Tip question

[hanscarlet]

yes cast members have mentioned they can get vacation time and potential promotions based on survey data and a track record of good performance, DCL takes them really seriously

 

[Sepo]

A few of comments

the DCL tipping policy and rates are right in line with most of the major cruise lines. We've been cruising for a long time and these numbers are consistent with today's normal. The hotel service workers get paid dirt .... tips are their livelihood.

cruise tipping is this way partly because it is "the way it is done on cruises" .... we started cruising in the 80's and our relatives cruised b4 then ... this is how the tipping was done in so far as x$ per day for the room steward, y$ per day for the waiter, and in the days of old you got envelopes on your pillow to present to the parties at dinner the night b4 you departed

Modernization brought in 'slips' to put in the envelope to say you applied the tips with your credit card .... which then morphed into tips being automatically applied to your ship account for 'easy payment'

As mentioned your tip is for services you might not see .... like when your team is working the buffet at lunch, or on CC.

There is much discussion {if you dig into it} as to whether tips get pooled and divided evenly, or how much "designation" works on a credit card tip, but I know that it is easier to keep a cash tip out of the pool than an electronic one!

We usually will do the recommended credit card tip, and may pass a $20 or two to those who were especially nice/helpful

If you REALLY want to thank a server or steward tho, the way to do it is thru the survey or comment card. Every line I'm familiar with takes these VERY seriously. Positive comments about your server is how they move to head waiter, or an asstn't server to server (which is more $$) Mentioning by name is highly recommended if you feel it is appropriate ... even drop a note at the purser desk for the hotel manager (hotel services captain on dcl ....)

BUT PLEASE BECAREFUL as well, because a negative comment can have huge consequences. Our server was in tears one night and when asked why they mentioned they had a very difficult party at another table who told the server they were gonna slam 'em in the survey ..... this would probably result in the server being demoted to asstn't server with significant loss of $$ ....

There are cruiselines that have done away with the traditional tipping and built this into the price. As you might expect these are cruises that cost a bit more than even Disney, which is already up there in the opinion of many. IME Windstar and Viking river cruises are this way .... but we still tipped a bit more to those who served us well.

Lastly: Your server or stew' does not want a box of candy from your home, or a phone card, or your left over toiletries .... they want $$$$

Well said and exactly right.

 

[Sepo]

Also, they print the sheets 24 hrs before the second to last night. If you want to increase the amounts at Guest Services before this deadline you can save yourself the wait in a potentially longer line that results afterward.