Have you ever NOT tipped your staff and why?

[lsmac]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
Dean,

Ismac isn't saying that the other mid-market cruise lines are non-tipping -- just that tips are sometimes automatic.

Exactly! Thank you Horace Horsecollar, I wasn't quite coherent in that reply...LOL But that is what I meant.

Lisa

 

[NCRedding]

On our most recent Wonder cruise, we had an excellent head server named Athuro who actually served the birthday and anniversary cakes to our table. He also came by the table each night to check on us--I felt he actually deserved his tips.

I inadvertantly stiffed our room attendant last year. I forgot to leave the envelope on the bed when we went to dinner, she was no where to be found later that evening (I tried) and when the next morning when I asked about her, I was informed that she was leaving Disney and had already left the ship. I stopped by guest services but didn't have time to wait in the line because the airline had moved our flight up and I had to drive really fast to get there on time. This sounds like justification, but I felt bad that I didn't get her tip to her.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I am going to guess that the reason the cruise lines, DCL included, hide the recommended tip amounts is so not to scare people off from not being able to afford the trip. Does that make sense?

I can see how a person who is a first time cruiser can maybe think that tipping is included in the price of the cruise, along with the meals. You know, if you are not paying cash for your meals, they may think you don't have to tip. 20% of 0 is 0.

I will be honest, the 1st time I ever cruised, I researched the tipping procedure. It was a large part of my stress, trying to figure out how much money I needed to bring to tip the various help. I asked veteran cruiser, that is how I learned of "envelopes" The tough part was figuring out what amounts were on the envelopes. I was not a DISer 3 years ago. Those envelopes were a God-send for me. To have a guideline right in front of you. I wish the cruiseline's were not so secretive about their tipping procedures. I know that some people would do the math ahead of time and just decide they can't afford the trip.

 

[alexandrew]

I can't imagine anyone thinking that tipping is part of the cruise fare....tipping guidelines, along with envelopes, are given to you in your stateroom near the end of the cruise....

 

[jlp651]

My family has always tipped very well...when deserved...doing something extra...going the extra mile as it were...however, getting back to what Rae was saying...if you didnt see the head server and he didnt do anything for you...you shouldn't have to tip him the regular amount...I dont think you did anything wrong...and I would have done the same thing. Just my 2 cents

 

[bahama97]

I like the idea of including a picture with the tip, very clever!

 

[MarkRG]

We've never actually stiffed any of them, but there was one cruise where the asst. server actually did more for us than the main server, including things the main server should have been doing. We reversed their tips and actually tipped the asst server more, besides.

 

[Wishing on a star]

We did tip, at the recommended amount... DH did this at guest services. I wanted to mention that we did NOT take our time to fill out those envelopes and put the receipt in there and personally hand them to each server. I am sorry, but I guess to me, making it a 'Formal' presentation makes it a bit more than what it is. It makes it more of something that is expected and that you feel compelled to do. Just think, where you work, does your boss make a big production of personally stroking your ego and presenting you with your paycheck. It just leaves a little of a bad aftertaste to any experience to have to walk by someone at the door with their hand out.

Now, I am assuming that each server recieves their total pay for each cruise, along with a computer listing of each tip from each guest/stateroom. I just could not imagine them not being given a full and open accounting of their pay!

Our head server was good! He knew us by name... Had a big smile as he greeted everyone arriving and being seated for dinner.... and was very interested to see that we were having a good 'dining experience'.... So, yes we did tip him! Our two servers delivered adequate service, but did nothing at all above and beyond. As a first time cruiser I guess I was looking forward to that wonderful personal service where they know your name, your drink preferences, and go above and beyond to bring you whatever you desire.

 

[Mjasp]

Originally posted by alexandrew
...As for the losers who don't show up on last night of cruise to stiff the wait staff, their bad kharma will come back to them tenfold - I truly believe that!!!!

I believe it also, what goes around, comes around.

I made the envelopes at home with cash for all the tips I needed.

Then I just put the cash in the appropriate envelopes when they gave them out and added accordingly. There was a spot for your name on the envelope.

Joanna

 

[rae519]

We ask for specific servers when we cruise. Often the computer doesn't "catch up with" the names when it's time for the $$$.
So I asked Guest Services about it and they said that everything is in the computer -even the correct servers but if we were to "lose" the envelope, it still wouldn't matter because it would be in the computer and accounting would credit them accordingly.

I like to use the stationary to write a note to each one then put the tip envelope inside it. I also take the time to write to the Heads of each department and let them know what services were exceptional, etc.
Complaints are ALWAYS best handled in person, immediately - not later.

I regret that we did not realize that our HS was absent during that time because Tom or I would have asked. Not that we need him for anything, but again, it is his responsibility to check.

Once I had an assistant server who refused to get me hot tea when I was seated. I asked very politely several times and was told, "after your meal". I smiled and said that if he didn't want to get it for me, I'd leave and have room service. I had a sore throat and just the thought of hot tea was soothing at the time!
He did come around, but I thought much less of him.

Rae

 

[dianthus]

Once I had an assistant server who refused to get me hot tea when I was seated. I asked very politely several times and was told, "after your meal". I smiled and said that if he didn't want to get it for me, I'd leave and have room service. I had a sore throat and just the thought of hot tea was soothing at the time!

Rae~ Now that's a situation that would warrant the Head Server's attention IMHO. I can't believe he dismissed your request like that! It's not like you were requesting anything unusual. I would certainly think less of him too.

 

[paulcrsb]

I've always tipped the servers the required amount and usually even add more.

We did Palo at the last minute on our last night and did not tell our servers. The next morning they would hardly talk to us. I think they thought we were going to stiff them! We whipped out the envelopes and they were all smiles after that!

Paul

 

[perdidobay]

There is no excuse not to tip........DCL puts the info in the booklet...I can see how some dummies who never bother to read their info would miss it, but it is also put out on your bed on one day of the cruise, is it not?
If you can afford to take a DCL cruise, you can afford to tip~no excuses...........but if your service is bad, tip less AND let DCL know why.....so the problem can be corrected.
As for Head server, I have been extremely lucky to have had PJ as HS on most of my cruises........ he goes WAY above standard service...and gets a nice tip from me...but he is also all business when things get busy........
I always got to GS and prepay my tips (recommended amount)the second day of my cruise...then add cash for really good sevice later as needed.

 

[BabySam99]

Just wanted to add something about our head server. He came by our table everynight and said "hello". He was great, didn't really do anything special, just a short hello and how are you enjoying your cruise, meal, etc. It is possible for the head server to check on you, it only takes a second and leaves a good and lasting impression. I also noticed that he pretty much went to each table for a moment. I tipped him well.

The whole cruise was a wonderful experience. I only noticed ONE server out of all of them that showed attitude towards his table and throughout the cruise every time I saw him he had the same nasty look on his face. I think that's pretty good. Thats' one of the many reasons I am doing another Disney cruise. I had exceptional service and felt I was treated like royalty. It was lovely!

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in. Thanks!

 

[jgalecpa]

I believe that the job of the head waiter is to insure that your individual server is doing his/her job properly. They make the behind the scenes function well, so the part we see seems flawless. (If you have ever been "behind the door" in a kitchen it can seem like chaos. It may seem that way, but it is a controlled chaos).

It can then be inferred that if your server is doing a good job, then the head server is doing his/her job.

This justifies, in my opinion, their tip.

IF the head server personally does you some service, than an additional tip is justified.

Just how I view things.

Jim

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by rae519
We ask for specific servers when we cruise.

Rae,
How do you go about doing that. We had a delightful server on our recent 3 day and would like him again on our 4 day.
Should we call before we go? Request it at the port? I'd think if we were on a different rotation than him we'd have to switch. ???

TIA!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I've only NOT tipped once in my life on a cruise, and it was with Carnival Cruise Lines last year. The entire wait staff that we had was horrible. The head waiter was pretty nice, but we never saw him.

At first, I felt bad that I wasn't going to leave a tip...but after remembering that for 4 nights I had to flag down my waiter for water, send my food back constantly because it wasn't what I ordered, and completely missed salads and desserts twice...I didn't feel *as* bad.

Keep in mind, I was a waitress before, so I know exactly how it is. I left a complaint at the guest counter before we left with our address and phone number, in hopes that someone would check back with us to see why we had such a horrible experience...and nothing. So, bah on Carnival!

 

[jlawall]

I think that the head waiter is the tackiest part of the tipping situation. We usually tip the amounts requested. The problem with my family is that since we are 5; we have to tip each person times 5! That really adds up. So if we do cut back it's usually to the head server because IMO they do alot less for us than the other CMs. Now, one year, our meal experience was less than spectacular. The servers always seemed rushed and we didn't get outstanding service. So we cut the tips just alittle b/c that's what I thought tips were for! Overall, we really appreciate the incredible level of service on DCL. It's what keeps us returning year after year.

 

[4nana]

We have been very lucky as our head servers, servers, asst. servers have gone 'above and beyond' the call of duty IMO.
It is sad that some have had problems, therefore were not able to enjoy the full dining experience.

On our Magic trip, the head server stopped by nightly to chat and at dinner was the one who brought a covered tray to our daughter, containing an anniversary gift from her DH. On the Wonder the head server, Paul, was even more friendly and personable, stopping by and spending time each evening.

I could never not tip someone unless their service had been absolutely NOT up to par. In our case we were treated like royality, therefore we tipped very well. I was very surprised to learn from our server that they only earn $50 a mo, plus room and board. If I'm not mistaken, they work 24-7 for 6 mos? w/2 mos off. They go non stop with a lot of behind the scene type work. So, ours tips are their livelihood.

Now our room attendants are another story...IMO not 'shining stars' you might say ~ they had difficulty understanding English, we needed to ask for ice, should you have to ask for towels animals?, etc. However, we would never consider not tipping them.

Our 'Wonder'ful servers ~~~

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by ohiominnie
Rae,
How do you go about doing that. We had a delightful server on our recent 3 day and would like him again on our 4 day.
Should we call before we go? Request it at the port? I'd think if we were on a different rotation than him we'd have to switch. ???

TIA!

During embarkation, you will notice in the Navigator that there is a time for "Dining Room Changes" - that's the time to get the requests made. The Head Servers sit at a desk and do their best to accomodate you.

Rae