Tipping on mediterranean cruise

[jwatford]

I am on a Mediterranean cruise next week and wonder if I tip in US Dollars or Euros? I want to make sure I give the crew the correct currency.

 

 

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[Linda the Book Lover]

On another thread someone said either.

[zqvol]

The crew has no problem converting USD to the local currency. Since the official currency on NCL is the USD it is always appropriate to tip in that currency. Euros are OK too, but avoid other local currencies.

[jwatford]

Thanks!

 

 

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[Nelsj099]

Look forward to seeing all of you onboard... Epic April 30th

[ExpatBride]

On the Epic, the didn't care either way (I've asked) so I tipped in the onboard currency (USD), which is what the crews on the fjords and Baltics preferred.

[Linda the Book Lover]

Look forward to seeing all of you onboard... Epic April 30th

 

I am hoping to read reviews :D

[Nelsj099]

I don't personally have any USD as I don't live in the US so I plan to use Euro... I guess I have 7 USD but i am saving that for the summer when I go home.

[Cully1953]

On our last Epic Mediterranean cruise we tipped our room steward with a mixture of Dollars, Euro and British Pounds, he seemed perfectly happy with that.

[KeithJenner]

I asked this week. They don't mind. A slight preference for Euros for the reason that a Euro is worth slightly more than a dollar.

 

It means using coins rather than notes, but I always collect a pocket full of coins whilst I'm out and about, so it's a good way of getting rid of those one Euro coins.

[cruisinsc1]

What about tipping the baggage handlers in Civitavecchia on embarkation day. Are dollars OK? Is it even expected like here in the states?

[hawkeyetlse]

They don't expect it, as far as I know, but if you want to tip them, give them euros. At least as long as there is such a thing as euros, and as long as they are still used as currency in Italy… :cool:

 

If you only have dollars, they are still recognized as something of value, so I guess it's better than nothing. But nothing is OK, too.

[Gopherpharm]

Our ship was headed on a transatlantic to Miami after our med cruise so we tipped in US dollars.

 

 

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[Quilting_Cruiser]

As others have said, either is fine. I've done both. As far as porters, I haven't been successful in tipping them! They've taken my bags and before I could hand them a tip, they're gone. After haveing that happen on a couple European cruises, I no longer try. :)

[nellydean]

As others have said, either is fine. I've done both. As far as porters, I haven't been successful in tipping them! They've taken my bags and before I could hand them a tip, they're gone. After haveing that happen on a couple European cruises, I no longer try. :)

 

That's because, unlike in the US, they don't expect it. I am just off the Epic and witnessed no tipping at all in any of the bars. Maybe it was because the ship was full, and staff just moved on quickly from one person to the next, but both passengers and staff seemed perfectly happy and at ease with the set up. I liked that about the ship.

[irvington]

I asked this week. They don't mind. A slight preference for Euros for the reason that a Euro is worth slightly more than a dollar.

 

It means using coins rather than notes, but I always collect a pocket full of coins whilst I'm out and about, so it's a good way of getting rid of those one Euro coins.

 

 

Thanks. This is really helpful.

[Blondie008]

We have always tipped in Europe

We give the baggage porters 5 euro (have it ready in hand). We tip the driver who takes us from airport to port.

And we tip crew in $$s - No matter which cruiseline we are on.

It is no different from anywhere else in the world - And yes - we have been on Epic in Europe and tips for sure were being handed over.

Tipping IS acceptable here in the UK too - Our staff (who earn more than minimum!) love and appreciate their hard earned tips - we don't take any of them.

I would need to receive awful poor service not to side tip on top of grats.

Share the love and all that ;)

[Quilting_Cruiser]

That's because, unlike in the US, they don't expect it. I am just off the Epic and witnessed no tipping at all in any of the bars. Maybe it was because the ship was full, and staff just moved on quickly from one person to the next, but both passengers and staff seemed perfectly happy and at ease with the set up. I liked that about the ship.

 

 

Yes, that was my point, which I wasn't clear about! LOL. They don't expect it so they just grab your bags and turn. Even as I'm putting my hand out with the tip in it. Unlike in the U.S. where they pause and look at you when they come for your bag. :D