Whatever you do, Pay Your Gratuities!!

[akka4]

We just returned from our first cruise on May 17 on the Wonder. I am completely impressed with the service from EVERYONE!! The waiters are awesome, the stateroom attendants are the best and they deserve every penny of the suggested gratuity. From what I understand, this can be a touchy subject, but they truly work hard to make your cruise experience the best. If you don't want to worry about it onboard, pay the gratuities ahead of time. We did that and it worked out really nice! We are actually booked for our second cruise in May 2010. Can't wait!

 

[yitbos96bb]

We just returned from our first cruise on May 17 on the Wonder. I am completely impressed with the service from EVERYONE!! The waiters are awesome, the stateroom attendants are the best and they deserve every penny of the suggested gratuity. From what I understand, this can be a touchy subject, but they truly work hard to make your cruise experience the best. If you don't want to worry about it onboard, pay the gratuities ahead of time. We did that and it worked out really nice! We are actually booked for our second cruise in May 2010. Can't wait!

Who would be so cheap that they'd have issue paying a gratuity? That's just bad karma.

 

[phopkins1958]

I was on the Wonder May 10-14 2009. I went to guest services and had them take it right out of my ship board account. They helped me 100%. Give me the suggested figures and printed out tickets and all I had to do was hand out the envelopes on the last night of the cruise. Easy as pie.

I thought our staff was awesome and deserved every penny. I have not a single complaint about the staff. Very attentive to all of us_(Sawek was the best)


Peter Hopkins

 

[LC30]

We're in 150% agreement. We were on the same May 17th cruise. Our stateroom host was so awesome! And our server and assistant server were great. Our server made a bed at Tritons for us the last night because DS fell asleep before dinner. Talk about service!!

Our stateroom host, Paul worked really, really long hours, yet he always had a smile on his face and we welcomed our chats each day. DS asked if he could come with us We tipped more than the recommended amounts for our stateroom hosts and servers because they made the experience that much more special.

 

[akka4]

The service is just the best! I'm not sure why anyone would have issues, but when we were on board, we heard it's a sensitive subject. I loved how easy they made it with the envelopes and pre-paid cards. Disney just knows how to do things! They and the staff they hire are the best!

 

[Dianatlol]

we cruised the wonder 14-17, and they applied ti to the room. We actually gave more then what was suggested

 

[kcashner]

The service is just the best! I'm not sure why anyone would have issues, but when we were on board, we heard it's a sensitive subject. I loved how easy they made it with the envelopes and pre-paid cards. Disney just knows how to do things! They and the staff they hire are the best!

I honestly think that the reason it's a sensitive subject is that some people just don't want to pay....or they look at the tips for a large family for a week and realize that it's a lot of money. Frankly, the service is GREAT. I think they earn every penny of the suggested amount. If people want to tip more, that's up to the individual...I'd better stay out of that discussion.

What I do think--the suggested tips should be higher for a suite. There's a lot more for the room steward to clean. Perhaps it is assumed that guests in cat 1-3 realize that and automatically tip more, but....maybe not.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

I agree too!!! We are a family of 6 and knew full well going in how much was expected for tips. We budgeted for it! In the end, we gave quite a bit more than the recommended amount. Our stateroom host went above and beyond one night when my nephew threw up ALL over one of our rooms! (My sister also tipped him WELL!) We also have a child with multiple life-threatening food allergies. So, we tipped the dining staff well. We were SO impressed with them! It was SUCH a relief to be able to go out to dinner with this child and not worry! (Well, to be honest, we worried the first night, but got over it by the second day!)

Anyway, yes - budget for it!! You WILL be impressed!

 

[yitbos96bb]

I honestly think that the reason it's a sensitive subject is that some people just don't want to pay....or they look at the tips for a large family for a week and realize that it's a lot of money. Frankly, the service is GREAT. I think they earn every penny of the suggested amount. If people want to tip more, that's up to the individual...I'd better stay out of that discussion.

What I do think--the suggested tips should be higher for a suite. There's a lot more for the room steward to clean. Perhaps it is assumed that guests in cat 1-3 realize that and automatically tip more, but....maybe not.

If you can't afford the tip, you shouldn't be on the cruise... just like if you can't afford to tip, you shouldn't go to the restaurant. Running up a $100 tab and tipping $5 means you should have ordered something cheaper.

 

[tvguy]

I talked at length with our server on our HAL cruise about whether non-tippers were an issue. He said almost all Westerners tip. But he said because HAL draws so many non-Westerners, many from cultures where tipping is not the norm, (and in some cases where tipping is considered an insult) they learn to live with it.
Mind you, this was in 2002, back when HAL's marketing was still "no tips expected, we pay the highest wages in the cruise industry so are staff are not dependent on tips for their income". HAL wouldn't even give you a suggested tip amount. I understand now they have gone to a daily service charge to cover tips. That would address the non-Westerner issue.

 

[djd7292]

After watching the Disney Magic dry dock special... the CMs deserve the tips they are getting & more! Most of them were still working ~ cleaning up, getting staterooms together, helping when needed by workers, etc. They did not have a vacation!

 

[DisneyMom1976]

I 100% agree. I just watched the drydock special. I went to the bank Friday and got 30 -2 dollar bills (thanks to disboard for telling me they like them) to place in my candy bags. My daughter made up our state host candy bags so that he too could have a treat at night. I also prepaid my tips and will be giving my 88 dollar fuel charge back to the staff too. In five sailings, Ive had 110% attention given to my family. That's why I keep coming back.

 

[Jaklackus]

On our May 14th Wonder, we tipped above the recommended amounts they were just wonderful. Our head server Witt from Thailand was absolutely amazing, he visited with us every evening(we only saw the head server from our 1st cruise in 2001 on tip night), Witt knew us all by name, he was great with the kids....we doubled his tip.

 

[donaldsthebest]

I am going on my first cruise next year. I am budgeting for the tips, can you all recommmend how much i should tip?

 

[klam_chowder]

ITA that tips should be given. However I kept hearing about the incredible service we would get on DCL but we sailed on Princess a few years ago and felt the service from the dedicated service team was better.

Apart from the Head Server, the servers on the Princess were definitely better. The DCL Asst Server offered us pepper every meal after we'd eaten half of our entrees already - our food would be half-way cold if we waited for her. On the Princess, after the first nite the Asst Server knew I liked tea with my dessert and had it ready. On DCL, tea arrived after dessert or sometimes before but just the teacup and bag, no hot water or just one packet of honey. None of these are biggies but just not top flight service. We still tipped as suggested (or more for the Head Server who came by our table a couple of times and very kindly accomodated our one request).

Our room host on the Princess seemed to come in and tidy up a lot more. Our DCL room host was very friendly so we still tipped him extra but I wouldn't say we rec'd better service. JMHO

cheers,

 

[mommasita]

I am going on my first cruise next year. I am budgeting for the tips, can you all recommmend how much i should tip?

Here is a link to the tip calculator, which can be found in the FAQ sticky near the top of this page. http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

Of course that does not include room service or porters that help with your bags. This is for the waitstaff and room steward.

 

[fakereadhed]

Get to know the staff and find out about their hours and family back home and you won't mind leaving a tip. They are outstanding, but making also making more sacrifices than you would initially think.

 

[Narnia_girl]

I appreciate hearing about the great service and the suggestions for tips.

Maybe I'm naive, but I'd like to think that people who don't tip on cruises don't know what's expected?

We take our first cruise this summer and of course we will tip. But as first timers I must say I was shocked at how much money to budget for tips.

Think about it...we live in a small midwest city. The only people I ever need to tip are waiters, pizza delivery and my hair stylist. I just have no experience tipping a large amount of money to several staff people. If I err on the wrong side it's not out of greed.

 

[Kwalters]

I 100% agree. I just watched the drydock special. I went to the bank Friday and got 30 -2 dollar bills (thanks to disboard for telling me they like them) to place in my candy bags. My daughter made up our state host candy bags so that he too could have a treat at night. I also prepaid my tips and will be giving my 88 dollar fuel charge back to the staff too. In five sailings, Ive had 110% attention given to my family. That's why I keep coming back.

I LOVE the treat bag idea!! Can you give me an idea of when you left them the treats? My DD will enjoy making these also!