The $2.00 bill saga.

[Cruise5life]

Pouring down raining today in Cozumel.   
but still got out to get my magnet.    Lol. 
 

todays take with 2.00 bills.     

[Cruise5life]

Had to dry out my 2.00’s for next port. 
Lababee Haiti.   Lolol. 
got a little wet today in Cozumel.  

[JoshPSU]

My last cruise, I thought I would be remembered by the crew for giving out $2 bills as tips.  So I got $100 worth from the bank.

 

Let me tell you, the crew remembered, and it wasn't for a good reason.  No one wanted the bills.  I would get asked if I had anything else.  They can't spend them.  No one thinks they are real.  I think many of the crew accepted them wondering if I as being a jerk handing out fake money.

 

When I tried to buy one of those casino chip souvenirs in the casino, the cage wouldn't even take them.  

[Cruise5life]

1 minute ago, JoshPSU said:

My last cruise, I thought I would be remembered by the crew for giving out $2 bills as tips.  So I got $100 worth from the bank.

 

Let me tell you, the crew remembered, and it wasn't for a good reason.  No one wanted the bills.  I would get asked if I had anything else.  They can't spend them.  No one thinks they are real.  I think many of the crew accepted them wondering if I as being a jerk handing out fake money.

 

When I tried to buy one of those casino chip souvenirs in the casino, the cage wouldn't even take them.  

That’s funny.   I got my 2.00 bills right from the casino cashier lol  They had stacks of them.    
i gave my room steward multiple 2.00 bills throughout my 15 days at sea.  

  

[RD64]

1 hour ago, JoshPSU said:

My last cruise, I thought I would be remembered by the crew for giving out $2 bills as tips.  So I got $100 worth from the bank.

 

Let me tell you, the crew remembered, and it wasn't for a good reason.  No one wanted the bills.  I would get asked if I had anything else.  They can't spend them.  No one thinks they are real.  I think many of the crew accepted them wondering if I as being a jerk handing out fake money.

 

When I tried to buy one of those casino chip souvenirs in the casino, the cage wouldn't even take them.  

Why do you feel the need to be remembered by the crew - just asking?

[JoshPSU]

On 1/28/2023 at 7:14 PM, RD64 said:

Why do you feel the need to be remembered by the crew - just asking?

To get served!  A couple of bucks is a nice way to recognize good service and my experience has been that a few bucks goes a long way to my glass never being empty.  

[cementhands]

Just got back from Getaway and the $2.00 bills 💸 were a hit! Devon by pool kept me on tooooooo many pain killers.
Ashley in O Sheehans said fellow crew we’re taking pictures of the $2.00 bill and wife gave her a $10.00 too for outstanding service.

So all of the haters go on hating but if you want to bring smiles to the crew bring em $2.00 onboard and everyone enjoyed!

[Joesantos]

In Boston I tried to use em at the farmers market and vendor went ballistic on me! Onboard cruise ships a $2.00 and a smile gets you remembered! Keep it a secret as those who know know! Other no clue 

[ClarkBHM]

I'm someone who loves to collect currency, rare coins, foreign coins and bills, etc. While I like the idea of handing out $2 bills or presidential dollar coins, etc., I realized that if you're outside of the US it's an oddity that causes inconvenience for the other party. Sure, they may smile as you hand them a $2, but in the back of their minds their thinking how much of a b*tch it'll be to deal with it.

If you're in port, their local bank may or may not take it, so they are stuck with trying to give it out as change to some other American tourist. If they are crew on the ship, they have to figure out the best way to deposit it so that they can send it back to their family in their home country. 

So sure, if you want to tip that way, feel free. There is nothing stopping you. But don't believe that their smile doesn't mask their hidden annoyance in now having to handle the problem that you just gave them.

[morrowz]

I find this all quite hilarious 🤦‍♀️we don’t tip at all in Australia ,so our , cruises are all pre paid gratuities ,even cruising in foreign countries.And I can assure you all the staff we have come across on our cruising life ,have treated us marvellously ,and kept our drinks full as well ..our cabin has always been looked after perfectly .we had an American from New York ,in the Baltics ,had a great relationship with him ,and I will not apologise for not ,double tipping ,as I just don’t think to do it ,it does not cross our mind until ,these conversations come up ,.

[billslowsky]

10 hours ago, ClarkBHM said:

So sure, if you want to tip that way, feel free. There is nothing stopping you. But don't believe that their smile doesn't mask their hidden annoyance in now having to handle the problem that you just gave them.

That's nothing compared to the patronizing "smiles" given to passengers who give them homemade junk instead of money.

[RD64]

On 1/31/2023 at 8:57 PM, JoshPSU said:

To get served!  A couple of bucks is a nice way to recognize good service and my experience has been that a few bucks goes a long way to my glass never being empty.  

I get the same results from plain old fashioned good manners.

[farmecologist]

Not to be the idiot here...but are we not already paying for gratuities?  I wonder how many on a cruise actually tip more than that...I'd bet very, very few.  Do those who cash tip opt out of the prepaid grats?

 

Good on you guys who do direct tip though, I guess... 👍

Edited February 4, 2023 by farmecologist

[PTC DAWG]

15 minutes ago, farmecologist said:

Not to be the idiot here...but are we not already paying for gratuities?  I wonder how many on a cruise actually tip more than that...I'd bet very, very few.  Do those who cash tip opt out of the prepaid grats?

 

Good on you guys who do direct tip though, I guess... 👍

To answer your question…No I do not ever opt out of the DSC. 

[MoCruiseFan]

1 hour ago, farmecologist said:

Not to be the idiot here...but are we not already paying for gratuities?  I wonder how many on a cruise actually tip more than that...I'd bet very, very few.  Do those who cash tip opt out of the prepaid grats?

 

Good on you guys who do direct tip though, I guess... 👍

There are no prepaid grats except on dining and drink packages which you cannot (as far as i know) opt out of.  Actually many (if not most) will leave gratuities at the bars and various dining facilities, but that is their personal choice and none of my business.

[Joesantos]

Believe it or not some people opt out of tipping and say they are going to personally give cash to staff. But rationalize that since they only eat food in buffet basically tip little to nothing. I’ve met cruiser’s on transatlantic that shared this. So if a lot of people pull this it definitely causes the paying passengers tips to increase. Seen it also with heavy drinkers who rarely go to dining rooms as they are too impaired! 

[MoCruiseFan]

3 hours ago, Joesantos said:

Believe it or not some people opt out of tipping and say they are going to personally give cash to staff. But rationalize that since they only eat food in buffet basically tip little to nothing. I’ve met cruiser’s on transatlantic that shared this. So if a lot of people pull this it definitely causes the paying passengers tips to increase. Seen it also with heavy drinkers who rarely go to dining rooms as they are too impaired! 

 

Tipping IS giving cash to the staff.  Nothing anyone else does even slightly impacts how much I tip.  Lastly you SAW it, you did not SEEN it.

 

[Rdr202]

On 1/15/2023 at 8:52 PM, LloydJr said:

Does that make somebody feel special?

I think so many times around the holidays a waitress will say thanks for the Two dollar bills she likes including them in gifts. I always go to a bank where I know I'll get new two dollar bills.

[Kauaijim]

Great thread for killing time. I like using the 2 dollar bill for random travel tipping . They were a big hit in Cuba and French Polynesian , my opinion tho , also its great to leave for the random Hampton Inn , Marriott free breakfast