How do servers, assistant servers and host/hostesses get paid????

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

Hi all!!! How do servers, assistant servers and host/hostesses get paid? Do they receive a salary and the tips? If they get a salary is it like the restaurants in the US a small amt. and the rest made up with tips. Or just the tips? My neice and I were discussing this and neither one of us knew the answer. TIA Tink

 

[Presley]

My husband and I spoke to our server and some of the wait staff in the bars about this last year. They get no salary at all. They are paid on tips. Most of them are from places in the world where the income is even less than that, so they are all very pleased working for DCL. Those who have worked for other lines before DCL all said that DCL was by far the best to their employees.

In the spa, the estheticians are paid tips and commission on product sales. After learning this, we pretty much doubled all our tips.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

My husband and I spoke to our server and some of the wait staff in the bars about this last year. They get no salary at all. They are paid on tips. Most of them are from places in the world where the income is even less than that, so they are all very pleased working for DCL. Those who have worked for other lines before DCL all said that DCL was by far the best to their employees.

In the spa, the estheticians are paid tips and commission on product sales. After learning this, we pretty much doubled all our tips.

Thank you

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My husband and I spoke to our server and some of the wait staff in the bars about this last year. They get no salary at all. They are paid on tips. Most of them are from places in the world where the income is even less than that, so they are all very pleased working for DCL. Those who have worked for other lines before DCL all said that DCL was by far the best to their employees.

In the spa, the estheticians are paid tips and commission on product sales. After learning this, we pretty much doubled all our tips.

Not quite right. They do have a (small) salary. In the neighborhood of about $50. Most of their livelyhood is from the tips. They also get room (if you call it that) and meals. Costumes are supplied, as well as any cleaning necessary for them. Personal laundry is paid for by the CM.

 

[Minnie321]

Well that will certainly make me think about giving more of a tip. My servers last week on the Magic were fantastic (Martin and Jimson)! I gave them extra but if that is all the salary they get them I will give more next time!

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

Well that will certainly make me think about giving more of a tip. My servers last week on the Magic were fantastic (Martin and Jimson)! I gave them extra but if that is all the salary they get them I will give more next time!

Minnie321, I totally agree. We were on the Dream last week, our server was Constantin and Eka was the assistant. They served us at other meals as well. We could not have had better service I also tipped extra, I just wished I had asked this before my cruise. But I am glad to know for future trips.

Thanks Princess Shmoo, for the added information.

 

[pyramid2000]

This may give you a good idea http://www.cruiseshipjob.com/position.htm but it doesn't say how much is not from tips.

 

[maria-fan-22]

The servers are paid a small amount by the cruise line, but they are also provided meals, living accommodations, and activities. Then the rest is made up in tips. Depending on how nice people are, the Server can get about $2,200 off of tips in a month. Assistant server, about $1,700 and the head server $540
However, the Head Server gets paid the most by the cruise line and then the server then assistant.

As per the living accommodations, think of a small college dorm with an unlimited meal plan.

Based off of where some of the CM come from, their life on the ship is pretty nice.

ETA: Whoops, forgot to multiply by two for the two seatings. and yes, they get 18 gusts per seating depending on table sizes. And mis calculated the head server

So from TIPS they get about 4400(server) , 3400(Assist.) , and 7800(Head)

 

[MickeySTL]

How many tables/guests on average does a head server wait on during a dinner seating?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How many tables/guests on average does a head server wait on during a dinner seating?

Each serving team (server & asst server) has a 4 top, a 6 top, and an 8 top. Maximum persons = 18. That number can vary a little depending if several tables were put together for larger parties, but it's close. Double that number for 2 seatings. Head servers are responsible for 1/3 of the MDR.

 

[IrishCowboy]

The servers are paid a small amount by the cruise line, but they are also provided meals, living accommodations, and activities. Then the rest is made up in tips. Depending on how nice people are, the Server can get about $2,200 off of tips in a month. Assistant server, about $1,700 and the head server $540

However, the Head Server gets paid the most by the cruise line and then the server then assistant.

As per the living accommodations, think of a small college dorm with an unlimited meal plan.

Based off of where some of the CM come from, their life on the ship is pretty nice.

I think you are way off on the Head Server. Depending upon ship and season, Head Servers an average $1500+++ per week.

 

[IrishCowboy]

How many tables/guests on average does a head server wait on during a dinner seating?

1/3 of room on Magic/Wonder ships, 1/4 or 1/5 on Fantasy/Dream. 2 seatings per evening.

 

[tvguy]

Our server on another ship was from Indonesia, and said tips are the bulk of his income, but that the salary he gets is equal to what the average person earns per year in Indonesia. You can't compare U.S. wages. He said he was wealthy by Indonesian standards.
He pointed out that cruise ship jobs are highly prized, and there is a several year wait to get a job on a ship. He had been on the ship 7 years, and planned to work 2 more years and retire at age 30. He said it was a tough choice, being away from his wife for 9 months at a time. They are waiting until he retires to start a family, and neither will every have to work agian.

 

[maria-fan-22]

I think you are way off on the Head Server. Depending upon ship and season, Head Servers an average $1500+++ per week.

you are right, i only included one seating and one serving team in my estimate.

 

[reimero]

Each serving team (server & asst server) has a 4 top, a 6 top, and an 8 top. Maximum persons = 18. That number can vary a little depending if several tables were put together for larger parties, but it's close. Double that number for 2 seatings. Head servers are responsible for 1/3 of the MDR.

That's usually the case, although our server was saying on a recent cruise that because of the sheer number of people wanting early dining, he had something like 24 people instead of the usual 18.

 

[neg58]

Minnie321, I totally agree. We were on the Dream last week, our server was Constantin and Eka was the assistant. They served us at other meals as well. We could not have had better service I also tipped extra, I just wished I had asked this before my cruise. But I am glad to know for future trips.

Thanks Princess Shmoo, for the added information.

I'm curious to know if you tip or give money to those in your community who you feel are underpaid. If you think the minimum wage earner at the Walgreens is really nice and does a great job, do you tip her? Double the tip for the Starbucks person because she's friendly and always give you good service?

I just don't feel guilty for giving the suggested tips, just like I don't feel obligated to give more than 15-20% tips in any restaurant I eat in because it is a slow night or because waitresses generally work hard for their money. Yes, the crew works hard for the tips, but I work hard for the money I need to go on the trip too and no one is giving me double salary because I'm doing my job. I actually DO try to enjoy my job and do it with a good attitude because it makes it a better day for ME, and I think a lot of the people on ships feel the same way. They LIKE their jobs and it shows in their attitudes.

Many of them do choose to be away from their family and friends, but these are coveted jobs. People in the military are away from their families, business men and women, truck drivers. All choices of how to earn a living. The tip amounts are set based on experience DCL has with the average number of passengers, how many pay less, how many pay extra, how many order alcohol, how many eat at Palos, etc. My first cruise I didn't do more than say hello to the Head Server, so he got my $4 for doing nothing. I know that he may have helped another diner and perhaps still only got $4. Averages.

On the other hand, I won't give less than suggested even for less than perfect service. I feel that I'm an easy guest, ordering what's on the menu, not asking for a lot of extras from the room host so the suggested tips are fair for both the CMs and me.

Nancy

 

[poohspals]

They also get free entry into theme parks according to our server

 

[GatorMomInNC]

That's usually the case, although our server was saying on a recent cruise that because of the sheer number of people wanting early dining, he had something like 24 people instead of the usual 18.

And on the flip side, we've been on cruises which weren't at capacity --such as the EBPC - where our server had an empty 2 top some nights. This is because there were more families traveling without kids, so less people in the dining room. But on those 2week cruises I've always had great service and the servers really get to know you and what you like. I know on those cruises I've always tipped well above the suggested amount, and hopefully so do my fellow cruisers, which should make up for the lack of volume.

 

[RMoneyTheHBomb]

I prepaid gratuities on our recent dream cruise.
However, the server and assistant got an extra 20 each since they were so phenomenal. I kept the suggested amounts for the head server and state room host as I felt they have great service, but not memorable.

After this experience , I think I will budget slightly more to keep in reserve for the service that stands out. What really hit me is the hours these people work. We saw our server at the pool each day clearing tables , then a full dinner service.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[WikiWiki]

I agree with Nancy totally. The suggested tips are not a base charge,or a minimum. They are what the cruise line has calculated is a proper tip. That would be like tipping a lot extra at a restaurant that prefigures the gratuity. If you think Disney should pay these people more, doing it yourself isn't going to change anything.