Tipping help

[Goofy1932]

I keep seeing $20 here as the max extra tip people would give but several Facebook groups have people saying they tip closer to $50-$100 max. Based on that I was planning on the following as extra tips (is this too much?):
Dining Room Server - $50
Dining Room Asst Server - $40
Dining Room Head - $15
Stateroom Host/Hostess - $50

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

I keep seeing $20 here as the max extra tip people would give but several Facebook groups have people saying they tip closer to $50-$100 max. Based on that I was planning on the following as extra tips (is this too much?):
Dining Room Server - $50
Dining Room Asst Server - $40
Dining Room Head - $15
Stateroom Host/Hostess - $50

For us, we do the standard automatic tip and then we add anywhere from $10 to $20 mattering on the service and who it is going to. If I remember right for our Alaskan cruise in 2022 and our 10-day cruise of the Med in 2018, we ended up closer to $40 in extra tips for the two servers and $30 for the room host.

On our last cruise in 2024, we left $10 to $20 in extra tips. For us it all matters on the service. On our last cruise, we found the assistant server from our Alaskan cruise, who was excellent and due to injury was now working the bar areas of the ship and even though he only brought us water (we don't drink), we gave him a $40 cash tip on the last night, due to his personality and helpfulness.
Psy

 

[bakerworld]

I keep seeing $20 here as the max extra tip people would give but several Facebook groups have people saying they tip closer to $50-$100 max. Based on that I was planning on the following as extra tips (is this too much?):
Dining Room Server - $50
Dining Room Asst Server - $40
Dining Room Head - $15
Stateroom Host/Hostess - $50

This is closer to how we tip. We might add $5 more or less depending on service but our DCL service has always been very good. We do tip in cash, except for the auto-tipping. It's just easier for us.

 

[MrMagoo]

We normally double the required tips. I add it to their onboard account - makes it easier for them to send home or spend.

Same.

You can go to get services and they can increase the tips on the form that they give you and charge your onboard account instead of giving them cash.

It used to be that cash was the most popular, but the crew I have spoken to in recent years prefers it in their onboard account.

Am glad to see we are not the only ones that double the tips.

We do generally give cash.
However, we did talk to some crew members and they said they have trouble taking cash home and trying to
deposit it in their home bank.
Their home country was really strict about trying to find out where the cash came from.
Really wanted to see some form to prove where it came from.

And then we also talked to other crew members that had no problems and had not heard about others having that problem.
And they would rather have the cash.

So I guess the best thing is to ask the crew members you are going to give extra tips which they prefer, cash or added to
their account!

 

[Flcruising]

Not sure you get an typical answer on this board. This topic comes up a lot and many like to brag about how much more they give. Ive seen people try to make you feel guilty if you don't tip more than what's recommended.
I think the recommended tips are fair for the standard/expected service. When service has been above or in addition to the expected level then give more. But for the most part service is as expected and meets that level. On 2 occasions it did not. I still gave the recommended tips anyway However if it happens again I am not sure I will.

 

[Dug720]

But for the most part service is as expected and meets that level. On 2 occasions it did not.

If the service does not meet your standards, please bring it up while you're on the ship and give them a chance to correct things. If you're not happy with the service, they can't know how to fix it if you're not telling them - they WANT to give good service, but they're not mind readers.