Who else has had a room steward that was just "ok"?

[mkandk]

but I do find this topic interesting, partly because I hadn't factored in the cost of tipping into the whole vacation. I read on someone else's post, that his/her server had 3 tables, 19 diners, so using Disney recommendations, he's making $489 on a 7-day cruise in tips. Does anyone have a guess at how much they make including Disney pay? And I'm guessing room and board are free?

I believe in good tipping (I used to waitress). I'm just curious.

 

[alicedisney]

As a recent cruiser(with mnmomof1), I just wanted to add my opinion to this thread. In comparing room stewards the difference is more than towel animals. As Kim said there were nights her room was not turned until very late or not enough towels were given. On the other hand, our room steward I felt was wonderful, not because we received towel animals, we did every night but the first night. But because our needs were met with out always having to ask. On Saturday, my husband asked for ice for our room, we had two connecting rooms, each room's bucket was filled every morning. At turndown time each room's towels were replaced and if the lotion or shampoo was used it was replaced as well. The rooms were usually finished being cleaned while we were at breakfast in the morning and though we had late seating turndown was done most nights while we were at the show. But most important always friendly and with a smile. I agree that the tips should reflect this, I did give Fernando, our room steward, a little more than the requested amount. Our dining room steward was excellent, no magic tricks, but a great personality, Leeroy was helpful and always concerned that everyone enjoyed their meal. Even the head server, which I know many people have and issue with giving a tip to, stopped at our table almost every night to say hello.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by moinab
I think we're discussing different levels of service. There's the "pixie dust" level of service, such as towel animals and magic tricks, that one would hope to experience on DCL, but is dependent upon the differing personalities of the crew members. (For the record, I don't even like magic tricks, so I'm glad our servers didn't do this. I just mentioned it as an example.)

Then, there is standard level of service, such as room stewards emptying trash, providing fresh towels and ice, and dining room servers refilling water, etc. These things are part of the job.

In my case, I wouldn't say the level of service was "poor." I would say it was adequate. Some things were done well, other things were not. My problem with the room steward was not about his timidity, but with his inability/unwillingness to communicate with us. When I tried talking to him about the ice, he was walking away, saying, "ok,ok," before I was even finished making my request.

I don't believe that expecting a standard level of service means I don't appreciate diversity. It just means I expect my water to be refilled at dinner and the trash bin in my room to be emptied

I agree that the Cast Members onboard should provide each guest with a standard level of service as you mention above. And, I have always found that to be the case.

However, some have stated that other things should be standard, such as telling jokes or performing magic tricks. (And I totally relate to the magic trick thing! I don't care for them at all!) That's just not what everyone's personality is about! I have had a very quite head server that provided exceptional service. She was very soft-spoken but very friendly and would have done anything to make our meals more perfect. I appreciate all of her hard work and dedication and would never consider her job less than exceptional because she didn't tell jokes or do a magic trick.

[Anyway, it seems that we're both basically saying the same thing, Moinab.]

 

[kellyb2000]

Just in my defense (!), I don't want people to think I'm cheap - the only thing my room steward had to do for my son was set the pack-n-play up at night. I put it up every morning, there were not many diapers to throw away in the room trash as we were out most of the day and evening and when there was I would wrap it up in a plastic bag myself and then put it in the trash (noe diaper genie). My son wasn't even crawling yet so it wasn't like he was running around pulling everything out of drawers and throwing it on the floor. I promise, I really do believe in good tipping

I want to stress that I do not think we had bad service, it was just less than I expected. I wanted that "pixie dust" kind of service! But I guess us Category 11er's shouldn't expect Category 3 kind of service!!!!!!

As said before, our first cruise was the best cruise because we went in not expecting a thing and left with everything!

No one answered whether or not they had an alarm clock set for them. Just curious!

 

[cali4niacruisin]

I read on another thread that the staff makes $50 + tips. Not sure if that is accurate or if that is per month, per cruise, etc.

 

[Dean]

I know on most cruise lines that staff make a modest amount plus room and board and some additional benefits then the tips. I know RCCL used to guarantee them so much so if they didn't get a certain level with tips, they would supplement it for a while. If things didn't come around, see you later.

As for this thread, I always find Disney people and tip discussions amusing. It seems many Disney patrons go above and beyond the industry standards for tipping. There are several issues running through this thread. One is whether substandard service should mean a reduced tip compared to the "recommended" amounts. If it's truly substandard, the tip should reflect accordinlgy. Another issue is what is substandard service. Does it mean being overly friendly, magic tricks, jokes, even towel animals or not. Each CM must put together their group of services that fits their abilities and personality. Some will be better than others. The top ones should get more and the bottom ones less. The majority in the middle should likely get the recommended amount of tips.

As for children, each is different. On a cruise, I certainly would tend to give the recommended amount for each person, regardless of age, sometimes more. However, some children are just less or more work than others. For an infant where they had esseentailly nothing to do, I'd agree that a reduced amount is not unreasonable. Or in the case of children that were never at the meals, a reduced amount may be appropriate there as well.

As for the steward that gave the hints in the form of filling out a new form and underlining the children amounts, I'm quite certain I would have left him less because of that behavior rather than more. Had he been a poor performer otherwise, I likely would have left him nothing and been tempted to go back to college days and left him a small tip under glass.

 

[moinab]

Yes, ThreeCircles, I see what you are saying, and we are saying the same thing. That "pixie dust" level of service is the hallmark of exceptional CMs, and, as Dean wrote, each CM has to put together his/her own bag of tricks, so to speak.

Dean, you're a voice of reason! I agree with everything you wrote.

Kelly, our alarm clocks were never set. Although I do feel, in theory, one should tip for a baby if the steward is setting up the crib every night, it sounds like your steward deserved a reduced tip. Setting everyone's alarm clock for 5:30 AM is definitely foul, IMHO, and your sister's tip envelope situation is inexcusable.