Embarkation Tip/gift for cabin steward?

[tinkerone]

I'm not sure why people look at it as bribery. It's a simple thank you in advance. Maybe I'm reading into this thread more than I should but it seems like some are angry that this happens. Nothing to get upset about. It's something some like to do and others don't.
It's very possible that had I not asked the room host if there was anything we could do he may well have known there was a birthday and made the towel cake. I don't care, he did it and why is not an issue. He may well have done it without the embarkation tip however I would have tracked him down at that point anyways to give him an extra tip. Is that wrong to? Giving an extra few dollars to the bartender even though the tip is already on the slip you sign, wrong?
Tipping is so personal. There's no right, there's no wrong. Do what you wish but don't take something done in kindness and label it as a bribe. That just may not be what it is.
Bottom line, if you don't want to then don't. It's not mandatory.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Stuff like that is more standard on other cruise lines. Not sure why most people who post about Disney cruises are against it, other than maybe they fear they'll start getting less service if lots of people are doing it. Bottom line is to follow your heart and do whatever give you joy.

While I haven't tipped early on a Disney cruise, I always tip over the recommended amount. I did bring treats for my room host once and gave her one each day on the 7 day cruise. I just wanted to brighten her day. I wasn't looking for anything extra and had the same level of excellent service that I always had. FWIW, I do stuff like that on land, too, not just on a cruise.

My brother sails Carnival and he always give a tip on the first day and requests ice each day when he gives the tip. He said his ice bucket is always full when he does that.

 

[MomOTwins]

Giving an extra few dollars to the bartender even though the tip is already on the slip you sign, wrong?

I think this is missing the point others are making. Nobody is saying that the mere fact of tipping extra is odd--most people do provide extra tip to their steward at the end of the cruise, just like giving extra money to a bartender after the drink is made. It's the sequence that I think causes some discomfort, since it can be seen as a sign that you are seeking priority over other guests. To carry on the analogy, I've stayed sometimes at all-inclusive resorts where tip is included and additional tip was optional (I always did tip extra, but after getting my drinks). It was frequently the case that people would walk up to the bars and slide a cash tip on the table before getting served to get the bartender to come to them first when other guests were waiting their turn. It always worked, but it was a teensy bit offputting.

 

[tinkerone]

I think this is missing the point others are making. Nobody is saying that the mere fact of tipping extra is odd--most people do provide extra tip to their steward at the end of the cruise, just like giving extra money to a bartender after the drink is made. It's the sequence that I think causes some discomfort, since it can be seen as a sign that you are seeking priority over other guests. To carry on the analogy, I've stayed sometimes at all-inclusive resorts where tip is included and additional tip was optional (I always did tip extra, but after getting my drinks). It was frequently the case that people would walk up to the bars and slide a cash tip on the table before getting served to get the bartender to come to them first when other guests were waiting their turn. It always worked, but it was a teensy bit offputting.

Now how would you know that? It can only be an assumption. I go to all inclusive as well, will be at one next moth. I don't wave money around however when the bartender comes over to me and I place my order I give him a tip then, not when the drink comes. He doesn't know that I am holding money, he can't see it. He still comes over. What's the difference with giving it at the beginning or at the end? The only difference I see is our personal routines. If it makes someone uncomfortable that tipping is not to their specifications then they can either change the way they do things or not. If it bothers someone, I can't help that.

It took me a long time to post on tipping threads. I was brought up with the understanding that you did not talk about tipping, that it was bragging to do so. It was something that was done quietly, something between you and your server. I'm old and things have changed. Its a subject that some do not understand and want clarification on when it comes to planning. Obviously I did get over voicing my thoughts on this subject but I have found that sometimes people don't take kindly to it. I don't care. This is what we do and I will share that to anyone who asks. The Opp asked. We all voiced our thoughts and I'll leave it at that. How we tip is personal to each individual. If someone wishes to pre tip do so, if someone doesn't don't. I will, however, say no one will ever know which you do so don't let it bother you. And don't think all pre tipping is a bribe. I'm here to say its not.

ETA--I think @cruisehopeful said it best, if it gives you joy, do it!

 

[MomOTwins]

He doesn't know that I am holding money, he can't see it. He still comes over. What's the difference with giving it at the beginning or at the end?

Totally different than what I was describing, which was holding out the tip on the bar where the bartender can see it (or, I’ve even seen some people wave it in the air) because in your scenario, you aren’t offering the tip until he starts to serve you and not incentivizing him to serve you over others.

Just like on a cruise, just like you hold your tip where they can’t see it until they take your drink order, prepay my standard tip but the service staff does not see that until the last day (when I give them the prepay receipt and extra cash in their tip envelope). But handing the money up front before any service is provided feels more like a way of “jumping to queue”—as a request for special treatment over others. That’s just my view, of course, just as others view it differently.

 

[monkeydawn]

A tip is defined as to reward people who provide services to you with a proper gratuity for their efforts. If no service has been provided and no efforts yet extended, how do you know the proper gratuity? I think that's why a lot of people feel that the default is that it is more a bribe when given up front before services have been provided. tinkerone--your explanation of why you do it is about the most gracious reasoning Ive seen. Beyond that though, you are right that if it gives you joy you should do it. Its not hurting anyone (what you are describing) and there is no reason not to do it if you want to do so.

I personally hate those tip jars that are out at registers at fast food places or the dreaded checkout that asks if you would like to tip before you have received any service other than the order taking. Those arent tips by definition. Call them beggar jars, call them bribes,basically anything but tips. I swear that every single time my husband tips in these circumstances something goes wrong. Maybe I am just more likely to notice and be annoyed. LOL

 

[tinkerone]

Totally different than what I was describing, which was holding out the tip on the bar where the bartender can see it (or, I’ve even seen some people wave it in the air) because in your scenario, you aren’t offering the tip until he starts to serve you and not incentivizing him to serve you over others.

Just like on a cruise, just like you hold your tip where they can’t see it until they take your drink order, prepay my standard tip but the service staff does not see that until the last day (when I give them the prepay receipt and extra cash in their tip envelope). But handing the money up front before any service is provided feels more like a way of “jumping to queue”—as a request for special treatment over others. That’s just my view, of course, just as others view it differently.

Yes, I have to say I have seen the money waving people as well. I don't let that bother me though. They can be a bit obnoxious however it's them and not me so I don't care. If they get served first there will still be a drink for me. But you are correct with that.
Now, for the embarkation tipping, this is just getting silly. I do wait until I am served (using your scenario), the room host has come to me, I don't hunt him/her down in the hall. I don't want to do that which is why I do a little pre tipping. Let's agree to disagree on this. You do you, I'll do me. Everyone has to choose for themselves anyways. The opp asked a question, we both gave our thoughts. I just don't like being told I'm giving a bribe when I am only doing something nice for someone. No one should be shamed for doing this if it makes them happy, which it does and I'm pretty sure the room hosts don't mind. I'm not calling anyone cheap because they don't so I don't think I should be name called either.
If you care to respond that is fine however I will not be answering. I'm finished with this topic. I don't enjoy being bullied which is how I am feeling. Once again, lets agree to disagree and end friendly.

 

[mmouse37]

In all our DCL cruises we have never tipped our room host on embarkation day. We have ALWAYS received outstanding service and have always added more cash in the envelope at the end of the cruise.

I can't imagine what a room host could do for you if you tipped on the first day, clean your room first??? They do everything I ask anyway (like ice twice a day). Maybe I am missing something? I could possibly see it for concierge rooms but regular rooms...don't know!!

MJ

 

[Marc D]

In all our DCL cruises we have never tipped our room host on embarkation day. We have ALWAYS received outstanding service and have always added more cash in the envelope at the end of the cruise.

I can't imagine what a room host could do for you if you tipped on the first day, clean your room first??? They do everything I ask anyway (like ice twice a day). Maybe I am missing something? I could possibly see it for concierge rooms but regular rooms...don't know!!

MJ

Concierge rooms hosts do not act differently than other hosts (unless you do a B2B - they rush your room since you can get back in it at 10:30). All the extras are provided by the Concierge hosts in the lounge.

 

[auntrenae]

We were on the first kingdom to kingdom cruise through the Panama canal. There were 325 Dis-ers onboard! We decided as a group to take books to read and at the end of the cruise to gift the ones we didn't need, to the crew library. It went over very well as the books they had were very well used and had become boring over time. I liked the idea so much that I have used the idea since then as an additional small gift to room stewards and servers if they were interested. Just an idea.

 

[greensombrero]

I will say I tipped on embarkation day for my first cruise a couple weeks ago. I wasn’t really sure what the protocol is and had a special request. Knowing that the staff depends on tips it just felt right to me to let them know I appreciated their efforts when I made a request that first day. I didn’t see it a bribe just a way to say thank you in advance. It just felt natural to me and again it was my first cruise and I didn’t know how tipping would really work aside from what I read in advance. Reading here maybe that isn’t the normal thing but I definitely wasn’t trying to one up anyone just wanted to show gratitude upfront and that seemed an appropriate way.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

On my last cruise as we were entering our room for the first time, the father in the room next to us greeted the steward by saying (not discreetly) "make sure to take care of us" and handing him a tip. I cringed and felt it was very awkward, but I am not sure if I could explain why I felt that way... Just seemed a little crass.

But to each his own I say and I do like to see the stewards being rewarded with tips. I prepay my tips - not to ensure good service, but just to have it out of the way before I cruise.