Tipping room service, how many $1 bills for 13 day cruise?

[Tenn4ever]

You don't need to "carry" either!!!!!

 

Get change on board.....they always have singles.

 

And sorry to chime in on the $2 perception.....heard the same thing multiple times from people in the "know." Apparently, they are a royal pain in the arse to cash. Tip how you want....but message boards are a great source to get/pass along information and there will be a specific type of person that will take the information to heart and realize the inconvenience of cashing them might outweigh the cuteness and/or memorable aspect and stop using them for tips.

 

As far as the OP, we just got off 14 day TA. $3 for tea/desert, $5 for dinner items. Seems to be the norm.

 

Dawn

 

Are you talking about room service for those items? If that's the case you are saying to tip a total of $8.00 for tea/dessert/dinner to be delivered to your room? I'm not tipping $8.00 for a meal delivery. Plus, I don't want to spend my time getting change for tips while on board.

 

I still pose the question, if I'm on an Alaskan cruise - that is the U.S. - $2.00 are accepted everywhere here!!. So, do the on board employees stash away their American dollars and then want to exchange them for their country's currency or do they spend them on the American economy at some point? If they spend them on the American economy then there is no problem with $2.00 bills (this is Alaskan cruises I'm speaking of) and their should be no problem with tipping them in American currency whatever it is.

[Charles4515]

I would rather carry 20 $2.00 bills than 40 $1.00 bills. :)

 

As others have mentioned you don't have to carry any small bills. I change large bills at the pursers desk as I go along when I need change.

 

As for $2 bills of course the crew is going to be polite when they receive them. But it is true that they would rather get ones. They are not banking at Bank of America or shopping at the Galleria. The $2 bill may not be accepted.

[WpgCruise]

Actually, most of the staff think $2 bills are a pain in the neck. Especially in Europe. They are not familiar currency to most of the young staff and they have a very hard time getting them exchanged. Dollar bills or better yet, 1 or 2 euro coins are just fine for tipping and MUCH more appreciated.

 

Giving a $2 bill will make you memorable as a passenger who made more work for them! :mad:

 

Actually this is a bit of a myth.

 

The staff has a Pursers Desk which does for them what the upfront one does for us. They can take any currency we as guests give them to their Pursers Desk and convert it into whatever currency they want. They also have an onboard "bank" account into which they deposit TIP money and it can be denominated into whatever currency they want.

 

Trust me, any cash given to staff in whatever denomination or currency is appreciated.

[dennbr9]

This is one of those threads that is posted regularly and gets all kinds of replys, some not too nice at times.

 

Carry some change, $1s, $5s and even some $2s if you want. As mentioned you can get change at Purser's Desk and Casino, so you do not need to pack a big wad. Give tips that you are comfortable with.

 

We only do Room Service for Breakfast on Island Days when we want to get going ashore early. For two of us I always give $5 for full Breakfasts. I am sure it means more to them than it does to me.

[4774Papa]

I normally tip $2 for room service, etc. I try to buy at least 10 Two Dollar Bills at my local bank when I get cash for our cruise.

Also, I find that giving out a Two Dollar Bills at your favorite bar on board gets the attention of the wait staff. They remember and give great service.

[sarahc78]

Actually this is a bit of a myth.

 

The staff has a Pursers Desk which does for them what the upfront one does for us. They can take any currency we as guests give them to their Pursers Desk and convert it into whatever currency they want. They also have an onboard "bank" account into which they deposit TIP money and it can be denominated into whatever currency they want.

 

Trust me, any cash given to staff in whatever denomination or currency is appreciated.

Oh no you're wrong he is "in the know"!!! LOL

[jackdiamond]

This is one of those threads that is posted regularly and gets all kinds of replys, some not too nice at times.

 

Carry some change, $1s, $5s and even some $2s if you want. As mentioned you can get change at Purser's Desk and Casino, so you do not need to pack a big wad. Give tips that you are comfortable with.

 

We only do Room Service for Breakfast on Island Days when we want to get going ashore early. For two of us I always give $5 for full Breakfasts. I am sure it means more to them than it does to me.

We do the same.

[kymbakitty]

Are you talking about room service for those items? If that's the case you are saying to tip a total of $8.00 for tea/dessert/dinner to be delivered to your room? I'm not tipping $8.00 for a meal delivery. Plus, I don't want to spend my time getting change for tips while on board.

 

I still pose the question, if I'm on an Alaskan cruise - that is the U.S. - $2.00 are accepted everywhere here!!. So, do the on board employees stash away their American dollars and then want to exchange them for their country's currency or do they spend them on the American economy at some point? If they spend them on the American economy then there is no problem with $2.00 bills (this is Alaskan cruises I'm speaking of) and their should be no problem with tipping them in American currency whatever it is.

Yes....IF we got both breakfast AND dinner in the same easy, then yes....$8 total, for both of us is what we feel comfortably, and can afford, to give. Like the other poster stated, it means so much more to the servers than a lousy few dollars in our pocket.

 

The "not spending time on a cruise to get change" is an argument people use for everything from doing laundry to playing bingo! Then don't.....bring your own change!!!!

 

Choices/options for us all.....including the option to choose how much to tip.

 

Enjoy.....

[Tenn4ever]

KimbaKitty, thank you. However, I like the idea of the $2.00 bills . As suggested by WpgCruise earlier the staff has their own Pursers Desk:

 

The staff has a Pursers Desk which does for them what the upfront one does for us. They can take any currency we as guests give them to their Pursers Desk and convert it into whatever currency they want. They also have an onboard "bank" account into which they deposit TIP money and it can be denominated into whatever currency they want.

 

[LeftcoastBC]

Never got any funny looks on the US $2's I get from my local bank before we cruise.

 

Did get a funny look when I tipped once with a Blue Canadian $5 though. Apologized but it was the end of a segment and the ship was going to Vancouver for next stop. Was all I had and the ships bank was not open. :o

[buchhalm]

With respect:

What are these pre-paid and/or compulsary tips for, when youbthen seem to tip above and beyond for standard services?

8$ for room service deliveries? Come on...

You Americans are a bit obsessed with tipping, arent you? :-)

And once you are off the ship, remember that in European countries service staff IS paid relatively decent salary, unlike in the US, where service staff seems to really depend on tips. Round up your restaurant bill, by all means, but nobody will expect New York City style tips. Always pay cash tips! Staff rarely will see tips paid on credit cards. Tip in local currency. The Dollar is not as mighty anymore.... In the end, If it is your job to bring tea, you do it, I pay for my cuppa and you get paid for the work done by your employer. If you bring me my tea nicely hot, with chilled milk, a smile and a friendly word, then I pay a bit extra. QUALITY SERVICE that goes above and beyond the expected professional standard may be rewarded with a tip, but tipping as a matter of course is a strange practise.

Do you tip the teacher who teaches your children? Do you tip the flight attendant who looked after you for many hours? Do you send a little something up to the bridge for the captain who has docked the ship so nicely?

Relax, people. If you are HAPPY with a service rendered, by all means pay a bit extra, but don't be bullied into doing so, or lose sleep over how many 1 (or 2) Dollar bills you HAVE to schlepp around.

[helpthejuggler]

Do you not use $2s all the time at home?

I have not seen them on my trips to US, but why not just take what you use normally?

[Charles4515]

Do you not use $2s all the time at home?

I have not seen them on my trips to US, but why not just take what you use normally?

 

They are rarely used in the US. I have never recieved a $2 bill in change from a merchant. When I have dealt with cash sales none ever paid with a $2 bill. Never have used a $2 bill either for a tip or purchase.

 

What is in the mind of people who tip with $2 bills on cruises is not to carry less bills, it is to make themselves more visible, be conspicous, be cute and/or maybe get some special treatment on the cruise. They are not using them at home.

 

I think it is a weird for those reasons above to give them out, and crew have told me they would rather not get them, but I am sure the crew will find a way to use them. So if it turns a person on or gives them joy to pass out $2 bills as tips for whatever reason...... I guess to each their own, go ahead.

[Leo Jay]

deleted

[4774Papa]

They are rarely used in the US. I have never recieved a $2 bill in change from a merchant. When I have dealt with cash sales none ever paid with a $2 bill. Never have used a $2 bill either for a tip or purchase.

 

What is in the mind of people who tip with $2 bills on cruises is not to carry less bills, it is to make themselves more visible, be conspicous, be cute and/or maybe get some special treatment on the cruise. They are not using them at home.

 

I think it is a weird for those reasons above to give them out, and crew have told me they would rather not get them, but I am sure the crew will find a way to use them. So if it turns a person on or gives them joy to pass out $2 bills as tips for whatever reason...... I guess to each their own, go ahead.

Amazing, I never expected to be slammed for using $2 bills for tips. Geeze

[Charles4515]

Amazing, I never expected to be slammed for using $2 bills for tips. Geeze

 

I am simply stating the fact in answer to the person from the UK who has not seen them in trips to the US that people use them to stand out. Two dollar bills don't normally circulate. It is like people who spray their hair purple, pink or green. It is a way of getting attention. If that is your personality, go for it!

[Tenn4ever]

With respect:

8$ for room service deliveries? Come on...

....... but tipping as a matter of course is a strange practise.

.

 

I'm an American and I agree with you. I'm not going to tip $8.00 for someone to deliver a meal for DH and me. I will probably tip $2 or $3 IF the person has a smile on his/her face. Plus, I agree that tipping as a matter of course is ridiculous. I tip where it is warrented.

 

 

Do you not use $2s all the time at home?

I have not seen them on my trips to US, but why not just take what you use normally?

 

I'm going to get $2.00 because I didn't even know they were still in circulation. So, since I know that now I'm going to get some. I love the idea.

 

What is in the mind of people who tip with $2 bills on cruises is not to carry less bills, it is to make themselves more visible, be conspicous, be cute and/or maybe get some special treatment on the cruise. They are not using them at home.[/quote}

 

I think that's rude of you to say that. I think it's more convenient for me to pass out $2. If it is more inconvenient for the staff I don't see that is my concern. They are doing a job. It's my cruise/vacation. It's their job. Plus, as another poster said they can take their tips etc to their own Purser's desk. It should just be part of their job.

[Charles4515]

 

I think that's rude of you to say that. I think it's more convenient for me to pass out $2. If it is more inconvenient for the staff I don't see that is my concern. They are doing a job. It's my cruise/vacation. It's their job. Plus, as another poster said they can take their tips etc to their own Purser's desk. It should just be part of their job.

 

You seem to be saying that being rude to the staff by inconveniencing them is okay? Whatever, it is your vacation....

[Tenn4ever]

You seem to be saying that being rude to the staff by inconveniencing them is okay. Whatever, it is your vacation....

Who said anything about being rude to the staff? I don't think receiving a tip would be considered being rude to them. Should I go to my purser's desk to get denominations they prefer or should they go to their purser's desk to deposit their money/tips? They have a job to do which I appreciate by tipping them above the gratuities which are already charged to my account. I am not on the ship for their convenience. They are on the ship to do a job.

 

I don't think it's your job to admonish posters as to what denomination of tip they leave or to insinuate their behavioral characteristics because of the type of tip they leave.

[kymbakitty]

With respect:

What are these pre-paid and/or compulsary tips for, when youbthen seem to tip above and beyond for standard services?

8$ for room service deliveries? Come on...

You Americans are a bit obsessed with tipping, arent you? :-)

And once you are off the ship, remember that in European countries service staff IS paid relatively decent salary, unlike in the US, where service staff seems to really depend on tips. Round up your restaurant bill, by all means, but nobody will expect New York City style tips. Always pay cash tips! Staff rarely will see tips paid on credit cards. Tip in local currency. The Dollar is not as mighty anymore.... In the end, If it is your job to bring tea, you do it, I pay for my cuppa and you get paid for the work done by your employer. If you bring me my tea nicely hot, with chilled milk, a smile and a friendly word, then I pay a bit extra. QUALITY SERVICE that goes above and beyond the expected professional standard may be rewarded with a tip, but tipping as a matter of course is a strange practise.

Do you tip the teacher who teaches your children? Do you tip the flight attendant who looked after you for many hours? Do you send a little something up to the bridge for the captain who has docked the ship so nicely?

Relax, people. If you are HAPPY with a service rendered, by all means pay a bit extra, but don't be bullied into doing so, or lose sleep over how many 1 (or 2) Dollar bills you HAVE to schlepp around.

 

I do pay tips in advance. But I do not believe it is over the top to tip a few dollars for schlepping a couple of trays to my cabin for room service.

 

I also take time to understand the tipping practices of other countries.

 

But, "with respect," people from other countries should also learn and understand what our tipping policies are as well and plan/budget the additional cost into the cost of the vacation instead of making blanket derogatory statements such as stating that Americans are obsessed with tipping. This is our culture. This is how many of us grow up....in the same exact way non Americans grow up with NOT tipping. We just need to respect,and learn, what other countries practice so we can act accordingly-instead of belittling someone else's practices because they are different than ours.

 

Fortunately for you, you can opt out of tipping. That is your choice. We are so blessed with health, love, food, shelter, family, friends, god jobs, retirement, etc., that parting with a few dollars on a vacation that we paid over $7500+ on is simply a no-brainer.

[Putterdude]

As a Canadian I am never ceased to be amazed that Americans never have fully accepted the $2 bill like we did in Canada before our $2 coin. I winter about 50 mins from Laughlin, NV so we have a lot of people in the area who work in the hospitality industry and you see them in stores paying with wads of $1 bills which they have obviously received as tips.

That all said I can't imagine a waiter or steward turning up his/her nose at a $2 bill and if they did, well frankly I could care less...it is after all legal tender.

[4774Papa]

I lived in Germany during the 80s, working for the US Army. Two dollar bills were widely used. I remember going to Egypt and paying for my camel ride in front of the pyramids resulted in me getting back $2 bills in change.

 

None of the wait staff that I tipped ever showed any negativity over such a tip, in fact, I got the best service around.

[Pushka]

In Australia our smallest paper note is $5.00. Our notes are colourful and plasticated and have a hologram. We have coins for $1 and $2. In Europe on RCL cruises, if we decide to tip room service are USD going to be ok?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[librarylady19]

I love the idea especially since I didn't know $2.00 bills were even issued any longer :).

 

Me neither....I also take some $5 bills for tipping porters, cab drivers, etc.

[Charles4515]

Me neither....I also take some $5 bills for tipping porters, cab drivers, etc.

 

That is because you have to go a bank to get them. And people don't visit banks that much anymore. They use ATMs and also bank online. Merchants won't keep them and give them out as change as there are not enough slots in most cash registers. The best thing is to take large bills onboard and get them changed to ones and fives at the pursers desk.