Encore - Tipping

[JMT2568]

Do you tip on top of what you are charged daily?  What is the standard?

 

Thanks

[ColeThornton]

Their is no standard nor any requirement to tip above and beyond the daily charges.   If you decide you want to tip extra just follow the same rules as you would on land would be my thought.

[phillygwm]

35 minutes ago, JMT2568 said:

Do you tip on top of what you are charged daily?  What is the standard?

 

Thanks

You do you. 

 

I routinely tip my room steward, some bartenders that are my "regulars" and I'll throw a few bucks to waitstaff in the specialty restaurants if service is good.  However, gratuities are included for all of those things and some people feel that's already sufficient.  So if you do choose to tip over and above, it is appreciated but entirely optional.

 

I'm solo in my room and start with $50 on day 1 for the room steward for a weeklong cruise.  I may (or may not) also tip at the end, generally only if service was spectacular, which it was on my last cruise.  Bartenders maybe $5-10 a night if I'm there for a while.  I guarantee your drink will never be empty!  Waitstaff maybe $5-10 depending...

 

I also tip servers and dealers in the casino but if you're playing tables you know how that works already.

Edited January 3, 2022 by phillygwm

[hallux]

I leave a little extra for the room steward (as a solo, 5-10 per day), I can leave my room a mess when I leave.  I've also left a little extra at a specialty restaurant if I felt it was a deserving experience.

[JMT2568]

Thank you!

[valleyvillage]

Of course, if you are in a suite the butler and concierge do not share in that daily surcharge. We always tip them separately.

[Stealthdog]

Last sailing i gave extra to steward and two bartenders.  Other sailings i havent tipped extra and others I have. For me its a personal decision based on the quality of service you receiced and whether you think it is right to do.

[SimplyAlbert]

We tip above for outstanding service.  Sometimes its several people on the cruise, sometimes it's only one person, sometimes its none.  Just depends on the cruise.

[RaftingJeremy]

I always bring some cash to tip my bartenders, servers and room steward.   

[Old & Retired]

The general rule of thumb is, if it moves, tip it and tip it well.  You will get karma points.

[kayjay76]

Our room steward i usually tip a few times during the trip, if the service is good. And once at the end if not so good.

 

Specialty restaurants, yep. ( we never eat in the free dining rooms, just the buffet.) 

 

Every drink I'm handed I give 1$. My drinks are never empty and it really, really does get you great service.

 

Casino hosts, yes if I hit a JP. My last cruise I did so well and spread the wealth that when we went to eat at Ocean blue they brought treats over for "miss Debbie" lol. The casino peeps started calling me that and to this day i have no idea how they knew i was eating at ocean blue that night. 

 

When i hit my 1st JP last cruise, my 1st ever JP on board, it was while the server was handing me "my lucky pain killer" 2 seconds b4 i won. I remember saying earlier in the night, wow this guy is so pleasant and happy, what a nice guy. After I was paid out I spread the wealth to him and he actually cried. To this day i could care less about that damn money that ended up buying me a pool and care more about the look on his happy face. His reaction far surpassed any winnings and I hope to see him again some day

[Trimone]

We never tip were British they are lucky to serve us? 
 

never talked about this subject before!!!!

[CWMixer]

Bartenders and drink waiters: our key card is always wrapped with $1/drink: we're never empty.

Specialty dining waiters: based on service*: usually ~$10-20 for the table (2 of us)

Butler: based on usage & service*: $15-20/day

Steward: based on service*: $10-20/day 

Concierge: flat ~$50/wk.  We don't utilize them for reservations, etc, mainly for escorting us on and off the ship which is appreciated.

 

These are base #'s, and we adjust based on actual service received, and may search out specific individuals at the end of a cruise, notably bartenders and waiters, to show our appreciation.

(*service includes 'attitude': fwiw, we've found stewards to be among the nicest, friendliest staff on the ship)