Up-front Tipping Suggestion

[Fay Ray]

There is a couple who have gone on many cruises and have their own website with their cruise reviews. I recommend you check out their site...they are absolutely adorable.

http://www.tomandmaryscruisereviews.com

They have as one of their suggestions to give the waiters and stewards their standard tip when they start the cruise. Then if the service they receive exceeds their expectations, they give them something additional. Here is the cut and paste from their website:

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Our Tipping Suggestion:
We like to give the suggested tip for the week, to our cabin attendant, waiter and assistant waiter and Maitre`de, the first evening of our cruise. Tipping at the end of the week is like locking the barn door after the horse has run away. We make out [3x5] envelopes with a note that reads...

"The main reason we love to cruise, is because of the way the servers have catered too and pampered us during our many cruises. We appreciate what you do and would like you to have this as a down payment on your services...Thank you, Tom & Mary Milano.”

We have never had service on any of our cruises that was poor enough to warrant us tipping less than the suggested amount. By tipping the suggested amount on the first night, you let your servers know that you are appreciative of them and they can expect an additional stipend at the end of the cruise. [At the end of the cruise we usually give an additional $20 to the waiter, $10 to the assistant and $10 or $20 to the cabin attendant]. Giving an extra forty dollars for the week, is a small price to pay to ensure the very best from your servers. Take our word for it. It does make a difference. Make Out Envelopes For Pre Tipping.
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Just wondering if any DIS'ers have done this or would you be willing to try it?

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Id like to know the answer to this. Especially since we're booked on the same cruise!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I understand the logic of what they're trying to do, but I really doubt there's much advantage in doing so. It's certainly not the way it's usually done. It just seems like extra trouble for the passenger and for the service staff.

I think most servers and stateroom hosts will provide outstanding service because that's what they do -- and a "down payment" tip up front won't make that service any better or worse.

It could even backfire if one the people you're tipping doesn't understand the term "down payment" and simply thinks they received their entire tip up front.

I think it's more important to be nice to the service staff so that they enjoy taking care you.

 

[jgalecpa]

One suggested origin of the word "TIPS" is it stands for "To Insure Prompt Service". I always questioned the validity of this since you give it AFTER service is rendered.

I have heard of pre-tipping in some bars before, and I have done it and found it works.

In my younger days, when walking to a bar and starting a tab if it was crowded, I found it helpful to give the barmman an early tip. I never failed to be able to catch his eye this way, and they always remembered you next time. (One possible down fall is that if the person already has there money they have no further incentive for good service. I would hope this would not apply to DIS cast members.)

The same theory could work here.

HOWEVER: I did blow this theory once. I was on a "head" or Party boat. The mate who helps you gets a tip at the end, usually. This is because he brings you bait, helps change rigs, helps net fish, etc.

I gave my Pre-tip to the mate who brought the bait around before the fish sailed. He said thanks and took it quickly.

Turns out he was the mate for he other side of the boat.

If you pre-tip, MAKE SURE you have the right person.

 

[ruvidu]

What if even after doing this pre tipping your service was terrible. Do you ask for a refund or just suck it up and go home? Our servers during last years Western cruise were terrible and I still tipped them (not suggested amount). I would hate to think I had tipped them to forget to bring my dinner.
I think the whoe idea is crass and out of line.

 

[Grumbo]

I actually like this concept.
Unless they are the "Server from Hell" I would leave the "suggested" amount.
On our last cruise the server was great, our assistant server was NOT with it at all and I was not impressed with her. I still left the suggested amount as once again this is there only source of income, guilt, etc....
I think I will try this on the next cruise.
I don't think this is anymore "crass" than being asked to pay Disney's employees via tips alone, after having paid for the cruise already
Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[inkkognito]

We wanted to do this once, as I am always looking for some new angle to take with my trip reports and I thought it would be interesting to see if it had any impact on service (although we typically get great service anyway, so it would be hard to tell). But when we went to Guest Services on the first day, they told us that we could not charge the tips until the second day. We didn't have enough cash with us, so we had to abandon that plan. If you want to tip early, be sure to bring enough cash.
Barb
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