Roy Disney Suite- What would you have done

[bemily]

For one mistake, i certainly wouldnt have docked her tip...I am human and make mistakes as well...But, maybe there was more to this than gardan is telling us as to why he docked her tip? these people work too hard to take away from their tips, unless it was an ongoing problems, not one, or even a couple of minor mistakes, for that matter. Yes, tipping i think is discrecionary, but i would think most people going into a cruise would know that this is how these workers make a living, by their tips.

 

[disneyholic family]

i'm really surprised...
we were on the Wonder in July in stateroom 8534, the category 3 that's one over from the roy disney....our stateroom host was responsible for our suite, the one next to ours, and the roy disney suite...
he also was training another host....
the two of them were spectacular.....i can't imagine what you describe having happened with them on duty....but since you say you had a woman, it couldn't be the same team (our host was Enrique and the trainee was Suleiman......i think both of them were Indonesian.....as friendly as they were efficient....)
i'm sorry you had a bad experience...

 

[antmaril]

You should hope and pray that no turn down service is the only "major" problem you ever have on vacation. When I started reading your post I thought you were going to say something horrible happened. Instead, I'm reading that you had no turn down service. I couldn't believe my eyes.

I suggest you put things in perspective. I don't care how much you spent on that suite, you did not have major problems.

 

[Susan in Maine]

Look folks, he didn't trash the entire cruise! If I had spent the $ to have my family stay in that suite, and I didn't get top level service, I would also be unhappy!

If you re-read his post, notice that it was 11:30PM, and they had three kids. If you're trying to put three tired, probably cranky kids to bed, and you can't because of a promised service, you're apt to be pretty unhappy! One of the greatest advantages of a cruise over other types of vacations is that this sort of thing is supposed to be taken care of - it's what you are paying for.

Yes, room stewards work hard for their tips. But it's also their JOB. To 'forget' one of the two most expensive suites on the ship shouldn't be explained away as an oversight. People who spend big bucks for top level accomodations expect to receive service commensurate with that expense. And that is NOT an unreasonable expectation.

In the grand scheme of things, is this a big deal? Obviously not. But at that moment it was a big deal to this poster. And he shouldn't be slammed for expressing his unhappines. In general service is poor in this country. And part of the reason for that is our willingness to excuse away 'mistakes' and 'off days'. If for some reason I do not get the service I've been told to expect, that is not MY problem - it is the problem of the management of the cruise line. We have become all too willing to accept responsibility for problems that aren't ours.

<Getting down off my soapbox>

 

[Mojomanny]

If you re read the post....they were not saying there was a disappointment. They said ....

There was 1 major problem during the trip. We DID NOT get turndown service on the second evening.

This, IMHO, is far from a Major Problem. An inconvenience, yes. A Major Problem? no. (I have children, and can relate to the challenges thus associated with bedtime)

To make it sound like it ruined their cruise and to dock the tip is a bit stiff, especially considering all the extra services they are (supposed) to get in the suite. Despite all the extra care and pampering, the tip recommendation is the same through out the cabin range.

I can acknowledge and agree it was a disappointment. I can agree it should not have happened. I might even have mentioned it to the hostess the next day, "I understand these things happen sometimes, but can you make some extra effort to ensure our room is taken care of"

BTW - maybe if I had addressed her the next day, I amy have given her a bit of a cash tip then.... afterall, TIPS stands for "To Ensure Prompt Service"

I tipped about 75% of the recommended tip when we got on the cruise. I spoke with our steward and servers. I explained that I wanted to ensure my family had a wonderful time and that I would appreciate anything they could do to help me ensure this would happen. I let them know that I would be tipping additionally at the end of the cruise. We had a great time and I tipped each and additional 50% and thus tipped 125% of the recommended amount. After all, we did have a great time!

 

[4cruisin]

At the risk of this thread being moved over to the debate board, here are more of my observations.

Gardner ASKED for our opinions and has been receiving them. The OP did not request that we agree with him/her and validate the fact that cutting the steward's tip was the correct action to take. By posting a question here, you are subject to peoples opinions, like them or not!!

Personally, if I could afford a suite, I'd be so darn happy that I would be thrilled just to be there. I do understand some people expect excellent service but to penalize someone for an honest mistake, in my opinion, is harsh.

We all have different opinions of what level of service we expect. Some are higher than others. I tip well above the recommended amounts no matter where I am, restaurants, hair salon etc as long as the person is not rude. Even on a bad day, I will still tip 15% because as my mom would say "I'd never want to walk a mile in someone else's shoes". We just never know what is going on in someone's life. Maybe the hostess had family worries during that particular cruise, or maybe she was not feeling well.

I am not making excuses for her mistakes, but there are much more important things to worry about in life than this.

Oh BTW, another of mom's famous sayings...."you get more flies with honey than vinegar".

 

[paulmc80]

I certainly unstand what you meant gardan. You phrased it quite nicely and appropriately.

Not being there I cannot comment on your situation, but do understand where you are coming from. Thank you for being so good as to have posted your experience here. It is always a help to others.

Thanks gardan.

 

[lookingforward]

I definately don't think it was a major problem but i agree with Susan in Maine. It was definately a hassle to come back to the room with sleepy kids and have to call for the bed to be unlocked and set up. When you pay so much for a room you should get the extra service that is promised with such expensive rooms.

I don't think I would have docked her tip either but if you pay all that money you should get excellent, seemless, and special treatment. Of course it should not ruin anyone's trip if something does not happen as it is supposed to but i don't think the poster was saying that.