This is really "bothering" me re: DCL

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I don't know why- but it's really bugging me that on DCL the people working on the ship (the majority anyway) are basically paid nothing- have read they get like room/board and that's about it and their only real livelihood is tips?
To me this seems so wrong. I mean even waiters in the US get a minimum wage PLUS tips as their wage. Sure their minimum wage is less- but atleast it's some! I know some might say that little wage is figured as their room & board- but then again they are on a SHIP. They are not living in their own home, with their own kitchen to fix meals- able to go to stores to buy meals cheaper, etc. like our waiters are.

And this goes for those that do the staterooms too? Have you ever heard of a hotel housecleaning crew ONLY making tips as their wage? That doesn't happen does it?

Just bugs me. Ofcourse I plan on atleast tipping the "requested" amount but it makes me feel "bad" that we'll be on this cruise having the time of our lives- and the crew is sitting around holding their breath hoping and praying that everyone tips good so they can have a living. And makes me feel bad because I'm not rich enough to just hand out $100's to everyone we encounter working there every day of our cruise. Can't- but sure wish I could.

It just bugs me... DCL is not "cheap" compared to most cruises- of that I don't think anyone would argue- are ALL cruises this way?? Where so many of the crew depend almost solely on tips for their living?

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I thought the same on our first cruise Feb. 2000. Then as I talked to our asst. server she told us that "yes, the base in minimal but just having DCL on your resume is invaluable". She was from Ausrailia and had applied to work at the olympics there and was not hired. She reapplied after working on DCL and was accepted immediately! I believe our room steward had 12 rooms @25.75 per person, we had 4 people, that's 103.00. I tipped him 50.00 for the week. 25.75x3 people minimum(DCL is for families) x 12 rooms is 927.00 plus tip. Oh, by the way the ship has a Bahama registry........isn't that tax free??? In Mexico, Croatia, Macedonia etc. that's REALLY good income. Room and board is free.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

The crew are not onboard under duress. They agree to the terms of their contracts before they begin working there. This is standard practice in the cruise industry. If it's really nagging your conscience, there are other vacation options.

I mean this sincerely, not sarcastically. I realize it's easy for me to say this while I sit at a desk at work in a climate-controlled office, ready to go home for the day after about 9 hours. The crew work hard, and long, up to 14 hours some days, but they do choose to be there. I'm thankful that I don't have to work that hard or that long, because quite frankly I don't think I could.

 

[kcashner]

Yes, this is standard in the cruise industry. The wage laws and tax structure are a large part of the reason that the cruise lines are not registered in the US. After all, what does Disney have to do with the Bahamas? Only that it is the best place to register the ships from a business standpoint. They pay no income tax in the US or Bahamas, but individual crew members may be taxed by their home country (depending on the laws of that country.)

The crew is on the ship either to build a resume (young, having fun?) or because the money they get on the ship (albeit tips, not salary) is so much better than they could get at home. Our server told us that he could make "maybe" $400 at home (he has a PhD!), and that he makes many times that on the ship. Being on the ship enables him to support his family at home.

The other benefit that the crew gets is their transportation home and back for each vacation. Whatever it takes to get them to their hometown is provided. Yes, there are lots of smaller benefits...like medical care on the ship (consider that these are young, healthy people for the most part), internet access, etc.

Sure, it would be nice if they were paid more...but your ticket would go up correspondingly. I think the answer is to tip fairly. My pet peeve is people who don't adequately recognize the service given.

 

[inkkognito]

Many crew members have told us that Disney is one of the best cruise lines to work for. They have some policies that are better than the norm within the cruise industry.
Also, hubby had an interesting coversation with a stateroom host once. He told us that he had an engineering degree in his home country and had started with DCL as an engineer, but he switched to cleaning staterooms because the money was actually better!
Many of the crew members are highly educated and have interesting stories on why they are working on the cruise ship. It could be anything from supporting a family to improving English skills for a career on shore. If you get a chance, chat with some and you'll hear some interesting tales. One of things I love about cruising is the wide variety of nationalities of people you meet on board.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[4nana]

Yep, I really admire them!! Working 24-7 is definitely a tough job, as is being away from their family. But they seem happy, are there by choice, in a safe enviroment and was told some making $1000+ a week with no taxes. So can't say it bugs me.....

Now....
Imagine being an young volunteer soldier, working 24-7 in God knows what conditions, making less than a $1000 a month, being away from home, in a war defending your country, maybe your loved ones in America living on food stamps!! Now that bugs me!! God Bless our soldiers ^i^

~ Sandie

 

[Amabelle]

Being a newly hired CM with DCL, I wanted to add my 2 cents.
Sure, the pay might seem low... and being hired as one of the few untipped positions, it might even seem lower from my perspective.
But yes, it is industry standards.
And there is definitely HUGE value in having Disney on your resume. Not to mention that Disney has some of the best crew accomodations and perks in the cruise industry. As well as some of the greatest training. Plus, add the fantastic complimentary WDW passes provided.
and I'm not done yet......
There is also so little to spend when working on a cruise ship. Almost all money is take home since everything is paid for. So you can certainly save way more money than if you are living at home! (it's just alcohol and shopping that you have to pay for.... ok, take home for me has been drastically reduced with that figured in)
It's nice that you are concerned but don't sweat about the conditions; and as other members have posted, no one has to be on the ship... no slave labour.... it's an awesome opportunity, you can't try to compare numbers and values with land positions...(prepare for overused cliche) it's like apples and oranges.

yes, i've been doing my research.


A~

 

[Dreamer04]

4nana, Excellent point! If there is anyone in the world who deserve more than they get, it is our men and women in our Armed Forces. Thank you for saying so.

Next time anybody sees a veteran, thank him or her.

 

[jrabbit]

Lamkies, I hope that you meant that you tipped your room steward an addtional 50 bucks, not shorted him $53. I assume you are using the "standard" tip as paying their salary and then anything above that is a "tip"

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Yes, I had figured it was good income IF everyone tipped as they should. And I imagine that the majority do tip as they should (are you saying you tipped only $50 instead of $103??)- but still... it's just the thought of them having to wonder and worry all week if everyone would tip appropriately at suggested amounts.

But I do appreciate all your posts- you've brought up a point I hadn't really thought about- no one is FORCING them to work on DCL. So just because it would be a stressful/worry job for me doesn't mean they don't like it. They obviously wouldn't be there if they didn't! I also guess I didn't take into consideration that it's a better income than they could make at home- especially considering no real "costs" while on the ship- except optional ones (meaning no electric bills/etc additional for being on the ship- although their families at home they are supporting do have those expenses- atleast on DCL it's not ADDING to that...)

I feel better about it now.
And you're absolutely right... those in the military make a SHAMEFUL living... it is downright embarrassing and they deserve so much more. (My BIL is in the army, 35yrs old- vet for many years now...)

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Yes Jrabbit, 153.00 for the room steward, the same for the server asst server got 130.00 and head server just got the reccomended. (28 I think)
Although, on our last 2 cruises we noticed considerably less people on the "last night" at dinner. The server next to ours was having a fit!!! Three tables (they were all toghther) and about 18 people were no-shows on Friday!!!!

 

[MrsPete]

I don't think Disney's employees are doing too badly. I don't think many of them go home to million-dollar mansions, but I think they're doing okay.

I figured up that if everyone tipped the recommended amount, the servers would be making MORE than I do as a teacher with two college degrees and 13 years of experience -- not to mention that their living expenses are practically nil. Loads of people on this board (if this is a fair indication) say that they tip MORE than the recommended amount.

How can you know for certain that a job is underpaid? People leave that job and management isn't able to replace them (or the replacements leave quickly). That's why day care centers have such a big turn-over. That's why we're looking at a teacher shortage in many parts of the country. Is there a shortage of people who want to work on Disney cruise ships? I don't think so. That indicates that the employees think it's worthwhile to continue in those jobs.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Please everyone take note that my original post was NOT concern over them not making a living or not making much.... what bothered me was that it was DEPENDENT on voluntary tipping. Yes, they can and probably do make more than military, definitely teachers, etc.- but that was not my point. What "bothered" me was that their living was completely contingent on voluntary tipping by cruisers. There's a difference there. Teachers are underpaid, no argument there from me! But they are paid.. and know what they are being paid... they don't work and HOPE that the parents tip the suggested amount at the end of the year- completely voluntary tipping. It's entirely different. I was, and am not, comparing the wages- I'm comparing how the wages are coming from voluntary tipping- and if they get stiffed... nothing they can do about it. Yanno?
I suppose it IS a big incentive to do their jobs well- what better way to make sure the DCL employees don't slack on customer service... their livelihood depends on satisfied customers (ie: cruisers)

Lampskies... why was the server throwing a fit? Do they get upset if you skip dinner?... why? (asking because we didn't plan on eating on the ship everynight- especially on nights we didn't have to board early at ports of call)

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by BibbidyBobbidyBoo
Lampskies... why was the server throwing a fit? Do they get upset if you skip dinner?... why?

I'm not Lampskies, but I think Lampskies was referring to passengers who skip the final dinner to avoid tipping.

There are perfectly legitimate reasons to skip Friday night dinner, such as going to Palo, finishing packing, or just not wanting another big meal after a week on the ship. Just because a family doesn't have dinner in the dining room, it doesn't mean that they aren't tipping.

It would seem to be a nice courtesy to drop by the dining room in any case, thank the servers, and present the envelopes.

Unfortunately, some of those empty Friday night tables are undoubtedly deadbeats who cheat the servers by enjoying their services all week -- and then not tipping.

By the way, by tipping your dinner servers, you're also indirectly tipping all the servers who served you at breakfast, lunch, and other times. (Those servers are being tipped by their dinner tables, just as you're tipping your servers who work other meals in addition to dinner.)

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I had a feeling that is what she was referring to- but I didn't "get" it because I didn't know you tipped directly at the last dinner! I was wondering- because I'm hoping to get Palo ressies for our LAST dinner on our cruise......it might be our last dinner alone for a long long time. LOL You don't have to tip at dinner- in fact I thought I had read that you get envelopes in your room that you fill- didn't know you took them with you to the last night's dinner to give them to them directly. So do they often think you are stiffing them if you don't go to the regular rotation dinner on the last night? Is everyone else going to think that of us if we aren't eating there that last night? That doesn't seem right....

(ps. it also doesn't seem "right" that the server was throwing a fit big enough for other passengers to not only witness it but to know, as lampskies posted, WHY the server was throwing a fit. That just helps with the assuming if people aren't there the last dinner that they are cheapskates who aren't going to tip! Not fair...)

 

[WDWLVR]

I don't think your servers would be upset if you went to Palo they last night and I don't think everyone would see you as a deadbeat. Having said that there are a number of people who do pass on dinner that last night so they don't tip their servers and that is a shame because the servers work so hard.

If I were you I would do one the following:

a) let your servers know the night before that you are going to be dining at Palo (you should really do this the night before any dinner at Palo so they don't wair for you). Tell them then how much you've enjoyed their service and give them their tip. It will stand out to them because you'll be one of the only ones tipping that night!

b) Stop by the dining room the night you are going to Palo to thank them and give them their tips. Try to do it right at the beginning or at the end of the meal so they don't get taken away from those they are serving.

c) Last and in this case least, stop by breakfast on the last day to give your tip. You really should do it before this but as a last resort this would be fine.

Enjoy your cruise, enjoy Palo, and enjoy the wonderful service you'll receive from your servers!

 

[hilltopfamily]

we did exactly this, WDWLVR, but now I wonder what others may have thought about out absence that last night (family of 5= lots of money in tips )

We had Palo ressies for the Friday nite but did let our servers know about it they day before (and our tablemates also). Servers tried to persuade us to send our kids to dinner in the dining room that night & that they'd take care of them, but we did not feel comfortable with this and fed our kids at Topsiders. Maybe they were worried we'd skip their tips? Anyway, I made a trip to the dining room before our ressies that night and delivered the tips. I hope all the tables surrounding us did not think we had "stiffed" our servers, but at least I know we did not.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Yeah, that's what it sounds like. I mean even wdwlvr mentioned there is a number of people that skip the last dinner so as to not give tips- how does wdwlvr know this? It sounds like it's something that is just perceived as the reason people aren't there the last night- which is really unfair to those that don't have the last dinner, yet DO tip. If you think about it- the last night of a 7 day cruise is the night I would think MOST would possibly make other plans and/or palo and/or stay on castaway cay later/etc. It is the night that they'd be going to that restaurant for the THIRD time- yanno? 3rd night at that restaurant, last night of the trip, packing possibly, yada yada. I would think more people would miss that dinner the most out of all dinners.... with no reflection on whether or not they were tipping.

This is the first I've heard of it being common practice to tip directly. I didn't think you had to do that....

 

[denise5374]

As to why people choose to work on cruise ships, my husband have talked about after our kids are grown, getting jobs on a cruise ship. We will retire from our regular jobs and do that. I t always looked like fun to me (yes I might be sligltly insane LOL)and it certainly doesn't seem like a bad way to make a living. Now keep in mind that my kids are now 7 and 11 so I have many years to think this through further.......

At least you get to travel......and free food....What could be better than that???

 

[MrsPete]

WDWLVR -- We went to Palo on our last night (I believe this is the most popular Palo night on the four-night cruise -- at least it sold out first). To avoid the tipping problem, I went to Guest services earlier in the afternoon and requested the tip envelopes. We gave the tips (cash in the envelopes) directly to the servers on the third night. I'd read something on this board about some cash tips mysteriously "disappearing" at guest services, and I felt better about handing them over to the recipients personally.

Denise -- My husband and I also think it'd be great to work on the cruise ships when we retire. We'll retire when I'm 54 and he's 57, so we'll still be fairly young. I have a traditional pension that'll give me a paycheck every month, and DH has a healthy 401 K. Still, we'll probably hold some type of job (something compeltely different from our current jobs -- teacher and engineer) until we can begin to collect social security too. We think it'd be fun to spend a few years working on a cruise ship. Can you work maybe six months on, six months off? I think he and I could go for that.