James Bothwell

You seem to be tipping some people that you might never use (such as if you never eat in the dining room). So if you are willing to do that, then do you tip the Captain too? Arguably you are using his services more than some others that you tip?

Avia

Tip the Captain? This just shows how out-of-control tipping has gotten. No, you don't tip the captain. And if you don't want to tip anyone else, you don't have to. Even though Carnival automatically charges tips to your card, you can have any/all portions removed if you ask.<BR><BR>Tipping the capatin! Next we will be wondering if the guy who comes by and takes your picture should be getting tipped for his effort! Give me a break!

jimbo

That is like tipping when you go on an excursion. You are already paying a lot (usually a rip-off) for the excursion. Then the guide has the audacity to ask for a tip? I say just tip the people who work like slaves for you on the ship. The camera guy gets paid to take pictures. Then you pay 8 bucks for a single picture. There is no need for any more tips for the camera guy. <BR><BR> The Captain? He should be driving the ship. I guess some people figure if he did not hit an iceberg then he deserves a tip.

carimwc

Do you tip the matre'd? Hell no you don't Now I have heard that some (rare) matre'd actually earn their keep (such as on Carnival's Pride) as he sings after dinners. Maybe that might earn a tip. But the cruiselines have gone crazy with tips. Now I see that the diningroom section leader is supposed to get a tip. Forget that! Tipping the waiter and busboy is all that should be expected in the dining room. Unless you get food spilled on you , you should never totally not tip the waiter /busboy. Bad service deserves a reduction in tips. Likewise outstanding service deserves an increase.

billm

One does not tip the captain, or any other ship's officer for that matter. I think it would be seen as mildly insulting. <BR><BR>Bill

joe

Insulting to tip the Captain? Why? Because he is already paid to do a job and a tip is a show of appreciation. Take that to the next level and you would be saying not to tip the room attendant because he is paid for his job (although at a much smaller amount than the Captaain). <BR><BR>Bottom line is that all of the workers on a cruise ship (from that Captain to the guy who vacuums the carpet) are paid do do work. It has become customary to tip certain people extra. Don't give me all that crap about how hard they work and how they only get a few dollars and rely on tips. <BR><BR>Nobody on a cruise ship is a slave. Everyone chose to work in that position. If they want more money, get a different job. Many get the job because it allows them to travel and others get the job because, although they do not make that much money, they are on the ship for most of the time and cannot really spend any of the money that they make (thus allowing them to save a lot).<BR><BR>To each his own. If you want to tip - do so. If not, then don't. Even if you do tip, don't go crazy - just tip those that you believe earned it.

Frank

I've never heard of tipping the photographer, is that expected? Never observed anyone else tipping him/her either. I was under the impression he go a piece of the action on the sale of photos, therefore the more photos he takes the better chance he will make more money.<BR><BR>I do believe in tipping the driver and/or tour guide as do many others from my observations.

salvi

Just because you see others tip the excursion guide doesn't mean that you should do so. Don't tip just because you see others doing so.<BR><BR>If I hired a tour guide and we negotiated a price, that is what would be paid. If the guide expects more, he should not agree to a tour for less than his minimum.<BR><BR>If I pay for an excursion, I don't expect to shell out anything in addition to the cruise line price.

wendy

I am surprised that neither Peter nor Paul have piped up yet. I find it amazing that Paul doesn't have an opinion about this (it seems that he has an opinion about everything else involving money and manners).<BR><BR>By the by - no tips for Captain, land excursion guides, or photographers. Oh yes, the spa treatments are priced so high that I never tip them either.

Ohplease

Oh but they come from repressed economies with twenty children to feed. The poor dears must be tipped steering the big ships must be so difficult day and night.<BR><BR>By the by, Paul and Peter are out on a date, hehe.

Patty

You don't tip a professional or anyone who is highly compensated for the work that he/she performs (captain, officers, entertainers, on board doctors and nurses). You generally do not tip a salesperson who receives a commission for a sale (photographers). You don't tip a business owner (in this case if your guide is the owner of the tour company or taxi) but if the guide is an employee than I would tip him/her if I enjoyed the commentary.

Crazy

Of course I tip the captain. But, I also tip all my fellow passengers and the guy who pumps oil into the ship. Once I had to dive into the water to reach this guy. His hands were so slippery with oil that he almost dropped the $100 bill I tipped him.<BR><BR>What a stupid question !!!!!

Paul Therault

Hi James,<BR><BR>I will add, along with the intelligent posts from Bill, Frank and Patty. The busboys and girls at the buffet are the same ones that work in the main dining rooms. They are not a different crew. They work at least 16 hours a day 7 days a week for 9 months.<BR><BR>This forum was really great for years. What is happening? Why all the negativity lately?<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR><BR>

xx

People are getting fed up with you! Ever think that Paully may be out of step.

Sally

Actually we're fed up with being asked to tip people we've never seen. I'm still steamed about the last Celebrity cruise when I was asked to tip the Head Housekeeper. Tip someone I've never seen?????? We're told he/she works hard to organize everything behind the scenes, yada yada yada. I'm sure they do and they are paid. The Head Housekeeper should be management and NOT tipped. I had no plans to tip this person on my upcoming cruise but on another board there was a discussion about whether or not the Head Housekeeper would take their "share" from the cabin steward if we didn't tip them. It doesn't sound likely but I don't put anything past the cruise industry. I think the first poster was being facetious but on target . . . pretty soon everyone will be lining up for tips. Please don't think I'm cheap. I always tip my cabin steward, waiters, assistants, etc. more than the suggested amount -- they earn and deserve it. As for the restaurant manager -- always below the suggested amount unless they have earned something in some way. On our first cruise 6 years ago the manager would flambe dessert about 3 nights a week.

Faina

You cruisers should ALWAYS tip the captain. Heard what happened in OK? Somebody did not tip him, and a bridge got hit! I don't take chances, I tip. Only I've never been to an international cruise, what currency I should tip not to offend anybody? <BR><BR>I'm sure it was a troll question, why are all the answers serious?

someone

You can tip the captain but don't tip the boat.

Shocked

Faina very poor choice of humor. I'm sure the familys of the deceased would love to know you have made light of their passing. Not funny one bit.