Porters in Europe: Tip or no?

[nyc2pdx]

Since it isn't customary to tip in most of Europe, do you tip the porters at the pier when boarding at a European embarkation city?

 

I don't want to create a huge thread about tipping, but I think most people in the US tip the porter $1-$2/bag at the pier when you hand over your luggage.  I was curious if the same custom exists abroad.  I don't believe the porters are employees of NCL (correct me if I am wrong).

 

 

[goodmanl1975]

Tipping is not the norm in the EU, but I don't see an issue to give a dollar or two for great service.  

[complawyer]

give them a tip, i usually tip $10 regardless of the port

[tallnthensome]

1 hour ago, complawyer said:

give them a tip, i usually tip $10 regardless of the port

Always $10 here, they'd laugh at one or two dollars in my opinion. 

[KeithJenner]

I’ve never tipped a porter at a European port. Many times it would be a struggle to do so. As soon as your bags are out of the taxi they grab them and are off. There is no hanging around for a tip before they move away.

 

I’m sure that a tip would be appreciated, but it isn’t expected.

[betterthanvegas?]

I give them $5 to $10 in USA or in Europe  €3- €5 usually. Know it's not customary but no harm. 

[UKstages]

while tipping in many parts of europe is not the norm, there are exceptions. and those exceptions pretty much pertain to big cities... and the hospitality industry. cruise ship embarkation generally falls into both of those categories.

 

i'd be shocked if the porters didn't expect a tip. and many passengers might argue that the porters deserve a tip. and they'd be right, in my opinion.

 

one or two dollars (or local equivalent) is not adequate in my view. five dollars a bag sounds right, although you might be able to get away with ten bucks for three bags.

Edited September 21, 2021 by UKstages

[ziggyuk]

It's really simple, in Europe tipping IS expected but just not on a huge scale as in the us, $5 is a reasonable tip for most things, be it the porters or for a modest meal.

Edited September 22, 2021 by ziggyuk

[LaCal]

Yes definitely tip 

[complawyer]

sorry, this shouldnt even be an issue. the porters bust their butts, there are a few thousand people dropping off their respective pieces of luggage, and it's the responsibility of the porters to make sure all these pieces get on board and to get where they need to be.

cough up a $10. dont you tip the skycap at the airport when you drop off your luggage? 

[pe4all]

We usually give 5 euro to the porters for 2 bags or 3 bags.

[Notts1964]

In the UK (Southampton, Harwich anyway) your cases are whisked away as soon as you arrive, it has never occurred to me to tip the porters and I’m fairly sure they don’t expect one, and would probably be surprised to get one. I don’t think I’ve tipped in other European ports either, the port staff never hang around for one, but I’m sure they wouldn’t refuse one.

For our last 2 cruises the cases have been taken directly from the airport in a separate truck, to be sanitised and delivered to our stateroom, so no porter interaction anyway.

[Laszlo]

Give them 5 bucks a bag,  be nice and smile. I witnessed first hand what can happen to your bag when you act like an A Hole to the porters. I'm not even sure this persons bag made in on the ship 😉

[Goldconnection]

DH always tips $5 per bag along with a big Thank You!

[PORT ROYAL]

It does not matter if it’s obligatory or not, just do it ($5.00 per bag is sufficient), as it will be appreciated and remember “what goes around…..”

As a good deed, you’ll discover you will get it back, with interest, in other ways.  Somebody up there is taking stock.

 

Edited September 22, 2021 by PORT ROYAL
Get it back

[sverigecruiser]

13 hours ago, complawyer said:

sorry, this shouldnt even be an issue. the porters bust their butts, there are a few thousand people dropping off their respective pieces of luggage, and it's the responsibility of the porters to make sure all these pieces get on board and to get where they need to be.

cough up a $10. dont you tip the skycap at the airport when you drop off your 

 

Do you really tip everyone with a tough job? Nurses, teachers, policemen (or policewomen), firefighters etc.? If not, why are the porters different?

 

In most countries in Europe their salary is not based on them being given a lots of tip so they are already paid to do the job. Will they be happy to get more money? Of course, why shouldn't they?

 

People can tip if they want but it's absolutely not necessary. 

Edited September 22, 2021 by sverigecruiser

[Oakman58]

13 hours ago, complawyer said:

sorry, this shouldnt even be an issue. the porters bust their butts, there are a few thousand people dropping off their respective pieces of luggage, and it's the responsibility of the porters to make sure all these pieces get on board and to get where they need to be.

cough up a $10. dont you tip the skycap at the airport when you drop off your luggage? 

 

Bust their butts?  They take your luggage and put on a cart that is then put on the boat via a forklift.  It's their job for which they make a better than average wage.  Chances are they have a greater annual wage than many of the passengers on the ship.  I never tip a Stevedore.

Edited September 22, 2021 by Oakman58

[zdcatc12]

3 hours ago, Notts1964 said:

In the UK (Southampton, Harwich anyway) your cases are whisked away as soon as you arrive, it has never occurred to me to tip the porters and I’m fairly sure they don’t expect one, and would probably be surprised to get one. I don’t think I’ve tipped in other European ports either, the port staff never hang around for one, but I’m sure they wouldn’t refuse one.

For our last 2 cruises the cases have been taken directly from the airport in a separate truck, to be sanitised and delivered to our stateroom, so no porter interaction anyway.

That is the way it was in Rome a few weeks ago. You get into the terminal, they send you straight to the testers. The porters are right next to the testers in the terminal, give them your bags and straight to the test.

[nyc2pdx]

Thanks all.  I don't usually use airport porters, but do tip the porters at the pier.  No doubt they work hard and fast.  I didn't want to get into a 'tip' discussion, but rather just what people do in areas where tipping is not the norm like it is in the US.  I'll certainly tip them in Rome.  

 

 

[Trimone]

Having witnessed in San Juan a case fall off a stacker truck and into the sea, I never tip porters anymore 

[Oakman58]

Poop happens for sure.  A number of years ago on an NCL cruise and entire cart/wagon loaded with luggage fell off the forklift into the bay.

Edited September 22, 2021 by Oakman58

[complawyer]

oakman58 

 

meanwhile if you dont think loading 1000's of pieces of luggage and taking them onto the ship is not b**l busting, by all means dont tip. are you really saying that after paying 1000's of dollars for a cruise, (airfare, hotel if you arrive early, cab fare to the ship etc) you cant pop for an extra $10.and sverigecruiser, the porters are doing you a personal service by taking your luggage. your analogy to cops, nurses, teachers etc. is not applicable. tell me you dont tip waiters, waitresses, cab drivers, bell people etc. they're the ones that should be tipped.

 

hopefully, we'll be on a cruise from stockholm next august. if the service workers that help me get upset that i'm not tipping, i'll tell them to contact you

[KeithJenner]

10 minutes ago, complawyer said:

hopefully, we'll be on a cruise from stockholm next august. if the service workers that help me get upset that i'm not tipping, i'll tell them to contact you

They won't get upset for anyone not tipping, so no problem there.

[sverigecruiser]

15 minutes ago, complawyer said:

tell me you dont tip waiters, waitresses, cab drivers, bell people etc. they're the ones that should be tipped.

 

 

I can tell you that I don't tip thoose people in Sweden because their salary is not based on them getting tip. They are already paid to do their job.

 

When in the US I tip thoose people but the question was not about the US so that is not relevant.

[KeithJenner]

 

5 hours ago, Notts1964 said:

In the UK (Southampton, Harwich anyway) your cases are whisked away as soon as you arrive, it has never occurred to me to tip the porters and I’m fairly sure they don’t expect one, and would probably be surprised to get one. I don’t think I’ve tipped in other European ports either, the port staff never hang around for one, but I’m sure they wouldn’t refuse one.

For our last 2 cruises the cases have been taken directly from the airport in a separate truck, to be sanitised and delivered to our stateroom, so no porter interaction anyway.

Yes, exactly.

 

In places like Barcelona, it isn't that I make a conscious decision not to tip the porter. I never actually see them because by the time I have paid the taxi driver my bags are gone and the porter has long gone.