How to fix the TIP issue.

[KSDisneyDad]

I know it is off topic , but it can cost more than this poster thinks!!

Here is my Jet Blue info: as you can see total cost:
Departing Flight #149JFKMCO3/27 7:55AM3/27 11:00AMReturning Flight #154MCOJFK4/3 12:50PM4/3 3:37PM
Fare: $760.93 x 5 = $3,804.65Taxes & Fees $392.35Total: $4,197.00

I do realize that fares can sometimes be very high - especially during peak times and last minute. However, you can also pay a lot less with planning. Just because you paid that doesn't mean that all other families of 5 can afford to do it. We found roundtrip airfare for $125 one time -- does that mean that all familes of 5 can expect to pay $125 roundtrip each time they fly to Orlando?

Your particular airfares are higher per person than the cost per person of our Spring Break cruise itself. If I was in that situation, we'd have to do something different. We've never paid more than $325 per person for airfare and the only reason we justified paying that is because it is Spring Break and we had already saved over $2,000 on the cruise itself with the kids sail free promotion. We generally budget $200 to $250 per person for airfare and I can often find it for less by watching the fares. We fly Southwest, so if the fares go down, I can rebook and use the savings for another trip.

OK, I would keep looking but in like 10 seconds I found this....
$318 + $41 taxes + fees = $359 per person

Sat, Mar 27: Depart 12:30PM
Arrive 05:38PM
Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, PA (ABE)
Orlando International Airport, FL (MCO) Delta Air Lines - 1 Stop
Flight 4123 / 2422
Operated by: PINNACLE DBA DELTA CONNECTION
Sat, Apr 3: Depart 05:15PM
Arrive 09:36PM
Orlando International Airport, FL (MCO)
Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, PA (ABE) US Airways - 1 Stop
Flight 1776 / 2668
Operated by: US AIRWAYS EXPRESS-MESA AIRLINES

Yes, you can book and pay that.

Another alternative is to look at multiple airports, multiple flight times. It may mean getting up at 1:00 AM to drive 4 hours to get to another airport and fly at a off-peak time.

I can grab the local airport at peak travel times for rates like you posted. I don’t. I drive to Milwaukee or Chicago and fly odd times for about $200 total per person.

Thanks Presentation for helping me with my point.

I realize that this went off-topic, but I felt is was very misleading to new cruisers with a family of 5 to think that a Disney Cruise costs $13,000 plus another $4,000 for airfare. I'm sure that there have been lots of families of 5 that have paid that, but I believe the vast majority pay a lot less (including us). I simply wanted other families of 5 to know that the costs don't have to be as high as the poster indicated even during Spring Break or summer.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I know it is off topic , but it can cost more than this poster thinks!!

Here is my Jet Blue info: as you can see total cost:
Departing Flight #149JFKMCO3/27 7:55AM3/27 11:00AMReturning Flight #154MCOJFK4/3 12:50PM4/3 3:37PM
Fare: $760.93 x 5 = $3,804.65Taxes & Fees $392.35Total: $4,197.00

I think the most I ever paid for airfare was $239+tax and that was for Thanksgiving week on the Magic, 2008. We usually can find flights to/from Philly for around $84-99 + tax these days.

Also last cruise our neighbor/friends, a family of 5, cruised with us on the Magic and got 2 cabins for $4600. Just saying, don't feel like you HAVE to get a cat 4. There are alternatives.
I'd be doing a lot more homework before believing that your prices are the only way to go, even if that amount were easy to cough up.

 

[Maryrn11168]

I think the most I ever paid for airfare was $239+tax and that was for Thanksgiving week on the Magic, 2008. We usually can find flights to/from Philly for around $84-99 + tax these days.

Also last cruise our neighbor/friends, a family of 5, cruised with us on the Magic and got 2 cabins for $4600. Just saying, don't feel like you HAVE to get a cat 4. There are alternatives.
I'd be doing a lot more homework before believing that your prices are the only way to go, even if that amount were easy to cough up.

I do not live in Pennsylvainia, nor do I want to drive 3 hours or more in NY traffic to get to an airport. All I was saying is that people are looking for ways to save a few pennies while cruising because it is very expensive, so THEY (NOT ME) think that if they don't eat in the dining room then they don't have to tip.

 

[Presentation]

I do not live in Pennsylvainia, nor do I want to drive 3 hours or more in NY traffic to get to an airport. All I was saying is that people are looking for ways to save a few pennies while cruising because it is very expensive, so THEY (NOT ME) think that if they don't eat in the dining room then they don't have to tip.

No issue, I understand.

You can make it convenient or make it less expensive. Pick one.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I do not live in Pennsylvainia, nor do I want to drive 3 hours or more in NY traffic to get to an airport. All I was saying is that people are looking for ways to save a few pennies while cruising because it is very expensive, so THEY (NOT ME) think that if they don't eat in the dining room then they don't have to tip.

You're right. No one has to be happy with your deal but you.

 

[UK-Simon]

I really never get why this ever becomes an issue. Disney does not hide the fact that tipping is expected for good service and that it costs extra.

If you get the good service you were looking for- Pay the damn tip! (Even if you decide to not use the restaurants everyday.)

If the service you received was above and beyond your expectations, consider leaving the service team something extra if you can.

If your service sucked, or was below your expectations- please tell your head server or dining room manager, and reduce the tip accordingly.

It's not a hidden cost, nor is it rocket science.

Not trying to offend anyone, I just see it as a required cost. On my first Disney cruise I was working at Epcot on the International program. I earned less money than you can imagine (non-tipped position). However, I knew it was expected that I had to tip, and I had to this day the best Assistant server I've ever had in 7 cruises. We still tipped more than the recommended amount, because the service was awesome, no matter how little I earned. Moral of the story- you know the deal up front, pay it or stay home.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I really never get why this ever becomes an issue. Disney does not hide the fact that tipping is expected for good service and that it costs extra.

If you get the good service you were looking for- Pay the damn tip! (Even if you decide to not use the restaurants everyday.)

If the service you received was above and beyond your expectations, consider leaving the service team something extra if you can.

If your service sucked, or was below your expectations- please tell your head server or dining room manager, and reduce the tip accordingly.

It's not a hidden cost, nor is it rocket science.

Not trying to offend anyone, I just see it as a required cost. On my first Disney cruise I was working at Epcot on the International program. I earned less money than you can imagine (non-tipped position). However, I knew it was expected that I had to tip, and I had to this day the best Assistant server I've ever had in 7 cruises. We still tipped more than the recommended amount, because the service was awesome, no matter how little I earned. Moral of the story- you know the deal up front, pay it or stay home.

 

[tvguy]

I really never get why this ever becomes an issue. Disney does not hide the fact that tipping is expected for good service and that it costs extra.
.

I think because Disney is so much more expensive that other cruise lines, some folks wonder why tips are not included in the price.
And in general, a lot of folks aren't comfortable with tipping anyway.
And of course in some cultures, tipping is not the norm, and in some cases leaving a tip is considered insulting.

 

[budwmn]

I have no problem tipping: 15% for satisfactory service, 20% for normal good service, 25% for amazing service.

I'm happy to tip the service staff. Last time on DCL, I prepaid my tips. This was nice because we didn't freak out on the last day when we saw our bill.

My problem is not with the recommended amounts, but that DCL has left so many other positions without recommendations.

For example, I'm never quite sure about what to tip at Palo. Plus, we travel in suites. There are no guidelines about how much to tip the concierge. We always double the amount the room steward gets. How much is a reasonable tip for the children's programming staff?

The problem is not that I don't want to tip, it's that I don't know how much to tip. I don't want to under pay, nor do I want to over pay.

For that reason, I'd prefer the cruise to be all inclusive. Admittedly, I doubt DCL would ever do this, but it sure would make life easier. I've been to many high end resorts and hotels where the staff would not accept a tip. They told me excellent service was part of their job. Instead, they told me if I felt compelled, I could simply make a comment on the comment card. Obviously, management rewarded them in other ways. I disagree with those who say without tips, service would suffer. If someone is making a good living and enjoys their job, they want to keep.

 

[tinkattitude!]

On the three cruises we've been on we've tipped above the recommended amounts on all but one occasion, and then still for that particular server we tipped the recommended amount.

That being said, we would love it if the cruise line would build it into the cost of the fare.

One Reason being when I go to a restaurant, I'm not reminded at every single meal, that I'm getting "excellent service". "Please don't forget that the service you are being provided is excellent." "Our service was excellent tonight, no?" All of our servers have done this, it gets old by the third or fourth night. I know you're providing me with good service, you don't have to remind me.

The other being, if you state in advance that you were planning to not eat in the dining room one night, you get a super long spiel about not coming for dinner, or come anyway, or whatever because they are fearful that they won't get the same kind of tip from you. We purposely did not bring formal attire on our last cruise and were planning on eating at Topsiders, and were so guilted into eating in the dining room that we went. I shouldn't feel that way on my vacation.

 

[UK-Simon]

To a certain degree I agree with the concept of including the tips in the price, however, it won't ever happen.

Reason being, Disney ultimately want to sell cruises. The lower the cruise fare appears to be, the more attracted people will be to it.

If the tips are included but their initial price appears $200 more expensive, I wonder how much business Disney would loose.

Even though the majority of people realize up front they will be spending more on tips, that initial purchase price can have such a huge impact on their sales, I doubt it will ever change.

 

[Dicecatt]

One Reason being when I go to a restaurant, I'm not reminded at every single meal, that I'm getting "excellent service". "Please don't forget that the service you are being provided is excellent." "Our service was excellent tonight, no?" All of our servers have done this, it gets old by the third or fourth night. I know you're providing me with good service, you don't have to remind me.

I have to agree with you here...3 out of 4 cruises were like that for us where the server went on and on about the service and all but begged us to fill out the card at the end with his name on it. Only my first server didn't and he probably got the best comments from me I don't mind them asking me to fill that thing out, I know they get acololades and it probably helps with their next contract, but I'm smart...ask me once, I'll remember. And if you TELL me the service I am receiving is excellent, it becomes a little less excellent I'm not commenting on the tip issue, I've alredy addressed my personal feelings regarding that, but I just had to agree that what you mentioned here is quite annoying.

 

[sbell111]

I really never get why this ever becomes an issue. Disney does not hide the fact that tipping is expected for good service and that it costs extra.

If you get the good service you were looking for- Pay the damn tip! (Even if you decide to not use the restaurants everyday.) ...

I also don't understand why this is such a huge issue, but not for the same reasons as you. I don't understand why people care how much others leave as a tip. I certainly don't understand why people would actually attempt to bully others into changing their tipping behavior.

 

[jilljill]

This thread has just about run it's course.
Tipping is always a heated topic and I'm going to close this thread now before it goes the wrong way.