Info on Tipping

[Calantha]

The first morning I ordered room service last week I didn’t get a slip and I just assumed it would go on my phone like everything else had the day before, but it didn’t …so I feel really bad that the guy didn’t get tipped. So every morning after that I made sure I had my money out and tipped him after he dropped off our tea and cereal (and it never showed up, nor did our cheese tray/cookies). So those people still need cash.

 

[JaimeInParker]

Does anyone know if you can turn-off the 'auto-charge' tip function - I would prefer to give them the entire tip in USD$ instead of electronic ?

 

[Lizgistix]

We are scheduled for our first cruise later this winter and we want to make sure we do the right thing as far as tipping is concerned. Pete suggests being as generous as we can when it comes time to fill those little envelopes with gratuities which I am happy to do. Can someone please help me plan for this? Which staff have designated envelopes and how much is typically given? I have searched the disboards for some guidance on this but the answers are all over the place.

For the cruise I was on, the envelopes left in my stateroom were:
Stateroom attendant
Head server
Server
Assistant Server

On each slip of paper is the amount that will be automatically given. If you want to add more in cash, you can do that. If you want to change the amount on the slip of paper and have it added to your stateroom balance, go down to Guest Services. They will have you fill out a form with the dollar amount you want to give each of the 4 people, and then print out new slips of paper for you to put in the envelopes.

Pete suggests being generous, but obviously within your means. If you can afford to give more, please do, but if you can't, you can't.

Here's how mine were listed. This was on a 3-night cruise.
Stateroom Attendant: $13.50
Head Server: $3.00
Server: $13.50
Assistant server: $10.50

What you want to add on top of that is between you and your budget.

 

[TRTRguy]

Does anyone know if you can turn-off the 'auto-charge' tip function - I would prefer to give them the entire tip in USD$ instead of electronic ?

Yes you can but why? Giving cash instead of electronic tip is actually a burden on crew. They have to take the cash and deposit it to their account.

 

[tlovesdis]

So Disney doesn't automatically add gratuities like say Princess does?

 

[Kwami]

So Disney doesn't automatically add gratuities like say Princess does?

They certainly do.

 

[lanejudy]

So Disney doesn't automatically add gratuities like say Princess does?

Yes, DCL does include automatic gratuities in the following amounts per night per guest. These amounts can be adjusted (up or down) at Guest Services. You can also add cash to the envelopes if you so choose.

Stateroom Attendant: $4.50​

Head Server: $1.00​

Server: $4.50​

Assistant server: $3.50​

In addition, tips are automatically added to spa services (18%) and specialty beverages or sodas through bars/room service (15%).

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The first morning I ordered room service last week I didn’t get a slip and I just assumed it would go on my phone like everything else had the day before, but it didn’t …so I feel really bad that the guy didn’t get tipped. So every morning after that I made sure I had my money out and tipped him after he dropped off our tea and cereal (and it never showed up, nor did our cheese tray/cookies). So those people still need cash.

I made the same mistake... I kept expecting there to be an opportunity to tip room service on the app, but it kept not happening. Thankfully, the kid who delivered our room service was the same kid every morning, so I was able to give him one big cash tip on the last day once I figured out there wasn't going to be an opportunity to do it electronically.

I think what @lanejudy is alluding to is that you can tip room service on the app if something you order via room service is something that has a charge associated with it. But if all you order is stuff that's "free," you're not given the opportunity to add gratuity.

 

[Kwami]

Yes, DCL does include automatic gratuities in the following amounts per night per guest. These amounts can be adjusted (up or down) at Guest Services. You can also add cash to the envelopes if you so choose.

Stateroom Attendant: $4.50​

Head Server: $1.00​

Server: $4.50​

Assistant server: $3.50​

In addition, tips are automatically added to spa services (18%) and specialty beverages or sodas through bars/room service (15%).

To clarify, specialty drinks are always charged the 15% automatic gratuity, no matter where you get them. Drinks at dinner and Cove Cafe come with the +15%.

 

[DopeyDame]

Sorry to ask another stupid question... but to clarify the auto gratuity... We don't have to do anything at all for that to be added to our account and just paid with the credit card on file, right?

 

[Calantha]

Sorry to ask another stupid question... but to clarify the auto gratuity... We don't have to do anything at all for that to be added to our account and just paid with the credit card on file, right?

Correct. I would be auto-charged an amount and then add an additional dollar or 2.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So Disney doesn't automatically add gratuities like say Princess does?

They certainly do.

Yes, DCL does include automatic gratuities in the following amounts per night per guest. These amounts can be adjusted (up or down) at Guest Services. You can also add cash to the envelopes if you so choose.

Stateroom Attendant: $4.50​

Head Server: $1.00​

Server: $4.50​

Assistant server: $3.50​

In addition, tips are automatically added to spa services (18%) and specialty beverages or sodas through bars/room service (15%).

While DCL does "automatically" add tips, it's a convenience thing, and can be removed. Unlike Princess where the autotip is really more of a Hotel Service Charge and not able to be cancelled without a lot of trouble. Typically you have to give reasons why you want to remove it.

The Princess (as well as some other lines) charge is shared by both public facing (room hosts, dining room servers) and behind the scenes (laundry, for example) personnel.

 

[tlovesdis]

Yes, DCL does include automatic gratuities in the following amounts per night per guest. These amounts can be adjusted (up or down) at Guest Services. You can also add cash to the envelopes if you so choose.

Stateroom Attendant: $4.50​

Head Server: $1.00​

Server: $4.50​

Assistant server: $3.50​

In addition, tips are automatically added to spa services (18%) and specialty beverages or sodas through bars/room service (15%).

Thanks! I read things wrong. I figured they did like other cruise lines! I am happy I can pay these ahead of time, then add more if I want!

 

[sab53085]

Has anyone ever asked a room service attendant if they prefer cash tips or tips added to stateroom?

 

[Kwami]

While DCL does "automatically" add tips, it's a convenience thing, and can be removed. Unlike Princess where the autotip is really more of a Hotel Service Charge and not able to be cancelled without a lot of trouble. Typically you have to give reasons why you want to remove it.

The Princess (as well as some other lines) charge is shared by both public facing (room hosts, dining room servers) and behind the scenes (laundry, for example) personnel.

Are you sure? I've never tried to remove an automatic gratuity added to, for example, drinks. It's just charged directly to my account and while I can add an additional tip in the app, I can't remove the automatic gratuity. Do you have to go to guest services to do that? Would anybody really do it?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Are you sure? I've never tried to remove an automatic gratuity added to, for example, drinks. It's just charged directly to my account and while I can add an additional tip in the app, I can't remove the automatic gratuity. Do you have to go to guest services to do that? Would anybody really do it?

I think you both are talking about different tips. PrincessSchmoon is talking about the gratuities for the stateroom host and dining room staff and you are talking bar staff. Unless a grave error occurred I don’t think the auto gratuity on a bar bill can be removed but the other gratuities can be removed relatively easily through guest services

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Are you sure? I've never tried to remove an automatic gratuity added to, for example, drinks. It's just charged directly to my account and while I can add an additional tip in the app, I can't remove the automatic gratuity. Do you have to go to guest services to do that? Would anybody really do it?

I think you both are talking about different tips.

Yes, the auto gratuity that's added to your stateroom account for room hosts, and dining servers is easily removed. The tips for bartenders/servers is not. That said, the gratuity for the bartenders/servers is pooled to be shared. That would include any additional tip you charge to your account. Any cash tip you provide at time of service goes only to whoever you give the tip to.

 

[JaimeInParker]

thank you all for the guidance - what I got was electronic tip is easier then cash (surprising) and I can leave extra in cash

 

[bakerworld]

We often do not go to the MDR for the dinners - we go to half - so what would happen with the auto tipping if you had room service for your entire vacation?

 

[lanejudy]

The auto-gratuity will appear on your account. You do have the option to remove or reduce it at Guest Services. Just keep in mind that the tips to your assigned dinner serving team also account for their work at throughout the day at both QS and MDR locations when you aren't charged a gratuity.