Cruise Talk: Tipping recommendations for HAL

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Topic: Tipping recommendations for HAL

RuthPerk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1609

posted 01-07-2002 09:49 AM

HAL cruisers, what do you normally do for tips? I was thinking about buying some pre-paid phone cards and giving those as well as money?

Any thoughts would be greatly appeciated!

Posts: 329 | From: Victor, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-07-2002 10:39 AM

Ruth - the only problem with the pre-paid cards that I see is, will they work for phone calls to the Phillipines and Indonesia. I would check on this first.
Tipping is usually $3.50 per person per day for cabin steward and dining room steward and half that for the dining room assistant, if you have one. Don't know what to tip the wine steward or bar tenders/waiters, as my husband always took are of that. Maybe someone else can help us.
When are you sailing and on what ship?

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

RuthPerk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1609

posted 01-07-2002 11:28 AM

Thanks, Sympatico! I couldn't remember what the tipping guidelines were. I will check on the calling areas before I buy any cards.

We are sailing this coming Sunday (1/13/02) on the Maasdam. This will be our first time on HAL. I can't wait! Especially, since it has finally started snowing here.

Posts: 329 | From: Victor, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Dolphins
First Class Passenger
Member # 2043

posted 01-07-2002 11:55 AM

HAL's "Tipping Not Required" policy should not be taken literally as the excellent service they provide should be rewarded. The advantage is that you can make the choice on how much to tip but the minimum should be $3.00 per person, per day for your waiter and cabin attendant and $1.50 for the Asst. waiter and more if the service is exceptional. The Filipino staff in the lounges are too often overlooked as the normal 15% gratuity added to the bar tabs on other cruise lines is not added on HAL. Some people tip with each drink order, others at the end of the cruise which may be difficult if you have many servers. I prefer to tip with each order as this assures excellent service throughout the cruise and the friendly staff in the HAL lounges deserve it. Enjoy your cruise on the Maasdam and be sure to take advantage of the best features of the HAL ships- the teak, all-around lower promenade deck shaded from the sun and shielded from the rain and the excellent musicians in all the lounges.

Posts: 324 | From: Commack, New York | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

robertnew
First Class Passenger
Member # 751

posted 01-18-2002 09:43 PM

Are you sure about no 15% on bar orders (HAL)? I've been on 2 HALs and thought the 15% was standard procedure as on other ships?

Posts: 16 | From: Johnstown, PA USA | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 01-18-2002 10:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by robertnew:
Are you sure about no 15% on bar orders (HAL)? I've been on 2 HALs and thought the 15% was standard procedure as on other ships?

I'll second the 'Dolphins'

Re your bar bill, 15% is not added on HAL ships. We too follow the practice of tipping on our tab for our stay in any particular lounge, before and/or after dinner each day.

We don't leave home without a 'bunch' of US greenbacks - being Canadians, we order, through our bank, ahead of time.

Happy cruisin'

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 01-18-2002 10:06 PM

RuthPerk

You'll be home soon - how was the Maasdam?

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

RuthPerk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1609

posted 01-21-2002 09:53 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Green:
RuthPerk
You'll be home soon - how was the Maasdam?

Actually, we haven't gone yet. We were offered an upgrade to a verandah suite and even more $$ back if were would take a "bump" and go on the February 3rd sailing. I haven't seen the ship yet, but I already love the way HAL does things. We booked this back in June, and had been upgraded from a Category M cabin to a Category E. Now we've been upgraded to a B. Our TA is as impressed as we are. She's never seen quite this big of an upgrade before!

I'm hoping I remember to post while we're onboard.

Posts: 329 | From: Victor, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

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