How much do you tip Cruise staff?

Friends and I plan on going on Royal Caribbeans Allure of the Seas for our senior trip in 2011, how much should we tip the various staff members?





Answer :
It depends what they are doing, your roomservice is approx $2 per day per person, waiter is $4 per day, assistant waiter $2 etc. (per day) You hand them their tip envelopes the last day of the cruise or pre pay tips so you don't have to think about it before you board your cruise.





Answer :
All these answers are good, I decline the tipping charge at the end of my cruise, I let the front desk know.....and yes they might spread rumors, who knows, it has never changed staff attitude w/me. but I always tip my room stuart cash, your not suppose to, but they all take it, also my waiter/bartender and I always throw a few to the busboy. I do this everyday, and they remember me. I get great service. If you help or serve me, your getting a tip in cash. Sometimes the word spreads that Im handing out cash, but I always try to stick to the same crew members, and it works.
Thats just me.





Answer :
Carnival adds $10 per person/per day to your bill. If you choose to pay your waiters, etc. in person, I believe you can ask Carnival to take it off your bill and handle it yourself. But they spread it around to your room stewards, waiters, etc. and I suspect something in a pot for everyone else.

You may want to use that pricing as a guide, and what else has been mentioned here.

In addition, early in my cruise, I will give my room steward $10 - $20 and split up a similar amount for my waiters in the dining room. Then if they have been good to me, offer something additional toward the end. That way if I need something extra in my room or want to order an additional entre I find they are receptive to listening to my requests and friendly.

Tipping is an adult trait. They often are "stiffed" by students, so if you offer a little something extra to let them know you respect them and their work, it will go a long way... and you never know when they can do that something extra that makes your experience special. They work hard and depend on tips to make a living.

Have a good time, be respectful of the other fare-paying passengers, and enjoy the cruise. It is a great way to travel!





Answer :
The cruise lines have a gratuity built into the cruise (normally $10 a daypp) it will be charged to your shipboard account. This will cover your wait staff and your room steward. If you order alcoholic drinks a tip will be included in the charge. It is the most practically way to handle tipping--You do not need to carry a credit card or money on the ship.
Christine Beichler, Owner
The Cruise Ladies
866-535-2155 x102
Christine@thecruiseladies.com





Answer :
The tips are usually added automatically to your on-board account. And it's usually about $10-12 per passenger per day, a very small sum for the service you get.

You should look into the minimum age rules for Royal Caribbean, unless you're graduating from college. I think the minimum age for traveling without supervision is 21.





Answer :
I see that you say you are going for your senior trip in 2011...Is this high school senior or college senior? You may want to check on the age requirements of the cruise lines because most require all cabin occupants to be at least 21 or if they are not, someone 25 or older in the cabin with them. Make sure you have all of this worked out with your agent. Always ask if you have any more questions.
Lisa
Get Outta Town Now





Answer :
When you get your tickets you will also get a bunch of info about the trip. It will tell you how much to tip. Plan on $200 at the end of the week. Always stay with friends. Never go off alone with someone you just met on a ship. People can easily disappear. Laws are difficult to enforce in international waters. Cell phones won't work. You may want walkie talkies. Bring a mask and snorkle if you will be in the tropics. The water is beautiful and crystal clear! Have fun!





Answer :
This is directly from Royal Caribbean's site:

"So that you can thank those who have made your cruise vacation better than you could have imagined, we've developed these gratuity guidelines:
Suite attendant: $5.75 USD a day per guest
Stateroom attendant: $3.50 USD a day per guest
Dining Room Waiter: $3.50 USD a day per guest
Assistant Waiter: $2.00 USD a day per guest
Headwaiter: $.75 USD a day per guest
Note: These gratuities apply to guests of all ages.
Gratuities for other service personnel are at your discretion. A 15% gratuity will automatically be added to your bar bill or wine check when you are served.

Notice to Guests: Gratuities may be shared with other crew members depending on the particular service requirement.

Envelopes for gratuities will be provided in your stateroom on the last night of the cruise. Gratuities may be paid in the following ways:
Pre paid by having them added to your reservation by your booking agent.
Added to your onboard SeaPass account.
Paid in cash at the end of the cruise "

Personally, I make up my tip envelopes at home (including money)with a notecard. This way I won't accidently spend that money in the casino...muahahaha. I put in the recommended amount, but I always make sure I have a little extra in case I get excellent service. Also, it allows me to personally thank those people.

The cabin attendants, waiters, etc. are away from their families for up to 9 months at a time, working LONG hours for much less wage than most of us would accept, to make your vacation a good one, and I find it makes my experience better when I let those people who do it well know I appreciate it. You wouldn't beleive the awful things they have to put up with from some people, and though they are in a service capacity, they are people too. I make it point to report excellent service to their manager as well. So many times the only things they hear are complaints.

When I get mediocre service, I give the minimum. When i get excellent service, I add a little more and the note thanking them, as well as drop off a note recognizing their service to the purser's desk asking it to be given to their highest manager. Things like our cabin attendant, who had been lovely and excellent all week, when I asked her where I could find an emergency flower before we left Corfu to commemorate the death odf a cousin who had drowned there ten years ago, I expected to be told to go to the gift shop or something. Instead, she showed up 15 minutes later with a rose for each of us and a bottle of champagne to toast their life...on the house! And no, we were not in a suite. She then told us about a custom to honor the dead from her own country and gave us each a hug! Now, if that isn't above and beyond, I don't know what is!!

Please consider recognizing those people who give you excellent service in a special way as well as monetarily because when you break down their salaries by the hours they work, it would truly astound you as to how hard they work for how little they get.





Answer :
Royal adds about $10 a day/per person to your account which covers just about everyone. No need to tip anything extra unless you make a special request (such as room service).
Tip with your head..Not over it!

Hope I helped!