NEW ~ Automatic Tipping on the Magic

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

We just returned yesterday from the 7 Day Magic Turkey Cruise. We did find out that NOW tips are automatically added to your stateroom. You then have to go to Guest Services to have them adjusted, or as in our case completely reversed. Our family likes to make personalized envelopes and we have always used cash. Which is just a personal preference. This seemed to cause a lot of confusion. Many guests were not made aware of this until the yellow sheet of paper turned up in our Stateroom. (We were told later that several guests who were confused gave cash and we also charged ).

We were told by a fellow cruiser that this practice started this Summer on the Magic in the Med because the tipping was extremely low and in some case non existent?

Hoping to start a dicussion and get some additional information. It caused extra long lines at Guest Services almost everyday after Wed. Will this encourage more minimum tipping since the recommended is the amount charged, and many did not add extra without some work (unless they just stuffed cash in the envelope?)

Thanks in advance for any information/discussion on this.

 

[Simba One]

I would really prefer they just include tips in the total cost of the trip so as not to confuse. That way people who don't want to tip won't feel the need to and servers will get what they deserve. For us, if it is already calculated, the servers lose because we wont be adding more. On the other hand, maybe they get more in the end because others who wouldn't tip wont change theirs either.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Here's a couple of previous threads for reference:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2809959

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2836721

HTH's get you started!

Ex Techie

 

[lbgraves]

Yes, one thing I learned from a server we have seen several times onboard the Magic was that the crew doesn't really look forward to the Med cruises because tipping is not customary in that part of the world since it is built into the price. Since that was not the case for DCL, many servers in the dining room and the room hosts were not receiving tips from a large number of guests. This past summer DCL started implementing the automatic charging of tips on the ship to try and rectify this for the CMs.

 

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

Here's a couple of previous threads for reference:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2809959

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2836721

HTH's get you started!

Ex Techie

Thanks for sharing.... It looks like on these threads the consensus is the servers will actually get less, because most will not add additional...

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

It's also weird that it seems only the Magic has this new method, even though she is back, and not in Europe anymore.

Ex Techie

 

[storms71]

We were just on the Magic over Halloween and just added to the tips that were autmotically taken out. The tips are added to there pay checks so it is easier for them to get the tickets so they dont spend the cash as fast that is what one of the bartenders told me when I asked him also about the automatic tips on drinks.

 

[kcashner]

My favorite server said he preferred charged tips because he was sending most of his money home; said he always got plenty of cash for his limited needs on the ship.

You can always add cash to the envelope to avoid a trip to GS...

 

[MDTerp]

On our last 3 cruises (2 DVC Member's Cruises and the Med) the tips were either included (DVC MC) or pre-paid by us (Med). We then added extra cash to the envelopes of the CM's that deserved a bit more that the customary gratuity. It worked out very well and was one less thing to worry about.

 

[momof2minnies]

Am I in the minority here-tips used to be given for great service-not an expectation.I have been on a couple Disney cruises and yes the service was great and we did tip but that should be determined by the guest not a predetermined prepaid amount.There is less of an incentive if people know it is coming anyway.

You know this when you get into this service field whether you are on land or water it is the same- paid less per hr and then you count on your tips to make up the difference.

Not trying to be a downer but it just isn't fair.

Linda

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

You are free to raise or lower the suggested tip amount's by visiting GS.

Ex Techie

 

[krispykreme97]

Most of my other cruises have been on Carnival and that is the way they do it. I have no problem with tipping but don't want it added to my bill unexpectantly. It should be an option and not a mandatory charge. Perhaps add it on the last day as opposed to the middle of the cruise. I have been called a few times to guest services to add money to my account which I budget so I won't spend so much per day only to find out the tips were added. I kindly ask them to take them off and usually get a response like "Was there anything wrong with your service?" I just tell them that I prefer to tip in cash. It's just an extra unnecessary hassle.

 

[dylan'smom]

We were just on the Magic over Halloween and just added to the tips that were autmotically taken out. The tips are added to there pay checks so it is easier for them to get the tickets so they dont spend the cash as fast that is what one of the bartenders told me when I asked him also about the automatic tips on drinks.

......

You can always add cash to the envelope to avoid a trip to GS...

You are free to raise or lower the suggested tip amount's by visiting GS. Ex Techie

Guess I'm one of the people who doesn't find this a big deal. It did surprise me when we first encountered it in June, but you STILL get all the envelopes in your room (to replace with your own if you want), and you still are given the stubs indicating the tip amount.

We usually prepay or visit GS to add these to our account & add some cash later anyway...... it's only a matter slipping something extra into the envelope.

It should probably be in the Docs booklet though or other info pre-cruise, but guess we always expected to pay at least the minimum.

The majority of cruise lines have been doing this for some time. The Magic appears to be the testing ground for DCL, but if they choose to keep it as a policy, it will be implemented on their other ships....and most likely RCCL will follow suit as they are one of the few who still do not do the auto tipping.


.

 

[redheadtove]

I was about to call my TA on Monday and make the arrangements to have my tips pre-paid, so when I actually get on the ship in 32 days that is one less expense that comes off my credit card. Does this mean I can not pre-pa my tips before my trip??

 

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

Am I in the minority here-tips used to be given for great service-not an expectation.I have been on a couple Disney cruises and yes the service was great and we did tip but that should be determined by the guest not a predetermined prepaid amount.There is less of an incentive if people know it is coming anyway.

You know this when you get into this service field whether you are on land or water it is the same- paid less per hr and then you count on your tips to make up the difference.

Not trying to be a downer but it just isn't fair.

Linda

Very good point.


We were seated with a family on a Wonder Cruise last year and they did not Tip at all unless the service was extra special. We were really upset by this and it caused a little trouble at our table. They said they had on several occasions never tipped unless they had a reason too. They felt the cruise was expensive enough and only small gratuties were warranted. I guess there are different mind sets. We believe that tips always need to be taken into account when planning on cruise price.

 

[dylan'smom]

I was about to call my TA on Monday and make the arrangements to have my tips pre-paid, so when I actually get on the ship in 32 days that is one less expense that comes off my credit card. Does this mean I can not pre-pa my tips before my trip??

No worries, yes, you can still pre pay - we just did!!

 

[TheLanes]

I think it is a great idea, and have no problem with it. It was started so that the Europeans that didn't know better, would know better.

Other cruise lines do it, probably better for Disney, the servers, and the guests. If you want to decrease tips for whatever reason, you have to make an effort, which stops the cheapskates. If its for a good reason, you know have the chance to explain why. If you want to give extra, cash is king!

 

[mkmommy]

I think it is good.

Think back to all those threads on how terrible service was when the Dream first started sailing, and there was tons of new staff that were just learning. If staff are not getting tipped they are going to go to other cruise lines and service will be terrible again with more new staff.

With all the new ships coming on line I am sure the compition to hire good staff is high and I know Disney training looks good on a resume, so I bet other cruise lines would be more than pleased to hire them.

 

[yukongirl123]

Are the tips are the only renumeration that the wait staff and housekeeping receive right? If so, I don't now how you can not tip at all...

I always tip the minimum early in the week to avoid the lines that occur at guest services on the last night and then add cash cash for above and beyond service....

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Are the tips are the only renumeration that the wait staff and housekeeping receive right? If so, I don't now how you can not tip at all...

I always tip the minimum early in the week to avoid the lines that occur at guest services on the last night and then add cash cash for above and beyond service....

They have a very basic wage of around $10/week from DCL.

Ex Techie