Tipping question

[stfarm]

We are getting ready to go on our first cruise and I have a general tipping question please, I hope its not too stupid.

I heard that we can pay all the tips in advance. Now I am wondering if the staff knows that I have done so, or do they still expect a tip from me, or/and will they treat me better if I hand them the tip directly?

Thank you.

Steve & Maricel

 

[Mbandy]

Since you are posting on the Carnival board I will assume you are cruising on Carnival. Carnival will automatically add your gratuity to your ship board account. The charge is about $10 per passenger, per day. That covers your waiter, assistant waiter and your cabin steward. We just leave the tip on the ship board account because it is so convenient. We usually also tip a little extra in cash at the end of the cruise if the service is extra good which it usually is.

=funsign on your first cruise =sailor

 

[Gayle V]

Hello Steve and Maricel,

Yes you can pay your tips in advance. (on Canrnival). We will be cruising the Miracle this November, and we have already paid the tips. We did it by telling our travel agent to add it on to our final bill. Our statement indicates "Pre-paid Gratuities -- $80", per person. (It's an eight day cruise)

I believe that if you booked through the cruise line itself, you can pay the gratuities through the web site. I remember seeing a link there, but it would not work for me. I called Carnival. Turned out it wouldn't work because I'm booked with a TA. So I called her to add it on.

As for the crew, I've read elsewhere that yes, they know from the start that you have already paid, so they should not "expect" more. But more is always your option if the crew member went above and beyond the call, for you. We have done both before. Usually give a little more, when deserved. Once left it just as it was, because that was all he deserved.

Is is better to hand the tip directly? Well, I don't really think so. Because, as Mike said, the tip will be automatically charged to your account. In order for you to hand it directly, you will have to go to the purser's desk and have the tips removed from the account first. It is my understanding that any crew member who has had his tips removed by the passenger, will in most cases, be asked to explain "why ?" I think the goal of that is to determine if he did something, (or didn't do something that he should have done), to deserve "no tip". I would rather not put him in that position, even if I gave him a good tip later.

 

[Bajav]

[quote Gayle V]Hello Steve and Maricel,

It is my understanding that any crew member who has had his tips removed by the passenger, will in most cases, be asked to explain "why ?" I think the goal of that is to determine if he did something, (or didn't do something that he should have done), to deserve "no tip". I would rather not put him in that position, even if I gave him a good tip later.[/quote]

Interesting point, I never thought of that. Then again, I pre-pay and add extra if deserved.

 

[Gayle V]

Steve & Maricel,, YOu also asked: Will he treat you better if you give the tip directly? I don't know, I think that could go either way.

In the old days, tipping was always done in person, on the last evening of the cruise. The potential of increasing that tip, I'm sure, worked as incentive for the crew to "go above and beyond" for you. And there has been a definite decrease in service levels on all our crises, since the advent of the automatic tips.

But now-a-days, I don't think you can go back to that situation, because you can't eliminate the influence of having the auto tip system on the ship. If you remove his tip, he won't know ahead of time that you intend to tip later. At least not for sure. He will, more likely think you really do mean to deny him the tip. And he might, in consequence, be put out that you took the tip away, and there fore not give you as good of service, as he otherwise would have.

 

[joebat1]

Yes, the wait staff receives a list of those that have pre-paid the tips. On the last two cruises the waiter, bus boy, & room steward have all thanked up for the tip. Also a little extra tip for good service is always greatly appreciated by the respective crew members ~~!!~~

 

[mickeyboy7]

Even on the cruises that you pre-tip I always find that if you develop a little rapport with the waiter...you kind of let him; know that if you take care of me-I'll take care of you; well...usually you'll get those extra nice deserts and those additional lobster tails. Most of the one's that I've met who have a little sense of humor appreciate the by-play and the extra cash at the end of the cruise. =twocents :wave