When we are on Grand Cayman the issue of gratuities is pretty easy to figure out IMO. We always tip the dive operations, bar tenders, maids, and wait staff. If the restaurant automatically added a 15% service charge to the bill then we often add a little more if we receive good service. In general, we tip for any services we purchase.
But when we are on the sister islands the question of tips becomes less clear because we stay in an all-inclusive resort that adds service charges to the overall price for accommodations, meals, and amenities, and sometimes the hotel package includes alcoholic beverages, too.
The dive op is not included in the service charges so of course we make sure to tip them at the end of the week. And if we purchase other services at the hotel, like spa services, then we will tip the service provider appropriately.
But what about tipping the kitchen and wait staff, maids, and bar tenders at the all-inclusive hotel when the service charges are already included? The food is served buffet style so the wait staff don't have to provide as much service as in a restaurant when you order from a menu - but they do work hard and try to please the customers.
Our usual practice is to tip a handful of people that have consistently taken good care of us during the week but we may not be quite as generous as we would if the service charges were not already included in the all-inclusive price.
Trips to Cayman are expensive and we try to manage the expense as best we can but we also want to do the right thing for the people that work hard to ensure that we have a wonderful trip; but one of the reasons we go to an all-inclusive is to control the price, as well as for the convenience.
Our next Cayman trip is coming closer (yeah!) and I am wondering how others handle gratuities in these situations?
But when we are on the sister islands the question of tips becomes less clear because we stay in an all-inclusive resort that adds service charges to the overall price for accommodations, meals, and amenities, and sometimes the hotel package includes alcoholic beverages, too.
The dive op is not included in the service charges so of course we make sure to tip them at the end of the week. And if we purchase other services at the hotel, like spa services, then we will tip the service provider appropriately.
But what about tipping the kitchen and wait staff, maids, and bar tenders at the all-inclusive hotel when the service charges are already included? The food is served buffet style so the wait staff don't have to provide as much service as in a restaurant when you order from a menu - but they do work hard and try to please the customers.
Our usual practice is to tip a handful of people that have consistently taken good care of us during the week but we may not be quite as generous as we would if the service charges were not already included in the all-inclusive price.
Trips to Cayman are expensive and we try to manage the expense as best we can but we also want to do the right thing for the people that work hard to ensure that we have a wonderful trip; but one of the reasons we go to an all-inclusive is to control the price, as well as for the convenience.
Our next Cayman trip is coming closer (yeah!) and I am wondering how others handle gratuities in these situations?
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