Tipping "rant" by our assistant server

[PrincessTrisha]

Really? I don't think so.

They've always given out the envelopes, even before the automatic charging of gratuities.

Since DCL charges a "real" gratuity rather than a unremovable "Service Charge" (like other cruise lines), IMO the envelope is there so that you can actually tip them. There is no implication you must give extra at all.

But why continue to give the envelopes once they switched to the autogratuity if not to encourage more tips or make people feel like they should be putting something into the envelope?

On Carnival, your gratuities are automatically charged to your cabin (just like DCL does it), the difference is - there is no envelope left for you. Your tips are paid, end of story.

And on many other cruise lines, even though the gratuity is charged to your cabin, you can still adjust it they same way you do on DCL - go down to guest services.

 

[gomagic]

But why continue to give the envelopes once they switched to the autogratuity if not to encourage more tips or make people feel like they should be putting something into the envelope?

Because you can have the autogratuity removed from your account and pay the tips in cash if you so choose. You don't have to leave them on your account.

 

[lilpooh108]

Because you can have the autogratuity removed from your account and pay the tips in cash if you so choose. You don't have to leave them on your account.

 

[WikiWiki]

My thought on the envelopes is that is just for show. They always used them before the automatic system, and I think a lot of people enjoy the handing over of the tip envelope, a "here this is for you, thanks so much." I dislike doing it myself, but my husband REALLY enjoys tipping people. He has really brought himself up in the world, and so being in the position where he can "help" others by giving them some extra cash feels good to him. So, he likes, for lack of a better word, the recognition from giving them the tip in person rather than just letting them get the money after the fact.

The envelope is, in fact, useless. They get the tips whether you give them the envelope or not.

 

[Tinkerbell0508]

Every server we encountered on our Dream cruise was amazing, kind, thoughtful, and magical. No complaints of any kind. We loved our people hope we get them again!