Should I be tipping anyone on board? First time NCL cruiser who "pre-paid service charges" needs to know.

[BirdTravels]

On 12/26/2022 at 10:34 PM, IdRathrBCruzn said:

I'm trying to figure out what NCL means by Service Charges vs Tips/Gratuities. I am happy to abide by what is customary. I'd just like to have a handle on it before stepping onboard. I'm a Silversea and Regent cruiser looking forward to a fun week on NCL with a group of friends who also are new to NCL.

 

The section on "service charge" on the NCL website says

"Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports." So unless there is above and beyond service, I should feel comfortable knowing that my pre-paid service charges covers them.

 

The section on "gratuities" on the NCL website says

"certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities."

 

So if I use the services of a concierge, I  should tip. I won't have a butler or utilize youth program staff. What about beverage service then? The website says there is a "20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases" I think the "Premium Beverage Package" I have covers the gratuity and beverage service charge unless I purchase a drink that costs more than $15. Then the charge has the 20% added on (e.g. if the drink costs $18, I will be charged $3.60)

 

I have also read on this forum that if I get room service, I should tip the person who delivers it. I'm good with that.

 

Am I missing anything or got something wrong? Thank you for your help.

Your butler will service your suite three times a day. You should tip them. 

 

Recommended Butler tip is $10-$15 per person in room per days of cruise. 

 

Since you are in a suite that is bigger and maintained to a higher standard, you should tip your room steward an extra $5-$10 per persons in room time days. We would do that for a normal room. 

 

You should tip drink waiters who bring you drinks.

 

You should tip your bartenders. 

 

You should tip your shore excursion guides. 

 

You should tip your casino dealers and slot attendants when you hit it big. 

 

You should tip your dining room waiters for exceptional service. 

Edited January 12, 2023 by BirdTravels

[MoCruiseFan]

3 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Recommended Butler tip is $10-$15 per person in room per days of cruise. 

 

 

 

There is no recommended amount to tip.  Other than that, changing 'should' to 'could; on the rest of your opinions would make your post slightly more accurate.

[CILCIANRQTS]

6 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Your butler will service your suite three times a day. You should tip them. 

 

Recommended Butler tip is $10-$15 per person in room per days of cruise. 

 

Since you are in a suite that is bigger and maintained to a higher standard, you should tip your room steward an extra $5-$10 per persons in room time days. We would do that for a normal room. 

 

You should tip drink waiters who bring you drinks.

 

You should tip your bartenders. 

 

You should tip your shore excursion guides. 

 

You should tip your casino dealers and slot attendants when you hit it big. 

 

You should tip your dining room waiters for exceptional service. 

You should tip your butler in direct proportion to the services you receive from them. There is absolutely no logic to tipping them on a per diem basis. We tipped as the services were provided, not at the end of the trip. That kept him stopping by to see if we needed anything that day.

 

[billslowsky]

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Your butler will service your suite three times a day. You should tip them. 

 

Recommended Butler tip is $10-$15 per person in room per days of cruise. 

 

Since you are in a suite that is bigger and maintained to a higher standard, you should tip your room steward an extra $5-$10 per persons in room time days. We would do that for a normal room. 

 

You should tip drink waiters who bring you drinks.

 

You should tip your bartenders. 

 

You should tip your shore excursion guides. 

 

You should tip your casino dealers and slot attendants when you hit it big. 

 

You should tip your dining room waiters for exceptional service. 

There's no "should".  Do whatever you want.  

 

You've already paid 20% on your drinks so bartenders and servers "should" be covered unless you have them do something out of the ordinary.

 

Cruise employees are not indentured servants, penniless orphans, or downtrodden.  As adults, they enter into an employment contract that is acceptable to them.

[wolft927]

So additional tipping is at your discretion. Drink packages already include a 20% tip so, if you feel like tipping on top of that by all means do so. As far as a Butler, we travel in the Haven ad typically we do not ask for anything crazy or even bother them most days, so we tip $100 in the beginning when we first meet him and give him our minor requests, and then if we utilize them more during the cruise another $100 at the end. We also tip our room steward extra as well  

[oteixeira]

I feel so alive when I can come read threads about tipping and chair hogs!!  Thank you world for opening back up and giving us back the dreaded 'how much should I tip' posts once a week.

 

All that said, you do you boo.  Tip what you want when you want, or not at all.  I am guessing by now you figured that part out.  As for me, what does it matter how I tip, I am not you.  Just know that the folks you interact with work very hard and usually have family they send money home to.  Ask them about life at home and family, they are usually great folks and love to talk to you about it.

[billslowsky]

1 hour ago, oteixeira said:

IAsk them about life at home and family, they are usually great folks and love to talk to you about it.

Can't agree more.  Treat them like people.

[phillygwm]

On 12/27/2022 at 8:16 AM, kdawg954 said:

But more recently I have started tipping my favorite bartender(s) at the end because they remember my name, my drink and they put on a show.  They often go out there way to fill requests and my wife is very specific with her drinks.

 

No obligation to do any of that, but if you feel like somebody went above and beyond, as a personal gesture you can absolutely tip them extra.  Your choice.

This pretty much sums up my philosophy as well.  You've paid the gratuities up front so there's no obligation or expectation.  If certain bartenders are particularly attentive, I like to throw them a bit extra.  Not with every drink, but maybe at the end of the night.

[YVRteacher]

@MoCruiseFan this is the best way I’ve ever seen tipping info presented on CC.  Thank you!

[BirdTravels]

13 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

 

There is no recommended amount to tip.  Other than that, changing 'should' to 'could; on the rest of your opinions would make your post slightly more accurate.

You should ti your butler who serviced your room three time a day. And I recommend, when people ask, $10-$15 pp per day. 

[BirdTravels]

9 hours ago, billslowsky said:

There's no "should".  Do whatever you want.  

 

You've already paid 20% on your drinks so bartenders and servers "should" be covered unless you have them do something out of the ordinary.

 

Cruise employees are not indentured servants, penniless orphans, or downtrodden.  As adults, they enter into an employment contract that is acceptable to them.

Just like the restaurant waiters on land, the valets at hotels, the bell staff at hotels.  

[billslowsky]

18 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Just like the restaurant waiters on land, the valets at hotels, the bell staff at hotels.  

Nope, very different.

[CILCIANRQTS]

29 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

You should ti your butler who serviced your room three time a day. And I recommend, when people ask, $10-$15 pp per day. 

How does a butler service your room???
Why would they stop by 3 times a day?
There were days when we didn’t even see our butler.

But thanks for your recommendation.

[wolft927]

Our butler always insisted on bringing us French press coffee every morning! We loved it. He also set up in room dining for us one night. Also kept our refrigerator stocked with things that normally they would charge for! Our butlers have always gone above and beyond our expectations and this is why we tip what we do. We stay in the haven for this type of service and those that provide it I believe should be compensated accordingly 

[jbcallender]

On a recent cruise in a suite, I tipped the cabin steward, the private butler and the Suite Concierge. in addition to the standard gratuity.  I wrote thank you notes and presented them on the next to the last day.

[Bubski]

On 12/27/2022 at 5:22 AM, kdawg954 said:

 

Honestly not my problem to figure that out.  The cruise line has designated a service charge and distributes it amongst the crew.  I won't micromanage their process, the process staff has agreed to work under, on my vacation.  

 

I will tip extra if I'm feeling like it or I won't.  Nobody should ever feel forced to tip extra when their is a $100ish charge per person for 7 day cruises that covers this.

If anyone has knowledge of this it would be great to get an answer. I have just been following a thread that says when you tip cash say to your bartender they do not get to keep that cash and are watched on Camera.  Does anyone have any input here - it would be distressing to me that the Bartender who we would like to benefit from an extra cash tip does not get it.

 

[luv2kroooz]

27 minutes ago, Bubski said:

If anyone has knowledge of this it would be great to get an answer. I have just been following a thread that says when you tip cash say to your bartender they do not get to keep that cash and are watched on Camera.  Does anyone have any input here - it would be distressing to me that the Bartender who we would like to benefit from an extra cash tip does not get it.

 

It is a fair inquiry. However, the only person with first hand knowledge of this is Norwegian Cruise Lines. None of the cruise lines are transparent about what they actually do with the tips, how much the crew gets, if the crew is penalized if you tip in cash. If they were transparent, then it would be simple for everyone.

 

You simply do what feels right to you in a deliberate and intentional way. There is no need to be in distress about your vacation. Leave what you feel is appropriate. That might be different for you and me, that is quite alright.

 

After that, what does or doesn't happen is outside of your control and what NCL requires him or her to do or not do with tips is an employment matter between the crew and NCL. Have a great cruise!!

[PATRLR]

On 1/12/2023 at 8:04 AM, billslowsky said:

Cruise employees are not indentured servants, penniless orphans, or downtrodden.  As adults, they enter into an employment contract that is acceptable to them.

 

On 1/12/2023 at 5:21 PM, BirdTravels said:

Just like the restaurant waiters on land, the valets at hotels, the bell staff at hotels.  

Except those folks on land aren't already receiving a discretionary component of the income from me via a daily service charge.    It is two different situations.

[dbrown84]

On 1/11/2023 at 6:24 PM, MoCruiseFan said:

 

There is really noting t all to figure out.  Tipping is not required on NCL.  A lot of people will give opinions as to the daily service charge, but that fee is irrelevant.  The only 'rule' about tipping on NCL is to tip whoyou want, when you want, however much you want.  What others choose to do as far as tipping is also irrelevant.  Enjoy your cruise, and tip as you please.  There is no suggested, normal, usual, or common amount to tip anyone.

THIS!!!

[cats04]

6 hours ago, Bubski said:

If anyone has knowledge of this it would be great to get an answer. I have just been following a thread that says when you tip cash say to your bartender they do not get to keep that cash and are watched on Camera.  Does anyone have any input here - it would be distressing to me that the Bartender who we would like to benefit from an extra cash tip does not get it.

 

We were on the Breakaway last month. Asked the bartender at one of the bars if he got to keep the cash tips. He said the bartenders & bar staff split them at the end of the night. 

[RocketMan275]

13 minutes ago, cats04 said:

We were on the Breakaway last month. Asked the bartender at one of the bars if he got to keep the cash tips. He said the bartenders & bar staff split them at the end of the night. 

That's quite common among land based bars.  

Our Country Club has a big tip jar on the counter.  

All tips go into the jar.

[MoCruiseFan]

On 1/12/2023 at 12:39 AM, BirdTravels said:

Your butler will service your suite three times a day. You should tip them. 

 

Recommended Butler tip is $10-$15 per person in room per days of cruise. 

 

Since you are in a suite that is bigger and maintained to a higher standard, you should tip your room steward an extra $5-$10 per persons in room time days. We would do that for a normal room. 

 

You should tip drink waiters who bring you drinks.

 

You should tip your bartenders. 

 

You should tip your shore excursion guides. 

 

You should tip your casino dealers and slot attendants when you hit it big. 

 

You should tip your dining room waiters for exceptional service. 

 

That is ridiculous.  Change all of those "should" to "could" or "might want to" and your post makes a little more sense.  Your math on the cabin steward tip is absurd.  Tip based on service received not on some random calculation because of the size of the cabin.

The only correct answer to tipping is to tip anyone you want, any time you want, any amount you want.  What someone else may or may not tip is totally irrelevant.

Then there is this from the NCL FAQ page:

Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on our ships for service that is generally rendered to all Guests. While you should not feel obligated to offer a gratuity, all of our staff are encouraged to “go the extra mile,” so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities for exceptional or outstanding service if you care to offer them. Also, certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge. We encourage those Guests to acknowledge good service from these staff members with appropriate gratuities. Additionally, there is an 20% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as an 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and an 20% gratuity and specialty service charge added to all specialty restaurant dining and entertainment based dining.

[zqvol]

On 1/12/2023 at 12:39 AM, BirdTravels said:

Your butler will service your suite three times a day. You should tip them. 

 

Recommended Butler tip is $10-$15 per person in room per days of cruise. 

 

Since you are in a suite that is bigger and maintained to a higher standard, you should tip your room steward an extra $5-$10 per persons in room time days. We would do that for a normal room. 

 

You should tip drink waiters who bring you drinks.

 

You should tip your bartenders. 

 

You should tip your shore excursion guides. 

 

You should tip your casino dealers and slot attendants when you hit it big. 

 

You should tip your dining room waiters for exceptional service. 

The quoted post is nothing more than one person's opinion. You might want to tip someone but saying that you should tip someone is doing nothing more than trying to impose the posters opinion on others. Tip who you want, when you  want and the amount you want. Don't let anyone try to push their OPINION on to you.

Edited January 17, 2023 by zqvol