Who, What, When, How of Tipping on DCL

[Aanna]

If you are concierge there are also tips for the hosts!

I assume these would be paid in cash, or can you put them on your account? How much is typical?

 

[gotomu212]

Room service doesn't have to be tipped in cash. They have a bill similar to bar receipt that can be used to add tip directly to the room. If the do not automatically present it, you can ask for it.

 

[Aerin75]

More an academic question...are the rules the same with the European cruises? Asking since European customs are different

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I assume these would be paid in cash, or can you put them on your account? How much is typical?

Yes I believe so they give you evelopes but it wasn't clear on the amounts. After seeking advise on these boards the average seemed to be around $20 a day per stateroom for 2 adults. But others did higher and some lower. We are doing a week so we were not sure how much we should do!

 

[mmouse37]

On what do base your flat amount? On the amount that will be charged to your room? Or perhaps more of a "flat" tip as one would an excursion guide?

And you made me laugh, Aerin75! I can totally see my mom gleefully estimating how much she would pay at various restaurants for the same meal! I suppose it would be hard to base a tip on that, though, considering how prices for the same dish can vary by region and restaurant. Still funny

I usually leave an additional $10-$15 per person in Palo....we don't do Remy. I also leave additional cash tips for our room host, server, assistant server and head server if I feel they warrant it. Almost every cruise they do. Our room host this time was awesome. She took care of all our needs and then some and took care of the two cribs and two diaper genies.

MJ

 

[Aanna]

Yes I believe so they give you evelopes but it wasn't clear on the amounts. After seeking advise on these boards the average seemed to be around $20 a day per stateroom for 2 adults. But others did higher and some lower. We are doing a week so we were not sure how much we should do!

Sounds like a great starting point! Updating the first post

More an academic question...are the rules the same with the European cruises? Asking since European customs are different

I'd really like to keep this thread on point with what we can all expect on Disney Cruises. Another thread (http://disboards.com/threads/tipping-servers.3538017/) is moving into territory that might address your question.

I usually leave an additional $10-$15 per person in Palo....we don't do Remy. I also leave additional cash tips for our room host, server, assistant server and head server if I feel they warrant it. Almost every cruise they do. Our room host this time was awesome. She took care of all our needs and then some and took care of the two cribs and two diaper genies.

MJ

So that would work out to tipping 20-30% on $50 per person at Palo. A 20-30% tip on the $30 surcharge would come to $6-$9 per person. Perhaps we can ballpark $6 - $15 per person?

 

[Aerin75]

I'd really like to keep this thread on point with what we can all expect on Disney Cruises. Another thread (http://disboards.com/threads/tipping-servers.3538017/) is moving into territory that might address your question.

Sorry, I meant the Disney cruises out of European ports. Thanks for the link!

 

[Aanna]

Sorry, I meant the Disney cruises out of European ports. Thanks for the link!

My understanding is that Disney cruises maintain a consistent gratuity system regardless of itinerary.

 

[Sytrace]

There is some debate on the above. It has been reported repeatedly that the server receives part of the Palo dining fee as a built-in gratuity. To the best of my knowledge, there has never been anything posted conclusively disproving this.

I asked a server in the MDR ( who had worked in Palo) and he told me that they did not get a part of the $30.00. He also mentioned that was one of the reasons he liked working in MDR's so much.
But then, it is heresay and I did not get it in writing, so it is still inconclusive. lol

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

This is a great thread very useful thank you for taking the time!

 

[FigmentSpark]

If your server from the MDR helps you bring food to an ailing family member in the room, do they get a 'room service' tip or just remember them with extra in the envelope? What would they expect?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If your server from the MDR helps you bring food to an ailing family member in the room, do they get a 'room service' tip or just remember them with extra in the envelope? What would they expect?

They don't "expect" anything. I'd just add additional to the final envelope, though, if it were me.

 

[Aanna]

If your server from the MDR helps you bring food to an ailing family member in the room, do they get a 'room service' tip or just remember them with extra in the envelope? What would they expect?

I'd think some sort of immediate, heart-felt thank you -- whether verbal or monetary -- would be appreciated. If you make it clear that the action was greatly appreciated, I would imagine they would not feel slighted if the extra appears in the envelope at the end rather than at the time of service. My personal style would probably be to say something like, "You're so wonderful! This *won't* be forgotten," and then add some extra to the envelope at the end.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Well, that was my big concern. Not to stiff them, but should it be given at the end or during the activity? My thought was they maybe wouldn't want to have to fumble with cash when they're really working the MDR and helping out a guest, but certainly a monetary (and possible written commendation) would be appropriate. It was just the timing.

 

[Dug720]

I'd think some sort of immediate, heart-felt thank you -- whether verbal or monetary -- would be appreciated. If you make it clear that the action was greatly appreciated, I would imagine they would not feel slighted if the extra appears in the envelope at the end rather than at the time of service. My personal style would probably be to say something like, "You're so wonderful! This *won't* be forgotten," and then add some extra to the envelope at the end.

Well, that was my big concern. Not to stiff them, but should it be given at the end or during the activity? My thought was they maybe wouldn't want to have to fumble with cash when they're really working the MDR and helping out a guest, but certainly a monetary (and possible written commendation) would be appropriate. It was just the timing.

And even more important and valuable than the extra money is a mention BY NAME on the comment card and possibly a letter after the cruise. Those mentions go a long way in terms of raises (ultimately more money for them all around), extra time off, promotions, and so forth for the crew on board.

 

[Laughfreely]

I recall hearing somewhere that the sommelier should be tipped separately if one gets the wine pairing?

Would like to know this answer too since I'm planning on doing the wine pairing. This is a great thread !

 

[Laughfreely]

Should I tip cabana host/hostess on cc?

 

[undertheradar]

We travel concierge and tip based upon the size suite our stateroom is. In a Cat T, we double the base tip and give extra for better service. In a Cat R, we tip 4x. We plan on $20 per room service breakfast delivered. Palo in suite we tip $15-20 per person. Concierge bartender: $5 per night(given last night) + added tip for providing drinks without our needing to order, $20 each for concierge food servers, Concierge: minimum $25 each on a 3 nt cruise, Concierge on classic: minimum $200 each on 7 nt cruise.

 

[Doofenshmirtz513]

Should I tip cabana host/hostess on cc?

When we were at Castaway Cay (2 days ago), the cabana hosts were the concierge staff, so I considered our concierge tip to cover CC. I did leave a tip for drinks that we ordered from the cabana on the drink receipt.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Should I tip cabana host/hostess on cc?

When we were at Castaway Cay (2 days ago), the cabana hosts were the concierge staff, so I considered our concierge tip to cover CC. I did leave a tip for drinks that we ordered from the cabana on the drink receipt.

But, for those fortunate non-Concierge groups that manage to get a cabana, you can tip, or not, as you see fit - if the service they provide is worth it.