How much do you tip generally?

[Carrie in AZ]

Head server story.... our very first cruise ever, our very first night... after many “obstacles” at the start of our day, we brought 4 young kids to the Animators Palate on the Dream for dinner, we had late dining. We were experiencing rough seas, and with every rock of the ship the kids were turning greener and greener. The noise and hustle of the dining room wasn’t helping with our oldest son who has trouble with sensory input. Anyways.... we knew we were in over our heads and politely told our assistant server (as he was asking for our drink orders) that we were just going to go back to the room to get some rest.

As DH and I were trying to get the kids settled and figure out what we would like from room service, our phone rings. It was our head server checking in on us - making sure we were ok. We told him the situation and no worries we look forward to meeting him and the other servers the next night. He insisted on telling us the menu and sending anything we wanted to the room. We were so humbled that during a busy dining time, he was making this effort for our family. So we graciously accepted (I was a little bummed at not being able to try the pursettes I had read so much about on the boards... but I was able to get them!).

Not much later we had children feeling better and a delicious meal for DH and I. And then the phone rings again.... again it was our head server asking if we received our meal, were we satisfied, could he send us anything more. We were blown away by the level of service. His actions (and the concern from our stateroom hostess) totally turned our evening around and kept our vacation on track. He even came by our table the next night to meet us and make sure everyone was having a better day/evening.

That’s just an example of what the head servers are doing.

Awesome! I have been on these boards for a long time, and I have never read of a head server providing this type of service. Thanks for sharing! I am so happy for you!

 

[lizzyb]

I tip the recommended and if I find they went above and beyond I tip those people a bit more.

 

[hcox31]

We tip our server and assistant server more than the "suggested". Especially if they give amazing service like we had last week on the Dream. Our room attendant gets extra too because we have little kids and anyone who picks up/cleans up after little kids deserves more.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

Dis_Mike is correct on both counts, aboveH20. There is a gratuity automatically added to any specialty coffee or adult beverage you order (and maybe those smoothies you pay for too?), so no need to add more unless you would like or if the bartender/server gave extra good service.

Room service actually DOES have a ticket you can sign and add a gratuity if you don't want to mess with taking lots of small bills to pay in cash. You can do that whichever way you like.

Enjoy that room service this cruiseruise, Dis_Mike!

I definitely will take full advantage of it this time.

As for the automatic gratuity added to any specialty coffee or adult beverage, I believe it’s actually 18% now vs 15.

 

[southerngirl528]

As for the automatic gratuity added to any specialty coffee or adult beverage, I believe it’s actually 18% now vs 15.

I think you're right, Dis_Mike.

 

[aboveH20]

To answer your question regarding the tip/gratuity/service charge:
Pulled from the DCL website.
"A 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your stateroom folio." There is still the spot for additional gratuity but I agree that it can be confusing. I usually write in a few bucks when it comes to ordering alcohol but it's totally guest discretion.

Yes to question two.

Right from the mouse's mouth, thanks!

Dis_Mike is correct on both counts, aboveH20. There is a gratuity automatically added to any specialty coffee or adult beverage you order (and maybe those smoothies you pay for too?), so no need to add more unless you would like or if the bartender/server gave extra good service.

Room service actually DOES have a ticket you can sign and add a gratuity if you don't want to mess with taking lots of small bills to pay in cash. You can do that whichever way you like.

Enjoy that room service this cruiseruise, Dis_Mike!

Good to know, thanks.

I definitely will take full advantage of it this time.

As for the automatic gratuity added to any specialty coffee or adult beverage, I believe it’s actually 18% now vs 15.

18% sounds fair without needing to add more. Thanks for the update.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

Right from the mouse's mouth, thanks!

Love it!

18% sounds fair without needing to add more. Thanks for the update.

No problem at all and I agree 18% is more than fair.

 

[DCSWO]

Just got off a 7 night. Tipped our sever an extra $40 as he was the best we’ve had yet. Nothing extra for the assistant. The head server (they used the term restaurant manager) got an extra $20 as he visited us a number of times and we found out he was the spouse of one of our concierge hosts - fun conversations. $20 extra for the stateroom host, concierge bartender, concierge food person, and $100 each for the concierge hosts - Andy, Kamisha, and Alena.

 

[serenitynow]

Just got off a 7 night. Tipped our sever an extra $40 as he was the best we’ve had yet. Nothing extra for the assistant. The head server (they used the term restaurant manager) got an extra $20 as he visited us a number of times and we found out he was the spouse of one of our concierge hosts - fun conversations. $20 extra for the stateroom host, concierge bartender, concierge food person, and $100 each for the concierge hosts - Andy, Kamisha, and Alena.

Which ship?

 

[ludari]

I usually prepay my tips and then add cash. I know that the MDR cast members and room attendants work hard and I really appreciate all they do so I have no problems tipping them for making me feel special and making my vacation enjoyable.

 

[MomOTwins]

Love it!



No problem at all and I agree 18% is more than fair.

It was definitely 15% on the Dream a couple of weeks ago. Maybe they experimented with different amounts and got guest complaints?

 

[DIS_MIKE]

It was definitely 15% on the Dream a couple of weeks ago. Maybe they experimented with different amounts and got guest complaints?

Good to know. I’ve been watching a lot of cruise vlogs and one of the Dreams Unlimited vids (from 2016) mentioned 18 but maybe they misspoke. I know the spa is 18%.

 

[DCSWO]

Which ship?

Magic

 

[Dug720]

I'm in the prepay and then add as fitting camp.

My funniest head server story (well, funny-sad) was from my second cruise. I was solo, but my sister was able to get permission to eat in the dining room with me. We went to check about it, and they moved us to a table just the two of us so she wouldn't have to answer questions all dinner every day. It was different servers than who I was assigned to, but the same head server. Because of my peanut allergy still being on my record (I've since removed it since I have to physically ingest the peanut to have an issue and it's not life-threatening - and I'm an adult capable of asking if something has peanuts if I'm unsure), the head server was much more involved in my ordering than usual. Well, because I guess I was never technically removed from the other table, on the morning of the third day I got a call from my head server wanting to find out if everything was ok since he hadn't seen me yet. I explained I was eating with my sister - and said "You have been approving my meals every night!" and he cracked up.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We always tip extra to all positions. We, also, always tip the bartenders/drink servers more fully knowing that it is automatically added.

 

[kiford]

I'm in the prepay and then add as fitting camp.

Note that prepaying is really just a credit that goes onto your account. The staff still don't see it until the final day the same as if you waited to be charged for it.

 

[Dug720]

Note that prepaying is really just a credit that goes onto your account. The staff still don't see it until the final day the same as if you waited to be charged for it.

I am well aware of that.

Some of us prefer to have the major part of our vacations paid for in advance. I consider extra cash tips as part of my spending money balance but the standard tips I consider as part of my cruise fare.

 

[tbfkc]

We added more on our first trip. The suggested tip was probably less than what we'd normally give for that many meals, etc.

 

[kiford]

I am well aware of that.

Some of us prefer to have the major part of our vacations paid for in advance. I consider extra cash tips as part of my spending money balance but the standard tips I consider as part of my cruise fare.

I know that you know that - my comment was directed to those who are not aware of this or who are not aware that they can prepay. Sorry that wasn't clear.

 

[Dug720]

I know that you know that - my comment was directed to those who are not aware of this or who are not aware that they can prepay. Sorry that wasn't clear.

Gotcha.