Is it worth handing out an empty tip envelope?

[dtk07]

Is it worth handing out a tip envelope if it contains the slip of paper showing base tip for your cruise? Does it serve any purpose other than to prove to your server that you weren't a cheapsate who removed tips?

 

[Pkltm]

Is it worth handing out a tip envelope if it contains the slip of paper showing base tip for your cruise? Does it serve any purpose other than to prove to your server that you weren't a cheapsate who removed tips?

Even if you don't add to it, it is a nice thing to do. Hand it to them, shake their hand and thank them for the service.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is it worth handing out a tip envelope if it contains the slip of paper showing base tip for your cruise? Does it serve any purpose other than to prove to your server that you weren't a cheapsate who removed tips?

They would know that anyway, regardless of whether you give them the envelope or not.

But it's nice to actually say good-bye and thank them in person at the end of the cruise.

But, if you don't want to do it, you don't have to. They will still get the gratuities that are due them. But the slip helps them confirm that they are the ones who receive them. There have been reports where the name on an onboard account wasn't the person who was actually the server/room host.

 

[soniam]

I like to include a note thanking them for their service. They seem to really appreciate it.

 

[Bonnie1222]

I like to include a note thanking them for their service. They seem to really appreciate it.

I agree. DH and I always tip extra in cash on top of the money charged to the room, and I always write a personal note on the back of the envelope thanking them for a wonderful cruise. In that short span of 7 days they become family. And I believe it makes a difference because we have cruised on the Fantasy 6 times in the last 3.5-4 years and each time we see our servers and room stewards (and bartenders) from past trips, and I am amazed that they not only recognize us by sight, but they remember our names. On our cruise this past April/May we saw at least 6 of our past serving staff, and we went searching and found our room steward(ess) from our previous cruise who saw us coming down the hall and was so excited we came to say hello. Each and every time we saw them they made sure to say hello and if possible, would stop to visit with us for a few minutes to get an update on how our trip was going.

Sometimes a little goes a long way.

 

[hcox31]

We spent the time with them over the course of the cruise, the least we can do is say thank you for your service and good bye.

 

[daedelus]

I also write a note to each person receiving a tip and will usually add money to it as well. Especially on longer cruises when we've gotten to know them better or when we get an old friend from a previous cruise, especially on the dinning team. And they do appreciate it - a lot.

 

[dvcgirl1]

I agree with the previous responses. Giving someone the physical envelope assures us that we have the opportunity to thank the CM, shake their hand, wish them well, etc. They would still get their gratuities without all of that, sure, but it seems more personal this way. (Plus, you can add more money or a nice note in the envelope if you so desire).

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

Is it worth handing out a tip envelope if it contains the slip of paper showing base tip for your cruise? Does it serve any purpose other than to prove to your server that you weren't a cheapsate who removed tips?

We do all the things described by others here - say goodbye, thank them for doing a great job, see if they might be on the next cruise we have planned, take pictures, etc - but we don't hand them an envelope. If we increase tips we do it through the system, not with cash, so there's no need for a physical hand-off. I feel like it makes the goodbyes closer to ones between friends and less like a business transaction, but that's probably just my weird hang-up.

 

[clten]

We also increase tips by going to Guest Services. But we make sure we hand the slips to everyone. We had an issue one cruise where we got the receipts and the names were no where close to the people who were actually serving us in the dining room (sometimes it's hard to tell as a lot of servers adopt "Americanized" names and the slips have their real names). But these were very far off for our server and assistant server (head server was fine). When we went to Guest Services to adjust the tips up, we asked to be sure the tips were going to the right people. We were assured they were; we even had a Guest Services manager confirm all was well (they told us there was a computer mix up associating the wrong names to the wrong accounts or something but behind the scenes, it was going to the right person's account). Something wasn't right and the last night when we handed out the tip slips, we spoke with our server and told him about the names being wrong and what Guest Services said. The last morning at breakfast, our server and assistant server both thanked us for pointing out the issue and giving them the slips. He said if we had just let it go, their money would have gone to the wrong people. But because they had the slips they were able to straighten everything out.

I'm sure 99.9% of the time, all is well. But just in case there is a computer glitch, if having that little piece of paper helps out the people who made my cruise special, I'm going to make sure they have it.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I have my kids hand out the envelopes and thank them.

 

[ludari]

I always prepay the standard tips but I always put extra cash in the envelopes because I personally feel everyone goes above and beyond my expectations. I also like to personally say good-bye and thank them for their hard work and making my vacation special.

 

[CamColt]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a stub that you get left in your room with the persons name and the amount, to put in the envelope? Usually DH takes care of this while I'm getting ready for the last night so I don't pay attention too much. I know he usually puts extra cash in too so maybe that is all that is in there.

 

[Bonnie1222]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a stub that you get left in your room with the persons name and the amount, to put in the envelope? Usually DH takes care of this while I'm getting ready for the last night so I don't pay attention too much. I know he usually puts extra cash in too so maybe that is all that is in there.

Yes. That is the "slip" we are all referring to.

 

[CamColt]

Yes. That is the "slip" we are all referring to.

I missed the slip part in the original post and just read "empty". Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[Bonnie1222]

I missed the slip part in the original post and just read "empty". Thanks for setting me straight.

No setting straight... just lending a hand.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a stub that you get left in your room with the persons name and the amount, to put in the envelope? Usually DH takes care of this while I'm getting ready for the last night so I don't pay attention too much. I know he usually puts extra cash in too so maybe that is all that is in there.

Not sure if it's changed, but this is what we got on our last cruise:


The summary and individual sections separate. You put the individual sections in the appropriate envelope to hand out, and you keep the summary.

 

[Dug720]

Not sure if it's changed, but this is what we got on our last cruise:
View attachment 424047

The summary and individual sections separate. You put the individual sections in the appropriate envelope to hand out, and you keep the summary.

That is what I got in July. It was tan, but the same thing.

 

[lilmc]

I find it awkward. I don’t.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

I thank them for their service of course, but I don't hand them the slips. Since it doesn't actually do anything, it seems pointless. Any adjustments I want to make, I do through guest services beforehand.