Tipping in local currency

[ScottC4746]

What is your thoughts on this.  In 2005 we took a RCCL cruise to the Mexican Riviera and ended up with more Pesos than was worth trying to convert to US Dollars.  Our waiter in the dining room went way above and beyond, but we were set up with prepaid grats and wanted to give him some extra.  Speaking with him during the cruise, he said he always had some time in one of the Mexican port to go to Wal Mart to stock up on supplies.  We figured that was it, we will tip extra cash.  We asked if he wanted us to go to GS and exchange our Pesos for Dollars and he graciously accepted the idea of Pesos.  

 

Anyone else similar or want to chime in on this?

[puppycanducruise]

We've done something similar in Europe - we often add cash tips in Euros.  The crew can easily spend them on shore or trade them at the crew "bank" to send money back home if they chose.

[emmas gran]

Crew aren’t allowed ashore much if at all due to Covid so dollars probably preferred 

Edited July 11, 2022 by emmas gran

[gold1953]

I ask my room attendant if they are going ashore and then give local cash on that day

[terrydtx]

52 minutes ago, puppycanducruise said:

We've done something similar in Europe - we often add cash tips in Euros.  The crew can easily spend them on shore or trade them at the crew "bank" to send money back home if they chose.

Same thing we do in Europe. The ships are usually in Europe for a couple of months or more and Euros can be spent on shore by the crew.  We always take Euros for local spending and tips on Europe cruises.

 

[Bigdrinks]

Never had $, € or £ given back to me! 😉

[the penguins]

3 hours ago, ScottC4746 said:

What is your thoughts on this.  In 2005 we took a RCCL cruise to the Mexican Riviera and ended up with more Pesos than was worth trying to convert to US Dollars.  Our waiter in the dining room went way above and beyond, but we were set up with prepaid grats and wanted to give him some extra.  Speaking with him during the cruise, he said he always had some time in one of the Mexican port to go to Wal Mart to stock up on supplies.  We figured that was it, we will tip extra cash.  We asked if he wanted us to go to GS and exchange our Pesos for Dollars and he graciously accepted the idea of Pesos.  

 

Anyone else similar or want to chime in on this?

Just use whatever currency you have. 

[DCPIV]

I'd feel very comfortable tipping in "local" currency as long as the ship was going to be in that locality for at least a little while longer.  For example, I wouldn't feel right about tipping in Mexican pesos if I were on a sailing right before the ship was going to reposition away from Mexico.  In that case, I'd likely give USD since they are the coin of the realm throughout the fleet.

 

In any case, I think you did the right thing by asking.  That was very considerate of you.

[Surfguyxxx]

I usually give $USD.....hmmmmmm????

[DirtyDawg]

3 hours ago, the penguins said:

Just use whatever currency you have. 

I have tonnes of Canadian Loonies and Toonies around the house. Yippie, I'll tip with them. No need to go to the bank and they are very pretty!

 

I also have some Cuban currency. Hmmm?

 

Edited July 11, 2022 by DirtyDawg

[TeeRick]

Tipping in world currencies like dollars and euros is a safe bet for rewarding crew members.  They will always be much appreciated.  They can be used on board and exchanged on board. Other local currencies not so much- maybe with the exception of pound sterling.

[terrydtx]

25 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Tipping in world currencies like dollars and euros is a safe bet for rewarding crew members.  They will always be much appreciated.  They can be used on board and exchanged on board. Other local currencies not so much- maybe with the exception of pound sterling.

Today for the first time in 20 years the Euro to US Dollar exchange rate is 1 to 1. Not sure if there is any advantage to tip in Euros in Europe, but they will buy more dollars now.

[emmas gran]

Some currencies have coins or notes that are discontinued as there is a new print, if the OP has currency from 2005 this may be the case

[TeeRick]

21 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Today for the first time in 20 years the Euro to US Dollar exchange rate is 1 to 1. Not sure if there is any advantage to tip in Euros in Europe, but they will buy more dollars now.

Well good for those of us traveling to Europe soon.  The UK Pound is also at a good price right now.

[terrydtx]

17 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Well good for those of us traveling to Europe soon.  The UK Pound is also at a good price right now.

Briefly this morning the dollar was worth more than the Euro. $1= 1.007 Euro. We will be in Italy and Greece next month and our trip is a whole lot cheaper now.

Edited July 13, 2022 by terrydtx

[LGW59]

26 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Well good for those of us traveling to Europe soon.  The UK Pound is also at a good price right now.

Hope it stays like this when we are in Ireland in Sept/Oct.

[RichYak]

22 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Today for the first time in 20 years the Euro to US Dollar exchange rate is 1 to 1. Not sure if there is any advantage to tip in Euros in Europe, but they will buy more dollars now.

They will buy fewer dollars now. Euros have become less valuable.

[the penguins]

25 minutes ago, RichYak said:

They will buy fewer dollars now. Euros have become less valuable.

To all our US and Canadian friends - enjoy. To our friends in the UK we feel your pain.

[TeeRick]

1 minute ago, the penguins said:

To all our US and Canadian friends - enjoy. To our friends in the UK we feel your pain.

The strong US dollar devalues pretty much all other currencies, including the Canadian dollar.  Not a good situation unless you are an American traveling.  Otherwise there are a lot of negatives to this situation.

[terrydtx]

2 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

The strong US dollar devalues pretty much all other currencies, including the Canadian dollar.  Not a good situation unless you are an American traveling.  Otherwise there are a lot of negatives to this situation.

Biggest negative is any exports to the EU by the US, just got more expensive for EU citizens. 

[TeeRick]

7 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

Biggest negative is any exports to the EU by the US, just got more expensive for EU citizens. 

Multi-national but US-based companies really hate a strong dollar.