First Ever DISUnplugged Podcast Cruise Eight is Enough, more than enough

[Dodie]

Prepay your tips if you can. It is so much easier. You can easily do this through DU. You do it just like any other payment to them.

 

[ADP]

Prepay your tips if you can. It is so much easier. You can easily do this through DU. You do it just like any other payment to them.

This does sound convenient, and I'm all about convenience on vacation, but I'm just not keen on tipping for service before service has been provided. JMHO. So, we'll probably wait to tip.

 

[tickledtink33]

I'm still confused. I'm not tipping the head server the same as my dining room server right?

I think it just hit me like a ton of bricks. I should set aside 48 per person for the cruise to tip all the positions. (ie, 16 for head server, 12 for asst. server, 4 for head and 16 for steward)

Exactly

 

[tickledtink33]

This does sound convenient, and I'm all about convenience on vacation, but I'm just not keen on tipping for service before service has been provided. JMHO. So, we'll probably wait to tip.

You can also go to guest relations on the ship and have it added to your stateroom account.

 

[Madi100]

What gave you that idea?

Are you a stalker?

Because you are a character, and I try to collect all their autographs.

 

[DLBDS]

Dara, I think you misunderstood Tracy's post. It is $48 per person per stateroom for a 4 night cruise, which does equal $144 for 3 people. It isn't $48 per tipped position.

Thanks, Kim!

AskTracy isn't always very clear. (Sorry, Tracy!)

 

[winotracy]

Can we put the Disney Dollars on their cards?? Or should we just use those in WDW?

You can put the Disney Dollars on the room account and tell the kids what their limit is. I know that John said you can put a limit of how much they can charge on their account, but I don't believe you can do this anymore (we went through this with my nephew and they said either they get charging privileges or not).

Awww...no character meal Darn! Guess I'll get plenty of the characters at the parks pre/post cruise.

There still are characters on the ship, just not at breakfast.

$48 per person (i.e. me and Chris)? What about the kids? Still $48 each?

Thanks.

Yes, $48 per person including the kids. These servers and stateroom hosts take care of all of you. Keep in mind that the amount you are paying is $12 per day for all four of the servers/hosts. That comes down to $3 per person per crew member for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus cleaning your room.

How do you pre-pay? I would love to do this.

Have you seen the cruise tip calculator, Tracy?
http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

It has Server, Assistant Server, Head Server and Stateroom Host/Hostess. The total for us (2 Adults/1 Child)is only $144. According to this website, only the Server and Stateroom Host/Hostess get $48. I don't want to stiff anyone out of their money but this is what I was gonna go by. Should I go with the $48 per position? That would bring my total to $192. I'll do whatever you think is appropriate.

As mentioned later, you can prepay by just making a payment on your account with Dreams Unlimited (indicating that it is for prepaid gratuities). You cannot call Disney to add this in advance of the cruise. As mentioned also, the $48 is for each of you covering all four positions. Sorry I wasn't clearer on this.

can I buy transfers only one way from the port with disney?? I will be using dreams unlimiteds wonderful transfers to the port but now i need some kind of transportation to MCO.

If i would need to rent a car which car rentals are in the area??

Yes you can. Again, you just submit payment for the transfers ($35 per person one way) with a note that they are for one way transfers port to airport and we'll get this added for you.

I have found that, while completing online DCL checkin, we are able to list 2 separate cards, but not able to give eachg other "Charging privileges." To do so, one person appears to have to take financial 'responsibility' for the other. I believe Tracy told me this could be changed at the port, but yet another "online Disney" failing...

There are two things listed when you check in - one is that you are financially responsible for someone and one that you are allowing them to charge on your Key to the World card. Yes, this can be changed at the port.

Dara, I think you misunderstood Tracy's post. It is $48 per person per stateroom for a 4 night cruise, which does equal $144 for 3 people. It isn't $48 per tipped position.

Correct.

I'm still confused. I'm not tipping the head server the same as my dining room server right?

I think it just hit me like a ton of bricks. I should set aside 48 per person for the cruise to tip all the positions. (ie, 16 for head server, 12 for asst. server, 4 for head and 16 for steward)

You are correct, the head server actually gets a very small amount. Some of these guys do a lot of work for you but most of them don't. If you have allergies you will see this guy a lot! We usually give him the recommended amount and if he does more for us (rearranging Palo, arranging a special dessert, etc.) we give more.

Prepay your tips if you can. It is so much easier. You can easily do this through DU. You do it just like any other payment to them.

Thanks Dodie!

This does sound convenient, and I'm all about convenience on vacation, but I'm just not keen on tipping for service before service has been provided. JMHO. So, we'll probably wait to tip.

Keep in mind that your servers and stateroom host do not know that you prepaid the tips. No one will know this until the tip cards are delivered to your room and then it will just be your stateroom host that knows. You can adjust your prepaid tips once onboard - up or down.

You can also go to guest relations on the ship and have it added to your stateroom account.

The complaint that people have about this is that you have to stand in line. They have started putting a bin out near Guest Services so you can put your form in there and they will deliver the tip cards to you later.

Thanks, Kim!

AskTracy isn't always very clear. (Sorry, Tracy!)

Hey! I gotta run, Dara just sent me an email (sorry, I couldn't help it)

 

[Madi100]

Well, I think that I may be able to quit my local gym. I bought one of those shapewear things to go under my dress for the cruise. By the time I got it on, I was in need of a shower. And, I'm not sure what shape I'm aiming for, but I'm pretty sure I didn't get it. I guess it's a good thing I have late dining so I have plenty of time to get the darn thing on. You're all my friends. When you see me in it, tell me that it was so worth it and I look like a size 2.

 

[ADP]

Keep in mind that your servers and stateroom host do not know that you prepaid the tips. No one will know this until the tip cards are delivered to your room and then it will just be your stateroom host that knows. You can adjust your prepaid tips once onboard - up or down.

Thank you for that info Tracy. I was unaware.

Well, I think that I may be able to quit my local gym. I bought one of those shapewear things to go under my dress for the cruise. By the time I got it on, I was in need of a shower. And, I'm not sure what shape I'm aiming for, but I'm pretty sure I didn't get it. I guess it's a good thing I have late dining so I have plenty of time to get the darn thing on. You're all my friends. When you see me in it, tell me that it was so worth it and I look like a size 2.

You got it.

 

[DLBDS]

Thanks, Tracy!!

(If I had just waited another minute or so I wouldn't have had to send that email. )

Question.... Should we tell these folks (servers etc.) that we prepaid or just don't worry about it (they'll get their money eventually)? I don't know what's on a tip card.

Sorry, if these are stupid questions. I was (and still am) such a noob on my first (and only) cruise that I didn't understand the whole tipping thing. It really made it unpleasant 'cause we didn't have a clue how much we were supposed to tip (and who). I want to make sure I get it right this time and know what to expect.

 

[georgemoe]

Because you are a character, and I try to collect all their autographs.

My pen and best side will be ready for you at the Poly Meet.

 

[DLBDS]

I just prepaid the cruise gratuities. Scratching another bill off the list... YeeHaw!

 

[DLBDS]

Well, I think that I may be able to quit my local gym. I bought one of those shapewear things to go under my dress for the cruise. By the time I got it on, I was in need of a shower. And, I'm not sure what shape I'm aiming for, but I'm pretty sure I didn't get it. I guess it's a good thing I have late dining so I have plenty of time to get the darn thing on. You're all my friends. When you see me in it, tell me that it was so worth it and I look like a size 2.

You sound like my mom, Nicole! She swears by those things and she's always trying to get me to try them. I've shot her down each time so far. Gonna keep trying to lose weight but if getting one of those makes me look and feel better about myself during the cruise, I may have to cave.

 

[georgemoe]

Thanks, Tracy!!

(If I had just waited another minute or so I wouldn't have had to send that email. )

Question.... Should we tell these folks (servers etc.) that we prepaid or just don't worry about it (they'll get their money eventually)? I don't know what's on a tip card.

Sorry, if these are stupid questions. I was (and still am) such a noob on my first (and only) cruise that I didn't understand the whole tipping thing. It really made it unpleasant 'cause we didn't have a clue how much we were supposed to tip (and who). I want to make sure I get it right this time and know what to expect.

Hey noob.

 

[Tonya2426]

You sound like my mom, Nicole! She swears by those things and she's always trying to get me to try them. I've shot her down each time so far. Gonna keep trying to lose weight but if getting one of those makes me look and feel better about myself during the cruise, I may have to cave.

Spanx are a wonderful thing!!!!

 

[DLBDS]

Hey noob.

Hey, George!

 

[DLBDS]

Gotta go tread....

 

[georgemoe]

See everyone at chat tonight. Need to go sink my teeth into some chicken.

 

[winotracy]

Thanks, Tracy!!

(If I had just waited another minute or so I wouldn't have had to send that email. )

Question.... Should we tell these folks (servers etc.) that we prepaid or just don't worry about it (they'll get their money eventually)? I don't know what's on a tip card.

Sorry, if these are stupid questions. I was (and still am) such a noob on my first (and only) cruise that I didn't understand the whole tipping thing. It really made it unpleasant 'cause we didn't have a clue how much we were supposed to tip (and who). I want to make sure I get it right this time and know what to expect.

If you did prepay tips, you will get tickets with your servers/host's name on them and the amount you paid along with envelopes that say Server, Assistant Server, Head Server, Stateroom Host/Hostess. There will be a place in on the envelope for you to put your family name (though you don't have to). If you didn't prepay you will get a sheet with the recommended tipping information that you can fill out and take to Guest Services to get the tickets. On the last night, you'll bring those envelopes, with the tickets or cash or whatever (we sometimes add prepaid calling cards as a bonus or cash) to the dining room and after dinner everyone gives out their envelopes (some also give out hugs ). For your stateroom host, you can give them theirs at this time too or leave it in your room. I usually give it to them as we are heading out to dinner.

 

[DLBDS]

If you did prepay tips, you will get tickets with your servers/host's name on them and the amount you paid along with envelopes that say Server, Assistant Server, Head Server, Stateroom Host/Hostess. There will be a place in on the envelope for you to put your family name (though you don't have to). If you didn't prepay you will get a sheet with the recommended tipping information that you can fill out and take to Guest Services to get the tickets. On the last night, you'll bring those envelopes, with the tickets or cash or whatever (we sometimes add prepaid calling cards as a bonus or cash) to the dining room and after dinner everyone gives out their envelopes (some also give out hugs ). For your stateroom host, you can give them theirs at this time too or leave it in your room. I usually give it to them as we are heading out to dinner.

Didn't think about this until now.... They aren't getting the full tip amount when we prepay with a credit card are they?