Tipping Envelope Etiquette

[lulucornbread]

I think "prepaid" is a bit of a misnomer....the "prepaid gratuities" are added to your ob-board account, but you don't actually "pay" them until the end of the cruise. During the cruise, you may choose to increase or decrease the amount of gratuities that are on your account.

. ah ok - gotcha! thanks

 

[houseofduck]

I think I may have phrased it incorrectly. You don't have to use the envelopes. But, even if you tip on your account, many people place the ticket that they give you on the last night in the envelope and hand it over to the servers. The ticket shows the amount that you have left for them. It may be the standard amount, more, or less. We usually include this ticket with a little extra cash.

Even if you don't bring the envelope, they will still get the tip. I'm just hoping that our server was being polite and that he did open our envelope and receive the extra cash.

 

[Bear3412]

If you prepay your gratuities they are prepaid. They are immediately charged to your credit card. So they are prepaid. As PP stated they will be debited, then credited on the account.

You may only prepay the standard amount. No more, no less.
Of course you can still adjust them once aboard.

Because the tips are charged to the onboard account, instead of technically prepaying tips, many just apply $ to their onboard account. It's basically the same thing, yet allows more flexibility with at least one less line on the onboard account statement.

 

[jetskigrl]

Make me part of the minority (at least in this thread) who thinks giving the envelopes is not awkward at all!!! We have always created a (temporary) friendship with our servers, speaking to them, finding out about their lives, generally giving them respect. They have always returned it several times over. At the last dinner, giving the envelopes is simple, quick, and a pleasure. They don't linger over it, they don't open it, they just put it in their pocket and seem genuinely grateful. It's easy and fun, and there is no question of timing. We just do it when we get a chance. Never, ever has it been in the least uncomfortable.

If we include extra cash in the envelope, we're doing it because we appreciated their super service, not because we expect them to notice on the spot and be extra grateful to us. That's not what the extra is for. They'll find it later when they open the envelopes, and I hope they feel rewarded for their efforts.

It's easy, well deserved, and a small part of the dining experience. And a tradition.

I have never found it awkward either. Usually by the last night we have developed a bit of a relationship with the servers and would be taking a minute to thank them anyway. So we just hand them the envelope at the same time.

Even on our B2B on the Dream, where we only ate in the MDR one night on the 3-night cruise, we stopped by the last night and gave the envelopes to the Head Server to distribute. He was worried that we didn't like the service but we just explained that we had enjoyed the MDRs on the first leg of the B2B and were enjoying other things on the ship the last 2 nights. He seemed to appreciate that we stopped by anyway to let them know that it wasn't a problem with the servers (and to leave the tip envelopes).

On our last cruise, we handed the envelopes to our server, assistant server, and head server at the end of our last night's dinner. The other family that was sitting with us didn't use the envelopes because it was their first cruise, they had prepaid, and didn't realize that you were supposed to use the envelopes. When they saw us hand over the envelopes, they explained what they had done to our servers. The server said that it was fine, no big deal, and that he didn't even open the envelopes. This was surprising to us because, along with the ticket, we always leave a little extra in cash in the envelopes. Not wanting to make our table companions even more uncomfortable and hoping that the server was just trying to be polite and make them feel better, we said nothing.

Has anyone else had a server say that they don't open the envelopes? I really hope that he did open ours!

Hopefully the server was just being polite. I think it is pretty easy to tell when there is more than just the ticket (meaning cash) in there anyway. But I imagine they would want to look at the tickets to see if additional was added to the standard amount via the onboard account also.

 

[rentayenta]

Just fill in the info.....and click the total column to get amounts

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/cruise-planning/tip-calculator/


MJ

Awesome, thank you. So $120, not too shabby. Plus any additional for stellar service, room service, bar, etc etc.......

 

[luv2sleep]

Finding it awkward or not is a personality issue. I find it awkward but I'm a more shy and introverted person. I would rather not have to do it. It creates great anxiety for me. I really dislike the envelope thing.

So, is it possible to not give out the envelopes because you know they are going to receive the $$ no matter what after it's charged to your account?

 

[Bear3412]

. ...So, is it possible to not give out the envelopes because you know they are going to receive the $$ no matter what after it's charged to your account?

Yes. But as PP stated make sure the name on the slip is correct. Mistakes happen especially with CM's nicknames and such.

 

[ahain]

Finding it awkward or not is a personality issue. I find it awkward but I'm a more shy and introverted person. I would rather not have to do it. It creates great anxiety for me. I really dislike the envelope thing.

So, is it possible to not give out the envelopes because you know they are going to receive the $$ no matter what after it's charged to your account?

From what PPs have posted, you certainly could do this, although others have found that awkward as well, noting that it could give the appearance that you were stiffing them on tips.

Thinking about it....I suppose there's nothing to keep some people from giving the servers envelopes that are totally empty, since they don't open them at the time you give them anyway. Seems like it just boils down to...do whatever makes you most comfortable.

 

[scm]

Count me as another who finds handing out envelopes to be unwelcome and redundant.
When booking, Disney rep asked if I wished to pre-pay gratuities; having done so I dislike the idea that I am still expected to distribute the tips that servers would receive without this anachronistic 'tradition'. I fully support Disney protecting servers from being 'stiffed' but expect to compliment servers, 'treat' CM's in kids clubs, and express gratitude for kindness as rendered without any envelopes involved.
I would also stress that individual recognition (by name) to the powers that be (comment cards/personal note) can be far more beneficial to CMs.

 

[Bear3412]

...I would also stress that individual recognition (by name) to the powers that be (comment cards/personal note) can be far more beneficial to CMs.

 

[Ravenne]

I think "prepaid" is a bit of a misnomer....the "prepaid gratuities" are added to your ob-board account, but you don't actually "pay" them until the end of the cruise. During the cruise, you may choose to increase or decrease the amount of gratuities that are on your account.

When I PIF, I asked the DCL CM helping me if I can call and have gratuities tacked on later with the intention of having it added to my account, and paying it online through their website. (I just prefer to do it that way.) She was quite firm in letting me know that while I can add the tips later, I must pay it right then and there on the phone when I do. I can't hang up and pay it on their site. I'm actually giving money up right then and there. That's actually pre-paying. Now as I understand it, they note it on your OBB that tips have already been paid, but that doesn't mean you lose control over it and since it's paid, it's gone type of deal. You can still shuffle it around, remove it, etc. What I don't know, however, is how it's handled if you were to remove tips. Do they credit the credit card you have on file, or do they credit your OBB?

 

[luv2sleep]

On our last cruise, we handed the envelopes to our server, assistant server, and head server at the end of our last night's dinner. The other family that was sitting with us didn't use the envelopes because it was their first cruise, they had prepaid, and didn't realize that you were supposed to use the envelopes. When they saw us hand over the envelopes, they explained what they had done to our servers. The server said that it was fine, no big deal, and that he didn't even open the envelopes. This was surprising to us because, along with the ticket, we always leave a little extra in cash in the envelopes. Not wanting to make our table companions even more uncomfortable and hoping that the server was just trying to be polite and make them feel better, we said nothing. Has anyone else had a server say that they don't open the envelopes? I really hope that he did open ours!

I've thankfully never had them open up the envelopes in front of me. I would not like that. Seems kind of greedy.

 

[luv2sleep]

Count me as another who finds handing out envelopes to be unwelcome and redundant. When booking, Disney rep asked if I wished to pre-pay gratuities; having done so I dislike the idea that I am still expected to distribute the tips that servers would receive without this anachronistic 'tradition'. I fully support Disney protecting servers from being 'stiffed' but expect to compliment servers, 'treat' CM's in kids clubs, and express gratitude for kindness as rendered without any envelopes involved. I would also stress that individual recognition (by name) to the powers that be (comment cards/personal note) can be far more beneficial to CMs.

Completely agree. Seems archaic. Since the money is moved electronically and I'm not giving cash, I don't see the point of the envelopes.

 

[houseofduck]

I've thankfully never had them open up the envelopes in front of me. I would not like that. Seems kind of greedy.

Now that, would be very awkward!! I meant that I had hoped that he had opened it later, definitely NOT in front of us.

 

[luv2sleep]

Now that, would be very awkward!! I meant that I had hoped that he had opened it later, definitely NOT in front of us.

So how would you know they wouldn't open them later? I guess I misunderstood your post.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

For example, my upcoming reservation DOES NOT have the tips prepaid yet so when I board the ship at some point DCL will charge my tips to my onboard account and I will receive my vouchers and envelopes but I will see the tips charge listed on my onboard account that I pay off at the end of the cruise along with the rest of my onboard charges I made. Hope that is not too confusing!!! MJ

This is what was confusing to us..
Keep I mind this was our 1st cruise EVER!

We know that that servers prefer cash, so we brought cash for tips..
We told DCL do not charge us for tips on our account 3 times.. I told them when booking, upon boarding, and on the third night of our 6 night cruise..
So when we got those little paper stubs, we were confused has to why and what they were for..
My DH thought maybe they it wanted us to include it with the tip, like this who this is meant for in case it gets lost..

So my DH put a VERY generous cash tip in each and the stubs.. Handed them out..

Now after dinner our stateroom hostesses ask to talk to us.. He knew it was our 1st cruise and realized we had made mistake. He handed us back the stub.
My DH went down to front desk and had to have them cancel the stubs.. The CM apologized. Said we were misinformed and that they automatically send them out...

Now that was awkward! Live and learn I guess..

 

[tinkerone]

Finding it awkward or not is a personality issue. I find it awkward but I'm a more shy and introverted person. I would rather not have to do it. It creates great anxiety for me. I really dislike the envelope thing.

my words from your mouth!

 

[tinkerone]

This is what was confusing to us..
Keep I mind this was our 1st cruise EVER!

We know that that servers prefer cash, so we brought cash for tips..
We told DCL do not charge us for tips on our account 3 times.. I told them when booking, upon boarding, and on the third night of our 6 night cruise..
So when we got those little paper stubs, we were confused has to why and what they were for..
My DH thought maybe they it wanted us to include it with the tip, like this who this is meant for in case it gets lost..

So my DH put a VERY generous cash tip in each and the stubs.. Handed them out..

Now after dinner our stateroom hostesses ask to talk to us.. He knew it was our 1st cruise and realized we had made mistake. He handed us back the stub.
My DH went down to front desk and had to have them cancel the stubs.. The CM apologized. Said we were misinformed and that they automatically send them out...

Now that was awkward! Live and learn I guess..

the servers don't prefer cash. when you charge it to your onboard account it gets automatically deposited into the cm's account and the cm need do nothing. if you give them cash they then need to take any excess to the pursers office and make the deposit themselves. they get very little time off so this takes away from that. they also are not encouraged (and don't want to) to keep large amounts of money in their rooms.
most of the cm's have the majority of their money sent back to their homes. what they decide to keep with them is safely kept with the purser.

 

[Bear3412]

....

We know that that servers prefer cash, so we brought cash for tips..
Well, this is debatable, and not what we hear from the CM's fwiw.

We told DCL do not charge us for tips on our account 3 times.. I told them when booking, upon boarding, and on the third night of our 6 night cruise..
So when we got those little paper stubs, we were confused has to why and what they were for..
My DH thought maybe they it wanted us to include it with the tip, like this who this is meant for in case it gets lost..
If I'm not mistaken whether you prepay or not, the tips will post automatically. I believe you have to wait for them to post, then you can tweak or remove the tips. If prepaid they will cancel out with credits applied. The tips will post and show on the account regardless of any and all actions. Then it will show credits/adjustments on another line on the account.

Did the MDR CM's also say anything? Did you over tip them too?
Just curious. That was very thoughtful of your RH.

... they automatically send them out...
Not sure, ... do they send the coupons if you removed the tips after they post to the account but prior to delivery of the coupons? ? ?

Now that was awkward! Live and learn I guess.
Indeed. Thanks for sharing. A learning experience for many reading here too..

 

[cyberbox2]

It can appear to be an archaic practice. The way I look at it is that these CMs give us great service for 3,4,7 nights at a time, so the act of giving back to them in the form of a tip filled envelope is an outward acknowledgement of satisfaction on our part, so awkward or not, I've always felt very good about doing it.