Tipping Waiters

[rogue]

We're cruising on our Anniversary in October, and want to try a Specialty Restaurant for a treat. We have never tried any of the Specialty Restaurants on our previous cruises, and neither has the other couple we're cruising with. We went out to dinner with them this past weekend and the question came up if it's appropriate to tip the wait staff in the Specialty Restaurant. I was under the impression that the extra fee was suppoed to cover the tip, but I wonder what everyone else thinks.

[55ChevyLady]

That is what I have read about the subject...(the fee covers the tip) but I might have been reading the wrong travel guides. Who really knows...I guess do what feels right to you.

[JoeyandDavid]

I was under the impression that the extra fee was suppoed to cover the tip, but I wonder what everyone else thinks.

You are correct Howard... that is what the fee is supposed to be for..to include tips for everyone..now with that being said .. if you have a harpist and he/she plays a request then a little something extra is always nice..

[sailingrose]

The one time Howie took us to the specialty restaurant we did tip a little extra in addition to the usual fee because the service was amazing, and they sent us back to the cabin with some extras! LOL

[cruisetarp]

We generally tip a little extra since we always seem to get exceptional service in the alternative restaurants.

[cruisingcats]

Thanks for the tip on the tips. Thinking about trying the specialty resturants on this next cruise.

[DebbieandJerry]

We only tried the Specialty Restauant once. And, yes, we added an extra tip. But, we had exceptional service with lots of attention and little extras.

My sister and brother-in-law only cruise NCL and only eat in their Specialty Restaurant. They wait until the last night and tip (as if it was "main dining"). But, they also let the restaurant know that they will be returning the next night and, if possible, could they have the same wait staff (especially if they loved them).

[rogue]

We will be trying it on our next cruise. Thanks for the thoughts.

[zebra]

That's one of the things I love about the Celebrity ships - their Specialty Restaurants are OUTSTANDING! We have always understood that the additional cost for these restaurants include the gratuities for the wait staff.

[lashl]

We have gone to a speciality on every cruise. With excellent service we have tipped extra but the last couple of times the service did not live up to the speciality standards I have become accustomed too.