Hi everyone,
I was asked how tipping works on the cruise .... so ... Disney now has auto-paid tipping system. Tipping can be a touchy subject as people like to give what they feel is justified. You still have final control over your tips ... this is how it works on the ship and the "reccommended" tipping structure by disney. I am not saying you do or don't have to tip this amount .. so please don't get upset with me =)
You can pre-pay your tips up to 3 nights before leaving home via the
DCL web-site. I have never done this so not exactly sure how it is done.
The "reccommeded" tip amount will be automatically added to your bill. You can add/remove/chnage the tipping amount by going to guest services on deck 3. (If you decide to do this I would reccommend not doing this on your last day, before dinner as the lines can get a bit long during these times). The auto tipping is for the dining staff and your stateroom staff.
The reccommeded tipping amount is baded on per-person/per night. Yes even the little ones count in the total. (But as I said before you can adjust the final amount if you feel you want to tip less or more than the reccommended amount .. Personnaly I always end up tipping more as they do such a wonderful job)
The breakdown of the reccomended tips are as follows:
Dining Room Server -- Per Person/Per Night -- $4 x 4 nights ==
$16
Dining Asst. Server -- Per Person/Per Night -- $3 x 4 nights ==
$12
Dining Head Server -- Per Person/Per Night -- $1 x 4 nights ==
$4
Stateroom -- Per Person/Per Night -- $4 x 4 nights ==
$16
If you order drinks from the bars there is a tip already added to your bill when they bring it for your signature. If one is not added automatically, the custom 15-20% is adequate.
Other tips you may consider ..
Palo Servers (These are different than your normal servers and not everyone eats here). At the end of dinner you are presented a bill which includes the
service charge. You can add a tip of your choice to the bill. The servers do not get the dining room fee ($20 per person I believe).
Room Service -- You will not be charged for room service as this is a free service. Tips can be given in cash as they don't always have a slip to sign. $1-$2 per person is fine.
Shore Excursion Tour Guide -- I have not been on a shore excursion where they did not ask/hint for tips at the end. You are not obligated to tip and if you feel as though they did a good job, tipping is appreciated. $1-$2 per person is good. Cash is the only way to tip them.
Baggage Porters at terminal -- $1-$2 per bag. Cash is the only way to tip them.
Kids Counselors -- Unless things have changed, they are not allowed to accept tips. If you feel as though there is someone you want to reward, gifts of candy, snacks, pre-paid phone cards are appreciated.
Concierege Staff -- They did not used to be able to accept tips, but I have heard this has changed. I have never sailed concierege before (this is our first time .. yeah). From my understatnding tips if given are at your choosing.
At the end of the cruise you are also given a feedback form. You may recoginize any CM on it. I hear they get lots of kudo's if they are recoginized. You will be given these forms on the last night of the cruise. I also hear Disney takes these forms very seriously, so be sure to fill it out =)
JUST GOT OUR CRUISE DOCUMENTS IN THE MAIL TODAY!!! 
Never been so excited in my life! 
Anyone else get them?! The count down is really on now. Only 40 days or so! 
