Palo Gratuity Question

[Max02215]

Just returned from the 1/24 Magic! Great time. Question- does the $15. per person charge at Palo's go to server's gratuity? We weren't sure so we gave extra. Just want to know from for the future. Thanks.

 

[allears]

Just returned from the 1/24 Magic! Great time. Question- does the $15. per person charge at Palo's go to server's gratuity? We weren't sure so we gave extra. Just want to know from for the future. Thanks.

This is a somewhat contested topic on the boards. It is generally accepted that DCL maintains that the service fee covers the gratuity, but no one is 100% sure. We have always added an additional tip because the the fantastic service we have always received.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Just returned from the 1/24 Magic! Great time. Question- does the $15. per person charge at Palo's go to server's gratuity? We weren't sure so we gave extra. Just want to know from for the future. Thanks.

From what we have read $5 goes to the server as a built in tip, however we add extra if the service is good (and it has always been)

Rob

 

[jilljill]

Directly from DCL's website:

What about gratuities?

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 $12.00 $16.00 $28.00
Dining Room Asst. Server $9.00 $12.00 $21.00
Dining Room Head Server $3.00 $4.00 $7.00
Stateroom Host/Hostess $12.00 $16.00 $28.00
Dining Manager Your Discretion
Room Service Your Discretion
Palo Gratuity included
Vista Spa & Salon Your Discretion
Babysitting Gratuity not expected
Shore Excursions Optional; not included in shore excursion price.
For your convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge.

 

[dursin]

Just returned from the 1/24 Magic! Great time. Question- does the $15. per person charge at Palo's go to server's gratuity? We weren't sure so we gave extra. Just want to know from for the future. Thanks.

Like others have said, there is much disagreement on this, but according to the official DCL faq (which the previous poster posted), the Palo service charge does include the gratuity. From what I've read here $5 of that service charge goes to the server. That may not seem like a lot, but when you consider that your main server gets a recommended gratuity of $4pp (per day) which is supposed to cover their services for an entire day, $5pp for a single meal seems very fair.

That said, many people seem to tip a little extra. My view is that the server receives a fair tip from the service charge which is roughly equivalent to the 15% that a server gets for drink order. If service exceeds expectations (which it typically does!), we add a little extra...typically $5pp which is essentially doubling what DCL considers to be a fair gratuity.

 

[kcashner]

Above are all correct--server receives a portion of the Palo charge, but not all of it. Many people tip above the Palo charge, but it certainly isn't required that you do so.

 

[jrabbit]

We tipped our server at brunch an extra $15. When we came back a few days later for dinner - appeared to be excited to see us and he became our server for dinner - where we tipped him an extra $20. He was very good, we had very excellent service - and I'm happy. (Win-Win). From this experience maybe we over tipped confused3: Like I said, Ciao was happy and so were we.

Do what feels right at the time!

 

[kcashner]

We tipped our server at brunch an extra $15. When we came back a few days later for dinner - appeared to be excited to see us and he became our server for dinner - where we tipped him an extra $20. He was very good, we had very excellent service - and I'm happy. (Win-Win). From this experience maybe we over tipped confused3: Like I said, Ciao was happy and so were we.

Do what feels right at the time!

Palo is the pinnacle for a server--fewer heavy trays, fewer number of guests, good tips, and generally tipping over that which they get in the Palo fee. These people work hard, and those that get the best reviews become servers in Palo. I sort of look at how much I have just by the luck of being born in the US, and figure that a little extra tip doesn't hurt anyone.

I don't think you "over tipped" if you are happy. And if you did, you made his day!

 

[jrabbit]

I really don't think that I over tipped. Would do it again in a heartbeat - if there's a next time.

Our next booked cruise is going to cost us over $250 per person per day (First St. Croix cruise was less than $160 per person per day) in a cat 9!! RCCL is starting to look better. for a 2009 northern europe cruise on RCCL is about 45% less expensive than the 2010 northern europe cruise on DCL - with a very similar itenerary. .... ok done being

The biggest problem that I have with Palo is that when I go back the the rotational dinning - I'm not as impressed with the food. But such is the price we pay for that awesome Palo experience!

 

[cyndik1111]

we just got off the magic. did the palo brunch. our server was so nice. he told us about his home life in chile and his wife/kids etc. We tipped him an extra $30- and I felt cheap doing that. I know this is my issue- but I see these people who work long hard hours to serve us and clean up after us. This is their only way to earn this kind of money. Here in USA we have all kinds of opportunities. We waste so much food/stuff and these people from poorer countries must think we are big american pigs for how we CONSUME. I had a lot of guilt about their life verse ours. Again- my problem. But I felt the need to somehow (in a tiny way) make up for it- we tipped everyone extra. It took a little of the guilt away.
I think tipping is such a personal thing. Do what you are comfortable with.

 

[Travelbee]

Wish I read this before I cruise! I also tipped an extra $20 for brunch and dinner. We figured the meal would probably cost $100+ in any restaurant so we can figure 20% of that... Although neither one of our server from brunch or dinner seem all that impresed. Maybe people tip more than $20?