Has anyone noticed their server's being distant on the last night?

[gshoemate]

Our servers were great, don't get me wrong. During the first 2 nights they were great to the kids, doing magic tricks and they noticed that DS was only eating corn on the cob, and both nights they brought out a whole bowl of corn for him without us asking. They made sure that my Ice Tea was always refilled and they were very talkative. Then on the last night, we hardly seen them. DD had to ask for a magic trick and DS only had his corn and his sister's corn. They only came to our table to take our order and then to bring the food. I know they weren't that busy because our section was just about empty. DH thought that because it was the last night, they were just tired. My thought was that they didn't want to linger around table making us think that they were waiting for their tip envelope.

Has anyone else had this happen? This was our second cruise and we had this happen also on our first cruise. Any thoughts?

 

[dobelover]

interesting thought. Our server on Magic, 1/05 was very 'distant' our last night. And on our 8/05 Grandeur of the Seas trip the server seemed more 'distant'. On both cruises the asst servers were new and very attentive.

 

[antmaril]

I noticed this too on the Carnival Destiny a few years ago. Haven't cruised since, but we are scheduled for the Wonder on 2/13/05.

Interesting...

 

[figment52]

WOW, not my experience at all. The servers I've had were just as attentive the last night as the first, even after they received their tip envelopes.

 

[Nyanchan]

The only thing that I notice is the "hard sell" speach. I HATE that. Last cruise, our server went on and on about how wonderful the service was.. blah, blah, blah. He was good, but his assistant was fastastic. We wanted to switch the tips around, but since we had prepayed... We just put some bills in her envelope.

Any suggestions on how to prevent this speach without being rude????

D~

 

[ohMom]

our server was mediocre - ok - actually he wasn't that great. our drink server was awesome and we tipped her more than the recommended. our head server was no where to be seen; until the last night he stopped by our table and chatted like we were long time old friends. it took me a few minutes to figure out who he was even!

 

[pth]

I noticed our servers were very distant on the disembarkation morning. I have a feeling they didn't get much for tips since there were only 4 at our table and I know our tablemates didn't tip by the way they acted.

 

[goingbacksoon]

We got to know our assisrtant server pretty well (Maria from England) and I think for them it's a little bit of tiredness and also some sense of sadness. Many of them work in the bars or at one of the BBQ venues on CC, where it's even hotter than than the outside and then return for dinner.

Others still got a little bit of break, and are weary from some much-needed sleep. For her, she hinted she's always a little sad because she just gets to know people and then they leave. Not to mention the fact that the next day they meet a whole other group of people who's names to know, preferences to remember, and they start back at square one.

Didn't hold it against them though, we decided what our amounts were going to be before we got there.

goingbacksoon

 

[inkkognito]

In 39 cruises, I haven't really noticed this (I mean on the last night...we usually skip the sitdown breakfast). As a matter of fact, on our cruise this last weekend, we lost track of time chatting with Richard (our server from Chile) on the last night and I was totally surprised at how late it was when I looked at my watch! I think we were the last ones out of the diningroom. We were having so much fun that the time just flew by.
Barb

 

[westjones]

Originally posted by pth
I noticed our servers were very distant on the disembarkation morning.

This is what we noticed too. We think we will probably just 'give them a break' and go to the buffet breakfast on the last morning this time (we want to get off early anyway). I figure they are stressed with getting ready for the new cruisers.

DJ

 

[cindy21494]

I noticed this the day we disembarked on our first cruise. I just chalked it up to them being tired and having alot to do to get ready for the new cruisers coming aboard. We no longer do the sit-down breakfast that morning, I like leaving on a happy note the night before. Besides, we like going up to topsiders and enjoying our last moments on board before going home.

Cindy

 

[tvguy]

Never noticed that in my 7 cruises. On DCL the opposite was true on the last night, and for last breakfast, the only breakfast we ate in the dining room.
It was like the pressure was off to be perfect, and they WERE perfect, and they were even better when they were relaxed.
They were horrified on the last morning because the early seating folks at our table showed up an hour late, so we had to sit elsewhere the final morning, with different servers. The head waiter took care of us immediately. Both our normal server, and assistant service and the head server stopped by several times to check on us and to say they were sorry about the problem.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by goingbacksoon
We got to know our assisrtant server pretty well (Maria from England) and I think for them it's a little bit of tiredness and also some sense of sadness. Many of them work in the bars or at one of the BBQ venues on CC, where it's even hotter than than the outside and then return for dinner.

We had Maria on our May cruise also!! (And now I can't remember her "real" name! I hate that!!) Wasn't she the best?!! We had Sasha from Croatia as our server, just loved the two of them and they were just the opposite of being distant with us on the last night. We were all hugging and saying goodbyes!! Sasha started to give a bit of a speech but we let him know we understood completely and not to worry.

 

[kcashner]

The "speech" is because, unfortunately, their assignments for the next cruise are based on their scores on this one. And, they really do get in trouble if they are not scoring "excellent." Right or wrong, this is the system they have to work with.

As to how to turn off the talk--just smile and tell them that you understand. My favorite server (we always request him) just tells us on the first night that he really wants everything to be excellent and asks that we tell him if it is not so that he can correct the matter immediately. Then nothing is said until the last night when he says that he hopes we found everything to be excellent and that we reflect that in the comment card. No big spiel, just a little reminder.

No, I've never noticed them to be distant the last night. Yes, in the morning, they are rushed and have limited access to food (if you ask for something not on the menu.) However, they do try!

 

[inkkognito]

We don't usually get the "excellent" speech anymore, probably because they realize we know the routine after so many cruises. When servers are truly excellent, it isn't needed anyway. Rita, Richard, and Lazlo are the best and I can't imagine giving them anything less than a perfect score.
Barb

 

[jiminy579]

Originally posted by Nyanchan
The only thing that I notice is the "hard sell" speach. I HATE that. Last cruise, our server went on and on about how wonderful the service was.. blah, blah, blah. He was good, but his assistant was fastastic. We wanted to switch the tips around, but since we had prepayed... We just put some bills in her envelope.

Any suggestions on how to prevent this speach without being rude????

D~

Ohhhh Nyanchan, you couldn't be more correct!! On our last cruise it seemed worse than the first. Our servers were so wonderful, and when I told them that I was quickly corrected that the word they were looking for wasn't wonderful, it was "excellent"!! The speech was almost unbearable, and considering I was going to give the highest marks on the comment card to begin with, it was completely unnecessary. I too wish they would do away with the "speech"!!

 

[wide awake]

Our servers were wonderful the whole time. The last morning was typical...normally I have lox and a bagel every morning...but because it was my last "free" meal I added fruit and hash browns. Our server was very careful to explain that the hash browns were on a seperate warm plate, but that if I liked he would take everything back to the kitchen and have it on one plate. And the excellent speech doesn't bother me...I took it that they really want you to be happy, and they will do whatever they can to ensure excellent service. The level of service on DCL is the same level of service I give my families...I'm a teacher for a home based charter school...and it was fabulous to be treated with the same consideration I give 51 weeks of the year.

 

[goingbacksoon]

Originally posted by NYDisneyMom
We had Maria on our May cruise also!! (And now I can't remember her "real" name! I hate that!!) Wasn't she the best?!! We had Sasha from Croatia as our server, just loved the two of them and they were just the opposite of being distant with us on the last night. We were all hugging and saying goodbyes!! Sasha started to give a bit of a speech but we let him know we understood completely and not to worry.

Phyllis -

I believe her "real" name was Yuen Man, but yes, she was awesome. We were alone at our table and she always made an extra effort to come over and chat with us when she could. This time she was partnered up with Antonio from Mexico (this was their first time being a team) - he was cool but we loved Maria. Neither of them had anything to worry about.

goingbacksoon

p.s. LOVED her accent too

 

[bbowers]

We had Danijel and Fortune on the 9/9 and they actually warmed up as the days went on (but we missed our first night for Palos, so it took a while to get into the groove). We had a long chat with Danijel Saturday night as he was guarding the late night desserts, and spoke at length with Fortune during our meals when he wasn't busy with someone else.

For example, I now know that in Fortune's area of India, there are no stop lights and it's basically the person who looks like they have the most expensive vehicle gets the right-of-way. And in Danijel's Croatia, someone owns a Hummer but the roads are too small to drive it on.

They were both a blast that last morning for breakfast, too - Fortune spotted us on our way in and raced off to get OJ before we even sat down.

The Head Server was another matter - he did come around both nights, but I didn't particuarly like him. He did lead the limbo at Parrot Cay, though, so I think it was just me. We praised his staff when we tipped him - didn't tell him that HE had done anything great except train them well.

 

[lbgraves]

Our servers went above & beyond the last night & even breakfast Saturday morning. We told them the night before that we would be going to Topsiders a little later than our time with our tablemates & wanted to be able to talk longer than the 30 minute timeframe. That morning I was sorry to see that nothing hot was on the buffet...so no pancakes...the ONLY thing that DS would eat up there in the morning. I ran down to AP & both of them saw me coming in the door. When I explained the problem, Rudy was off to the kitchen in a flash and Bayoki tried to get me to sit at the table & have some coffee or juice while I waited. He wasn't even gone a minute before he was back with a covered plate mounding with pancakes. There were enough for all 4 kids at the table to enjoy. They were both more than excellent the entire cruise. We never got the speech. I think that it was because they knew they were good.