tipping - what's the difference between waiter and head waiter?

[Helen]

Many of you have suggested tipping the cabin steward, the assistant waiter and the waiter. Some materials from the cruise line also suggest tipping the head waiter but do not suggest an amount. My question is what's the difference between the waiter and head waiter and who do I tip the recommended $3.50 a day?

[PEB]

The head waiter usually supervises several tables and their waiters and assistant waiters. If you have special requests for meals it would be done through the head waiter as we do because we have diabetes. The waiter and assistant waiter take direct care of your table. The head waiter will probably stop by your table each night to see how things are going or if there are any problems. If there are problems the Head waiter should be taking care of them. The head waiter reports to the Maitre D, or however you spell it LOL.

Usually the Head waiter, if tipped, gets quite a bit less than the waiter and assistant waiter. They will probably have something in your room suggesting an amount for the Head waiter.

[Sue]

Many people do not tip the Head Waiter, as they are salaried, and get paid very well. Not so for the waiter or assistant waiter. These are the 2 people that you'll be dealing with daily. They waiter gets tipped $3.50, and the Assistant waiter gets $2.00. This is per person/per day. In 10 cruises, we've tipped a head waiter once. Most times you very rarely see them, except the last night of the cruise. Hope this helps, and have fun.