scovarrubias22 Posted August 21, 2008 #1 Share Posted August 21, 2008 ok I know the topic has been beaten to death but I really haven't gotten a straight answer. Here the thing I decided not to prepay my gratuity. My question how much tip money do you guys and gals recommend for me to take on board. We will be doing three shore excursions while in Mexico (one in each port). I know the basic rule of thumb for the ship but how about excursions and what not. Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADATL Posted August 21, 2008 #2 Share Posted August 21, 2008 ok I know the topic has been beaten to death but I really haven't gotten a straight answer. Here the thing I decided not to prepay my gratuity. My question how much tip money do you guys and gals recommend for me to take on board. We will be doing three shore excursions while in Mexico (one in each port). I know the basic rule of thumb for the ship but how about excursions and what not. Thanks guys. Hi there! um, this may not be what you are looking for, but even if you didn't "prepay" the tips, they will just add it to your Sail and Sign account. I can't remember exactly what it is per day, but if you are either not satisfied with service or just want to change the amounts, you just go to the purser's desk and ask them to adjust it. We usually adjust higher for the room steward b/c they are typically so helpful and accomodating. for excursions, I'd plan on averaging $100/pp for each excursion. Could be more, could be less depending on what you want to do, but that would be a good average. Check to see if the excursion offers food/bevs... if not, bring an extra $50/pp for that also. :) That's my suggestion! Hope it's helpful. Enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scovarrubias22 Posted August 21, 2008 Author #3 Share Posted August 21, 2008 I was actiallyvthinking of calling carnival to prepay gratuity so I don't get a huge surprise in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scovarrubias22 Posted August 21, 2008 Author #4 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Now silly question here but, if I prepay gratuity now, I wont have to worry about anything else on the ship unless I want to give more right? I don't remember what I did last cruise.... :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADATL Posted August 21, 2008 #5 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Now silly question here but, if I prepay gratuity now, I wont have to worry about anything else on the ship unless I want to give more right? I don't remember what I did last cruise.... :confused: Yup! That's correct! Just have to pay for drinks, excursions, and anything you buy in the shops, just not your tips if you pre-pay. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuyahoga11 Posted August 21, 2008 #6 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Now silly question here but, if I prepay gratuity now, I wont have to worry about anything else on the ship unless I want to give more right? I don't remember what I did last cruise.... :confused: correct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scovarrubias22 Posted August 21, 2008 Author #7 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Ok now that that the ship is covered, how about on excursions or doing anything in Mexico any idea how much tip money is recommended I was thinking of taking about $200 dollars in small bills for tips. :confused: :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwannacruznow Posted August 21, 2008 #8 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Hi guys.Yeah thats whats we do,take a bunch of small bills with us for tipping.I do like your count down clock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scovarrubias22 Posted August 21, 2008 Author #9 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Since we booked all of our excursions through carnival I don't have to worry about transportation right? Sorry for all the questions this is only our 2nd and first time excursions I just want to make sure everything goes smooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GamerMom64 Posted August 21, 2008 #10 Share Posted August 21, 2008 I remember as a kid (I'm 45 now) my parents would tip our driver about $2-5 per person for getting us back & forth safely. The tour guide would get around the same, sometimes more, depending on the length of the tour and services rendered. I'm not sure what the protocol is for refreshment service on the excursion. Perhaps someone else can answer that. Have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan40 Posted August 21, 2008 #11 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Now silly question here but, if I prepay gratuity now, I wont have to worry about anything else on the ship unless I want to give more right? I don't remember what I did last cruise.... :confused: Almost. Your waiters and room steward and the buffet workers are covered by the prepaid or auto-tips. HOWEVER, All drink orders, soft or hard, will have 15% added to the total. If you use room service, a $1 or $2 tip should be given per order. If you gamble, tips to the casino workers are xtra. If you use the spa, a tip is expected. Porters at the dock, handling your luggage, $1 or $2 per bag. Carry a pocket full of $1's and $5's, tip everybody that makes eye contact or nearly makes eye contact.:eek: Just kidding about that last.:D Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GamerMom64 Posted August 21, 2008 #12 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Ok now that that the ship is covered, how about on excursions or doing anything in Mexico any idea how much tip money is recommended I was thinking of taking about $200 dollars in small bills for tips. :confused: :confused: $200 cash for tips sounds about right. From Cruise Critic Trendwatch: An Insider's Guide to Cruise Tipping Shore Excursions For a half-day bus excursion I give the guide $2, $4 for a full-day excursion. If the guide has spoken with me at length individually or confided to me places for dining or shopping after the tour, I tip him/her $5 for a half day, $10 for a whole day. And I don't forget the driver. After all, he/she brought me safely down the Dolomites, or negotiated the traffic in Athens. I give him/her $1 for a half-day excursion, $2 for a full-day one. --by Greg Straub. Straub, a regular Cruise Critic contributor http://www.cruisecritic.com/features/articles.cfm?ID=132 Have fun on your excursions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southbayer Posted August 21, 2008 #13 Share Posted August 21, 2008 On a 7 day, I take about $100 in 1's, and about 50 in 5's, and about $50 in $10's It's not really alot once you think about if you want to spread some extra on the ship for tips... Then in port if you want to buy something, most vendors would prefer to get exact change, and then the excursions when they ALL ask for a tip, and I mean they "all ask" for a tip. Now thats just my two cents, now start saving those dollahs!! ok I know the topic has been beaten to death but I really haven't gotten a straight answer. Here the thing I decided not to prepay my gratuity. My question how much tip money do you guys and gals recommend for me to take on board. We will be doing three shore excursions while in Mexico (one in each port). I know the basic rule of thumb for the ship but how about excursions and what not. Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scovarrubias22 Posted August 21, 2008 Author #14 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Thanks for the helpful information everyone, and thank you GamerMom64 for that link, it was more than helpful, now all I have to do is wait for the cruise!!! Oh the anticipation is killing me!!! :p :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caliseas Posted August 22, 2008 #15 Share Posted August 22, 2008 I don't know how you are planning on getting to the ship, but if you are driving, don't forget about parking. At Long Beach it is approx. $12 per day. Just in case.... Have a wonderful cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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