Now that we have booked the huge "10 Year Anniversary Extravaganza", I have a couple of questions. This actually is a question for both the WDW section and the Cruise section but I thought I'd just put here since probably most of you have done both.

When we went to WDW in 2003 I made up these little envelopes that said 'For Mousekeeping', in which I would tip the housekeeper daily at our room.

But it's been a few years, and I'm sure the amount has increased.

In WDW, nowadays, what is acceptable (value resort) for daily tipping the housekeeping staff?

On the cruise (7 day eastern carribean) what is acceptable daily tipping for housekeeping? Also about tipping our waitstaff and such (are there more people to tip?)....I've never been on a cruise and am quite clueless, and want to make sure I dont commit some horrific tackiness faux pas. Please help.

That's very sweet!
On many ships (DCL included) they allow you to fill out a form for tipping, then they charge your account and give you a printout that you can put into envelopes and give out. It's predetermined if you choose to go that route (you can always opt not to do it and tip less, or do it and add in more.)

I don't think there is a solid rule for tipping at a resort, but $1-$2 per person per day is probably reasonable. I'd tip a bit more if we are being particularly messy or if the service is especially good.

On a cruise, the tradition is to hold all tips until the last day. The cruise line will actually provide you with envelopes for each person that is customarily tipped (steward, waiter/waitress, assistant waiter/waitress, head waiter/waitress). They will also give you information on how much is customary for each. As with any tip, it is perfectly fine to give less (or nothing) for poor service or more for very good service.

One important point to remember is that tips are likely to be the only thing that will call for cash on-board the ship. While you can usually get a personal or traveler's check cashed at guest relations on the ship, it is best to plan ahead for the tips and make sure you bring the cash on-board with you.

Here are the currently recommended amounts, taken directly from DisneyCruise.com. Note that these amounts are per-person, so you should multiply them by the total number of people in your party.

Dining Room Server: $11.00 (3-night), $14.75 (4-night), $25.75 (7-night)
Dining Room Asst. Server: $8.00 (3-night), $10.75 (4-night), $18.75 (7-night)
Dining Room Head Server: $2.75 (3-night), $3.75 (4-night), $6.50 (7-night)
Stateroom Host/Hostess: $10.75 (3-night), $14.50 (4-night), $25.25 (7-night)

They also note that discretionary tipping is normal for room service and spa personnel as well as for the dining manager. In some cases, shore excursions may include elements where tips are appropriate. Finally, the specifically note that the gratuity is included in the fee for dining at Palo and that they are not customary for child care facilities.

-Jeff

To go along with what was said already, I think DCL makes it so easy to tip per your discretion, its not even funny. While what was listed above is suggested for good service, never feel obligated but by all means, do show your appreciation via a good tip. I found that in the case of DCL, those who wait on you do try to go that extra mile. (Sure, you run into an exception once in a while, but that happens anywhere.)

The thing is that for a family of four on a 3-night curise, if going from the suggested amounts, you are looking at around $130. That may seem like a shock, but if you consider what you would normally tip for great hotel housekeeping plus three great meals, you will see that it is not all that bad. I mean, the couple of times that we have gone, they really did go out of their way to make it a great trip.

If carrying cash for tips concerns you feel free to add it to your room tab and let it get charged on your credit card.

DCL tipping is very easy. One thing to note is ALL bar service on the ship adds 15% even though there is a tipping line. Also if you book shore excursions through Disney your tip is already included. (although you may be told otherwise by the excursions staff (but Disney chooses good places so I have had this happen to me))

One important point to remember is that tips are likely to be the only thing that will call for cash on-board the ship. While you can usually get a personal or traveler's check cashed at guest relations on the ship, it is best to plan ahead for the tips and make sure you bring the cash on-board with you. Tips can be added to your stateroom charge, and thus charged to the credit card you have on file (if you left one) We always charge the tips to our room, and are then provided with vouchers that go into the tip envelopes. We give the envelopes to the crew, and they can cash in the vouchers.

AVP

Tips can be added to your stateroom charge, and thus charged to the credit card you have on file (if you left one) We always charge the tips to our room, and are then provided with vouchers that go into the tip envelopes. We give the envelopes to the crew, and they can cash in the vouchers.

Ah, that is very helpful! Our cruise was over 6 years ago (fortunately, our next one is only a little over 10 months...) and they either weren't offering that option yet or I completely forgot about it.

-Jeff

I've had no experience with DCL, but HAL charges a set amount to your shipboard account for each day, which you can adjust up or down at your discretion.

One thing about cruise ships: MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE YOU HAVE A BACKUP CHARGE CARD. Many cruise lines (case in point HAL) do NOT accept checks, and if you somehow manage to get yourself into a situation where you've lost your only card, and with it your ATM access, and you are unable to arrange for a replacement card to rendezvous with the ship, you are going to be in a very big mess at the end of the cruise.

...and if you somehow manage to get yourself into a situation where you've lost your only card, and with it your ATM access...
With this said... it is noteworthy to mention that there is NO ATM on-board the Disney ships.

Fully agreed - Having a backup charge card (not a debit card associated with a bank account) is a very good tip for any trip. You never know what may happen and may need some extra financial resources.

Traveler's checks are also a very good idea as a backup during a cruise vacation, particularly since they would be very easy to get replaced at any of the ports of call (other than Castaway Cay), regardless of nationality. In fact, we know from experience that DCL will accept them for settlement of your account as we ended up doing so on our trip several years ago after we ran into a problem with our credit card.

-Jeff

Thanks for all the replies. We ALWAYS use travellers checks for all our trips...we will know now to have a certain amount of cash set aside specifically for tipping once on board....(on land its easy to cash them) but i guess it may be harder on board. We dont drink alcohol, so bar tipping isnt an issue....god to know about ht etipping on the excursions though..i would have not thought of that till then. 366 days till we leave :D

Tips are ONLY ADDED to your charges at YOUR DIRECTION--at the end of the cruise, you can choose to tip any , all or none of your waitstaff. They give you a suggestion of the amount for each per person, but nothing is ever REQUIRED as was mentioned above on HAL.