Can someone give me a tip about tipping stewards?

[STLPilot]

Ok ... been a while since I took a cruise. I really like (sigh) this new thing where everyone on the boat is required to tip their steward a predetermined amount of $9 per head. Doesn't matter if you booked an inside cabin for one or a family of 8 in a 3 br suite, all in the same boat (pun).

 

Question .... does anyone else think that's a little strange that one ... we've already determined that our steward is going to provide great service. And two, that we all have to tip the same amount???

 

I called Princess and they just simply said ... "that's just the way it works now". Well, Princess gives the the option to opt out of that program ... so I think I just might. I don't have a problem tipping cash for a job well done, but I want to make that my decision and based it on performance.

 

Is that fair? Or am I supposed to just follow the other sheep? What do you do?

[silverado44]

Sounds fair to me, thats what we do.

[LHT28]

The recommended p/d amount PP is for your wait staff & the cabin staff not $9. just for the steward. it is shared among several people that serve you.

 

You may want to read some of the comments on this thread

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=984706

[cb at sea]

Each cruiseline has a "suggested" amount for each person who serves you. On almost every line, it works out to about $10 per person PER DAY and that tips your: Room attendant, waiter, ass't waiter and head waiter.

Bar tabs have a tip included already.

Room service is an additional tip---they aren't included in the suggested tips, nor are the porters!

 

This assumes you are in regular cabins---suites will tip about $12-13 per person per day.

[brucory]

Recent news on the boards highlighted that non tippers can be "outed". It may seem like a large amount, but it covers all your tipping for the restaurants and the room, as well as others...

 

If you are inclined to pull the tip (your choice), I would suggest taking a wait and see position to see if the service is less than expected.

 

:D:D:D

[STLPilot]

Recent news on the boards highlighted that non tippers can be "outed". It may seem like a large amount, but it covers all your tipping for the restaurants and the room, as well as others...

 

If you are inclined to pull the tip (your choice), I would suggest taking a wait and see position to see if the service is less than expected.

 

:D:D:D

HEHE I look forward to it!

 

Look it's like this. If I decide to pull the auto tip, hopefully they will know it. I just won't count on good service or bad service, I will just count on "service" or then again maybe not. The reason I hope they know about it so I can tell them that I did not turn auto tip off, I'm just going to "TIP" at the end of the cruise. Don't give great service, nothing lost and nothing gained. But what I won't be is one of those reviewers that said they didn't get good service, but still had to pay for it, it can't happen.

 

In all honesty, I just don't like modern "systems". To me these policies seem very lemming like. And I most especially don't like someone (a publically held company) telling me their policy is based upon, and I quote Princess "that's just the way we do it now", as their excuse for removing what was a fair and balanced policy. Because I know deep down inside, I'm not tipping my steward, waiter and so forth, I'm paying Princess' salaries, thus the pooling system.

 

Anyway ... I found the poll that somone posted in another thread useful. Most people in the poll do not auto tip, they pay at the end based on performance, beautiful, thanks for the link!

[ovccruiser]

Triplicate post, what happened?

[ovccruiser]

duplicate post

[ovccruiser]

HEHE I look forward to it!

 

Look it's like this. If I decide to pull the auto tip, hopefully they will know it. I just won't count on good service or bad service, I will just count on "service" or then again maybe not. The reason I hope they know about it so I can tell them that I did not turn auto tip off, I'm just going to "TIP" at the end of the cruise. Don't give great service, nothing lost and nothing gained. But what I won't be is one of those reviewers that said they didn't get good service, but still had to pay for it, it can't happen.

 

In all honesty, I just don't like modern "systems". To me these policies seem very lemming like. And I most especially don't like someone (a publically held company) telling me their policy is based upon, and I quote Princess "that's just the way we do it now", as their excuse for removing what was a fair and balanced policy. Because I know deep down inside, I'm not tipping my steward, waiter and so forth, I'm paying Princess' salaries, thus the pooling system.

 

Anyway ... I found the poll that somone posted in another thread useful. Most people in the poll do not auto tip, they pay at the end based on performance, beautiful, thanks for the link!

 

So how are you going to tip people you don't see who give you a good service. The chefs, the cooks and the "labourers" in the kitchens, the guys who clean your towels and sheets etc. If you give a tip to your steward, he hands that money into the pot and is shared, so don't think by giving him $20 at the end of your cruise you've given a good tip.

[STLPilot]

So how are you going to tip people you don't see who give you a good service. The chefs, the cooks and the "labourers" in the kitchens, the guys who clean your towels and sheets etc. If you give a tip to your steward, he hands that money into the pot and is shared, so don't think by giving him $20 at the end of your cruise you've given a good tip.

Well hold on there tiger, I thought you said it was a tip. What you just described was a salary. Let me just say this, in my entire life I have never stiffed a tip for someone that was not deserved. Here is what Princess says on their site:

 

Answer: During your cruise, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. Many more crew support those who serve you directly. To save you the worry of who to tip and how much, Princess makes it easier for you to reward excellent service by automatically adding a discretionary Hotel and Dining charge of $11 USD for suites and mini-suites and $10.50 USD for all other staterooms per person per day (including children) to your shipboard account on a daily basis. This charge will be shared amongst those staff who help provide and support your cruise experience, including the wait staff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. Casino dealers and Lotus Spa personnel do not share in the Hotel and Dining charge as not all passengers utilize these services.

 

My OP stated "why do I have to tip the same as everyone else".

 

Quite frankly I don't like the new policy (new to me, many years since cruise). I don't consider this a tip and this why Princess and I'm sure every other cruise line specifically calls it a tip AND calls it a "discretionary Hotel and Dining charge". Me, I call it a flat out salary. Because it certainly does not resemble what I know as a "tip" in any way, shape or form.

 

And in regards to $20, please, I've tipped more than that for one nite on a train.

 

Again, the OP was answered with a link to a poll that clearly showed that I'm not the only one that feels this way.

 

Thanks!

[brucory]

 

Again, the OP was answered with a link to a poll that clearly showed that I'm not the only one that feels this way.

 

Thanks!

 

I think you may have misinterpreted the poll. The way I see it, the response that is most popular is the one that says that extra is paid to exceptional staff at the end of the cruise. (ie, no increase or reduction in the autotip) Most people do just this. They leave the autotip in place and tip additional to those that stand out.

 

Some people have commented that having your name on a list may result in other things happening apart from just a lack of service.

 

:D:D:D

[STLPilot]

I think you may have misinterpreted the poll. The way I see it, the response that is most popular is the one that says that extra is paid to exceptional staff at the end of the cruise. (ie, no increase or reduction in the autotip) Most people do just this. They leave the autotip in place and tip additional to those that stand out.

 

Some people have commented that having your name on a list may result in other things happening apart from just a lack of service.

 

:D:D:D

I look forward to whatever they throw at me, it will be fun, like a game.

[russellandjackie]

A few facts...

- The vast majority of employees on cruise lines make next to nothing in way of salary from the line.

- They work for tips.

- There are a lot of "worker bees" behind the scene that contribute to your experience which you are unaware of.. hence the pooling of tips.

- An argument could be made that the publicly held cruise line should pay there employees an adequate wage. If that where the case we would no longer enjoy the cheap cruises. The cost would simply be past along.

 

For those who cruise we no that there are lots of "hidden" cost, whether in tips, drinks, activities , excursions, port fees. Could you imagine what a "all inclusive" cruise would cost. ( I know guys who can drink there own weight).

 

P.S. my family cruise in September will cost me close to $600.00 in tips alone ...OUCH!

[STLPilot]

A few facts...

- The vast majority of employees on cruise lines make next to nothing in way of salary from the line.

- They work for tips.

- There are a lot of "worker bees" behind the scene that contribute to your experience which you are unaware of.. hence the pooling of tips.

- An argument could be made that the publicly held cruise line should pay there employees an adequate wage. If that where the case we would no longer enjoy the cheap cruises. The cost would simply be past along.

 

For those who cruise we no that there are lots of "hidden" cost, whether in tips, drinks, activities , excursions, port fees. Could you imagine what a "all inclusive" cruise would cost. ( I know guys who can drink there own weight).

 

P.S. my family cruise in September will cost me close to $600.00 in tips alone ...OUCH!

Sorry I don't buy it. These are not tips, this is a pool of money that cruise lines split between the help. Also tips are relative, if I eat in a place that is $10 a plate for 2 with a couple glasses of wine, my $50 bill becomes a $10 tip. If I eat at a place with $50 a couple glasses of wine, the tip is now $25 for the same amount of work served.

 

Personally I would challenge the cruise lines to simply pay their fair wages. This way you could weed out the companies that are simply scamming their employees and their customers. The airline industry is going through this same issue right now. For years the airlines have been sticking it to customers and many of them rode their airlines into the ground. What came out of the fog was a handful of airlines that learned efficiency to reduce their costs instead of scam programs like the cruise lines are doing. Behold the birth of Jet Blue, Spirit Air, Southwest and so forth. These are also the airlines that are going to breeze through the recession.

 

These are simply not tips and quite frankly I don't feel like I need to be obligated, given a guilt trip or anything else. There was a time that this program did not exist, sure it might of cost more BUT IT WAS FAIR. We've been duped to believe this is a good system. But personally, I would to see fair over greed (for the cruise lines). Princess ramped up to 17 ships rather quickly, so no, I don't really feel obligated to commingle my money with anyone, I for one would certainly prefer TIPPING over the new system that goes about 20 different names. I'll make my decision at cruise end.

[julieanne]

Sorry I don't buy it. These are not tips, this is a pool of money that cruise lines split between the help. Also tips are relative, if I eat in a place that is $10 a plate for 2 with a couple glasses of wine, my $50 bill becomes a $10 tip. If I eat at a place with $50 a couple glasses of wine, the tip is now $25 for the same amount of work served.

 

Personally I would challenge the cruise lines to simply pay their fair wages. This way you could weed out the companies that are simply scamming their employees and their customers. The airline industry is going through this same issue right now. For years the airlines have been sticking it to customers and many of them rode their airlines into the ground. What came out of the fog was a handful of airlines that learned efficiency to reduce their costs instead of scam programs like the cruise lines are doing. Behold the birth of Jet Blue, Spirit Air, Southwest and so forth. These are also the airlines that are going to breeze through the recession.

 

These are simply not tips and quite frankly I don't feel like I need to be obligated, given a guilt trip or anything else. There was a time that this program did not exist, sure it might of cost more BUT IT WAS FAIR. We've been duped to believe this is a good system. But personally, I would to see fair over greed (for the cruise lines). Princess ramped up to 17 ships rather quickly, so no, I don't really feel obligated to commingle my money with anyone, I for one would certainly prefer TIPPING over the new system that goes about 20 different names. I'll make my decision at cruise end.

I agree. I may be Old School (started cruising at 11, 48 now) but, I prefer the old way. We always go out of our way to give extra for excellent service, we always tip whether we used the dining room or not and have never tried to get out of tipping. We just sailed NCL and it was described as a service charge and that is the way I prefer to see it if they are making the decision for me or "outing" me to the crew just because I prefer to pay cash. This is a horrible practice and I get tired of people bringing this up. Each cruiseline has way over-extended themselves these past two years by putting many mega liners into service and the prices are going lower and lower...........To me, I want to know when I autotip how much my steward, waiter, etc....actually receive. I would be that it's somewhat different than what I would tip in cash.........

[NolaZach]

$9 a day for the steward?

 

Or $9 for the whole trip??

 

I left my steward and extra $20 and my brother did as well, even though I felt like he deserved more for doing such a great job, and keeping my liquor on ice ;)

 

If its only a one time $9 charge than that is really nothing at all.

[LHT28]

$9 a day for the steward?

 

Or $9 for the whole trip??

 

I left my steward and extra $20 and my brother did as well, even though I felt like he deserved more for doing such a great job, and keeping my liquor on ice ;)

 

If its only a one time $9 charge than that is really nothing at all.

 

It is usually $9 (probably $10 now) for the day per person so a seven day cruise would be $70. pp for the wait staff & the cabin staff total not each

 

I gladly give them the daily rate so I do not have to make my bed, clean the toilets, make 3 meals a day & do the dishes worth every penny to me:D

[NolaZach]

Yeah its $10 a day for everyone on CCL, but I would think $9 a day for the steward would be strange. We gave him an additional $40 on top of what was charged to our S&S.

[katiel53]

Sorry I don't buy it. These are not tips, this is a pool of money that cruise lines split between the help. Also tips are relative, if I eat in a place that is $10 a plate for 2 with a couple glasses of wine, my $50 bill becomes a $10 tip. If I eat at a place with $50 a couple glasses of wine, the tip is now $25 for the same amount of work served.

 

Personally I would challenge the cruise lines to simply pay their fair wages. This way you could weed out the companies that are simply scamming their employees and their customers. The airline industry is going through this same issue right now. For years the airlines have been sticking it to customers and many of them rode their airlines into the ground. What came out of the fog was a handful of airlines that learned efficiency to reduce their costs instead of scam programs like the cruise lines are doing. Behold the birth of Jet Blue, Spirit Air, Southwest and so forth. These are also the airlines that are going to breeze through the recession.

 

These are simply not tips and quite frankly I don't feel like I need to be obligated, given a guilt trip or anything else. There was a time that this program did not exist, sure it might of cost more BUT IT WAS FAIR. We've been duped to believe this is a good system. But personally, I would to see fair over greed (for the cruise lines). Princess ramped up to 17 ships rather quickly, so no, I don't really feel obligated to commingle my money with anyone, I for one would certainly prefer TIPPING over the new system that goes about 20 different names. I'll make my decision at cruise end.

 

 

I personally think you are making a big deal out of nothing. It also sounds to me, and I could be wrong, that you won't tip the "suggested amount" because it was suggested. You can make all the excuses you want and rationalize it any way you want. It still, to me, makes me think you are cheap. JMO.

 

Perhaps, the cruise lines should make it a "service charge" and non-removable and it will be interesting to see what you justification would then be. No doubt, you will have one.

 

If I have mis-understood your point, it could be because I got tired of reading. Sorry!!

[NolaZach]

actually I think next time I will give my room steward a big tip before hand, and tell him that I want a constant supply of ice and canned cokes in my room.

 

My last guy was great but he didn't keep the cokes coming every day.

[RocksNoSalt]

Dude, I would watch my toothbrush!

[STLPilot]

I personally think you are making a big deal out of nothing. It also sounds to me, and I could be wrong, that you won't tip the "suggested amount" because it was suggested. You can make all the excuses you want and rationalize it any way you want. It still, to me, makes me think you are cheap. JMO.

 

If I have mis-understood your point, it could be because I got tired of reading. Sorry!!

Thanks Katie, I am cheap. You know what else I am, I am -not in debt. If more Americans would be "cheap" then we wouldn't be in the situation our country is in right now. I'm also so cheap that I ride my bike 20 miles a day to work. You think I do it for your children or to make myself look better for you?? So thanks for the compliment Katie, happy spending.

[katiel53]

Thanks Katie, I am cheap. You know what else I am, I am -not in debt. If more Americans would be "cheap" then we wouldn't be in the situation our country is in right now. I'm also so cheap that I ride my bike 20 miles a day to work. You think I do it for your children or to make myself look better for you?? So thanks for the compliment Katie, happy spending.

 

I know this might come as a surprise to you, but guess what? I am not in debt either, but I still tip the full amount and often more. I think there is a difference between being economical and being cheap. You win,you probably are the cheapest person I know other than my step-son who also rides his bike to work and even with a low paying job, has more money saved than most people. He couldn't/wouldn't live my lifestyle anymore than I could live his or yours.

 

To each his own, but I do feel sorry for the people working for you on the cruise. I bet you that you don't tell them you aren't going to be tipping, right?

[STLPilot]

I know this might come as a surprise to you, but guess what? I am not in debt either, but I still tip the full amount and often more. I think there is a difference between being economical and being cheap. You win,you probably are the cheapest person I know other than my step-son who also rides his bike to work and even with a low paying job, has more money saved than most people. He couldn't/wouldn't live my lifestyle anymore than I could live his or yours.

 

To each his own, but I do feel sorry for the people working for you on the cruise. I bet you that you don't tell them you aren't going to be tipping, right?

So by default you've already assumed that I didn't tip those who deserved it, I can't win this argument because you can't see the money that I didn't "autotip". Is this why you autotip? To make your cruise company more comfortable with you?

 

Sorry Katie, I don't buy it, I think you've just been conditioned that you need to do what 95% of others do, because that's just the direction the river flows. But in all honesty Katie, if I was really cheap than I wouldn't have taken the trip in the first place. Because quite frankly, my city has as much culture, better food and many more spoken lanuguages than all these countries I visited combined. Anything else I can simply view on Wikipedia.

 

To each their own. But I believe in doing what's right, not what's ordered.

[brokenarrowhd]

I joke that my husband is cheap and I'm frugal on our everyday living.

 

Yet, when we are on a cruise that changes.

 

We tip our room stewards extra on a daily basis.

 

We tip our servers each and every time we eat in the dining rooms.

 

They totally deserve it, I've seen many jerks that they have to deal with on a daily basis.

 

One more thought,

You couldn't pay me enough to deal with the yahoos they see day after day.