Tipping - On board account or directly to the server?

[OffToDWD]

Is it more beneficial for the servers one way or the other? Do they get ALL the tip if we just do it using the on board account? Or is it better to give them cash directly during the last dinner on the ship? Thanks!

 

[Aby]

The tips will automatically be added to your onboard account and yes, the entire designated amount will go to each of the four positions. You will receive your tip envelopes and tear off coupons with the names of the cast members that were assigned to you for your cruise - on the last day you put the coupons in the envelopes and you can hand them to the individuals on the last day. Even if you don't give them the coupons or envelopes, they will still get the gratuities that were charged to your account. I usually do it this way because it's the most convenient - if you wanted to do it full in cash you would have the cancel the tips on your onboard account and stuff the amount into the envelopes instead - too much work for me. When we feel a staff member has gone above and beyond we usually add some cash to the envelope before giving it to them.

Hope this helps,

Aby

 

[Laundress]

I have a friend who has worked in the cruise industry for the past 20 yesars. He assures me they will receive all of the tip. It is not necessary to give them cash instead of the coupons.

 

[clten]

Most of them actually prefer the tips going through the onboard account. They don't have need for large amounts of cash while onboard. So while they would happily accept a gratuity either way, it saves them having to deal with cash.

 

[KristiMc]

Most of them actually prefer the tips going through the onboard account. They don't have need for large amounts of cash while onboard. So while they would happily accept a gratuity either way, it saves them having to deal with cash.

This is what I have heard also. Most of them send the money back home so it is easier for it to just go on their accounts.

 

[DogMom]

However you decide to tip, please consider tipping your dining room servers a bit more (of course the service is exceptional!). I used to work on the Magic and I can assure you they do indeed work for tips. The first pay we received for training was PAINFUL for some of the new dining staff

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I never understood why if you add it to your account you then have to give the slips to the servers. Why is this not done automatically for them?

 

[lanejudy]

I never understood why if you add it to your account you then have to give the slips to the servers. Why is this not done automatically for them?

They do automatically get the monies deposited directly to their account. The slips help them reconcile what they should expect to receive. Kind of like comparing your paystub to the amount deposited to your bank account. If a passenger forgets to give the little coupon, the servers will still receive the tips that were charged; they just won't have that record of how much to expect.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

They do automatically get the monies deposited directly to their account. The slips help them reconcile what they should expect to receive. Kind of like comparing your paystub to the amount deposited to your bank account. If a passenger forgets to give the little coupon, the servers will still receive the tips that were charged; they just won't have that record of how much to expect.

Enjoy your cruise!

I see belt and braces and we say in the UK. Thank you for the explanation!

 

[RedSox68]

If we have an especially good serving team and/or room steward, we put the slip with the standard tip in their envelopes along with extra cash we feel they deserve.

What I do not like is the last two times we sailed we returned to our room to find the slips and envelopes and account printout on our bed after turn down service -- which means our room steward saw any additional amounts we may have added (that's why we only do cash now for additional tips). I just feel like that type of item should be put in an envelope for privacy sake.

 

[Flossbolna]

What I do not like is the last two times we sailed we returned to our room to find the slips and envelopes and account printout on our bed after turn down service -- which means our room steward saw any additional amounts we may have added (that's why we only do cash now for additional tips). I just feel like that type of item should be put in an envelope for privacy sake.

You can always add the additional amount after you got the slips. On all my longer cruises, the sheet came at least the evening before the last full day (on the Panama Canal cruise I think it was even two days before debarkation). So there is plenty of time for a quick stop at Guest Services to have the amounts adjusted. We then got new tickets printed out there with the new amounts. This way your stateroom attendant does not see anything.

 

[RedSox68]

You can always add the additional amount after you got the slips. On all my longer cruises, the sheet came at least the evening before the last full day (on the Panama Canal cruise I think it was even two days before debarkation). So there is plenty of time for a quick stop at Guest Services to have the amounts adjusted. We then got new tickets printed out there with the new amounts. This way your stateroom attendant does not see anything.

That's why I bring the extra cash to add -- to avoid guest services in that last day rush.

I still don't think our financial information should be visible by any crew member

 

[OffToDWD]

Thank you!! Very helpful!