How much to tip Maitre'D?

[moonvine]

I just got back from the Triumph and had no idea how much to tip the Maitre 'D. He came around to our table once and talked to us, unlike on other cruises where I have never seen him, but didn't really do anything special for us.

 

I tipped my bar waiter and my headwaiter extra in cash at the end of the cruise because they were great, but I had some sort of idea what to tip them (in addition to the automatic tips of course).

[iluvdoxies]

We normally tip 5.00 p/person, more if he's done something special for us.

[mfs2k]

I just got back from the Triumph and had no idea how much to tip the Maitre 'D. He came around to our table once and talked to us, unlike on other cruises where I have never seen him, but didn't really do anything special for us.

 

I tipped my bar waiter and my headwaiter extra in cash at the end of the cruise because they were great, but I had some sort of idea what to tip them (in addition to the automatic tips of course).

 

I typically don't tip the maitre d' unless he has done something for me such as switch my table or my dinner seating time on request the first night. In this case, I usually give about $10. I don't recall the maitre d' ever doing anything else during a cruise for me specifically.

[AppleValleyCruisers]

I'm with mfs. While we had no problem extending extra tips to those who provided services, an occassional "good evening" didn't warrant a gratuity. That said, if the Maitre 'D switched tables for us, etc, then absolutely I would have "gotten off my wallet".

[greg randall]

i am sorry but i did not tip the maitre' d...i never saw him come to any table all week..i saw him at the end of the meals when he would give his schpeal and make announcements..i tipped my waiter 10 and my asst waiter 10..i tipped my steward 10...all on top of the mandatory deduction they take from your s&s card, wich is 70 bucks...a hundred in tips is plenty...it was about 20% of the cost of the darn cruise cost

[Cotton]

I don't normally tip the Maitre d'. On one cruise, a Maitre d' did honor a request I made, and on the last evening, I handed him the envelope, which contained $5. I think that's sufficient.

[MrPete]

I only tip if he provides me a service. $5

[zydecocruiser]

Usually $5. $20 if he compliments me on my blue jeans.

[deborahjo]

I tip only if he does something for us. Just coming around and talking to me does not earn a tip from me.....

[cruisinbuddy]

He's never done anything of significance for DW & I on any of our 4 cruises. Hence, no tip. I did complain to him about our service on the Disney Magic, and yet nothing changed. I don't really consider his job to be worthy of a tip. He doesn't do anything.

[dms_cruisers04]

Usually $5. $20 if he compliments me on my blue jeans.

 

We only tipped 2 of the last 3 M'ds we had, the 1st because she was at our table every night making conversation and being sure everything was fine. The 2nd because our head waitress was ill and he filled in for her the first 3 days of our 5 day cruise (Hey GC, this was on the Sovereign, great guy). But usually, if I don't see him til the last night, I don't extend anything but a handshake.

[greg randall]

it was like christmas morning for that dude. i couldnt believe how many envelopes the guy was collecting. reminded me of the post office...haha

[sledhead]

I feel the same way. I wouldnt tip unless they do something special. Especially the maitre'd on The Liberty I just got off of. He let a few guys wear baseball caps and tank tops to dinner !! What's with that ? If you are going to make dress codes than stick to it !!!!

[southbayer]

phewwwwwwww! I thought I was the only one who thought like this! I never tip him either... The only time I saw him was on the last night when he was front and center and made sure we seen him with his hand out. The only thing about him was the loud voice on speaker at dinner time which I could have done without.

[hockeyluver]

I couldnt tell you who our matre'd was on either cruise!!

[Wennfred]

I had no idea how much to tip the Maitre 'D.

 

I never tip the Maitre'D, he usually never comes by my table.

[Wennfred]

I typically don't tip the maitre d' unless he has done something for me such as switch my table or my dinner seating time on request the first night. In this case, I usually give about $10. I don't recall the maitre d' ever doing anything else during a cruise for me specifically.

 

I agree with your post, thats the only time I would tip the maitre'd

[BND]

Doesn't do anything for you? Doesn't he manage the dining room and the wait staff? We tipped our Maitre'D even though he didn't come by and see us because that's not really his job and we didnt take that personally:D

[marktac]

The Maitre'D is not expected to receive a tip unless he performs a specific task for you that is above and beyond the call. First off, his salary structure is different, and secondly, common sense says you tip for special service.

 

Flame away!

 

Mark T

[fig414]

I'm not going to blame the Maitre'D for letting people in with jeans. I'm fairly confident it's the Cruisline's policy about this farce. I'll go with the policy of if he does something extra it's tip time. If not, no tip.

[zydecocruiser]

I feel the same way. I wouldnt tip unless they do something special. Especially the maitre'd on The Liberty I just got off of. He let a few guys wear baseball caps and tank tops to dinner !! What's with that ? If you are going to make dress codes than stick to it !!!!

 

Liberty is my next cruise up. Better reserve a double sawbuck for the maitre d'. :D

[BND]

For those of you that don't tip, squeeze those nickels til they scream. How much do you spend on drinks and the casino? :cool:

 

I could take offense at the common sense comment, but common sense says leave it alone!!!!!!!!!!

[lardeb]

I have only tipped the MatreD one time. My sis who has is Mentally Disabled and I have been on 3 cruises. The MatreD on the Miracle made it a point every night to speak to my sister. As her how she was that evening and after dinner ask how her dinner was. Most of them just ignore us. Will be intersting to see how we are treated on our up coming cruise. If the MatreD is polite to her I will tip him or her otherwise nothing extra.

[MEOWSMURPHY]

The Maitre'D is not expected to receive a tip unless he performs a specific task for you that is above and beyond the call. First off, his salary structure is different, and secondly, common sense says you tip for special service.

 

I totally agree with you. We have only tipped once and that was when he changed our table and time..otherwise it galls me to no end to see him "in your face" the last night asking how everything was...Does he really care??? I don't think so....If he did he would make his presence known long before 8PM on a Friday night.....JMHO....

[habby]

Our MD on our last cruise was Lloyd, from England. He didn't do anything special for us, other than stop by the table each night or greet us at the door and ask how our day had been. He really got a kick the night I replied, "Smashing!" We did end up giving him an envelope with $5.

 

Actually this is one of the benefits of having the earliest seating at dinner. Usually the room stewards haven't been around to leave the envelopes for tips for the MD. There was a box just outside the dining room to leave envelopes if you were more comfortable with that.

 

Been in the food and beverage business at a private club, as a server, bartender and manager. Never expected a tip when I was managing, but boy to hear that sometimes the busboys made more money in tips than I made the whole night on salary really got my goat.!