One more question about tipping.

Quackmore · Apr 30, 2002

Please help me clear up the issue on tipping. I have read that you SHOULD include your kids when considering tipping. Are kids supposed to be included in ALL the suggested tipping? Does anybody have any thoughts on this? The information below is the suggested tipping amount right from Disney's website. So a family of 4 (2 adults,2 children) would expect to tip a minimum of just over $300.00 for a 7 night cruise.

From Disney:

"Help! I'm really confused about tipping!
We'll make it easy. Of course, you should never feel that a reward is automatically expected from you. But it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. As a guideline, may we suggest the following:

Per Guest per cruise 3-Night 4-Night 7-Night
Dining Room Server 11.00 14.75 25.75
Dining Room Asst. Server 8.00 10.75 18.75
Dining Room Head Server 2.75 3.75 6.50
Stateroom Host/Hostess 10.75 14.50 25.25
Dining Manager Your Discretion
Room Service Your Discretion "

IrishCowboy · Apr 30, 2002

Quackmore,
I know how you feel. Before our first cruise, I thought that the tipping guidelines seemed a little high. I wasn't expecting to tip over $300 on our cruise. But, I was so overwhelmed with the great levels of service that we received throughout the ship that I did tip ABOVE the recommended amounts.

The servers and stateroom hosts really go out of their way to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

Remember, these are only guidelines suggested by Disney. Feel free to tip whatever you feel has been earned. I think that most people do tip at least the suggested amount or more. And I've been told that some cruisers don't tip at all. Let your conscience be your guide.

Rikersmom · Apr 30, 2002

I always try to remember how quickly the tips add up when we are on vacation somewhere else. Meaning tips for breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks. When I think of dinners on the Magic, think of what the bill would be for appetizers, entree, dessert, drinks. We generally tip 20% for good service, and our service on the Magic has always been excellent. It adds up.

Horace Horsecollar · Apr 30, 2002

The price of a cruise on almost every cruise line consists of two parts: (1) The price you pay ahead of time to the cruise company (through your travel agency) for the majority of what you receive, and (2) the price you pay directly to the servers and stateroom host for the personal service you receive from them.

I wish the cruise companies did a better job of making this clear to passengers ahead of time, rather than hiding the "tipping guidelines" somewhere in the fine print in the back of their brochures.

The positive side of this pricing arrangement is that most servers and stateroom hosts try very, very hard to please the passengers.

Kids are as much or more work for the service staff than adults, so it makes sense to pay accordingly.

By the way, we were happy to tip quite a bit more than the guidelines for our family of four because the servers and stateroom host did so much to make our cruise wonderful.

peg2001 · Apr 30, 2002

If you can stand one more tipping question, how about tipping for the under-3 crowd? Standard amount, more, or less?

din · Apr 30, 2002

Quackmore:

I am sure what your kids age are, but the dining room staff go beyond the what was expected. Our kids had games boys for after dinner. The waiter staff, all of them had fun talking to them about the games. In addition there was one night the boys wanted prime rib. I asked for one serving and an additional plate, but instead they brought out two servings!!! BIG SERVING!!!! When I wanted to cut the meat, the head waiter and asst told me to relax and they started cutting the meat. All of us had a good laugh about it!!!!

I would say the one "complain" that we would have is the amount of food to be thrown away. As I mentioned, the prime rib was only partly eaten and would have been just right if they brought one out.

IMHO, the dinning room staff earn every penny of the tips!!!

Quackmore · Apr 30, 2002

Thanks for all your responeses. I don't have a problem with the money. I'm on the generous side anyway's. I just wanted to mainly clarify the tipping regarding the children.
Thanks again,

CamColt · Apr 30, 2002

Before we cruised I had the same question. Our youngest DS was 8 months old and I couldnt understand having to tip waiters for someone who wasnt even going to be eating anything. After the cruise I completely understood why you should include kids, even infants. Our waiters were wonderful with DS. They played with him, made puppets, and one night even carried him around while they waited on other tables. At the end of the cruise our waiter gave him a special Disney pin. For weeks after we got back I would ask DS "Wheres Iggy?" and he would look around and laugh.

MikeBW · Apr 30, 2002

We went on the April 14 Wonder cruise and we had the same "sticker shock" about tipping before we went. But having seen the job that servers and stateroom hosts do and the hours that they work, we gave more than what Disney suggested. The servers really are very nice and very good with the kids, so we had no problem tipping at the end of the cruise.
My only suggestion is to keep an open mind, talk to your servers, get to know them and by the end of the cruise you will have a good feeling about what to tip.

TeamMMouse · Apr 30, 2002

As far as tipping for the under 3 crowd - At dinner a 18 month old requires very little time during the meal however during clean up they take more effort then an adult. So maybe they are worthy of full tip?!?!

TeamMMouse · Apr 30, 2002