Have been on several cruise lines but never on HA. Is this "no tipping" policy for real? <BR>Would appreciate some feedback. Thanks <BR> <BR>GEORGE <BR> <BR>

We have been on two Holland America cruises. I don't think you are at all obligated to tip, but the service is so fabulous that at end of the cruise we tipped our cabin steward and waiter and bus boy. You do not tip each and every person that serves or helps you during each day, but if you wish, at least the cabin steward and waiter would appreciate it. The staff is on the ship for a year and are from Indonesia or Phillipines and, I have a feeling, are very poor. They are truly unbelievably hard workers and so willing to please.

Karen: Thanks for the feedback. Should <BR>we use the general recommended policy <BR>ie $3/day/person for cabin steward,waiter etc. ? <BR>George

George...I cannot remember specifically what we left at the end of the cruise, but I suspect, knowing us, that we left more than $3.00 a day. We did not tip for breakfast, often buffet, or lunch because we had so many different waiters. Also did not tip cocktail waiters or waitresses/bartenders. Our dinner servers were always the same and served us probably almost two weeks. The fellas that took care of our rooms were like phantoms, never seen, but our room was almost continually cleaned and in absolutely perfect order. He was there to greet us in the morning and say good night in the evening. When the poor guys got any rest is beyond me. I have a feeling we gave the main waiter and room steward close to $100 each for the two of us and the bus boy, who was also marvelous, $50-$60...those numbers are probably conservative and are a wild guess. <BR>

While they say it's not required, we found - on our cruise anyway - that it was definitely expected! On the last night in the restaurant it seemed that nearly all the guests were pulling out little envelopes from their purses and pockets. We didn't tip one of the restaurant people and found that he gave us the cold shoulder the next day. <BR>

I have been on 3 cruises. Tipping is not required. The last night at dinner we did tip the people who were of service to us and gave more to those who were of true service. You can get envelopes at the main desk. But you don't have to. They do deserve it. Alot of them support extended families at home. The cabin stewards have always deserved big tips because they all have worked so hard to make life wonderful on board. But I have never seen any get unkind when not tipped. No other service gets tipped. You can give what you want to whom you want. I am a HA fan.

Like others have stated, tipping is not mandatory but is very much appreciated and is widely done. We have sailed on HA several times and always found all waitstaff personnel to be very friendly and professional. They work very hard to make everything just right for you. We always tip something more than the minimum amount to the cabin stewart and the dining room waiter. We also tip the busboy. Often, we do not tip the maitre d' because he is just a figurehead and you don't see much of him. We do tip the wine stewart if we used him/her during the cruise. As for bar/pool/show waiter services, I believe the tip is already built into the cost of the beverage. Karen is right when she says that they are hard working people. Often, the dining waiter can make/break your enjoyment of the evening meals. When you are writing out your tip envelopes on the last night of the cruise it may seem like you are putting out a lot of money. But consider what your experience would have been like without their excellent service. Consider too that dining out at home requires a tip, so why shouldn't this. The service on the ships is MUCH better than in restaurants at home. These people really get to know your likes/dislikes and work only to please you.