No. That's not how gratuities on a cruise work. There is a minimum.
This is a fallacy.
Straight from
Disney Cruise Line site:
'Q. Is there an expected amount for gratuities, and how should I pay them?
A. It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of exceptional service, which you’ll receive in abundance aboard the ship. The following amounts are provided as a suggestion, but the gratuity you pay is always at your discretion:'
Following this is the gratuity table.
As stated, the gratuity table is 'a suggestion', not a minimum (or standard). And it is 'at your discretion', again not a minimum (or standard). And it is 'in recognition of exceptional service', again not a minimum (or a standard).
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/onboard-services/gratuities/
If you plan to give anything less than the standard gratuity, you will need to visit guest services to have the gratuities removed or reduced.
Thank you. I contacted
Disney Cruise Line after reading a lot of erroneous information involving gratuities (like the above) and they assured me I can removed the auto-gratuities in full from my bill and then tip as I please at the end of the cruise in cash.
YES.
I worked for a large corporation known for stellar guest service. It always amazed me that people would have a bad experience but never say a WORD while the issue was going on so that it could be addressed and remedied. But they would just stew instead.
Because the business/company/corporation already failed. If I have paid for an experience that is suppose to include stellar guest service and then I have to ask for stellar guest service, you have failed. If is included, I should not have to ask. I was reading the 'Concierge vs. non. Is it worth it?' thread and one poster was saying you have to know what is included so you can ask for it. Umm, no, if it is included and therefore paid for, it should be automatically provided. If it is not, it is a fail.
Is grading a business/company/corporation on a pass/fail basis a hard line? Yes. It's hard line because these days so many businesses/companies/corporation have no problem diminishing their product/service/experience in order to increase their bottom line. Just look at Disney.
So no, I am not wasting my expensive cruise time complaining about less-than-exceptional service. I can live with service that is good, average or inconsistent. If it is outright poor or bad
and negatively impacting my enjoyment, then I might, depending on the situation. Typically, as long as my grandchildren, who are pretty low maintenance, don't care, I am not going to create a fuss. They are my priority, period. So if the assistant server fails to bring my Mai Tai in a timely fashion, I will live with it but, yes, their tip is going to suffer.