How much actual cash would you suggest bringing?

[complawyer]

rocketman, last july, i gave our breakfast waiter $5.00, and he thought he dies and went to heaven. whenever he saw me on the ship, he smiled, chatted for a few minutes, and since this was in the mdr of the bliss, whenever i went back there for a meal, i asked for him.

 

tipping extra, really does help

[RocketMan275]

51 minutes ago, complawyer said:

rocketman, last july, i gave our breakfast waiter $5.00, and he thought he dies and went to heaven. whenever he saw me on the ship, he smiled, chatted for a few minutes, and since this was in the mdr of the bliss, whenever i went back there for a meal, i asked for him.

 

tipping extra, really does help

It certainly does.   On our first trip to dinner in the Haven, I slipped the hostess $10.  On our later trips, we would wave to her and take our seats in the bar area and order a cocktail.  She would come get us when she had a good table available.  We were always close to the windows.  I gave her another $10 later in the cruise.  Yes, tipping extra really does help.  

After dinner, I would stop by the bar for some bourbon to take back to the cabin.  He would pour between four and six shots into a glass.  He always got a $5.

Another thing, we never encountered any issues on taking the half bottle of wine back to our room.

Edited April 14, 2023 by RocketMan275

[complawyer]

as the saying goes, "god bless the vegas handshake"

[smillerholmes]

14 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

It certainly does.   On our first trip to dinner in the Haven, I slipped the hostess $10.  On our later trips, we would wave to her and take our seats in the bar area and order a cocktail.  She would come get us when she had a good table available.  We were always close to the windows.  I gave her another $10 later in the cruise.  Yes, tipping extra really does help.  

After dinner, I would stop by the bar for some bourbon to take back to the cabin.  He would pour between four and six shots into a glass.  He always got a $5.

Another thing, we never encountered any issues on taking the half bottle of wine back to our room.

I tipped the Casino drink attendant $20 day 1 on my 9 day cruise and he would come find me if I wasn't playing my usual machine - I never went thirsty and neither did my travel companion and she didn't even have the drink package!

 

Yeah, tipping helps.  It didn't occur to me to go to the "source".  I will see what happens next week.  Bourbon is my favorite - thanks for the tip 

 

 

[coldferret]

On 4/14/2023 at 3:35 PM, RocketMan275 said:

The most surprised crewman I've ever seen was the young man who brought our cokes in the buffet when I gave him a dollar and thanked him.

yes, love it when server bringing coffee around looks surprised.  Sometimes I leave a bit under the plates in the buffet and linger in the area to see the reaction. Chuckle when their head swivels trying to figure out who was at the table.

[complawyer]

coldferret, it's 100% better if they know who the tip came from. this way they get to know you, and might table a few extra steps in your favor. just give the money directly to them

[Beer Belly]

When we step off the ship at a port, usually $100 in mixed bills 1/5/10. We also allow $150 per day on hand, so around $1,000 for a 7day sailing.