Tipping in Yacht Club

[Surfguyxxx]

I'm doing my very first MSC cruise, on Divina, and we're in the YC.  We're Pinnacle on RC so we've cruised a lot.  My question is how does one tip aboard?  We've multiple butlers taking care of us, but one main one assigned to us.  We also have multiple waiters in the restaurant and all are great. A fantastic maitre'd  too.How do you tip them all?  Individually?  Separately?  As a group?  Thanks for your advice.

[Best Cat Mom]

We tip each person separately, based on the service they've provided for us. On the last full day, we stop by the YC concierge desk and ask for some envelopes -- they have always expected this and had a supply ready. The concierges can also help you with the spelling of names, even when you might just have a description of a particular person. They are extremely helpful.

 

We give out the envelopes on that last full day, usually beginning with the concierges that have been most helpful -- especially the one who gave you the envelopes and names.

 

If you need cash for the envelopes, you can retrieve your OBC via the casino. Load the money to your cruise card, play for a bit (if you want) then cash out and bring the ticket to the cashier to get your money. If you get bills too large, the YC concierge can change them for you.

 

If you have a tough time locating people to give them their tip envelopes, the YC concierges will also assist with that. They know why you're looking for someone on the last day -- and the people you're looking for know why they should find you as well.

 

For us, the whole process is very much facilitated by those oh-so-helpful concierges!

Edited April 14 by Best Cat Mom

[DaKahuna]

We tipped pretty much in the same manner as @Best Cat Mom.  Those who provided us with great service we tipped using envelopes.  In Le Muse we had the same waiter and assistant waiter for almost ever dinner.  During lunch it was a variety of waiters and assistants and any of them that we though deserved it we tipped as well. 

 

We also tipped our stateroom attendant, who was our assistant butler.

 

In the Top Sail Lounge we tipped our waiters when served or at the end of the evening.  I also tipped the bartenders - there is usually a different one in the morning and the evening. 

 

 

 

[Mark_T]

10 hours ago, Surfguyxxx said:

How do you tip them all?  Individually?  Separately?  As a group?  Thanks for your advice.

Start from the default position, which is there is no need to tip everyone as you are already doing that through the daily service charge.

 

Beyond that, MSC policy is not to tip individually, but of course we know that isn't going to stop people, especially on a cruise out of a US port, so we focus on those that go above and beyond, which narrows the field somewhat.

 

As explained above, the envelopes are readily available, and although not expected you will not find anyone actively refusing a tip 🙂

[jame_g]

We basically do the same. We leave the service charge in place, then we tip extra individually for those who go above and beyond. We may also tip a little extra to those that most frequently provide us service. The other thing is that if there is someone who has given really good service, make sure you fill out the survey and mention their name.

[CarolnLarry]

7 hours ago, jame_g said:

We basically do the same. We leave the service charge in place, then we tip extra individually for those who go above and beyond. We may also tip a little extra to those that most frequently provide us service. The other thing is that if there is someone who has given really good service, make sure you fill out the survey and mention their name.

Agree totally with this tipping concept.  Asked a butler why he was in the Caribbean instead of the Mediterranean, which was closer to his home, he replied Americans tip better and a lot of others don't.

[Surfguyxxx]

Many thanks everyone.   Your comments are very helpful. Some of the staff, of course, gave more individualized services and will benefit accordingly.