POLL: Do you tip with cash or on your seapass?

[3redheads]

I'm really thinking of putting the tips on my seapass, but haven't done it before. Sure would beat carrying around a bunch of cash.

 

Which do you prefer?

 

Kim

[awm]

I think that tips on a Seapass are 'pooled'. Guess who keeps the cash?

As they say, "Cash is King"!

[Merion_Mom]

I don't know how RC deals with tips charged on the SeaPass, but I ask myself this: If *I* were working on the ship, would I rather have CASH now, or wait until RCI feels like giving me what it SAYS was left for me?

 

I'm with awm. CASH IS KING.

 

Carol

[familycruzer]

I bring along travelers checks and then cash them in at the end of the cruise so I can tip with cash in evelopes. I like to thank the crew personally on the last night and tip them for a job well done.

[cpa2be]

We put them on our seapass card. This way we get double points with MBNA.

When you do this, you receive vouchers to put in the gratuity envelopes. I believe the full tip amount is going to the correct person, without someone scraping a little something for themselves. Am I wrong (read naive) about this?

[Pumbaamd]

We do as CPA to earn points. If anyone shows excellent service, they will get cash as well. We always tip the bartenders a little with most drinks served.

[jwlane]

Put it on the card. Plus some extra in cashola.

 

I think that tips on a Seapass are 'pooled'.

Not true

 

 

RCI feels like giving me what it SAYS was left for me?

RCI gives 'coupons' that are placed in the envelopes to indicate the tips were prepaid on SeaPass, so the employee will know the suggested amounts were given. It does take a couple of weeks for them to actually get it in their check.

[TPKeller]

I wrote a whole web page calculator for figuring out how to divide out the cash per each envelope... which way do you think I voted!? ;)

 

Theron

[knothead]

I start saving my one's & five's and put them in envelopes marked: Waiter, Asst. Waiter, Head Waiter & Cabin Steward. I make this like a game. I give me something to do while I'm waiting for the days to go by! (beside shopping!)

[lmmn]

This time I paid by Sea Pass. With four of us, it was just nice not to have to carry that much cash. I would think the staff would be happy that they are getting tipped. I'm not sure how it came up at our table, but one couple came right out and said they did not believe in tipping. Very sad for the hard working staff!

[cruisingnewyorkers]

I use my seapass to get money at the casino. The withdrawal is on your seapass account, so it isn't a cash advance. I get to charge my tips and I can pay the staff in cash. I didn't vote, as this wasn't one of the choices.

 

I found out about this from reading these boards and I have been doing that ever since. I think it's a great way to pay for the tips.

 

Donna

[huskerdude]

We almost always tip whoever is surving plus what goes on the card. Just as long as the service is good I don't have a problem.

[curiousjly]

As this is my first cruise, I wasn't sure what to do, but after reading a lot of posts, I plan on finding some nice decorative cards w/envelopes and write on front waiter, assist. waiter, cabin steward(ess) and other, and while I am waiting to go on the cruise, put a dollar or so off and on in them. When we arrive, I will give it to the crew member. If I have the full amount, great, if not, I will let them know that the rest will be given later.

Then, after the cruise, add the balance and extra. Not sure how much, a lot depends on attitude.

 

I despise people who won't tip. My husband and I go with the attitude that if we can't afford to tip, we don't eat out nice, we just run thrugh Burger King.

If we are treating ourselves, then we reward the person who made it a nice time for us. We went to get me fited for contacts last week, we treated ourselves with a steak dinner, the total was $38. We left a tip of $15.

Jly

[hstrybuf]

We've done it several different ways. All cash, on our Seapass with added cash, or all on our Seapass (or other card of whichever line) when the service was less than average. We have never tipped less than the recommended amount.

[HeidiE]

I'm really thinking of putting the tips on my seapass, but haven't done it before. Sure would beat carrying around a bunch of cash.

 

Which do you prefer?

 

Kim

We use cash for tips. According to several folks that we talked with, if you put the tips on your seapass card, it takes more than two weeks for RCI to give the tips to the staff person, and it comes to them in their paycheck. Most shared that they prefer getting the tips directly.

[wickedawesomemom]

Before the cruise I decided to put the tips on my SeaPass card and if the service was good then I would add something extra at the end. As it turned out, we had exceptional service so I added an additional cash tip in each envelope.

[steve20832]

Plus put yourself in the waiter's shoes (or whoever you are tipping) That person worked hard all week and now depends on the cruise line (if you tip via seacard) to pay you and hope they do it right. I would want the money ASAP and make sure it's right. A lot of the employees that work on the cruise are from other countries and support thier familes from thier paychecks

I use cash. My credit card bill is going to be high enough at the end of the cruise. :(

[Jim M]

I'm with dmhoule on this one - I put it on my seapass by going to the casino two days before the end of the cruise and making a withdrawal on my seapass for the cash needed for the tips. That way I can give the crew their tips in cash and I get the money tacked on to my seapass account (2 for 1 RCI Visa). Everybody is happy! ;) Jim M

[maggieworkman]

I wrote a whole web page calculator for figuring out how to divide out the cash per each envelope... which way do you think I voted!? ;)

 

Theron

 

And I thank you for it! It made getting my tip envelopes ready so easy! I just pulled out my bank envelope with all the correct bills and stuck them in the proper envelope!!!!!!!!!

 

Maggie

[TPKeller]

And I thank you for it! It made getting my tip envelopes ready so easy! I just pulled out my bank envelope with all the correct bills and stuck them in the proper envelope!!!!!!!!!

 

Maggie

Thanks for posting this, it's always great to hear from folks who find it helpful! :D

 

Theron