Hi,
We will be going on our first Disney cruise in January. We are looking for advice on tipping--who?, how much? We will be on the 4 night cruise and we are 2 adults and 2 kids. The kids will go into the "kids" area too, if that makes a difference. We would like to start putting the tip money aside now in the number of envelopes we will need.

Thanks!:geek:

There are four traditionally tipped positions on the ship - Head Server, Server, Assistant Server and Stateroom Host. The kids programming staff are not considered tipped positions, but I know a LOT of people tip them.

Rates for the four tipped positions are a set per-day, per-person, and can even be pre-paid. Envelopes for those people will be left in your stateroom the day before you debark, along with a rate sheet.

As for the non-tipped positions - that's sort of up to you. Some people give phone cards (though I've heard those are less useful than we may think, due to various compatibility issues), and Wal-Mart gift cards. (There isn't a Wal-Mart in Nassau, but there is one close-ish to Port Canaveral, and the crew that have shore leave on port days can catch a shuttle over there).

AVP

To go along with what AVP mentioned, the rate sheet is used as a guide as to what you should tip but by no means does it limit you from adding more to the suggested amount. (Or less if the service was less than average. But hopefully you already talked to someone about the poor service if that was the case.)

And from my past experiences, the service always has been out of this world - and we did tip accordingly.

For room service, something like a $5 tip may be a thoughtful gesture, especially since the food is already included. I think a standard 18-20% tip on a bar tab is still customary as well.

They will automatically add an 18% tip to your bar tab. Then there is a line for you to add an additional tip if you want.

Oh, good point about the bar tip. We don't drink, so I rarely encounter that. The first time I ordered a "bar" drink (virgin daquari), I didn't realize the tip was already added, so I added one on the handy line provided. :rolleyes:

If you are so inclined, I've found that an advance tip to your stateroom host (in addition to the end-of-cruise tip), is appreciated and effective.

We also make sure that we have $1 bills for tipping room service. Although most items are free, they will bring you a charge receipt to sign to confirm that you received your items. There's a tip line on that slip, but we always tip cash.

AVP

Thanks so much for the advice! We've only been on one other cruise and it was quite a while ago. It's good to know the main people we will need to tip.
We expect the service to be top notch--because it's Disney! :D
Can't wait to go!

I still don't get why the "Head Waiter" is an expected tip position. All he did for our table was come around each night and 'schmooze' - which usually meant making a comment to the only male at a table of 7!

I still don't get why the "Head Waiter" is an expected tip position. All he did for our table was come around each night and 'schmooze' - which usually meant making a comment to the only male at a table of 7!Many people will go through an entire cruise and only see their head waiter on the first and last (tip) nights, but there are definitely situations where the head waiter is much more involved with your meal experience. If you order a celebration (birthday, whatever) cake, that's usually done through your head waiter. Special requests (off-menu items, desserts) are usually done through your head waiter. If you have a serious dietary or allergy issue, your head waiter is responsible for handling that. (When we sailed with my allergic-to-life brother-in-law, every single dish brought to him had to be approved by the head waiter, who had a list of his allergins). If you have an issue or complaint about your server or with the kitchen, your head waiter deals with that.

We've definitely had the ones who swoop by only to collect their tips, but more often we really put ours to work. (Hi Fitz!)

AVP

I still don't get why the "Head Waiter" is an expected tip position. All he did for our table was come around each night and 'schmooze' - which usually meant making a comment to the only male at a table of 7!

On recent cruises I've been on, the waiter, busboy, and stateroom host get tipped automatically (they basically charge us before the cruise at a predetermined amount). They head waiter isn't on the list. And since I didn't have any special requests, I never saw the head waiter until the last night.

Other cruise lines do automatically add a fixed amount to your stateroom bill. Disney still leaves the tipping option up to the guest. You do have the option with Disney to pay ahead of time so that when you get to the cruise you only have to add more for exceptional service if you want. The down side is that on the off chance your service is not good you can't adjust it the other way. Although you probably could if you went to guest services and complained but more than likely they would try to find a way to remedy your issue.

I found this on one of my other Disney sites. This is my first cruise too so I hope this helps!
Below are the suggested gratuities for the 3, 4, 7 and 10 day cruises. You can charge them if you do not wish to use cash.
Gratuities listed below are for the whole cruise and the amounts are PER PERSON, including any children in you party.

Position 3 day 4 day 7 day 10 day
Resturant Server $11.00 $14.75 $25.75 $37.00
Resturant Assistant Server $8.00 $10.75 $18.75 $27.00
Head Server $2.75 $3.75 $6.50 $9.50
Stateroom Host(ess) $10.75 $14.50 $25.25 $36.25

Room Service At your discretion At your discretion At your disrection At your disrection


For room service, you will want to tip a couple of dollars, or more depending on the size of your order. If you order drinks, a gratuity is automatically added. I add a bit more for exceptional service, like if they bring me my drink on the beach on Castaway Cay. You will also want to tip the porters a dollar or two per bag, especially if they carry your bags all the way across the street to the parking lot.


ADDITIONAL HINTS FOR TIPPING
Charge your tips early. The line can get quite crowded at Guest Services if you wait till the last day of your cruise. We tip the recommended amount early and then add some extra cash for anyone who gives us exceptional service.
Be creative. In addition to tips, little items such as phone cards are appreciated. This should be given in addition to the suggested cash amount, not in place of it. We pick up a batch of phone cards at Sam's Club prior to our cruises. They also make a nice thank-you for persons in positions that aren't traditionally tipped, such as kids counselors, cruise staff and guest services. I bring a supply, of thank-you cards, too, and insert the little gift. Another fun item is Florida lottery tickets, which can be purchased at the airport or at gas stations, grocery stores, and convenience stores.

In addition to tips, little items such as phone cards are appreciated.
Just a note that I have read that some pre-paid items such as phone cards may not be all that useful in certain cases because they are more restrictive than useful.

I'm sure the validity of that statement varies depending on the recipient and what was actually given, but it is something to think about.

We're coming up soon on our first cruise with a big group: 10 adults, 5 kids. Our travel agent says that tips should only be made per adult, which sounds a little iffy to us. We're not trying to get out of tipping what we should, just want to hear people opinions and/or if they've heard that one before.

Our travel agent says that tips should only be made per adult, which sounds a little iffy to us.
The Disney site, in their tipping recommendations here (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/help/overview?name=OnboardServicesFAQLandingPage#10) doesn't distinguish between guest ages, so I'd think kids would be the same as adults. The stateroom host/hostess is doing the same amount of work if it was 4 adults vs 2 adults and 2 kids in a room - same with the serving staff. The only time I think I'd really adjust it is if you had a very small child, and then I'd adjust the dining tips, but not the stateroom ones.

Hmmm, it also says gratuity is included at Palo. That must be a change.

Hmmm, it also says gratuity is included at Palo. That must be a change.
IIRC, the small fee collected to dine at Palo is supposedly for gratuities. So no additional tipping would be necessary.