Tipping

[izzinmac]

Originally posted by NejTheLion
<begin mini rant>

I'm always surprised that people think the recommended tips are overpriced. I can't believe how LOW they are!

So, it's around $25 per person for your server. For the three of us, that would be $75 for the week. Divided by 7 makes the tip a little more than $10 per day. If we were tipping 20%, that means the cost of our dinner would be $50. I don't know about the rest of you, but that kind of food and that kind of service for 3 people is NOT going to be possible anywhere for $50. More like $150, and that's low-end fine dining. A 3-course meal at a high-end restaurant can easily be $100 a person (with wine and all that). Not to say that Disney's quite at that level, but come on. A $10 tip is what we'd leave somewhere like TGIF or Ruby Tuesday's.

And don't forget that these people are also working during breakfast and lunch, too. So, if you consider their tips as part of those meals, it's even lower.



<end mini rant>

I agree! I looked at it from a slightly different angle. If you ate at comparable restuarants at WDW, I estimate a family of 4 would pay at least $1400 for 7 days. Based it on Boma buffet for breakfast $15/adult $8/child, Liberty Tree for lunch with appetizers entree dessert and beverage $22/adult,$5/child, and Jiko for dinner $40/adult and Boma dinner charge $10/child. I realize most people don't eat that way at WDW for 7 days, but you do on a cruise!! Anyway, taking the $95 tip you propose for your server and assistant combined, that works out to whopping 6.78 % tip COMBINED!!

 

[courtney]

You pay premium for premium service... which is exactly what DCL provides. If you receive sub-par service, use your own discretion on whether they deserve a high tip or not.

I think if one pays a bit more than recommended tip for outstanding service, the message gets across that their service is very much appreciated, and they will continue on, better than ever. IMHO.

I had no problem tipping our assigned staff the recommended amounts... even for our head server, Ivan, who was most certainly in reach, and always checked in with us, the entire time we were there.

Just my two cents.

 

[CACruiser]

I really appreciate any one who made sensible responses.
I feel a little backhanded by some who suggest that I should not cruise until I can afford the tips! Wow, that was suprising!

The whole reason I brought up this topic was to get some perspective. Those who reminded me how hard the cruise staff works, I thank you. I assumed they got a salary and tips were extra, not their income. I was raised to expect tips as a bonus, not a base salary. I have not worked in the food industry, but I am aware that most typical servers make the bulk of their income on tips.

Cancelling our cruise is NOT an option. We have saved three years for this vacation (with cash, scrimping, DVC points, etc). Everything is already PAID for. My husband retired from 20+ years of service in the AF and he has been working 12 hour plus shifts. This is how we planned for our vacation with our kids. I am sure some one is now thinking, "Well, stay home".

In our planning, we realized that we needed to look ahead to our July trip and plan for tipping. We have been blasted with unexpected exspenses (new tires for example) and wanted a good picture on what we could and could not do on this trip.

Someone asked how can I plan ahead of time how much I will tip? Well, it is an estimate of how much to be PREPARED for, not an exact amount.

I suppose I opened up a real can of worms here! I almost regret my honesty, but some of you have kindly pointed out that my suggested tips were low. I appreciate that and will reconsider.
But, I am STILL going on my trip and having a wonderful time! I deserve it!

 

[staylor]

My family of 4 (me,DH,DS8,DS5) will be on the 7 night cruise in January. We are budgeting $500 for tipping. According to the "tipping guidelines" the minimum will be $76 per person for the week. Therefore we are budgeting $110 per person for recommended tips and will bring 60- $1 bills for other tipping (room service, bar tenders for great drinks, skycaps, etc). If we happen to have any left over, yippee! But, we'll have enough with us, just in case.
Staci

 

[Tandyc]

I can't help but jump in on this hot topic. I'll be honest, we were shocked to add $300 minimum to our cruise $ for tipping. I really think Disney should make it more obvious this is money you should plan for. It is stated but I missed it before I found these boards.

All that said, once we knew to set aside the $ we did and considered it part of the cost of the trip. Once onboard I cannot believe anyone would consider tipping less. The service is excellent and it really makes or breaks your vacation experience. Our Dss were catered to at every meal. Our head server, Simon, had a game or activity at each Dinner. The boys were thrilled to see what the next mind bender was. Of course, he was tipped way over what was recommended. The rest of the staff was also great.

See how your experience is and plan ahead for at leat the recommended amount. If service is less than at par, you can always remove some $ from the tip envelope!

Enjoy your cruise!

Tandyc

 

[brack]

We have always tipped at least the minimum amount and several times tipped more.

To not tipped for the kids is wrong. Every waiter I saw had to work much harder for the kids to not only please them but to clean up behind them!

We had a chance to really get to know most of the wait staff on our cruises. They really count on tips for the majority of their income, which they use to better the lives of their family. Talk to them about their personal lives and see what their home lives are like. It will make you feel different about the "small" tip that are suggested.

Now if the service is not good then tip accordingly but if you have had problems you should say something before the end of the cruise! That is the Head Waiter's job and that is also what customer service is for. If you haven't said anything then give the tip. They can't fix what they do not know about.

Maybe I'm too easy but if I can't follow the tip guidelines then I can't afford to go.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I appreciate you speaking your mind. That is, after all, why we live in America. DH and I took our first cruise last year on Carnival. At the debarkation talk the night before, the cruise director informed us of the many duties of the head waiter. I admit that until then, we had decided NOT to tip this guy as we had not seen him ALL WEEK! AT ALL! Why should he have his hand stuck out? But it is because of him that our dining experience was so memorable. He is the one that keeps the place in line and moving!

It takes a lot of guts to memtion the "T" (tip) word on these boards but I fully believe that once you cruise, you'll be happy to reward these hard working people.

Don't take offense to some of the things the other posters may say. We're just a passionate group of people all with different ideas and thoughts. No one should be afraid or ashamed to voice their opinion. That's what these boards are for.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Has anyone here heard of someone not tipping at all???

That would be horrible.

When you say you tipped the head waiter more...How much more?

Thanks

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I know a lady that cruised about 2 years ago on DCL and she DID NOT tip the heard waiter as she said she never saw him. Maybe if she knew what he did behind the scenes, she'd've felt differently.

 

[Debbart]

CACruiser:

Just think of how boring these boards would be if everybody talked about the same things and nobody really asked the harder questions that were on their minds...even if we don't all agree,we are lucky to have a place to find this info! I'm glad you posted

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I think you woke some people up!

 

[jvas]

there will be 5 of us going on a 4 day Wonder cruise...I have budgeted $300.00 for tips.

 

[CACruiser]

<snip>Don't take offense to some of the things the other posters may say. We're just a passionate group of people all with different ideas and thoughts. No one should be afraid or ashamed to voice their opinion. That's what these boards are for.>snip

Oh, I do not take offense, but I am suprised how some folks would basically say "Dont go" because I am about $150.00 short?

I feel like crying right now because we have done without SO much to plan for this trip! Now that it is coming around the corner, I am trying to plan out all the exspenses.
I am re-evaluating our potential costs, We are cutting out some excursions and the souvenier budget. I figured I can put a little more towards the tips, but it still will not be the suggested amount.

I certainly do not want to make anyone feel less than they are!

I am not trying to be stingy or anything, I am trying to be realistic! Here I am SO close and I am being told "Go Home!"?

How does the Head server keep everything running?

Yeesh, I was'nt stressing out until now!
LisaCA

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I would like to PM you but you don't have that option available. Please PM me.

 

[lbgraves]

Originally posted by CACruiser SR Host 50.00
DR server 55.00
DR Asst server 40.00



What do you other cruisers think? [/B]

OK, so based on these figures for the server & assistant server you would be tipping 4.53 per meal on the 7 day cruise. Standard tipping scale is 20% but some tip only 15%. Hmmm...as long as the 4 of you only order what would cost $20 at 20% or $30 at 15% for each meal, MAYBE that would be acceptable. I just don't see that happening though.

Tipping at the suggested rates would be 9.06 per meal. At 20% that would be for a 40 - 50 meal. I believe that my family of 4 selected much more than $50 worth at the dinners & lunches alone. The breakfasts were at topsiders so maybe under for that but I do NOT see the rates as being extravegant at all. I always tipped extra after kids because they usually require extra attention either before or after dinner (the mess under the table).

Of course if you do get a terrible server or stateroom host then by all means complain & tip the appropriate amount. I just don't think that it is fair to them for you to set out on the cruise with the decision to basically not tip them for the children no matter what.

 

[mandymouse]

Hi There CACruiser

Wow!! You certainly opened a can of worms there.

Sometimes it is quite unbelievable how some people react on these boards. You brought up an honest account of your circumstances and you asked a simple question. Some people on these boards love to gloat about all the extra gifts, tips and phonecards that they hand out to C.M's - well bully for them if they can afford it - some people CAN'T. To even suggest that you cancel your cruise until you can afford the tips is outrageous.

I have always tipped the recommended amount for the four of us and I have sometimes given more when C.M's have been kind and attentive, but I wouldn't blast anyone who has struggled and scrimped to cruise with Disney (and lets face it, it ain't cheap).

You do what you feel is right and if it means overly tipping someone or buying your kid a souvenir - then go for the souvenir.

I hope that you and your family have a fantastic time.

mandymouse

 

[TheWog]

We ended up tipping over $300.00 for the 3 of us for the week. The service was excellent, every need was met and they deserved it. If you can find it, please try to tip the recommended. They work hard.

 

[tink5]

Does anyone know what the wages are for the workers on the ship? Just curious.

 

[MrsPete]

Two comments that may seem in opposition, but really are not:

1. I cannot buy into the "they work so hard and are paid so little" theory. So do lots of people -- and most of those people don't receive tips in addition to their paltry salaries. Day care workers, ministers, firemen . . . I don't even want to go on with the list, but we all know there are many jobs that could be included. Remember that the DCL employees also receive free room and board, and those who aren't American citizens are not paying the same high taxes that we are paying. I did some figuring, and I believe a DCL waiter probably makes more per week than I do as a teacher in a low-paying state; of course, my benefits outweigh the actual cash-in-hand.

Along these same lines, we don't tip out of pity -- and that's what you're suggesting that we should do when you use the "they work so hard" line. If the job wasn't worth it to them, then they'd quit.

2. On the other hand, consider just how much service you're receiving from your waiters. Let's assume you eat 18 meals in the buffet and dining rooms (I'm assuming that you'll eat off the ship while in port, and you might call room service or eat fast-food stuff by the pool once or twice). Suppose you left a cash tip on the table after each of those 18 meals. Suppose you tipped $4 per meal (okay, it'd be less at breakfast, more at dinner, but I'm going for easy here). That'd be $72 per person for meal tips --- 328 for a family of four --and we have not talked about the cabin steward yet. The point: You are receiving a lot more service than you might realize. You should pay for that service.

My bottom line: Tip the recommended amount. It's fair to pay people for their services. However, don't get emotional about it and go overboard out of pity.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

mandymouse - very well spoken

MrsPete - our room steward on our Carnival cruise was from India and he was helping support his entire family. Now that tells me one of two things. They're very poor or he mankes enough to help support an entire family!! Hummmmmm Makes you wonder!