tipping with cash?

[minn65]

Hi, I'm new to cruising on Celebrity but looking forward to going on the Eclipse in a few months. I'm most likely going to purchase the premium alcohol package (thanks to everyone for all the great information on this topic on the site!) but have a question about tipping. If I want to add a dollar or two to recognize good service, do you do that in cash? It sounds like with the package you don't get a little receipt where you can write in a tip like you do if you just order a drink without having a package. I'd rather not have to carry cash around on board. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[uktog]

Welcome aboard for your first cruise, you are doing your homework now which is very wise as you are going to then have such fun aboard.

You would need to carry cash if you wanted to tip as you go, what many cruisers do who have the package is wait until towards the end of the cruise and tip those servers who have regularly looked after them a larger amount, say $10. You will find the same bar staff around all the time (they so rarely get days off) and you will also find a favourite server in the evening will see you pool side in the day and look after you etc

Enjoy Eclipse, its a great ship

[eandj]

Take along some small envelopes ( or you can ask at front desk) and hand the cash that way at the end of the cruise. However if you bounce around a lot as far as venues, then yes, you can just had over a folded bill to a waiter that you like that day in case you don't see him/her around the ship another time.

[cb at sea]

Tipping is done on the last night, so you can visit the bartenders who have served you then....but if you want to give them cash, they will NOT refuse it. The whole point of tipping on the last night is so no cash is needed around the ship for the entire trip. And remember, the tip has already been added to the cost of the package.

[Denny01]

Great question and resonses. We carry singles just for this. One poster said they'd get $2 bills and the waitstaff loved it.

 

And before we get into the inevitable right/wrong of tipping. Yes, a gratuity is added into the price you pay for the package, but the OP is asking

about added tipping, which is very nice to do, and is above and beyond the expected.

 

Den

[FrankinPA]

Great question and resonses. We carry singles just for this. One poster said they'd get $2 bills and the waitstaff loved it.

 

And before we get into the inevitable right/wrong of tipping. Yes, a gratuity is added into the price you pay for the package, but the OP is asking

about added tipping, which is very nice to do, and is above and beyond the expected.

 

Den

 

I think the idea of using $2 bills is good. A friend of mine does that also and he says the servers always remember and go the extra mile for him when they next see him. Any bank or credit union can get a pack for you.

[SusieV]

I personally would not use the $2 bills as they are so uncommon that I have been told some staff have trouble using them as people think they are fake.

 

You can always ask them to print a receipt for you for $0 and add a tip that way if you don't want to carry cash or visit the staff at the end.

 

In the casino, I just tipped with casino chips- that was easy. We also got envelopes from Guest Relations to take care of the staff at Cafe al Bacio who were so kind to my son and kept me stocked with drinks all week.

 

Yes, the tip is included in the cost of the package but no one has yet been able to explain how the tips work and it makes sense to me that the more I drink, the less the staff are rewarded for each individual drink. Certainly once I get past the $49/day they are getting tipped less than they would if I ordered by the drink (or does anyone believe that Celebrity makes up the tip out of their pocket? I doubt it.)

[FrankinPA]

I personally would not use the $2 bills as they are so uncommon that I have been told some staff have trouble using them as people think they are fake.

 

Yes, the tip is included in the cost of the package but no one has yet been able to explain how the tips work and it makes sense to me that the more I drink, the less the staff are rewarded for each individual drink. Certainly once I get past the $49/day they are getting tipped less than they would if I ordered by the drink (or does anyone believe that Celebrity makes up the tip out of their pocket? I doubt it.)

 

I doubt seriously anyone on an American owned and operated cruise ship would not know about $2 bills or $1 coins or whatever other legal tenders there are. These employees are not ignorant as they have seen it all. Now most people would not know about $500 bills and $1000 bills which are legal tender but very rarely seen by anyone. Many collectors have them and you see them on eBay occasionally.

 

As for tips if you drink way more than the package costs, go for it. Give them what you think is right. I never buy the packages as it would tempt me to drink too much and I do tip them a few dollars extra even tough it is not expected.

[SusieV]

I doubt seriously anyone on an American owned and operated cruise ship would not know about $2 bills or $1 coins or whatever other legal tenders there are. These employees are not ignorant as they have seen it all. Now most people would not know about $500 bills and $1000 bills which are legal tender but very rarely seen by anyone. Many collectors have them and you see them on eBay occasionally.

 

As for tips if you drink way more than the package costs, go for it. Give them what you think is right. I never buy the packages as it would tempt me to drink too much and I do tip them a few dollars extra even tough it is not expected.

 

I guess you'd be surprised at how many people have posted here that staff have thought these $2 bills were novelty items, then.

[FrankinPA]

I guess you'd be surprised at how many people have posted here that staff have thought these $2 bills were novelty items, then.

Now I would think that many cruisers from outside the USA would think they are novelty items. The staff on board is another matter and that would surprise me if they are not aware of them. But I will take a few with me and see what they think. I doubt you see many of them in Canada or any other USA currencies for that matter except when you are traveling.

 

But our give and take on $2 bills is not the point of this thread so I will yield to your knowledge and agree to move on to other more important issues.

 

All the best,

Larry

[drychi]

Since Celebrity has gone to pre-paid gratuities, you are also allowed to go to the guest services desk and ask to increase the amounts over the already contracted gratuity. The form they handed me was simple to fill out and it was billed to my ship board account. Don't need any cash for this.

[Guest maddycat]

Now I would think that many cruisers from outside the USA would think they are novelty items. The staff on board is another matter and that would surprise me if they are not aware of them. But I will take a few with me and see what they think. I doubt you see many of them in Canada or any other USA currencies for that matter except when you are traveling.

 

But our give and take on $2 bills is not the point of this thread so I will yield to your knowledge and agree to move on to other more important issues.

 

All the best,

Larry

 

I don't live in Canada. I live in New Jersey, 5 miles from New York City. I have never seen either a $2 bill or a $1 coin. I'd probably have trouble using them locally.

[Lois R]

Guess I am old school....I always go to the bank before a cruise

and I always bring cash with me. Small bills come in handy...singles

and 5's...and as for carrying it around on the ship? It goes in the

safe. I bring other denominations as well but the small bills? I have

never had a bartender turn down an extra tip;).

[minn65]

Thanks to all for the advice. It's great to hear from those who have actually "been there, done that". :)

[miched]

.

 

 

If I was a worker I would love a $2 bill as a tip for a drink instead of a $1 bill, in fact a $5 bill would be a lot better. :D

 

 

 

 

.

[librarylady19]

We have always added a tip onto each drinks bill. Does that go to the server, or into some kind of tips pool? If it's more likely to go straight to he server, I will tip cash next time. Already saving my dollar bills for this purpose.

[koala jan]

Being from Uk, is it normal to tip with sterling or euros on sailings out of Southampton? Both these currencies could be used on trips ashore so it would seem fine to me.

Thanks.

[uktog]

Hi

I would not tip in £ as the crew very rarely get ashore on embarkation/disembarkation day apart from at the end of a cruise in which case they would only be able to spend £ at the airport

Certainly if the cruises after your cruise are going to European ports, Euros are very acceptable, in fact some staff seemed to prefer that as it gave them "spends" next time they were ashore

[Cindy G]

I doubt seriously anyone on an American owned and operated cruise ship would not know about $2 bills or $1 coins or whatever other legal tenders there are. These employees are not ignorant as they have seen it all. Now most people would not know about $500 bills and $1000 bills which are legal tender but very rarely seen by anyone. Many collectors have them and you see them on eBay occasionally.

 

 

 

FrankinPA,

I totally agree with you, we routinely tip the servers in the Elite lounge each night with $2.00 bills and they LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!! We like to tip the stir-fry staff, the ice cream attendent and the people in Cova with the delicious almond croissants with the $2.00 bills as well, and you wouldn't believe the conversations which have developed because of the bills. Often the staff say they will never spend them as they are considered to bring good luck. Others have told us they will send them home to their children. We have never, ever encountered anyone who thought they were fake and I am surprised to learn there are such posts on CC.

Now, if tipping with the $500.00 or $1,000.00, that would be a different matter altogether!

Guess what I will search next?

Bring on the $2.00 bills!!!

Cheers! Cindy G.

[helpthejuggler]

 

 

FrankinPA,

 

I totally agree with you, we routinely tip the servers in the Elite lounge each night with $2.00 bills and they LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!! We like to tip the stir-fry staff, the ice cream attendent and the people in Cova with the delicious almond croissants with the $2.00 bills as well, and you wouldn't believe the conversations which have developed because of the bills. Often the staff say they will never spend them as they are considered to bring good luck. Others have told us they will send them home to their children. We have never, ever encountered anyone who thought they were fake and I am surprised to learn there are such posts on CC.

 

Now, if tipping with the $500.00 or $1,000.00, that would be a different matter altogether!

 

Guess what I will search next?

 

Bring on the $2.00 bills!!!

 

Cheers! Cindy G.

 

I'd be happier with $1000 than $2.

:D

[uktog]

Also bear in mind from the UK it is not possible to get $2 bills so do not worry that you cannot get them it is not a big issue it is a possibly nice to have, no more than that

[bdpnatl]

We always bring extra cash to tip for good service when it is provided versus waiting for the end of the cruise.

[4774Papa]

Great question and resonses. We carry singles just for this. One poster said they'd get $2 bills and the waitstaff loved it.

 

And before we get into the inevitable right/wrong of tipping. Yes, a gratuity is added into the price you pay for the package, but the OP is asking

about added tipping, which is very nice to do, and is above and beyond the expected.

 

Den

I may be the $2 bill poster. I gave $2 bills when I tipped extra, usually when I bought a round for the table or a bucket of beer. The bills were well received by the staff and not subject to doubt. I received excellent service and the wait staff knew my name.

[FrankinPA]

I'd be happier with $1000 than $2.

:D

 

ME TOO. I have only seen one in my life but it is neat. Trivia question is "who is pictured on the $1000 bill?"

 

Here is a link to view one: http://reasonsiloveamerica.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/1000-bill.jpg

 

And if you hit the lottery, here is a $100,000.00 bill. It is on display at the Smithsonian Museum.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US100000dollarsbillobverse.jpg

 

Larry

[FrankinPA]

I may be the $2 bill poster. I gave $2 bills when I tipped extra, usually when I bought a round for the table or a bucket of beer. The bills were well received by the staff and not subject to doubt. I received excellent service and the wait staff knew my name.

 

A question: Don't you think the crew would deposit most of their tip money with the ships paymaster for safe keeping? If I were working 18 hours a day on a ship, I certainly would not leave a lot of cash laying around in the crew quarters. If they do deposit it, all official currencies should be accepted and converted into the official currency of the ship. But I am just guessing. Does anyone know?