How much to tip Maitre'D?

[redskin80]

We have only tipped once in 4 cruises. The guy we did tip was from our Destiny cruise and he was from Latvia or Russia, and he had this think about saying " NOOOO IT'S TRUE" after he said something that was funny. He came to our table many times during the cruise. He did this thing with the Lobster one night and poured our wine another. Otherwise we only see them at the last night when they stand at the door with their hand out.

[mfs2k]

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

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!!!!!!!!!!

 

I dont generally tip maitre d's or restaurant managers when i go out to eat. I go out about 4-5 times a week at some very expensive NYC restaurants......

 

I tip for services rendered, not for them doing their basic job (except for waiters/busboys etc. who earn about $3.35 per hour plus tips and tipping is their main form of compensation.

 

I dont know the maitre d's compensation structure on a Carnival cruise, but I would think if they didnt get a base salary, by now, they'd be included in the automatic tipping program that Carnival instituted.

[jakieemma]

stugotz...

[big_duck]

Doesn't do anything for you? Doesn't he manage the dining room and the wait staff?

 

The Captain manages the ship and the crew I dont tip him either.

[OCDACTIVE]

The Captain manages the ship and the crew I dont tip him either.

 

Completely agree, unless he is providing a service above and beyond his choosen job.. no tip..

 

My trashmen work really hard, and I hear get paid really well.. Somesimes even they are picking up things well above and beyond their normal duties and I don't see anyone outside giving them envelopes..

 

I realize that example is a bit extreme but it gets to the root of the issue.

[BND]

I dont generally tip maitre d's or restaurant managers when i go out to eat. I go out about 4-5 times a week at some very expensive NYC restaurants......

 

I tip for services rendered, not for them doing their basic job (except for waiters/busboys etc. who earn about $3.35 per hour plus tips and tipping is their main form of compensation.

 

I dont know the maitre d's compensation structure on a Carnival cruise, but I would think if they didnt get a base salary, by now, they'd be included in the automatic tipping program that Carnival instituted.

 

Wow, I'm happy for you. Not impressed. We too enjoy a good meal in expensive restaurants, just so you know. Whatever was I thinking?

 

One question for all you that think the Maitre'D is well paid and doesn't need a tip. Do you tip the porters? Cause they're union and very well paid too. As well as doing the job they're paid to.

[mfs2k]

Wow, I'm happy for you. Not impressed. We too enjoy a good meal in expensive restaurants, just so you know. Whatever was I thinking?

 

I wasnt trying to brag, I was making the point that one generally doesnt tip maitre d's or managers in fine restaurants just because they oversee the dining room staff.

 

geez - rough crowd. think you need to go on a cruise and relax a bit.

[Cuizer2]

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

Boy would I love to be the Maitre 'D on a ship full of people like you.

 

On a ship with 2000 people and two restaurants, each Maitre 'D has 1000 people in his/her dining room. Each tips $5 for a one week cruise. So each Maitre 'D gets $5,000 per week. If the Maitre 'D works 34 weeks per year (2 weeks out of 3) then (s)he makes $170,000 (34 x $5,000 per week) per year. Where do I get an application?

 

I don't think I could pick the Maitre 'D on any of my cruises out of a line up (where at least I have a one in six chance of being right). I don't tip the Maitre 'D unless (s)he does something for me (which has not happened yet).

[BND]

I edited to add:

One question for all you that think the Maitre'D is well paid and doesn't need a tip. Do you tip the porters? Cause they're union and very well paid too. As well as doing the job they're paid to.

 

Rough crowd? I didn't jump on anyone or quote anyone til I was told I was wrong!

[sealovers]

Imagine how much a MD would receive in gratuities if each passenger only tipped $1.00 for the entire cruise! 3,500 passengeres = $3000! For what??

I would much rather ensure my waiters and room steward are tipped well for all their hard work. They don't receive tips from the entire passenger population, only their assigned cabins.

The one time I needed a MD was on the RCCL Mariner of the Seas when the two of us were put with a table of around 14. We had requested a table for 4 at least one year in advance. He refused to even address our issue. We had 1 over-worked server and assistant and way too many other tables. With the late seating, it was after 10:30 pm every night, for all at our table to finish.