Tipping the maitre'd

The wife says he is management and does not need tipping. On a recent
Carnival cruise they were actively encouraging it, but of course that's like
asking the dog if he's hungry. How do all of you feel about this?

PS, we are not cheap (people with unmarried parents), we left an extra $20
for our main table server as he was wonderful, in addition to the standard
$70/person/week.

Simple...if your not gonna cruise that line for a few years, don't tip
ANYONE! The cow and I never tip, just keep on moving to different ships,
mates!
"RRaabe" <rraabe@netnet.net> wrote in message
news:40146d98$0$43849$39cecf19@news.twtelecom.net. ..
> The wife says he is management and does not need tipping. On a recent
> Carnival cruise they were actively encouraging it, but of course that's
like
> asking the dog if he's hungry. How do all of you feel about this?
>
> PS, we are not cheap (people with unmarried parents), we left an extra $20
> for our main table server as he was wonderful, in addition to the standard
> $70/person/week.
>
>

If they have done something for you during the trip, then by all means tip
him. If the only thing he has done is come around the last night looking
for a tip, then probably not.

We had one who somehow found out that he and my father-in-law came from the
same very small town in Italy. He was there every night with incredible
stuff for our table that wasn't on the menu, he earned his tip that week.


"RRaabe" <rraabe@netnet.net> wrote in message
news:40146d98$0$43849$39cecf19@news.twtelecom.net. ..
> The wife says he is management and does not need tipping. On a recent
> Carnival cruise they were actively encouraging it, but of course that's
like
> asking the dog if he's hungry. How do all of you feel about this?
>
> PS, we are not cheap (people with unmarried parents), we left an extra $20
> for our main table server as he was wonderful, in addition to the standard
> $70/person/week.
>
>

in las vegas that job is going into history few hotels have that anymore
dont need em to tell me to enjoy my meal etc.

>in las vegas that job is going into history few hotels have that anymore
>dont need em to tell me to enjoy my meal etc.

On a cruise ship, the maitre d' is really the restaurant manager, in charge of
training wait staff, and making sure everything is flowing smoothly in the
dining rooms and buffets. Him dropping by to say hello at a table is the least
of his work. It is just the average passenger does not see what is going on
behind the scenes and outside the time they are actually stuffing their faces
with food :) He is responsible for the fine dining experience (note fine
dining here means raising of the level of the quality of the actual food
another notch or two by the total ambiance of the situation - in other words,
making your brain think the food is even better than it actually is through
service and atmosphere - the same identical steak always taste better on
Rosenthal china set on linen compared to served on paper Chinette).

Although, the best dining experience I ever had was stuck on the side of a
Swiss mountain, wind howling, 5 of us supporting a tent by propping-up against
the windward side, hungry as hell. Never has Dinty Moore canned stew, and the
local version of cupcakes, tasted better :)

Regards, Keith

The maitre-d is about as deserving of a tip as is the captain of the
ship and our travel agent. Carnival maitre-ds think they are
entertainers and their Filipino wine somelliers think they offer
ambiance.
"RRaabe" <rraabe@netnet.net> wrote in message news:<40146d98$0$43849$39cecf19@news.twtelecom.net >...
> The wife says he is management and does not need tipping. On a recent
> Carnival cruise they were actively encouraging it, but of course that's like
> asking the dog if he's hungry. How do all of you feel about this?
>
> PS, we are not cheap (people with unmarried parents), we left an extra $20
> for our main table server as he was wonderful, in addition to the standard
> $70/person/week.

This past Thanksgiving on the Millennium we had a wonderful maitre d' as well
as on the Century in June. They made table changes for us , without us even
asking , to a much better location in the dining room. They also made sure my 4
year old had all her favorite foods at dinner..alsowithout me even asking. I
happily tipped them the recommended amount at the end of the cruise.
Sue

If you took a four year old, you had better of tipped!!!!
"Bisous3" <bisous3@> wrote in message
news:20040126150621.24741.00000723@mb-m13....
> This past Thanksgiving on the Millennium we had a wonderful maitre d' as
well
> as on the Century in June. They made table changes for us , without us
even
> asking , to a much better location in the dining room. They also made sure
my 4
> year old had all her favorite foods at dinner..alsowithout me even asking.
I
> happily tipped them the recommended amount at the end of the cruise.
> Sue

>If you took a four year old, you had better of tipped!!!!

yeah yeah yeah ...whatever

Thank you Bisous3, this pertains to my main question, there was no guideline
for tipping the maitre'd. He was not included in the sign and sail tip
charge (which we for two appreciate rather than having to go find change for
separate tips). There was simply an announcement to tip your maitre'd,
with no amount or suggestion given.

John was also thinking our thoughts, the maitre'd, like the captain are
management. If they've done something extraordinary, fine - tip them.
Otherwise it seems kind of like sending a few dollars to Donald after
staying at the Trump Plaza.
"Bisous3" <bisous3@> wrote in message
news:20040126150621.24741.00000723@mb-m13....
> This past Thanksgiving on the Millennium we had a wonderful maitre d' as
well
> as on the Century in June. They made table changes for us , without us
even
> asking , to a much better location in the dining room. They also made sure
my 4
> year old had all her favorite foods at dinner..alsowithout me even asking.
I
> happily tipped them the recommended amount at the end of the cruise.
> Sue