Info on Tipping

[swimfin]

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

You can tip before you board too.

 

[Rm4OneMore]

This thread is loaded with useful information. Our first trip with DCL isn't until this summer and I'm hoping someone can clarify something for me. We've already prepaid our tips so that base is covered. This past weekend we were able to secure brunch at Palo and a spa session for my wife. Both activities say the tip is included but... is it included in the price we see on the DCL website or is it added to the price we see on the site? e.g. Is brunch for two $90 or $90 plus tip? Is it the same rule for both or are the tips handled differently for each activity?

 

[Calantha]

This past weekend we were able to secure brunch at Palo and a spa session for my wife. Both activities say the tip is included but... is it included in the price we see on the DCL website or is it added to the price we see on the site?

Tip is technically included (at least for Palo) but I would (and will when we go in June) tip beyond that. Not sure about spa.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I always give extra at Palo...they truly go above and beyond.

 

[CindyLouB]

I always give extra at Palo...they truly go above and beyond.

How much extra does one generally give? We're a party of 2. I think we've done like $20 in the past but that doesn't seem like enough ?

 

[katmigordon]

Ok, so it sounds like they get paid whether they get these envelopes are not. If that's the case, why is it ok to waste paper like this but not on navigators?

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.

 

[Dug720]

Ok, so it sounds like they get paid whether they get these envelopes are not. If that's the case, why is it ok to waste paper like this but not on navigators?

Because some people like to give extra cash and the envelopes allow them to do so.

Everything you need from the Navigators is in the app.

 

[Kwami]

Because some people like to give extra cash and the envelopes allow them to do so.

Everything you need from the Navigators is in the app.

Using that logic, we could also add extra tips with the app. Right? In fact, we can already do that by contacting guest services. No paper waste required.

Bring back navigators, Disney! They're more than just paper! And the app is a mess!

 

[Dug720]

Using that logic, we could also add extra tips with the app. Right? In fact, we can already do that by contacting guest services. No paper waste required.

Bring back navigators, Disney! They're more than just paper! And the app is a mess!

Not if you want to give cash.

All the navigators - which are JUST PAPER - do is clutter up things. I've seen more than one blow overboard.

 

[katmigordon]

Why do I need envelopes to tip cash? Why can't I just hand it to them without envelopes the way I would when tipping anyone else? If you tip the bar staff extra on board with cash, do you go get an envelope or do you just hand the cash to them?

Not if you want to give cash.

All the navigators - which are JUST PAPER - do is clutter up things. I've seen more than one blow overboard.

 

[Kwami]

Not if you want to give cash.

All the navigators - which are JUST PAPER - do is clutter up things. I've seen more than one blow overboard.

You can tip without cash and I can find activities without the navigator. You prefer to use cash. I prefer to use the navigators. Both waste paper, but provide other benefits that the app doesn't.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Perfect timing for this thread. We just returned from DCL cruise # 25 and I used to remember years ago that tips were $12 pp/day but could never recall the breakdown of how much went to each person. I knew it increased since then but never calculated how much exactly. I'm trying to help my niece plan a trip and couldn't even tell her how much to plan for tips.

Glad to have this info handy and will commit to memory now; it's $13.50 pp/day.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I used to remember years ago that tips were $12 pp/day but could never recall the breakdown of how much went to each person.

It used to be:
Room Host - $4.00 per guest per night
Dining room server - $4.00 per guest per night
Asst server - $3.00 per guest per night
Head server - $1.00 per guest per night

TOTAL $12.00 a night.

Now it's:
Room host - $4.50 per guest per night
Dining room server - $4.50 per guest per night
Asst server - $3.50 per guest per night
Head server - $1.00 per guest per night

TOTAL $13.50 a night

 

[lanejudy]

Why do I need envelopes to tip cash? Why can't I just hand it to them without envelopes the way I would when tipping anyone else?

There is no requirement to use an envelope but one will be provided Actually 4 envelops will be provided -- one for each of the 4 positions included in the main auto-gratuity, along with the coupons indicating the amount paid through Guest Services, more may be added as cash. I think the envelope makes it easier for the CM. These are mostly the MDR servers who probably have no place other than their pockets to tuck the tips, and I wouldn't trust uniform pockets to be particularly large. I imagine envelopes help them keep it a little more organized so wads of cash aren't falling out of their pockets while they walk around serving for 6+ hours. Remember, this is full tips for a whole cruise, not just a dollar bill for one beverage while you sit at the bar. Bar staff typically have a can or box where they stuff their tips for the shift, but there are a lot fewer bar staff vs MDR staff.

Does the envelope get tossed out shortly after shift? Most likely. Is it wasted paper -- that depends on your definition of "wasted" but if it serves a useful purpose for any one of the people touching it along the journey then I don't consider it a waste.

 

[lanejudy]

TOTAL $13.50 a day

I know you know this but for the sake of others, tips are charged per NIGHT not per day.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Here's a question... what would protocol be if a family gets assigned to late dinner but because of the age of their children and bedtime they never set foot in the main dining room?

I assume just tip the recommended amount, don't bother with the envelopes, and be done with it?

 

[lanejudy]

It is always recommended to tip the auto-gratuity even if you don't use the MDR. The tips are considered to also cover all meals (not just dinner) and those servers work Cabanas, the pool area quick-serve, maybe even room-service at various times during the day.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know you know this but for the sake of others, tips are charged per NIGHT not per day.

Fixed it.

 

[katmigordon]

Couldn't the same be said of the navigators though? Some of us have trouble with using our phones, and wanting to disconnect is not the only reason. Some of us have trouble seeing the screens clearly, some of us have big fat fingers and have issues with typing stuff out on those tiny little buttons... and some of us wouldn't mind using our phone but we're really bad at it and I hear the interface is non intuitive.

So really, why is it that the navigators are a waste of paper and the envelopes are not? I wasn't saying "get rid of envelopes" so much as I was calling bs on their claim that getting rid of the paper navigators was about wasted paper as opposed to cost cutting.

Does the envelope get tossed out shortly after shift? Most likely. Is it wasted paper -- that depends on your definition of "wasted" but if it serves a useful purpose for any one of the people touching it along the journey then I don't consider it a waste.

 

[Dug720]

There are probably 3-4 envelopes for one page of what was often a 4 page plus insert navigator. So it's a LOT less paper for the small tip envelopes. Plus not a ton of multi-colored ink.