Tipping with Infant

[addie boy]

How do people who are cruising with infants (6-7 month old) handle tipping. Obviously, the stateroom host should get a full share for the infant but what about the waiters and head waiter?

Thanks

 

[Stimpy]

We would tip the full amount. Having gone out to dinner with our DD, now 8 months, many times we realize she makes a mess! She may not eat off the menu but she does eat there or plays with napkins and anything else she can get her hands on. We try to clean it up to the best that we can before we leave. Also, the servers on DCL are very attentive, even to the youngest cruisers. I've seen them with babies and they are great, which is why we decided it was ok to take our DD with us on our next cruise.

 

[dis4me]

We have tipped way over the reccommended amount on every cruise even with an infant. The infant is taking up a seat in the dining room. You will see how good teh cast members are with you child and won't even question it. They offered to bring smashed fruit and veggies fr our six month old. Always played with him and even cut m meat while I held him. They really helped make dinner an easier time.

 

[Beth8266]

I may get flamed for this but....

I think you should tip based on the service you received. If they are helpful and offer to bring you foods like the above poster mentioned then I would tip the full amount for three. If they treat you like its a bother to serve your baby then I would tip for just you and hubby. JMO.

 

[faireygod mother]

Beth why would you get flamed for that. This pretty much what everyone is saying. I agree, the CM's seem to do great with kids of all ages. I am happy to say that I have not had a bad experience with the CM only my DGD, but then some parents do not believe in manners.

When it comes time ti tip you will have the answer based on your experience. Have a great time.

 

[Beth8266]

It seems that I read so very hot responses about tipping on this board.

I firmly believe in tipping based on services provided, not just because Disney says this is what you tip.

 

[CamColt]

I had the same questions before we sailed with our then 8 month old. WHY would I tip waiters for him? Well I found out why. Our waiters were wonderful with our DS. They made puppets for him and played with him. One carried him around the restaurant when he went to other tables. DS just loved the attention. Not to mention he did make quite a mess with the rolls/bread he munched on, LOL!
One night they even brought us food to our room when we missed dinner due to a meltdown from our older DS(we were in a category 11, so this is not the norm).
Of course, as mentioned above, you want to tip according to your service, but in our case, our waiters earned their suggested tips, and then some.

 

[ll_california]

We sailed with RCCL with my 11 months old daughter 4 years ago. The waiter was very nice. However there was really not much he could do for the baby because she didn't eat at the table much (sometimes she was sleeping at the table, sometimes she just stayed in the cabin).

I had the same question when trying to figure out how much to tip the waiter for the baby last night of the cruise. I decided to tip the waiter half of the suggested amount for the baby.

Next morning when we had our breakfast, I felt the waiter was kind of unhappy with his tip. So I guess they do expect us to tip the full amount for the baby.

Ling

 

[alexandrew]

that the waiter's table assignments were based on total headcount vs just number of tables...that is why when our DS was infant we always tipped fully for him, even if he was in Flounders most evenings...

 

[scrappermcl]

Do they provide a seat for all infants? My DS will be turning 5 mos. while we are on the cruise, he will not be eating solids or sitting in a high chair, most likely on our laps or in his small stroller. Can we request that they do not have a "seat" for him at our table?

 

[JennsBabySky]

To the last poster, there will probably be a high chair the first night, but you could let the wait staff know that you are not using the high chair and they will not bring it subsequent nights.

To the original poster, I wondered the same thing when I cruised with my 8 month old. Until I was on the cruise, they had to work double for my infant (crackers, mac and cheese) plus he left a huge mess. I felt badly about the mess, but if he didn't have crackers and food to try to eat, then dh and I could not eat. We ended up tipping extra. Depending on the babies age, they might not be eating many solids (if any), so there might not be any need to tip very much. I'd wait to decide how much to tip until you get to your cruise. It will be obvious if you get waitstaff that goes beyond the call of duty. We had a terrific waitstaff. They were so happy to play with the baby and keep him satisfied it made our experience that much better. There was no doubt that they deserved their tip. In my opinion, a good waiter will make it obvious if they deserve the tip.

Have fun -- I love cruising with babies!!!

 

[DVCajun]

IMO, there's a big difference between a 3 month old who isn't taking up any of the wait staff's time and a 9 month old who's shredding crackers on the carpet. I guess we'll wait and see...

 

[scrapperjill]

Tipping is a very hot touchy topic on these boards but I have to totally agree with you Beth8266...."I firmly believe in tipping based on services provided, not just because Disney says this is what you tip."

We didn't travel with an infant or toddler so I can't say much for what to tip or not to tip on that topic. I can however add our wait staff wasn't quite what I had expected...after all the rave on the boards. They didn't interact with our family at all like I've heard so many people talk about...napkin art/ears...bringing special dishes out that were not ordered....we seemed to always be the last served...even if we were one of the first tables to order. Sure they did a good job...but it wasn't always great...or lived up to what I expected. I also don't feel it's right for disney to say what needs to be tipped. We can all add...we know what the norm for tipping is...and we know when a person deserves to be tipped above the norm.... I take that back...I guess since meal prices are not listed it does come in handy to have an idea of what the tip range would be...but I don't think it should always be expected.