How does tipping work

[jrabbit]

Who do you tip, how much?

Your Server (takes your food order and brings you your food), Assistant Server (takes your beverage order, brings the bread to the table and assists the server in delivering your food, head server (the person that makes sure that your server and assistant servers are doing their jobs. Also comes around on the last night and introduces them self and says "remember to tip me please” ) and Room Steward (Cleans up your room several times per day, brings you ice for your cooler, usually makes towel animals, turns down your bed and makes up the couch into a bed and sets up the pull down bed every evening. We've found these folks to be some of the nicest/friendliest people working for you.

Now for the how much (the following amounts are PER GUEST (including children) for THE ENTIRE cruise). This is from DCL's web site.
What about gratuities? (September 2004)
We'll make it easy. It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. As a guideline, may we suggest the following:


Per Guest per cruise______3-Night____4-Night____7-Night
......Dining Room Server___11.00______14.75______25.75
Dining Room Asst. Server____8.00______10.75______18.75
.Dining Room Head Server____2.75_______3.75_______6.50
..Stateroom Host/Hostess___10.75______14.50______25.25
Dining Manager Your Discretion
Room Service Your Discretion

For your convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine, and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge.
At the Walt Disney World® Resort, 15% is the customary gratuity at restaurants and bars.

Do I really have to tip?

The truthful answer (legal) is no. The real answer (ethical) is absolutely. Many of us here use this guide as the minimum tip. Many tip a little over these recommended amounts and many more tip a lot over these amounts. If you receive very poor service from any of these positions you should tip less than the recommended amount AND make an appropriate comment on the comment cards that DCL requests us to fill out at the end of our cruise. If you received a "way above and beyond the call of duty" service from ANY cast member - be sure to comment about them too!

What other reason are there for tipping?

Well, that’s how these folks get paid. DCL only pays these people about $50 per MONTH (yes month, not day, not week). Granted they also get room and board. But they usually work 16-17 hours per day 7 days a week

 

[nerdy_grrl_t]

Quick question - does anyone here usually tip above and beyond the included 15% on the bar tabs? Is it being "cheap" not to?

 

[mommasita]

Hi there fellow Montrealer. I have on occasion rounded out the number. Actually more often than not I do that. But, no it is not being cheap not too, that is why they already add the 15%...

 

[nerdy_grrl_t]

Thanks Mommasita! We cruised for the first time in Feb. with DCL and we were surprised at the amount we spent in tips but really impressed with the service so I guess it's worth it!

Nerdy_Grrl

 

[rejobako]

Unless my service is substantially poor, I usually tip a little over 20%, just because I remember my wife waitressing at Cami's Seafood in Miami and working her tail off. It's just a fact of life that there are a lot of people out there who, intentionally, accidentally, or because they're struggling themselves financially, will not tip the customary 15% minimum that such employees depend upon to make ends meet. I figure it won't break me to try to even up the score a little to offset that discrepancy. And my custom of tipping a bit more is accentuated in lower-priced restaurants/bars where giving a server a little bit extra is going to mean a lot more than to the waiter at the Ritz-Carlton.

As it applies to DCL, as many have noted, tipping isn't "something extra" that the staff gets -- it's how they earn they're living. If they're doing their jobs competently, then they deserve at least the minimum that is suggested in the guidelines. This isn't a scam or a hidden charge: everyone is informed ahead of time that tipping of certain staff is expected.

And I would guess that most everyone can remember a restaurant/cruise experience where they're server made all the difference, transforming a good dinner/etc. into a great one by virtue of the professionalism and dedication to serving you as a customer. I would respectfully suggest that if you go on a DCL cruise and your server/host makes you feel that much more special, then it's fair to reciprocate monetarily by going a bit extra for him/her.

Just my opinion.

 

[the kabuki]

Thank you, thank you for all those who replied to this. Total & complete newbie to cruising and had NO IDEA about this tipping stuff. Being a former waitress, I am always concerned about the correct tips. This helped a bunch!!

 

[paymerich]

Unless my service is substantially poor, I usually tip a little over 20%, just because I remember my wife waitressing at Cami's Seafood in Miami and working her tail off. It's just a fact of life that there are a lot of people out there who, intentionally, accidentally, or because they're struggling themselves financially, will not tip the customary 15% minimum that such employees depend upon to make ends meet. I figure it won't break me to try to even up the score a little to offset that discrepancy. And my custom of tipping a bit more is accentuated in lower-priced restaurants/bars where giving a server a little bit extra is going to mean a lot more than to the waiter at the Ritz-Carlton.

As it applies to DCL, as many have noted, tipping isn't "something extra" that the staff gets -- it's how they earn they're living. If they're doing their jobs competently, then they deserve at least the minimum that is suggested in the guidelines. This isn't a scam or a hidden charge: everyone is informed ahead of time that tipping of certain staff is expected.

And I would guess that most everyone can remember a restaurant/cruise experience where they're server made all the difference, transforming a good dinner/etc. into a great one by virtue of the professionalism and dedication to serving you as a customer. I would respectfully suggest that if you go on a DCL cruise and your server/host makes you feel that much more special, then it's fair to reciprocate monetarily by going a bit extra for him/her.

Just my opinion.

Cami's is gone now I was just in Miami 2weeks ago. Never got to go there but Miami family said it was good.

I am of the same vein , I always tip higher in lower priced restaurants. It seems you always get more personable service and less snobby attitude. But I digress , We went on the 4 day cruise back in Sep 2004 and I have to say the service was fantastic. We tip above and beyond the min amount and it was worth every penny. Case in point, My kids ( 7,4, 8months at cruise time) were very excited on the mere fact that they could pick up the phone and get cookies/milk delilvered to them while still in bed. I would say " You pick up the phone , ask for cookies and BingoBango there they are ." I would let my DD talk to the Room Service Operator ( reminding my DD of her manners) and place the order. The Room Service attendant already knew my DD had placed the order before walking in to room and made here feel like a princess by placeing the napkin on her lap and remove the food cover for her like it was a fancy meal . The absolute unbridled joy in my DD was worth the $5 tip a thousand times over.
Anywhoo tip them well because 99.99% of the deserve it.

 

[challada]

Couldn't find this specified in the previous pages so please help a newbie:
I know the basic tip grid for server, etc and have that down but was wondering, on room service, do you do $1 or $2 tips per delivery?

Also, my Costco has packs of MCI phone cards but they don't say international on them so I don't think I can give those...only place I've seen international phone cards has $5, $10 and $30 phone cards....which level of phone card do you give out? (I was hoping to buy 10 of the $5 ones and be able to give them to all those extra wonderful folks but don't want to seem too cheap).

THANKS

 

[florida-again]

I'm a bit embarrassed to ask this but we have really spent every last penny affording this cruise.

Of course we WILL tip, in fact we are the type of people that tip even if the service isn't good.

I'm a bit worried about getting on board and running out of money because of having to tip (we still have 5 days in Orlando after our cruise).

For a 3 day cruise, not using any extras (ie kids clubs or bars) will tipping be a huge expense?

 

[jrabbit]

Now for the how much (the following amounts are PER GUEST (including children) for THE ENTIRE cruise). This is from DCL's web site.
What about gratuities? (September 2004)
We'll make it easy. It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. As a guideline, may we suggest the following:


Per Guest per cruise______3-Night____4-Night____7-Night
......Dining Room Server___11.00______14.75______25.75
Dining Room Asst. Server____8.00______10.75______18.75
.Dining Room Head Server____2.75_______3.75_______6.50
..Stateroom Host/Hostess___10.75______14.50______25.25

Dining Manager: Your Discretion
Room Service: Your Discretion
Palo: Gratuity Included (this is new - May 2005) (BUT many of us here are VERY, VERY suspect of this - I would tip over and above the "service charge" for Palo)
Vista Spa and Salon - Your Discretion
Babysitting: Gratuity NOT expected
Shore Excurisions: Optional; NOT included in shore excursion price (if you tip, you will want to have some cash with you tip your excursion operators)

For your convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine, and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge.
At the Walt Disney World® Resort, 15% is the customary gratuity at restaurants and bars.

------------
I'll work out your tips based on the published guide

I believe that there are TWO of you on a Three night cruise so your tips will be:

Server________2*11.00 = 22.00
Asst. Server__2* 8.00 = 16.00
Head Server___2* 2.75 = 5.50
Stateroom_____2*10.75 = 21.50
________________Total: 65.00

 

[Cindi0511]

I am very much into tipping well (isn't everyone who has been on the receiving side of pennies at the bottom of water glasses?). But Palo's has me confused. When we went on the Magic in 2003, no one said the "seating charge" was the tip. Now am I reading correctly that it is AND they charge an additional 15% gratuity?

So for a party of five, what would be a GOOD tip?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I am very much into tipping well (isn't everyone who has been on the receiving side of pennies at the bottom of water glasses?). But Palo's has me confused. When we went on the Magic in 2003, no one said the "seating charge" was the tip. Now am I reading correctly that it is AND they charge an additional 15% gratuity?

So for a party of five, what would be a GOOD tip?

DCL doesn't call the $10 per person fee a "seating charge." DCL calls it the "Palo Dining Option," and, according to DCL's tipping guidelines for Palo, the gratuity is included. There's general agreement on this board that it's appropriate to add an additional tip anyway. For opinions, take a look at this recent thread about Tipping at Palo.

The only "additional 15% gratuity" is the 15% auto-gratuity of beverages (alcohol and paid non-alcoholic beverages). That auto-gratuity applies throughout the DCL ships and at Castaway Cay. It's not unique to Palo. And there is no 15% auto-gratuity on the Palo Dining Option fee.

 

[WDWDeb]

For cat 1, 2, or 3, do they give you tip envelopes for concierge?

Also, is the recommended tip on the tip envelopes for stateroom host/ess higher for a suite?

Thanks!

 

[jrabbit]

For cat 1, 2, or 3, do they give you tip envelopes for concierge?

Don't Think So. I've read that they are not allowed to accept tips. But then my cat 9 room is a long way (price and distance) from the suites so I don't have any first hand knowledge of this.

Also, is the recommended tip on the tip envelopes for stateroom host/ess higher for a suite?

Once again I Don't Think So. It seems like it should be higher because of the "larger" rooms.

 

[mamaof2]

I am still confuse with how tipping works. I am sailing away on May 18-21.DW.
What amount should I set aside?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I am still confuse with how tipping works. I am sailing away on May 18-21.DW.
What amount should I set aside?

May 18-21 is a 3-night Disney Wonder cruise.

Looking under the 3-Night column, the amounts are:

Dining Room Server: $11.00
Dining Room Asst. Server: $8.00
Dining Room Head Server: $2.75
Stateroom Host/Hostess: $10.75

That adds up to $32.50 per passenger. Let's suppose there are four of you (two adults and two kids). Multiply $32.50 times 4. That works out to $130. To tip the suggested amount, you would need to set aside $130.

However, you may reach the same conclusion that many of us have reached. You may end up deciding that some or all of these people deserve a more generous tip. So you might want to set aside more.

 

[Monstro]

Cow tipping is possible, it is very simple. It requires three people (note: be very quiet, but sobriety may be a hindrance), one person on one side of the cow, two on the other. The lone person pushes very hard on his side, and waiting for the balancing response from the startled animal, the other two then push very hard on their side to overbalance her. Works like a charm."

 

[HappyLawyer]

i cannot believe this thread is still out here, wow

 

[mamaof2]

May 18-21 is a 3-night Disney Wonder cruise.
This is my first cruise with kids---I sure don't want to screw anything up>>>LOL Many thanks...

Looking under the 3-Night column, the amounts are:

Dining Room Server: $11.00
Dining Room Asst. Server: $8.00
Dining Room Head Server: $2.75
Stateroom Host/Hostess: $10.75

That adds up to $32.50 per passenger. Let's suppose there are four of you (two adults and two kids). Multiply $32.50 times 4. That works out to $130. To tip the suggested amount, you would need to set aside $130.

However, you may reach the same conclusion that many of us have reached. You may end up deciding that some or all of these people deserve a more generous tip. So you might want to set aside more.

 

[HappyLawyer]

i decided to pre pay my tips, i like getting all my extra expenses out of the way before vacation