Tipping-do we hand out envelopes?

[firstwdw]

I understand we get slips showing we have been charged the automatic tips and they provide envelopes. Do you hand out the envelopes to your serving staff and stateroom host even if you aren't adding extra? And if you do add extra, how much extra for a 4night cruise?

 

[71 Truck]

We always hand out the envelopes. We always have put extra cash in them because in all of the cruises we have done, we have always experienced the above and beyond cast members have done to deserve it. As far as how much to add it is up to you as to how much you think they deserve. It is a tough question.

 

[Bonnie1222]

Here is a link to a thread from earlier this year that might help answer your questions.

Is is worth handing out an empty envelope

I always write a quick personal note on the back of the envelopes thanking them for their service. And personally add additional money - I have always received excellent service, and feel they deserve extra. Sometimes it is just a few dollars, other times I have doubled what they get.

 

[dprincessmom]

I usually enclose a little note and if I feel like doing an extra (usually a $20 or 2)

 

[daisyx3]

We do, and we usually add to it, but I would still give them out so they knew we had tipped. We have already added tips for our May 30 cruise.

 

[DisneYE]

We always hand out the envelopes. We always have put extra cash in them because in all of the cruises we have done, we have always experienced the above and beyond cast members have done to deserve it. As far as how much to add it is up to you as to how much you think they deserve. It is a tough question.

This is what we do as well.
We hand out the envelopes with the default tip on the slip plus a little extra ($20-$100 depending on length of cruise & service) plus a note if we like the CM (which is often)

 

[MomOTwins]

Here is a link to a thread from earlier this year that might help answer your questions.

Is is worth handing out an empty envelope

I remember that thread and the thing that really stuck out to me was the report of how one time, DCL had a computer issue and gave a room's tip to the wrong server/host (can't remember which), but because they had the paper coupons they were able to get their tip. That made a really compelling case to me for why it is useful to give out the envelopes even if you do not tip extra.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

They do still get the envelopes if you put them in those containers by Guest Services, right? We usually do that as we prefer breakfast at Cabanas on the last day.

 

[jiminy14]

We always hand the envelopes to our servers at dinner on the last night because breakfast can sometimes be chaotic. I bring some small Thank You cards with me and write a note thanking them for the great service and include whatever extra tip I decide to give them. I usually tip an extra $5-10 per night for the four of us. I have also not tipped any extra in the past because of what I considered to be poor service in the MDR. On one cruise, I was blocked from leaving the MDR by the assistant server who informed me that the only acceptable answer on my survey card was "Excellent". I told him that there were several answers but he insisted that "Excellent" was what I had to submit. Needless to say, he did not get an extra tip that cruise.

 

[BlueRibbon]

Long story short- Servers still like to get the envelopes even though there is no cash.

On our last cruise, as I had the tip envelope in my hand, I asked our server, if it really mattered if we gave it to her if it only had the green slip inside. She said that the servers typically like to keep the green stubs so they can account for how much money they can get from the purser. For herself, my server said that if she gets cash, she just turns it into the purser and takes cash out as she needs it.

 

[disneyholic family]

we add a note as well as extra cash....

 

[bumbershoot]

They do still get the envelopes if you put them in those containers by Guest Services, right? We usually do that as we prefer breakfast at Cabanas on the last day.

You don’t need to give the envelopes at all.

We add tips at guest services. No cash needed. And sometimes give the envelopes and sometimes don’t. They still will get the tips.

 

[Qbie]

We like to give the envelopes at the final dinner since we go to breakfast at Cabanas on the final morning. That final breakfast sucks as you can tell the staff is rushed and it just isn't magical. All the staff seem to appreciate being given the envelope it and it's a nice way to say thank you. As for extra tips, it's really about whatever you want to do. We generally give an extra $20 or 2 to the best of them and sometimes we don't give any extra. It comes down to whatever your finances allow and if you feel they truly went above and beyond. I don't think you have to give them the envelope... we've never had anyone ask us for it.

 

[disneyholic family]

we also give the envelope on the last night..

 

[kiford]

We often end up leaving the envelope for the stateroom host in the room as we don't always see them either the night before or the more of disembarkation. It can also be difficult to track down the head server sometimes. It's one of the reasons that if we were going to add an additional tip, we'd do it at Guest Services. At least I can be sure that they'll get the tip if the envelope goes astray.