pre-paid gratuities for spa treatments????

[ThePicketts]

I just got an email stating that 18% gratuities are to be prepaid for spa treatments. Not happy. Why call it a gratuity if my generosity is prepaid and demanded. Grrrrrr

 

[tajz90]

I usually tip, at the least, 20%, but this irritates me so much that ( while I'm not willing to give up massage ), I might be willing to give up the 20+ and stick with the required 18!

 

[ThePicketts]

I usually tip, at the least, 20%, but this irritates me so much that ( while I'm not willing to give up massage ), I might be willing to give up the 20+ and stick with the required 18!

If it wouldn't be such a disappointment to my wife, I'd cancel it. However, I will not be booking any for myself now.

 

[lizabu]

I would think you could change the tip amount after the treatment based on the level of service you receive. Add to the tip for stellar service and ask to lower the tip for poor service in the same way you can do so with other gratuities.

 

[Belleluvswdw]

I got this and am irked too. I typically leave a 20% tip for spa svcs. As much as I *want* to cancel, I know I'll just rebook onboard cuz the MIL is traveling with us and I'll need it! But, I will not be increasing my tip, that is for sure! 18% it is...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I would think you could change the tip amount after the treatment based on the level of service you receive. Add to the tip for stellar service and ask to lower the tip for poor service in the same way you can do so with other gratuities.

Maybe, but maybe not. You can't lower/remove the 15% gratuity added to your bar bill. You can, however, tip additionally to it. That additional tip goes directly to your bar server or bartender (whoever you designate). The 15% auto tip on the bar bills is pooled to be divided among all bar servers/bartenders. Maybe that's what they are doing with this tip. Making it so all the spa service people get some tip, and you can tip additionally to the actual person who renders the service to you.

 

[disneyfan888]

If it wouldn't be such a disappointment to my wife, I'd cancel it. However, I will not be booking any for myself now.

I cancelled all my treatments and I am not happy about it, but this is not appropriate tipping etiquette. Very, very disappointed. I have always tipped and sometimes more than 20%, but this is just not right.

 

[FJS961]

I cancelled all my treatments and I am not happy about it, but this is not appropriate tipping etiquette. Very, very disappointed. I have always tipped and sometimes more than 20%, but this is just not right.

I agree and am going to cancel ours.

Being able to threaten a reduced tip if they hard sell products has been a great tool - now they know they are getting 18% no matter what.

 

[the_bUg]

Sigh... I'm not happy about this one bit. My last cruise (a 3 nighter) I booked two treatments (75 min hot stones), the first time I tipped about 23 percent. The second time I tipped over 30% above the 190$ I payed for a 75 minute treatment(My masseur was a trained sports therapist and did some extra, assisted stretching exercises with me that were awesome).

But seriously what are they thinking making this a mandatory thing... It ticks me off, because cheapskates who don't tip are the ones causing this policy to be implemented... Also, why can't Senses spa pay their employees a living wage out of the HUNDREDS of dollars that I give them for about 3 hours of 1 persons time.

 

[luv2sleep]

I bet they did this because of people who don't tip. The first time I went I was a little taken aback by the need to tip on a cruise after paying for the service but I tipped I think my usual 15-20%.

 

[AnnaS]

Yes, my son just got an email too (my email address).

 

[AnnaS]

We have not cruised since 2007. This is the first time I checked in on-line and picked a boarding time. Are they pretty strict with the time chosen?

 

[luv2sleep]

We have not cruised since 2007. This is the first time I checked in on-line and picked a boarding time. Are they pretty strict with the time chosen?

I think you are on the wrong thread maybe?

 

[barbja99]

I didn't get an email. We have two spa treatments booked on the Wonder: a facial and a pedicure.

Do you think that they just haven't gotten to everyone yet, or is it perhaps one of the contracts with a specific ship?

If I get the email, I'm canceling. Its not like i booked manis for a party of 10.

 

[AnnaS]

I think you are on the wrong thread maybe?

LOL - no wonder I could not find the thread. I thought I was losing my mind - not sure what I did. Thanks.

 

[luv2sleep]

LOL - no wonder I could not find the thread. I thought I was losing my mind - not sure what I did. Thanks.

Lol. Glad you found it!

 

[Cmbar]

I didn't get an email. We have two spa treatments booked on the Wonder: a facial and a pedicure.

Do you think that they just haven't gotten to everyone yet, or is it perhaps one of the contracts with a specific ship?

If I get the email, I'm canceling. Its not like i booked manis for a party of 10.

I would be curious about this as well since we are on the Wonder in a month.

I am kinda conflicted because on the one hand I love not having to worry about figuring out a tip at the time but on the other hand I don't think this should be mandatory. I really want another Hot Stone massage, but I absolutely hated the "hard sell" of the products it has made me causious about going back.

By the way I had the pedicure on the Magic a few trips back and was very dissappointed. Cost was almost three times what I pay at home for a much better pedicure. I have learned my lesson and get my pedicures right before I leave for a lot less.

 

[sambycat]

I would be curious about this as well since we are on the Wonder in a month.

I am kinda conflicted because on the one hand I love not having to worry about figuring out a tip at the time but on the other hand I don't think this should be mandatory. I really want another Hot Stone massage, but I absolutely hated the "hard sell" of the products it has made me causious about going back.

By the way I had the pedicure on the Magic a few trips back and was very dissappointed. Cost was almost three times what I pay at home for a much better pedicure. I have learned my lesson and get my pedicures right before I leave for a lot less.

i know the idea of the spa is wonderful, but you’ve had the experiences i’ve had - why go back at all?!?!?!

i hope it goes better this time! i’d rather spend the money on a different experince or even amassage or something at home! good luck!

 

[luv2sleep]

I would be curious about this as well since we are on the Wonder in a month.

I am kinda conflicted because on the one hand I love not having to worry about figuring out a tip at the time but on the other hand I don't think this should be mandatory. I really want another Hot Stone massage, but I absolutely hated the "hard sell" of the products it has made me causious about going back.

By the way I had the pedicure on the Magic a few trips back and was very dissappointed. Cost was almost three times what I pay at home for a much better pedicure. I have learned my lesson and get my pedicures right before I leave for a lot less.

I don't think I'd do a pedicure on the ship. I have enjoyed the massage experience though. Can't wait to try the rainforest room on the Fantasy.

 

[Asnell]

I'm curious about this new practice. If someone receives a Villa treatment, part of what you are paying for is the massage, and part of what you are paying for is the time in the villa. Is Disney charging an 18% tip on the entire Villa experience cost, or just 18% of the cost of the massage services?

Left to my own devices, I'd've probably tipped on the standard cost of the massage services, plus an additional amount to whomever did the foot cleansing and/or tea service. But it doesn't make sense to me for Disney to charge a "tip" on the part of the experience that is not provided by personnel...you'd be basically tipping DCL for the privilege of time in their villa.

I'm also not crazy about the assigned 18% number. A quick web search indicates that the accepted standard tip amount is still 15% in the spa/massage industry. I'm not saying people shouldn't/don't go above that for good service, but 15% is standard, not 18%.

If we go through with our reserved services, I'll have to give some thought to how we're going to handle the tipping situation. I guess they are counting on most people not wanting to have to trudge down to Guest Services to adjust their tips just when they are feeling all relaxed and trying to enjoy the vacation!