Need a little help with tips!

[sissy_ib]

Did you do that with the gold mail in thing? I do have jewelry that I wish to sell but they have rubies and diamonds on them, as well as a nice watch. I'd love to sell these, but I wouldn't have the slightest idea of where.

Since you asked, don't mail it in. They wont give you anything for the stones so you might as well take them out and keep them. I don't know why I didn't think to do that when I sold my stuff, but the stones in mine weren't worth much to begin with. I would take it to a few places and see what price they will give you.

 

[Amunet]

I think the key thing here is to be as explicit in your situation and your intentions as possible when asking a question like that.
It saves the speculation as to your intentions and abilities.

I'm glad to hear you will be able to pay the full suggested tip amount's (subject to the great service you will no doubt receive!) and this has just been a misunderstanding about "should you pay the suggested amount and why" rather than "I can't pay the suggested amount"!
Probably would have been easier to have asked how to cut down on cost's and any helpful cost saving tip's though! lol!

Have a great cruise!

Ex Techie

When creating the thread, I didn't have a clear view that I will be able to make the suggested minimum, which is how it really helped me with the tips.

Haha but yes, it did turn into a thread like that. Either way, it's helped

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

When creating the thread, I didn't have a clear view that I will be able to make the suggested minimum, which is how it really helped me with the tips.

Haha but yes, it did turn into a thread like that. Either way, it's helped

Cool! And a great learning experience for you as a future Disney Vacation expert TA!
Lot's stuff to pass on to future cruisers and give them a full low down and expectation list when they think about booking!

Hope you have a great cruise on the Wonder!

Ex Techie

 

[Stinkerbe11]

Did you do that with the gold mail in thing? I do have jewelry that I wish to sell but they have rubies and diamonds on them, as well as a nice watch. I'd love to sell these, but I wouldn't have the slightest idea of where.

I used US Gold Buyers and thought that they were very fair. I did send in items with stones (and they told me on the phone that I wouldn't get much for anything less than 1 carat). You could check around locally, but from my experience, USGB offered more than my local stores. If you don't like their offer, they will ship everything back to you. I personally thought it was a great way to generate extra spending money for the cruise and I got rid of stuff I was never going to wear again!

 

[Stinkerbe11]

Sorry...duplicate post.

 

[tinkerone]

i know i'm in the minority here but i have to say the first time we cruised i was very surprised that tips were not included. don't get me wrong, we have money and the tipping wasn't a problem, it was just that we were used to all inclusive vacations that included tips other than the few dollars you give to the bell boy or bartender. tis nice to not have to worry about it, to have it already done. quite frankly i'm still surprised they don't just put it in the cost of the cruise, hidden away so that there is no question about it. it would make it so much easier on everyone. again, i know that most people prefer to do their own but you could always still give extra. i understand they may be starting to put it on your account automatically on some disney ships?? why not just build it in, then their crew would get paid for sure.
jmo

 

[PrincessShmoo]

i know i'm in the minority here but i have to say the first time we cruised i was very surprised that tips were not included. don't get me wrong, we have money and the tipping wasn't a problem, it was just that we were used to all inclusive vacations that included tips other than the few dollars you give to the bell boy or bartender. tis nice to not have to worry about it, to have it already done. quite frankly i'm still surprised they don't just put it in the cost of the cruise, hidden away so that there is no question about it. it would make it so much easier on everyone. again, i know that most people prefer to do their own but you could always still give extra. i understand they may be starting to put it on your account automatically on some disney ships?? why not just build it in, then their crew would get paid for sure.
jmo

I think DCL wants to keep tipping as "real" tipping. On the other cruiselines that "hide" the "service charge", I've heard reports of people wanting to remove the "tips" and having to have it explained to them that the tips aren't up to them (the guest) but the cruiseline.

I have head on the Magic they have started the auto tipping, due mostly to the non US cruisers on the Med cruises that were confused about this exact situation and, basically, not tipping.

I like the feeling that I'm deciding what my tips should be, not someone else.

 

[kcashner]

I think DCL wants to keep tipping as "real" tipping. On the other cruiselines that "hide" the "service charge", I've heard reports of people wanting to remove the "tips" and having to have it explained to them that the tips aren't up to them (the guest) but the cruiseline.

I have head on the Magic they have started the auto tipping, due mostly to the non US cruisers on the Med cruises that were confused about this exact situation and, basically, not tipping.

I like the feeling that I'm deciding what my tips should be, not someone else.

Yes, the Magic went to automatically charging the suggested tips to your onboard account unless you gave them other instructions. It wasn't a big deal to complete the form and increase them. It did make a bit more work than the old method of doing the form once, but the effort was more for the CM at Guest Services than for me. Really I liked doing it on my own better, but I do understand why they went to the automatic system.

 

[Wadekind]

Yes, the Magic went to automatically charging the suggested tips to your onboard account unless you gave them other instructions. It wasn't a big deal to complete the form and increase them. It did make a bit more work than the old method of doing the form once, but the effort was more for the CM at Guest Services than for me. Really I liked doing it on my own better, but I do understand why they went to the automatic system.

I like the idea of have the Base tips automatically added and I can supplement with cash where I think it is deserved.

 

[Amunet]

Just wanted to give you all a little update ^_^

Today I found out how much extra money I can use for the cruise. GOOD NEWS! Have a good bit more then I thought
So, I immediately called up DCL (just got off the phone with them) and PREPAID our tips, the whole amount: $168 ^_^

Thank you all for the encouragement and helpful tips!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm so glad you got that figured out

 

[disneybeachprincess]

Just wanted to give you all a little update ^_^

Today I found out how much extra money I can use for the cruise. GOOD NEWS! Have a good bit more then I thought
So, I immediately called up DCL (just got off the phone with them) and PREPAID our tips, the whole amount: $168 ^_^

Thank you all for the encouragement and helpful tips!

A magical decision! You will see why the staff deserves their tips & more when you cruise w/Disney. We pre-pay & bring cash for room service tips & add'l tips for extras from the room steward & waiters on the last night of dining. We also bring some gift cards for the kids club staff...they don't get tips but deserve the most tips of all, IMO.
Happy Cruising!

 

[Mauicshell]

I have to say, this is the LOWEST recommended tip I have ever seen on a cruise! On top of it, most other cruise line charge a minimum tip to your account and then give you the option to add more. I was on a 3 day cruise through the Greek islands and was charged $75 per person for tips (not optional). I think Disney is very reasonable in their request.
That being said, I know what it is like to be strapped for cash so do what you can. These people are giving up a normal family life to make our families happy!

 

[disney1990]

As somebody else suggest, the Disney Visa is a great help. We literally charge everything on our Disney Visa (this is money we have to spend anyway, gas, groceries, doctor's appts). I immediately subtract the money from the checkbook so that I know I have enough money to cover the charges. In less than a year, I have over $450 in Disney Rewards dollars to use on our cruise in October -- and by cruise time, we will have more.

 

[NancyIL]

I have to say, this is the LOWEST recommended tip I have ever seen on a cruise! On top of it, most other cruise line charge a minimum tip to your account and then give you the option to add more. I was on a 3 day cruise through the Greek islands and was charged $75 per person for tips (not optional). I think Disney is very reasonable in their request.
That being said, I know what it is like to be strapped for cash so do what you can. These people are giving up a normal family life to make our families happy!

On the contrary, DCL's suggested amount of $12 pp/day is the highest of the cruise lines I've sailed. Celebrity, Holland America, and Princess suggest $11.50 pp/day for standard cabins, and Royal Caribbean suggests $11.65 pp/day.

 

[NancyIL]

Just wanted to give you all a little update ^_^

Today I found out how much extra money I can use for the cruise. GOOD NEWS! Have a good bit more then I thought
So, I immediately called up DCL (just got off the phone with them) and PREPAID our tips, the whole amount: $168 ^_^

Thank you all for the encouragement and helpful tips!

While I don't prepay the tips unless I have to (as I do for "anytime dining" on Celebrity and RCI) - your doing so ensures that it's taken care of.

 

[goofymama]

Wow, thank you ALL for the tips! Bwaha, see what I did there?

Really though, thank you, you've helped a lot ^_^

Lessee if I can answer most of these ...

* We are flying. Unfortunately, we have to fly Delta. I fly A LOT and yes, we are only planning on carry-on. We will be shipping a small package to our hotel (containing our sunblock).

* We are flying into LGB, not LAX, it was only $400 round trip for the 2 of us Yeah, we were excited. It would be about $33 from the airport to our hotel. The hotel provides a shuttle to (possibly from) the port. Though, on the way back we have to use a taxi since our flight leaves at 7am!
SO I did figure out a way to cut down our spending for transport: use the bus. It's about $5 for both of us to just take public transit from the airport to hotel. Though, it takes an extra 2 hours.

* I don't drink alcoholic beverages

* I had NO idea the $25 OBC could be used for tips o.o That is awesome! Thank you guys so much for that

* I never said I was planning on NOT paying the tips. I said I didn't plan ENOUGH.

* No need to worry about lunches for work as I am unemployed (dang temporary job!). Oh no, it's okay, DH still works! Let's just say that tax refunds are awesome ...

As for the under-tipping, I'm not trying to. I just forgot about the average tipping policies for cruising. I've only cruised once before and that was RCI, at that time we weren't penny pinching and had enough, so it didn't bother me at all.
I agree with all of you, most of the servers work crazy hard and deserve AT LEAST the minimum suggested tips. Expecially Disney.

When booking this trip, I COMPLETELY forgot about tips and once I remembered, I budgeted. But then I forgot that Disney is a bit better. Hence, this thread.

BUT thanks to all of your advice (and maybe more to come?), we'll be able to at least make the suggested minimum

I haven't read all of the responses yet, but have you ever considered babysitting to make a few extra $$$. Adult sitters in my area are paid $10 to $14 per hour tax free. You could sit a couple of Saturday nights and make up the tip shortfall that you have .... Another night or two and you could buy that souvenir or whatever.

Good luck and njoy your cruise!