Money/Tipping . . . just another questions

[LakerMom]

A while back on this board someone recommended how much cash to take for tipping and spending and how they dividied up their $20, $10, $5 and $1. Does anyone have any ideas from experience. This is our first cruise so I am totally unsure.

 

I understand the only charges that won't be paid in advance will be tips for the excursions (Dune Buggy and Beach Break) and the extras on the ship. I believe most tips will automatically be added to my card unless I decide to tip more.

 

Do you tip more at the very end of the cruise or throughout the cruise. For instance when I leave the dining room after dinner do I tip then or wait until he end of the cruise to give them another tip.

[chitown cruisers]

I leave the auto tip alone....and then decide if I want to do more at the end.....I took a pack of plain but nice thank you cards. I used these on the last night for the dinning staff, bartender and cabin steward. When my mom heard I had cards she asked for a few.

 

Also have some singles if you think you might use room service, they aren't part of the daily tip pool and people usually give a buck or two for each delivery.

[wecamp]

We went to Mexico so this is why I divided my money this way. I wanted smaller bills in Mexico for shopping.

100 in $1

100 in $5

100 in $10

rest in $20

 

The $1 were great for tipping for luggage, excursions, and spending in Mexico.

I used $20 on the ship for several things. (Bingo!)

My Husband tipped the waiter and assistant waiter the last night.

 

You can also get change of smaller bills in the Casino or the Purser.

 

You don't have to tip for drinks, 15% is included on each drink.

 

Tammy

[bstman]

We tip the porters when we check our bags-usually $1 per bag. We tip room service a couple of dollars when they bring our food. We have always tipped our head wiater a little extra on the last night (not nightly) and we have tipped our room steward extra on the last night. Our last cruise we had great table mates-on the last nigt we all pooled some money and gave it to the waiter and he split it with the assistant. But you do not have to tip extra for waiters or room steward, just whatever you feel. Also while in port we tipped our cab drivers and our excursion guides. I think that is all-:D . I have heard of some people tipping a certain waiter/bartender because of great service-we just don't drink enough for that. Hope that helps!!

[LakerMom]

Thanks for all the answers. This will certainly help me out.

[MrPete]

The main tips are taken care of for you.

 

We only tip the porters, room service (but have never used it), and any tour operators (never use them anymore either).

 

I'm a cheap date too. :D