Tipping is it really necessary??!!

[Anal Annie]

I do think that tipping has gone way overboard and cruise line especially Disney are making you feel guilted into tipping and I don't think that is right. And yes I can afford to cruise but we are on a very tight budget and I don't think that my family shouldn't get to go on cruises because I don't feel that tipping is essential. I do not tip in general at a restaurant unless I get exceptional service and that is the way I feel about tipping while cruising. On our previous cruise the service was not exceptional, it wasn't bad but not great. If I am going to ip someone I should not have to be tracking them down for more water or bread, which I had too and still did not get it! In Canada our min wage where I live is over $9.00'hr starting next year. With tips these people are making more than I do with a college education. What incentive is there for these young people to go to college?? I feel that the cm working on cruises are there for life experiences and that is what they are getting. I am not going to cruise to pay for their bills which most would hardly have living on a cruise ship.

 

[Anal Annie]

Wow I just wanted people's opinons on this and wanted to voice my own. I do not view myself as scrooge like and I take quite an offence to this statement. We have tipped in the past if I felt it was worth it, but for the most part the service is not! If I was only paying a smaller amount for the cruising I'd tip accordingly but when the cruise line is taking advantage of people's income now a days and uping the prices so much I think that they should pay their staff accordingly to the work they do. If you feel I am scrooge like then that is your opinion but I too am entilted to mine!

Not sure what you are expecting...

 

[Anal Annie]

That is exactly it I will not tip at a nice restaurant if the service is not there. Why would you?? And not all the workers on the boat are from some foreign country . We meant many workers that were there for the experience, then to pay for a family.

Again, I wonder what it is that you are looking for in order to convince you that they have earned a tip? It is sounding to me like you just plain go out to eat or on a cruise with the mindset that you are NOT going to tip. And if you do it's a day to mark on the calendar.

 

[perdy1234]

The service that we recieved on our past cruise was no more than you would recieve at a any Mcdonalds restaurant. It was horrible in the restaraunt. Our room steward was great so we tipped him even more and the same as the palo waiter, but they do need to meet certain expectation i think in order to get a tip. Until tipping is made mandatory it is a discretional thing so get over it. Ther are going to be people that don't like to tip. I simply asked what other people do not for name calling and bashing on myself

 

[ga9497]

That is exactly it I will not tip at a nice restaurant if the service is not there. Why would you?? And not all the workers on the boat are from some foreign country . We meant many workers that were there for the experience, then to pay for a family.

The ones in the tipping positions are - room steward and servers and that is what everyone is referring to in these comments. The others are not tipped positions so they get a higher salary

Personally part of the cruise cost is the tipping and that should be taken into account when booking a cruise. If you cannot afford to tip then you should book a lower price category. Do not do the excursions from the ship do them on your own, this saves you a ton of money

 

[ga9497]

Source http:// www.cruiseshipjob.net/canada/

Here are some examples of what they are making on a cruise ship maybe not necessarilly Disney but most cruise lines Its pretty interesting

If you read that correctly it said that those salaries are based on the gratuities they receive not the pay they get before those gratuities

Here is a quote from the site
Dining Room Waiter/Waitress, (serving passengers, explain the dishes, make recommendations, supervise assistant waiters assigned to their tables) - lots of experience and fluent English Language skills required. Salary range: $2200-3800 U.S. per month depending on gratuities from passengers. Possibilities for promotion to Dining Room Head Waiter.


Based on your first post - you knew this was a heated debate. We don't tip the positions that are salaried like the kids club counselors unless they really went out of their way for something. My kids don't use the kids clubs often if at all. We tip the positions that warrant it like the room steward, dining room server and assistant server. For a 7nt cruise the total tips are $84 per person. That comes to $12 a day, per person

I know that this is a heated debate but I was just comparing Disney's recommended tipping in comparison to other cruise lines and I was really surprised at the difference. We have cruised Disney before and I was not overly impressed with the service to validate tipping with the exception of our room steward. These people are paid a wage and I am paying more than enough for these cruises. I do not feel that we need to be paying for their wages. I work in a line of work where I also offer a service and I am not expecting other people to pay my wages. What is everyone else's opinons on this? Are you required to tip to everyone?? I would really appreciate some input on this!

 

[Forever42]

The service that we recieved on our past cruise was no more than you would recieve at a any Mcdonalds restaurant. It was horrible in the restaraunt. Our room steward was great so we tipped him even more and the same as the palo waiter, but they do need to meet certain expectation i think in order to get a tip. Until tipping is made mandatory it is a discretional thing so get over it. Ther are going to be people that don't like to tip. I simply asked what other people do not for name calling and bashing on myself

The whole thing is is that you came rushing in here exclaiming that you weren't going to tip because you didn't have the money for it. And when people call you on that, you say that it's because you're expecting bad service.

Based on how cruises work in the US at least, no matter whether people like it or not, there are tipped positions that are paid for with tips from passengers. It's not up to passengers to punish those working in those positions by not tipping because they don't like the idea of tipping. If one doesn't like the idea of tipping, then don't take advantage of an activity that's based on tips.

If you receive bad service, then no, one wouldn't be expected to tip the recommended amount. However, if you do receive bad service, you should speak up early and clearly.

But to come in and say that you're not tipping because you'd rather spend your money on something else that's optional (excursions), plus you're going on a very expensive week (Christmas week), that's why people are understandably upset. And no one's been calling names, they've just not agreed with you.

 

[Anal Annie]

Here's my take from what I have read here. I think Perdy has no intentions of tipping. Never did...and nobody can make him (her) and they wanted to make sure we understand that. They don't like it and don't believe in it. So there it is.

Perdy, in one of their previous posts, admitted to being able to afford to cruise but not tip and doesn't want to deprive their family of excursions because of recommended tipping guidelines. I am not sure why they felt the need to even ASK if tipping was necessary as the title of this thread goes. They obviously have very high standards set and in order to EARN a gratuity, which that's what a tip is - it's a thank you for your service, you must bend over backwards 24/7. (And just BTW, they have never been to MY local McDonald's or they would truely know what poor service is for a comparison.) Anyway, their mind was made up before they even asked the question. I am also confused why they feel they have been bashed...I mean after re-reading all of these posts, why would anybody bash them?

Perdy - I am sorry you feel so strongly against tipping - and I hope you have a great cruise with excellent service. If you don't, you need to let DCL know about it.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Tipping is it really necessary??!!

Yes.

What is everyone else's opinons on this?

Tip everyone in tipping positions the suggested minimum for standard service and more for those above standard.

BTW, I want to go to your McDonalds! Do they pull the chair out for you? Do they put your napkin in your lap? Do they give you the meal recommendations for the evening? Do they take your special requests seriously?

 

[jship210]

I somewhat agree with the previous poster. But I think that tips should be included in the price of the cruise. Disney cruise lines is charging more than enough with their prices to cover crew tips. It truly is a matter of opinion. I will still cruise regardless of whether or not I tip.

My two cents; If tipping were included in the price, would you get the same service? Would the waiters and servers be as nice and go that extra mile? Would they make an effort to see that your child gets that little extra desert or magic trick? OR would they just figure "Hey I got my money already", and become just a server or waiter. How many cruisers have their pictures taken with their servers and remember their names? You don't go to Applebees and have you picture taken, share personal memories or say "how cool would it be to have (server's name) at home waiting on us. Or how many of us have asked for "OUR Server" from previous cruises.
It is for this extra service, and attitude that we tip to show our appreciation.

 

[tink too]

Sure, there are going to be some CMs who are there for the experience. And I think I would be pretty close to the truth when I say most of them don't sign on for a second 'experience' very soon!!

I totally agree with you goofy4tink. Our head server and server were both from developing countries and our assistant server was from a more modern, cosmopolitan place. Yes, I remember their names and where they were from, but I don't want to name names or cause embarassment to anyone as you never know who is reading these boards.

Our head server was from a developing country. I have a friend who is originally from the same country so know how bad it is "back home". He visited our table every night and was very friendly. We also noticed him serving a nearby table when one of his servers was absent due to illness.

Our server was friendly enough, could speak English and tried very hard to please. He made a few minor mistakes and would apologize when we pointed them out. We were an undemanding bunch and were all laid back. These few minor things did not even warrant a complaint to the head server.

Our assistant server was a lovely young girl there for the life experience. On our last night, I chatted with her a little more about her experiences onboard and she told us she was going home soon. She had already decided that she would not be returning. It had been an experience right enough, but not one she wished to repeat anytime soon. She expressed that Disney did not mistreat their staff, but just that the work was very hard going - all day, every day, eventually wears you out.

She also mentioned that our server would be around for many years to come as long as he kept getting good feedback from guests because he really needed to be there to allow his family back home to have a decent life.

I am certainly not going to deprive these hard workers from trying to make a better life for themselves. After all, isn't that what most adults strive for? These guys and gals who make our trips magical and memorable are worth every penny they earn (and then some).

 

[perdy1234]

In response to the above post from jship210 I am speaking from experience on our previous dcl cruise. None of things happened for us in the dining room and yes I have had better service at an Applebees and I tipped the lady for it. Calling a person scrooge like, and if I can sleep at night comments is bashing and uncalled for. I appreciate actual comments pertaining to why youtip or how you tip but not the riduculing. That is just uncalled for. When I am paying thousands of dollards for a cruise I do have a certain height of standards that I expect to be meant if I am going to tip accordingly. We love to cruise and we tip with how much we can afford. We have far more expenses with a cruise then just the cruise it self. But I don't think that I need to justify my reasons on here because obviously it will just be twisted and turned anyways! So good for you I commend the ones that tip no matter how the service is. I guess you are just a better person then the rest of us that tip according to the service!

 

[jship210]

In response to the above post from jship210 I am speaking from experience on our previous dcl cruise. None of things happened for us in the dining room and yes I have had better service at an Applebees and I tipped the lady for it. Calling a person scrooge like, and if I can sleep at night comments is bashing and uncalled for. I appreciate actual comments pertaining to why youtip or how you tip but not the riduculing. That is just uncalled for. When I am paying thousands of dollards for a cruise I do have a certain height of standards that I expect to be meant if I am going to tip accordingly. We love to cruise and we tip with how much we can afford. We have far more expenses with a cruise then just the cruise it self. But I don't think that I need to justify my reasons on here because obviously it will just be twisted and turned anyways! So good for you I commend the ones that tip no matter how the service is. I guess you are just a better person then the rest of us that tip according to the service!

Perdy- Where did I call you scrooge like or mention sleeping? It was my reason for tipping only

 

[perdy1234]

I was referring to the Applebees comment that was all. The rest was comments in general from other posters

 

[kcashner]

We've sailed on the Magic 17 times over many years. We see many familiar faces...many servers and head servers continue to come back for 5 years or more. In addition, we are frequently told that our assistant server from the previous cruise was promoted to server on the Wonder. So....it's not true that most of them don't sign on for another experience soon. Most of them do renew their contracts!

Yes, they choose this life...but usually for "back home" reasons like supporting a family.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

We love to cruise and we tip with how much we can afford. We have far more expenses with a cruise then just the cruise it self.

Tipping is a part of cruising- if one cannot afford to tip the recommended amounts - one should NOT CRUISE!

Of course if service is poor, you can adjust the amount of the tip. But to go on vacation INTENDING to not tip is incredibly rude to the people working to provide you with a great vacation.

 

[DCLMan]

Tipping is a part of cruising- if one cannot afford to tip the recommended amounts - one should NOT CRUISE!

Of course if service is poor, you can adjust the amount of the tip. But to go on vacation INTENDING to not tip is incredibly rude to the people working to provide you with a great vacation.

If the service is poor why should you tip at all?

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

If the service is poor why should you tip at all?

You dont - but the OP is intending to cruise and not tip/or tip what they can afford - BEFORE seeing how the service is.

Why would you go on a cruise line if you expected the service to be bad??

 

[SamIAm21]

Allow me to walk you through a day of a server or asst server on DCL. They are in their dining room for breakfast by 6:30am, where they work thorugh multiple seatings of patrons, then immedeatly being setting up for lunch. Generally they more to a different dining room or to Topsiders, where they clear tables, refill drinks, make sure the buffet is stocked and everyone is happy in the dining room. This continues until appx 2:30-3:00, where they then get a break for a little over an hour. Around 4:30 they are back at their dining room preparing for the first rotation of guests...they run for you countless times, fill your drinks, get your food, wipe up spills, and entertain your children. Sometimes they perform a show for you too. This continues for the next 6 hours, then they begin setting up the dining room for tomorrow. They leave the dinin g room usually a little after 11:00. They work for you all day, whether you see them or not, and they make $50 a month from Disney. They do this 7 days a week, with no day off until their contract ends. Your room steward? He gets 4 hours of sleep a night, max.
Also allow me to point out that they are not college students "out for an experience". These are adult men and women from other countries, with families to support. Their bills at home don't go away jsut because they are sharing a shoe box sized room on a boat. Many of them have multiple children at home. They don't leave their families for months on end for a great experience, it's to make a living to support their family. If they make more than you, it's because they probably work harder and longer hours than you, and they sacrifice a lot to be there to support their families. They work to give you the vacation you pay for that they could never imagine bringing their children on. Sacrifice buying a drink at the pool every day or another Disney sweatshirt that will get stuffed in the closet when you get home to show these people that you recognize and appreciate their hard work.

As a person that worked as a server while I was in college, I assure you that $2.83/hr doesnt go very far. It pays your taxes and thats about it. Tipping is your paycheck, and there is nothing more frustrating than working your butt off to give your customer quality service and provide them with everything they ask and to be left with nothing. Would you work for free? I don't think so. 15% in a restaraunt is a base line, exceptional service should be rewarded with more.

Thank you.

 

[perdy1234]

You dont - but the OP is intending to cruise and not tip/or tip what they can afford - BEFORE seeing how the service is.

Why would you go on a cruise line if you expected the service to be bad??

Why is it so wrong to only tip what you can afford to tip? Maybe that is partly what is wrong with the economy today.