Cruise secrets that DCL doesn't tell you

[Disney Dreams]

You have got to be kidding? They don't get paid a salary? I simply can't believe that to be true? Wow!!!

From what we were told by our Head Server, this is correct for the serving teams. I think it is also true for the room stewards (although not sure on them).

This is why when there are discussions on this board about not tipping, we think it's very harsh. These cast members work SO hard, are away from family, have to pay for phone calls home, and do their part to make our vacations wonderful and incredible. And they do it all for the tips. Only.

- Dreams

 

[purceller]

I got these for our upcoming cruise in August and am delighted. It has a character (I chose Pluto, Belle, Ariel and Minnie) the name of the ship (Magic) above and the dates of the cruise underneath as well as the child's name, all embroidered

Thanks for the great idea, will order for sure.

Eric

 

[purceller]

From what we were told by our Head Server, this is correct for the serving teams. I think it is also true for the room stewards (although not sure on them).

This is why when there are discussions on this board about not tipping, we think it's very harsh. These cast members work SO hard, are away from family, have to pay for phone calls home, and do their part to make our vacations wonderful and incredible. And they do it all for the tips. Only.

- Dreams

Given this information, why on earth would folks be discussing not tipping? To make a point to DCL and have them change their policy? If so, not tipping is not the right way to make a stand, in my opinion. Having heard this, I'd be more inclined to treat the CM's extra well, not hold back the tips they work hard for.

Thanks to all for everything that is posted here. If I enjoy my first cruise as much as I am enjoying planning for it, we'll have a blast

Cheers
Eric

 

[Clochette nordique]

Given this information, why on earth would folks be discussing not tipping? To make a point to DCL and have them change their policy? If so, not tipping is not the right way to make a stand, in my opinion. Having heard this, I'd be more inclined to treat the CM's extra well, not hold back the tips they work hard for.

????????????

We cruised on the Dream for the first time in May 2011. I'm booked for a Bday cruise on the Wonder in Feb 2012 and again for family fun on (hopefully) the Fantasy in Dec 2012 to be reported in November 2013.

Since we have a child with lots of special needs, I read everything I could about cruising on this board for the last 2,5 years. And it's the first time I read about CMs not having a salary. Why is this info not out from DCL? I ALWAYS THOUGHT, (Maybe being Canadian makes a cultural difference, here) that like at home, they receive a decent-enough-salary-to-be-completed-by-the-tips. No? We did, leave the "suggested" tip on our cruise. But I think the servers worked for more than that! We also brought fruits for our steward every day since I read before the trip that they don't really have access to it. But no salary?

Well, why don't DCL just charge more to include staff salaries, then?

Would any complain with DCL help? Or is it just a word to spread so people would know? But how many cruisers read this blog? In May, there was only 14 rooms in our Thread Meet. Not a lot compared to the guests that filled the Dream... So, how would the rest of the 4000ish people on the boat know?

Sorry, it's just too much for my "innocence" of the things of the world, I guess...

Anyway, Poussière de fée!

 

[Susiesark]

From what we were told by our Head Server, this is correct for the serving teams. I think it is also true for the room stewards (although not sure on them).

This is why when there are discussions on this board about not tipping, we think it's very harsh. These cast members work SO hard, are away from family, have to pay for phone calls home, and do their part to make our vacations wonderful and incredible. And they do it all for the tips. Only.

- Dreams

I found out this information, after we disembarked, from the parent of a CM. I also learned that DCL takes very seriously, the comments and ratings on the comment card. If your server (wait staff/steward) gets anything less than an excellent, it is not taken lightly.
These CMs work very hard, 7 days a week, LONG hours, for months on end. I was reluctant to leave the suggested tip, because my vacation cost so much to begin with, but now I know to reward them for their service. My steward was awesome, and he got extra treats from us.

 

[sssteele]

The cruise specific pins we purchase usually end of with the other "treasures" we bring home, along with the memory pictures we purchase. I picked up inexpensive frames and mats from Michael's and made some of my favorite decorations. I have them hanging in my hall and everytime I walk by them I remember our wonderful trip and think about our next cruise.

Wow! These are great, but can't imagine what they would look like if I tried something similar. You did a beautiful job.

 

[miss missy]

great thread!! thx

 

[Queen of Oakville]

Hmmm....my understanding is that they do get a rather tiny salary from DCL (we were told $50 per month). In addition, they get transportation home at the end of their contract and back to the ship to begin the next contract. One CM made a point of telling me that he got transportation "all the way home to my door" as opposed to a flight to the nearest city. Obviously they get all their costumes (work clothes) provided along with laundry of those clothes, room and board, and health insurance. Yes, the vast majority of their income is from tips. As one server (who has a Ph.D.) told me, he can make 4-5 times as much on the ship as he can "at home."

CMs who are in non-tipped positions do get a decent salary. I'm aware of one situation where a CM requested to move from a salaried position (one of the guys who paints the ship while in port and does repairs) to a room host position because he'd get more in tips than in salary.

This is all off-topic on this thread ... but on our last RCCL cruise, I noticed several front-line workers wearing braces (in fact, a large majority). I'm guessing "Dental" is now being offer too as a perk to keep good employees.

 

[valbob89]

Wow! These are great, but can't imagine what they would look like if I tried something similar. You did a beautiful job.

Thanks - wish they looked good because I have talent but that is not the case. The one with the ship I bought onboard, it came with the matting. I picked up a frame at Michael's that had the glass in it. I just stuck the pins around the picture on the matt that came with it and stuck it in the frame. The one with our picture, one of the waiters took it with our camera so we didn't even have to buy it. I cut the cruise info off one of the many bulletins they give out on the ship. The matt came with the frame, again from Michael's. Stuck the gift with purchase pins on the matt. No talent.

 

[sssteele]

Thanks - wish they looked good because I have talent but that is not the case. The one with the ship I bought onboard, it came with the matting. I picked up a frame at Michael's that had the glass in it. I just stuck the pins around the picture on the matt that came with it and stuck it in the frame. The one with our picture, one of the waiters took it with our camera so we didn't even have to buy it. I cut the cruise info off one of the many bulletins they give out on the ship. The matt came with the frame, again from Michael's. Stuck the gift with purchase pins on the matt. No talent.

Very clever. Thanks for sharing the info.

 

[wishuponastarforever]

????????????

We cruised on the Dream for the first time in May 2011. I'm booked for a Bday cruise on the Wonder in Feb 2012 and again for family fun on (hopefully) the Fantasy in Dec 2012 to be reported in November 2013.

Since we have a child with lots of special needs, I read everything I could about cruising on this board for the last 2,5 years. And it's the first time I read about CMs not having a salary. Why is this info not out from DCL? I ALWAYS THOUGHT, (Maybe being Canadian makes a cultural difference, here) that like at home, they receive a decent-enough-salary-to-be-completed-by-the-tips. No? We did, leave the "suggested" tip on our cruise. But I think the servers worked for more than that! We also brought fruits for our steward every day since I read before the trip that they don't really have access to it. But no salary?

Well, why don't DCL just charge more to include staff salaries, then?

Would any complain with DCL help? Or is it just a word to spread so people would know? But how many cruisers read this blog? In May, there was only 14 rooms in our Thread Meet. Not a lot compared to the guests that filled the Dream... So, how would the rest of the 4000ish people on the boat know?

Sorry, it's just too much for my "innocence" of the things of the world, I guess...

Anyway, Poussière de fée!

The Stewards have no access to fruit?? I did not know that. We will leave fruit as well on our next cruise if that is the case. How did you find out?

Thank you for the information.

 

[Susiesark]

The Stewards have no access to fruit?? I did not know that. We will leave fruit as well on our next cruise if that is the case. How did you find out?

Thank you for the information.

There are certain things the crew can and cannot accept. Not sure if fruit is one of them. I left bags of mixed chocolates for our favorite CMs.

 

[rescuetink]

You have got to be kidding? They don't get paid a salary? I simply can't believe that to be true? Wow!!!

From what we were told by our Head Server, this is correct for the serving teams. I think it is also true for the room stewards (although not sure on them).

This is why when there are discussions on this board about not tipping, we think it's very harsh. These cast members work SO hard, are away from family, have to pay for phone calls home, and do their part to make our vacations wonderful and incredible. And they do it all for the tips. Only.

- Dreams

Given this information, why on earth would folks be discussing not tipping? To make a point to DCL and have them change their policy? If so, not tipping is not the right way to make a stand, in my opinion. Having heard this, I'd be more inclined to treat the CM's extra well, not hold back the tips they work hard for.

Thanks to all for everything that is posted here. If I enjoy my first cruise as much as I am enjoying planning for it, we'll have a blast

Cheers
Eric

I believe that they all have to pool their tips to, so even if you tip your CM extra, they still have to put it in the pool!! That's why you see suggestions to give them things like phone cards, so they don't have to pay for phone calls when they get a chance when in a port!!!

 

[Clochette nordique]

The Stewards have no access to fruit?? I did not know that. We will leave fruit as well on our next cruise if that is the case. How did you find out?

Thank you for the information.

Well, if I remember well, it was on this thread, but it can be on the DCL tipping one too, or on any thread on the same topic, it's too long ago and I don't remember. So if there is a CM reading this, could you please help to say if it's true? Thanks!

Anyway, in May on the Dream, we left apples and bananas and oranges on the bed with the rest of our "daily tip" (a little thank you card, few maple candies from Canada and other little goodies like that) since we were leaving the more "suggested $" tip at the end of the cruise. Our steward thankfully took the stuff everyday.

Now, I don't know if it's true that they don't have access to real fresh fruits often or not, I trusted what I read on DIS. I never read they were not allowed to take fresh fruits. I remember reading they are not allowed to take gifts of extravagance value, but I don't think that fresh fruits would fall in this category! And maybe, just maybe, he was not allowed to take it and never said anything..... Like we were doing it in good faith. I would not like to see him in trouble because of us: it would be extremely counter productive!

Anyway, I hope he enjoyed and if not, I trust that he shared the fruits with others. Anyway, I want to keep "some" faith in people

Hope it answers your question,

Poussière de fée!

 

[Minnie Monellen]

I believe that they all have to pool their tips to, so even if you tip your CM extra, they still have to put it in the pool!! That's why you see suggestions to give them things like phone cards, so they don't have to pay for phone calls when they get a chance when in a port!!!

Doesn't the requirement for "pooling" tips that are to be used for prizes/parties refer to non-tipped positions such as CMs in the kids clubs?

 

[stefanie.cadell]

Fresh fruit is available at nearly any time in the crew dining area. Bananas, apples & oranges were never hard to get if we wanted them. We just couldn't have them in our cabins. <-- Huge trouble.

As far as pooling tips for non tipping cast members (kids staff etc), the tips go to nice parties they'd have for us. Nice food that we never see in crew dining is made specifically for us, we play games & have drawings for nice items.. All of this is done with money that we pool together from parents & other guests that tip us.

When tipping for tipable CMs, there are things that they can't accept: (mostly) really expensive gifts. When this happens, we're trained to politely decline the gift a few times. After that we turn it into management & it's a lot of paperwork.


Again, phone cards are amazing tips, cash works great too! Candies & baked goods are awesome! Order an extra appetizer, have it boxed to take it back to your state room & then give it to your favorite CMs! Seriously, that would make any CM's day.

 

[candeeapril]

Wonderful ideas!!! I am a first time cruiser and this is all new to me. Ordering an extra appetizer is an awesome idea Is the suggested tipping chart up to date...or was it posted years ago?

 

[Mickeys Carol]

Fresh fruit is available at nearly any time in the crew dining area. Bananas, apples & oranges were never hard to get if we wanted them. We just couldn't have them in our cabins. <-- Huge trouble.

As far as pooling tips for non tipping cast members (kids staff etc), the tips go to nice parties they'd have for us. Nice food that we never see in crew dining is made specifically for us, we play games & have drawings for nice items.. All of this is done with money that we pool together from parents & other guests that tip us.

When tipping for tipable CMs, there are things that they can't accept: (mostly) really expensive gifts. When this happens, we're trained to politely decline the gift a few times. After that we turn it into management & it's a lot of paperwork.


Again, phone cards are amazing tips, cash works great too! Candies & baked goods are awesome! Order an extra appetizer, have it boxed to take it back to your state room & then give it to your favorite CMs! Seriously, that would make any CM's day.

Thank you so much for this valuable information. This will be our 2nd cruise and we will be better equiped to "Thank" our Cast Members for doing such a great job. Our 1st impression of the CM's made an everlasting impression on us. They are the reason we Love Disney!! Thank You!!

 

[pearljammer]

I ordered it from Barnes & Noble. Make sure you get the Ninth Edition.

FYI - just an idea but you may want to check your local library. I was surprised to see they had a book on DCL and some on WDW as well. Would save you money that you can spend on your cruise. ;O)

 

[ladybug23]

On our last cruise, we specifically asked our Room Steward if there was anything extra we could do for her, or anything extra we could get for her at one of the port of calls. She said her father really liked Tequilla, so when in Cozumel, we purchased a small bottle for her. Now - we did have to write a letter "To whom it may concern" that we were giving that to her as a gift. We had to sign our names and date and room number. That way she could keep it. We also did the normal daily tip via the vouchers you can get at the end of the trip. In addition to the "normal" daily tip, we included extra cash for those that went above and beyond - which of course our room steward was one of those who received the extra cash.

On the tipping note - we had HORRIBLE wait service from our Head and Asst server. I think most of the good wait staff had been moved to the Dream training program for the ship was to set sail soon, and our servers were too new. While the service was just plain bad, we still gave the suggested tip because we knew this was primarily their only income. We did NOT give any extra to the wait staff, but just couldn't give less than the minimum.