Is it customary to decrease tips for each day you don’t eat in the dining room?

[jetskigrl]

We saw our head server every night we were in the MDR. (We skipped twice) He made note of special occasions on the first night, brought out the celebration desserts, we even skipped the night night they were going to bring it to us and he had it the next night, made sure we knew about the character breakfast, explained how breakfast worked the last morning, took our lobster out of the shell and just checked on us. I think he eared our $2 a night and tips were never mentioned once by anyone on our serving team.

That was how our head server was on the Wonder last month. On our other cruises we barely saw the head server. But this time, he made a point to stop by every night and chat with us (made sure everything was perfect). He also took care of our lobster for us and he brought out my DD's birthday celebration cake. It was quite a difference from our previous experiences.

 

[Mrsjvb]

Hope this isn't too far off topic, but it's in the wheelhouse I think!

I *totally* get why I need to tip our waiter, the assistant waiter, and our housekeeper (I know there's a "better" word for that position, but it's not coming to mind at the moment!). On our first cruise last year, we felt like all three of those folks had *easily* gone above and beyond and we tipped extra.

But what exactly does the Head Waiter do, and why should I tip someone I saw ONCE during our week-long cruise? He stopped by at one our meals and introduced himself (pretty quickly), and I don't remember seeing him again... I know his tip was not as much as the other three positions... but that did represent my one and only "hmmm" moment with the whole tipping process.

Our personal feelings on the subject:

I's a retainer/insurance.. I tip the recommended amount on the off chance I will need their services. if I do, and they go above and beyond, they get a little extra. If I don't, then it is no big deal. and just because I never actually see the HW /maitre D' do anything does not mean they haven't done something to head off a disaster at the pass that might have negatively impacted my experience.

 

[Jackson's grammie]

no

 

[wishuponastarforever]

Absolutely No and for all the above very well explained reasons. The same for the Head Server - a job is being done whether we see it or not.

I agree with all the posts and must admit to being off course with one of my own misconceptions. We cruised with our daughter, son-in-law and grandson (at the time 2 years old). At first, I did not understand why an infant was expected the same gratuity amount. Well - just serve me a big dish of crow.
On the cruise I realized how much extra time is taken to make sure the children are happy and served first. And yes, sometimes the "mess" made takes extra time to clean up afterwards.

Needless to say, we all tipped extra. We have learned to relax and trust the the guidelines. I hope I did not stray too far off course. If so, I apologize.

 

[FJS961]

The head servers tip is pretty small per individual guest but adds up I guess if they are overseeing 6-8 serving teams ... I have had very little contact with them on my cruises so far. They usually introduce themselves the first night and towards the end with the excellent service (tip pitch) speech.

 

[jeanmonti]

I did not reduce tips for any of the servers and we often missed dinner and just ate when we felt like it at Topsiders. I figure it's not their fault they got stuck with a family that didn't make it to dinner all the time, yet they would have been willing to provide a high level of service that I still wanted to make sure they were compensated for. (If we had a bad experience and that was the reason we were missing dinner that's another story.) We've always had great service in the dining room and those individuals deserve the tips they are counting on.

 

[Ayeegit]

Thanks to all who chimed in on the Head Server issue - it does make a bit more sense now that I understand what they're responsible for. Just seems a bit counterintuitive to tip someone I rarely see if they're doing their job correctly...

 

[Grandma4ever]

Thanks to all who chimed in on the Head Server issue - it does make a bit more sense now that I understand what they're responsible for. Just seems a bit counterintuitive to tip someone I rarely see if they're doing their job correctly...

Part of doing their job well means that they do not need to be out and about fixing problems. As long as my servers meet my needs I assume that the head server is doing his well. It is very nice when they do take the time to stop by and visit. I have had both were I seldom see them all the way to where we have had them stop by several times each meal.

 

[Bear3412]

They usually introduce themselves the first night and towards the end with the excellent service (tip pitch) speech.

Are the servers still giving the excellent rating speech? Requesting you give them excellent marks. I hope not.

 

[lbgraves]

The server we had for the first four days of the MV did. He was far from excellent and, after talking to the head server, was replaced by someone who never mentioned the word.

 

[srferson]

The server we had for the first four days of the MV did. He was far from excellent and, after talking to the head server, was replaced by someone who never mentioned the word.

Is that common? For the wait staff to make comments about excellent ratings and/or tips? If it is common, is there a polite way to get them to stop it?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is that common? For the wait staff to make comments about excellent ratings and/or tips? If it is common, is there a polite way to get them to stop it?

For the most part, the servers don't do the "hope we do well enough for you to give us all excellents" speech any more.

If they do, I let them get through it once, and then I say, "OK, now I don't want to hear that again." It usually works. If it happens again, I usually have a word with the head server (I only had to do it once).

One of the questions on the comment card is "Did you feel pressured to give any excellent ratings?"

 

[Bear3412]

Is that common? For the wait staff to make comments about excellent ratings and/or tips? If it is common, is there a polite way to get them to stop it?

I'm debating whether too type up a note and pass it to the servers early on indicating if I hear the speech they will not be receiving excellent ratings. Well more eloquently worded. I feel it detracts from the whole experience. There's a great thread discussing this ... say 4 or 5 months ago.
Just my opinion.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I'm debating whether too type up a note and pass it to the servers early on indicating if I hear the speech they will not be receiving excellent ratings. Well more eloquently worded. I feel it detracts from the whole experience. There's a great thread discussing this ... say 4 or 5 months ago.
Just my opinion.

I wouldn't recommend doing that as it could be interrupted as rude. I always like to think that Rule number one in a restaurant should be never piss of anyone who has the ability to do something to your food, pissing off the wait staff or the chef and or cooks is never a good idea.

 

[Bear3412]

I wouldn't recommend doing that as it could be interrupted as rude. I always like to think that Rule number one in a restaurant should be never piss of anyone who has the ability to do something to your food, pissing off the wait staff or the chef and or cooks is never a good idea.

Good point. I can't find that thread.

 

[disney1990]

Our server and assistant server never had to give the "excellent" speech. I gave it to them. On the last time, I told them that they had provided excellent service and thank them.

As far as the head server is concerned - he is there if and when I need him (her). If not, and everything runs smoothly, they are doing their job. The small amount of the tip that Disney recommends for them certainly won't break the bank and I am thankful that they are around - just in case.

 

[millscrew]

Not sure why so many people pay such a high price on a Disney cruise and everyone always wants to not tip the wait staff what they should. These people work very hard to make our trips are perfect as they can.

I have Always received great service in the dinning rooms on the cruise, that I always tip much more, since what they ask us to tip is not much. Good service always goes a long way. They deserve every penny and so much more.

Have a great vacation.

 

[sambycat]

Not sure why so many people pay such a high price on a Disney cruise and everyone always wants to not tip the wait staff what they should. These people work very hard to make our trips are perfect as they can.

I have Always received great service in the dinning rooms on the cruise, that I always tip much more, since what they ask us to tip is not much. Good service always goes a long way. They deserve every penny and so much more.

Have a great vacation.

agreed

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Our server and assistant server never had to give the "excellent" speech. I gave it to them. On the last time, I told them that they had provided excellent service and thank them.

As far as the head server is concerned - he is there if and when I need him (her). If not, and everything runs smoothly, they are doing their job. The small amount of the tip that Disney recommends for them certainly won't break the bank and I am thankful that they are around - just in case.

On 2 of my 3 cruises I was on I only saw the head server a couple of times mainly at the begging of the cruise. On My first one they were trying out some new menus on the Wonder as it was going to be doing a longer cruise later in the year. The second one there weren't really any issues with me or my table mates. On the third cruise some of my table mates for some reason had an issue with the our servers and made a bunch of demands that really mad them all including the head server work extra hard for them, one night she had to go all the way to Diversions to get some chicken wings that someone had requested. Also some of them reduced the servers tips because of some things that happened the first night that were beyond the control of the serving team.

 

[tinkerone]

i have to chime in to say that on our recent fantasy cruise the head server showed up every night. it did get to the point of annoying (imo) but he was always there if something were to come up. he helped clean up as well as get food ready to serve (we were near the serving station and saw this). it seemed like all the head waiters were doing this so maybe it has been brought to dcl's attention and they fixed the problem of everyone wondering who and where the head waiter was.
he wanted to talk more than the servers did. lol.