Anyone ever tipped per day......

[KaitlinsMom]

Has anyone ever tipped per day instead of lump sums for everyone at the end of the cruise -

Like for your room attendant or even waiter?

Are you "allowed" to do this?

Just curious -

Karen

 

[Christmas2004]

We're sailing on that special 10-day cruise for Christmas 2004. We plan to give half of our tip in advance. We figure that...

1) They wouldn't mind having a little extra cash for last-minute gift purchases a couple days before Christmas, and...

2) We'll be visiting some ports the CM's don't usually get to see (Antigua and St. Lucia). If any of the CM's get to take the day off at either of those ports, I'm sure they'd like to have some "walking-around" money.

Plus, of course, when they see that we have no intention of "stiffing them", they will be sure to serve us at their usual exemplary levels of service for the rest of the cruise.

FWIW.

 

[alexandrew]

Why would you want to tip per day?

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Help manage money - Possibly get better service?

It just seems like such a struggle on the last night to get a hold of the rest. manager, waiter, your room attendent - Everyone else is looking for them as well - It doesn't seem as personable when everyone is doing the same thing at the same time -

 

[Mary Anne]

My DH and I cruise a lot on a lot of different lines. We always tip up front to both our cabin people and those serving us dinner and let them know they will ge the rest at the end of the trip.

Trust me, we are always well taken care of. I would do that before I tipped daily.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Mary Anne - That is a great idea - Do you give 1/2 up front?

How much do you give up front? I think I really like your idea!!

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by KaitlinsMom
Help manage money - Possibly get better service?

It just seems like such a struggle on the last night to get a hold of the rest. manager, waiter, your room attendent - Everyone else is looking for them as well

Oh you can be SURE that they make sure they see every person at their tables on that last day, no need to look for them, they will find YOU!

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Yes, I know they see everyone - But on our last cruise we really enjoyed our servers and wanted time to tell them so and what we really enjoyed about their service. But it just seems like there wasn't enough time with all the hustle and bustle -

 

[alexandrew]

Last night of cruise we leave envelope on pillow for stateroom host...also,waiter, asst waiter, and Head waiter are definitely more "visible" on last night...no hassle, no stress

I think the anticipation of receiving an excellent tip at the end is more incentive to do a great job....vs knowing exactly what they will receive up front...what if they were disappointed with your daily gratuity?Wouldnt that be uncomfortable?

I recently had a discussion with a friend who enjoys NCL's policy of including tipping in the fare price....I think this policy, while providing insurance against the cheapskates out there, gives no incentive for these employees to give truly outstanding service...

 

[Mary Anne]

DH tipically tips about half of what he'd give in full at the end of the cruise. We've always been well taken care of the whole trip.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

We have always tipped the traditional way, on the last night. We have always received exemplorary service - I don't know how they could serve us better if we gave them their tips up front??

 

[Mary Anne]

Sadly (and I do not want to say that anyone here would do it) but a lot of people just DON't tip and skip out the last night. We've found by giving it upfront, the people taking care of us know that we will appreciate their service and will give them their proper gratuities.

We do enjoy Holland American lines that has a no tipping policy. We've found the workers there go out 100% all the time as most people do tip something at the end anyway and they really appreciate it.