The Happyfingers Family are on Holiday

[PrincessInOz]

Happy Fingers - Tipping was a rather touchy subject sometime back on the Aussie boards. I found the old thread and have attached the link here for you to read through.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2427914&highlight=tipping


Anyone else remember this thread????

Just a word of friendly advice...when we originally 'discussed' this issue, some of us were a lot less...ah.....mellow......then...and if I recall correctly, there were at least 3 or 6 posts that got deleted by the Mod Squad because of the comments.

Perhaps those that have been on cruises can provide comments on the tipping etiquette on the ship; but I think the views and tips in that old linked thread still applies.

Just remember - irrespective of our personal views of tipping, it is part of the culture in the US...whether THEY or us travellers like it or not.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Princess - hahahaha. Always the diplomat. I don't remember this thread to be honest and was surprised that I only made one or two relatively polite posts but then came back and read what you wrote here about some of the comments being deleted and feel sure maybe Queenie and I potentially went at it .

Ahhh the good old days hey. It really is too quiet here on the boards, maybe Queenie and I need to put our heads together and think of a subject we don't agree on, oh now wait, that is most every subject but unfortunately I have developed a fondness for her now and it isn't nearly as much fun to argue with her

 

[PrincessInOz]

Princess - hahahaha. Always the diplomat. I don't remember this thread to be honest and was surprised that I only made one or two relatively polite posts but then came back and read what you wrote here about some of the comments being deleted and feel sure maybe Queenie and I potentially went at it .

Ahhh the good old days hey. It really is too quiet here on the boards, maybe Queenie and I need to put our heads together and think of a subject we don't agree on, oh now wait, that is most every subject but unfortunately I have developed a fondness for her now and it isn't nearly as much fun to argue with her

My elephant swiss cheese memory strikes again. There was also a couple of exchanges with an american.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

My feelings on tipping are still the same as before. It is not a practice that comes easily to Australians because it's not a part of our culture but I do have no problems tipping in the US since I am sensitive to the fact that it is expected, a part of the persons wages and I very much value good service.

We don't generally let the porters touch our bags and have always found them to be respectful of that. I hate the idea of tipping a barman for a drink (probably because I like to drink and figure it will cost me alot if I have a big night )(disclaimer:- I don't tend to drink much when travelling).

I do however quite like tipping for good service when I am having a meal. I love great service, it puts a smile on my face and makes my meal a much more enjoyable experience. I have also found that since our trips to the US, I feel funny not tipping at the end of a great serviced meal here . How funny.

We've just come back from Fiji and I found I tipped a fair bit there, mainly because i was shocked at the low wages these people were earning and what was not alot of money to me was a very welcome help to the Fijian people.

I read through the tipping stuff for the cruise and that sounds very complicated, but I'm sure you will work it out. As for budgeting on what the tipping will cost, it made my head hurt just thinking about working that out.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Are you saying i had a couple of exchanges with the American???? .

Wow, I really used to be a BEE-OTCH in the good old days

 

[PrincessInOz]

Are you saying i had a couple of exchanges with the American???? .

Wow, I really used to be a BEE-OTCH in the good old days

Didn't mention it was you or anyone else......

 

[battymum]

Happy Fingers - We are also going on a cruise - I found it easier to prepay the tips - just figure it is part of the cost. Apparently it is noted on the booking and the staff will know,. This is mandatory if you choose "my time dining"
Was about $500 for our family of five for the week.

As for a budget for 6 weeks, sorry to say, if you are eating sit down meals you are going to need more than that Even though we are on "free dining" I figure each meal is going to be $40 for our family of five "adults"

I have read through the link and I would like to question again is less than 18% acceptable at buffets? Will they bring my dinner to me if I tip the 18%

Restaurant staff is easy - but yeah where does it end!

I read a whole thread on tipping in the cruise critic forums, where porters at the piers are actually employed by (forget the agency) and are often on overtime on Sundays so earning something $50 + per hour and then extorting tips for carrying bags 20metres from a cab to the drop off area. You can make a lot of money carrying bags at $1 each this way - as a passenger "whats five bucks to make sure my bag gets on the boat"

There are signs everywhere saying tipping is not required, but you want to make sure your bag makes it right!

 

[Travel Mum]

the way im reading it is that exception only applies if the international travel is within 24hrs of your flight

Yes, AA changed to this policy a few months ago which is very annoying. Previously, like United, they would waive their baggage fees as long as you could show your international ticket but not any more though. Greedy airline

 

[Travel Mum]

Happy Fingers - We are also going on a cruise - I found it easier to prepay the tips - just figure it is part of the cost. Apparently it is noted on the booking and the staff will know,. This is mandatory if you choose "my time dining"
Was about $500 for our family of five for the week.

Yes, on our Freedom of the Seas booking, we have done prepaid tipping and, in fact, we had no choice as it was automatically included in the cost of the cruise. As far as I know, prepaid tipping is now automatically included when Aussies and Kiwis book with RCCL now so I'm surprises Happy Fingers hasn't been changed because I've fairly sure you are on Allure of the Seas?

 

[HappyFingers]

arha yes you are right

i logged in and went to the payments tab and there it is

$410 of prepaid tips

so im sweet then still have to tip the room service yeh ?

 

[Travel Mum]

still have to tip the room service yeh ?

Yes, I'm wondering that myself because, although we have cruised a few times before this one, it will be our first balcony cabin and I love the idea of having room service breakfast on our balcony. So, I know the prepaid tips go to our cabin attendant, main waiter and deputy waiter but I'm not sure about the person who delivers the room service. I can't figure out how to find this out because, on the Cruise Critic forum where I'd normally post such a question, it's mainly Americans who don't have prepaid tipping so of course they would tip the attendant.

 

[battymum]

Travel Mum,

You have to tip additional for room service delivery, in cash at the time. $1 per plate.
I still think thats a great deal, $5 for breakfast on my balcony. We will be doing this every day.

 

[HappyFingers]

heads up

i just found this thread
you may want to check it out

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2742625
free dining app for iphone til the 21st

 

[HappyFingers]

thread title updated

75 days to go

the only thing we have left to book is car hire

all other accomodation is booked and paid for, with the exception or the few final days in los angeles

so just a little bit more spending money and we are ready to go

the plan is to go have fun and come back with no debt

 

[hellosue]

thread title updated

75 days to go

the only thing we have left to book is car hire

Hi HappyFingers --- 77 days to go for me.....

Just went through the car hire research online and entertainment book - found best offer vroom @ vroomvroomvroom.com (car rental broker) actual car rental company is Alamo Standard car 10 days $450 inclusive of all taxes and charges pickup airport and drop off at Disney Rental near Epcot (my choice)

checked Alamo directly and they could not come anywhere near my price!

Hope this helps

 

[WAMUMOF4]

thread title updated

75 days to go

the only thing we have left to book is car hire

all other accomodation is booked and paid for, with the exception or the few final days in los angeles

so just a little bit more spending money and we are ready to go

the plan is to go have fun and come back with no debt

You are doing really well, so no what you mean about coming back with no debt we fully paid for our trip last year and this year not quite finished yet my DH says it's not a holiday if you have to come home and work to pay it off

Only 39 days to go for us

 

[HappyFingers]

dont mind me just saving this so i can find it later

2101 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Orlando, FL 32830-1000

im guessing thats the address you send your packages to plus room number

 

[HappyFingers]

even better

Disney's BoardWalk Inn
2101 Epcot Resorts Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
Front desk: (407)939-5100
Fax: (407) 939-5150

 

[HappyFingers]

just spent the last 3 days working on our tripit itinery

for anyone that hasnt done one, go and have a play
its an awesome free service

type in your date and flight number and all the airline and times come up automatically

it gives you maps of address's you have entered and what the weather is usually like

and its a great way to spend about 3 days entering all the finite details so you have it all in one place

we have all the address of the places we want to go so we can find them easily when we are there

tripit.com
its free



our trip is 41 days and it took forever to enter in all the stuff we are getting up to

 

[HappyFingers]

have a look at this

very funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o86ISob5uxE