Amount of Cash You Bring for Gratuities

[rjohn40787]

Just to clarify, my original question was how much cash would you take for a 15-day cruise for two people just for tips in excess of the automatic gratuity. Some interesting responses so far.

 

 

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[GUT2407]

My wife and I will be on our first cruise aboard the Coral in April on a 15-day Panama Canal cruise in a full suite. We will be doing shore excursions (booked through Princess) at all of the ports.

 

I know that there are strong opinions about tipping over and above the automatic gratuity. It's not my intent to revisit those issues or get folks riled up with this thread.

 

Instead, I'm interested in experienced cruisers' opinions about how much cash you would bring with you for tips (both on board ship and in ports) if you were going on this cruise. How much, and do you bring a few $20s, $10s, and mostly $5s and $1s?

 

$100s

[jennybenny]

Around $ 20 a day for additional tipping(mostly $ 5 and $1, but we have $ 20 too) is what we are prepared to spend in cash.

 

Similar to what we do. We take $100 in $1's and $100 in $5's. Along with a few hundred in $20's in case we want cash in port.

 

We might provide extra tips ($20ish per day) for those that go above and beyond the call of duty. Some days we give less, others more. Just depends.

[PghCruiseGrrrl]

Just to clarify, my original question was how much cash would you take for a 15-day cruise for two people just for tips in excess of the automatic gratuity. Some interesting responses so far.p

 

On a 7 day cruise I normally bring around $500 so a 15 day cruise I would say around $1000 would be pretty close.

[Flamencacha]

Note to self, do not cruise on Princess, I will look like a cheap skate.

 

I have always brought additional tip money for the above and beyond. But by no means the sums mentioned here.

 

 

 

 

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[dreaminofcruisin]

I always cruise Princess.....never have used Room Service...never have asked anything special from the Steward.....use Anytime Dining so don't have the same waiters every night and never ask anything special of them....

 

Do I tip people who take my bags? Yup.

Do I tip on excursions? Yup.

 

But....no where near the amounts you guys are bringing on.

I would guess that I am more the 'average'....

and certainly if you use Room Service a lot or have a lot of special requests....or have a lot of money (?) .... go for it....

 

and I don't mean to start a when to tip thread....just thought I should bring down the 'average' number a bit... :confused:

[mph045]

I give $5/day for room steward/$5 and $2.50 for MDR/day/$2each time order room service/$2/bag/$10specialty meals/for 14day cruise I bring $395 which includes tips for sabatinis staff[suite perk] I also give 15%for taxi plus $1/bag:)

[PghCruiseGrrrl]

Note to self, do not cruise on Princess, I will look like a cheap skate.

 

I have always brought additional tip money for the above and beyond. But by no means the sums mentioned here.

 

Please don't let this deter you. We are only a small percentage of the people that cruise. Princess is a wonderful company and some of us are just habitual over tippers. :D

[neverbeenhere]

Note to self, do not cruise on Princess, I will look like a cheap skate.

 

I have always brought additional tip money for the above and beyond. But by no means the sums mentioned here.

 

I believe some are talking cash for tips and some are talking cash brought on the trip. I, as an American, only bring $ 9,999.99 cash with me.

[Flamencacha]

I believe some are talking cash for tips and some are talking cash brought on the trip. I, as an American, only bring $ 9,999.99 cash with me.

 

 

 

The legal undeclared limit. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23].

 

I cruise to travel and visit ports, not to gamble and shop, I guess that makes a difference.

 

 

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[azcruiser64]

On a week cruise we always take $1000. Never spend that much, but want more than enough. Unlike others, I don't want to have to run and get change so I get lots of smaller bills.

 

$300 in $20's

$400 in $10's

$200 in $5's

$100 in $1's

 

That's a total of 210 bills. What do you use to carry those bills, a wheel barrel?:eek:

[greenie082756]

Just to clarify, my original question was how much cash would you take for a 15-day cruise for two people just for tips in excess of the automatic gratuity. Some interesting responses so far.

 

 

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On our last 15 day cruise, I had room service twice. $7

Special dining additional gratuity - OBC $10

Room steward - $60 -no special requests but the room was clean.

 

I don't think unless your requesting constant service like @ a bar do you really need a whole lot of cash for tipping on board.

 

Other than that, no extra cash required. We took $1000 for on board and shopping in port as we do not use credit card unless an expensive item. Came home with about $300.

[weedpindle]

We also stay in full suite. We do B2B2B2b2b2b and for 34 days we allow for $100 per day over our normal tips. We go to passenger services and get $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5.

 

These people make our cruise and we look at is as our donation helping someone who has helped us and made our cruise better. Just our opinion. We are not rich. We just feel we need to compensate those who help us...and let's be honest, Princess has excellent stafff

 

 

100 a day?????

[rbt001]

Just to clarify, my original question was how much cash would you take for a 15-day cruise for two people just for tips in excess of the automatic gratuity. Some interesting responses so far.

 

 

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I sailed on a 15 day Panama Canal full transit April of 2016 as a solo traveler and this is how I tipped in cash ABOVE AND BEYOND the auto-gratuity which remained in place:

 

Cabin Steward: $100 because he was only so-so, not following up or showing any urgency on a few issues.

 

Traditional Dining Waitstaff: $125 each to the two team members that provided OUTSTANDING and ATTENTIVE SERVICE for 13 meals to our group of five.

 

Maitre 'd in the MDR for Bkfst/Lunch: $75 for arranging and honoring a special request that was honored for the whole cruise.

 

Bkft/Lunch MDR Waitstaff: $100 each to the two that served my meals every time I ate there.

 

Specialty Dining Waitstaff: $10 for the so-so service meal and $20 for the meal where the service was good.

 

Server/Bartender: $1 per drink/$2 for a double/$5 for a bucket of beer. $5 chip to server who brings me a comp'd drink at a table in the casino.

 

Shore excursions: $5 to $20 depending upon the excursion, meaning higher for a guide that is informative and takes questions.

 

RoomService for early morning coffee: $5 for prompt delivery

 

Croupiers: $5 to $25 (depending upon wager) for every blackjack dealt, a big double down or split win, and on occasions where I haven't had any of those but amble time has passed since I last tipped. These are tips in chips.

 

I bring large bills, knowing the purser's desk can make change. Though there have been a few times I've had to be insistent and ask them to go get more singles or fives, reminding them that they are the intended source of guest requests for change, not the casino, and the the PRIMARY REASON guests do ask for one's and five's is to have money for cash tips for the crew members.

 

Also.... while someone commented on here that they'd love to be on the receiving end of another pax that brings $1,000 for tips... my response is "probably NOT!" The crew work HARD: seven days a week for a typical contract that lasts on average 8 to 10 months, living in cramped quarters, and many times far away from their family... yet they provide friendly efficient service with a smile and positive attitude.

 

My experience is they are APPRECIATIVE of the additional gratuities, and it shows.

 

And remember CASH tips are better than adding to the check for beverages.

[rbt001]

Note to self, do not cruise on Princess, I will look like a cheap skate.

 

I have always brought additional tip money for the above and beyond. But by no means the sums mentioned here.

 

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There is absolutely NO REQUIREMENT to provide an additional gratuity, and I don't think a Princess employee would scoff if you didn't leave extra cash. A standard gratuity is typically added for most things where a tip is customary. The Princess crew is happy and thankful that you patronized them with your order that included an auto-gratuity. (They have incentives tied to beverage sales.)

 

And you do mention that you recognize the "above and beyond," which is commendable.

 

Just because some of us tip "above the norm" doesn't mean everyone is obligated to do so.

 

But I will just say this with all sincerity and confidence. A few days into a cruise if I was walking into a cocktail reception at the same time four other guests were, the cocktail server would approach me first.

 

$5.00 tip for a bucket of beer when they simply poured ice over 5 beers in a plastic bucket? Why? An hour later, the bartender walked from the one pool bar, forward through the Lotus Spa where she knew I said I was going to be sitting by the spa pool, with a bucket of ice to refresh the beers and see if I needed anything else. I had not asked for that nor even suggested with a hint.

[metairiegal]

Note to self, do not cruise on Princess, I will look like a cheap skate.

 

I have always brought additional tip money for the above and beyond. But by no means the sums mentioned here.

 

 

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You beat me to it! I was just going to post that I must be cheap or something! :D

[kathyt939]

Me too!

 

 

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[Flamencacha]

There is absolutely NO REQUIREMENT to provide an additional gratuity, and I don't think a Princess employee would scoff if you didn't leave extra cash. A standard gratuity is typically added for most things where a tip is customary. The Princess crew is happy and thankful that you patronized them with your order that included an auto-gratuity. (They have incentives tied to beverage sales.)

 

 

 

And you do mention that you recognize the "above and beyond," which is commendable.

 

 

 

Just because some of us tip "above the norm" doesn't mean everyone is obligated to do so.

 

 

 

But I will just say this with all sincerity and confidence. A few days into a cruise if I was walking into a cocktail reception at the same time four other guests were, the cocktail server would approach me first.

 

 

 

$5.00 tip for a bucket of beer when they simply poured ice over 5 beers in a plastic bucket? Why? An hour later, the bartender walked from the one pool bar, forward through the Lotus Spa where she knew I said I was going to be sitting by the spa pool, with a bucket of ice to refresh the beers and see if I needed anything else. I had not asked for that nor even suggested with a hint.

 

 

 

Please don't be offended, I do tip according to service. Just not in some of the amounts you mention. $5.00 for a bucket of beer is very reasonable IMHO. But 100 for a steward that was at best mediocre don't think so. It is your choice.

 

 

My original post was just a different way of saying WOW, people tip that much!

 

If you can afford it by all means continue being generous for the rest of us. They do work hard for the money.

 

 

 

 

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[pris993]

We typically tip the head waiter and matre'd $50 to $75 each, because we are demanding passengers and order off menu in the MDR. We usually give our waiter/assistant $30 to 40 extra. If we go to the Crown Grill we tip $15%. We tip generally $40 - $60 to our cabin steward because we like clean towels every day, like to have pillow cases changed regularly, need ice daily, extra clean keenx... we tip for room service $3-5 per order. We also tip a few dollars, on the spot, if we ask for something in the buffet that is not out and someone gets it for us.

[rjohn40787]

Thanks for all the responses.

 

 

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[rbt001]

Please don't be offended, I do tip according to service. Just not in some of the amounts you mention. $5.00 for a bucket of beer is very reasonable IMHO. But 100 for a steward that was at best mediocre don't think so. It is your choice.

 

 

They do work hard for the money.

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Well, I've read on here that during this year or the past 12 months Princess has increased the compliment of rooms assigned per steward. I just think that's ludicrous on the part of Princess to think that somehow these same crew members who work 7 days a week and long hours are somehow going to just do more. This policy change is reflected in performance as they are stretched too thin.

 

That he didn't find time to search back of the house for another mini shelf out of a broken/storage refrig to replace the missing one in mine.... well... he did seem overwhelmed.

 

That wasn't as bothersome as not having my laundry bags and tickets replaced, calling him, then waiting 30 minutes for him to bring them after he acknowledged he'd be right there.

 

So, I still do feel there should be a relationship between service level and gratuity. I'm just not willing to "stiff" someone; it would have to be really bad to the point of complaining before I decide to completely withhold a gratuity.

[Flamencacha]

Well, I've read on here that during this year or the past 12 months Princess has increased the compliment of rooms assigned per steward. I just think that's ludicrous on the part of Princess to think that somehow these same crew members who work 7 days a week and long hours are somehow going to just do more. This policy change is reflected in performance as they are stretched too thin.

 

 

 

That he didn't find time to search back of the house for another mini shelf out of a broken/storage refrig to replace the missing one in mine.... well... he did seem overwhelmed.

 

 

 

That wasn't as bothersome as not having my laundry bags and tickets replaced, calling him, then waiting 30 minutes for him to bring them after he acknowledged he'd be right there.

 

 

 

So, I still do feel there should be a relationship between service level and gratuity. I'm just not willing to "stiff" someone; it would have to be really bad to the point of complaining before I decide to completely withhold a gratuity.

 

 

 

See there are always two sides to the story. But I believe you are in a minority, and For shame on the cruise line. Maybe complaining is the way to go. Not about your steward but the lack of stewards.

 

I remember the big idea of Corporate downsizing, it didn't work then and it doesn't work now.

 

 

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[cruzsnooze]

My wife and I will be on our first cruise aboard the Coral in April on a 15-day Panama Canal cruise in a full suite. We will be doing shore excursions (booked through Princess) at all of the ports.

 

I know that there are strong opinions about tipping over and above the automatic gratuity. It's not my intent to revisit those issues or get folks riled up with this thread.

 

Instead, I'm interested in experienced cruisers' opinions about how much cash you would bring with you for tips (both on board ship and in ports) if you were going on this cruise. How much, and do you bring a few $20s, $10s, and mostly $5s and $1s?

 

Since I don't need anything no board with the auto tips I bring very little exta. $1 per bag for porters. If a private tour $5 if a ship tour no tip. Cabs get a few dollars. So I always have a few singles on hand.

[SwissDave]

Can someone please explain why a room steward should be given an additional $100 over the standard rate just for being 'so-so'? In my book that would mean he was just average and not deserving of anything additional at all.

 

 

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[neverbeenhere]

Can someone please explain why a room steward should be given an additional $100 over the standard rate just for being 'so-so'? In my book that would mean he was just average and not deserving of anything additional at all.

 

Some people have more money than others.