Tipping is it really necessary??!!

[29apr00]

Last time on our cruise we were not sure how to go about complaining about the service. How do you complain about the service and to who so that we are better prepared this time? We probably won't be eating in the dining rooms much on this cruise but hopefully if we do the service will be better than the last time

First person I would have spoken to would have been the Head Waiter or Maitre'D. They are in charge of the waiters and it's their job to make sure your service is exempliarary. If you have a problem, contact them. If they are unable to rectify the situation, then i would contact guest services at the Purser's Desk and inform them of the situation. Depending on your complaint, the Food & Beverage Manager or Hotel Manager may get involved.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

The people to complain to are in the meals your Head server, or the restaurant manager, and for the rest of the ship Guest services.

I have always had great service, up to my last cruise,

Now first night on a 15 night cruise our dinner was served cold, (not what we expected from our previous cruises with DCL,)we discussed this with head server, and from then on it was fantastic and they checked rechecked every night. They went out of their way to please

I tipped 'above' the recommended tip for each position as yes there was a problem, (hey thats life), -its how quickly you sort it out when a complaint is made, and how they/you correct it and ensure your customers are happy that shows the difference between a great company and an outstanding one.

When you are unhappy complain as quickly as you can, you cannot really adjust your tip down or pay no tip if you do not say what is wrong and do not give them a chance, and use that as a reason.

 

[perdy1234]

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it!

 

[dursin]

I think it's absurd to leave a tip if you receive poor service..... I do not tip at all if I receive poor service!!! If the service is fair then I leave the standard 15%. If the service is exceptional then I leave 20% or more......

That's pretty much the way I tip as well....15% is the base, 20%+ for exceptional service and ~10% at buffets where I serve myself. You find extremes at both ends of the tipping argument around here...ie, some think the 'meal' is expensive enough and should include a tip so they tip nothing or very little and others would leave a tip even if they didn't show up at the restaurant and received NO service.

Bottom line though is that tipping a personal decision and should remain such. If you choose to give nothing, don't come 'bragging' about it here because people will take offense to that. By the same token, if you're one of those who tip regardless of whether you are provided services...or tip double your meal cost at Palo when the tip is already included, then that is also a personal decision and shouldn't be bragged about as well.

 

[jship210]

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it!

Hey Perdy, what ever happens, I really hope your cruise goes well and you relax and enjoy yourself. Obviously we all have our own opinions and unique situations. Life is too short.

Gentle winds and smooth seas.

Jack

 

[tinkerone]

tipping is to personal an issue to discuse. i once mentioned a friend of mine, a single mom, took her two girls on a dcl cruise and only left tips for 2. she did not book excersions, she did not spend any money at shutters. she scrapped together enough to take her daughters on a once in a life time cruise and she did her best. i was hung out to dry for even mentioning this. everyone said it was wrong. i don't think it was. she did her best.
perdy, whether or not you leave a tip is up to you and only you. i was brought up to believe you do not talk about how much you leave as a tip. it was between you and your server. i still believe this. i think no more of the person who leaves the 20% plus tip than i do the person who leaves none. it is not my, or anyone else business. others may think its not right but that is only their opinion. do what you feel is best and don't sweat it. i'll never know if you leave nothing, i'll never know if someone leaves 20 plus %.
don't flame me on this. yes i know people depend on the tips but everyone needs to get off the horse and take care of themselves. a question was asked in good will. lets all answer it in good will shall we......
okay, i'll walk the plank now, shall i??

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

i think no more of the person who leaves the 20% plus tip than i do the person who leaves none. it is not my, or anyone else business. others may think its not right but that is only their opinion. do what you feel is best and don't sweat it. i'll never know if you leave nothing, i'll never know if someone leaves 20 plus %.
don't flame me on this. yes i know people depend on the tips but everyone needs to get off the horse and take care of themselves. a question was asked in good will. lets all answer it in good will shall we......
okay, i'll walk the plank now, shall i??

I'm sorry. I understand the let's-not-brag thought. However, I wonder if you would like to work 70 hours a week, 7 days a week, for 6 months straight, and get $50 a month. What if everyone thought as you do, that it was okay not to leave a tip???? Would that be okay, because who doesn't want to save a few bucks? (No, I'm not talking about bad service. How to handle that has already been handled in this thread quite thoroughly.)

A cruise is not a right. It is something you pay to do. Most Americans could not afford a Disney cruise. Those of us that can pay the charge, should have saved enough money for the recommended tips. (Of course it being your choice to tip that amount based upon good service!) It is NOT okay to cruise with the intention of stiffing some server or stateroom host the full amount. If you can't afford it, save some more and postpone your date. Or, save the amount first, before booking. I think it shows an appalling lack of manners to take a cruise without enough money to pay the CMs who work their butts off. Just because you want to cruise, doesn't mean that you can afford it at that point.

 

[luv that cruise]

its 5 am and i am doing my customary "wake up a few minutes to check the news and email thing" and feel compelled to post. The idea of tipping is off, seems like corporate america has pushed this onto the consumer. I go places and feel it is my responsibility to tip 15% standard. if service is below standard i reduce it, if service is above I raise it. I recognize those positions that are tip dependent. Those recommended for tips on the cruise are part of the system. Those tips are part of their salary. Is it wrong to make the consumer feel responsible for this? Perhaps. But bottom line is THAT is the way the industry works. It is no different on other cruises and other industries (restaurant and hotel industry). Walk on the cruise knowing the tipping standards and plan on paying them. Some chose not to. Yes i think employees should be compensated more by their employer, but THE SYSTEM we have is THE system. The icing on the cake should be money to reward the employee for excellent service. Unfortunately that icing is part of their salary structure. So I tip everyone 15% across the board, I give a buck/per bag to everyone who touches my luggage (what a scam). I hate the system but that is the way it is. I am not going to cut the little guy. Forgive me I am tired and my psychotic cat thinks it is time to open the blinds (he slept all night preparing to get me up just about now).

Yes I would like to overhaul the whole tipping industry, but i am a mere mortal and until i get my super human powers, I will tip!

 

[Anal Annie]

its 5 am and i am doing my customary "wake up a few minutes to check the news and email thing" and feel compelled to post. The idea of tipping is off, seems like corporate america has pushed this onto the consumer. I go places and feel it is my responsibility to tip 15% standard. if service is below standard i reduce it, if service is above I raise it. I recognize those positions that are tip dependent. Those recommended for tips on the cruise are part of the system. Those tips are part of their salary. Is it wrong to make the consumer feel responsible for this? Perhaps. But bottom line is THAT is the way the industry works. It is no different on other cruises and other industries (restaurant and hotel industry). Walk on the cruise knowing the tipping standards and plan on paying them. Some chose not to. Yes i think employees should be compensated more by their employer, but THE SYSTEM we have is THE system. The icing on the cake should be money to reward the employee for excellent service. Unfortunately that icing is part of their salary structure. So I tip everyone 15% across the board, I give a buck/per bag to everyone who touches my luggage (what a scam). I hate the system but that is the way it is. I am not going to cut the little guy. Forgive me I am tired and my psychotic cat thinks it is time to open the blinds (he slept all night preparing to get me up just about now).

Yes I would like to overhaul the whole tipping industry, but i am a mere mortal and until i get my super human powers, I will tip!

I am with ya on THAT one but we do it too! The shuttle van guy for the satellite parking at the airport...the skycap...airport porters...the ME bus driver....bell service guys!! OMG does that ever all add up!! But I like to feel like that $1 per bag means that I will SEE it again when I EXPECT to see it!! In my mind if I am going to FL I want the skycap to send my bag WITH ME and not send it to Nebraska or something! When we vacation I typically budget for $25 in baggage tips coming and going (or $50) for our family. If they touch it they get paid for it. You would THINK that I would learn to pack lighter by now!

 

[dursin]

I'm sorry. I understand the let's-not-brag thought. However, I wonder if you would like to work 70 hours a week, 7 days a week, for 6 months straight, and get $50 a month. What if everyone thought as you do, that it was okay not to leave a tip???? Would that be okay, because who doesn't want to save a few bucks? (No, I'm not talking about bad service. How to handle that has already been handled in this thread quite thoroughly.)

A cruise is not a right. It is something you pay to do. Most Americans could not afford a Disney cruise. Those of us that can pay the charge, should have saved enough money for the recommended tips. (Of course it being your choice to tip that amount based upon good service!) It is NOT okay to cruise with the intention of stiffing some server or stateroom host the full amount. If you can't afford it, save some more and postpone your date. Or, save the amount first, before booking. I think it shows an appalling lack of manners to take a cruise without enough money to pay the CMs who work their butts off. Just because you want to cruise, doesn't mean that you can afford it at that point.

As stated repeatedly in this thread...everything you say here is YOUR PERSONAL OPINION and while many may share your opinion, it is still just that.

I'm sure there are acceptable reasons for not being able to leave the full tip amount...or any at all, and it's not your place nor mine to judge those who who find themselves in a position where they must do so.

 

[adlgel]

I guess where we differ is that most of us consider the cost of tipping to be part of the cost of the product we are buying. I.e., I don't think anyone here would agree that it is okay to go out and spend $100 (before tax and tip) on a nice dinner but only leave $85 because that's all you have to spend. Or picking up a DVD at Target that costs $19.99 and giving the cashier $15 because that's all you have to spend. Doing so would legally constitute theft. It seems that most of us feel that the tips for the servers who we know are paid well below minimum wage should be considered part of the price. The amount of those tips can be adjusted based upon the quality of the service provided, but to not pay any tip because you can't afford to or are morally opposed to the tipping system seems outright wrong and less a matter of opinion than a matter of what's right. IMO.

 

[mmackeymouse]

I am with ya on THAT one but we do it too! The shuttle van guy for the satellite parking at the airport...the skycap...airport porters...the ME bus driver....bell service guys!! OMG does that ever all add up!! But I like to feel like that $1 per bag means that I will SEE it again when I EXPECT to see it!! In my mind if I am going to FL I want the skycap to send my bag WITH ME and not send it to Nebraska or something! When we vacation I typically budget for $25 in baggage tips coming and going (or $50) for our family. If they touch it they get paid for it. You would THINK that I would learn to pack lighter by now!

I do not agree with that. I mean, I am not saying to NOT tip them. But, it is their jobs to get bags to the right place, etc. That job should be done the right way, whether they tip or not. And people should not feel required to tip out of fear that a spiteful porter/skycap/fill in the blank is gonna screw them.

I just do not understand why people cannot agree that tipping is a very personal decision. Whether or not you tip or who you tip or where you tip or your reasons you do or don't tip.........they are all personal decisions, and who are we to criticize other people's decisions? You may choose to tip everyone on the darn boat. Someone else may only tip their stateroom host and server.

Let's not judge...

 

[TraciM]

I do not agree with that. I mean, I am not saying to NOT tip them. But, it is their jobs to get bags to the right place, etc. That job should be done the right way, whether they tip or not. And people should not feel required to tip out of fear that a spiteful porter/skycap/fill in the blank is gonna screw them.

I just do not understand why people cannot agree that tipping is a very personal decision. Whether or not you tip or who you tip or where you tip or your reasons you do or don't tip.........they are all personal decisions, and who are we to criticize other people's decisions? You may choose to tip everyone on the darn boat. Someone else may only tip their stateroom host and server.

Let's not judge...

I agree with you. It's a very personal decision.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

In the U.S. it is customary to give gratuities for recognition of service.

If you get bad service then it should be taken care of at that point in time whether you must tell the server the problem so he/she can correct it...right then and there, or if not, speak to the head server or manager.

For gratuity paid positions:

give 15% for their service (bad service can be rectified unless you are looking for a reason to let it linger so you won't feel guilty about not paying gratuities)
(For DCL: the recommended minimum).

give 18% for good service (DCL: 3% more on the recommended minimum).

give 20% for excellent service (DCL: 5% more on the recommended minimum).

 

[adlgel]

I support anyone's right to be "anti-tipping". However, I think it is then unfair of someone who is of an anti-tipping belief to willingly choose to patronize establishments where tipping is expected and customary (meaning those establishments where the wages paid to the employees are below minimum wage and expected to be significantly supplemented by their receipt of tips). If you choose to eat at a sit-down service restaurant or go on a Disney Cruise, in my mind you are making the choice to avail yourself of a service where tipping is customary and expected. If you are "anti-tipping", then don't make those choices.

 

[auntyaba]

I support anyone's right to be "anti-tipping". However, I think it is then unfair of someone who is of an anti-tipping belief to willingly choose to patronize establishments where tipping is expected and customary (meaning those establishments where the wages paid to the employees are below minimum wage and expected to be significantly supplemented by their receipt of tips). If you choose to eat at a sit-down service restaurant or go on a Disney Cruise, in my mind you are making the choice to avail yourself of a service where tipping is customary and expected. If you are "anti-tipping", then don't make those choices.

I have to agree with this if you do not believe in the system of tipping then do not go to establishments where it is expected. I personally am thankful for the guidelines provided because I honestly would have no clue what the appropriate amounts would be.

 

[trimix]

What if everyone thought as you do, that it was okay not to leave a tip????

A cruise is not a right. It is something you pay to do. Most Americans could not afford a Disney cruise.

What if everybody thought as the previous poster? Then nobody would take jobs that don't pay enough until employers raised the compensation rate. Nobody would be forced to live in poverty - they would just find other jobs until they could make a decent income in the desired field.

And I find your second paragraph shocking and offensive - 'I can afford to take a cruise, but if you can't afford the cruise and tips then go away!'
Saving for another year is not a realistic solution for most people - each year the cost goes up and for some the price increase will be equal to or greater than their saving rate. I am no socialist and I don't think some organization should step in to make sure everybody can afford a cruise, but telling people they don't deserve a cruise if they can't afford any more than what they already have to pay is elitist and rude. I am glad Tinkerone's friend was able to take her daughters on a cruise, and I hope I never develop an elitist attitude that some people don't deserve to be able to fulfill their dreams.

 

[goofy4tink]

I support anyone's right to be "anti-tipping". However, I think it is then unfair of someone who is of an anti-tipping belief to willingly choose to patronize establishments where tipping is expected and customary (meaning those establishments where the wages paid to the employees are below minimum wage and expected to be significantly supplemented by their receipt of tips). If you choose to eat at a sit-down service restaurant or go on a Disney Cruise, in my mind you are making the choice to avail yourself of a service where tipping is customary and expected. If you are "anti-tipping", then don't make those choices.

And that's it in a nutshell. Tipping is an expected part of cruising. You know about it going in. It's really not fair to go on a cruise and then stiff someone who is depending on your tips to make a living. Is the system correct? No, probably not. But, at this moment, that's the way it works. Everyone going on a cruise knows tipping is expected. If it doesn't fit into your budget, then you need to make adjustments.

 

[DAD AT DISNEY]

The idea of DCL paying their employees peanuts and asking us to make up for it is insane? I know all about how the "cruise industry" works, but why is this our problem to pay their employees.

What would happen if the "supermarket industry" would only pay their cashiers 3 bucks an hour and ask us to make up the difference every time we shop.

I understand that DCL isn't the only cruise line doing this but enough is enough!!

If I was an owner of the "cruise industry" you are loving life right now. Your paying your labor force next to nothing and asking us to pick up the rest of the tab. Not a bad deal.

It's time for cruisers to send a message and stop having this "guilt trip" thrown at us every time we cruise.

 

[disney1990]

The idea of DCL paying their employees peanuts and asking us to make up for it is insane? I know all about how the "cruise industry" works, but why is this our problem to pay their employees.

What would happen if the "supermarket industry" would only pay their cashiers 3 bucks an hour and ask us to make up the difference every time we shop.

I understand that DCL isn't the only cruise line doing this but enough is enough!!

If I was an owner of the "cruise industry" you are loving life right now. Your paying your labor force next to nothing and asking us to pick up the rest of the tab. Not a bad deal.

It's time for cruisers to send a message and stop having this "guilt trip" thrown at us every time we cruise.

This argument makes no sense. If Disney paid their employees more money, then the price of the cruise would go up and you would still be paying this money. I wish that Disney would just do what other cruise ships do and make the tips an absolute part of the cost of the cruise. You would pay $10 to $12 more per person, per day to cruise. Then we wouldn't be having these, sometimes, heated discussions. The employees on the ship, that work 70 hour weeks, for 6 months with no days off, deserve to make living wage.