Tipping at Palo and Remy

[Keyser]

OK, first, I have done searches and read several past threads, but didn't see the Remy part of this answered. To be clear, I know that tipping is at my discretion and people have a variety of amounts they tip. I realize I can tip more or less. But, to give a sense, at a typical restaurant, I'll tip somewhere between 15 and 20 percent for standard problem-free but not exceptional service; at buffets, I'll tip around 10%. Where we live, these rates seem quite in line with current expectations of servers. I'm trying to determine what the typical expected tip is that's roughly equivalent to that at Palo/Remy. Another way to think about it would be what do servers expect as a decent but not great tip?

1) We are doing the Remy dessert experience. The charge for that is $50 per person. I am not clear how it is run, if tips are typically given (i.e. do you have a "server"?), or what.
a) Are tips generally given for this?
b) If so, is 20% = $10 per person about right?

2) For Palo, I am just wanting to see if I understand the typical parameters correctly (no alcohol):
a) For brunch, there is a charge of $30 per person. I understand tips most people use are between $10 and $20 per person.
b) For dinner, there is also a charge of $30 per person. I get the impression that tips in the $20-25/person range are typical here.
Is it fair to say that a tip at the low end of those ranges ($10 brunch, $20 dinner) would be reasonable for "fine but not great" service?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

OK, first, I have done searches and read several past threads, but didn't see the Remy part of this answered. To be clear, I know that tipping is at my discretion and people have a variety of amounts they tip. I realize I can tip more or less. But, to give a sense, at a typical restaurant, I'll tip somewhere between 15 and 20 percent for standard problem-free but not exceptional service; at buffets, I'll tip around 10%. Where we live, these rates seem quite in line with current expectations of servers. I'm trying to determine what the typical expected tip is that's roughly equivalent to that at Palo/Remy. Another way to think about it would be what do servers expect as a decent but not great tip?

1) We are doing the Remy dessert experience. The charge for that is $50 per person. I am not clear how it is run, if tips are typically given (i.e. do you have a "server"?), or what.
a) Are tips generally given for this?
b) If so, is 20% = $10 per person about right?

2) For Palo, I am just wanting to see if I understand the typical parameters correctly (no alcohol):
a) For brunch, there is a charge of $30 per person. I understand tips most people use are between $10 and $20 per person.
b) For dinner, there is also a charge of $30 per person. I get the impression that tips in the $20-25/person range are typical here.
Is it fair to say that a tip at the low end of those ranges ($10 brunch, $20 dinner) would be reasonable for "fine but not great" service?

To be honest you seem to be very well informed, and your logics are good.

It is personal, your view, I would say at Remy you will be impressed.

Some tip to the value of the meal, many to the cost of the service fee.

Palo I normally do a tip equal to the fee, IE $ 30 pp, Remy, was at least $ 50 pp plus booze.

 

[moremouse]

OK, first, I have done searches and read several past threads, but didn't see the Remy part of this answered. To be clear, I know that tipping is at my discretion and people have a variety of amounts they tip. I realize I can tip more or less. But, to give a sense, at a typical restaurant, I'll tip somewhere between 15 and 20 percent for standard problem-free but not exceptional service; at buffets, I'll tip around 10%. Where we live, these rates seem quite in line with current expectations of servers. I'm trying to determine what the typical expected tip is that's roughly equivalent to that at Palo/Remy. Another way to think about it would be what do servers expect as a decent but not great tip?

1) We are doing the Remy dessert experience. The charge for that is $50 per person. I am not clear how it is run, if tips are typically given (i.e. do you have a "server"?), or what.
a) Are tips generally given for this?
b) If so, is 20% = $10 per person about right?

2) For Palo, I am just wanting to see if I understand the typical parameters correctly (no alcohol):
a) For brunch, there is a charge of $30 per person. I understand tips most people use are between $10 and $20 per person.
b) For dinner, there is also a charge of $30 per person. I get the impression that tips in the $20-25/person range are typical here.
Is it fair to say that a tip at the low end of those ranges ($10 brunch, $20 dinner) would be reasonable for "fine but not great" service?

I did the Remy dessert experience last year. It was just me participating. I left $10 as a tip.

 

[moremouse]

To be honest you seem to be very well informed, and your logics are good.

It is personal, your view, I would say at Remy you will be impressed.

Some tip to the value of the meal, many to the cost of the service fee.

Palo I normally do a tip equal to the fee, IE $ 30 pp, Remy, was at least $ 50 pp plus booze.

I haven't eaten dinner at either of those restaurants, but I just wanted to be sure about what you said. You tip $30 pp (Palo) on top of the up charge to dine there?

 

[Ashmer]

We have done both Remy and Palo several times, sometimes multiply times per cruise and we always tip the amount of the service for one. For example my husband and I eat at Palo, which is $30 per person, we will leave a $30 tip. So our total bill will be $90. Same with Remy. We tip the amount equal to one person's service fee. We aren't sure if this is the normal amount, however our server for brunch was great and he ended up being our server for Palo Dinner later on that cruise and I don't believe it was a coincidence.

 

[franandaj]

We are probably strange, but we tip the server as if they were a server in a regular (non cruise ship and non upcharge) restaurant. For example when having brunch at Palo, we would compare it to what brunch would cost at someplace like maybe Narcoosee's (as that is the only restaurant in common to Disney fans that I can think of that serves brunch). Even though we are only paying $30pp we get $60-70 (if not more) of value from our meal and tip on the value rather than the cost.

At Palo Dinner we compare it to what we would spend at a restaurant such as Napa Rose, and tip on closer to about $100pp, and if we ordered a lot of alcoholic beverages, we would factor the number of drinks, and not so much the cost. It isn't more difficult to bring a $45 glass than a $16 glass of wine. Both these experiences are based on our trips on the Wonder where we have had Hristo as our excellent server and he always took extra special care of us.

At Remy, we compared the tip as if we were dining at Victoria and Albert's, also we added on some Kobe Beef, both wine pairings and anything else they offered (besides expensive water and caviar). I don't remember what all the costs were, but I think our meal overall cost $400 with the extras, and we tipped a total of $200, $150 for the Server and $50 for the Sommelier. But then again, we are, I don't want to say "high maintenance" because we are very easy to please, however, we savor everything possible, the wines, the cheeses, the apertif, etc. We were there far longer than anyone else that night because we took our time to enjoy the meal as that was our "entertainment" for the evening.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I haven't eaten dinner at either of those restaurants, but I just wanted to be sure about what you said. You tip $30 pp (Palo) on top of the up charge to dine there?

We are Platinum and get palo for free but we always tip at least 20 a person. The $30 up charge is not a tip, it's a fee for dinner.

 

[lucas]

We are Platinum and get palo for free but we always tip at least 20 a person. The $30 up charge is not a tip, it's a fee for dinner.

So, for 2, the "free" meal costs $40?

Just trying to figure it all out. We also will be dining at Palo with the Platinum "perk." Somehow I feel like I am being sucked into spending even more money. Dh wants to dine at Palo for the perk we have finally reached as Platinum But, for me, I would rather eat in the regular dining room, not have to dress up as much, and save the $40.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So, for 2, the "free" meal costs $40?

Just trying to figure it all out. We also will be dining at Palo with the Platinum "perk." Somehow I feel like I am being sucked into spending even more money. Dh wants to dine at Palo for the perk we have finally reached as Platinum But, for me, I would rather eat in the regular dining room, not have to dress up as much, and save the $40.

In reality, you may tip, or not (as it true with all tips/gratuitities onboard). It's up to you. So the "free" meal could have no extra charge. If you feel it's necessary to tip, it's up to you.

 

[franandaj]

So, for 2, the "free" meal costs $40?

Just trying to figure it all out. We also will be dining at Palo with the Platinum "perk." Somehow I feel like I am being sucked into spending even more money. Dh wants to dine at Palo for the perk we have finally reached as Platinum But, for me, I would rather eat in the regular dining room, not have to dress up as much, and save the $40.

We look at it as this: the Palo servers are not included on any cabin based gratuities. We dine there 2-3 times on every cruise (at least on the Wonder), and feel that they deserve something extra for their excellent service. The same would apply to servers in Remy. I imagine they receive a better wage than main dining room servers, but if they give you a service, it would seem that they should be rewarded for it. I think the "perk" is more of a "perk" to regular Palo diners. If you have not been there and want to go solely because it's "free", it may not be the best fit.

That's the thing I love about Disney cruises, there are some things that certain people love and others don't really care for. It's all up to you if want to choose to do activities based on your own thoughts and feelings.

 

[dclpluto]

We have done both Remy and Palo several times, sometimes multiply times per cruise and we always tip the amount of the service for one. For example my husband and I eat at Palo, which is $30 per person, we will leave a $30 tip. So our total bill will be $90. Same with Remy. We tip the amount equal to one person's service fee. We aren't sure if this is the normal amount, however our server for brunch was great and he ended up being our server for Palo Dinner later on that cruise and I don't believe it was a coincidence.

That's exactly the same thing I do.

 

[tink1970]

We also receive Palo as a platinum perk but I usually tip (for 2) $30-40. Just because I'm not paying for the meal doesn't mean my server isn't working.

Have to agree with PrincessShmoo, it's up to you whether you tip (or not).

 

[lucas]

We also receive Palo as a platinum perk but I usually tip (for 2) $30-40. Just because I'm not paying for the meal doesn't mean my server isn't working.

Have to agree with PrincessShmoo, it's up to you whether you tip (or not).

I've been on 43 cruises (see cruises listed in my signature) and we have never ever eaten at a pay restaurant on any ship. I just can't justify paying more money for the meal or the tip - especially for what Disney is already charging. There is too much other food/dining rooms/menus to enjoy. That is just me.

 

[Bear3412]

deleted

 

[EllinK]

we have never ever eaten at a pay restaurant on any ship. I just can't justify paying more money for the meal or the tip

I totally get not wanting to pay more for food when you've already paid for food. I guess it's why we have never sprung for concierge -- seems like it's paying a lot for more food that is already plentiful.

That being said, we always book a premium restaurant at least twice each sailing because we love it and feel like it's worth it to us.

It's great that we don't all want the same things -- this way, there's plenty of options for everyone.

 

[franandaj]

It's great that we don't all want the same things -- this way, there's plenty of options for everyone.

My sentiment exactly!

 

[RedSox68]

There have been so many threads about whether or not the service fee you pay is actually their tip. I have actually had CMs tell me it is, then I have read it is not and they don't get any of that fee. In the end, we have always left a tip. The experience is so elegant and the food so different that it becomes an experience in and of itself. We have done Palo brunch several times and Palo dinner twice, but never Remy. For us, Remy is a little outside our cruise budget, but maybe someday.

 

[moremouse]

We are Platinum and get palo for free but we always tip at least 20 a person. The $30 up charge is not a tip, it's a fee for dinner.

Upcharge, Fee... same thing to me. Both being above and beyond the regular cruise fare meals.

I absolutely gave a tip for my meal at Remy. He did an excellent job.

I would however be much more "generous" with a tip if I was getting that perk for free.

 

[SingingMom]

Our last cruise was in a Royal Suite with butler on Celebrity Summit. Quite costly, but it was to celebrate our 25 anniversary and DD's hs graduation. The ONLY decent meals we had were the Sunday Brunch (included) and the two dinners we had at the fancy restaurant that was an additional cost/fee. For the $$$ we spent on that cruise, the regular dining was LOUSY! I am really looking forward to this cruise on the Fantasy. You can keep the butler. (but I did love the suite!)

 

[steves100]

To be honest you seem to be very well informed, and your logics are good.

It is personal, your view, I would say at Remy you will be impressed.

Some tip to the value of the meal, many to the cost of the service fee.

Palo I normally do a tip equal to the fee, IE $ 30 pp, Remy, was at least $ 50 pp plus booze.

That's a little higher than we tip.....
I hate that they keep upping the price of Palo!