Additional Gratuity

[skwak]

We just got off our 10th Disney Cruise. Had a wonderful time as always.

We always add some cash to each of the gratuity envelops since the service is just fantastic. Even though we have been on many cruises now, I still have no sense if we give enough of an extra gratuity. We were on a 7 night cruise and I think we just gave our Server an extra $75 in addition to the standard gratuity. Any thoughts?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We just got off our 10th Disney Cruise. Had a wonderful time as always.

We always add some cash to each of the gratuity envelops since the service is just fantastic. Even though we have been on many cruises now, I still have no sense if we give enough of an extra gratuity. We were on a 7 night cruise and I think we just gave our Server an extra $75 in addition to the standard gratuity. Any thoughts?

Gratuities above the suggested amount that's charged to your onboard account are entirely up to you. What you feel the service was worth. Whatever that number is, it's the correct one.

Just because someone tips, say, $100 extra doesn't make that any more "enough" than someone who tips $10 extra.

 

[mmouse37]

Considering your servers's standard gratuity for a 7 day cruise is $28 pp you gave them way more.

I agree with above....no right or wrong answer. Give what you feel you want to.

MJ

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Considering your servers's standard gratuity for a 7 day cruise is $28 pp you gave them way more.

I agree with above....no right or wrong answer. Give what you feel you want to.

MJ

Agreed I was on a cruise once where some of my table mates announced that they were going to reduce their tip because they didn't like the service that the wait staff was providing despite them bending over backward and bring extras to the table like chicken wings that weren't on the menu or cheese from Palo. Needless to say, everyone else at the table agreed to up their tips to cover for what they were going to short change them.

 

[Shanti]

I was on a cruise once where some of my table mates announced that they were going to reduce their tip because they didn't like the service that the wait staff was providing despite them bending over backward and bring extras to the table like chicken wings that weren't on the menu or cheese from Palo...

I'd like to see how those guests themselves would perform in the role of server...

 

[Carrie in AZ]

$75 extra sounds very generous to me. On our first cruise, 7 nights, I believe we tipped our server an extra $50, the asst server an extra $25 and our stateroom host an extra $50. Our second cruise, 4 nights, we tipped the srvers extra but I can't remember how much and our stateroom host an extra $50. I spoke with them all individually face to face and explained that I didn't feel the standard was enough, and believed they should have more. We appreciated their hard work and, as a former waitress, I felt they deserved more. I absolutely fell in love with both of our room hosts, I pray we have soneone as nice as them on our upcoming cruise!

These are my views and whether other guests choose to tip additional amounts is a personal decision. I would never think someone is wrong or cheap if they didn't tip an additional amount, it is just what felt right to me.

 

[dvcdisney]

I agree with those who say that it's up to you how much you want to give as extra.

We've been on several cruise and I've often given extra as a way to let them know that I appreciate their hard work. It's never been a lot. I've been told many times how much they appreciate it. I think it's not about the amount, but the fact that you thought of them.
Sometimes I notice that some guests mistreats them. I guess I want them to know I appreciate their help.

 

[jrabbit]

it seems to me that we usually add an addition 25 - 35% to the server, asst server and stateroom host. Head server 90% of the time just gets the standard amt.

 

[lorimay]

it seems to me that we usually add an addition 25 - 35% to the server, asst server and stateroom host. Head server 90% of the time just gets the standard amt.

We have never felt the need to up the Head Servers envelope.........
These servers work so hard, hoe could anyone feel its right to take money from the standard tip? I just don't get it.
I really wish they would included the standard gratuity in our cruise fare and them give an envelope for additional tips.

 

[elvispursley]

We have only tipped our head server extra once and that was because he actually paid attention to our table, made sure my dishes were prepared without the offending allergen, and actually helped the serving team out by bringing drinks/food or whatever it was we requested to the table. He was great!! I'm just terrible with names but he was awesome!! I wish they would include your serving team and stateroom hosts' names in your past cruise info in your castaway club previous cruise details--would be handy for requesting teams again

 

[Dug720]

We have only tipped our head server extra once and that was because he actually paid attention to our table, made sure my dishes were prepared without the offending allergen, and actually helped the serving team out by bringing drinks/food or whatever it was we requested to the table. He was great!! I'm just terrible with names but he was awesome!! I wish they would include your serving team and stateroom hosts' names in your past cruise info in your castaway club previous cruise details--would be handy for requesting teams again

I always make sure to hold onto my little green slips.

BUT serving teams change up frequently, so it's not a good idea to request a team because if they are no longer together the assigner won't know who you prefer and there is a good chance you'll get neither. The best option is to pick one to request. If you feel you MUST request both/all of them, it would be easier to email that in and put your priority - like "First priority is Jamie. Second priority is Petra. Third priority is Michael." so that if Jamie either isn't on board or for some other reason you can't be assigned to him, they could check about Petra. That makes it more complicated than it needs to be IMHO, but you can do it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have only tipped our head server extra once and that was because he actually paid attention to our table, made sure my dishes were prepared without the offending allergen, and actually helped the serving team out by bringing drinks/food or whatever it was we requested to the table. He was great!! I'm just terrible with names but he was awesome!! I wish they would include your serving team and stateroom hosts' names in your past cruise info in your castaway club previous cruise details--would be handy for requesting teams again

It is on the coupon sheet you get at the end of the cruise. The top portion you keep has the names/positions/amount of tip on it

 

[Dug720]

It is on the coupon sheet you get at the end of the cruise. The top portion you keep has the names/positions/amount of tip on it
View attachment 263027

That top portion is the "little green slip" I was referring to. Thanks as always for the pics Shmoo!!

 

[elvispursley]

Wish I could be more organized! My DH is like a human shredder. As soon as we get home, he is instantly cleaning out bags and anything that can be recycled gets tossed/shredded! I may need to start putting some of that stuff in with my "scrapbooking" souvenirs

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Wish I could be more organized! My DH is like a human shredder. As soon as we get home, he is instantly cleaning out bags and anything that can be recycled gets tossed/shredded! I may need to start putting some of that stuff in with my "scrapbooking" souvenirs

My husband knows better than to mess with the envelopes of scrapbook "stuff" I bring home.

 

[elvispursley]

I always make sure to hold onto my little green slips.

BUT serving teams change up frequently, so it's not a good idea to request a team because if they are no longer together the assigner won't know who you prefer and there is a good chance you'll get neither. The best option is to pick one to request. If you feel you MUST request both/all of them, it would be easier to email that in and put your priority - like "First priority is Jamie. Second priority is Petra. Third priority is Michael." so that if Jamie either isn't on board or for some other reason you can't be assigned to him, they could check about Petra. That makes it more complicated than it needs to be IMHO, but you can do it.

This absolutely makes sense. So far, we've loved all of our teams and like seeing who we will end up with. Our last cruise we ran into our very first server who remembered my husband (couldn't remember his name but definitely remembered his face and our family). But if we ever do decide to request someone, will keep this info in mind.

 

[elvispursley]

My husband knows better than to mess with the envelopes of scrapbook "stuff" I bring home.

Exactly! He's always viewed the green sheet (and any other cruise papers( as "receipts" and into the shred pile they go! The exception is when I've purposely saved the info from the OBB into my cruise booklet for the next cruise. He doesn't dare touch that booklet! LOL