Tipping for poor service

[Tngrl78]

Sorry but I totally disagree with your statements ---- every cruise I have been on by the second night they know us by name and have had the table set exactly as we have requested.

Not only on DCL but EVERY cruiseline I have dealt with this is the norm!

These guys know that their wages depend upon providing the best dining experience EVERY NIGHT!!!

to the OP --- after that many requests their tip would have reflected the attention to detail and ability to follow through with requests (especially as basic as yours were) - from what you have told us so far it would have been $0.00!

Dinner is part of the whole cruising experience and can make or break a trip in my opinion.

I would also respectfully disagree lewlaw69 … but I would disagree based on our personal experiences… let me explain.

We have been 2 cruises on the Wonder…and in both cases our servers were great! By the end of the 1st night they knew our names and would use them going forward for the rest of the cruise (pretty standard I guess). They also figured out our likes and dislikes and by the time we were seated on our second night, they had taken care of some of things in advance of us getting there. For example, they knew our son really liked Ginger Ale (which was great for the motion sickness too! LOL) with his meal and by the time we sat down for our second seating, he already had a cup (with a lid and straw) filled with Ginger Ale and his name was on the cup. Now, this is just one small thing that they did, but to us it meant they paid attention. In the case of the baby and the utensils… based on the service we received on both cruises, I’m shocked that their server did not have this taken care of BEFORE they ever got to the table.

At the end of the meal my wife asked for some hot tea and picked out the Earl Grey tea bag. From then on after we finished our meal, the assistant server asked my wife directly if she wanted tea with her dessert and if she wanted the Earl Grey again. Again, it’s something small, but it showed they paid attention.

 

[TKH]

Quote: "Last, take care of your own silverware - they are there to serve you food along with hundreds of others in a quick turnaround while making it as enjoyable as possible. "

Just for clarity, I was trying to remove the plate/fork/knife before putting my little guy in the high chair when the server grabbed his legs. If you have kids it's easy to understand that with a baby, it's much easier to never let them see/have something than it is to take it away. We hadn't made any other requests...except one kid wanted orange cheese shreds on his macaroni one night...and got sliced oranges on his mac instead! That was simply worth a laugh, he ate it just fine! Anyway, that was just an example. Seriously, a cruise is what you make of it, and we made off just fine. We were walked away happy with another cruise booked, just wondered what we should have done and I'm happy to know we could have requested a different table/server.

 

[denas]

I think if the server/staff was overtly rude to you I would lower or not tip at all. But if you made many demands and they didn't remember you out of the other thousands of guests every week I don't think I would be as harsh as you were. Just because they are wearing a tuxedo/nice uniform doesn't mean that you are going to get the same service as you do at the Ritz, etc. - and I don't think you should expect that. I would have listed something on the comment card and given them the suggested tip.

Last, take care of your own silverware - they are there to serve you food along with hundreds of others in a quick turnaround while making it as enjoyable as possible. Its more upscale vegas buffet than fine dining. I've seen the utmost in snobbery and service expectations that would have made the Ritz Carlton say "get the hell out" - at times nearly borderline abusive. If you really wanted them to remember you I would have tipped them 10 or 20 bucks at the start and say "its really important to us that silverware is not there when my baby gets here - so please be sure to take care of us". But personally I would have just moved the silverware myself.

Totally disagree. I sailed once with Disney and had a 6-month old. The server had only a spoon and a highchair there the first night. The head server ended up moving our table on night 2 when he realized that our daughter was still wobbly and sleepy at dinner time and therefore couldn't use the highchair, but needed the stroller. For my family of 5, we are tipping $40 per day for our meal service. Lets generously assume that half covers breakfast and lunch, (we eat buffets like most people so that is pretty high) that still means $20 for dinner service. If this was the standard 15% reflection, that would correspond to us eating a meal that would come to over $100. (My kids are 8/4/and 9 months on our next cruise so the littlest doesn't even eat). If I were to pay that much at a restaurant I would expect very good service. Heck, even Friday's and Applebees DONT PUT A KNIFE OR BREAKABLES IN FRONT OF AN INFANT. So, I don't think you are expecting too much at all on a $100 dollar meal to have servers that listen to you. And if anyone grabbed my baby after I asked them not to, I would have complained on-the-spot to a manager regardless of where I was at. You don 't grab babies. Offer to help - sure, but don't ever touch someones kids without the parents permission.

 

[dursin]

In 5 cruises, I've only had to reduce the gratuities twice. Once we had a stateroom host who forgot to lower the upper berth for the kids on 2 out of the 4 nights, plus we had an issue with a dirty sheet on the pulldown bed (this was a cat 4) and it took like 3 reminders to get it corrected. I think he got 75% of his recommended tip for those things.

The other time is the head servers...if I don't see them until the last night when they come around with their hand out, they get a big reduction...sometimes all the way to 0.

 

[Dizzyworld]

We hadn't made any other requests...except one kid wanted orange cheese shreds on his macaroni one night...and got sliced oranges on his mac instead! That was simply worth a laugh, he ate it just fine!

The picture in my head of the orange on the mac was worth a laugh for me too.

Glad the rest of your cruise was good.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

ALL though High school and college I worked for tips.........and I get steamed when someone gets on the threads.....basicly complaining and wining the crews get to much in tips.

BUT!


If you got really bad service, which weas brought to the attention of the staff and it didn't get better.I would not tip...........plain as that!

I would have wrote out my complaints and stapled the envlopes to the letter and left it at the purser desk!

AKK

 

[GOOFY D]

I think if the server/staff was overtly rude to you I would lower or not tip at all. But if you made many demands and they didn't remember you out of the other thousands of guests every week I don't think I would be as harsh as you were. Just because they are wearing a tuxedo/nice uniform doesn't mean that you are going to get the same service as you do at the Ritz, etc. - and I don't think you should expect that. I would have listed something on the comment card and given them the suggested tip.

Last, take care of your own silverware - they are there to serve you food along with hundreds of others in a quick turnaround while making it as enjoyable as possible. Its more upscale vegas buffet than fine dining. I've seen the utmost in snobbery and service expectations that would have made the Ritz Carlton say "get the hell out" - at times nearly borderline abusive. If you really wanted them to remember you I would have tipped them 10 or 20 bucks at the start and say "its really important to us that silverware is not there when my baby gets here - so please be sure to take care of us". But personally I would have just moved the silverware myself.

Sorry, I disagree. They are there to serve you, not to just deliver food. The reason the servers follow you around is to give personal service. Disney cruises are far from economy cruises. There are plenty of cruises that people can take at a much lower cost and the meals and service are part of the whole package. Also, tipping is for good service, not an obligatory deed.

 

[lexlaw69]

So you are walking up to your table with your 2 or 3 kids in tow you can't simply move the silverware when you walk up? Isn't silverware usually on the table before you get there in every restaurant you've ever been to? Sorry, I just think it is snobby and over reaching to expect that.

Do you also reduce your tips when you go to a restaurant and they didn't read your mind beforehand and remove the silverware? My family and I have a ritual down that doesn't mattrer if we're in McDonalds or Mortons and that is to move the friggin silverware and anything else within reach of our 2 year old.

I think when you become to much of a pain to the underpaid staff that you become a target for whatever is in their nose.

 

[lexlaw69]

Right, they are there to serve you....dinner. They're job is to make you feel special and attended to in a way that gets you out the door so second seating can come in. You are on a cruise, not a private yacht that you own. I've watched people abuse these staff with outrageous requests and snobbery. My guess is that if you expect the staff to do half a dozen things in preparation for your "arrival" your highness that you might be asking too much.

 

[GOOFY D]

Right, they are there to serve you....dinner. They're job is to make you feel special and attended to in a way that gets you out the door so second seating can come in. You are on a cruise, not a private yacht that you own. I've watched people abuse these staff with outrageous requests and snobbery. My guess is that if you expect the staff to do half a dozen things in preparation for your "arrival" your highness that you might be asking too much.

This is not a cheap cruise. To say they are underpaid is a joke. They are paid extremely well and also save a ton in taxes. They are also paid to provide top service which is expected on a cruise of this sort. This is also a cruise with many small children, so I am sure Disney would like for their employees to reduce risks to their young guests. Whether you think that is snobby or not, if it is an expectation that has been specifically relayed to the server is ignored, then the customer has every right to be unhappy.

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

I think if the server/staff was overtly rude to you I would lower or not tip at all. But if you made many demands and they didn't remember you out of the other thousands of guests every week It is the norm on DCL (and most others) for the servers to remember not only your name, but your preferred drink and any allergies by the second night, third at the latest. It is amazing they are able to do this, but it is an expected part of the job. I don't think I would be as harsh as you were. Just because they are wearing a tuxedo/nice uniform doesn't mean that you are going to get the same service as you do at the Ritz, etc. - and I don't think you should expect that. The OP, and most that have cruised previously are not expecting service on par with the "Ritz" or any other land-based establishment, but the service DCL has provided in the past, the service that makes many justify the premium price. I have cruised with DCL many times, and I expect certain things based on my past experience on the cruise, not some expectation brought from any other place. I would have listed something on the comment card and given them the suggested tip.

Last, take care of your own silverware I am on vacation, I take care of cooking, silverware, dishes etc. all the time at home. The OP's request of not having sharps and breakables near her infant is not an overly demanding request, and many other servers would have taken care of it the first night noting the age of the child on the reservation. The servers are given this information in advance, and have it available to them any time. To suggest that the OP should have to clear her child's place after specifically requested it to be taken care of is bizzare. - they are there to serve you food along with hundreds of others in a quick turnaround Actually, the servers don't have hundres of guests. They are given 3 tables with a maximum of 20 people at each seating. There could be exceptions, but this is the norm. If the person is unable to turn their tables over properly, they should not be in the position as that is an expected duty. There is plenty of time between seatings to turn over 20 place settings. It is actually easier to set a place for a child, as there is less to set out. while making it as enjoyable as possible. Its more upscale vegas buffet than fine dining. I've seen the utmost in snobbery and service expectations that would have made the Ritz Carlton say "get the hell out" - at times nearly borderline abusive. If you really wanted them to remember you I would have tipped them 10 or 20 bucks at the start and say "its really important to us that silverware is not there when my baby gets here - so please be sure to take care of us". But personally I would have just moved the silverware myself.

My husband is in a wheelchair, and does not use the chair in the MDR. Not once on any of my cruises has the chair not been removed by the second night, my limes on the table and DH's water glass removed. These are not large requests, or even requirements, but DCL has always made them happen. It is not unreasonable to expect this level of service in the future, as this is what we have experienced in the past.

To the OP, I would have cut his tip in half and explained to him face to face exactly why I was doing so.

Good luck on your future cruises!

 

[Mindyjoy]

So you are walking up to your table with your 2 or 3 kids in tow you can't simply move the silverware when you walk up? Isn't silverware usually on the table before you get there in every restaurant you've ever been to? Sorry, I just think it is snobby and over reaching to expect that.

Uh, seriously? OP stated that they ASKED for the baby's silverware to be removed after day 1. Not at all a snobby or overreaching request. The point of having the rotating dining staff is so your needs will be accommodated without having to explain your needs to a different server every night. It's listed in the brochure as a perk of sailing with DCL.

For the record, I wouldn't reduce the tip for the silverware issue alone, but I would take a few bucks out for the struggle with the high chair and the plate. If my server's behavior or attitude causes me to have extra stress during dinner, yeah, I'm going to reduce the tip.

 

[Cruise]

We did the same thing (and probably on the same cruise--Hi Julie!).

Beth

The other time is the head servers...if I don't see them until the last night when they come around with their hand out, they get a big reduction...sometimes all the way to 0.

I've got to chime in here. I've said it a million times, but I'll say it again. The Head Server's job is to make sure your dining team and the kitchen is running smoothly and on schedule. They handle the behind-the-scenes emergencies that will always happen when serving hundreds of people dinner at the same time. They step in to help serve when your server is ill or behind for some reason, they take care of special requests, and they are another step in making sure no one gets food that causes an allergic reaction. If you have a complaint about your dining staff, he/she is the person that gets the problem worked out. With all this being said, if you don't see your Head Server till the last night of your cruise, that means he/she did the job exceptionally well because none of these problems ever reached your table.

 

[lexlaw69]

and if you are so offput by having to physically move your silverware you may want to check your royal bloodline. As far as the baby freaking out when he was trying to help out I think we have all been there. Most are probably appreciative of the help but you can't make everyone happy.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Right, they are there to serve you....dinner. They're job is to make you feel special and attended to in a way that gets you out the door so second seating can come in. You are on a cruise, not a private yacht that you own. I've watched people abuse these staff with outrageous requests and snobbery. My guess is that if you expect the staff to do half a dozen things in preparation for your "arrival" your highness that you might be asking too much.

I tend to agree with your overall sentiment. I think expectations are too high by some. On 5 cruises, I felt we've had excellent service but by the time we get to our second seating, the assistant server may not have our iced tea waiting for us. Not a big deal IMO. We always feel somewhat bad for the wait staff as they get up very early to serve breakfast, often work at lunch as well and then also work two dinner seatings and then sometimes go work the late-night events (pirate night, late night hors d'œuvres, dessert buffets, etc.). And they always greet you with a smile and are awesome whether it at breakfast, lunch or dinner where they see you.

That said, we have had one bad situation with an assistant server who was ending his first contract and couldn't wait to return home to Italy. He was replaced near the end of the cruise. That made for some awkward tipping as it was a 15-night cruise.

I've got to chime in here. I've said it a million times, but I'll say it again. The Head Server's job is to make sure your dining team and the kitchen is running smoothly and on schedule. They handle the behind-the-scenes emergencies that will always happen when serving hundreds of people dinner at the same time. They step in to help serve when your server is ill or behind for some reason, they take care of special requests, and they are another step in making sure no one gets food that causes an allergic reaction. If you have a complaint about your dining staff, he/she is the person that gets the problem worked out. With all this being said, if you don't see your Head Server till the last night of your cruise, that means he/she did the job exceptionally well because none of these problems ever reached your table.

I have to agree! After our first cruise, we thought the head server's job was simply to shake hands and get a tip because everything went so smoothly due to our excellent wait staff. On our remaining cruises, we've had a few small issues (one big issue where we changed our seating altogether) and the head servers have always done a great job when we asked for assistance. Normally, they'll stop by and ask if everything is okay at least once during the cruise, but if they don't I would assume it's because they are helping someone else with a problem. Our head server stepped in a lot when our assistant server had issues on our longer cruise as mentioned above.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Here's my 2¢ on the silverware....unless you are the last person into the dining room, there is no way for the server to know where you are sitting to remove it. If the server removes it and someone else sits there, then he/she has to re-shuffle silverware. Yes, the server should immediately remove the setting once it is determined where you are sitting. Personally, I would NOT want the server to do it prior to my arrival as I would want to choose where to sit.

Now on longer cruises where you repeat restaurants, and are more likely to sit in the same place, the server should go ahead and remove it prior to arrival (if they remember where you sat the first time).

To me, the silverware is a mountain out of a mole hill. As long as the server removes it in a timely manner once you're seated, they've done their job. And yours, as a parent, is to keep an eye on your child until the server can do their job.

 

[lmhall2000]

Here's my 2¢ on the silverware....unless you are the last person into the dining room, there is no way for the server to know where you are sitting to remove it. If the server removes it and someone else sits there, then he/she has to re-shuffle silverware. Yes, the server should immediately remove the setting once it is determined where you are sitting. Personally, I would NOT want the server to do it prior to my arrival as I would want to choose where to sit.

It's rather simple, you remove it where the high chair is. The table sitting next to us had a baby (1 year old) and each night the high chair was already in place...so you simply remove the silverware in front of the child...not a tough request and it's more about safety than anything, which I think any server/ship would acknowledge.

Tara

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

It's rather simple, you remove it where the high chair is. The table sitting next to us had a baby (1 year old) and each night the high chair was already in place...so you simply remove the silverware in front of the child...not a tough request and it's more about safety than anything, which I think any server/ship would acknowledge.

Tara

To each their own. As I stated...I would NOT want the server dictating where I sat. If my table mates beat me, fine but I don't wanna be told where to sit if I get there early. I will choose my own seat. As I said, just my 2¢.

 

[f86sabjf]

lets just say Disney wants addtional info from us due to our survey at the end of the cruise. We have had better service on every single line we have been on in almost 23cruises . This was our first and last Disney cruise. We were really looking for something to justify the overcharging compared to other lines and didnt find it.
We reduced our tips signifigantly to everyone except our room steward who was probably the best we have ever had. A good portion was shifted to him and his salary was at least doubled. WE are Disney fans but we will call them on it if somethings not correct. I'm not trying to slam Disney here believe it or not..

 

[dursin]

I've got to chime in here. I've said it a million times, but I'll say it again. The Head Server's job is to make sure your dining team and the kitchen is running smoothly and on schedule. They handle the behind-the-scenes emergencies that will always happen when serving hundreds of people dinner at the same time. They step in to help serve when your server is ill or behind for some reason, they take care of special requests, and they are another step in making sure no one gets food that causes an allergic reaction. If you have a complaint about your dining staff, he/she is the person that gets the problem worked out. With all this being said, if you don't see your Head Server till the last night of your cruise, that means he/she did the job exceptionally well because none of these problems ever reached your table.

I disagree. If you don't see your Head Server until the last night of the cruise, he/she has done a very poor job. The Head Server should introduce themselves on the first night of the cruise and at least take 10 seconds to stop by each evening. I've had head servers who were fantastic and stopped by at least once every evening to check how things were going. Probably the two best we've had were Michelle and Yolande. I also had one who seemed like he couldn't care less. Didn't see him until the very last night of a seven day cruise.