Tipping is one of those hot topics on Cruise Critic right up there with dress codes and smoking. I visit mostly the Holland America and Silversea sections of CC and while pre-tipping to garner preferred service is discussed it doesn't get much support. Could be that in other cruise line sections of CC pre-tipping is more acceptable. In 23 years of cruising the thought of pre-tipping has never been a serious consideration. We do tip at the end of a cruise in addition to the auto Hotel Service Charge Holland America charges and on Silversea we donate to the crew fund.

I've taken 7 - 8 cruises and never found pre-tipping to be all that helpful. More attentive service, yes, but still weak drinks. Rum runners work although I recently read that they're paying attention more. You'll just get sent to the "naughty" room with a group of others who were caught and the alcohol will be tossed. Maybe just plan a trip that has lots of days in port where drinks can be very cheap and drink less on cruise days? If you play in the Casino, they're pretty good about comping a couple of drinks.