Tipping for Infant

[tup1830]

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?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

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?

IMO, tipping is per person, regardless of age.

 

[lbgraves]

A baby is counted as a person on DCL when booking in a stateroom and with seating assignments in the MDRs. The servers have a limited number of seats in their section each cruise. Each seat is a tip.

 

[thndrmatt]

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.

Just cruised with a 3 month old (booked prior to rules change). Our infant was treated like royalty by the wait staff, including chair/table arrangement based on whether we had the carseat or bumbo, and who was taking care of him during the meal (also had grandparents along). During frequent trips to and from the table for diaper/outfit changes or putting him to bed, they made sure our food was always covered and warm, or delayed courses as required for the returning or breastfeeding parent. They also spent a fair bit of time entertaining the baby if he was getting fussy and we were wolfing down food. Some of their tricks were impressive...

While the infant didn't necessarily get direct food service, they certainly went out of their way to make our dining experience enjoyable.

 

[mhconley]

I don't understand why you are trying to rationalize not paying a $12 a day tip on a multi-thousand dollar vacation.

Martin

 

[tup1830]

I don't understand why you are trying to rationalize not paying a $12 a day tip on a multi-thousand dollar vacation.

Martin

its not a multithousand dollar cruise....its not even $500

 

[SirDuff]

its not a multithousand dollar cruise....its not even $500

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.

 

[MUN]

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?

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.

 

[sunryzez]

Tipping is per person, per seat. If it is only the waitstaff you are talking about that is only 8 dollars extra per day if you are planning on tipping the room steward. Even if you are on a 7 night cruise that is only 56.00. That is money they are counting on as long as they give you good service. I think tipping is ALWAYS the right thing to do. Also, I'm sorry but there is no way a family of four is going on a Disney cruise ( even a 3 night one) for less than 500.00. I have cruised with cast members and even they do not get a discount even close to that....

 

[undertheradar]

You could reduce your dining service tips, but your room steward would have more work due to the baby. So knowing that you would want to tip your room steward a higher amount due to the added work, it would look like a wash on the daily tip amount.

 

[jjgarv]

I don't understand why you are trying to rationalize not paying a $12 a day tip on a multi-thousand dollar vacation.

Martin

Actually, for just the three dining room CMs, I believe it's only $8 per day. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[hubbard53]

tipping is your choice; i never ask anyone else b/c as you've experienced, there is an abundance of those willing to question your decision.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

It's obviously up to you, but you're talking about $8 per day. That's a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of the cruise. I wouldn't quibble over it.

Maybe withhold your decision until you are actually on the cruise. If you see your servers really going out of their way to accommodate you, then you might want to tip the full amount anyway.

 

[mhconley]

Yes... $8 per day for waitstaff. Still waiting to hear how OP got a Disney cruise for a family of 4 for "not even $500"...

Martin

 

[Fuzzywuzzy]

Hell, my bar tab is $500 on a cruise.

 

[C6PT7]

This "could" be the answer? the prices listed as $200-250pp for a 7 day cruise, so if it is a dream 3/4 day cruise it seems plausible?

http://www.cruisemates.com/forum/crewmembers/274938-does-crew-staff-get-discount-family-friends.html

 

[Maggie'sMom]

This "could" be the answer? the prices listed as $200-250pp for a 7 day cruise, so if it is a dream 3/4 day cruise it seems plausible?

http://www.cruisemates.com/forum/crewmembers/274938-does-crew-staff-get-discount-family-friends.html

Did you notice that thread is from 2004/2005?

It's just not plausible that the cost of the cruise is under $500.

 

[dcassetta]

I think you should tip the incredibly hard-working waitstaff for all members of your party regardless of age. Many of them are supporting families back home, and may even have an infant of their own that they do not get to see while working on the cruise. Count your blessings, and tip the servers.

 

[JW9DVC]

Yes... $8 per day for waitstaff. Still waiting to hear how OP got a Disney cruise for a family of 4 for "not even $500"...

Martin

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

 

[JW9DVC]

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. Almost time to be getting rid of the bottle anyways and what a magical memory that would be is that the first solid/mushy food was on a magical Disney cruise. If the child makes any mess at dinner and the wait staff has to do anything. Then yes a tip would be warranted. If you decide not to allow your child to experience food. Then I guess you already have that answer.

JW