Info on Tipping

[CarolinaPam]

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.

 

[JWelch62]

Your room stateroom host, asst room host, server, asst server, and head server all have envelopes. There is a base tip applied for each, but you can add more, and even have it put on your account. You can also put cash in the envelope.

Rates are

Server $4.50 pp per night
Asst Server $3.50 pp per night
Head Server $1.00 pp per night
Stateroom Host - $4.50 pp per night

 

[Kwami]

Just to clarify, @JWelch62 listed the base amounts that are automatically applied to your account. At the end of the cruise, you'll get little slips of paper with those amounts printed on them to put into the envelopes. You can calculate the base tips here: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/cruise-planning/tip-calculator/

If you want to tip more then the base amount, then you can put cash into the envelopes or you can go to guest services and have them add the extra to your account. Then, the increased amount will be on the little paper slips instead of the base amount.

 

[CarolinaPam]

Just to clarify, @JWelch62 listed the base amounts that are automatically applied to your account. At the end of the cruise, you'll get little slips of paper with those amounts printed on them to put into the envelopes. You can calculate the base tips here: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/cruise-planning/tip-calculator/

If you want to tip more then the base amount, then you can put cash into the envelopes or you can go to guest services and have them add the extra to your account. Then, the increased amount will be on the little paper slips instead of the base amount.

The link to the tip calculator is most helpful. Thank you!

 

[TreeFalls]

Your room stateroom host, asst room host, server, asst server, and head server all have envelopes. There is a base tip applied for each, but you can add more, and even have it put on your account. You can also put cash in the envelope.

Rates are

Server $4.50 pp per night
Asst Server $3.50 pp per night
Head Server $1.00 pp per night
Stateroom Host - $4.50 pp per night

I totally missed the whole "separate the slips and put them in the envelope" step. We just put the extra cash in the envelope. Oops!

(Eta: For anyone who misses details like me... the slips are actually a single sheet of paper with tiny perforations. The instructions are perfectly clear if you read them... I just was able to read them because the paper came home with me. )

 

[happycamper47]

I totally missed the whole "separate the slips and put them in the envelope" step. We just put the extra cash in the envelope. Oops!

They still got the money, putting the slip in the envelop is just an extra form of recognition.

 

[lanejudy]

Just to add…other tips are auto-charged at the time is sale/service. This includes adult or specialty beverages, soda at a bar or from room service, spa services; you will receive a slip to sign for these. Other times you may want cash to tip is room service delivery or excursions.

 

[Kwami]

Just to add…other tips are auto-charged at the time is sale/service. This includes adult or specialty beverages, soda at a bar or from room service, spa services; you will receive a slip to sign for these. Other times you may want cash to tip is room service delivery or excursions.

You might not get a slip. When I last cruised (September), I didn't get any paper slips to sign. Everything went to the app on my phone. I could add an extra tip there in addition to the automatic gratuity, if I wanted to.

 

[mousefan73]

Can someone clarify the auto tips that are added at the bar are added into a pool for all. But if you want to actually explicitly tip that server or bartender you have to do an additional -correct?

 

[Colo17]

We had huge OBC over Christmas and it was easy to modify our tips. Guest Services gave us a modify sheet (actually could either specify amount or up/down) and then printed individual tickets (like shore excursion tickets). The sheet and tickets had the full names of waiters, head waiter and room attendant but there was room to add other staff if we wanted. But you would need to do this at Guest Services.

 

[happycamper47]

Can someone clarify the auto tips that are added at the bar are added into a pool for all. But if you want to actually explicitly tip that server or bartender you have to do an additional -correct?

Your receipt shows the name of the server/bartender and that is the person getting the gratuity and any additional you add. If I remember correctly when you use the app their name shows on it as well. It is not a generic tip.

 

[Keyser]

Just to add; I was surprised this last cruise to find an automatic gratuity (I think 18%) added to our Palo dinner (it was just 2 of us, not a large group, either). In the past, even when there have been default gratuities for your trip-long staff, I don't remember seeing a default at Palo. I also don't think it was added on our brunch at Palo.

 

[elsawasajedi]

I totally missed the whole "separate the slips and put them in the envelope" step. We just put the extra cash in the envelope. Oops!

(Eta: For anyone who misses details like me... the slips are actually a single sheet of paper with tiny perforations. The instructions are perfectly clear if you read them... I just was able to read them because the paper came home with me. )

omg I realized too when I got home that I messed this up (it was my first time) - I'm like omg they probably thought I was such an *** but then I'm like well they obviously eventally got the money.

but yeah I still am kicking myself. I watched tipping videos and everything before we went and I still messed it up

 

[auntlynne]

omg I realized too when I got home that I messed this up (it was my first time) - I'm like omg they probably thought I was such an *** but then I'm like well they obviously eventally got the money.

but yeah I still am kicking myself. I watched tipping videos and everything before we went and I still messed it up

Don‘t kick yourself. They get the money whether the slips are inside - and even if you don’t give them the envelope. I am sure they have seen all variations on how they are tipped. Unless they are brand-new crew, I would think they know to check their accounts to see what they have earned.

You don’t have to do any math, either. It’s all on the print-out.

I added extra $ to the automatic gratuities on my last cruise - and still have the printed sheet with the slips, sitting on my bedside table . I kept it to have a record of their names. I had a great dining room team, which is not unusual. This one was just a notch better.

 

[lisat723]

Are you able to tip earlier in the cruise? Vs. waiting until the end?

 

[happycamper47]

Are you able to tip earlier in the cruise? Vs. waiting until the end?

You can get the envelopes from Guest Services at any time, but I'm not sure how early in the cruise they will allow you to make adjustments to the standard gratuities.

 

[DSLRuser]

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.

Just keep a bunch of ones and fives on you at all time. When you interact with someone WHO DESERVES A TIP...slip them a few bucks. The personal touch will allow them to recognize a reward for good service on the spot and promote more good service in the future.

 

[MomOTwins]

Are you able to tip earlier in the cruise? Vs. waiting until the end?

You can always tip cash to anyone who is in a tipped position at any time (i.e., luggage porters, stateroom host, servers, asst server, bartender, room service etc.).

You can also add tip in the app any time you have a receipt generated, like Palo brunch, cove cafe, or bar/specialty drinks at the MDRs or lounges.

If you go to guest services and want to add extra tip for your assigned service team there though, that will go on your stateroom bill and on your paper slips at the end of the cruise along with the standard tip.

 

[lanejudy]

Are you able to tip earlier in the cruise? Vs. waiting until the end?

Tips paid through Guest Services (such as the the auto-gratuity for the stateroom host and the serving team) are paid to the appropriate CMs at some point after the cruise. This occurs regardless of when or even if you give the envelopes/slips to the CMs. You may stop at Guest Services at any point during the cruise to adjust the tip amount. You can pay it in advance before boarding the ship if you so choose (and if you use a Disney Visa you get 6-months no-interest by paying in advance).

Cash tips may be given at any time, though for the serving team not usually until the last night.

 

[CarolinaPam]

You can always tip cash to anyone who is in a tipped position at any time (i.e., luggage porters, stateroom host, servers, asst server, bartender, room service etc.).

You can also add tip in the app any time you have a receipt generated, like Palo brunch, cove cafe, or bar/specialty drinks at the MDRs or lounges.

If you go to guest services and want to add extra tip for your assigned service team there though, that will go on your stateroom bill and on your paper slips at the end of the cruise along with the standard tip.

This is exactly what we ended up doing. Going to guest services and having them add the additional tips to our stateroom bill was so easy and convenient. They even printed out new slips for the individual envelopes. Thank you for the tip!!