Antarctic next month
If we are going to tip the bartenders on Le Boreal, what is their preferred currency? Should we bring lanyards for our trip identification cards?
0
If we are going to tip the bartenders on Le Boreal, what is their preferred currency? Should we bring lanyards for our trip identification cards?
Comments
We extend gratuities in either €s for European trips or U.S. dollars otherwise. I have never heard of a Tauck “trip identification card” nor would I hang my personal information around my neck. Perhaps that is a large cruise ship practice.
Tauck will “read” your room key as you leave and re-enter the ship.
Tauck is "All-inclusive", so if you're going to tip, it would normally be at the end of the cruise. Almost everyone can deal with USD.
Once you board the ship your ship ID card lives in the sleeve of your parka. Their main concern is not leaving you on a remote Antarctic Island. Everything is included so you don’t need your card except to get into your room. Mike and I have opposite tipping techniques. I think you get better service if you tip early as opposed to doing a ‘surprise’ at the end. When tips are included it is better to show your appreciation early.
I tip at the end of the cruise to thank a crew member for their service, not as a bribe to get good service.
In 21 Tauck trips, I've never had a "trip identification card." There are name tags for the welcome reception/dinner, but after that, no identifications. I always tell people, "I'll have to ask your name again." And I do...and no one seems to mind.
MCD - this is an expedition trip, so I believe the ID cards serve a different purpose. Everyone wears the same outerwear, so it's necessary to identify the whereabouts of the passengers when they have landings.
Whatever you want to call it, in recent years we have had chipped cards on almost every small ship and river cruise. It is an accountability and security issue- so the ship's staff knows who is still ashore and who is coming aboard. The card is matched with your photo which is displayed to the staff on a small monitor at the boarding platform. Printed photos sheets with names are provided to cabin and wait staff, to help them learn your names- we saw photo sheets posted in the serving area of the restaurant and cleaning supplies/linen spaces. The card is also a cabin key and also allows you to open doors to the outside when the ship is underway.
I tip as a bribe to get good service. It works.
We always get good service anyway, we don’t have to bribe anyone first.
I always get good service, also. I don't feel the need to bribe the staff for service or to get them to recognize me..
I have given gratuities to the pianist on riverboat tours when he/she has been kind enough to play a requested piece or two for us and has repeated the piece later on when not asked. I would never describe my generosity as a bribe. The crew on these boats are professionals and have never had their hands out looking for a “bribe.”
We usually tip at the end of the tour with a personalized ‘thank you’ note for the excellent service and kindness shown to us. It is a personal choice that we make.
MCD: I guess you have never done a cruise. You get a card that is your ID that gets you on and off the ship, and it gets you into your room. On the Antarctica trip there is a place in the sleeve of your parka where you put the card when going ashore.
I have done several cruises, and have used the card to leave and board the ships. I apparently misinterpreted the initial post. I know that some tour companies issue name tags for the people on the tour, and expect the travelers to wear them. That's what I was referring to.
I don’t think you misinterpreted the original post, MCD. I, too, thought he was referring to required name tags which we know are not something that Tauck uses.
Something new for everyone. I’ve never done a tour where name tags were provided nor required on a regular basis. Tauck normally provides tags for the welcome cocktail/dinner party but as you know they don’t expect you to wear them after that.
Comment on Tauck welcome nametags- "they don't expect you to wear them after that;" actually they have the worst adhesive backing and often fall off within minutes! Intentional?
No name tags for me. They have literally ruined a few silk tops.
I’m with you, OurTravels34. Neither I nor my spouse wear those paper name tags.
I just got back from this trip. We had small discreet tauck pins that we wore so that the bartenders would know we had the premium pass package (more types of drinks available). It also helped the staff know to address us in English rather than French.
Yes … the non Tauck guests learn to snuggle up to the Tauck people wearing the pins at the bar to get better beverage selections. All of the Ponant guests get the standard beverage package, but Tauck gets the premium package. That being said, if it is a full boat charter on Ponant, it becomes the standard package. They put the good stuff away.
The name tags they give you at the welcome dinner last about 5 minutes, they fall down quite easily.