Carrying Cash for Tips

[gxchan]

Hi All,

I don't want to start a tipping debate but am interested in what other solos, especially women, do about carrying the small bills used for tipping on cruises. On land vacations I don't carry large amounts of small bills because everything can be paid with my CC. But for my next cruise (a 12-nighter) I plan to take about $100 in ones and probably another $50 in fives to supplement the auto trip when it is appropriate and for room service. This will be fairly bulky and obviously I don't want it in my wallet for all to see when I'm buying a coffee at the airport. Any suggestions?

[Swabb3]

Hi, I've traveled a couple of times by myself on RCCL and don't worry about tipping because it can be added to the check and is paid for on my credit card. I don't know if that helps on NCL. As for time in the airports, I tend to bring my own food and only need to get something to drink from a Mcdonald's or food kiosk like that. Even then I carry the money in my jeans pocket and I keep my spending money in a purse that goes around my waist which can't be seen and then put the change in the purse in the privacy of the bathroom.

[zotzer]

I'm going on my first "solo" cruise this December, but have traveled as a single woman for...well, always. :)

 

You can add the "here and there" service tips to your checks. As for cash, drop by the casino for extra. They will break it up into small bills at the purser's desk. No need to bring giant wads of $1 bills. If you DO want to bring cash with you, leave most of it in the in-room safe, except for what you think you'll need for the time-being.

 

Tracy

[gxchan]

I knew a tip can be added to bar (which already have the a tip included) and specialty restaurant bills and did add the tips on the bills last summer; and used cash for room service. There is just something about a cash tip I like better, even though I realize the person receiving it must report/share it. (Besides, last summer my favorite bartenders on the cruise kept marking out my tips on the bills saying it wasn't necessary. They were very cute and sweet but young enough to be my sons! Needless to say, they got tips in an envelope at the end of the cruise but again they tried to refuse.) On land vacations this hasn't been a problem because I can get change virtually anywhere.

 

Thanks Tracy for the casino info, I never thought of it as a source of small bills because the ships are a cash-less society. I'll use them to break up the larger bills.

[musicmansmom]

I'm going on my first "solo" cruise this December, but have traveled as a single woman for...well, always. :)

 

You can add the "here and there" service tips to your checks. As for cash, drop by the casino for extra. They will break it up into small bills at the purser's desk. No need to bring giant wads of $1 bills. If you DO want to bring cash with you, leave most of it in the in-room safe, except for what you think you'll need for the time-being.

 

Tracy

 

great idea about the casino giving small bills for larger ones. i will be going to 2 canada ports where i want to have smaller bills because of the rate exchange. i usually take about $50 in ones and $25 worth of 5's and some tens. but i feel i will need more this time. i will try your casino trick and hope i have luck getting one's for the tipping and stuff. i have a cloth zippered pocket pouch that is very slim ( i got it at walmart ) that i wear under my top around my waist. it hides very well and i dont have to dig in my purse for any money. i dont travel without it. i only take what i think i will need in the port and my credit card for some big that i might find that '' i cant live without ''.

[zotzer]

I recommend cash however they give it to you, from the casino. If you need small bills, you can easily ask to change them at the pursars desk. The casino really wants you to spend your cash in there. Not much need for small bills IN the casino. LOL

 

T

[zotzer]

There is just something about a cash tip I like better, even though I realize the person receiving it must report/share it.

 

This is cruiseline-dependant too. Many of them pool tips. On Royal Caribbean, at least for the bar staff, it works like this:

 

The 15% which is automatically added to your drink tab is split among the bar staff. Anything you write in on the "additional tip" line, goes 100% to the server who's name is on the check.

 

Can't speak with authority on how other lines do it, but that's how RCI does it.

T

[gxchan]

Tracy, I just caught the fact you are going on your first solo cruise in December. Have a great time!

[kitty9]

I think you're taking wayyyyy too much cash in small bills. For even my longest cruises of over 25 days, I've never, ever taken that much cash, especially in small bills. Usually, I have maybe $20 in ones and maybe $30 in fives. You can always get money from the ATM machines or the casino. Since there's already a 15% tip added to every bar bill, that's a decent amount already taken care of. Personally, I don't see the need to give an additional dollar or two when I'm just getting a glass of coke. If there's a bar waiter who's done an extra special job, then he/she will get additional money in an envelope at the end of the cruise, but I've never given cash after each and every bar order, and I've never seen anyone else do that either.

[gxchan]

I think you're taking wayyyyy too much cash in small bills. For even my longest cruises of over 25 days, I've never, ever taken that much cash, especially in small bills. Usually, I have maybe $20 in ones and maybe $30 in fives. You can always get money from the ATM machines or the casino. Since there's already a 15% tip added to every bar bill, that's a decent amount already taken care of. Personally, I don't see the need to give an additional dollar or two when I'm just getting a glass of coke. If there's a bar waiter who's done an extra special job, then he/she will get additional money in an envelope at the end of the cruise, but I've never given cash after each and every bar order, and I've never seen anyone else do that either.

 

As noted earlier, I do plan to use the casino to cash out larger bills for tip money and I have no desire to debate mine or anyone else's tipping habits as it is always a hot button issue on these board.

[gdani72]

I carry similar amounts of cash [i find if i don't use it for tips, i'll use it for souveniers in port]. For getting to the cruise, I usually pack it in an envelope and bury it in my carry on backpack [carrying enough cash to pay for whatever I need that day]. Then, i just lock it up in the safe and take out what i need at that particular time. Pre-cruise, I usually go over to my bank with a check made out to me and list of how i want the money back and get an assortment of bills from $1 to $20's.

[zotzer]

Tracy, I just caught the fact you are going on your first solo cruise in December. Have a great time!

 

Thanks, Ginnie! I am really looking forward to it! Even though I am 40 and single, I booked this as my first "solo" cruise, as my parents are going with a group of their friends. So, although I will be alone (I've even scheduled late dining, while they all have main), I'll have 'backup'. Figured this would be a great way to find out whether "solo" is for me.

 

And I do think that how much cash one carries as a solo is important food for thought!

 

T

[gxchan]

Thanks, Ginnie! I am really looking forward to it! Even though I am 40 and single, I booked this as my first "solo" cruise, as my parents are going with a group of their friends. So, although I will be alone (I've even scheduled late dining, while they all have main), I'll have 'backup'. Figured this would be a great way to find out whether "solo" is for me.

 

And I do think that how much cash one carries as a solo is important food for thought!

 

T

 

Hi Tracy, What a nice way to begin your solo cruising experience. You will have a great time, just enough solo time to get a real feel for it but the built-in pleasure of having people to spend time with when you want. Plus, you will have your dinner tablemates to get to know. And, of course, you get your own room! I swear, the bathroom on my cruise was so small last summer that I can't imagine sharing it with anyone. I'm told the bathrooms on the ship for my October cruise are the same size and the cabin itself is smaller. Oh Boy!

 

Have a great time and I hope you will share your adventures with us when you return.

[airlink diva]

Hi All,

 

I don't want to start a tipping debate but am interested in what other solos, especially women, do about carrying the small bills used for tipping on cruises. On land vacations I don't carry large amounts of small bills because everything can be paid with my CC. But for my next cruise (a 12-nighter) I plan to take about $100 in ones and probably another $50 in fives to supplement the auto trip when it is appropriate and for room service. This will be fairly bulky and obviously I don't want it in my wallet for all to see when I'm buying a coffee at the airport. Any suggestions?

I'm like you, I like to take small bills for tipping. It's a pain with that much small bills, but what I do is spilt it up between my purse, an over neck security pouch and pin to my bra (that's an old school trick from my grandmother). Once I get on board, I feel better because I then place it in my safe and pull out what I need. You can also get change at the front desk, but you need to do this on the first day soon as you board.

I hope this helps

[musicmansmom]

i keep most of mine in the safe as well untill i need it. on my first cruise i did not take alot of small change. ( i was going to rely on the pursors desk for getting change ). the line at the pursors was very long so i figured i would hit up the bank before my tour that day. well, it was a sunday and the bank was closed :( so i was really out of luck. it was a pain to deal with the large bill for the day. i learned the hard way about not taking enough small bills with at the start of the cruise.

[Cotton]

Hi All,

 

women, do about carrying the small bills used for tipping on cruises.

Hi Ginnie. I usually take about $25 in ones and $25 in fives. Takes care of all the smaller tips, etc. I keep the one dollar bills in the top dresser drawer in the cabin, for room service tips.

I plan to take about $100 in ones and probably another $50 in fives

That IS a lot of small bills! Take just a few ones and fives - and more $20s, and get them cashed at the purser's desk as needed.

I don't want it in my wallet for all to see when I'm buying a coffee at the airport. Any suggestions?

What I do in that case (airports, cafes, etc.) is put three or four $5s in a separate inside slot in my purse, easy to get to, and that way, I never have to get my wallet out at all.:)

[Island Annie]

gexchan,

 

I usually stash all my small bills used for extra tipping in a separate wallet & keep it in my purse. That way I'm not flashing a lot of cash around every time I need to pay for something.

 

You may even want to consider using a plane white envelope in the same way for easier & faster access. (you know porters & such).

 

Annie

[kathy32259]

Hi Ginnie -

 

Since I like to play in the casino - and they charge a % to get cash from my s&s card, much like an ATM - I always take cash. I have a small makeup pouch with a zipper pocket and put all the extra in there. Make-up in the main portion. When I get to my cabin I keep it in the safe along with my camera, iPod, etc. When I need smaller bills - I just go to the casino. Like others on this thread - I don't keep it in my wallet - too obvious. Everynight before bed I put a couple of ones on the vanity so I am ready for room service coffee in the morning!! :)

[gxchan]

Thanks all for the great advice! I leave for vacation a week from today but don't get on the ship until a week from Sunday--Woo Hoo! I'm going to use a combination of your good advice--separate the cash into different areas and only keep a couple dollars in my actual wallet, as well as getting change at the purser's desk.

 

Fortunately, thanks to Annie, I'm shipping my big suitcase so I'll only have to deal with my carry-on and purse. BTW, Annie, the shipping service turned out even better than I had hoped. They are running a promotional special and upgraded me (free) to their gold service outbound, so I don't have to ship my suitcase until Monday! Plus, they are very nice to deal with and I won't have to worry about tipping porters! They swear my suitcase will be in my cabin when I board. I'm just relieved not to have to wait around in luggage claim at the airports! Again, Annie, thanks for the tip.

[kathy32259]

Bon Voyage Ginnie! 12 nights of pure relaxation and pampering :D