Extra Tip for Servers

[splashmommy]

Do you tip more than the suggested amount for your main and assistant server? If so, how much extra? Thanks.

[Namsupak]

We have tipped less and more before. It really depends, there is no concrete answer on this topic. It is hotly debated on these boards as well. If our service is good we have usually averaged a 50-100% increase. At times the assistant has been better than the main server so we adjusted this accordingly as well.

[jetskigrl]

It is totally up to you. We had servers on the Dream that were just ho-hum towards us so we just left the standard tip. And we have had some amazing servers that we have doubled the tip. Plus there have been a few in between that we added an extra 50% or so.

[splashmommy]

Thanks for the replays. We just got off the Fantasy and I am second guessing my tips. We did give all tipped positions more than suggested, but not 50% more.

[kcashner]

If you gave the suggested, you did exactly what was expected. DCL has told you that the suggested is the "right" amount for good service.

Yes, we sometimes increase tips. We have only decreased them a couple of times, and then with reason--we had a server who was a real dud but an assistant who was doing all of her job + most of his. We gave him the assistant tip and her more than the server's tip based on the work that they did as well as their attitude.

However, there is no reason to feel guilty for not giving 50% over. The suggested is the "right" amount. Anything over that is totally your choice.

The only place I feel strongly about the suggested not being correct is in a suite--the stateroom host should get more. The suggested in a suite is the same as in a standard cabin despite the suite being much bigger with more areas that require the max of the work (kitchen area and bathrooms!)

[disney1990]

Just off a 7 day cruise 2 weeks ago. We gave our Server & Assistant Service an extra $30 each. They were wonderful.

[Kimmiebr80]

we're a week off the Magic. We did not increase our tips to either server and just left the suggested amount. They performed their duties, but honestly, I didn't feel they did anything to earn anything over the base tip.

[super mike b]

We always pay the suggested. If anyone does anything special for us or goes out of their way to make our cruise magical we add cash to the envelope. If we are rubbed the wrong way or receive less than expected service we note it on the comment card.

[Namsupak]

Originally Posted by super mike b

We always pay the suggested. If anyone does anything special for us or goes out of their way to make our cruise magical we add cash to the envelope. If we are rubbed the wrong way or receive less than expected service we note it on the comment card.

This is a good point. If there is a problem please let someone know so it can be fixed. Sometimes a server may not realize they are doing something someone may not like. Only once have we had to talk to a head server and we thought that he would just make a note of it but he took the problem very seriously and corrected it right away.

[Brumbie13]

I think I was a very good extra-tipper my last cruise, but in the future, I think I will stick to at or around the suggested amount for our servers.

The room steward, I'll continue to tip above and beyond if they are as great as our last one was.

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We have never tipped below the recommended amount and only once have we tipped the recommended amount. The one time we tipped the recommended was because the person did only what was required and no more (and that's fine if all they want is the recommended). We have never had less than expected service.

The rest of the time we have had better than to really excelled in their service. So we have tipped anywhere from $10.00/person to $15.00/person more. And for the people that really excelled we always wrote up a special shout out for their service on the survey at the end of the cruise.

For everyone out there; make sure that you let DCL know of the great CM they have working for them. I believe that more people are willing to write of poor service compared to great service because it's what they expect during the cruise. But DCL will recognize them for outstanding service, if they know about it.

[NancyIL]

I have always tipped the suggested amounts. The servers on my last two Disney cruises were not deserving of anything more, as they were pretty mediocre.

[blu]

What does the prepaid tip cover? I prepaid so that when we are done with vacation we wont still have big bills. I didn't ask what all it covered. We have only cruised on an all inclusive line before and we still tipped or room steward and fav bartender. So if we are not inspired by one person over another are we really covering the tips with the prepaid?

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by blu

What does the prepaid tip cover? I prepaid so that when we are done with vacation we wont still have big bills. I didn't ask what all it covered. We have only cruised on an all inclusive line before and we still tipped or room steward and fav bartender. So if we are not inspired by one person over another are we really covering the tips with the prepaid?

The prepaid tips are the suggested amount for the 4 tipped positions--stateroom host, server, assistant server, head server. On DCL, there is an automatic 15% tip added to any bar item.

If you decide that you want to tip more than the suggested amount, you can go to Guest Services to alter the amount or add some cash to the envelope along with the tip coupon.

Yes, you have covered all the suggested tips with the pre-paid. You are free to add more if you wish, but the fact that it is "suggested" pretty much says it all. If you look at the DCL employment website, that's what prospective CMs are told to expect.

[tinkerone]

i don't usually give this kind of information (goes to my upbringing) however i just have to chime in because i am so totally different from most. i over tip if we are semi ignored. its normally just dh and i and i don't like to be fussed over so if they get this and serve us but leave us alone, then i'll increase my tip.
now having said that i still want my dinner in a timely manner, i just don't need to be entertained. on our last cruise our head waiter felt the need to have long conversations even though we all but turned away from him each time he came over. we were sitting alone at a table for four (my request) so i think he thought he should feel sorry for us. to us it was annoying.
so were a bit backwards.......