Tipping Stateroom Host Before Cruise Starts

[joyjanet]

I use to take home toiletries i didnt finish because i didnt want them to go to waste. Now, i just end up bringing my own because I like my regular shampoo and soap from home. I really dont get why people load up on toiletries. Ive read on these boards that people purposely hoard lots home with them. just doesnt make sense --- spend thousands on a vacation and then hoard tiny bottles of shampoo?! The extra tip for free toiletries-- use it go to the store and buy some extra toiletries before going to port and u dont have to deal with using tiny bottles.

I also bring my own favorite soap (Dove), shampoo, and conditioner from home. In fact, if I forget my Dove I have a nervous breakdown!! I have been using it for years! My DH used to like to get extra shampoo and always got it without tipping first, but he never used them when we got home. I ended up putting them all in a box and donating to a homeless shelter.

 

[Control4Hermosa]

^^^And why wouldn't he? His gratuity depends on how you perceive this person. Ingratitude is not an endearing quality that results in cash in his pocket at the end of the day.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

^^^And why wouldn't he? His gratuity depends on how you perceive this person. Ingratitude is not an endearing quality that results in cash in his pocket at the end of the day.

Was this question intended for me?

If so, this was on the last day of cruise and all tipping was already taken care of so it had nothing to do with perceived ingratitude.

And while I realize the original topic of this thread is about tipping at the beginning of cruise, I was commenting on the sub-topic of stateroom hosts accepting gifts in general. Not necessarily at the beginning of the cruise.

 

[Control4Hermosa]

^You didn't exactly state all the facts so how was I to know. As you said yourself, this thread is about cash/gifting before the end of the cruise and envelope stuffing.

 

[tinkerone]

There is no rule that they can not except gifts. They are not supposed to eat food from the dinning rooms but you can give them any gift you want and they do not have to report it. They do not like to get large gifts because of small cabins but they love to get things like books and magazines, candy, and gift cards. They prefer cash but will accept almost anything and they appreciate it. This I know because I asked a friend who worked on the Magic for quite some time.

I'm afraid I tip at the beginning of the cruise. I don't see any issue with this at all and not sure why everyone thinks its a bribe. I tell the steward that I wish to give them this in advance because I know I will be requesting things through out the cruise and may not be there when items are delivered/done. I would normally tip at a hotel for these services so why not on a cruise? For example, a few years ago we took our family and there was a birthday during the cruise. I asked the room host to please do what every he could to decorate the room a bit. He made the most elaborate towel cake and did a few other things. Why would I feel I would have to wait till the end of the cruise to give him a thank you? His/her job is to clean my room, if he does more than I should be able to give him money any time I wish. I have also asked for them to leave extra shampoos and lotions. I don't feel I paid for them because I tipped extra and I don't think the host felt he had to. They do or they don't. Where is the harm in asking?

I'm certainly not going to feel ashamed or embarrassed because I give money at the beginning of the cruise, that's silly. We all feel differently so why make someone feel bad because they do it different than you and you don't agree? I dont' see anything wrong with the person posting that she gives a tip before the cruise starts. I also don't see anything wrong with someone not doing it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

There is no rule that they can not except gifts. They are not supposed to eat food from the dinning rooms but you can give them any gift you want and they do not have to report it. They do not like to get large gifts because of small cabins but they love to get things like books and magazines, candy, and gift cards. They prefer cash but will accept almost anything and they appreciate it. This I know because I asked a friend who worked on the Magic for quite some time.

I'm afraid I tip at the beginning of the cruise. I don't see any issue with this at all and not sure why everyone thinks its a bribe. I tell the steward that I wish to give them this in advance because I know I will be requesting things through out the cruise and may not be there when items are delivered/done. I would normally tip at a hotel for these services so why not on a cruise? For example, a few years ago we took our family and there was a birthday during the cruise. I asked the room host to please do what every he could to decorate the room a bit. He made the most elaborate towel cake and did a few other things. Why would I feel I would have to wait till the end of the cruise to give him a thank you? His/her job is to clean my room, if he does more than I should be able to give him money any time I wish. I have also asked for them to leave extra shampoos and lotions. I don't feel I paid for them because I tipped extra and I don't think the host felt he had to. They do or they don't. Where is the harm in asking?

I'm certainly not going to feel ashamed or embarrassed because I give money at the beginning of the cruise, that's silly. We all feel differently so why make someone feel bad because they do it different than you and you don't agree? I dont' see anything wrong with the person posting that she gives a tip before the cruise starts. I also don't see anything wrong with someone not doing it.

As I said, if I ask for a special service, I would probably tip (either when I asked or when the service was rendered). But basic tipping I hold til the end of the cruise.

 

[tinkerone]

As I said, if I ask for a special service, I would probably tip (either when I asked or when the service was rendered). But basic tipping I hold til the end of the cruise.

But that's my point. We all do it differently. The original post is almost trying to shame the people who do do it differently. Its not right and its not wrong either way. Plus just because someone gives a tip going in does not mean someone else will get less service so why worry about it?
If someone decides to not do it, no problem. If someone decides to do it, why the problem? I see it as a kindness and not a bribe but that's just me.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

But that's my point. We all do it differently. The original post is almost trying to shame the people who do do it differently. Its not right and its not wrong either way. Plus just because someone gives a tip going in does not mean someone else will get less service so why worry about it?
If someone decides to not do it, no problem. If someone decides to do it, why the problem? I see it as a kindness and not a bribe but that's just me.

But the OP was asking about the statement "I always give my stateroom host some cash up front, I like extra toiketries." For the most part, many of us felt that was sort of setting it up as a bribe "I give you cash, and you give me something I wouldn't usually get (extra toiletries)".

If someone just goes ahead and tips the suggested gratuities at the beginning of the cruise, it's fine with me. It's the feeling that goes with "If I do X, you'll do Y" that feels not right about it. Although, tipping in the cruise industry culture is typically done at the end of the cruise as a thank you for the services rendered.

 

[Jennifer777]

I can understand that line of thinking, that if you tip them up front they may provide you with better service but I think that theory is flawed for a number of reasons. First, as others mentioned it's not really tipping if you're doing it before you receive the service you're supposedly tipping for. That is more of a bribe, especially in the context described by the OP. Second, if you're tipping them up front, what is their incentive to provide you with excellent service for the remainder of your cruise? Couldn't this backfire and actually result in worse service in some cases? Personally, we would never tip up front. The amount we tip is a reflection of the service we receive so we wait until the last night to set our final tip amounts.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

I can understand that line of thinking, that if you tip them up front they may provide you with better service but I think that theory is flawed for a number of reasons. First, as others mentioned it's not really tipping if you're doing it before you receive the service you're supposedly tipping for. That is more of a bribe, especially in the context described by the OP. Second, if you're tipping them up front, what is their incentive to provide you with excellent service for the remainder of your cruise? Couldn't this backfire and actually result in worse service in some cases? Personally, we would never tip up front. The amount we tip is a reflection of the service we receive so we wait until the last night to set our final tip amounts.

All true I suppose.

Although looking at the situation from the stateroom host's perspective I would assume that many times they provide exceptional service only to get a less than adequate tip (there's a LOT of cheapo's out there).
When you say, "the amount of tip is a reflection of the service we receive" I agree that's the way it should be. But the converse should also be true: the service we receive should be a reflection of the tip you receive. I personally don't see anything wrong with tipping up front. Perhaps it puts the stateroom host at ease knowing he/she won't be getting a less than adequate tip from our stateroom and he/she will be inclined to put a little extra effort in knowing that it will be appreciated.
I don't think there are any wrong answers to OP's question.

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

All true I suppose.

Although looking at the situation from the stateroom host's perspective I would assume that many times they provide exceptional service only to get a less than adequate tip (there's a LOT of cheapo's out there).
When you say, "the amount of tip is a reflection of the service we receive" I agree that's the way it should be. But the converse should also be true: the service we receive should be a reflection of the tip you receive. I personally don't see anything wrong with tipping up front. Perhaps it puts the stateroom host at ease knowing he/she won't be getting a less than adequate tip from our stateroom and he/she will be inclined to put a little extra effort in knowing that it will be appreciated.
I don't think there are any wrong answers to OP's question.

Out of curiosity, would you tip a server before your dinner at a restaurant? Also, what would you do if the service ended up not being anything above and beyond, would you ask for a portion back? I am genuinely curious how would handle that situation as I hate automatic gratuity at a restraurant because more times than not, the service is not up to par.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Out of curiosity, would you tip a server before your dinner at a restaurant? Also, what would you do if the service ended up not being anything above and beyond, would you ask for a portion back? I am genuinely curious how would handle that situation as I hate automatic gratuity at a restraurant because more times than not, the service is not up to par.

I would not ask for a tip back.

If a server gets shorted on a tip, do they have a right to ask for a portion of their exceptional service back? If a stateroom host gets shorted, can they ask for the towel animals they made back? Or the extra pillows that were requested? There are MANY, MANY cheap people in this world that feel they don't need to tip because of a certain feeling of anonymity. They think they will never see this person again, therefore there is no need to feel bad about little/no tip. I have seen it happen on a cruise. There was a couple at the table next to us on our 7 day cruise. This was in the formal dining room so they had the same server for the duration of their cruise. They gave their server $20 in an envelope as a tip for the entire week. (According to the husband's watch and the wife's jewelry and handbags they were not living below the poverty level). We heard the server quietly and respectfully ask them if they were unhappy with the service they received and what he could have done differently (I thought to myself, good for him for confronting them) The 3 other couples at their table were shocked and embarrassed to be associated with them.

I have tipped servers at a restaurant when we arrive mostly when eating with our toddler because I ask for a child's meal and milk ASAP.
I always tip bartenders as soon as I sit down, especially if it's busy. I see many others waiting for drinks and my glass is never empty. I also tip ANYONE that performs a service at my home beforehand and the results have always been positive.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I don't see anything wrong with a pretip. I would consider it a bonus, though and still give the normal tip at the end. My brother says he always gives $20 to his stateroom host on Carnival the first day and says he like to always have ice. He always has ice. I know the hosts don't do ice on DCL, but I don't see anything wrong with a pretip and a special request.

 

[tinkerone]

Out of curiosity, would you tip a server before your dinner at a restaurant? Also, what would you do if the service ended up not being anything above and beyond, would you ask for a portion back? I am genuinely curious how would handle that situation as I hate automatic gratuity at a restraurant because more times than not, the service is not up to par.

I would and I have. Not on the ships. Dh and I are not picky so there is nothing special I would want them to do that would be above and beyond however if I was harder to please and knew that I would be wanting them to get me items from other dining rooms then I would certainly think nothing of giving a pre-tip. If I know that I want them to do more than just the normal. I want them to know up front that I appreciate the extra they will be doing.
As to regular restaurants, yes I have pre-tipped. It is nothing for me to pass some money to our server on the way in and request that I get the bill for the table. Now that is a bribe but I have yet to see the server give me a scathing look and refuse. Pre-tipping is really not a bad thing. Not something everyone wants to do but I do, as do others.

 

[rantnnravin]

I know the hosts don't do ice on DCL, ...

This is not true. We actually asked our stateroom host where to go to fill our ice-bucket and she was horrified - stating, "No, no - I'll do that" and took the ice-bucket from DBF's hand. We did not pre-tip.
In addition, I always ask for extra conditioner (my daughter and I both have waist-length, naturally curly hair) and always get those - PLUS extra shampoos and lotions. Again, no-pre-tip, just excellent service.

I think it defeats the purpose to to tip ahead of time.

Now, OVER-tipping - that's my gig. "It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping." - My Blue Heaven

 

[Sytrace]

We tip at the end. To us it is a way of saying Thank you for their attention and service.

 

[aidtrismommy]

Are we talking about pre-paying gratuities? The $12 pp/day before leaving home? Or are we talking about tips beyond that? I am interested in pre-paying through my travel agent before leaving home so my onboard expenses are limited to purchases only.

 

[joyjanet]

Are we talking about pre-paying gratuities? The $12 pp/day before leaving home? Or are we talking about tips beyond that? I am interested in pre-paying through my travel agent before leaving home so my onboard expenses are limited to purchases only.

We are talking about slipping them extra money before the cruise starts to hopefully guarantee exceptional service and to get what we want. Maybe everyone should do this so that we will all get exceptional service and what we want!!

 

[wcw57]

When the fella comes to clean/service my oil burner, I tip up front. The thought is that he might be inspired to provide excellent service. Once he is done and I give him the same tip, he's not going back to do a better job than I already received.

We are people who demand very very little of any room attendant (often, if its just a short stay, we just leave the do not disturb sign out for the duration and just get fresh towels) so the standard tip for standard service is jake with me.

IF I desire special service (ice, extra tiny bottles of shampoo, extra tiny soap, extra turndowns, etc) I would tip generously after the first "extra" and leave it at that (plus the usual closing gratuity) I guess.
I'm just glad I'm a simple guy....that's what my teachers always said I was.

 

[MUN]

I use to take home toiletries i didnt finish because i didnt want them to go to waste. Now, i just end up bringing my own because I like my regular shampoo and soap from home. I really dont get why people load up on toiletries. Ive read on these boards that people purposely hoard lots home with them. just doesnt make sense --- spend thousands on a vacation and then hoard tiny bottles of shampoo?! The extra tip for free toiletries-- use it go to the store and buy some extra toiletries before going to port and u dont have to deal with using tiny bottles.

Do you bring your own food too?