I’ve spent about a year on cruises. About halfway through my tipping routine changed.
I've always tipped. Back in the days of envelopes I calculated the correct amounts for the steward, waiter, assistant waiter, etc. I will admit always felt a little upset about the envelope for the maître d'. I mean, what did that guy do for me? I did tip him, but never what the recommended amount.
Tipping is simple today. A set charge applied daily, or by trip. I’m also accustomed to the bump up on your drink, it's fine. I'm just thankful we don’t have to sign all those papers…blowing all around, always chasing them on deck.
The reality is, most of us who drink, buy the drink plan. That just take care of that for us, maybe even pays for all the onboard tips.
Contentious subject with cruisers isn’t it!
I think this is because cruising brings different cultures together. I love the slow journey with all kinds of interesting people. It is one of my primary reasons to journey in this traditional way. Culturally we have opinions based on our home countries, or differences of opinion on how certain roles are compensated. It’s all good.
Tipping is largely about gratitude for me. Not only gratitude for a service done well, but gratitude for being able to have such an amazing experience to begin with.
I also think I've had enhanced experiences by tipping. Not always, but mostly.
My husband and I take gobs of $5, $10 bills and enjoy finding opportunities to tip. Here’s how we approach it. We try to have some fun.
The Bathroom Attendant
I once took a 34-day trip. Same ship, same stateroom. Room was located Aft, one level above the Promenade deck.
I had coffee on the balcony every morning and I noticed a young ship worker. She would walk out and stare at the ocean for a few minutes, then leave. I would notice her at other times of the day, for just a few moments, starting out at the vast horizon. I realized she was the bathroom attendant I'd been passing by for weeks.
I told my "newly made best cruise friend ever," Sir Robert, about the “bathroom lady”.
The next day he had a little envelope and a box of chocolates. He asked me to give it to the attendant.
Her smile was amazing. Probably the most entry level cleaning role and didn’t get a lot of personal attention from anyone despite interacting with so many. I felt good.
My husband and I do this all the time now. Watch out, you’ll will now notice (and maybe tip) the bathroom attendant.
The Painter/Plumber/Maintenance Person/Deckhand
Always in coveralls and always trying not to be in the way while getting something done it’s easy to forget that these folks are making your trip a great experience. My husband gets a kick out of the reaction to these unexpected tips. They usually run in pairs, so he tends to $10 for each.
Maître d'
How wrong I was!
We recently did two back to back cruises over Christmas and New Years. The ship was at capacity with big groups, more groups than usual, dietary restrictions, children needing highchairs/boosters…all culminating in long waits, even with reservations.
We needed a table for 5 for our second trip when our daughter and family were joining us. $20 went a long way to securing our best time/location. As soon as the maître d' saw us in line, we moved right to the front. Another $20 to his assistant and him at the end of the cruise.
You may say that is a crazy amount, but for 7 days we sat down to dinner every night with ease in a sea of chaos. Here is my review on Discovery Princess . https://www.travelstorytravel.com/post/discovery-princess-a-well-traveled-review
Female Wait Staff
Now Gentlemen, maybe you shouldn’t do this one!
Female wait staff on ships are often required to wear black tights/hose as part of their uniform. These are not included in their shipboard uniform and must buy these themselves.
Ladies know, a pair of tights will cost about $5 or more. You may get a week or so from 1 pair but need several at all times.
I’ve been known to bring about a dozen pairs of S/M and hand them out to a few ladies.
Not exactly a tip, but most appreciated. I really think the cruise lines should pay for this part of the uniform.
Cabin Steward
I always start with a $20 bill on day one. I ask for two things, extra washcloths and lots of ice. Seems to work.
This gentleman made my mother in law's trip a dream with towel animals. When she couldn't figure out how to order breakfast/coffee, he made sure he had it delivered to her every day when she wanted it.
But sometimes you get that extraordinary steward, the steward that sees you’ve got wine and the glasses and corkscrew magically appear. The steward who brought you a kettle so you could French press your own coffee every day. The one who saw your Pikes Market flowers were in a plastic cup and brought you a vase! They get more later on.
Pool Attendant
Certain cruise lines close their pools overnight for safety reasons. Typically, they start opening early in the morning.
My husband and I love to have coffee in the jacuzzi. We are always tracking the pool attendant! Last time he offered to open our favorite jacuzzi first every morning so we could watch the sunrise. How could we not tip for such a joy?
Note, the deck manager may be around during the day to arrange similar things if you are also a sunrise/coffee/jacuzzi aficionado.
That Amazing Bartender
You know who I’m talking about. The bartender who sees you and pours the wine you’ve been ordering all week as you walk towards the bar.
The Passenger Services Person who Got IT FIXED
Yeah I know, you shouldn’t have had to, but you got to encourage the positive behavior.
Keeping your voice down, but escalating to the next level is also a great practice. A superior who sees discretion is more likely to offer you compensation or a perk.
Every waiter in the casino bar when you win $ X
You will never want for a drink in the casino on that trip again. It depends on the win, the casino, how crowded it is. I had a trip where I kept getting little jackpots on a slot machine.
I have a habit of cashing out every day, so I would get a bunch of $5's and hand them out with a thanks and a "I won!" I felt like the whole waitstaff in the casino was rooting for me on that trip.
Recently Princess cruises began eliminating their bars on the Royal Class ships, this might be something to think more about.
The Porter
Well, this is just the best way to start your journey. Right at the curb someone just takes care of it all for you. $5 a bag, makes me believe they will all make it.
Want to be whisked efficiently through the sad chaos of disembarking? Find a porter, give them a great tip, and have them take care of all the bags.
This can be especially valuable for large or multigenerational groups.
I watch people struggle, why? The porter is right there.
BUT, I don’t tip when.....
I’m already charged for a good tip. Specialty restaurants generally already include a 20% gratuity. I get this nagging desire to slip them some more, but no…that’s good.
Spa treatments typically include a 20% gratuity, and you may not have brought your reading glasses to see that clearly! Ask if the tip is already included and don’t feel pressured to give more. I will note this has improved since Covid and more paperless transactions, less lingering of the spa provider.
Poor Service, I never remove my gratuities from my cruise. I don’t think that’s fair to so many people behind the scenes, but I do withhold tips for individual items that are sub-par.
Not exactly cruise related, but recently took a taxi to the pier, and the cab driver wanted to drop us off very far from the porters, he didn’t want to deal with the line of other cabs, cars, buses. We got where we needed to, unpacked the car and paid the fare. We usually tip a driver very well, particularly with lines and lost time, not this case.
Tipping is personal, cultural, these situations are just a few you'll experience traveling. I just find going in with a little something, makes everyone a little happier, including you. If you can afford it, and want to, consider tipping.
Let's plan a travel story where you get the opportunity to tip great story today!
Comments