Does anyone else have an issue with tipping on a
Disney cruise. The premium rates that Disney charges for these cruises are usually two times and sometimes more than a standard cruise. And after plopping down $8500 for a week-long cruise, as well as onboard charges that usually reach in thousands, they want another $350 for tips at the end. But, for our convenience, they will pre-charge us tips(Sarcasm)on our on-board account.
I usually cancel the automatic charge and tip as I see appropriate. Tipping a dining room supervisor seems weird and unnecessary.
I can see where you are coming from, however Disney charges the industry standard for tipping. Have you looked at what other cruises charge? It is about the same. $13.50 per day per person. And in reality, Disney includes a lot more in the cruise that is an additional purchase on other cruise lines and would have to pay extra for and/or tip for when you bought which would end up costing you more. (soda and coffee and ice cream for example)
I have to say I felt like you do about the head server on my first Disney cruise back in 2001. I never saw him until the very last day to collect the tip.
HOWEVER, every cruise since the head server is extremely active in the dining room and you obviously have never been on the Fantasy with Faisal (who is moving to the Wonder) or Wit! I have never seen two men work so hard, and spend so much time with their tables. In addition, DH and I always tip
MORE than Disney recommends. Everyone does such a great job taking care of us, and this is how they make their living and they work hard for it and deserve your gratitude. Heck, tipping is automatic on everything, including popcorn, are you going to argue that too?. Every thing I buy on that boat that has a tip included I will add something additional, even if it is just $1.
As for the automatic charges to the room, we didn't like it at first because we liked giving cash to our servers and room steward, but since we get points back on our credit card we leave the base charged to our room and tip additional in cash. (I paid for my last Disney cruise on my Disney Visa and prepaid the tips and financed them as part of my cruise for 6 months with no interest).
I have worked in tipping positions before, worked extremely hard, and been under tipped or "stiffed" before and it is not a good feeling. Tipping is a way of showing gratitude and thanking someone for a good job.