Why do the changing tip policies . . .

[kcashner]

The Palo/Remy tipping "guidelines" peaked my curiosity, so I contacted HAL about our upcoming cruise. We booked the specialty restaurant Pinnacle Grill. It costs $25/pp for dinner. I just contacted them to see if that includes the tip or if we should plan on tipping. This was their response:

"Gratuities are added to your onboard account. No need to tip at dinner. We create a cashless society on board which includes the Pinnacle Grill"

Why can't Disney be that clear?

This honestly is not clear to me--they didn't answer the question of whether the $25 includes the tip--they just said that they are a cashless society. That's no different that DCL! They never said whether or not there is a line on the charge slip for "additional tip" and whether one is customary!

No one should feel bad or "cheap" for leaving the suggested amount on DCL. By the same token, I would not leave less than the suggested without a good reason that had been brought to the attention of management and not corrected. If people choose to leave more, it is a choice. But the "suggested" is what I consider to be "expected for decent service."

 

[jdb in AZ]

Interesting thoughts!

Makes you wonder just how profitable DCL really is, with the increased base fares but no casino and (probably) reduced alcohol sales b/c of the # of kids. Fuel costs alone are .

And passengers can bring their own alcohol on board.

 

[navywifetill2002]

This honestly is not clear to me--they didn't answer the question of whether the $25 includes the tip--they just said that they are a cashless society. That's no different that DCL! They never said whether or not there is a line on the charge slip for "additional tip" and whether one is customary!

We have never done a DCL cruise but when we were on CCL last October our sail and sign card was swiped each time we ate somewhere. We were told they used that information to give our auto tips to the correct wait staff. Because of that there is no need for an additional tip as the auto tip is given to the correct people based on where we ate each day. We did love the one wiater we had and gave him and extra $20 the last night in cash for going above and beyond.

 

[kcashner]

I clearly understand DCL's policies and procedures. The poster claimed that this statement from another line was totally clear--I don't find it so. It seems to me that what is unsaid is as unclear as anything Disney has ever posted.

 

[justmestace]

I clearly understand DCL's policies and procedures. The poster claimed that this statement from another line was totally clear--I don't find it so. It seems to me that what is unsaid is as unclear as anything Disney has ever posted.

Seems to me that RedSox68 specifically asked if they needed to tip at the Pinnacle Grill on HAL....and since they specifically asked if they needed to tip, and the response was "gratuities are added to your onboard account, no need to tip at dinner"....then the $25 upsell charge must include a tip, because that was the topic of the conversation.

I don't know if I read it on, or before, our first meal at Palo, or if I specifically asked someone, but I've always understood that the upsell cost is supposed to include tip, and it's discretionary to add more.

 

[hrhdhd]

I clearly understand DCL's policies and procedures. The poster claimed that this statement from another line was totally clear--I don't find it so. It seems to me that what is unsaid is as unclear as anything Disney has ever posted.

HAL has a Hotel Service Charge (read: gratuity) that's charged to one's account each day. It's $11.50 a day unless you're in a suite, when it's $12 a day.

The reply says gratuities are added to the shipboard account; that's the automatic Hotel Service Charge. There is no line to add an extra gratuity at a restaurant or bar. You can leave cash, but the reply clearly says it's not necessary.

 

[AAshleySEG]

I don't think it is DCL's responsibility to include tips in the price of the cruise, if you go to a restaurant and pay for a meal they don't include the tip. It's the same in all service industries. You pay for what you are getting, spa treatment, meal, etc, and then you tip for the service. I have worked in the service industry since I was able to get a job and I never expected my employer to pay my tips for me. You are hired based on the knowledge that if you perform well and cater to your customers that you will be tipped accordingly. Just my super humble opinion. If you are going on any type of vacation you budget for what you can afford, and we are going on a Wonder cruise to Alaska in June, and I have budgeted for standard and extra tips at our discretion. We are having 2 meals at Palo and I have budgeted extra tips for those even if they are included based on our service. If Disney just included tips, it might not motivate employees to do their best if they are already being compensated. You want your employees to strive for excellence, and that is why I feel that tipping shouldn't be included in the price of a cruise. I know people will disagree with me (they always do...LOL) but I never even gave it a second thought until I read this post. But in reality Disney is a business. Yes it gives all of us (me definitely) great joy and happiness, but they do have to make a profit afterall, and if you don't want to pay high prices, they have plenty of competitors that you can choose to use with much lower cost of product...

 

[All Things Simba]

I do take issue perhaps with the argument that Disney would have to increase fares if they included the tips in the fare itself. I am not sure what your experience has been, but we have been on cruises by Disney in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 with an additional one planned in 2013. Every year, the fares have gone up at a rate much in excess of inflation. Also, as people have mentioned over and over, Disney cruises are no bargain compared to other cruiselines. Obviously, we all have our own reasons for sailing Disney, however, I hold to my argument that Disney could act more like a premium cruiseline by including all gratuities without changing their fairly high cruise pricing structure that is already in place.

DWF

I agree. I would like to simply see gratuities included in the price of the cruise without much change to the cruise fares. Other cruise lines offer similar Eastern / Western sailings with MORE ports for less money than DCL. We prefer to sail with DCL when we are with family, but have considered other cruise lines due to getting more ports for our money. And, more time in the ports as well.

 

[RedSox68]

This honestly is not clear to me--they didn't answer the question of whether the $25 includes the tip--they just said that they are a cashless society. That's no different that DCL! They never said whether or not there is a line on the charge slip for "additional tip" and whether one is customary!

No one should feel bad or "cheap" for leaving the suggested amount on DCL. By the same token, I would not leave less than the suggested without a good reason that had been brought to the attention of management and not corrected. If people choose to leave more, it is a choice. But the "suggested" is what I consider to be "expected for decent service."

I don't see the problem -- I got a very clear answer from that response: that they consider the prepaid tips to be inclusive to all staff, including those in Pinnacle Grill. We may tip more, depending on the service, but I don't feel we have to. I did check out the comments on Cruise Critic and they seem to be 50/50 -- some feel there is no need for further tipping at the specialty restaurants and others leave another $10-$20.

I like the thought of prepaying my tips on Disney before boarding. Saves time at guest services and then just bring cash if you want to add to the envelopes.

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

I think my issue with this is that I don't want to feel like I HAVE to tip. If I get a great service wherever I am then I tip but when its automatically added then I have a problem! The way I see it is that I can go to guest services and adjust the tip if I feel it's too much for the poor service I am getting but I hope I don't feel like I have to explain my actions to guest services. Just don't want to be made to feel guilty for reducing it

 

[AquaDame]

That is my problem with it too - I should not have to explain why I am tipping a certain way. On our cruise we did not go by the guidelines at all - our head server said hi to us briefly our first night and we never saw him again and our cabin steward acted angry when I asked for more shampoo and conditioner and laughed at us when we tried to put one more item in our luggage that we had put out three minutes prior and it was already gone. Both had reduced tips. If I had to go wait in line to do so I would have been livid, but looks like that is what will happen now. Get bad service? Have to waste your time fixing it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think my issue with this is that I don't want to feel like I HAVE to tip. If I get a great service wherever I am then I tip but when its automatically added then I have a problem! The way I see it is that I can go to guest services and adjust the tip if I feel it's too much for the poor service I am getting but I hope I don't feel like I have to explain my actions to guest services. Just don't want to be made to feel guilty for reducing it

Unlike other some other cruiselines where the gratuties are covered under the "Hotel Service Charge" and you have to jump through hoops to get them removed, DCL only asks, if you do not want the tips automatically added to your onboard account, that you stop by Guest services and remove them, no explanation necessary.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Unlike other some other cruiselines where the gratuties are covered under the "Hotel Service Charge" and you have to jump through hoops to get them removed, DCL only asks, if you do not want the tips automatically added to your onboard account, that you stop by Guest services and remove them, no explanation necessary.

I would bet dollars to donuts that when someone removes their tips on DCL they are asked "why".

 

[disneywonderfun]

That is my problem with it too - I should not have to explain why I am tipping a certain way. On our cruise we did not go by the guidelines at all - our head server said hi to us briefly our first night and we never saw him again and our cabin steward acted angry when I asked for more shampoo and conditioner and laughed at us when we tried to put one more item in our luggage that we had put out three minutes prior and it was already gone. Both had reduced tips. If I had to go wait in line to do so I would have been livid, but looks like that is what will happen now. Get bad service? Have to waste your time fixing it.

Ouch, I feel for you concerning your cabin steward. On our four Disney cruises, we have had one bad one, one spectacular one, one very good one, and one average one. Perhaps that is why I like to adjust tips accordingly. To me, average deserves the recommended tip. We do like to adjust up if we really like someone. I guess the real struggle is when you have an awful cast member. Are you just supposed to turn the cheek and give the recommended amount. Or perhaps, does that simply perpetuate the problem? We have never stiffed a crew member, but, wow, the one bad cabin steward we had really tested us! I hated to think of all the future guests that would have to endure presumably the same attitude.

DWF

 

[addlema]

I'm not sure why this is such a heated topic. Almost every other cruise line out there charges auto gratuity to your folio at the beginning of the cruise.

DCL and RCL were of the main lines the two that didn't. I would bet RCL will follow suit soon.

Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Holland, MSC, Princess, and a lot of others do the auto gratuity.

Maybe this is DCL just moving to the industry standard?

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I would bet dollars to donuts that when someone removes their tips on DCL they are asked "why".

And wouldn't that be negligent of them not to ask?
Most people would probably be happy to explain why.
They WILL most probably ask so they can address the challenge that has led to you not feeling the service you received was worthy or the full suggested gratuity, so they can correct a issue.
YOU may not want to answer that question and feel questioned by the CM at GS, so a simple "Sorry, I would rather not discuss it" will suffice. It's not like they are going to take you into a room and interrogate you or argue with you!
And if they ask you again for further information you can just walk away.

Let's not make a mountain out of a mole hill over something that hasn't even happened yet and the majority of the time will not happen.

AquaDame,
I hope you did take the time to speak to GS or DCL shoreside afterwards about your SRH being angry and laughing at you because your luggage had already been taken.
That is truly unacceptable behavior and DCL need to correct his attitude quickly before another Guest experiences it.

Ex Techie

 

[AquaDame]

AquaDame,
I hope you did take the time to speak to GS or DCL shoreside afterwards about your SRH being angry and laughing at you because your luggage had already been taken.
That is truly unacceptable behavior and DCL need to correct his attitude quickly before another Guest experiences it.

Ex Techie

Sadly I did not... even worse it was one of the first Dream cruises so it might have had a good amount of impact at the time too. My husbandn (then boyfriend) is not as thin skinned as me though and thought simply not tipping as high was enough and doing more would be too much trouble/would just rile me up. Now I'm older and smarter though...!

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Well you know how to try to resolve the poor service after the year gap.
Hopefully and it won't happen again and that CM has been coached to not laugh at Guests when they are disappointed or dismissed for poor attitude.

Ex Techie

 

[OrcaPotter]

I just found out about this today.

Honestly, if they're automatically charging us for tips, then they just need to bundle it into the cruise fare. The way I see it, "tipping" is to show appreciation for outstanding/above-and-beyond service. It shouldn't be mandatory; the reason the staff goes out of their way for you is because they want to impress you enough to leave a tip.

But I know that those in customer service, particularly in housekeeping and wait staff, get paid beans. So, I have to have a pretty bad experience to pay less than a recommended tip amount. I've never considered not tipping on a cruise, even to those that I had never seen or experienced any extraordinary service from. But it's kind of irksome that in order for me to adjust an automatic gratuity, I have to essentially wait in line at guest services and explain myself. You wouldn't believe the pressure that was put on my family by our waitstaff on the Dream to rate them all "excellent" on the survey--if we referred to anything less than excellent, they cornered us with demands to know why. Don't get me wrong, they were nice, and we tipped them the recommended amount, but none of them went out of their way for us. It should still be our decision on whether or not we do, though.

If they'd just paid their crew better, tipping would be what it's meant to be--icing on the cake. This just seems to be (any cruise line's) answer to making the guest pay for the "raise". Oh well, this won't stop me from sailing on DCL--but service better not slack off as result.

 

[tiggspring]

I saw this on my travel agent's FB page to first let me know of the tipping change. Carnival did this on our last (horrid) cruise. I did then what I'm going to do on our upcoming Magic cruise which is remove that 'auto-tip' and tip each person as I have done in the past on all of my cruises. Disney cannot mandate tipping and I prefer to tip directly, look the person in the face and say "Hey, you did a great job with my family. I appreciate all your hard work"

This is what I plan to do this too