What Currency to Use Onboard

[leftyofnorth]

We are booked on a 19 night Med cruise Sept 2023 and would like opinions on what currency to use for tipping on board. The ship will be using US$ and the countries we are visiting will be in Euros.  Should we tip in US$ so crew can purchase items on board or send money home or Euros to purchase items ashore.

[LGW59]

8 minutes ago, leftyofnorth said:

We are booked on a 19 night Med cruise Sept 2023 and would like opinions on what currency to use for tipping on board. The ship will be using US$ and the countries we are visiting will be in Euros.  Should we tip in US$ so crew can purchase items on board or send money home or Euros to purchase items ashore.

US $ on board I suppose unless it is an all European cruise, but even the US $ will be welcomed by the crew no matter where you are. In port I always have some of the local currency for tips or times I cannot us my CC.

[LMaxwell]

Onboard, crew can deposit to their accounts any type of currency.  

[Mark_T]

Tip in whichever currency you find easiest, it will all be appreciated.

 

For simplicity, we usually use USD, but it really doesn't matter much, just try to use undamaged clean bills if you can, again not essential, just a courtesy.

[Honolulu Blue]

1 hour ago, leftyofnorth said:

We are booked on a 19 night Med cruise Sept 2023 and would like opinions on what currency to use for tipping on board. The ship will be using US$ and the countries we are visiting will be in Euros.  Should we tip in US$ so crew can purchase items on board or send money home or Euros to purchase items ashore.

Thank you for asking a more interesting and less divisive tipping topic!  My opinion is that it doesn't make much difference either way.  US$ are a bit more universally useful, but Euros will be more immediately useful - depending on how long the ship stays in Europe.  Sadly, and I'm sure you know this well, C$ is inferior to either for tipping purposes on this particular voyage.

[Jim_Iain]

I generally tip in U.S. dollars for the simple reason that most of the crew have not been permitted off the ship and don't have the opportunity to use Euros.   If the ship gives the crew the same exchange as customers they are probably loosing money in the currency transfer.

 

During Covid we've also asked some of the crew  we are in daily contact with if they need anything ashore.   We've got some pretty unusual request e.g. tins of canned sardines, but was happy we could give back.

 

Having said that,   the crew appreciates any gratuity in any currency.

[TeeRick]

Both USD or Euro's are fine.  And Pounds if sailing out of the UK.  

It has been my experience on cruises originating in Europe that there are different ATM's on board for USD and Euro's.  

[the penguins]

4 hours ago, leftyofnorth said:

We are booked on a 19 night Med cruise Sept 2023 and would like opinions on what currency to use for tipping on board. The ship will be using US$ and the countries we are visiting will be in Euros.  Should we tip in US$ so crew can purchase items on board or send money home or Euros to purchase items ashore.

Any currency. Far cheaper to tip in any unspent Euros than change them back. Top up with 💲if neccrsary 

[D. B.]

If you need to break large (US$) bills while onboard they can usually do it at Guest Relations or on  Sea Days use the cashier in the Casino.

 I always Tip my Cabin Steward the First Day and tell them that to Me they are more Important than the Captain! I Mean That because the captain keeps me Safe But They keep me Comfortable.

 It goes a long way to have them feeling appreciated.

[mom says]

12 hours ago, leftyofnorth said:

We are booked on a 19 night Med cruise Sept 2023 and would like opinions on what currency to use for tipping on board. The ship will be using US$ and the countries we are visiting will be in Euros.  Should we tip in US$ so crew can purchase items on board or send money home or Euros to purchase items ashore.

Use whichever you've got.  As a Canadian, I wouldn't be getting USD before a trip to Europe. I'd be getting Euros, so that's what I would tip with. And I doubt the crew is mailing envelopes full of cash home. They'll be using a bank at some point.

[Wineaux007]

The currency on board the ship is U.S. Dollars.  No matter what port or country, I would use the U.S. Dollar for tips/gratuity.