Tipping "rant" by our assistant server

[gomagic]

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[sunryzez]

I have been on only two cruises, but on each cruise I noticed a clear shift in attitude on the last night in the MDR by our servers. It seems once they have secured their tips, they felt it was acceptable to give substandard service. We even added extra tips to each server. Has this happened to anyone else?

Yes, this happened on my last dcl. We tipped our servers the last night and the next morning they were very different. Honestly they were not that great to begin with but that morning they were almost rude. I got the impression that they felt like we tipped them already so they were done with us....

 

[meajuly5]

Just to play devil's advocate ( and recognizing that you are relaying a conversation And not making a broad based statement), members of my party have skipped many meals in the mdr bc we are just not big fans, have had late dining with young kids and/ or prefer palo when available but do tip regardless so missing diners doesn't necessarily mean no or diminished tips. That said, the cm are speaking from their experience and that is too bad.

 

[sunryzez]

Wow! What a bummer! That is awkward and awful service. I am unsure that MDR could have competed with Cabanas or Flo's at that rate!

Glad you can laugh about it and realize that they aren't all like that. I guess we were just super fortunate as it was the first DC for all 7 of us. I guess they probably knew that. Hopefully they take first timers and don't give them new trainees so they never come back! haha.

Hm. Any truth to that?



Nope, on our first 7 night cruise we had a brand new server and assistant server! It was bad, really bad! They were nice but it was probably the worst service I ever had. Dinner always took over two hours, orders were always wrong, we never got refills and a few other things happened that I wont even discuss because I love Disney and mistakes are made but it was terrible! So my point is that I dont think being a first time cruiser matters much...its just the luck of the draw or people requesting all the good ones?

To op, even with bad service I always tip the standard amount and if its good I add more. I think it is NEVER ok to not tip but I think that the assistant server was WAY out of line complaining to you about her tips. Sorry you had to deal with that (especially since yo left her a nice tip) but I hope you had a great trip otherwise =)

 

[disneywonderfun]

I believe that our service on DCL has varied from "acceptable" to "exceptional". The funny thing is that our children can vividly remember the names and personalities of the two sets of servers that were wonderful. The other sets of servers have vanished out of our memory. So, we have never reduced the suggested tip, but have thrown in a few more bucks for our better servers. On a side note, our head waiter, Ivo from Croatia, that we had on the Fantasy last week was the first head server that we truly enjoyed. He was interactive, helpful, and simply a nice person.

DWF

 

[ChrisParker]

If you don't pre-pay tips, is there any benefit to tipping the first night up front? When we go to Cuba (we're Canadian...it's my only experience with an all-inclusive), I tip up front in the dining room and cafe and room, etc, the first day. I tend to give the coffee guy (or whoever) $20 on the first day and they take care of you all week long (extra tips as needed on an individual basis).

Is there any advantage to doing it this way for any of the tipped positions? Might that avoid the "last-night-syndrome" or maybe make it worse?

 

[Trekker]

The one thing I always try to remember on the last morning is that all the CMs on the ship are hurried - they have to get the final service done for the current cruise, in a timelt fashion so they can get you off the ship.

They then have hours of work to get done before the new guest start to board, so although it may seem they changed after getting the tip envelopes the previous night - I just assume it is because of the amount of work they have to get done that day and cut them some slack

That being said no server was ever rude to us - but they do seem more hurried!

 

[Justacruiser]

we do not go to breakfast in the MDR on the final morning anymore. We did that a couple of times, but we stay away now. I go upstairs and get some stuff and bring it to the room while we are getting prepared to leave the ship. There is not as good of selection on the final day from the buffet, like there is no omelet station.

On past cruises the staff seemed rushed and it took a while to get our food and they have a limited menu.

CM's might have good intentions when they say to come in for breakfast, but I am pretty sure they don't miss us not showing up. We tell them we aren't coming the night before. It actually gives them a little more of a break before the next set of cruisers come on for lunch!

 

[roxy84]

I used to be a server back in college, so I can understand how incredibly frustrating it is when you get no tip/under tipped. With that being said it is never appropriate to discuss this with customers. Perhaps your AS felt super comfortable with you to share that, or it was a ploy to get more tips. Regardless they shouldn't have said anything. While it wouldn't ruin a vacation, it definitely adds a sour note to it.

To the OP - if you are comfortable, I would send a quick email to DCL to let them know. I wouldn't even mention the CM or their position - just ask that they remind CM's not to do this/make sure there is a policy on tip discussion.

 

[Spwhoney]

I have been on 3 cruises and never had anyone talk about wages or tips. It surprises that so many have had this experience. Im sure that disembarking day is very hectic for the crew. There isn't much time to turn over a whole cruise ship for the next cruise. I am sure that not every bodies CM might not meet their expectations but they do work very hard. Our head waitress was a very nice and hard working lady. By the end of our cruise I could tell she was tired. One day she work the lunch buffet and than served dinner all night. But she still had a smile on her face and worked hard to please us. Its hard for anybody to be on point and happy 24-7, as what is expected of a CM. But talking about tips and wages is uncalled for. I look at it as begging for more money, and that should never be done.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I just thought I'd throw this out there for discussion because I'm still perplexed by the whole DCL tipping thing...

We were on the Fantasy a few weeks ago, and at breakfast on debarkation morning our assistant server (AS) went on a mini-rant about tips. She said that she kept getting assigned to a new server almost every cruise and that it made it harder to get good tips. I understand why it would be easier to stay with the same server, but honestly they worked fine together as a team. We tipped both the server and AS slightly above the recommended amount the evening before, and then what she told me made me feel bad that we didn't leave more.

Our server on the Dream last year was excellent. He really went above and beyond and we really bonded with him. Therefore, we left him almost double the amount of recommended tip. On that same cruise, our AS was adequate and met our needs so we left a little over the suggested amount.

On the Fantasy, our server and AS met our needs but they didn't blow us away with their friendliness or Disney magic. But they did the minimum job I expected them to do, and we left them a few dollars more than the suggested tip. So, I'm just curious why the AS would not be okay with the standard tip DCL suggests? I'm sure most people aren't going to GS and reducing her tip amount but she made it seem like she was expecting much larger tips than what she was getting. It made us feel kind of cheap, but if you don't go over and above what you're expected to do, I'm not going to give you much more than the recommended tip, kwim? Do most people just tip the standard amount for okay service or is everyone tipping way over and above what's expected?

My guess is....

If your AS want ranting to you, they probably were not ranting ABOUT you, but others that they were serving during that cruise. They probably felt a connection with you and felt that you wuld understand since you tipped them nicely.

Just my guess,
Dreams

 

[ozdisneyfan]

This is very interesting to me. Where I am from, tipping is usually no more than 10% and usually only if the service is above and beyond. If the service is just adequate, then you pay the bill and nothing else. That said, our minimum wages are enough to support people without the tips.

We only ever tip the suggested amounts (we usually round it up though), never occurred to us that Disney wasn't suggesting the right amount - is it very common to tip more if the service was just acceptable?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you don't pre-pay tips, is there any benefit to tipping the first night up front? When we go to Cuba (we're Canadian...it's my only experience with an all-inclusive), I tip up front in the dining room and cafe and room, etc, the first day. I tend to give the coffee guy (or whoever) $20 on the first day and they take care of you all week long (extra tips as needed on an individual basis).

Is there any advantage to doing it this way for any of the tipped positions? Might that avoid the "last-night-syndrome" or maybe make it worse?

There's really no way of knowing if tipping up front "improves" the service or not. We tip at the end of the cruise (as the system is set up). Our personal experience has always been on the better than adequate to fantastic side. Except for one Asst Server (but I don't blame her, it was her first time and just didn't have all the "Disneyesque" things as part of her service yet). I totally could see that she could develop them, just wasn't there yet.

And, again, I'll point out that "pre-paying" your tips does not mean the tipped positions have their tips yet. All tips are not received until after the cruise is over, regardless if you pre-pay (already charge them as part of your cruise fare), or have them automatically added to your onboard account (to be billed to your credit card at the end of the cruise).

 

[dpswift]

We have always left at least the suggested tips. On Disney that is all they got because on both our Disney cruises our MDR service was not good. We did give extra to our stateroom host because he was excellant and deserved it.

On other cruise lines we have given extra because they went out of their way and deserved it.

 

[bumbershoot]

We've only taken two cruises, but each time we adored our assistant waiter far more than we liked our main server. And both times the tips reflected that. Both times the assistant's service was able to surpass the not-as-great service the main person was giving.

If she hasn't figured out how to do that, how to show guests that even if the main person isn't the best, SHE's going to be amazing, in my opinion that's on her.

Our main server on Disney took a bit to warm up to us, to figure us out (it irritated him that we weren't ordering all courses, I think, and I didn't finish my food the first night...once we got it worked out that having an Indian curry the next two nights would be perfect and once he saw that I DID eat all of that, even if I wasn't ordering all courses, he was much happier, LOL), so about half of our meals was spent with him being odd and our assistant wowing us. Our assistant told us that he had been a main server, but his English isn't good enough when he speaks, so he went back to assistant. I could understand him, but he did have a very heavy French accent. But still, his service, his ability to amuse us and make us laugh, and during our last night his ability to pick out the PERFECT wine for me, was fabulous! And it more than made up for our server.


While our assistant on our first cruise, which was on RCCL, wasn't as great as the assistant on DCL, our main server on that cruise was really awful, so it ended up being a similar situation.

My rule, any complaining about tips usually equals less tip. I guess this ploy works on most people however because they keep using it.

But she did it on disembarkation morning, after she had already received most or all tip envelopes.

soooooooo....the AS rant made u feel as if you should have tipped more? then, it served its purpose.......

They had already tipped.

If you don't pre-pay tips, is there any benefit to tipping the first night up front?

Some people do this with their room stewards, while making requests.

My guess is....

If your AS want ranting to you, they probably were not ranting ABOUT you, but others that they were serving during that cruise. They probably felt a connection with you and felt that you wuld understand since you tipped them nicely.

Just my guess,
Dreams

I do agree with that to a big extent.

 

[Yokelridesagain]

our CCL room attendant did tell my husband that he ONLY made tips (which I honestly don't believe. What if the cruise isn't full? He has to make SOME kind of base even if the majority of it comes from tips?) which my husband and I found very unprofessional to discuss.

Well, he gets room and board, and medical care if he needs it, so that's a form of compensation. And you're likely right that he doesn't make literally nothing. But a lot of these workers (particularly in housekeeping) are sending money home to support family members, and the base pay on CCL (and DCL) for tipped positions is very low (e.g., $100/month).

 

[caribbeandreaming]

My guess is....

If your AS want ranting to you, they probably were not ranting ABOUT you, but others that they were serving during that cruise. They probably felt a connection with you and felt that you wuld understand since you tipped them nicely.

Just my guess,
Dreams

I totally agree with this - we never felt like she was complaining about us (and if she was, that was a very gutsy move and not something I could ever do ). She was close to finishing her first contract with Disney and just seemed flustered/frustrated that morning. My guess is at least 90-95% of guests tip at least the standard amount (this could be way off - this is just my guess), and she did not seem satisfied with just the suggested tip. The way she was talking, she seemed like she thought she'd earn a lot more during her contract than she did.

I can understand her frustration that working with multiple servers would impact her ability to earn greater than the suggested tips, but I surprised she even discussed this with us.

My feeling is good, adequate service where my needs are met gets the suggested tip amount or slightly more. Excellent, knock-my-socks off service gets well above that.

My rule, any complaining about tips usually equals less tip. I guess this ploy works on most people however because they keep using it.

We were told this on disembarkation morning, so we didn't adjust the tip.

soooooooo....the AS rant made u feel as if you should have tipped more? then, it served its purpose.......

adequate service gets MORE than standard tip? that doesn't make sense to me....

slightly sub-standard service, it follows, would receive the normal tip.

We had already tipped by this point and didn't add or take away anything (although it was very tempting to go take some of it back).

To op, even with bad service I always tip the standard amount and if its good I add more. I think it is NEVER ok to not tip but I think that the assistant server was WAY out of line complaining to you about her tips. Sorry you had to deal with that (especially since yo left her a nice tip) but I hope you had a great trip otherwise =)

Yes, it was a great trip and like I said, the service was adequate. Not as good as we had last year but still okay

To the OP - if you are comfortable, I would send a quick email to DCL to let them know. I wouldn't even mention the CM or their position - just ask that they remind CM's not to do this/make sure there is a policy on tip discussion.

This is a great idea - thank you for suggesting it! I had wanted to contact DCL, but didn't want to get the CM in any trouble. I know we all have bad days, but her rant was a little over the top. This is a great way to handle it without singling anyone out

We've only taken two cruises, but each time we adored our assistant waiter far more than we liked our main server. And both times the tips reflected that. Both times the assistant's service was able to surpass the not-as-great service the main person was giving.

If she hasn't figured out how to do that, how to show guests that even if the main person isn't the best, SHE's going to be amazing, in my opinion that's on her.

Our main server on Disney took a bit to warm up to us, to figure us out (it irritated him that we weren't ordering all courses, I think, and I didn't finish my food the first night...once we got it worked out that having an Indian curry the next two nights would be perfect and once he saw that I DID eat all of that, even if I wasn't ordering all courses, he was much happier, LOL), so about half of our meals was spent with him being odd and our assistant wowing us. Our assistant told us that he had been a main server, but his English isn't good enough when he speaks, so he went back to assistant. I could understand him, but he did have a very heavy French accent. But still, his service, his ability to amuse us and make us laugh, and during our last night his ability to pick out the PERFECT wine for me, was fabulous! And it more than made up for our server.


While our assistant on our first cruise, which was on RCCL, wasn't as great as the assistant on DCL, our main server on that cruise was really awful, so it ended up being a similar situation.



But she did it on disembarkation morning, after she had already received most or all tip envelopes.




They had already tipped.




Some people do this with their room stewards, while making requests.




I do agree with that to a big extent.

Thank you for clearing these things up!!

 

[jenf22]

We only ever tip the suggested amounts (we usually round it up though), never occurred to us that Disney wasn't suggesting the right amount - is it very common to tip more if the service was just acceptable?

I think it's common from the folks on this board, but not the general public. The people I know who've cruised before (either Disney or otherwise) just pay the suggested tips and leave. They never even think about tipping more. I've asked them. Granted, this is maybe 5 different families, so I don't have a lot to go on

 

[JoiseyMom]

I know that people stiff their servers, but I don't get it. The tips don't add that much more to the cruise. We have had eh service at times, but we have spoken to the head server and things were fixed, and worse comes to worse we still tip the minimum. I haven't been in a position where it would be that bad that I wouldn't want to tip..I would probably talk to the HS or GS at that point. The ones that don't are really disgusting. I like that DCL is adding them to the account and you have to go to GS to take them off. Kinda gives feedback to GS as to why. Heck they should flag those that say I don't want to tip and when they want to rebook, tell them the ship is full!

We tip at breakfast if we go to the mdr on our last day.

Does anyone know if DCL makes up for those that stiff the cm's?

 

[Carrie in AZ]

We have not yet cruised but hope to this October. What are the percentages? We'd be a family of four(2 adults, 2 pre-teen DDs) on a 7 day Wonder.

I use to be a server and think of myself as a good tipper, usually 20% if not more.

Just curious how much we're talking? I would be extremely annoyed with some of the situations OPs have described, but I can't imagine not tipping at all. Like many here, I would tend to add on to the CMs who provided wonderful service.