Tipping for Mediocre Service

[Dicecatt]

You know...something that doesn't make sense is the belief that the tips are shared among all workers. I always believed that to be the case, but when you prepay gratuities, they give you the vouchers to present to the staff, and they are named. It doesn't say "Food servers". It says the title, along with the actual name of the cast member. Therefore, I do not think it makes sense to assume that the tips are shared with those that work at Topsiders, or Plutos, or Castaway Cay (some of those people are one in the same, but not everyone is a dining room server).

I was always under the impression that they did a rotation of service...some cruises they worked in the dining room, some they worked at the buffet. The Head also changes position...I'm trying to think of his name but the Maitre de at our cruise in July was a server in December, he told me they switch.

I just don't see how it is possible that the tips we give are spread out among the staff when they are handed to a specific person. Yes, those people may also be serving in other areas, but not everyone. Some of the staff must be paid only by Disney and not with tips.

Think about this...if you don't prepay, and simply present cash to your server/ect, HOW is that being divided? There is no record of that. You are simply tipping that person.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

You know...something that doesn't make sense is the belief that the tips are shared among all workers. I always believed that to be the case, but when you prepay gratuities, they give you the vouchers to present to the staff, and they are named. It doesn't say "Food servers". It says the title, along with the actual name of the cast member. Therefore, I do not think it makes sense to assume that the tips are shared with those that work at Topsiders, or Plutos, or Castaway Cay (some of those people are one in the same, but not everyone is a dining room server).

I was always under the impression that they did a rotation of service...some cruises they worked in the dining room, some they worked at the buffet. The Head also changes position...I'm trying to think of his name but the Maitre de at our cruise in July was a server in December, he told me they switch.

I just don't see how it is possible that the tips we give are spread out among the staff when they are handed to a specific person. Yes, those people may also be serving in other areas, but not everyone. Some of the staff must be paid only by Disney and not with tips.

Think about this...if you don't prepay, and simply present cash to your server/ect, HOW is that being divided? There is no record of that. You are simply tipping that person.

The points made is not that those tips are 'shared' but thoose people who you tip also can work at Topsiders etc during the full day and not tipped at that time.

Now the only fod place where tips are poled/shared is the Palo 'fee'.

 

[Dicecatt]

The points made is not that those tips are 'shared' but thoose people who you tip also can work at Topsiders etc during the full day and not tipped at that time.

Thanks for the clarification. But the point was brought up that things should work in the reverse...bad service at Plutos should equal less tip in the main dining room. And the point that those that don't eat in the dining room need to tip anyway, because they get service all day at other venues (I agree with tipping anyway, just to clarify).

I think that some may have the same impression that I received...tips are spread out among many people, not just your dining staff.

I need a nap so I hope I am making myself clear.

I've had a range of experience with my dining staff from excellent to just okay. I've always tipped the recommended amounts, but the good ones always get more. And to be honest, I've never given a thought to how the folks working at Topsiders or Beach Blanket or Plutos or Castaway Cay are compensated. I've worked in the service industry (waitress, bartender) and would never NOT tip when I'm supposed to, but I think that putting the responsibility on the guest to consider service they are receiving all over the ship to tip a certain amount to specific individuals is a little over the top.

We are told who needs to be tipped...besides the service fees for barstaff, the tips that are "suggested" are servers and room attendents. If Disney meant to include those that serve us elsewhere on the ship, they would probably make that clear. I do not tip my server based on good/bad service I received from someone else, elsewhere onboard. I tip based on THAT PERSON that I am told to tip (although I don't really need to be told).

Although I think that dining room staff needs to be tipped even if you don't eat in the dining room, I understand why some wouldn't agree. I agree because that is what I WOULD do, I am generous and I would feel like I was taking money away from them with my choice. I do understand though why someone would feel that was uneccesary to tip someone that never served them. Not because they are cheap, but because they didn't experience the service they are tipping for. They are tipping a nonexistent service.

Again, I reiterate...I would tip because I think it is the right thing to do, but isn't it understandable that someone would disagree?

In some countries, tipping is nonexistent. In some, it is ridiculous...in Egypt if I was waved at by someone they wanted a tip, and if you wanted a tiny square of toilet paper, better break out the wallet for a tip! Not everyone will ever agree on this issue, but the bottom line is really, unless there is a problem, you tip the recommended amount. If there is a problem, and you suffer in silence because you don't want to be a crab on your vacation (and I understand that too) then it is possilbe that your dining team never knew there was a problem and will never understand why you were such a cheapskate. You'll come home and complain about the service, but didn't speak up, so whose fault is it that you experienced it the whole cruise? I would say both the person delivering the poor service and the guest who puts up with it and tolerates the poor service.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks for the clarification. But the point was brought up that things should work in the reverse...bad service at Plutos should equal less tip in the main dining room. And the point that those that don't eat in the dining room need to tip anyway, because they get service all day at other venues (I agree with tipping anyway, just to clarify).

I think that some may have the same impression that I received...tips are spread out among many people, not just your dining staff.

I need a nap so I hope I am making myself clear.

I've had a range of experience with my dining staff from excellent to just okay. I've always tipped the recommended amounts, but the good ones always get more. And to be honest, I've never given a thought to how the folks working at Topsiders or Beach Blanket or Plutos or Castaway Cay are compensated. I've worked in the service industry (waitress, bartender) and would never NOT tip when I'm supposed to, but I think that putting the responsibility on the guest to consider service they are receiving all over the ship to tip a certain amount to specific individuals is a little over the top.

We are told who needs to be tipped...besides the service fees for barstaff, the tips that are "suggested" are servers and room attendents. If Disney meant to include those that serve us elsewhere on the ship, they would probably make that clear. I do not tip my server based on good/bad service I received from someone else, elsewhere onboard. I tip based on THAT PERSON that I am told to tip (although I don't really need to be told).

Although I think that dining room staff needs to be tipped even if you don't eat in the dining room, I understand why some wouldn't agree. I agree because that is what I WOULD do, I am generous and I would feel like I was taking money away from them with my choice. I do understand though why someone would feel that was uneccesary to tip someone that never served them. Not because they are cheap, but because they didn't experience the service they are tipping for. They are tipping a nonexistent service.

Again, I reiterate...I would tip because I think it is the right thing to do, but isn't it understandable that someone would disagree?

In some countries, tipping is nonexistent. In some, it is ridiculous...in Egypt if I was waved at by someone they wanted a tip, and if you wanted a tiny square of toilet paper, better break out the wallet for a tip! Not everyone will ever agree on this issue, but the bottom line is really, unless there is a problem, you tip the recommended amount. If there is a problem, and you suffer in silence because you don't want to be a crab on your vacation (and I understand that too) then it is possilbe that your dining team never knew there was a problem and will never understand why you were such a cheapskate. You'll come home and complain about the service, but didn't speak up, so whose fault is it that you experienced it the whole cruise? I would say both the person delivering the poor service and the guest who puts up with it and tolerates the poor service.

The point was brought up that things should work in the reverse, was incorrect imho, we only tip $8pp per day.

We are not expected to tip at Breakfast or lunch or snack outlets, but the staff who serve you at dinner also cover that, so you basically get that service 'tip free'. The point many people say is, take that into account that for $8pd you get all food, bar Palo and Room service.

Now considering $8 per person per day, what else could you buy for that instead, it isnt big bucks,

 

[Dicecatt]

Now considering $8 per person per day, what else could you buy for that instead, it isnt big bucks,

I agree . Another point...kind of a "when in Rome" sort of thing...when you book a vacation and there is certain expected behavior in regards to tipping, or other "customs" you may encounter while on that trip, you are really accepting it when you book. If I had tried to buck the system in Egypt, well, I guess no toilet paper for me . Follow the expected guidelines or do something else if you have a problem with it, perhaps to one of the countries where tipping is not the norm. When you book a cruise, you know (or you should know) that gratuity is expected, it should not come as sticker shock, or come with a "how to get around it" attitude.

As for the original topic, I still think that if you don't speak up and mediocore or bad service is experienced, you have no right to complain about it...your "bad" might not be someone else's, therefore your servers may not know what they are doing displeases you.

One more thing before I retire my rambling on this subject, and it is a question... I really, really dislike it when the server team harps on how great their service was and the comment card spiel...has anyone had success stopping that, or do you all just put up with it? Once is enough in my opinion, I'm not slow, I can be told something once and remember it.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I agree . Another point...kind of a "when in Rome" sort of thing...when you book a vacation and there is certain expected behavior in regards to tipping, or other "customs" you may encounter while on that trip, you are really accepting it when you book. If I had tried to buck the system in Egypt, well, I guess no toilet paper for me . Follow the expected guidelines or do something else if you have a problem with it, perhaps to one of the countries where tipping is not the norm. When you book a cruise, you know (or you should know) that gratuity is expected, it should not come as sticker shock, or come with a "how to get around it" attitude.

As for the original topic, I still think that if you don't speak up and mediocore or bad service is experienced, you have no right to complain about it...your "bad" might not be someone else's, therefore your servers may not know what they are doing displeases you.

One more thing before I retire my rambling on this subject, and it is a question... I really, really dislike it when the server team harps on how great their service was and the comment card spiel...has anyone had success stopping that, or do you all just put up with it? Once is enough in my opinion, I'm not slow, I can be told something once and remember it.

Agree with this, ''Another point...kind of a "when in Rome" sort of thing...when you book a vacation and there is certain expected behavior in regards to tipping, or other "customs" you may encounter while on that trip, you are really accepting it when you book''.

 

[perdidobay]

One more thing before I retire my rambling on this subject, and it is a question... I really, really dislike it when the server team harps on how great their service was and the comment card spiel...has anyone had success stopping that, or do you all just put up with it? Once is enough in my opinion, I'm not slow, I can be told something once and remember it.

It sounds like DCL is aware of this and working on it, according to Barb's last post:

"I did notice they put a question on the survey now that asks if you were pressured to rate "Excellent." We had no pressure and got no "speech." "

 

[inkkognito]

It sounds like DCL is aware of this and working on it, according to Barb's last post:

"I did notice they put a question on the survey now that asks if you were pressured to rate "Excellent." We had no pressure and got no "speech." "

Yep, the only thing I noticed was that they asked several nights over the course of the week if their service was okay or if there was anything we would want to be changed. I liked that because it would have given an easy opening if we did indeed have any problems and wanted any changes. As it was, the service was fine so we simply told them that when they asked. They never brought up the surveys when asking.

 

[dylan'smom]

...when you book a vacation and there is certain expected behavior in regards to tipping, or other "customs" you may encounter while on that trip, you are really accepting it when you book.


When you book a cruise, you know (or you should know) that gratuity is expected, it should not come as sticker shock, or come with a "how to get around it" attitude.


...if you don't speak up and mediocore or bad service is experienced, you have no right to complain about it...your "bad" might not be someone else's, therefore your servers may not know what they are doing displeases you.

Amen, Amen, and AMEN

 

[NoWorriesMate]

over the past few years tipping has been a constant source of debate on these boards.

At home we only tip for exceptional service - the cost of our meal, drinks etc is priced to allow the server to be paid a decent wage.
When in the US i presume that the suggested tip is the same factored wage - just in a more complicated way. so we pay what ever is suggested as part of the cost of the service and then add a "tip" (extra) if they were good (on DCL we usually find they are).

personally i wish that the servers would just be paid a decent wage to begin with and make the whole issue simpler and clearer.

 

[3princessMommy]

On our last cruise, our servers were very nice, but something was just off. We had a first-time cruiser family seated with us, and even they noticed it - dinners didn't come out together, or the adults got theirs first vs. the kids. The drinks weren't right or someone was always forgotten.

After the first night, we thought, okay- maybe just some readjustments to a new menu or staff in the kitchen. But when things didn't improve the second night and the kids waited almost 30 minutes after the adults were served for food, we spoke up.

We went straight to the head waiter and indicated that while we liked our servers very much, they were very cordial and appeared to be working hard, some things just weren't working properly, and we gave examples.

The next night, the team stepped up to the plate. The head server worked more closely with our servers to ensure that our service was correct. We saw them actively trying to address the problem. Unfortunately, the kitchen screwed them all up and we ended up without something. You could see they were trying though.

The next night, the head server was again involved and came over with a special surprise for each child - a small Minney plush (we had all girls). And the servers also stepped up to the plate.

The rest of the cruise went well and the servers remained very dedicated to the job. (If I remember correctly, they weren't normally a team, but someone had fallen ill the week before, so this was the first time they had worked together.)

Overall the service was average. It wasn't spectacular. But they really, really tried and that showed. So we tipped the full recommended amount (maybe rounded up a little). But didn't give an extra amount. (And this is the first time that I have personally seen a head server earn his tip - but now I understand better the role he/she plays in the process.)

But had we not said something early on, we wouldn't have known that there were problems with a new team and a new menu, and they wouldn't have known that we were unhappy to be able to correct this situation.

So my lesson is communicate early and often if something's not right, compliment good service, recognize effort, and enjoy your cruise!