Comments on: Cruising: Tipping Practices http://cruiseradio.net/general-cruise-info/cruising-tipping-practices/ Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:36:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Scott Lara http://cruiseradio.net/general-cruise-info/cruising-tipping-practices/comment-page-1/#comment-217 Scott Lara Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:39:28 +0000 http://cruiseandblog.com/?p=1147#comment-217 Excellent information. For years, Holland America which is a premium cruise line (primarily for folks 40 plus) had a so-called, "no tipping policy". This lead cruisers to falsely believe that tipping was included in the price of the cruise. Wrong. A couple of years ago, HAL instituted a policy where tips were automatically added to your onboard account. I told the CEO of HAL in a face to face meeting that I was concerned that since tipping was automatically charged to cruisers that the level of service would go down! He strongly disagreed with me saying that cruisers always had a hard time finding those one or five dollar bills to give out on the last night of the cruise to the waiter, asst waiter, cabin steward, etc. I haven't been on HAL recently, but I do prefer Royal Caribbean's tipping policy. Excellent information. For years, Holland America which is a premium cruise line (primarily for folks 40 plus) had a so-called, “no tipping policy”. This lead cruisers to falsely believe that tipping was included in the price of the cruise. Wrong. A couple of years ago, HAL instituted a policy where tips were automatically added to your onboard account. I told the CEO of HAL in a face to face meeting that I was concerned that since tipping was automatically charged to cruisers that the level of service would go down! He strongly disagreed with me saying that cruisers always had a hard time finding those one or five dollar bills to give out on the last night of the cruise to the waiter, asst waiter, cabin steward, etc. I haven’t been on HAL recently, but I do prefer Royal Caribbean’s tipping policy.

]]> By: Jessica Galle http://cruiseradio.net/general-cruise-info/cruising-tipping-practices/comment-page-1/#comment-213 Jessica Galle Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:25:30 +0000 http://cruiseandblog.com/?p=1147#comment-213 Thanks for answering my question - much appreciated :) Thanks for answering my question – much appreciated :)

]]> By: Heather http://cruiseradio.net/general-cruise-info/cruising-tipping-practices/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Heather Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:01:32 +0000 http://cruiseandblog.com/?p=1147#comment-212 Tipping - now THATS a subject that can really get me fired up quick. Tipping is what it is....excellence in service. Iif it is automatic - remind me not to cruise with THAT cruise line. Royal is very gracious in the guidelines. Meaning - they TRULY "get it" when it comes to customer service. Keep in mind - the head waiter is salaried, so, it is what it is. Personally I have never been so overly impressed that I was a big tipper to the head waiter. Its akin to tipping your waiter at a restaurant and also tipping the owner. I believe this is out there somewhere, yet here is my strategy. I start with the whole amount for each for the length of the cruise in envelopes (usually in $5 increments). If the service goes above and beyond, I will add to it, if it does not meet my expectations, then I adjust accordingly. Keep in mind that a small gratuity is added to drinks, so be careful and read your bill. It really is very touching to the staff to deliver the envelope in person on the last night of the cruise. At dinner, leave it at your seat (on the table of course), in the stateroom, leave it where you know the steward will see it. On Royal, it is not mandatory, yet the service I have received as a Platinum Crown and Anchor member has been exemplary. Tipping – now THATS a subject that can really get me fired up quick. Tipping is what it is….excellence in service. Iif it is automatic – remind me not to cruise with THAT cruise line. Royal is very gracious in the guidelines. Meaning – they TRULY “get it” when it comes to customer service. Keep in mind – the head waiter is salaried, so, it is what it is. Personally I have never been so overly impressed that I was a big tipper to the head waiter. Its akin to tipping your waiter at a restaurant and also tipping the owner. I believe this is out there somewhere, yet here is my strategy. I start with the whole amount for each for the length of the cruise in envelopes (usually in $5 increments). If the service goes above and beyond, I will add to it, if it does not meet my expectations, then I adjust accordingly.

Keep in mind that a small gratuity is added to drinks, so be careful and read your bill.

It really is very touching to the staff to deliver the envelope in person on the last night of the cruise. At dinner, leave it at your seat (on the table of course), in the stateroom, leave it where you know the steward will see it. On Royal, it is not mandatory, yet the service I have received as a Platinum Crown and Anchor member has been exemplary.

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