I was wondering if anyone felt that tipping the cruise staff was a bit much?<BR><BR>I can see tipping the cabin steward, bus boy and your waiter but what about the others.<BR><BR>My last cruise with my 14 year old it was about 80.00usd each. He never ate in the dinning room and i only ate there 2 times.<BR><BR>Opinions please.

We ended up tipping the cabin stewart, Main waiter, Asst waiter and head waiter, on the Voyager. They were all fantastic and felt they deserved it. Even the head waiter (section head), came around and shelled our scampi and our lobster tails for us. They all work hard and gave us the impression that they loved their job and helping us. So we felt they deserved the tips.<BR>One cruise we went on with another cruise line, we never saw the head waiter. Then I felt we didn't need to. (But I think we did- but just a minimum).

After many cruises, I still only tip the cabin steward, bus boy and waiter. The other people with their hands out or &quot;suggested&quot; by the cruise line is totally out of line in my opinion.

The only one I felt was unworthy of a tip was the head waiter. We did not see him until the last night of the cruise. He then made a feeble attempt to be our &quot;friend&quot; in my opinion only to garnish his share of the tip money. We tipped our waiter well and him nothing.

We always tip our Cabin syeward, Head waiter and Asst. waiter (or bus boy). Last time we cruised we got an envelope for the concierge and we just threw it out cause we never used him. We've always felt those 3 deserve the tips because they deal with each family so much.

So glad you didn't fall for tipping the concierge(front desk). I believe it is illegal for them to take tips!

I think the tipping rate is &quot;just right&quot;.<BR><BR>Even if you don't eat in the dining room, you are eating somewhere on the ship and someone is running the buffets and cleaning up the tables after you.