Tipping from Shipboard credits

[FLmomof2]

Has anyone ever tipped at the end of the cruise using shipboard credit?

If so, how do the servers know that you have done this? I don't want anyone to think we didn't tip them.

 

[flexsmom]

There's no way they would know that you had a shipboard credit. You simply charge the tips to your stateroom account and put the slip of paper into the envelope for that CM. From an accounting perspective, if you haven't charged anything else to eat up your stateroom credit, then you are in good shape. Good luck with that, by the way! I don't think I could keep my other charges down to the point that my tips were the only on-board expenses such the credits ended up being all I needed to pay off my account, to include tips! I just don't have that kind of control!

 

[becka]

I have never done this but you can charge your tips to your account and your shipboard credits are used first. The servers are being tipped and they would not know (or I would venture would not care) if the tips come from shipboard credit or cash.

 

[Amlee]

They print you out a ticket similar to those used for excurstion(sp)(or a concert ticket). These tickets have your head server, server, asst server and stateroom host or hostess name on it. Along with the amount you give them. You are then given enevelops on the last night of your cruise with each person's title labeled on it. Put the right ticket with the right name. (There is also a stub for you to pull off for your records.) Then on the last night you give these out like you would if you were doing cash.

 

[FLmomof2]

Great! I was hoping they gave you something to give to the servers/hostess. I just didn't want to not hand them something and have them think I wasn't tipping them!

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Can you add to the customary amount when charging, or do you need to include the extra in cash?

 

[ssnyder]

Can you add to the customary amount when charging, or do you need to include the extra in cash?

You can charge whatever amount you want to tip.

 

[tvguy]

Anyone actually done this? Reason I ask is I thought (maybe incorrectly) that shipboard credits could only be spend on goods and excursions, not cashed out or used for tips.

 

[NancyIL]

Anyone actually done this? Reason I ask is I thought (maybe incorrectly) that shipboard credits could only be spend on goods and excursions, not cashed out or used for tips.

That's what I was wondering, because on Royal Caribbean - shipboard credit can't be used for tips.

 

[DIS NURSE]

Need to know, need to know!

 

[dahuffy]

They print you out a ticket similar to those used for excurstion(sp)(or a concert ticket). These tickets have your head server, server, asst server and stateroom host or hostess name on it. Along with the amount you give them. You are then given enevelops on the last night of your cruise with each person's title labeled on it. Put the right ticket with the right name. (There is also a stub for you to pull off for your records.) Then on the last night you give these out like you would if you were doing cash.

Great pictures! We were on the Magic from Sept. 2-9 Eastern Caribbean.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Bump--

 

[EWL]

Not sure I understand what is still unclear...

Yes, you can charge tips to your stateroom account. They'll give you a sheet to fill out listing whatever amounts you would like to tip for each person. You take this to guest services and they'll give you the tickets to place in the envelopes and distribute.

If your stateroom account has a credit card on file, it'll be charged to the card at the end of the cruise. If you have onboard credits, those will be used first. No one receiving a tip will know (or care) how it was paid for.
In our case, we had an onboard credit, Disney Visa reward dollars, and a credit card on file.

Is the question whether you can use ONLY onboard credits for tips? Meaning that you would have no other charges whatsoever on your stateroom account (no drinks, excursions, shopping, etc.? in which case I envy you?!)? I can only say that I am aware of no restrictions as to how you use your onboard credit-- only that you must indeed use it; it is not refundable to you at the end of the cruise if you don't!

 

[tvguy]

Not sure I understand what is still unclear...

Yes, you can charge tips to your stateroom account. They'll give you a sheet to fill out listing whatever amounts you would like to tip for each person. You take this to guest services and they'll give you the tickets to place in the envelopes and distribute.

If your stateroom account has a credit card on file, it'll be charged to the card at the end of the cruise. If you have onboard credits, those will be used first. No one receiving a tip will know (or care) how it was paid for.
In our case, we had an onboard credit, Disney Visa reward dollars, and a credit card on file.

Is the question whether you can use ONLY onboard credits for tips? Meaning that you would have no other charges whatsoever on your stateroom account (no drinks, excursions, shopping, etc.? in which case I envy you?!)? I can only say that I am aware of no restrictions as to how you use your onboard credit-- only that you must indeed use it; it is not refundable to you at the end of the cruise if you don't!

I think you missed the question. I understand you can charge your tips. But some cruise lines put restrictions on what onboard credits can be spent on, specifically, you can't apply shipboard credit towards tips, and you can't get cash for shipboard credits. Anyone know what Disney's rules are?

 

[poohfriend]

If I have a Disney ONboard Rebooking Credit, can I use it to pay my tips. (we're not planning excursions on our next 4-day...and I have quite a bit of onboard credit.)

Anyone know the rules?

thanks

 

[nextcruz]

I think you missed the question. I understand you can charge your tips. But some cruise lines put restrictions on what onboard credits can be spent on, specifically, you can't apply shipboard credit towards tips, and you can't get cash for shipboard credits. Anyone know what Disney's rules are?

I can only answer part of this: I had a $250 credit remaining from my Disney Visa at the end of the cruise. I did use that to apply toward my servers tips. (We also used the $78 we had won playing bingo that was applied to our account.)

Also, you can't get the credits back once they've been applied to your account - use em or lose em.

 

[jrabbit]

I can only answer part of this: I had a $250 credit remaining from my Disney Visa at the end of the cruise. I did use that to apply toward my servers tips. (We also used the $78 we had won playing bingo that was applied to our account.)

Also, you can't get the credits back once they've been applied to your account - use em or lose em.

That really isn't the type of room credit that is being discussed. It sounds like you chose to dump your entire VISA rewards card onto your room at check in - thats like giving them cash (except like you said, that if you don't spend it all they can't give it back to you - so if you want to pay with the Disney Rewards card - do it at the end of the cruise and they will only take whats needed). The type of room credit that brought up this question is the kind that you can get by booking your room with the Disney VISA ($50) or the room credit you get on your next cruise when you book onboard.

 

[EWL]

I think you missed the question.

No, I just find it hard to imagine having nothing else charged to your stateroom account that could be paid for with onboard credits. According to the Disney VISA onboard credit offer:

"Offer must be requested at time of booking for new bookings only. Other discounts do not apply; not combinable with any other offer. The onboard credit is per stateroom for each stateroom paid in full with Disney's Visa® Card and occupied by an adult Cardmember. Any unused portions are non-refundable and non-transferable. Credit good toward merchandise, spa treatments, shore excursions and other onboard activities. Offer subject to change without notice."

So, I would take that to mean that you cannot use it for tips. Use it instead for something else that you can charge to your room.

 

[tvguy]

No, I just find it hard to imagine having nothing else charged to your stateroom account that could be paid for with onboard credits. According to the Disney VISA onboard credit offer:

"Offer must be requested at time of booking for new bookings only. Other discounts do not apply; not combinable with any other offer. The onboard credit is per stateroom for each stateroom paid in full with Disney's Visa® Card and occupied by an adult Cardmember. Any unused portions are non-refundable and non-transferable. Credit good toward merchandise, spa treatments, shore excursions and other onboard activities. Offer subject to change without notice."

So, I would take that to mean that you cannot use it for tips. Use it instead for something else that you can charge to your room.

Exactly my point. I think in the same post you misunderstood my question, AND answered it.
Cruises lines generally don't like to exchange on board credit for cash, or a cash equivelent like a tip. They want you to use it for a product or service on the ship which has a marked up price. So you use $3.50 in on board credit to buy a "Drink Of The Day". And while that drink retails for $3.50, and they deducted $3.50 from your credit, the drink itself probably costs Disney about 25 cents to make, factor in the automatic server tip on drinks at .53 cents, and Disney has erased $3.50 in your account, and only laid out about 78 cents.

 

[ScouterJT]

No, I just find it hard to imagine having nothing else charged to your stateroom account that could be paid for with onboard credits. According to the Disney VISA onboard credit offer:

"Offer must be requested at time of booking for new bookings only. Other discounts do not apply; not combinable with any other offer. The onboard credit is per stateroom for each stateroom paid in full with Disney's Visa® Card and occupied by an adult Cardmember. Any unused portions are non-refundable and non-transferable. Credit good toward merchandise, spa treatments, shore excursions and other onboard activities. Offer subject to change without notice."

So, I would take that to mean that you cannot use it for tips. Use it instead for something else that you can charge to your room.

Do other Onboard Credits (such as from a travel agent) include similar restrictions?