First time cruiseer: Who do I tip??
 

I am going on the Zaandam for the first time to Alaska in July. This will be my first cruise. I am anticipating that I may want to leave some tips. Other than the cabin stewart, who traditionally would receive a tip??

You tip the Cabin Steward, the waiter and bus boy, wind steward (if he does something for you) matire de (sp) if he does something for you.
Tips for drinks are usually included in the price.

Do a search because there is a thread called Holland America's NO TIPPING policy that is applicable.

Thanks, I did. That really doesn't help me because I need to know who customarily would I be expected to tip -- not whether or not I should tip.

Here's a couple of things I do and its yes a little outa the ordinary.But it works for me and my group.I have never been on any cruise anywhere when the cabin steward assigned to my/our cabins did not make an appearance the first day as we would be settling in.I slip him say $5,tell him a little bit about our group and that lets him know up front that I appreciate him.I do the same thing with the waiter and busboy in the dining room.Works like a charm.Then at the end of the cruise at the appropriate time,the full amount of the tip to each one.It has been successful.

your cruise docs should discuss tips, but since HAL has that screwed up policy, maybe they don't. Just do a search for tipping and I am sure that you will see who usually gets a tip.

I have met other people who, like Beachboi, tend to tip early on, but I have never understood why. To me, you tip because of excellent service. How do you know the quality of the service before it even begins?

Also, why take a chance that the person whom you are tipping might possibly mistake your pre-tip as the sole tip that they will receive?

I prefer to keep them guessing and let them earn their tip. That way, they can keep thinking, "If I give them excellent service, I will get an excellent tip."

Thanks for all your responses. From what I gather, the custom is to tip your cabin steward, waiter and busboy. Other staff (like the maitre'd) (if they did something special).

P.S. I am wary of HAL's "No tipping required" policy. I think that it's a nice way of saying we're not going tell you how much you should tip"