring PCS (Post Cruise Survey) can mean another contract or even a promotion. You can take that to the bank.

Edited February 7, 2020 by davekathy

[calicakes]

59 minutes ago, Pinboy said:

That's true-- However, They can't take that to the bank .

An envelope with a few extra $$$$ works pretty good also.

 

Actually, correct me if I'm wrong.  I read on another thread that for a positive comment card, the staff member might receive extra internet minutes or some other type of perk. 

[Orator]

6 minutes ago, calicakes said:

Actually, correct me if I'm wrong.  I read on another thread that for a positive comment card, the staff member might receive extra internet minutes or some other type of perk. 

You are quite correct! A good word via comment card or a mention to a Supervisor can be worth much more than a tip. I've seen people promoted after a positive comment!

extra cash is always appreciated, but why not do both when warranted.

[PTC DAWG]

20 minutes ago, Orator said:

You are quite correct! A good word via comment card or a mention to a Supervisor can be worth much more than a tip. I've seen people promoted after a positive comment!

extra cash is always appreciated, but why not do both when warranted.

Both is the way to go for sure.  

[STIguy]

I am so glad to read all the different reasons to tip or not. 

I’ll stick to my tried and true methods and keep you guessing what that might be. 

[Pinboy]

2 hours ago, davekathy said:

A high scoring PCS (Post Cruise Survey) can mean another contract or even a promotion. You can take that to the bank.

Very true-- Good point.

However, the time frame is quite a bit less (  to take that to the bank ) when they receive $$$ in hand.

We all know how important the survey results and comment cards are . They really are ----- with regards to further contracts, promotions , or extra perks. Three days before the end of the cruise we hear about it from several staff members, and , it doesn't bother me one bit.  

 

 

[Silhouette2017]

I've always only tipped on the last evening in cash. Usually tips are included in our fare, so the cash is given to individuals that have given me outstanding service, like the stateroom attendant, dining team at the dining room and some bar tenders. 

 

I am a very easy going person that is easy to please, but to love to try different things in terms of drinks etc. I have seen too many entitled people tip to expect something extra and without exception, I receive better service than the entitled tippers. Being easy going , respectful and understanding will take you far, in most situations! 

Edited February 7, 2020 by Silhouette2017