My thought on Suggested Gratuities

genki3 · Jun 2, 2015

I came across an article about RCI raising the suggested daily gratuity from $12 to $12.95 pp/day. http://www.travelweekly.com/cruise-travel/royal-caribbean-raises-gratuity-by-8-percent

Another article hinted (without proof) that this increase doesn't go directly to the crew member, but instead goes into the pocket's of the higher-ups.

That got me to thinking...

Back in the early 2000s, I cruised with Carnival and I remembered giving all-cash gratuities. Nowadays, cruise lines add automatic gratuities either prepaid or in your stateroom account. They say you can adjust it, however, I was under the impression (after reading these boards) that if one goes to adjust their account, it'll seem like they're trying to "give less". So...on my recent first DCL cruise, I never adjusted the suggested amount but instead put the slip of paper given by Disney into the envelope along with some extra cash.

I personally thought my addition of extra cash was a nice bonus and I thought my servers and room attendant would be thrilled to get it, but only one out of the 4 CMs reacted. It was a bit off-putting. I wondered, didn't they like getting the extra cash???

Now reading the 2nd article about the possibility that not all of our gratuities go entirely to the intended crew member if we prepay our gratuities or leave it to the cruise lines to dole out, it makes sense that my servers weren't all that thrilled.

For me, the next time I cruise, I'm going to make sure I pay ALL my suggested gratuities in CASH and give it DIRECTLY to my deserving CMs.

Any thoughts?

DISNEY FANTASY · Jun 2, 2015

When you say didn't react are you thinking at breakfast the next day? They have never opened the envelopes in front of me, just think you and take them business like.

At breakfast on the last morning it's fast and very to the point and often cruisers are at a low as the cruise has ended.

I am not sure if they would open their envelopes overnight or leave it to post this breakfast.

I always add cash, when I have returned to the cruise and seen former servers they are always pleased to see and serve me.

No matter what you read, all cash on DCL goes to the servers. Concierge may pool tips on the new ships if it is not designated to one only.

genki3 · Jun 2, 2015

DISNEY FANTASY said:
When you say didn't react are you thinking at breakfast the next day? They have never opened the envelopes in front of me, just think you and take them business like.

I gave the envelopes the first thing on the last night at dinner. I thought this was when we give it. I've realized that some give it in the morning just before debarkation, but I feel that there are too many factors this isn't a good idea (ie. both staff and guests feel rushed, some may not have time to go to breakfast to see servers, etc)

I wanted to give the envelopes as the last thing we do that evening, but my mom (who traveled with me) wanted to give it to them early, I don't know why. I personally felt that this was a bad idea, because it almost felt like once they got the money they didn't work extra hard to please us. Service that night was SLOW.

DISNEY FANTASY said:
No matter what you read, all cash on DCL goes to the servers. Concierge may pool tips on the new ships if it is not designated to one only.

Not intending to be rude or to start anything, but how do you know that "all cash on DCL goes to the servers"? Have you asked them directly? I wonder how about other cruise lines. It's not hard to believe that cruise lines will take a portion of their staff's gratuity amount.

jpeppers · Jun 2, 2015

I did ask the bartenders this cruise and they told me that the automatic 15% is pooled but that anything I add on to my bill for a tip goes directly to them. I had heard that all tips that weren't in cash were pooled but I feel confident now that the bartenders get what is meant for them, I'm not sure about the servers.

DISNEY FANTASY · Jun 2, 2015

genki3 said:
I gave the envelopes the first thing on the last night at dinner. I thought this was when we give it. I've realized that some give it in the morning just before debarkation, but I feel that there are too many factors this isn't a good idea (ie. both staff and guests feel rushed, some may not have time to go to breakfast to see servers, etc)

I wanted to give the envelopes as the last thing we do that evening, but my mom (who traveled with me) wanted to give it to them early, I don't know why. I personally felt that this was a bad idea, because it almost felt like once they got the money they didn't work extra hard to please us. Service that night was SLOW.

I think you have misunderstood my post here, best maybe to re read it, yes the correct time is to give tips on the last night, breakfast is not the time to give it, - further details in my prior post.

Not intending to be rude or to start anything, but how do you know that "all cash on DCL goes to the servers"? Have you asked them directly? I wonder how about other cruise lines. It's not hard to believe that cruise lines will take a portion of their staff's gratuity amount.

Yes, I do know that's correct as my post.

DISNEY FANTASY · Jun 2, 2015

jpeppers said:
I did ask the bartenders this cruise and they told me that the automatic 15% is pooled but that anything I add on to my bill for a tip goes directly to them. I had heard that all tips that weren't in cash were pooled but I feel confident now that the bartenders get what is meant for them, I'm not sure about the servers.

Yes spot on.

Dug720 · Jun 2, 2015

I am curious as to what kind of "reaction" you wanted. When you eat out at home does your server check their tip right in front of you and "react"?

I have never had a server gush or react beyond "Thank you very much" when I gave them the envelope (which is never opened right there - imagine how THAT would slow service down!) and I certainly would not expect them to do more, nor would I expect them to open the envelope in front of me, nor would I expect them to mention it the next morning. They are professionals and fully understand that tipping like all money issues is highly personal.

safeti01 · Jun 2, 2015

Agreed with Dug720. I do not expect a reaction.

clten · Jun 2, 2015

Check what the cruise lines call the fee they charge you -- some call it gratuity and some call it a service fee. Chances are the cruise lines that call it a service fee pool that money and no it doesn't go directly to the individual you intended it for. (In most cases, these cruise lines make it very difficult for you to remove/lower the amount.)

I can't speak for all cruise lines but I know Disney's is still a "gratuity". Those 4 positions where they put the gratuity on your shipboard account and give you slips of paper to give your server, assistant server, head server and stateroom host -- that money goes, in full, to those individuals.

As far as a reaction, beyond the thank you we receive as we hand the envelope over, we don't expect any further acknowledgment of the tip. We've decided the size of the tip and am comfortable in that. Don't need the person receiving the tip to validate that it was an acceptable amount or not.

Rogillio · Jun 2, 2015

Tipping is a thankless task.

Frank Sinatra was leaving Ceasar's Palace and asked the bellhop, "What's the biggest tip you ever got?" The bellhop said, "$100." So Sinatra gives him $200! Then Frank say, "BTW, who gave you the $100 tip?" The bellhop say, "You did Mr Sinatra!"

If you tip well your generosity will be appreciated and you will be remembered. If you tip poorly you too will be remembered but in a different way.

undertheradar · Jun 2, 2015

We don't give the envelopes, except to our suite steward and assistant. We like to eat dinner in our stateroom the last night and have breakfast on the verandah the last morning. I am confident that the tips are appreciated by all of the people we tip.

genki3 · Jun 2, 2015

Dug720 said:
I am curious as to what kind of "reaction" you wanted. When you eat out at home does your server check their tip right in front of you and "react"?

I have never had a server gush or react beyond "Thank you very much" when I gave them the envelope (which is never opened right there - imagine how THAT would slow service down!) and I certainly would not expect them to do more, nor would I expect them to open the envelope in front of me, nor would I expect them to mention it the next morning. They are professionals and fully understand that tipping like all money issues is highly personal.

After we gave the envelopes to each server and head server at different times, they left and out of sight for a good 5 minutes. I'm making an assumption that they went to check how much they got. I'm making another assumption that they weren't as pleased with my standard slip of paper and some cash. Perhaps they would've liked it all in cash. Just assumptions on my part.

What "reaction" would I have preferred? My assistant server was "reactive" and was more smiley after he came back. The other 2 was just whatevers. Perhaps they wanted more? Perhaps they wanted cash? I don't know.

The thing with gratuities in the U.S. in my opinion is that it is too expected. In some parts of Asia, they don't expect a gratuity but provide the best service. In the U.S., it's expected at 20% and anything less, gosh what a sin! I'm now degressing. My initial point of this thread is just to suggest that perhaps the CMs wanted all cash, which I'm intending to oblige next time.

genki3 · Jun 2, 2015

I wanted to add...I don't think we should ever NOT expect further acknowledgement of our additional tips. They should recognize that we gave extra. The reason I'm giving additional gratuity is because I want them to know that they deserved this additional amount. For them not to acknowledge this makes me feel as if it wasn't appreciated.

Justacruiser · Jun 2, 2015

From past conversations with some CM's, most of the ones I talked to like the additional money in the form of the slips we provide them. I make it a point sometime during the cruise, prior to the final nights dinner to go customer service and increase tips for those that are deserving. If you have already received your tickets in your room, you can take the tickets to guest services and they will increase/decrease as you request.

Some of the CM's find it hard to get the money they have off the ship. They don't pay cash for anything on board, so unless they go into port they will have no reason to carry cash. And with extra cash, there can be an increase in theft among the staff. They are not permitted to have a lot of cash on board. So, then they have to find a way to convert to send home. I get them about $10 each in cash and increase my tickets for the most part.

I don't think there is a right or wrong when it comes to tipping, as long as we tip. By the way, I tip the last thing on the final dinner night. I always just eat at Cabanas on the departure morning. Quicker so we can get off the ship faster.

Happy100 · Jun 2, 2015

I do not believe any of your servers disappeared for 5 minutes to check their tip amounts. They are so busy that last night and every night there is no time to do this for every or any table. Next time you can always leave the envelopes in your room instead, so you don't feel as if there should be a reaction when you hand them over personally.

Justacruiser · Jun 2, 2015

the tip envelope and ticket is only so you can hand them something. Unless you place cash or something else in the envelope is complete worthless. They don't NEED the ticket for anything unless they want to keep track of what DLC owes them. So, if you aren't placing anything in the envelope you don't have to hand them anything. We have done that on occasion. They got busy, we didn't want to wait around just for that.

MinnesotaMouseketeers · Jun 2, 2015

Dug720 said:
I am curious as to what kind of "reaction" you wanted. When you eat out at home does your server check their tip right in front of you and "react"?

I have never had a server gush or react beyond "Thank you very much" when I gave them the envelope (which is never opened right there - imagine how THAT would slow service down!) and I certainly would not expect them to do more, nor would I expect them to open the envelope in front of me, nor would I expect them to mention it the next morning. They are professionals and fully understand that tipping like all money issues is highly personal.

safeti01 said:
Agreed with Dug720. I do not expect a reaction.

Just piling onto Dug720 and safeti01's posts, I also don't expect any reaction out of the tipped personnel except for a ' Thank you' as I hand them the envelope.

There is only one time when we did not add cash to the envelope that also contained the prepaid card for the tipped personnel. And I always added an additional amount onto the bar tenders tip because they have always been great people to talk with while whiling away the time at the bar. This is one thing that bothers me with other cruise lines that are putting in the robotic drink makers. How are you supposed to hold a conversation with a robotic arm?

tinkerone · Jun 2, 2015

I have mentioned this in other posts but it never hurts to repeat one self. I have a friend who worked for dcl and I have quizzed him on everything. as to tipping, the staff get every penny of what is named for them. you mentioned that the article hinted without proof that the staff do not get the extra tip. well, I have read an article much the same and I can tell you that the person who is hinting at this hates the cruise industry and does lots to try and make it look bad. until it is a for sure that the staff does not get it, and I would be amazed if they didn't, don't even worry about that.

as to giving cash only, your not doing them any favors. they can not keep to much money in their quarters, mostly shared quarters, so they have to make a special trip to the pursers office to deposit the money into their account. with the hours they work and the times the pursers office is open to them they are limited. the staff have their money transferred to their home accounts and this is done by the cruise ship for them. they only keep small amounts as they don't need much. don't get me wrong on this, if you decide to pay in cash or give extra they will still be appreciative. its just a bit of extra work for them, that's all.

I think dug720 and Disney fantasy both hit it on the head and are absolutely correct. if you didn't get a good enough thank you maybe your expecting to much. its really a gift and it should be given without expectations.
jmo

pgroom48 · Jun 2, 2015

We hardly ever take the slips of paper to hand off. We do make adjustments as I feel certain roles deserve extra for extra service. For example, if I have a great Stateroom Cabin Steward I add more, if the waiter or the drink server was better they get more. The response isn't as important to me. I can say, that I have had waiters that remember us years later and made it a point to say hello even thought they were not our waiter/server that time. So I think you tip based on what you feel you want to give, forget the reaction and more importantly have conversations with the CM and ask about their lives! I think that is what they remember.

genki3 · Jun 2, 2015

tinkerone said:
as to giving cash only, your not doing them any favors. they can not keep to much money in their quarters, mostly shared quarters, so they have to make a special trip to the pursers office to deposit the money into their account. with the hours they work and the times the pursers office is open to them they are limited. the staff have their money transferred to their home accounts and this is done by the cruise ship for them. they only keep small amounts as they don't need much. don't get me wrong on this, if you decide to pay in cash or give extra they will still be appreciative. its just a bit of extra work for them, that's all.

I think dug720 and Disney fantasy both hit it on the head and are absolutely correct. if you didn't get a good enough thank you maybe your expecting to much. its really a gift and it should be given without expectations.
jmo

I see your point here. It's something I didn't think about. And yes I did have higher expectations...will need to adjust for the future.

My thought on Suggested Gratuities

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