Jump to content

Requesting Tips on top of Gratuities


Recommended Posts

Weather it is wrong or not.  We still do it the old fashioned way.  We do not prepay gratuities, and we will remove the automatic charges to our room daily, but we do pay each individual in cash at the end and sometimes the middle of the stay(sometime in envelopes, sometime in straight cash).  In most instances we are paying way more than the automatic gratuities(specially for above and beyond service).  I used to work in the service industry and it always seem with automatic payments that they either #1 reported against the persons taxes(person receiving tips), or #2 the larger organization skimmed off the gratuities meant for the workers.  

     I just trust cash in hand over pre-paying for Gratuities.🤷‍♂️  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Big Red said:

I just trust cash in hand over pre-paying for Gratuities.🤷‍♂️  

We trust and do both…We let them distribute the tips the regular way and we reward the superstars that go above and beyond to make our cruise special…That way we might not miss one.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/31/2022 at 4:34 PM, SpeedNoodles said:

Sorry, I don't buy this.  I don't believe there's any sort of guest profile that follows  you from cruise to cruise beyond your C&A status.  Nothing in my experience backs that up.  Plus I only use the envelopes maybe 1/4 of the time as I usually just hand cash to the crew.

Actually, my guess (speaking as someone in the IT world) is that Royal Caribbean has an ultra-sophisticated CRM that tracks both your ecommerce habits between cruises as well as your habits on the cruises. I'd be shocked if they didn't. They're probably devoting significant money toward data science and AI predictive models specifically so they can cater to guests' wants, needs, and preferences and anticipate them when they can. 

That said, I doubt they waste time acting on such a granular level, determining this stateroom should receive an envelope and that one shouldn't. Cabin stewards have enough to do in a short amount of time. Easier just to give everyone. They probably only get to that level of detail for high-status C&A members, suite guests, etc. And even then, I doubt the data they keep is at all related to whether or not to leave a tipping envelope.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This stresses me out a little because I usually don’t carry much cash on my person. Never really have the need to. That is why the automatic tip idea appeals to me. However I do see the point in wanting to additionally compensate someone for really going out of there way to accommodate me. 

After reading all these responses in this post apparently many of you carry a mini cash register with you when you cruise lol

That being said, for a first time cruiser that does not know how many individual people I may want to extra tip, what do you suggest as far as how much tipping cash to bring and in what denominations?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, ElmoHongZito said:

This stresses me out a little because I usually don’t carry much cash on my person. Never really have the need to. That is why the automatic tip idea appeals to me. However I do see the point in wanting to additionally compensate someone for really going out of there way to accommodate me. 

After reading all these responses in this post apparently many of you carry a mini cash register with you when you cruise lol

That being said, for a first time cruiser that does not know how many individual people I may want to extra tip, what do you suggest as far as how much tipping cash to bring and in what denominations?

I would say bring $50-100 in cash. I carry less as I can always go to casino, charge something to the machine with my seapass card and then cash it out for tipping.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, ElmoHongZito said:

That being said, for a first time cruiser that does not know how many individual people I may want to extra tip, what do you suggest as far as how much tipping cash to bring and in what denominations?

I receive 5 free Diamond plus drinks per day as well as free drinks in the casino.  I plan $10 per day for drink tips since I’m not on a beverage package that includes tips-and I actually bring a little more than that-in the event I find an exceptional bar tender my tips go up.  I also bring some extra tip cash for my stateroom attendant and main dining room servers.   You’ll see a lot of people post they extra tip their attendants and servers $100 per….I definitely don’t go anywhere near that high.  Remember we all come from different financial backgrounds and circumstances. 
If you are prepaying your gratuities, or are on a budget, don’t feel forced to tip more-enjoy your cruise experience. If you have $ handy and want to tip more, go for it. 

guest services can change bills for you. The casino can too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just got off the Liberty....interesting thing happened...no tip envelopes in my JS. We did the daily, as we usually do, but in the past we have tipped additionally according to service rendered.  For the first time ever we didn't give any additional to our steward. He was late on day one and was virtually a no show throughout although he did keep the room clean. Other than his name we learned nothing about him nor did he show any interest in us. Our waiters in the MDR were great, got extra, as did waiters and bartenders.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

51 minutes ago, Mike n Ky said:

Just got off the Liberty....interesting thing happened...no tip envelopes in my JS. We did the daily, as we usually do, but in the past we have tipped additionally according to service rendered.  For the first time ever we didn't give any additional to our steward. He was late on day one and was virtually a no show throughout although he did keep the room clean. Other than his name we learned nothing about him nor did he show any interest in us. Our waiters in the MDR were great, got extra, as did waiters and bartenders.

I have/had the same with my room steward on Nav. She didn't tell me her name, I saw it on the card left in room. She hasn't chatted at all other than a hi, when I say it. I asked for ice the first day......it's day 5 and never got a bucket. I saw the envelope when I returned after lunch.  I am going to still tip not because I am in the same room for next sailing but because I know the other rooms have kept her insanely busy. I happen to past by the balcony next to me and my God!! How can people make such a mess, I couldn't believe it. I have to remember I'm not their only cabin. I know my steward is possibly new or overwhelmed with work. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...