How does tipping work

[drclaws]

Originally posted by tvguy
Wonder if anyone has ever slipped the Captain a tip.

Perhaps an attempted bribe to not sail back to Port Canerval...

 

[jcemom]

Quoted from DCL site:
Dining Manager Your Discretion
Room Service Your Discretion

What have all you DCL veterans done with these CMs? Sorry, not trying to confuse everyone more, but they are listed on the DCL site, and no recommendations are given!

 

[crisi]

If you still feel dumb:

http://members.aol.com/CruiseTip/

Some Disers bring thank you notes and put their tips inside of cards instead of using the tip envelopes. Its a nice touch. These people can really feel special by the end of the trip - and handing them the envelope can feel inadequate. We just did the envelope, but we wrote a thank you note as well on the outside of the envelope.

Most people bring the tip envelopes to dinner for the last evening. If you have a Palo reservation, you should let your server know and either tip them in advance or tip them at breakfast the following morning. There is some tendancy to jump to the conclusion that if you aren't at your table the last night, you are stiffing your server - both by the server and the other cruisers. (In a lot of cases they are...in some cases they went to Palo, or said "its the last night of the cruise and we've never eaten at Topsiders or just had pizza or room service.") We gave ours out about the time the dessert order was being taken.

Some choose to tip Kid's Club staff with phone cards. I could never really track the counselors over a four day cruise and didn't feel my kids really bonded with anyone in particular. I can see how a seven day might be different however.

 

[crisi]

We tip a few bucks for room service. Actually we didn't, we only got it once, the cash was in the safe, and I couldn't find a key to open the safe and the CM had to get going - it was a hectic morning for both of us. Leave a few ones in a drawer - not so many that you'd care they'd get stolen, but enough that you don't end up stiffing the nice guy who brings you coffee like we did.

We didn't tip the dining room manager at all. I wouldn't have known who he was. They also don't give you an envelope for this purpose (or didn't when we cruised) so you'd have to go out of your way to tip them.

 

[Doug_Dread]

Hi all,

Should you travel on the Wonder and be served by a smiling, cherubic-faced young lady named Cheryl, you should immediately quadrupal your tips.

She is my daughter who traveled all the way from South Africa to ensure you enjoy your cruise and started on the Wonder this week.

Actually, I was moved to register and post by the totally brilliant suggestion above about phone card bonuses, truly inspired and thoughtful. We so seldom get a chance to talk to our baby and have to make do with email from the Cyber Cafe on deck 4 (or is that 5?).

Enjoy your trips when they happen.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by jcemom
Quoted from DCL site:
Dining Manager Your Discretion
Room Service Your Discretion

What have all you DCL veterans done with these CMs? Sorry, not trying to confuse everyone more, but they are listed on the DCL site, and no recommendations are given!

You probably won't even know who the Dining Manager is. And DCL won't give you a tip envelope for the Dining Manager.

The Dining Manager should not be confused with your Head Server, who supervises and helps your Server and your Assistant Server. You will have some direct interaction with your Head Server.

On the other hand, if you seek out the services of the Dining Manager, and the Dining Manager does something to make your cruise more wonderful, a tip would be appropriate.

For room service, just give a few dollars at the time service is rendered. The amount is up to you. For pleasant service, I would think $2 would be a reasonable minimum. For a full meals for multiple people in your stateroom, I would tip more.

 

[crazelion]

Thanks for explain the tipping process RickW that helps alot.

Now I understand.

 

[jcemom]

Thank you!

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by DVC4US
The big thing to remember is to get the cards that say international on them because most of their families live outside of the US.

I've also heard folks warn that it is very important to ensure that the international phone cards you give are good in the specific countries the ship visits. Many passengers report getting polite but non-committal reactions on giving ship's crew phone cards as gifts, since more often than not, even any specific international one isn't of any use to the crew member.

 

[wdwa1]

How much do you tip the servers for brunch at Palos? Also how do you tip them, do you leave cash or add it to your stateroom charges?

 

[smahoney6]

Do the envelopes have the suggested amount on them so I don't have to remember.....

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Originally posted by smahoney6
Do the envelopes have the suggested amount on them so I don't have to remember.....

You will get a preprinted sheet of paper along with the envelopes that shows the suggested amounts. Disney makes it really simple.

 

[smahoney6]

Thank You!

 

[dislvr75]

I read about all of the suggested tipping amounts, however I've seen nothing about the kid's club personnel. Do we get envelopes for them too?? If not, do we tip and how much, based on how often our kids participated in the club?? Help!! We don't cruise until May 2005 but I am extremely budget conscious and want to make sure I've saved the correct amounts.

Thanks!!!

 

[MamaCrush]

I'm still not clear on when you should tip Palo servers. Is there a "bill" to sign at the end? I'm really confused since you don't get an envelope and I would prefer not carry cash for this. What is the typical protocol for tipping at brunch vs. dinner?

 

[FLGalInTN]

There is a bill to sign when you eat at Palo. The 15% gratuity is automatically added on to the $10 per person charge but I always feel that it is an inadequate amount for the outstanding service I have received there. I always add more to the tip.

 

[PoohJen]

Originally posted by dislvr75
I read about all of the suggested tipping amounts, however I've seen nothing about the kid's club personnel. Do we get envelopes for them too?? If not, do we tip and how much, based on how often our kids participated in the club??
Thanks!!!

I've wondered about this too; think I'll make a new thread so that it gets some attention.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

CMs in the clubs cannot receive cash tips. You can provide Wallmart or Target gift cards or phone cards but cash tips go to group parties or events.

 

[jrabbit]

I'm still not clear on when you should tip Palo servers. Is there a "bill" to sign at the end?

Yes there is a bill to sign at the end of the meal (brunch or dinner). It includes the $10 per person charge along with any additional drinks purchased (including the automatic 15% gratuity).

At this point you can add any additional tips to the bill.

 

[luvalldisney]

Doug from South Africa...glad to have you on board. I will look for Cheryl the next time we cruise on the Wonder. Hope she enjoys it as a cm as much as we do as passengers!