Question about cruising etiquette.

[sassybrendita]

My sister and I are planning our first cruise ever. My sister suggested the Disney Line because she has heard a lot of good things about it being that she lives right next to Cape Canaveral and she works at a car rental company where many cruisers frequently rent and subsiquently "dish the dirt" on the cruises they have taken. Since this will be our first cruising experience ever we were wondering what the protocal is for things like tipping staff or even things we might not have any clue at all about like specific attire to wear. I figured I would ask the obviously more experienced cruisers about what to expect and what is expected of us. Thank you so much for your help. (sorry if i posted in the wrong place, I was not sure where this fits)
Brenda

 

[grumpydude]

We just got back from our first cruise on Magic last week in August. First Time cruising anywhere. We had gone to WDW twice, 2003 and 2004.
We really enjoyed it. I have read good and bad reports about all cruise lines. Reading trip reports really helped make my decision.

I just wore a suit for formal night and my wife just wore a nice cocktail dress. It was more than adequate. There were people in tux and gowns and others in golf shirts and khakis. There were even some service men on board in their dress uniforms.

As far as tipping. I typically over tip anyway. Disney does provide you with a guide for tipping. Your dining room attendants and your stateroom host you tip one big one at the end of the week. We went to Palo twice, 1 brunch and 1 dinner and I really overtipped our guy but it was sooooo good. I would also include a few bucks for bar service etc. Just add it to your receipt that the server will ask you to sign. Be careful. Drinks add up really fast and when you get your bill at the end of the week OUCH.

Hope that helps. If you want, read my report. Maybe it will help you out.
GD

Grumpydude Trip Report

 

[ibouncetoo]

Brenda, you should get more help if you post this question on the regular cruise line forum. Perhaps a moderater will move this over there.



I'm taking my sister on her first cruise (and only my second) in just SIX WEEKS!

As grumpydude mentioned, DCL has suggested tipping amounts for the four tipped positions (room steward, head server, server, assistant server). Other than that you would tip for room service and at the bars a 15% tip is automatically added to your bill. Spend a little time cruising the DCL web-site, then come back here for better DETAILS

I suggest spending a lot of time reading on the DISboards. Trip reports (like grumpydude's ) are a great way to get a feel for the DCL cruise experience. Then you can post specific questions about the different aspects of cruising. (A 'tell me all about cruising' request is kind of overwhelming!)

You can order a free DCL planning vidio (dvd) directly from DCL....just give them a call. Also a great guide book is the PassPorter for Disney cruising. You can get it at big chain bookstores, amazon.com or order directly from www.passporter.com

 

[sassybrendita]

Thank You so much for your reply's. i read Grumpy Oldman's trip report and I must say that it was fabulous! I can't wait to go now! Thank you both for replying. I will certainly paruse the boards and do some more research! Thank you again.
Brenda

 

[grumpydude]

i read Grumpy Oldman's trip report
Brenda

GRUMPY OLDMAN????? Doesn't that make me feel special. Especially since my birthday is 23 days away. I hope I get a walker this year.

 

[sassybrendita]

I must have picked it up from your post. You were talking about not liking the 70's themed party since everyone working it was bornin 1984 and that happens to be the year i was born. I do appoligize for the blunder.
Brenda