Disgruntled Disney porter

[allears]

Whoa, iruggiero, turn down the flame thrower. Of course everyone has a lot to say about people’s business on these boards, they’re a public forum. Three cheers to your husband that tips generously. Since you were once a waitress I would think you know that tips are not gravy. Service people working for tips usually make far below minimum wages and depend on tips to actually make a living.

I don’t think anyone begrudges a person meeting the needs of their children by packing formula and water. And frankly I don’t care what people bring on board. To each his own.

But do lighten up. This is supposed to be fun, especially since the focus of the board is cruising and vacations.

 

[lruggiero]

ALLEARS....

Talk about lighten up....
first, I wasn't referring to you (or was I?)

Secondly, the response was to the "shame on you" portion of Taswira's comment not to the people who are in the service business.

Sounds like I hit a sore spot on your paw

 

[Padre Disney]

Maybe it was just us because we didn't know any better nor did anyone tell us until after we were on the ship that the porters needed tipped. On our first cruise we waited in line had the porter take our luggage for 8 people and then drove off only to have DH look back and notice that the porter looked angry.
No place on our documents did it say that the porters needed tipped. We assumed since they were at the terminal that they worked for DCL. We felt so bad. We thought sure half of our luggage would get lost due to the porter being angry. To our surprise everything arrived quickly and all together. I will forever remember the disappointment in that mans face when he didn't get a tip. We truly did not know. We only hope we might meet him again on our next cruise so we can try to make up for the last time. I'm sure he will remember us.
When we left the ship we did take our own luggage to our car. We figured we had to walk that way anyway and we had 8 people to help. I can't tell you how many times we had to tell the porters No we didn't need any help getting our bags to the car.
I do think thay Disney could make it more clear on how luggage is handled when you arrive at the port. There are so many different ways to arrive and some include your luggage handling and some do not. I think it is very confusing for first time cruisers.

 

[rae519]

We couldn't find a porter at the terminal after our 4 night cruise in December - they were so very busy!! It was a L O N G haul to the airline counter from the terminal. I vow to pack lighter from now on!!!

Rae

 

[Wishing on a star]

No offense at all padre disney. I guess I can understand some confusion.... Like, if someone stayed at WDW prior to their cruise, or had a full package booked, including air and transfers, and the last time they saw their luggage was as far back as the night before they boarded.... How could you tip a person that you never even see or know who they are?

But, come on people!!! This is a cruise! My goodness, it looks like we are expected to tip everyone short of the Captain!!! LOL!!! If I am standing there with my bags, request (or simply allow) a porter to take my personal belongings and haul them clear to kingdom come for me. Well, IMHO, this would always require a tip. PS: part of what I am tipping for is convenient, considerate, service with a 'smile'!

 

[ziggy_play_guitar]

Just got back from the 1/19 Wonder Cruise. Awesome time. Regarding the porters, we had the most friendly and hard working guy. He greeted us, took us to the luggage area, helped find our 8 relatively heavy bags, put them on his cart. Gave us tips on how to get through Customs, got us to the Delta luggage check and made sure the Delta people knew we were there and where our luggage was located. I guess it depends on the porter. This guy deserved the $20 tip. Candidly, with the mad rush of people disembarking and the fact that we were constantly reminded by DCL staff that we had to be off the ship by 8:00am to ensure that our bags could be checked by Delta and make it to Orlando International in time for our 12:20pm flight, it was again well worth it. Hats off to Mr. Porter. I also think that the attitude of the Porter may depend on yours. We greated him from the start and also thanked him for helping us before we tipped him.

 

[KMovies]

I believe that all tips are included up until the debarkation process. Therefore, the baggage handling to the resort, to the ship, to your room, and to the port is all included. Just when leaving the ship to your car or bus is not.