The on going saga of tipping

[quiesedba41]

I have read many post here, soem peopling feeling that auto tipping is bad, some saying that if you cannot auto tip you cannot afford the cruise etc.....

 

What I want to know, being a first time cruiser, but one who can afford the cruise, is can I take auto tip off, and then tip the folks, that give me service?

 

I have 8 in my family going to cruise and 400.00 in tips for a 5 day cruise is a bit steep. I seems to me the auto tippers and paying for the stiffers.....I do NOT mind tipping, but I would like for it to be more personal.

 

My sister crusied last year and told me that she had them remove auto tip all together, and tipped as she came in contact with staff that provided service.

[cb at sea]

Whether you "auto-tip" or tip in cash, the amounts should be the same, unless one of your servers/attendants provide little or no service, then, you should reduce the amount.

We generally tip additional amounts for those whose go "above and beyond", (and most do!), but we did have a waiter that was horrendous--and the tip reflected that. But we did tip something.

It's really up to you.

[cruznbuddies]

We prefer to tip 'in person'. I don't know about all cruiselines, but when Carnival did the auto tip thing on a cruise my sis and I took in January '06, we went to the purser and asked to have the tips returned/credited to our account - which they did.

 

When the last day arrived, we personally tipped (the recommended - and in some cases - higher) amount to the people who had been our servers and room stewards, etc. We want to know they actually receive the tip, and to have the opportunity to let them know how much their service meant to us. It's one thing to say the words, - it's another to back it up with cold hard cash:D.

 

Are all the members of your party adults? The tip recommendations seemed steep to us initially as well, but after we experienced the amazing service we received, (and always receive regardless of the cruiseline) and the stress-free vacation we enjoyed as a result, we felt it was more than worth the amount of the tip. These people work very long hours and take good care of - we - the passengers.

[CC Help Michell]

I have read many post here, soem peopling feeling that auto tipping is bad, some saying that if you cannot auto tip you cannot afford the cruise etc.....

 

What I want to know, being a first time cruiser, but one who can afford the cruise, is can I take auto tip off, and then tip the folks, that give me service?

 

I have 8 in my family going to cruise and 400.00 in tips for a 5 day cruise is a bit steep. I seems to me the auto tippers and paying for the stiffers.....I do NOT mind tipping, but I would like for it to be more personal.

 

My sister crusied last year and told me that she had them remove auto tip all together, and tipped as she came in contact with staff that provided service.

 

I don't understand you question, which seems to confuse two issues -- 1) tipping the recommended amount for 8 people is expensive; and 2) wanting to tip in person. What does one have to do with the other? Are you asking if you can save money by removing auto tips? The answer to that is no, because the amount paid shouldn't change whether it's paid as auto tip, or delivered to certain people in person. It's still the appropriate minimum amount of tip per person, per day; if you plan to tip less than that then you would be one of the stiffers, which your post implies you don't want to be.

 

The difference between personal delivery of $3 - $3.50 per person per day to 3 individuals (the traditional way) and auto tipping of $10 - $10.50 per day per person (the autotip way) isn't in the total amount of money spent -- it's that the auto tips are pooled, and both "face" employees and behind the scenes employees share in the pool.

 

For that reason, when a passenger removes auto tips the crew members are informed, and anyone the passenger then tips in cash is required to turn the money back into the tip pool to be shared. If someone leaves the auto tip in place, and then tips extra for extraordinary service, then the crew member could keep that because the pool money is in place.

 

Basically removing auto tips on a line that has a tip pool is pointless, since the money winds up in the pool anyway -- and doing so won't save you any money unless you do plan to tip less than the recommended daily amount (which it doesn't sound like you do, as you refer to "stiffers" in a derogatory way, so it sounds like you don't want to be one).

[quiesedba41]

I do not want to save money on tips, I just want to tip the peopl that are working for me and not have it go to people that are lazy. Now my wife just informed me that the Royal Caribbean cruise we are taking is paying gratuitites as a bonus...so now what do I do?

[paul929207]

I do not want to save money on tips, I just want to tip the peopl that are working for me and not have it go to people that are lazy.

 

If you don't autotip, the normal people to tip instead would be your cabin steward, waiter and assistant waiter. They are required to put the cash you give them into the tip pool up to the pool amount. If the auto tip is $10/person/day, then it is $4/$4/$2 respectively. This pool takes care of not only the people you see, but the people behind the scenes that help make your crusie delightful. This would include people like those in the laundry, the kitchen, the dish washer, etc.

 

If you are going to give the same amount as the autotip (& I think if service is good you should), then giving in cash is just extra effort.

[sail7seas]

Seeing as this is your first cruise, you may not realize how very hard these crews work. There is rarely a 'lazy' one among them. Their contemporaries make sure everyone pulls their load. Your cabin steward has to clean your room whether you tip him or not. If you choose to not tip him, he has to explain to his superiors what he might have done for you to deny him (her) a tip. It does not reflect well on him even though the superiors all know there are some folks on every cruise who will stiff the crew no matter how good the service.

 

If eight of you are cruising, eight of you should plan to tip the recommended amount IMO. Why should the steward receive less because the eight people happen to be in one family. If you were four couples of two, he would be tipped for eight people.

 

Of course, the final decision is yours.

 

Have a great cruise.

[sail7seas]

I do not want to save money on tips, I just want to tip the peopl that are working for me and not have it go to people that are lazy. Now my wife just informed me that the Royal Caribbean cruise we are taking is paying gratuitites as a bonus...so now what do I do?

 

 

You will discover when you take your first cruise, the people you say you wish to tip are the ones who are included in your auto tip. It makes no sense to say you will tip these same people on your own but do not want to auto tip them. :confused:

[wieslaw]

....... Now my wife just informed me that the Royal Caribbean cruise we are taking is paying gratuitites as a bonus...so now what do I do?

 

Hi,

 

if you mean by this that the TA is paying the gratuities for you as a bonus, you are all set ........ you may add something for someone if there was an extraordinary service.

 

Wes

[quiesedba41]

When I booked the cruise, on of the perks, or bonuses, was that RC was paying the tips for the first two full paying guest in each cabin.

 

So I need to pay to tip 1/2 what the normal rate would be and if I feel someone deserves more I can give them cash?

[BruceMuzz]

You told us that you can afford to cruise, then told us that you think the tip amount is "Steep".

 

The tip amount today is only half of what was given 25 years ago. That's without factoring inflation. Maybe you cannot afford to cruise after all.

 

The average waiter / cabin steward is paid an average of $1 per day, plus any tips you give them. How lazy would they have to be in order for you not to allow them to earn more than $1 for working a 13 hour day?

[macka]

The cruise lines (or anyone else for that matter) should pay their employees a living wage and not leave it to individuals generosity to make it so.

[firefly333]

You told us that you can afford to cruise, then told us that you think the tip amount is "Steep".

 

The tip amount today is only half of what was given 25 years ago. That's without factoring inflation. Maybe you cannot afford to cruise after all.

 

The average waiter / cabin steward is paid an average of $1 per day, plus any tips you give them. How lazy would they have to be in order for you not to allow them to earn more than $1 for working a 13 hour day?

 

Well said. OP also said her sister removed the auto tips to just tip people who she came into contact with. There are people in the background who also provide help to the people you come into contact with you are stiffing.

 

I would leave the auto tips on and if service is extra special then tip over and above. Im cheap too, but I wouldnt try and get out of the full amount of tips plus whatever extra for all the service you get on a ship.

 

OP the fact that you state you think $400 in tips is a little steep sounds like you are tying to find a way to stiff some people the auto tips would go to without it appearing obvious. Think of the auto tips as just a part of the cost of the cruise and pay the suggested tips at the very least.

[firefly333]

The cruise lines (or anyone else for that matter) should pay their employees a living wage and not leave it to individuals generosity to make it so.

 

True, and then it would raise the amount of the cruise, either way we pay. Whats the difference if you pay more for your cruise because of higher wages or pay it as a tip.

[nulf4me]

For those of you that tip above and beyond the auto tips, how much do you generally tip each person and which people do you tip?

 

Thanks,

Karen

[blindrid]

Agree with sail7seas.

 

I cannot recall seeing anyone being "lazy". I like the autotip since it allows me to be "lazy" since it's pretty hassle free. I do tip any of the staff that do things over the call of duty. I typically develop a rapport with a few drink runners and will take care of them over the week.

[Desert star]

For those of you that tip above and beyond the auto tips, how much do you generally tip each person and which people do you tip?

 

Thanks,

Karen

 

We leave our auto tips in place and then tip the cabin stewerd $30.00 at the end of the cruise.

 

We tip exceptional waiters/assistants an extra $10.00.

 

On one cruise my DH who really uses his soda card, was always tipping a bartender extra that had his diet coke ready before he even got up to the counter.

 

And of course we tip for room service.

[ceilidh1]

What about if you're travelling with a young baby? Our 14month old will be paying full adult fare and classed as a passenger for auto gratuity, but will not actually be using too many services! Would I ask for that auto tip to be removed?

[samtheman]

What about if you're travelling with a young baby? Our 14month old will be paying full adult fare and classed as a passenger for auto gratuity, but will not actually be using too many services! Would I ask for that auto tip to be removed?

 

good question

on my last cruise i got talking to a guy who had 2 small kids with him he didnt think it was fair to charge $90 in tips for each child

i like the auto tip system and normaly tip on top as well but i could see his point

any with a view on this

[mndity]

I have read many post here, soem peopling feeling that auto tipping is bad, some saying that if you cannot auto tip you cannot afford the cruise etc.....

 

What I want to know, being a first time cruiser, but one who can afford the cruise, is can I take auto tip off, and then tip the folks, that give me service?

 

I have 8 in my family going to cruise and 400.00 in tips for a 5 day cruise is a bit steep. I seems to me the auto tippers and paying for the stiffers.....I do NOT mind tipping, but I would like for it to be more personal.

 

My sister crusied last year and told me that she had them remove auto tip all together, and tipped as she came in contact with staff that provided service.

 

I have never pre-paid tips on any cruise I have been on but have NEVER tipped less than what is recommended. You are talking about $10 per day for each person and you get: your room cleaned several times a day, your waiter (in the buffet or dining room) serving you 3 times a day. I know you are getting half your automatic tips comp'd but that should not prevent you from tipping for the services you get. I see these threads here alot and still can not understand why this would be that big of a concern..... even with kids!! I bet the amount of work just to do the things I mentioned is greater with kids than with adults. IMHO I do prefer to handle the tipping personally.......especially with the wait staff..........especially if they are as great as they usually are!!!!!

[firefly333]

good question

on my last cruise i got talking to a guy who had 2 small kids with him he didnt think it was fair to charge $90 in tips for each child

i like the auto tip system and normaly tip on top as well but i could see his point

any with a view on this

 

Iv read a lot of parents who use the Adventure Ocean or whatever the children's program is on your cruiseline extra because these people watch your children so you can go play.

 

Admittedly, Im not talking about babies, but children you leave off by themselves. Those folks are not usually included in the auto tips.

 

As far as babies, they have diapers, they dont gamble or drink, no extra income, I dont blame cruiselines for charging full price for them. Iv been in the theater when a baby was crying and thinking ....well probably one of those parents complaining about paying full price for their baby who isnt eating full meals.

 

Besides tipping extra in the children's activities area, some tip the dealers in the casino for instance. Or their steward if he is asked to do extra like keep a cooler full of ice, more than he would usually do. Anyone you ask for extra, over and above to me should be tipped extra.

 

I come here and think boy I must be extravagant compared to most of the people posting about tipping.

[ceilidh1]

I think it would depend on the age of the kids - in our case, the baby isn't even walking yet so not sure how much "mess" she could make. We are bringing our own baby food, bottles, diapers, etc, so will take care of all of her everyday needs. She won't be in a kid's club and probably won't even be taken into the dining room, so why would we pay $147 in tips for her? I do intend to pay it, of course, I fully support tipping/auto gratuity, I just fail to see the justification behind it. Maybe cruise lines should revise the policy of per passenger and make it only applicable to children over a certain age?

[boards]

The average waiter / cabin steward is paid an average of $1 per day, plus any tips you give them. How lazy would they have to be in order for you not to allow them to earn more than $1 for working a 13 hour day?

I believe that the above statement is a load of crap. Those people too hard and are so pleasant that I find it hard to believe that could perform that the level them do for that kind of wage.

Sorry I don't believe it.

[kitty9]

good question

on my last cruise i got talking to a guy who had 2 small kids with him he didnt think it was fair to charge $90 in tips for each child

i like the auto tip system and normaly tip on top as well but i could see his point

any with a view on this

 

Having kids in a cabin usually doubles the work for a cabin steward. There's more to clean up after, more towels to handle, more beds to make up, and generally more mess to clean up after. As for the infant, it's generally said that a child under age 2 tip 1/2 the adult amount. But as for kids older than that, they really should tip the full amount because it's more work for the steward

[Desert star]

What about if you're travelling with a young baby? Our 14month old will be paying full adult fare and classed as a passenger for auto gratuity, but will not actually be using too many services! Would I ask for that auto tip to be removed?

 

I don't know what cruise line you are traveling on, but on NCL and Princess, childern were something like 1/2 the price for auto tipping.

So like insted of the $70.00 per person, we paid $35.00 for each child.

I would keep the auto tip in place.