Tipping for Infant

[bumbershoot]

I'm think OP is referring to the child's portion of the cruise. Not in general. Why continue to push the issue?

Because they are curious AND want to know how they can score such a deal.

I would think now would be the perfect time to start introducing solid foods to a child. I do see how others are wary of you not tipping. I would use this opportunity to venture out and allow your child the growth and development that they should be getting.

6 months is the bare minimum. Most babies aren't really ready. (hint, if you have to mush up foods or be afraid of choking, baby really isn't ready for FOODS) And the LAST place I want to start a baby on food is anywhere but home. When DS really got into foods (which was around 1.5 years old...first food was at 11 months old when he ate a bite of apple from the whole apple) his diaper changes got so different for him that I wouldn't have wanted to deal with it while on vacation. I can only imagine it's worse when the baby is tiny.

umm, we know some higher up cast members...as in friend of executive?!?...so its plausible. In any case, thanks for the thoughts.

Ask them. Like the other poster said, ask if that person wants to be represented by someone who won't give a few bucks per day per server who is working their rear off for you (including the baby).

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I'd love to know how you are doing a DCL cruise with a family of four (at least - based on your comments about tipping for "all adults and all children") for less than $500! That's amazing.

OP never said it was a Disney cruise.

 

[JW9DVC]

Because they are curious AND want to know how they can score such a deal.



6 months is the bare minimum. Most babies aren't really ready. (hint, if you have to mush up foods or be afraid of choking, baby really isn't ready for FOODS) And the LAST place I want to start a baby on food is anywhere but home. When DS really got into foods (which was around 1.5 years old...first food was at 11 months old when he ate a bite of apple from the whole apple) his diaper changes got so different for him that I wouldn't have wanted to deal with it while on vacation. I can only imagine it's worse when the baby is tiny.

Well maybe you aren't one of the many that do start at that age. That's fine. It was a suggestion. I have a close family member who happens to be a well known pediatrician. Between the ages of 4 and 6 months, most babies are developmentally ready to get their first taste of solid foods. At this point, they lose the extrusion reflex that is beneficial for sucking a breast or bottle but can shove a spoonful of baby cereal right back out.

Thanks for trying though.

JW

 

[SirDuff]

OP never said it was a Disney cruise.

You know, you are right! Being in the DCL forum, I made that assumption. However, since the OP did later say that they were getting the deal through being friends with "some higher up cast members" and DCL is the only cruise line I know that refers to staff as "cast members", I think it is safe to say that it is a Disney cruise.

 

[mevelandry]

It's obviously your decision, but I'm ok with not tipping the wait staff for the infant. I'm sure plenty of parents exclude the wait staff tips for the infants.

MUN

PS, IMHO, I think you came to the wrong place to ask that question. Most people on this forum seem to over tip compared to general public.

My two cents: I don't believe in "over tipping". I just call that "being grateful" or "being generous"...

 

[EPCOTatNight]

You know, you are right! Being in the DCL forum, I made that assumption. However, since the OP did later say that they were getting the deal through being friends with "some higher up cast members" and DCL is the only cruise line I know that refers to staff as "cast members", I think it is safe to say that it is a Disney cruise.

Guess I missed that post. But if what the OP say is true, why not tip? Give me a Disney Cruise for that price and I'll pay my tips and the 2 staterooms on both sides tips.

 

[SirDuff]

Guess I missed that post. But if what the OP say is true, why not tip? Give me a Disney Cruise for that price and I'll pay my tips and the 2 staterooms on both sides tips.

You'd have to ask the OP!

Here's the post I referenced:

umm, we know some higher up cast members...as in friend of executive?!?...so its plausible. In any case, thanks for the thoughts.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

You'd have to ask the OP!

Here's the post I referenced:

It was a rhetorical qustion. Lol!

 

[SirDuff]

It was a rhetorical qustion.

It was a rhetorical answer

 

[MakiraMarlena]

This is a cruise, not a restaurant on land. Everybody tips. Even the babies who aren't eating solid food yet.

 

[sunryzez]

At the end of the day you are going to do what you want to do....
However, I have cruised with cast members..."high up" ones as you stated as well. And, when a cruise member gets a deal or gets the discount for a friend the tips are actually included in the cost of the cruise. ( unless this has changed in the last two years and they are not aware of these changes). My friends always gave extra and their cruise fare was nowhere near the discount you are saying you have. And, the only way to get a discount on a cruise from a cast member is if they are on the same cruise. So I am confused. The person getting you this deal must be so insanely high up that cast member rules don't actually apply. So with the so high up there status that you are paying less than 500 which is thousands less than the actual cruise I am pretty sure they would want you to tip, especially if they are cruising with you.
But, as I said...you should do what feels right for you......

BTW- I'm really not trying to start a debate, I'm just honestly confused by what you stated and your question based on information you have given....I mean honestly if it was me and I was getting thousands of dollars discount the last thing that I would think about is if I should or should not tip 56.00 bucks....Just count your blessings on this amazing deal, enjoy the time with your family, and I'm sure once you experience the cruise you will want to tip them.

 

[Skywalker]

For a while, I was with you on not tipping for an infant. I was going to say not to let other people decide how to spend YOUR money. But then hearing that you are sailing for a song thanks to a high ranking executive...that would change things for me. I think it would be a total embarrassment for your friend if you did not tip fully. It's the least you could do, in this circumstance.

 

[CM Dad]

Tipping is at your discretion, so do what you feel comfortable with. There is no requirement that you tip $12/person/day even for adults. That is just the default amount that would be charged to your stateroom unless you go to Guest Services and change. On our first DCL cruise, my daughter was a cast member and we got to go on her discount. I know that back then at least (2007) tips for these discounted cruises were included in the original fare and were NOT optional.

That said, in January we cruised with 6 grandkids ages 6 years down to 12 weeks. The servers treated all of the kids extremely well and entertained them with magic tricks. I had no problem paying tips for everyone in the party, adding some additional to each tip envelope as well.

 

[Marthasor]

OP, in answer to your original question, yes, tipping the waitstaff for your infant is justified. As PP's pointed out, the DCL servers bend over backwards to ensure that you enjoy your meals. They work for tips and we are discussing a paltry sum. To be blunt, don't be a jerk. Just give them the tip.

 

[mmouse37]

Hello All,

I am prepared for this...in case the flames get out of hand.

Travelling with a 6.5 month old on a cruise. The infant only takes formula at this time and will not start solids before the cruise.

I know the wait staff serves multiple meals, but the infant will ONLY be taking formula (powder plus filtered water). There is no serving to the infant. The infant won't know a napkin animal from a fork at that time.

We will tip for all adults and children, but not sure if the tip for the infant is justified for the wait staff. We will tip accordingly for the room host because of the extra mess we may create as a result of having the baby in the room.

What do you think?

I would tip, especially since you said (in a later post) that you got such a great deal on the cruise due to being a friend of a CM. I think it would be embarrassing for the CM to know that you did not tip your server, especially after getting such a great deal (if you decided not to tip for your infant). I would be mortified.

And, also, CM (and their guests) are not supposed to discuss their discounts on a public forum or to other guests onboard. It's a big no no.

MJ

 

[shellymo]

i never said i didn't want to tip, i asked IF i should tip.

Yes. When we have been on our two disney cruises we always chose to do the tip and then added to each persons at the end due to the hard work and happiness they brought to us. Not just if they brought us food.

 

[MunFam]

i never said i didn't want to tip, i asked IF i should tip.

As a normal paying cruise passenger it might be okay to skip the infant's portion of the gratuity if the infant was a non-issue...as in there was no acknowledgement or assistance in any way by the wait team because there was an infant with you.

HOWEVER...and this is a HUGE HOWEVER, you are traveling as a guest to a high up executive on an incredible deal. I am a travel agent/corporate travel director and I often get the opportunity to travel for free or at almost no cost to my family. It is critical in this instance that I give everyone generous gratuities because its not a reflection of me...but a direct reflection of the person that gifted me with the free or low cost opportunity to travel. Everyone (staff-wise) is made aware that a VIP has a guest in house (or on board in your case) and by leaving a low gratuity, it will make that executive look bad. As in...you brought on a bunch of entitled cheapskates on board. Please, don't be "that person" over such a small amount of money, and really consider leaving additional gratuities because it is a reflection of the type of company that executive keeps and you don't want to ruin their reputation.

 

[mevelandry]

If that was me, if I had to pay such a low price (it usually cost thousands of dollars, even for two!) for a cruise, as a guest, not only would I tip... but I would tip 25% for each family member, baby included.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Low price or not, I will still tip the expected amount for the family. While the servers may not be directly serving your baby, you will probably require extra service because of the child. If you're dealing with the baby, your server may cut up your food for you; if you need to leave with the baby, your server will come and cover your food or bring you a new dish when you return. Your server will pace your meal for your needs and may speed it up if necessary or wait a course if you've left to change a diaper. Your server may even prioritize your family over their other tables due to your baby's and your needs for the meal.

 

[Baklava]

Especially as a guest on someone else's discount you tip. You'll want a high chair or a napkin or for your kid to take up space at the table that a paying/tipping guest might otherwise have used. Your kid will knock a fork off the table and the staff will have to go pick it up. There will be *something* that impacts the staff.

Tip. It's menschy. It makes your host look good.