Tipping Stateroom Host Before Cruise Starts

[ScottishMickeyFan]

If you order a soda in the bars/lounges or from a poolside or theater server, they bring you a glass with ice and the can. Usually the server will open the can and pour it into the glass, leaving the remainder of the can for you to top off your drink.

All beverages ordered in the bars/lounges or from poolside and theater servers have an automation 15% gratuity added.

Thanks for the confirmation,, but if I am purchasing a drink like its an over the counter or cart I am not giving a tip,, if I am "served" at say pool side then I will leave the tip on but I will be asking for that "automatic" tip removed as that's taking a liberty on passing a can,. I may not even want it opened as could be taking to my state room so hope they don't "assume " that one either..
There's tipping for service & there's taking the mick,, service or tips are always discretionary.. I always tip well in US table service restaurants, 20% normally..

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

Thanks for the confirmation,, but if I am purchasing a drink like its an over the counter or cart I am not giving a tip,, if I am "served" at say pool side then I will leave the tip on but I will be asking for that "automatic" tip removed as that's taking a liberty on passing a can,. I may not even want it opened as could be taking to my state room so hope they don't "assume " that one either..
There's tipping for service & there's taking the mick,, service or tips are always discretionary.. I always tip well in US table service restaurants, 20% normally..

I am fairly certain that you can not have the tip removed. If you want a soda and do not want to tip on it, you would need to get it from the soda dispenser at the drink station.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am fairly certain that you can not have the tip removed. If you want a soda and do not want to tip on it, you would need to get it from the soda dispenser at the drink station.

I agree. I don't think that the gratuity can be removed. You're basically "tipping" for the service of them having it convenient for you (so you don't have run up to the pool deck), and the clean glass.

service or tips are always discretionary.

Not so. The gratuity on beverage purchases is set, as far as I know - not discretionary.

 

[ScottishMickeyFan]

I agree. I don't think that the gratuity can be removed. You're basically "tipping" for the service of them having it convenient for you (so you don't have run up to the pool deck), and the clean glass.


Not so. The gratuity on beverage purchases is set, as far as I know - not discretionary.

Is there a shop onboard where I can buy a 6 pack of Diet Coke so I don't feel like I'm being ripped off with non-discretionary service fee tips for handing a drink over,,, I may not want to drink the fountain soda

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is there a shop onboard where I can buy a 6 pack of Diet Coke so I don't feel like I'm being ripped off with non-discretionary service fee tips for handing a drink over,,, I may not want to drink the fountain soda

No. If you want something in a can, that you aren't paying a gratuity on, you must bring it onboard yourself. You can do this on embarkation day, or in any port of call.

Just as a note, with the auto-gratuity, a soda from the bar costs $2.01.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

An Auto- Tip, is added " for convenience " for bar drinks, like any tip it is descretionary, people forget, it's up to your own choices, so an auto tip can be taken off, you are given a charge slip with it on it, you can add or take it off, it's up to you.

It is a tip and not compulsory, but if you remove it, have a good reason, IE poor service, wrong drink, etc.

It is set as a percentage, it is NOT set in stone! Not compulsory.

" ScottishMickeyFan," is correct.

2/ Canned drinks.

Again, they have a supply of non fountain can drinks on the ship, my son always orders one at dinner, it's a non Coke product, it is chargeable with a tip, and served in the MDR, the servers supply a limited stock of canned drinks that are non Coke products or Coke products by can,

Note concierge cruisers can get canned drinks normally if thier choice without a charge or tip, either in concierge lounge or by hosts, in our personal experiences.

 

[ScottishMickeyFan]

No. If you want something in a can, that you aren't paying a gratuity on, you must bring it onboard yourself. You can do this on embarkation day, or in any port of call.

Just as a note, with the auto-gratuity, a soda from the bar costs $2.01.

I drink at least 10 a day which could get costly
1x breakie, another mid morning,, 2x lunch,, a couple in the afternoon , 2 with dinner & a few at night.. & that's without taking into account the hot med weather

 

[Dug720]

While I have no issues tipping extra on drinks (and have done so in the past), I have talked with more than one bartender both on RCCL and DCL who have stated that when someone slips them money ($20 or more) on the first day in at least 95% of the situations it really is a bribe as that person then expects to get served the moment they step up to the bar regardless of how many people might be in line. True, not everyone who tips upfront expects this, but enough do that they usually WILL jump to serve that person when they appear to avoid the "Ahem..." cough or outright call out.

True, the extra money is nice and appreciated, but the EVEN BETTER thing you can do for your server(s) and/or stateroom hose is to mention them BY NAME on the comment card and/or in a letter or email after the fact. Those mentions go a long way to getting them extra time off/better assignments/promotions.

FWIW, I've always gotten spectacular service across the board on DCL without giving any money up front. The biggest example was my last Fantasy cruise when I got sunburned on my back (even the spray sunscreen missed some spots). I was leaving my cabin when I knew the stores would be open to go and buy some of the after-sun gel, and I met my stateroom host Novlett in the hall as she was preparing to start her evening cabin service. I simply let her know I would be right back as I was going to the store very quickly for something (I didn't want her to start on my cabin and then feel like she needed to leave when I got back). SHE asked if I'd gotten burned that day (my face was a little pink), and I nodded. SHE said "You wait here my dear. I'll be right back." She returned a few minutes later with some of the after-sun gel Concierge gets - she took it upon herself to go and ask a friend working Concierge for some of the gel and asked for nothing in return. I in no way asked her for it. THAT warranted not only a comment but some extra money - to anticipate needs like that is something special you don't always find.

 

[Dug720]

I drink at least 10 a day which could get costly
1x breakie, another mid morning,, 2x lunch,, a couple in the afternoon , 2 with dinner & a few at night.. & that's without taking into account the hot med weather

Unless the Magic is very different from the other ships, they have a place where you can serve yourself fountain soda. If you decide you don't like the fountain soda or just don't want to be bothered getting it yourself, yes, you WILL be paying for that convenience of having a server get it at the bar. Simple.

(It is included at dinner as long as you're drinking the fountain gun soda. In fact, my assistant servers have always learned after a night or two that I like diet Coke with my meal and it is generally sitting on the table waiting for me when I get there. I guess you could ask for a can, but I'm pretty sure it would be charged at the bar rate.)

 

[ScottishMickeyFan]

Unless the Magic is very different from the other ships, they have a place where you can serve yourself fountain soda. If you decide you don't like the fountain soda or just don't want to be bothered getting it yourself, yes, you WILL be paying for that convenience of having a server get it at the bar. Simple.

(It is included at dinner as long as you're drinking the fountain gun soda. In fact, my assistant servers have always learned after a night or two that I like diet Coke with my meal and it is generally sitting on the table waiting for me when I get there. I guess you could ask for a can, but I'm pretty sure it would be charged at the bar rate.)

Hi

If you read my previous posts I did state that quite often the fountain drinks I don't like as they are either not cold so need lots of ice which weaken them or their yield is not set right (I used to work somewhere serving it) so the drink is again diluted tasting which is a rule in there contract they should not be breaking as gives the brand a bad name or the worst one is that's it's just not fizzy which upsets my stomach..

Nowhere did I say that I couldn't be bothered getting it myself or I wanted a server to go get it for me & I WILL be paying For that convenience.. I stated that I would happily collect it from any fridge shop or bar..

 

[Dug720]

Hi

If you read my previous posts I did state that quite often the fountain drinks I don't like as they are either not cold so need lots of ice which weaken them or their yield is not set right (I used to work somewhere serving it) so the drink is again diluted tasting which is a rule in there contract they should not be breaking as gives the brand a bad name or the worst one is that's it's just not fizzy which upsets my stomach..

Nowhere did I say that I couldn't be bothered getting it myself or I wanted a server to go get it for me & I WILL be paying For that convenience.. I stated that I would happily collect it from any fridge shop or bar..

And unless you are in a Concierge room, sodas in cans are not provided for grabbing.

The flatness is a matter of the carbonation being out - something that is easily remedied if you alert someone to that - particularly at the self-serve areas the cast members will not know outside of the cleaning times unless they are notified (ditto when the clear soda is out).

All I was stating - or intending to state - is that by opting to have your soda from a can on a location where they are not just left out for grabbing, you are selecting a certain service, and yes, you will be paying for that service. Unless things have changed, you are allowed to bring as much canned soda as you want on board via carry-on and put it in your cabin fridge - that may be the more cost-effective thing for you, though it would require going to your cabin when you want one.

 

[ScottishMickeyFan]

And unless you are in a Concierge room, sodas in cans are not provided for grabbing.

The flatness is a matter of the carbonation being out - something that is easily remedied if you alert someone to that - particularly at the self-serve areas the cast members will not know outside of the cleaning times unless they are notified (ditto when the clear soda is out).

All I was stating - or intending to state - is that by opting to have your soda from a can on a location where they are not just left out for grabbing, you are selecting a certain service, and yes, you will be paying for that service. Unless things have changed, you are allowed to bring as much canned soda as you want on board via carry-on and put it in your cabin fridge - that may be the more cost-effective thing for you, though it would require going to your cabin when you want one.

Just seen I can order a 6 pack of diet cokes from room service ,, that will be more convenient than going to the bar each time I want some

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just seen I can order a 6 pack of diet cokes from room service ,, that will be more convenient than going to the bar each time I want some

Just be aware that ANY beverage purchases onboard the ship have the 15% gratuity added.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

nah, I don't tip anybody before the cruise starts. I also don't bring gifts from home specifically for crew members.

you can't have the bar tip removed. Sorry. Not even if you're just ordering a can of coke and you don't feel like you ought to be tipping for that.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

nah, I don't tip anybody before the cruise starts. I also don't bring gifts from home specifically for crew members.

you can't have the bar tip removed. Sorry. Not even if you're just ordering a can of coke and you don't feel like you ought to be tipping for that.

Yes you can remove the bar tip, any tip is recommended, the 15% is an automated 15%, like the Spa, a tip, is a tip, is a tip, just line it through, if you feel you didn't get the service. Refuse to sign it. They work out the 15% for you, that's it.

I have even seen concierge guests take off standard tips debited to them, they said they were not advised of them, ( though printed everywhere including in pre cruise documents) thry refused to pay a single $.

A tip is voluntary, now if you get satisfaction I can't say why you would remove it, but you can, it's a tip.

 

[janiebubble]

Hi

If you read my previous posts I did state that quite often the fountain drinks I don't like as they are either not cold so need lots of ice which weaken them or their yield is not set right (I used to work somewhere serving it) so the drink is again diluted tasting which is a rule in there contract they should not be breaking as gives the brand a bad name or the worst one is that's it's just not fizzy which upsets my stomach..

Nowhere did I say that I couldn't be bothered getting it myself or I wanted a server to go get it for me & I WILL be paying For that convenience.. I stated that I would happily collect it from any fridge shop or bar..

Just be aware if you're cruising the Med, the Coke in cans may be Coke Light rather than Diet Coke. I'm a massive Diet Coke drinker and I really can tell the difference (hate Pepsi anything, don't like Coke Zero much either) the fountain beverage on the ship was diet Coke and tasted fine to me. The one can I bought in a bar on the ship was Coke light. I don't really like the taste of it and have started drinking Coke Zero in the Mediterranean rather than light if I can. If you're embarking on Barcelona your only choice will be Light or Zero to carry on, not Diet Coke. My personal preference would be to drink the (free) Diet Coke than pay for Light but yours may be different!

 

[ScottishMickeyFan]

I'll find out when I board & see what happens ,, travel 2 weeks tomoz

 

[wcw57]

coke light? not available here on Long Island.........

 

[gotomu212]

While we don't pre-pay any stateroom hosts we do occasionally pay a little up front at beach service locations in the Caribbean. My husband usually slips the attendants a little and asks for the best lounger spot and for the bartenders to keep 'em coming. We usually are very well attended and have had them do little extras for my son (little stuff like calling him over to see crabs, or bringing an extra umbrella, giving us a heads up when lunch was ready). I guess that could be seen as a bribe- I just joke that it all feels very 1950s slipping the maitre de a little extra for a table.