Tipping!

[mitcam]

I read somewhere I thought on this board that there were other ideas for tipping the crew other than with cash! I know that I like cash and if it is their preferred tip style that is what I'll do however I read that some other ideas were:

Phone Cards
Wal-Mart cards

Any other ideas has anyone ever done anything like this?

What about tips for the staff at Oceaneers Club/Lab? What do you give them?

 

[Michelle]

You definitely want to tip with CASH (or charged to your stateroom account) for the positions that are tipped. Phone cards are no substitute for that.

For positions that are NOT tipped, such as the counselors in the children's programming, or as an EXTRA for the tipped positions, the phone cards are nice.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I love the phone card or the Wal-mart card idea for an extra little more personal touch!

How many counselors should I expect? I'll have one in the 3-4 group and one in the 5-7 group. My girls love playing with other kids and are looking forward to meeting "friends" so I know that they will be spending alot of time in there.

 

[mitcam]

I'm not sure what amounts to buy. I am starting my tip envelopes this week. I got that idea from this board also, I will be slowly collecting $$ and placing it in envelopes as our budget allows that way there is no messing up with cash at cruise time!

I am stamping my own envelopes so that I can keep track and make it a little personal from our family!

Please keep input coming!

 

[IrishCowboy]

When tipping, there is no substitute for cash!

 

[inkkognito]

While I would never goive a phone card in place of cash, I like to add them in addition to the cash tip (I also usually give extra cash in the case of exceptional service). The crew does seem to enjoy the phone cards, as I have had them mention it to me when they see me again on a future cruise. It surprised me when one of our servers remembered...he told us he had used the phone card to call his family.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mitcam]

Okay, I think I get it, no one would give phone cards for a tip!!!! I am somewhat sensitive and am feeling a little on the defensive related to this topic!

However my question was not just about phone cards it was also about Wal-Mart?

I don't want to short change any hardworking person and would never think to do so, I thought that these cards were great ideas whether it be in place of cash or not that was not the point to my question (at least I don't think!)

What amounts do people usually like to give. There are alot of crew who help us out (port staff, ship staff, counselors etc...) Is Wal-Mart the correct store that is close to the port that the staff goes to when they are in port? I wish I could remember the original post I am sorry I can't!

This is our first cruise with Disney, I want it to go great, I think good tippers get good service but I also think good service deserves a great tip! Wanted to do something that was unique (not cheap!!!!!)

Are there any other ideas in the tipping area other than what NOT to do?

Thanks,
From the "Sensitive One"

 

[mmouse37]

No need to feel defensive.....we just didn't want anyone thinking that the cards were in place of a cash tip. The amount may be adjusted if you feel their service was truly sub-standard and more if you felt they went above and beyond. Sorry if it seemed otherwise.

And yes, we were told by several crew (and saw the crew bus there) that they shop at the Wal-Mart on Merritt Island. I am sure they shop other places as well, but that seems to be where they can pick up just about anything they need. DCL runs a bus there every Saturday when the ship is in port for the crew to do some shopping. There is also a mall a bit further down the road past the Wal-Mart.

We have also given out t-shirts as and additional "present" to our servers once....

When we sail again on 5/17 I plan on giving our sever from our 1/4 cruise a $25 Wal-Mart card. I felt she went way above and beyond and we tipped her above the recommended amount, but felt I wanted to do even more. Did not know about the Wal-mart thing before that. So, if she is still onboard I will give it to her then.

MJ

 

[Samsma]

Mitcam- don't be sensitive to the point of not posting! We're really a friendly bunch. How else can anyone learn if not by asking?

 

[johnsontrio]

I have a tipping question I haven't seen here... When figuring your tips the recommended amount is per day yet the cruise is 7 nights. Do you figure the tip per person per day on 7 or 8? I wasn't sure on our last cruise so I tipped based on the # of days instead of nights but didn't add anything extra. I would appreciate some guidance here. Thanks, Amy

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Can you tip the kid's counselor's on you stateroom charge also?

How many are there?

I was planning on doing that for the server's and I know I'll need a ton of ones for room service etc. but I don't want to run short of cash for the people that have been nice to my DD's.

 

[Dustin & Shelby's Mom]

johnsontrio:

My understanding is that the recommended amount is for the duration of the cruise, but is per person. For example, we are going on the 4-night cruise and the recommended amount for the stateroom hostest is $14.50. There will be two of us in the stateroom, so our recommended amout for the stateroom is $29.00. This way tipping based upon the number of days/nights never becomes an issue.

Hope this helps.

Dottie

 

[rae519]

IS there ever a good reason not to tip?

Poor service?
No service?

I've never had anything but good service (I hate that overuse of the word "EXCELLENT", by the way!); but still, question remains -

is there ever a good reason not to tip and how would you deal with it in a positve/constructive manner?

Rae