Concierge Tipping

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Wow! Do you think that means no more treats in room and less personalize service? I loved your report. I looked it over last night. I think we are staying in similar staterooms. I am staying 8032 in January.

I think the daily treat in room will stay, I think the bottled water will go to the CL and you can pick it up there and take back. The current free standard drinks at cove cafe and promenade lounge will go. You will go to the hosts when you want 7am to 10pm, they will not tend to come to you anymore.

I wouldn't say less personalized service, I would say you are more in charge, rather than they call you at 5pm when your in the shower, you call on them when you need something. You can still phone them.

The service will be more aliened to Dream and Fantasy,

I would say 8032 is a great room its on the midship elevators so two decks under the new CL. I found Wifi didnt work well there, (maybe fixed but I think re cove cafe above), and door magnets get stolen there due to the use of the elevators there. Adults worse than Children and the door bell rung on knock down ginger and the people run off.

 

[disnygirl55]

Just chiming in so you can see a variety of responses, though I don't think there is a "correct" answer. You've got to do what's comfortable for your family and your budget. We sail in a category T one bedroom, and are a family of 3. Like others, I don't know that concierge on the ship does a lot for us in terms of actual work. Most of that is handled pre-cruise by Shoreside Concierge, or at the very first meeting once onboard. However, the on-ship concierge team adds so much to our experience - always a friendly word, smiling, and treating us as part of their families - or at least dear friends - for that time we are on board. They are so pleased to answer questions and offer additional assistance. Other than the extra space, I think it's a large part of why many of us choose to sail concierge. For a week-long cruise, we tip approximately $100 per family member - so $300. On the Fantasy, that works out to $100 per concierge host. On the Wonder, we had two hosts - and I'm not sure whether we designated that it all went to our assigned host, Rodrigo, or if it went to the "team" and he and Lynda split it. We only saw Lynda once, but Rodrigo on the "Starboard" side made our trip absolutely amazing, and came to visit and say hello and bring gifts at least twice a day. I'm sure Lynda did the same for the "Port" side of the concierge guests.

 

[disnygirl55]

Oh, and you might also find that there are some unsung heroes in the concierge lounge that you might want to tip for the additional services they provide. The bartender who poured our drinks during the welcome and evening cocktail events, and also the staff member who set up the treats on the buffet all day long. We may have given an extra $40 or $50 to each of them at the end of the cruise. Again, they were an important part of the concierge experience for us, but may not have been for everyone. I know they were very grateful - and we just gave them cash, since there was no place to add a gratuity especially for them.

 

[kimmharris]

Thank you everyone! I can make an informed tipping decision now!

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Thank you, Disney Fantasy. If I am understanding you correctly, if you were traveling with a family of 5 on 5 night cruise in a 1 bedroom concierge stateroom, you would tip around $100. Is that right?

We have done 2 4 night cruises and have tipped the concierge crew $100 for the 2 of us. We rarely needed them for anything. We also tip the lounge bartender.

 

[kimmharris]

It would be great to only have to pay for two people instead of five. I think if we only had to account for the two of us we would probably tip higher as well. As my husband pointed out, we are paying premium price for our cabin. With that comes certain privileges and treats. Our cabin was about $3000 higher than the cabin the next level lower. That premium price difference has to go somewhere. Our assumption is that it goes to pay the concierge staff. We will tip, but we will not be tipping an exorbitant amount because we feel shamed to do so. We will tip on merit. If we feel that we have received service that is excellent our concierge will be tipped accordingly. Even if the service is not perfect we will tip, it just won't be as high as it would be if we are wowed.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

It would be great to only have to pay for two people instead of five. I think if we only had to account for the two of us we would probably tip higher as well. As my husband pointed out, we are paying premium price for our cabin. With that comes certain privileges and treats. Our cabin was about $3000 higher than the cabin the next level lower. That premium price difference has to go somewhere. Our assumption is that it goes to pay the concierge staff. We will tip, but we will not be tipping an exorbitant amount because we feel shamed to do so. We will tip on merit. If we feel that we have received service that is excellent our concierge will be tipped accordingly. Even if the service is not perfect we will tip, it just won't be as high as it would be if we are wowed.

The higher price is for the larger room, upscale bath products, the pillow talk, the advance booking, the extra TVs, the DVD rental, the free internet package etc.

It doesn't go to the concierge hosts, but I know a reasonable number have your husbands view. It is a tipped position the extra fees do not go to them bar a small officer salary for their officer duties. Yes I agree in expect to be wowed in concierge in 2012 and 2013, 2014 I was, this year it was good but not a wow. Different hosts. And Magic in transition to its new concierge lounge.

 

[Pegasus928]

Is the concierge definitely a tipped position? Do we get envelopes etc on the last night?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Is the concierge definitely a tipped position? Do we get envelopes etc on the last night?

Yes you get an envelope and letter the penultimate night, if you look on page 1 of this thread I posted photos if it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The higher price is for the larger room, upscale bath products, the pillow talk, the advance booking, the extra TVs, the DVD rental, the free internet package etc.

It doesn't go to the concierge hosts, but I know a reasonable number have your husbands view. It is a tipped position the extra fees do not go to them bar a small officer salary for their officer duties. Yes I agree in expect to be wowed in concierge in 2012 and 2013, 2014 I was, this year it was good but not a wow. Different hosts. And Magic in transition to its new concierge lounge.

I think many of us would feel that a DVD player and a big TV aren't really worth the large extra$$$$of the Concierge rooms. MY GUESS is that DCL does not suggest actual tip amounts for Concierge hosts because they are too embarrassed to make the suggestion to folks already paying a large sum of money. Add to that the UNTIPPED service I get from Shoreside Concierge (which is 90% of everything I need done) and---

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I think many of us would feel that a DVD player and a big TV aren't really worth the large extra$$$$of the Concierge rooms. MY GUESS is that DCL does not suggest actual tip amounts for Concierge hosts because they are too embarrassed to make the suggestion to folks already paying a large sum of money. Add to that the UNTIPPED service I get from Shoreside Concierge (which is 90% of everything I need done) and---

You singled out two items of a long list selectively, this debate has been had many times before, on a few DCL boards. It doesn't have a guide as some will not use them at all, some a small amount, some a lot. It's personal you tip what you feel is correct, as I have posted throughout this thread.

 

[kimmharris]

The higher price is for the larger room, upscale bath products, the pillow talk, the advance booking, the extra TVs, the DVD rental, the free internet package etc.

It doesn't go to the concierge hosts, but I know a reasonable number have your husbands view. It is a tipped position the extra fees do not go to them bar a small officer salary for their officer duties. Yes I agree in expect to be wowed in concierge in 2012 and 2013, 2014 I was, this year it was good but not a wow. Different hosts. And Magic in transition to its new concierge lounge.

I agree with you to a certain extent. Yes, the room and amenities are in involved in the pricing, but I still think they are paid a reasonable amount for their position. That doesn't mean I won't tip them. It has been suggested on other social media sites that the concierge tip is a 100 percent of their compensation which is what prompted me to ask the question on this board. You, personally, have more knowledge of traveling concierge on DCL than most people. You are a wonderful resource and appreciate that you are sharing your knowledge. I will be asking lots more question in the coming weeks. My 120 mark will be here soon!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I agree with you to a certain extent. Yes, the room and amenities are in involved in the pricing, but I still think they are paid a reasonable amount for their position. That doesn't mean I won't tip them. It has been suggested on other social media sites that the concierge tip is a 100 percent of their compensation which is what prompted me to ask the question on this board. You, personally, have more knowledge of traveling concierge on DCL than most people. You are a wonderful resource and appreciate that you are sharing your knowledge. I will be asking lots more question in the coming weeks. My 120 mark will be here soon!

Thank you, yes they get a very small Stipend for officers duties, nearly all is made up on tips.