Is anyone cruising with me on the August 27th 2011 Meditteranean Cruise? Hellooooo?

[ptkelley]

The norm in the Med is to simply round up. Unlike the cruise staff, these people (guides, drivers etc) do not require tips as the service charge is effectively built into the cost you are already paying.

Rick Steves has similar advice. He says: "Tipping in Europe isn't as automatic and generous as it is in the US"

For more details, see:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/tipping.htm

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice and for thinking of things I have not thought about yet!

 

[MimiSiang]

A lot of information about tipping, but still not clear to me. I thought that you give a standard amount which you can add more if the service is excellent. But that you can not tip less if the service is poor.
And if they ask you to charge the tips on forhand, and you say it's ok, how much do they charge you, is that a standard amount or do you have to tell them how much to charge?
Sorry, first time cruiser .
Hopefully the strike will be totally called off, and not only the 18th if the pope will arrive in spain. In the dutch newspaper they say it's called off, so hopefully it will stay like that.

 

[Halo]

But that you can not tip less if the service is poor.

No, you can tip less in the unlikely event you think the service is poor - unless you have prepaid your gratuities. You are not obliged to charge the tips to your cabin - you can simply put cash in the envelopes you will receive, in which case it is then up to you how much you want to put in.

 

[celocey]

Hello All!
To recap the tipping issue:
1. Disney will automatically add tips to room charge.
2. You can go to c/s on board and have them a. remove entirely, b. adjust up or down based on level of service.
3. You can supplement or provide entire tip with cash.
4. Cast members prefer tips be added to room charge for banking convenience sake, but probably also appreciate cash versus nothing.
5. Tipping for service in Med is more conservative than tipping in U.S. But, always at your own discretion. I'm sure if you want to go crazy with tipping, no one is going to refuse to take it!!
Hopefully, the world will just settle down for one week and there won't be any strikes, riots, demonstrations, Justin Bieber Fever, etc. Vacations/Holidays should be for stress relief, not to create more stress in our lives!! Except for packing of clothing. That always stresses me out!!

 

[mkmommy]

Has anyone called DCL and asked if tips are automatically added to your account?

I wonder if it is if you book with certain travel agents or certain rates. I looked in my documents and did nit see anything but I just skimmed them.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Has anyone called DCL and asked if tips are automatically added to your account?

I wonder if it is if you book with certain travel agents or certain rates. I looked in my documents and did nit see anything but I just skimmed them.

It is being reported that we will not get prior notification but will be told this on the day we check in at the port.

 

[TJFrack]

Hello All!
To recap the tipping issue:
1. Disney will automatically add tips to room charge.
2. You can go to c/s on board and have them a. remove entirely, b. adjust up or down based on level of service.
3. You can supplement or provide entire tip with cash.
4. Cast members prefer tips be added to room charge for banking convenience sake, but probably also appreciate cash versus nothing.
5. Tipping for service in Med is more conservative than tipping in U.S. But, always at your own discretion. I'm sure if you want to go crazy with tipping, no one is going to refuse to take it!!
Hopefully, the world will just settle down for one week and there won't be any strikes, riots, demonstrations, Justin Bieber Fever, etc. Vacations/Holidays should be for stress relief, not to create more stress in our lives!! Except for packing of clothing. That always stresses me out!!

Disney does NOT automatically add tips. You fill out a form for how much you want to give each person if you want it charged to your credit card. If you want to leave cash you can, but you complete the paper they do not automatically charge you. Some other cruise companies automatically do it, but Disney does not.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Disney does NOT automatically add tips. You fill out a form for how much you want to give each person if you want it charged to your credit card. If you want to leave cash you can, but you complete the paper they do not automatically charge you. Some other cruise companies automatically do it, but Disney does not.

But that is not whats being reported. They are saying that Disney IS automatically charging your account with the customary $12/day per person. So you have to tell them NO if you don't want them to do that.

 

[RoniBoBoni]

I think you are right. The guidelines given for a 7 night cruise total $84 per guest. For a family of 4 that would equate to $336 total gratuities for the cruise (obviously that is the minimum, more can be given at your discretion).

I don't think that is the MINIMUM, as I will determine what will be the minimum based on the level of service. I beleive that is the AVERAGE. As some get more and some get less. But then again, this is my first cruise and all of you could be right and we might then get the best service EVER and then this now becomes the minimum.

But in my opinion, here in the US, if a party of 8 or more goes out to eat, the 18% gratuity is automatically added, and therefore we USUALLY get poor service because the server knows that they are getting a tip regardless, and I can't stand that I don't have a choice in the matter. But if they are still good or go above and beyond even though they get an automatic tip, then we ofcourse give them more. It's common sense. Boo-hoo that they get low wages, that is the nature of the job, if they can't hack it, then they need to get out of the industry. I work hard for my money and so should they.

As first time cruisers, I am really hoping that we get this exceptional service that I keep hearing about, otherwise, our tips will reflect it. Plain and stimple. The guide only sets the average for me. They do subpar service, it goes down. They do great service, it goes up. Good service, neither poor or great, gets the average amount.

Justin Bieber Fever, etc.

Too funny! Totally off topic, but I was telling DH that I was getting Baby Fever. My 3 year old DD must have heard something else cause she quickly pops up and asks "Beiber Fever?!?!"

 

[TJFrack]

But that is not whats being reported. They are saying that Disney IS automatically charging your account with the customary $12/day per person. So you have to tell them NO if you don't want them to do that.

Unless they have changed their policy since I got off the Disney Wonder in January this is how it was done. This will be my 4th Disney cruise and haven't had it previously added.

If you got to page 14 of your booklet that came in the mail it says "gratuities are always at your discretion" Then two bullets down it says "gratuties for services that continue throughout your cruise, including stateroom hosts, restaurant servers, and more , are customarily given at the end of your sailing."

It gives you the option to pre-pay, but it does not say you have to. It says "you can also add gratuities to your onboard account during your voyage. A form will be provided in your stateroom that you can return to the guest service desk." This is the form that we have used in the past it lists the suggested for the cruise and then you have the choice to either raise or lower it depending upon how you feel.

Last cruise our head waiter was better than both our waiters so we cut some from their amount and gave it to him, because he did such a great job. Our room service guy always gets the full amount plus some because I do not want to clean the shower, empty the trash and make my bed during vacation.

 

[TJFrack]

As first time cruisers, I am really hoping that we get this exceptional service that I keep hearing about, otherwise, our tips will reflect it. Plain and stimple. The guide only sets the average for me. They do subpar service, it goes down. They do great service, it goes up. Good service, neither poor or great, gets the average amount.

You got it! Same for us

 

[JoyB-UK]

It is a change in policy that has happened specifically for the med cruises and has been reported in posts by several people that have recently returned. It does not appear to apply to the other ships and will probably end when the magic leaves the med.

 

[TJFrack]

The norm in the Med is to simply round up. Unlike the cruise staff, these people (guides, drivers etc) do not require tips as the service charge is effectively built into the cost you are already paying. Tips for them are just a bonus. The UK by contrast has a more service oriented culture (but not as much as in the US) so in the UK a 10% tip is the norm for taxi's, waiters etc.

So to address your list, I would say the following:
Taxis.......................€2
Tour buses...............€2
small group tours of 6-8 people.....€5 (basically the cost of a drink) per person in your family
Disney excursion on a bus with 50 people.....€2
If by taxi you are talking about a taxi tour rather than a simple ride, then as for small group tours.

This is simply for guidance.

Thank you!!!

 

[TJFrack]

It is a change in policy that has happened specifically for the med cruises and has been reported in posts by several people that have recently returned. It does not appear to apply to the other ships and will probably end when the magic leaves the med.

Then I will be in line on Deck 3 @ Guest Service to change it, because I am going to pay cash for tips, because I do not want to bring back my unused Euros.

 

[diane aggelidou]

Seems it is not only me but a few of us cruise/passengers agree with me about tipping at discretion,based on hospitatlity and experience we will receive!See you in line Guest service to change ours too!

I feel like a have started a war on Tipping issue!
So I feel everyone must agree to disagree as they say!

So are you all excited??????????????
Some of you have a long haul flight to med!

ps any of you going to other med airports on route!
BEWARE! Do not buy duty free at airport shops between connecting flights or snacks/drinks etc as it will be put in trash/bin as you go through the next security check by police/customs before boarding your connecting flight!

After going through conncetion security,there will be other kiosks/etc where you can buy items!They do not tell you this,instead as you get to security,they bin all as forbidden and you will see a small sign stating security risk!

 

[Juliefromva]

I just found out about the fish extenders, and this website! Is there an available fish extenders group to join, or have I missed the boat? (pun intended!) . I am traveling with Dh,DD,DD and my in-laws on our first Disney cruise on 8/27!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hello Julia and welcome to the DIS. It is nice to have a new person to "meet" before the cruise.

I am sorry but we have already cut off Fish Extenders for this bunch. Most people need more time to buy and/or make things than what is left. I hope you will still stick around and be a part of the fun. We have a group meet up planned for one hour before the safety drill (which we believe means we will be meeting at 3:00) in the Promenade Lounge--and the kids have their own meet up planned for right AFTER the safety drill on deck 9 near the ice cream and Goofy's Galley.
There is also a wine tasting that is being planned for the sea day. I think you could get in on that since no one has to make or buy a certain number of items for it.
Your children are welcome to post on the kid's thread to so that they can make some friends before they even set sail (it is fine to have them post from your DIS account--that is what most people do). http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2649402

I take it you are from Virginia? How old are your girls? I have one DD14 and a DS12. Once again--welcome to our group of happy travellers

 

[VulcanGirl]

Hi Everybody,

I am Marika from over on the Kid's thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2649402) and with only 12 more days until the cruise I wanted to remind any parent's over here of the following:

Dis Kid's and Teen's Meet Up
the 27th (1st day)
directly after the muster drill
Goofy's Galley, Deck 9​

All kids and teens are welcome even if they do not post on the kid's thread. I hope some kids decide to come.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

[QUOTE

But in my opinion, here in the US, if a party of 8 or more goes out to eat, the 18% gratuity is automatically added, and therefore we USUALLY get poor service because the server knows that they are getting a tip regardless, and I can't stand that I don't have a choice in the matter. But if they are still good or go above and beyond even though they get an automatic tip, then we ofcourse give them more. It's common sense. Boo-hoo that they get low wages, that is the nature of the job, if they can't hack it, then they need to get out of the industry. I work hard for my money and so should they.




When we went to florida last year, we had two occassions which were disney restaurants where because there was 8 of us they got the 18% tip but the service was dreadful, really bad, but we still felt we had to pay for it.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Can I just checked please.

Euros for ports
Dollars just for room service tip
Can pay for everything else on visa at end of cruise?

Is that correct?

Also if you pay for it by visa at end of cruise how do you manage to keep an eye that the right amounts are added etc