How much cash do you bring?

[OldCaver]

On 2/19/2024 at 7:00 PM, DandDM said:

 

 

Also, after I get to know the bar staff, will usually wait until I’m done for the evening and tip $5 or $10 instead of dollars with each drink. 

Good strategy.

[Mum2Mercury]

On 2/19/2024 at 4:40 PM, jbrinkm said:

Two years ago, we ran into several "broken" credit card machines during different excursions and got so low on cash while on Cozumel that we weren't sure we were going to be able to pay the taxi to get back. 

I get it.  If I were working with tourists and was unlikely to ever see them again, I wouldn't make change for them either.  

An idea to avoid the situation you describe:  Before we leave home, I make up envelopes for each island stop.  On the outside I write the island /date /tour company /contact information /meeting place /anything we should bring -- like a water bottle or a towel.  I tuck inside any printed confirmation information, and I carefully count out exactly what money I anticipate needing -- always in small bills so I can decide what to give in the long run.  I paperclip money together and put a sticky note on it; for example, $20 for taxi, $50 for lunch.  And if it's pesos (or whatever), I write in X pesos = $20 so I don't have to do math in the back of a taxi.  I include cash for anticipated taxis, meals, tips.  

This means we always have our needs covered, and whatever's in our pocket is available to spend.  

[Harrisonkid]

We  take about 500 for tips (cabs, bar and restaurants) and about 250 shopping and 1000 for casino ...

[Sunshine3601]

On 2/16/2024 at 7:14 AM, Beer Belly said:

I've got a question on tipping, figure I'd drop it here. We book Balcony cabins, usually tip the steward $150 - $200 for a 7 day cruise, Boss Lady sez I over tip everywhere we go.....is she correct ?.....am I overdoing it ?......I also tip at specialty dining even though gratuities are included when purchasing the package.

Your Wife is correct.   $150 - $200 for a 7 day cruise in a OVB is over the top, IMO.    Especially if you are doing auto tip.    Now I am curious how much you tip at speciality dining.    

[Sunshine3601]

On 2/19/2024 at 8:00 PM, DandDM said:

After a couple experiences of going to GS and only being able to get five or ten ones, now bring all the change I think I’ll need. Feel like the fat cat in a Below Decks episode when I get on board with my thick envelope of tip money 😎 

 

Also, after I get to know the bar staff, will usually wait until I’m done for the evening and tip $5 or $10 instead of dollars with each drink. 

If I am at a bar that I know I will frequent I usually tip $10 or $20 upfront (but first I ask if they will be onboard the whole cruise) and then each time I go back I get great service and will tip more during the week. 

This also works well in the casino for the cocktail waiters as they will keep coming back to see if you need a refill.    

[Beer Belly]

5 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Your Wife is correct.   $150 - $200 for a 7 day cruise in a OVB is over the top, IMO.    Especially if you are doing auto tip.    Now I am curious how much you tip at speciality dining.    

We have prepaid grats. I also throw another 20% at specialty dining, this way I know they have been compensated, can't rely on prepaid grats flowing to staff IMO. 

[spunks]

some people tip their favorite bar tender nicely on the last day of the cruise.....this is completely wrong. If they know they are going to have a favorite bar, tip that bar tender at least $20.00 bucks the first drink.From that point tip every now and again. I promise, with the first tip that guy remembers you and you stand a great chance of getting a good pour from then on......just sayin....

[steveru621]

21 minutes ago, spunks said:

some people tip their favorite bar tender nicely on the last day of the cruise.....this is completely wrong. If they know they are going to have a favorite bar, tip that bar tender at least $20.00 bucks the first drink.From that point tip every now and again. I promise, with the first tip that guy remembers you and you stand a great chance of getting a good pour from then on......just sayin....

 

How do you know it's your favorite on your first drink?

 

$1 per drink.  Bartenders' tips go into a tip jar anyway.  

[Sunshine3601]

54 minutes ago, spunks said:

some people tip their favorite bar tender nicely on the last day of the cruise.....this is completely wrong. If they know they are going to have a favorite bar, tip that bar tender at least $20.00 bucks the first drink.From that point tip every now and again. I promise, with the first tip that guy remembers you and you stand a great chance of getting a good pour from then on......just sayin....

Yup, same thing I do, post #55.  

[firefly333]

Idk I'd answer this and post in public how much cash I bring. It's one thing to ask how much to tip though I dont know why people want to ask. I tip what I want and never occured to me to ask someone else how much. 

 

Odd post to me. Why ask? Lol none of peoples business. 

[Another_Critic]

35 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Idk I'd answer this and post in public how much cash I bring.

It's best to bring $1000 and post your ship, sail date, and cabin number.  Also post your daily schedule.  😉

 

P.S.  Remember to write down your safe combination and leave it on the desk.

[Beer Belly]

10 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Idk I'd answer this and post in public how much cash I bring. It's one thing to ask how much to tip though I dont know why people want to ask. I tip what I want and never occured to me to ask someone else how much. 

 

Odd post to me. Why ask? Lol none of peoples business. 

Some, like myself, would like to know if they are tipping correctly, and some starting off in cruising don't want to run out of cash funds during a sailing by overtipping. 

[fletch1027]

We usually bring around $200 in cash for things like:

• several 5's for tipping outside people like uber drivers, porters at the port, etc. 
• several 20's for tipping MDR waiters & room steward - also use cash for most small purchases in port
• several 1's for tipping waiters that bring us drinks - I typically don't tip bartenders if I walk up to the bar myself 

[fletch1027]

On 2/16/2024 at 1:39 PM, Mum2Mercury said:

We all need to remember that Royal did that.  I'm not advocating hurting the individual cabin stewards, but we all need to let Royal know we don't like those two moves coupled together.  

 

 

Does this mean in theory that the cabin stewards are making around double per steward than they were pre-covid? Meaning if they are now covering double the amount of cabins but only servicing once per day, are they making more based on the increased number of cabins?

[BND]

17 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Idk I'd answer this and post in public how much cash I bring. It's one thing to ask how much to tip though I dont know why people want to ask. I tip what I want and never occured to me to ask someone else how much. 

 

Odd post to me. Why ask? Lol none of peoples business. 

Only one person who posts on CC knows who I am and she is no threat lol.  Most on here are the same.  We're not talking asking someone in person.   People ask questions to understand how things should/could be done.  

[time4u2go]

Looking back over all of the posts on this thread, it looks as though the definitive answer is somewhere between $0 and $2000. 😁

[geckoaz]

My personal rule is 100 a day. I do have some of it  in smaller bills for airport and precruise hotel. But on the ship i bill break 100 as needed..my wife has her separate slot machine stash. Fortunatly we bring some home for the next cruise.

 

i tip the cabin cleaners and their hlpers at the end of the cruise. I usually est in mdr and tip waiters snd servers. If i find a bar tender who remebers i drink diet coke or diet and rum, i tip nicely. 

 

The dog kennel is 50 a day. I wonder if i can bring my emotional support beagle with me? 

 I am sure rover on the icon would like a play date.

[cruiseguy1016]

5 hours ago, fletch1027 said:

Does this mean in theory that the cabin stewards are making around double per steward than they were pre-covid? Meaning if they are now covering double the amount of cabins but only servicing once per day, are they making more based on the increased number of cabins?

 

There is a lot of debate on this subject in several other threads. RCI raised the daily gratuities of which the cabin stewards receive a portion and they also cut cabin service to once a day. The stewards are cleaning more cabins so the amount of time they spend cleaning is theoretically the same, but we (you, I and everyone else that pays gratuities) are paying more money and receiving less service.

[smokeybandit]

1 hour ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

 

There is a lot of debate on this subject in several other threads. RCI raised the daily gratuities of which the cabin stewards receive a portion and they also cut cabin service to once a day. The stewards are cleaning more cabins so the amount of time they spend cleaning is theoretically the same, but we (you, I and everyone else that pays gratuities) are paying more money and receiving less service.

They're working the same, give or take, because they have more rooms to clean. That means more gratuities and more extra tip potential.

[OldCaver]

On 2/25/2024 at 7:39 PM, Another_Critic said:

It's best to bring $1000 and post your ship, sail date, and cabin number.  Also post your daily schedule.  😉

 

P.S.  Remember to write down your safe combination and leave it on the desk.

Great advice. What if you forget any of those things? Especially the safe combo. And leave it on the desk in case you forget where you left it.

(we have to have a little fun.) 🙂

[LEMJMcC]

On 2/15/2024 at 2:58 PM, Another_Critic said:

And we know who to blame for "tipping is getting out of hand".  😄

I don't tip, I let others do it for me😁

[PTC DAWG]

On 2/15/2024 at 7:58 AM, cruiseboy89130 said:

0$

I can't imagine.  

 

[cruiseboy89130]

4 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I can't imagine.  

 

For tipping that is 👍

[PTC DAWG]

Someone asked about Casino denominations, I always bring $100's...multiple ones. 

 

IF I run out of my gambling stake, it is what it is, no putting on the room card for me.  

Edited March 7 by PTC DAWG

[Harrisonkid]

I too will never charge Gaming Cost to the cabin...once we are out we are out