Should I consider not tipping?

[CastleCreations]

Before I get flamed, let me explain. I have two little angels, who refuse to sit through one of those 1 1/2 hour meals. The last cruise we went on, we ate in the dining room twice. Total. Breakfast was in the room, lunch was at nassau, and castway cay, and dinner we ate in the room except for the first night, and lunch the second day.
On this upcoming cruise, I will be traveling alone with my two girls and I'm sure we won't be doing the dining room again, most likely at all. It's just not an enjoyable experience for us.
On the last cruise, it was funny how the waitstaff was calling the stateroom looking for us. I paid the amount requested for the dining tip last time, but this time, should I still tip the whole amount if we aren't eating in the dining rooms? (yes I know the servers expect a certain amount based on how many they are taking care of, and I do know that they also serve at CC)
Just wondering though

 

[disneyfan19712006]

I think it is appropriate to tip the wait staff even if not using the dining room. They are assigned so many passangers and that is their income. They also work in the buffets and on castaway cay. You will enjoying the services of some of the waitstaff even if you don't eat in the main dining room. So in answer to your question I think it would be in poor taste to not tip.

 

[tinytink]

I vote YES, although you might not have them personally for dinner they still work their bums off, they depend on the tips. They also might be serving/servicing you at breakfast or lunch in one of the buffet restaurants. Just my opinion, I've seen our servers at breakfast and lunch. Hope this helps.

 

[DAD AT DISNEY]

Before I get flamed, let me explain. I have two little angels, who refuse to sit through one of those 1 1/2 hour meals. The last cruise we went on, we ate in the dining room twice. Total. Breakfast was in the room, lunch was at nassau, and castway cay, and dinner we ate in the room except for the first night, and lunch the second day.
On this upcoming cruise, I will be traveling alone with my two girls and I'm sure we won't be doing the dining room again, most likely at all. It's just not an enjoyable experience for us.
On the last cruise, it was funny how the waitstaff was calling the stateroom looking for us. I paid the amount requested for the dining tip last time, but this time, should I still tip the whole amount if we aren't eating in the dining rooms? (yes I know the servers expect a certain amount based on how many they are taking care of, and I do know that they also serve at CC)
Just wondering though

If you don't plan on going to dinner what is the point of leaving a tip. I think the whole tipping thing is getting crazy. Why are we responsible for paying DCL employees their salary when we spend thousands to cruise with them. It's not like DCL is hurting for money!! I'm sick of the guilt trip that some posters make people feel if they don't tip enough.

 

[dursin]

Before I get flamed, let me explain. I have two little angels, who refuse to sit through one of those 1 1/2 hour meals. The last cruise we went on, we ate in the dining room twice. Total. Breakfast was in the room, lunch was at nassau, and castway cay, and dinner we ate in the room except for the first night, and lunch the second day.
On this upcoming cruise, I will be traveling alone with my two girls and I'm sure we won't be doing the dining room again, most likely at all. It's just not an enjoyable experience for us.
On the last cruise, it was funny how the waitstaff was calling the stateroom looking for us. I paid the amount requested for the dining tip last time, but this time, should I still tip the whole amount if we aren't eating in the dining rooms? (yes I know the servers expect a certain amount based on how many they are taking care of, and I do know that they also serve at CC)
Just wondering though

I would say NO....gratuity is for service provided and if they aren't providing a service to you then no gratuity is earned or deserved. That said, they do depend on gratuities and are allocated tables based on the expectation that everyone is going to show up, so I would definitely contact DCL ahead of time and explain the situation and let them know that you won't be making use of the dining rooms.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I would say NO....gratuity is for service provided and if they aren't providing a service to you then no gratuity is earned or deserved. That said, they do depend on gratuities and are allocated tables based on the expectation that everyone is going to show up, so I would definitely contact DCL ahead of time and explain the situation and let them know that you won't be making use of the dining rooms.

This is exactly my opinion ... Please make sure that you let DCL know that you do not want to be assigned a dining room.

Rob

 

[Brooklyn]

I say yes....Basically these servers are paid NOTHING from DCL. They do get an hourly wage but it is litterally cents. They are assigned approx 20 diners at each dining time. So they get 40 people for the whole cruise.

If everyone tips the requested amount then you can see how much they make. If you chose not to come they can't replace you with anyone else.

This is how they make a living.

I totally understand what you are saying though. It would be frustrating to pay for something you do not feel you are using.

 

[imsetuc]

My opinion is you know the tipping policy (whether you like it or not, agree with it or not) prior to booking and taking your cruise. It's your choice whether to eat in the dining rooms or not, etc. But you know the tipping policy before you book, so honor it, even if you don't get the service. It doesn't matter if DCL pays them hardly nothing (all cruise lines do this, and DCL is better to their employees than other cruiselines are). These employees are counting on these tips for their income. Let's be responsible and pay them what is due them.

If you don't like the policy, consider another type all-inclusive vacation where tips are already paid (Beaches in Jamacia for example).

Just my thoughts.

 

[maleficent esq.]

If you don't plan on going to dinner what is the point of leaving a tip. I think the whole tipping thing is getting crazy. Why are we responsible for paying DCL employees their salary when we spend thousands to cruise with them. It's not like DCL is hurting for money!! I'm sick of the guilt trip that some posters make people feel if they don't tip enough.

I agree sorry to all of you mega-tippers. Yes, the servers work hard for their tips and if I receive the services they offer I should tip accordingly. If they do not render the service for whatever reason I have no obligation to tip them.

 

[CastleCreations]

My opinion is you know the tipping policy (whether you like it or not, agree with it or not) prior to booking and taking your cruise. It's your choice whether to eat in the dining rooms or not, etc. But you know the tipping policy before you book, so honor it, even if you don't get the service. It doesn't matter if DCL pays them hardly nothing (all cruise lines do this, and DCL is better to their employees than other cruiselines are). These employees are counting on these tips for their income. Let's be responsible and pay them what is due them.

If you don't like the policy, consider another type all-inclusive vacation where tips are already paid (Beaches in Jamacia for example).

Just my thoughts.

I hardly think Beaches is appropriate for my two little girls, and despite their "great kids program", I've been there and it's not that great.
I just find it hard to fathom, that it is "due" to them, when they aren't providing our family that service..if that's the case, why not tip the spa staff for that massage that you didn't get. I appreciate your opinion, but I think I will call DCL and make sure they know not to assign us a dining rotation.
This is about as silly, as my best friend who has to purchase the dining plan for everyone in her party, even though her youngest has a feeding tube and can not eat table food.

 

[DVC Mary]

If you notify DCL well in advance, maybe the compromise here would be to still give them some amount of money.

Just a thought??

 

[Brooklyn]

I hardly think Beaches is appropriate for my two little girls, and despite their "great kids program", I've been there and it's not that great.
I just find it hard to fathom, that it is "due" to them, when they aren't providing our family that service..if that's the case, why not tip the spa staff for that massage that you didn't get. I appreciate your opinion, but I think I will call DCL and make sure they know not to assign us a dining rotation.
This is about as silly, as my best friend who has to purchase the dining plan for everyone in her party, even though her youngest has a feeding tube and can not eat table food.

If you are not assigned and not hoplding spots are the servers tables that can be used by others then I agree. I did not know however that you had that option.

It is hard for me to think that you can compare your situation to your friends. We have a friend who's daughter can't eat anything due to intestional failure. DL never makes her pay. I do not think you friend should have to pay either. I don't however think the situations are similar.

I do not think that it is "due" to them in the sense you are saying. One selling point of cruises has always been the meals. That is why all cruise ships can get away with not paying their employees a normal hourly wage bc they can get enough money through tips. The spa staff gets an hourly wage...there is a difference. The same with the Kids Clubs. Some people give them a gift card or something as a thank you but it is not their salary. It is different for the wait staff.

Again though, if you are not assigned to a table and servers then there is no need to tip anyone.

 

[Mrsjvb]

the wait staff is also out there during Breakfast and lunch in the buffets or other venues.. if you plan on eating at all, then you should plan on tipping the full amount suggested.

they will STILL be providing you a a service.. by keeping the tables clean,the cutlery stocked and the coffee brewed.

 

[KYMickey]

I don't see any problem not tipping people who don't provide a service to you. As you just stated you don't tip the spa staff if you don't use the spa nor the drink servers poolside if you don't use their services.

It seems like lot of these mega tippers will tip anybody in sight 20%. Of course they're also probably the first people who complain about a waiter who provides bad service even though that waiter thought he was doing good based on the tips he had received.

People need to remember that a tip is just that, a bonus showing appreciation for a service, not a salary.

 

[dursin]

I hardly think Beaches is appropriate for my two little girls, and despite their "great kids program", I've been there and it's not that great.
I just find it hard to fathom, that it is "due" to them, when they aren't providing our family that service..if that's the case, why not tip the spa staff for that massage that you didn't get. I appreciate your opinion, but I think I will call DCL and make sure they know not to assign us a dining rotation.
This is about as silly, as my best friend who has to purchase the dining plan for everyone in her party, even though her youngest has a feeding tube and can not eat table food.

Agreed. Also, there is no policy as the poster you are replying to would have you believe. This is the official GUIDELINE from the FAQ on the DCL site:

"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:
..."

The main point here is that the gratuities are in recognition of service. Gratuities are for service received. They aren't meant to be charitable donations to underpaid employees. Also, it clearly states that "As a guideline, may we suggest the following"

That said, while no policy says you MUST tip, as a courtesy I would still suggest that you contact DCL in advance so they can fairly distribute tables to the serving teams.

 

[Brooklyn]

People need to remember that a tip is just that, a bonus showing appreciation for a service, not a salary.

In the case of a cruise, the wait staff is NOT paid a salary. It is not just a bonus it is how they make a living.

 

[samily]

I hardly think Beaches is appropriate for my two little girls, and despite their "great kids program", I've been there and it's not that great.
I just find it hard to fathom, that it is "due" to them, when they aren't providing our family that service..if that's the case, why not tip the spa staff for that massage that you didn't get. I appreciate your opinion, but I think I will call DCL and make sure they know not to assign us a dining rotation.
This is about as silly, as my best friend who has to purchase the dining plan for everyone in her party, even though her youngest has a feeding tube and can not eat table food.

Sorry to go off topic a bit, but we have spent quite a bit of time looking into the Beaches in Turks & Caicos and in Jamaica - why do you feel Beaches is not appropriate for your girls? I am just curious as they sell themselves as a family all inclusive, Sesame Street characters, etc. I would love to hear from someone who has been there...

 

[Brooklyn]

Agreed. Also, there is no policy as the poster you are replying to would have you believe. This is the official GUIDELINE from the FAQ on the DCL site:

"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:
..."

The main point here is that the gratuities are in recognition of service. Gratuities are for service received. They aren't meant to be charitable donations to underpaid employees. Also, it clearly states that "As a guideline, may we suggest the following"

That said, while no policy says you MUST tip, as a courtesy I would still suggest that you contact DCL in advance so they can fairly distribute tables to the serving teams.

The question asked was "should I consider not tipping" not what are the rules.

When you ask for people's opinions then they are going to give them.

 

[MODisneyfan]

I have a question... I know that I am going to be eating the in the dinning room but I would like to know what is a good amount .. I am going to be on a strict budget since I lost my job but I am still going to have the money to go but I want to make sure that I do indead have enought.. I thought that Disney let you choose what you want to tip right? It isn't like some cruiselines that take a certain amount off your card onboard if not prepaid right..

 

[KrisannB]

My only thoughts on this is - are you going to tip the servers who serve you at each meal and/or help you at the buffets each time you go?