Gratuities Question

[SororitySue]

We are sailing on the Silhouette Thursday and have pre-paid our gratuities and classic drink packages. Is appropriate to tip bartenders, baristas, etc., in addition to this and if so, how much? Thanks so much!

[dlh015]

It is appropriate to tip whomever you want and any amount you want. It's up to you.

 

ETA: It is also appropriate if you don't wish to tip anyone.

 

Full disclosure: I always add tips to those who make my cruise more enjoyable.

Edited February 7, 2023 by dlh015

[mcrcruiser]

2 minutes ago, SororitySue said:

We are sailing on the Silhouette Thursday and have pre-paid our gratuities and classic drink packages. Is appropriate to tip bartenders, baristas, etc., in addition to this and if so, how much? Thanks so much!

Tips are already included  in your drink pkg  .  If a serving person goes above & beyond normal service we will tip a extra  $1 per drink . What I mean is making a better drink than a normal drink because of the effort  they put in Otherwise I will order 2 drinks of the same & no tip 

[DCPIV]

Tip as you like.  You've paid what is required.

 

Just FYI, if you choose to get a drink that is priced above your package, then you'll pay the upcharge plus the gratuity on that upcharge. 

[horseymike]

3 hours ago, SororitySue said:

We are sailing on the Silhouette Thursday and have pre-paid our gratuities and classic drink packages. Is appropriate to tip bartenders, baristas, etc., in addition to this and if so, how much? Thanks so much!

We always tip extra to people who have treated us well, and most of the time that is almost everyone who has taken care of us on the cruise , room stewards, waiters, bar tenders, baristas and Maitre D s. We do this of our own choosing not because it is required.

Needless to say if anyone does not treat us well , that would be a different situation. that situation has been extremely rare for us. Hope you have a great cruise 🚢 

[Jim_Iain]

Traditionally I have always tipped additional at the end of a cruise according to those that have done above and beyond to make our vacation memorable.

 

In recent years my attitude on this evolving.    The main reason for this is that in most locations the tips that are given are pooled and even go to those who may not have given me good service.    Also in Specialty Dining where they are now adding a 18% on top of the cover charge I no longer feel at all obliged to tip additional. 

 

I think that in America we have gone well overboard in feeling we need to tip everyone we come in touch with.  Often when you order something at a counter you are almost embarrassed into tipping extra by the tip button on the terminal while the waiter is staring at you indicate your gratuity level.  

 

Saying that we normally tip our Waiter and Assistant Waiter, Sommelier, Butler and Stateroom Attendant.     If I have a Barista that really took good care of me over 4 - 6 weeks I would definitely give them some extra.   To be honest some that I have become close with me in private have thanked me and told me that a really good review is much more important to them.

 

With this in mind,  At the mid-point of every cruise I write the Hotel Director a thank you note and call out they top staff how have made our cruise so enjoyable.    I usually get a thank you from both the HD and the staff members as they are called up at staff meeting for a special recognition.

 

 

[RichYak]

55 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Also in Specialty Dining where they are now adding a 18% on top of the cover charge I no longer feel at all obliged to tip additional. 

You and I appear to have similar philosophies on this subject so may I ask your advice? What if you’re in an upper suite with included specialties. Would you cash tip or assume it’s also included?

[Georgia_Peaches]

41 minutes ago, RichYak said:

You and I appear to have similar philosophies on this subject so may I ask your advice? What if you’re in an upper suite with included specialties. Would you cash tip or assume it’s also included?

We are in a RS next month and plan to leave a cash tip after our meals in the specialties. Not sure how much yet. But like @Jim_Iain, my philosophy is evolving as I learn more about how extra tips are allocated among the crew. I think people need to feel ok with not going beyond the daily service fee for standard service. I guess the next debate becomes what constitutes standard service and what’s going above and beyond?

Edited February 8, 2023 by Georgia_Peaches

[NutsAboutGolf]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

I think that in America we have gone well overboard in feeling we need to tip everyone we come in touch with.  Often when you order something at a counter you are almost embarrassed into tipping extra by the tip button on the terminal while the waiter is staring at you indicate your gratuity level.

Some of the reason tipping exploded during the pandemic at restaurants, helps with retention while costing the management nothing

 

My credit card gets me a DoorDash (food delivery app for those who don’t know) membership meaning in most case you can have food delivery with no fees other than driver tips.  Therefore for the same price as dining in or having takeout with a tip, can have it delivered to my house which comes in handy during weekday lunches when I'm crunched on time.  While many restaurants set the food items higher than if you didn’t use DoorDash, some don’t and often there’s some sort of door dash coupon to offset it the price increases 

[prmssk]

3 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We are in a RS next month and plan to leave a cash tip after our meals in the specialties. Not sure how much yet. But like @Jim_Iain, my philosophy is evolving as I learn more about how extra tips are allocated among the crew. I think people need to feel ok with not going beyond the daily service fee for standard service. I guess the next debate becomes what constitutes standard service and what’s going above and beyond?

We were in a penthouse a couple months ago and did not have great service in the specialty dining restaurants we dined in so left nothing extra assuming our included meals covered standard gratuities.  We have gotten to the point over the last couple cruises where we don't automatically tip extra and instead look to reward those who truly make our trip special.

[RichYak]

9 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We are in a RS next month and plan to leave a cash tip after our meals in the specialties. Not sure how much yet.

This is where my head is at currently. I want to be generous but not ridiculously so. 

[Georgia_Peaches]

9 minutes ago, prmssk said:

We were in a penthouse a couple months ago and did not have great service in the specialty dining restaurants we dined in so left nothing extra assuming our included meals covered standard gratuities.  We have gotten to the point over the last couple cruises where we don't automatically tip extra and instead look to reward those who truly make our trip special.

Wow.  I would expect that PH guests would have excellent service. Should we find ourselves In a similar situation to yours, we will likely do the same. Were there specific problems or just all around average service?

Edited February 8, 2023 by Georgia_Peaches

[prmssk]

Just now, Georgia_Peaches said:

Wow.  I would expect that PH guests would have excellent service. Should we find ourselves In a similar situation to yours, we will likely do the same. We’re there specific problems or just all around average service?

It was slow and they just weren't very attentive even though it wasn't that busy.  Nothing really bad.  But we had far better service in Luminae.  

[mahasamatman]

We like to tip the people who clean the washrooms and the stairways. They're important people and don't get recognized enough.

[MamaFej]

38 minutes ago, mahasamatman said:

We like to tip the people who clean the washrooms and the stairways. They're important people and don't get recognized enough.

And they are generally quite friendly. 

 

Many folks may think it's silly, but one of my favorite things about Celebrity is that, almost without exception, every crew/staff member you pass will greet us. 

Hello. Good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening. 

 

I always reciprocate. 

 

I have also found that most passengers on X greet each other as well. 

 

I grew up RVing, and still do. RVers tend to wave at each other when passing on the road. Experiencing something similar while cruising makes me happy. 

 

And extra tipping? Yes, that's part of the cruising experience for us. I respect that extra tipping is not necessarily part of the experience for everyone. I do NOT respect removing auto-gratuities. It is simply part of the cost of cruising at this time, whether anyone likes it or not. 

[Team Stag]

I’m in the camp where I normally have some ones in my pocket and tip as I see fit.  Not guaranteed everytime; just when it feels appropriate. 
 

I will say; unlike times in America, when I do tip say a bartender; I don’t feel that I’m treated with any other priority than other customers around me who may not be tipping. 
 

I do feel in America - I received adequate service at restaurants (order taken, drinks refilled, food delivered, checked on etc) where as on a cruise boat; I feel like the staff truly cares if I’m having a good time. Or a good meal. Or whatever. 

[SusieAV8R]

On 2/7/2023 at 9:26 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:

Wow.  I would expect that PH guests would have excellent service. Should we find ourselves In a similar situation to yours, we will likely do the same. Were there specific problems or just all around average service?

Our second post covid cruise in PH and our B2B2B over Christmas/NYE in PH involved butlers who gave us mediocre service. (Quite shocking for what we paid for those suites.) We received what we requested but we are low maintenance.  🙂  (2 other post-covid cruises in PH involved exemplary butlers who really "spoiled" us and were tipped accordingly!) We did have exceptional service from shoreside concierges, especially on our last Christmas/NYE PH cruise,  thank goodness!  Also. the Hotel director, Retreat Lounge Concierge & Maitre D' on that 13 nights were also exemplary, which compensated. 

[SusieAV8R]

Just now, SusieAV8R said:

Our second post covid cruise in PH and our B2B2B over Christmas/NYE in PH involved butlers who gave us mediocre service. (Quite shocking for what we paid for those suites.) We received what we requested but we are low maintenance.  🙂  (2 other post-covid cruises in PH involved exemplary butlers who really "spoiled" us and were tipped accordingly!) We did have exceptional service from shoreside concierges, especially on our last Christmas/NYE PH cruise,  thank goodness!  Also. the Hotel director, Retreat Lounge Concierge & Maitre D' on that 13 nights were also exemplary, which compensated. 

13 night total cruise

 

Just now, SusieAV8R said:

Our second post covid cruise in PH and our B2B2B over Christmas/NYE in PH involved butlers who gave us mediocre service. (Quite shocking for what we paid for those suites.) We received what we requested but we are low maintenance.  🙂  (2 other post-covid cruises in PH involved exemplary butlers who really "spoiled" us and were tipped accordingly!) We did have exceptional service from shoreside concierges, especially on our last Christmas/NYE PH cruise,  thank goodness!  Also. the Hotel director, Retreat Lounge Concierge & Maitre D' on that 13 nights were also exemplary, which compensated. 

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

30 minutes ago, SusieAV8R said:

Our second post covid cruise in PH and our B2B2B over Christmas/NYE in PH involved butlers who gave us mediocre service. (Quite shocking for what we paid for those suites.) We received what we requested but we are low maintenance.  🙂  (2 other post-covid cruises in PH involved exemplary butlers who really "spoiled" us and were tipped accordingly!) We did have exceptional service from shoreside concierges, especially on our last Christmas/NYE PH cruise,  thank goodness!  Also. the Hotel director, Retreat Lounge Concierge & Maitre D' on that 13 nights were also exemplary, which compensated. 

I guess it’s a mixed bag, like most things. Was wondering if you received any special invites like a sail away party or bridge tour as a result of being in the PH suite. We haven’t yet sprung for a ph suite but have a few RS under our belts and we were invited to a sail away and a bridge tour. We attend both. Bridge tour was fascinating. This was all pre Covid so not sure if they do such things anymore. 

[SusieAV8R]

21 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I guess it’s a mixed bag, like most things. Was wondering if you received any special invites like a sail away party or bridge tour as a result of being in the PH suite. We haven’t yet sprung for a ph suite but have a few RS under our belts and we were invited to a sail away and a bridge tour. We attend both. Bridge tour was fascinating. This was all pre Covid so not sure if they do such things anymore. 

 

21 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I guess it’s a mixed bag, like most things. Was wondering if you received any special invites like a sail away party or bridge tour as a result of being in the PH suite. We haven’t yet sprung for a ph suite but have a few RS under our belts and we were invited to a sail away and a bridge tour. We attend both. Bridge tour was fascinating. This was all pre Covid so not sure if they do such things anymore. 

Yes we received an invite for both sail away & bridge tour every time we were in PH ; 5 such cruises to date) post covid.  However, we passed on both because  the PH deck on M-class is fabulous (1100 sq. feet) and we simply requested a bottle of the type of champagne we desired and enjoyed it in  the privacy of our expansive deck..  We have been on the bridge tour numerous times pre-covid.  (On our last PH cruise which was Jan. 4-9/2023,  those taking the bridge tour were required to wear a face mask.  Since wearing a face mask makes me very ill, we declined the invitation.).   During our last PH cruise, we did receive a tour of the Engine room and it was fascinating!!!  

[CGTNORMANDIE]

On 2/7/2023 at 2:25 PM, SororitySue said:

We are sailing on the Silhouette Thursday and have pre-paid our gratuities and classic drink packages. Is appropriate to tip bartenders, baristas, etc., in addition to this and if so, how much? Thanks so much!

We have sailed in all types of suites and we always tip for excellent service and only for excellent service.  This is over and above the daily service charge.  Normally we tip at the end of the voyage.  We use envelopes with cash and usually a nice short note thanking that particular person and promising them a good review.  Sometimes I tip a bartender and server if I’m in a bar that I frequent during the cruise.  I never tip up front but only after I have established a rapport with the bartender/server.  I would never tip 1 dollar per drink as most servers view this as a bit gauche.  I usually slip them a 5 or 10 dollar bill once or twice as we go along.  There have been a few times when I tipped bartenders nothing at all or $20 or more.  There have been other times I have tipped a lot for waiters and butlers.  One time I left a recalcitrant waiter an envelope with a note telling him why he wasn’t getting a tip.  There is no typical amount to tip.  It is up to you, what you perceive as great service and an amount you feel comfortable with.  Tipping is a purely personal matter.  You get to decide.  You would be amazed at what a 5 dollar bill can do for the person who brings you room service in the morning or the young lady who carves the meat in the buffet or $50 to the assistant to the cabin steward or $100 or more to the butler.  Just as we rate and review these people they rate and review us also.  They remember the pax who treated them well.  Many times I have run into people who had served me on previous cruises and all of them were smiling when they recognized me!  The decision to tip is yours alone.  

Edited February 16, 2023 by CGTNORMANDIE

[DingoMom]

12 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

 I would never tip 1 dollar per drink as most servers view this as a bit gauche. 

I respect your opinion, and totally agree that tipping is a personal decision. However, there are times that I do tip $1 per drink. At Cafe Al Bacio, I have had some excellent baristas who are engaging and who make special designs in my drink. I don’t know if they will be there the next time I come, or if they will be the one taking care of me, so ‘I tip as I go there.’ Also, to the casino drink servers. Sometimes, on some ships, they are hard to find. I tip by the drink there, and find that I am usually in their ‘rotation’ when they are going to get drinks. 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

3 hours ago, DingoMom said:

I respect your opinion, and totally agree that tipping is a personal decision. However, there are times that I do tip $1 per drink. At Cafe Al Bacio, I have had some excellent baristas who are engaging and who make special designs in my drink. I don’t know if they will be there the next time I come, or if they will be the one taking care of me, so ‘I tip as I go there.’ Also, to the casino drink servers. Sometimes, on some ships, they are hard to find. I tip by the drink there, and find that I am usually in their ‘rotation’ when they are going to get drinks. 

Coffee and casino are fine…I totally agree. I was referring to a regular bar that I would be attending for the duration of the cruise.  I always try to set up a rapport with the bartenders and servers.  I’ve even had bartenders recognize me three years later.  

[SusieAV8R]

8 hours ago, DingoMom said:

I respect your opinion, and totally agree that tipping is a personal decision. However, there are times that I do tip $1 per drink. At Cafe Al Bacio, I have had some excellent baristas who are engaging and who make special designs in my drink. I don’t know if they will be there the next time I come, or if they will be the one taking care of me, so ‘I tip as I go there.’ Also, to the casino drink servers. Sometimes, on some ships, they are hard to find. I tip by the drink there, and find that I am usually in their ‘rotation’ when they are going to get drinks. 

We will tip using $2 bills for Cafe Al Bacio, wine waiters in OVC or waiters in martini bar or lounge areas when we think we received great service (very subjective evaluation).  Like you, DingoMom, we have found that we end up in their "rotation" when they are getting drinks.  A waiter at the Martini bar on our last cruise in January said hello to us a number of times as we walked by and asked if we wanted a martini.  Guess the tips we gave were appreciated.