My EXTRA tip for Room Service

[engle]

So, we ordered room service every morning on the Alaskan. At least coffee. We had the same delivery person every day. And every day we would invite him in to put down the tray. The second day, the sights started to get AMAZING, so we invited him to step out on the verandah to take a look. He loved it! He was so thankful. I know they, especially dining and room stewards, do not get a lot of free time, and this was their first time to Alaska too. So be sure to invite your room steward and/or room service person to take in the sights for a few minutes while in your room...especially if you have a verandah!!

 

[scootch]

Sweet of you to do!

 

[kgsmith]

What a great suggestion!

I will have to remember that when we sail in August.

 

[Mmketeer]

That was very sweet of you and what a great suggestion.

 

[mnrhannah07]

thats what I really enjoy about mostly all CM's on DCL, they are so appreciative of the small things guests do for them!

 

[IrishCowboy]

Not trying to be difficult here, but I think this is a bad idea. Most servers will feel obligated to take up your invitation to enjoy the view from your balcony. The servers make their income off tips, and the more deliveries they make, they more tip money potential.

I am sure they appreciate the kind gestures, but this could have a negative effect their income if we all start inviting them onto out balcomies to admire the view and chit-chat.

 

[engle]

Um, he was out there maybe a total of 30 seconds each time...and we only invited him out after we saw him craning his neck to see...by the third day, he was asking to go out...this is for sure one thing I dislike about the disboards....I am sure not EVERYONE will be inviting their delivery person out on their verandah...ugh.

 

[Shanny145]

I think that is AWSOME of you....so true that they don't get enough time to take everything in. I bet he really appreciated it! I'm going to follow your lead in August.

Oh BTW some people need happy pills to stay nice and some MORE than others! Ignore negative comments...or stupid ones...

 

[Mickeygolf]

Come on guys, not saying I agree with Irish Cowboy but he does make a valid point. If everyone invited their RS delivery person it could cause a problem. Will that happen, most likely not, but I think you're being just a little hard on the guy for even bringing it up.

That was a very generous gesture to invite him onto your verandah. Glad you were able to make his day.

 

[Samantha_Mommy]

So, we ordered room service every morning on the Alaskan. At least coffee. We had the same delivery person every day. And every day we would invite him in to put down the tray. The second day, the sights started to get AMAZING, so we invited him to step out on the verandah to take a look. He loved it! He was so thankful. I know they, especially dining and room stewards, do not get a lot of free time, and this was their first time to Alaska too. So be sure to invite your room steward and/or room service person to take in the sights for a few minutes while in your room...especially if you have a verandah!!

engle, that was a great idea, i agree with you and it was very nice of you to do.

 

[Costumesaremylife]

If everyone starts inviting the crew person, then they can always say No thank you. Let the person decide.

 

[ICMDGO]

On our last cruise (not DCL) we brought little gifts from home for our stateroom attendent and left them for him every other night. After the fisrt night while he was thanking us he actually cried. It was the first time in 6 tours that anyone had ever given him something like that. It was such a small gift but the rewards to us were great !

This is a cruise line that does not allow tipping so this was our way to say thanks !

 

[Dizzyworld]

If everyone starts inviting the crew person, then they can always say No thank you. Let the person decide.

That was my thoughts too.

 

[Tink rules]

On our last cruise (not DCL) we brought little gifts from home for our stateroom attendent and left them for him every other night. After the fisrt night while he was thanking us he actually cried. It was the first time in 6 tours that anyone had ever given him something like that. It was such a small gift but the rewards to us were great !

This is a cruise line that does not allow tipping so this was our way to say thanks !

I brought chocolates for our room attendant and servers.. We were on the PC cruise and were with our crew for 2 straight weeks. They took care of us very well... I picked up small gifts towards the end of the cruise (in addition to tips) because they truly made it an incredible trip!!!

 

[*Flower*]

On our last cruise (not DCL) we brought little gifts from home for our stateroom attendent and left them for him every other night. After the fisrt night while he was thanking us he actually cried. It was the first time in 6 tours that anyone had ever given him something like that. It was such a small gift but the rewards to us were great !

This is a cruise line that does not allow tipping so this was our way to say thanks !

Could you give me an idea of what kind of items you brought as little gifts? That sounds like something we might want to do.

Thanks so much!

 

[Tink rules]

it has to be something that is small and does not take up alot of room because the crew members quarters are REALLY small...

Something edible is good... also gift cards - (even a $10 card to Walmart is nice)

we left our books we read and magazines because they don't get those and they trade them with other cast members for other books, etc.

Also.. getting out of their way (room attendants) when they need to do their work. And keeping the room neat not only helps you, but also the crew in doing their job...

They don't get a lot of time off and just letting them know that they are appreciated goes a long way with them.

 

[*Flower*]

Thanks so much for the information- these ideas make it a no-brainer to pick up something for bonus tipping.

Just a bit over 6 months to go!!!

 

[tessasmom]

Engle, that was a very generous thing to do, letting the CM check out the sights. Especially since he showed an interest by craning his neck! LOL! Sometimes it's the little things some of us take for granted that can make a big difference in someone's day. Ignore the negativity here, it's in the minority. I love the idea of a small gift for CM's that make the trip extra special! We have never done that on our previous cruises, but left nice tips. This will be our first DCL cruise, so I'm glad someone mentioned it!

 

[IrishCowboy]

Um, he was out there maybe a total of 30 seconds each time...and we only invited him out after we saw him craning his neck to see...by the third day, he was asking to go out...this is for sure one thing I dislike about the disboards....I am sure not EVERYONE will be inviting their delivery person out on their verandah...ugh.

So, we ordered room service every morning on the Alaskan. At least coffee. We had the same delivery person every day. And every day we would invite him in to put down the tray. The second day, the sights started to get AMAZING, so we invited him to step out on the verandah to take a look. He loved it! He was so thankful. I know they, especially dining and room stewards, do not get a lot of free time, and this was their first time to Alaska too. So be sure to invite your room steward and/or room service person to take in the sights for a few minutes while in your room...especially if you have a verandah!!

Really?? My intent was not to be negative. I am sure that you were trying to do something nice and thoughtful. But in your original post, you suggested to invite your server into your room for a 'few minutes'. Your good intentions could have negative impact on delery persons income and delayed delivery for others. I am guessing that there must be hundreds of staterooms getting room service deliveries each morning and that time is a limited resource.

 

[justmestace]

Really?? My intent was not to be negative. I am sure that you were trying to do something nice and thoughtful. But in your original post, you suggested to invite your server into your room for a 'few minutes'. Your good intentions could have negative impact on delery persons income and delayed delivery for others. I am guessing that there must be hundreds of staterooms getting room service deliveries each morning and that time is a limited resource.

I agree with you. I hate to be a wet blanket, but if I were waiting for my coffee to be delivered, and had any idea that the CM was on someone's balcony enjoying the view, I wouldn't be a happy cruiser.
I guess I'm a no-fun fuddy-duddy. While I do agree that the CM's could (and probably should) politely decline, they're also instructed to make the passengers happy.....most find it hard to say no to anything.