Tipping at an all-inclusive -- what did you do?

Hehehehehe. Don't some include tips? I would assume maybe tip a little if they do, and something like you said if they don't? But I'm sure Carole knows :-)

How's Goose?

Goose is good! He's going to be upset to go back to the vet for boarding tonight, but it's the best thing for him while we are away. And hopefully when we get back the vet will say he can have his cone of shame taken off and he will be much happier after that! But he has been eating and going to the litter box and very bright and happy the last few days. You are so sweet to ask. : )

Our resort does say that taxes and gratuities are included, however, in our googling I've read that that money hardly ever actually trickles down to the people doing the work... On the other hand I've also read, "People who tip at all-inclusive resorts ruin it for everyone else." !!! But I just can't fathom not tipping at all!

D. Tip everyone every time no matter what (even if tip is included in the fees). The resort workers really don't make that much and truly do appreciate the few extra dollars you give them. It also guarantees that you will get awesome service the entire time.

That's what I was leaning towards Andrene, thanks! How are you and Princess feeling?

I have heard about 200 dollars for the week.... ur amounts are easily more like 4-500.

i haven't been yet tho.

But theres not a chance id tip THAT much... I mean after all this is jamaica - less money is worth a lot more to them over there

I'd prolly cut ur amounts in half...

10 is fine for dinners - 5 for lunch/room service.... 2 dollars for maids.... and the bartendars i wouldn't do a dollar for EVERY drink but every few drinks instead.

Kristen: Princess is happily kicking up a storm in there. Now that she's full term she doesn't seem to be in any hurry to get out. I on the other hand am miserable. Lack of sleep and nausea are driving me bonkers.

Katie: I'm Jamaican and I can tell you that it's not like tipping in Mexico. Things in Jamaica aren't always super cheap so tipping a tad more than you would for a Mexican vaca is a good gesture.

Some resorts include a gratuity in the room/resort fees. Does yours? The only All-Inclusive I've done is cruising, and for that we primarily tipped at the end, increasing the gratuity fee they applied to our bill.

We went "above and beyond" sometimes, mostly at the bars to earn the goodwill of our bartenders, and a few bucks left in our room some days with a note for the housekeeper, because they did a quick, discreet, great job. We didn't usually tip waitstaff... since I assume they are covered in the included gratuity, and well, it felt a little awkward for me to leave cash on the table when we aren't actually paying, so our waiter isn't handling any bill.

But, I think you're right that it's highly personalized as to what you feel is appropriate for your resort and service.

Andrene, I hope she makes her grand debut soon!

Me to Kristen. I'm ready to hand her eviction papers.

LOL Andrene! Tell her we're all waiting.

So I'm also curious now what the appropriate amount for tips is?

Thank you Kristen for asking this question. FH and I are going to Jamaica on Sunday for our Honeymoon, also to an AIC and I was wondering this as well.

We've gone to all inclusives in Mexico. We tipped a dollar every time we got a drink. Most of the breakfast/lunches we did were buffet style so we would leave a couple dollars on the table for the workers cleaning up. For sit down lunches/dinners I think we tipped between $5-$10. We also left a few dollars every day for the maids. I think we probably went through $150 on tipping. Some places do not allow tipping (like Sandals) but most say they are included in the fees, but you are still allowed to tip. One of the other guests at our resort told us the workers only make $7/day and rely on tips. I've never had anything but excellent service, so while you don't have to tip, I feel like if I'm able to I do. Have fun on your trip!

Thanks for asking Kristen we're also going to Jamaica on Monday for our HM to an AI resort

Kristen will you come back and review your stay on here? FH and I are looking to honeymoon in Jamaica, and I would trust your review much more than an "anonymous" one online.

No idea but have a wonderful time and post a recap with pictures when you get back!!!

Are you all packed??

We just tipped at dinner and the bartenders since we had to pay for our alcohol. we didn't tip a lot since we didn't know what our dinners cost.

Remember the better you tip your bartender at the start of the night they are more then likely to remember what you are drinking. we had the same bartender every night dh tipped him $10 the first night abduction he remember us and what we were drinking the 3 days we were there

We tipped $10 at the sit down dinner, i left a dollar for the maid everyday, I even gave her a tip the day my FH and daughter were sick and stayed in the room all day, then we left her $5 at the end of the week, i didn't tip for drinks but I drank coke all week and they had machines to do it yourself, if you want quicker service at the bar put a dollar down and go to the same person every time if you can. We went with my dad, he did most of the big tipping. The person that takes your bags to the bus also expects to be tipped

@Amy I definitely will!

@kris, I am all packed! FH however, is procrastinating of course. But he didn't say anything when I packed 7 swimsuits for 6 days, so I'm letting him get by with no nagging until tonight. ; )