tipping servers

[ned]

Is it customary to follow the tipping guidelines if we do not plan on dining in our normal rotation? In other words, we are sticking with the buffets, Palos and eating while at port.

We want to do the "right thing".

 

[ldb1030]

I think you'll be missing out on alot if you skip the dining rooms!
Part of the fun is going to the different restaurants!
And besides, you've paid for the food on your cruise so why spend $$ to eat at the ports??!!

 

[prymsu]

yes, i believe it is still customary to follow the tipping guidelines. The wait staff works rotations, and they still have to clean tables, gather trays and so on. I believe you are expected to tip regardless of if you eat buffet or in the dining room.

As the previous poster stated, you would really be missing out on a wonderful part of your cruise if you don't use the dining rooms at all.

 

[inkkognito]

Even when we eat at Palo, we always tip at least the minimum amount. We would probably do so, even if we didn't eat in the diningrooms at all. After all, the servers probably count on having a certain number of tables. I would recommend that you at least go to Animators Palata for the show, even if you just do coffee and dessert.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[jwolfe]

ned,

I thought about the same thing, thinking it would be easier on us with the little ones to do the "buffet" thing. But on furthur thought, I don't want to miss the experience of the later dining especially Triton's. Also, I agree with others that I've paid for the food on the ship, I'm not buying on land . On the tipping, I still feel that the recommended amount should be tipped. I have waitressed and I know how hard they work. They make a paltry amount and when I figured my cruise $$$ I went ahead and figured at the least the minimum tipping suggested, but I will probably go above that especially if we are given the service I have read about here in the discussion boards. Only my opinion

Juli

 

[MFan]

I agree with everyone above, in theory. I used to work in a restaurant, so I know how much the wait staff depends on tips. However, in real life (from my observations on past cruises), I can tell you most people who went with alternative dining options did not tip the dining room wait staff. I don't agree with it, but that's the reality. We often had table mates who never showed up for meals, and they don't show on the last night of the cruise (the customary time to hand out tips).

 

[peg2001]

Ok, I'm getting down into a crouched position to protect myself but here it is:

IMHO, if someone does not use the dining rooms AT ALL during their cruise, they should not feel obligated to tip the servers. I've read many posts where people who never saw their head server do anything for them did not tip him/her. A tip is to show appreciation for a job well done. If they haven't done anything for you, no need to tip!

To argue that they should be tipped anyway because of their low wages is for charity purposes, not tipping.

Peg
(Please don't be harsh!)

 

[MarkRG]

No need to be prepared for anything nasty.

However, I would say you're comapring two different things. I don't expect much contact with the head server. If he is having to frequently help fix things, then he hasn't done his job beforehand. His job is mostly to oversee the waitstaff in his part of the dining room to make sure they are doing their job, and to assist where needed. If he has to frequently intervene, then the primary part of his job as supervisor over the particular server isn't being the most effective. (I hope that isn't too confusing)

Now, I would also chime in that avoiding the dining rooms for the buffet is a huge mistake. If the formality part is a putoff, don't let it be. It doesn't have to be THAT formal. I've gone with a polo shirt and nice slacks on many nights, and even got by with just a dinner jacket on the most formal night. And not once did I feel out of place.

About the tipping, I would also say if you never used the dining room, it is really up to you if you tip them anything or not. I personally would leave them something, just for being available. But then, I don't think I'd ever skip dining in the main rotation altogether.

 

[dylan'smom]

Please remember too what has already been posted here about rotating through the dining areas. All servers work throughout the various dining areas all day without asking for any gratuity for that. The gratuity you leave for your specific night time diningroom servers really isn't charity, but it is the main compensation they receive for working in ALL dining areas.

But I'm with everyone else who said give the diningroom a try!!! It's really fun for the kids -- especially when they dance the limbo and you get a server who does magic tricks for them!

 

[opsomyo]

When my DD5 & I just sailed on the Wonder, I didn't think the buffet was open for dinner. I could be wrong but almost everything was closed during dinner times. Plan on eating in the dinning room or living on hotdogs. For luch, the buffet is open unless it is the day at castaway cay, then cookies is open on the island. Unless you are in a catagory 1 or2 the room service menu is hamburgers & sandwiches.

 

[wovenwonder]

The amount that you tip your servers for the main meal is not for that meal only. It actually covers the gratuities for the times you eat at breakfast as well as lunch -- topsiders, parrot cay, Lumieres/Tritons - wherever you choose to eat. Your dining rooms tips cover the servers for ALL times of the day --- even the buffets.

 

[peg2001]

Ok, I'll buy that! It even makes the tip recommendations seem that much more reasonable, when you spread it out over ALL your meals regardless of location (dining room, buffet, etc.)

I reverse my opinion and agree that servers should be tipped, even if you seek alternative eating options. Thank you for the clarification.

Peg

 

[Valerie3kids]

I have always tipped but had never thought of the work they do all day long in the other restaurants etc. I will keep that in mind next summer. I know all the servers etc. we have had work very hard and always have a smile. I also like that when you want to chat or ask a question I have never felt like I was "interrupting" or "keeping them from their tasks".

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.
Valerie