Confused about extra tipping

We want to be prepared to tip our wait staff and room stewards (and anyone else we see fit) AUD is our currency so we are wondering if we should tip USD or local currency to the area the ship is in?

We want any tips to be a usable blessing not a exchange problem.

Thanks

We pay in USD. From what I've read, that is how the ship pays their employees. We also tend to just go to guest services, tell them who we want to tip extra to, and we fill out a form. It gets charged to our account, and it goes to the person in whatever way the ship's policies have it go.

The employees are from *everywhere*, and not all of them get to get off the ship at every port.

Your gratuities that are charged to your account daily (or prepaid, if you opt to do that), are all that you need. There is usually NO NEED to tip additionally. If someone does something that requires (in your mind) an additional tip, you will know it. Then, tip what you feel that additional service is worth.

The folks who serve you get their tips. No worries! If they didn't, there would be no employees! These folks are not forced to work here....they make nice money.....

If you decide to tip more, tip in US dollars, or the currency of the area you're in. Doesn't matter. They will be able to exchange to the currency they need.

I agree!

We want to be prepared to tip our wait staff and room stewards (and anyone else we see fit) AUD is our currency so we are wondering if we should tip USD or local currency to the area the ship is in?

We want any tips to be a usable blessing not a exchange problem.

 

Thanks

As a fellow Aussie, just check that the gratuities havent been built into your fare. We always get ours done like that, then we dont have to worry about it.

Your gratuities that are charged to your account daily (or prepaid, if you opt to do that), are all that you need. There is usually NO NEED to tip additionally. If someone does something that requires (in your mind) an additional tip, you will know it. Then, tip what you feel that additional service is worth.

You really don't need to tip additional unless you wish. ;)

We have prepaid, I am talking about any extra we may choose to give. So i am hearing that USD is the best way to go or via the services desk.

We use prepaid grats and on the last night of the cruise we give extra for great service using a mixture of currencies in envelopes - it depends what we have left in our wallets. Usually between $20 and $50. We don't give extra if we don't feel the service has been great.

I don't think the crew mind what currency you use as they do have the chance to go ashore and buy things in different ports (not every port) and I know they often go to supermarkets (because they have told us). When we happen to see crew members on the disembarking day they are very happy to see us and often say thank you / goodbye / it's been great etc and this doesn't change regardless of the currency used.

edit: I don't think I would go the service desk route. I like to "look them in the eye" and say thank you directly. The envelopes make it less awkward for us.

We have prepaid, I am talking about any extra we may choose to give. So i am hearing that USD is the best way to go or via the services desk.

Asa fellow Aussie, we take some US Dollars with us for tipping and the casino. Best way to get US is through Australia post - no commission! You go in and order it, pay, and it arrives usually within 2 days then you go pick it up. We tend to tip $5 for room service delivery and $10 to $20 for our room attendant or wait staff if they are good - which they almost always have been!

Can any of you folks from across the pond let me know whether handing an additional cash tip straight to your server is considered bad form.

I thought I had got my head round this extra tipping lark but now with the mention of people using envelopes is my handing cash in slightly bad taste (although probably gratefully received).

Thanks (a tipping confused Brit)

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Can any of you folks from across the pond let me know whether handing an additional cash tip straight to your server is considered bad form.

 

I thought I had got my head round this extra tipping lark but now with the mention of people using envelopes is my handing cash in slightly bad taste (although probably gratefully received).

 

Thanks (a tipping confused Brit)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

I don't think it matters - I just use envelopes because they were provided

Can any of you folks from across the pond let me know whether handing an additional cash tip straight to your server is considered bad form.

 

I thought I had got my head round this extra tipping lark but now with the mention of people using envelopes is my handing cash in slightly bad taste (although probably gratefully received).

 

Thanks (a tipping confused Brit)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

You can tip however you would like and feel most comfortable with. In past years envelopes were left in your cabin near the end of the trip with suggested people to tip (this was before auto tips) and it allows you to tip without everyone knowing what you are tipping. They no longer leave the envelopes, but you can usually get small tip envelopes at GS. I like to use the envelopes because I will usually write a small note on the envelope:D. It's all personal choice and If you don't feel anyone deserves an extra tip above the auto tip then you are fine:).

We want to be prepared to tip our wait staff and room stewards (and anyone else we see fit) AUD is our currency so we are wondering if we should tip USD or local currency to the area the ship is in?

We want any tips to be a usable blessing not a exchange problem.

 

Thanks

It really doesn't seem to matter, our last cruise we were in a shop one day and a crew member was paying for some things, he had just about every currency known to man certainly Aus$, US$, NZ$, Euro, GBP, and at least three others.

This was a cruise around Aus and NZ WIth a mix of nationalities.

Can any of you folks from across the pond let me know whether handing an additional cash tip straight to your server is considered bad form.

 

I thought I had got my head round this extra tipping lark but now with the mention of people using envelopes is my handing cash in slightly bad taste (although probably gratefully received).

 

Thanks (a tipping confused Brit)

 

 

 

I am sure any tip is appreciated, anyway given.

 

Having said this ,I do not agree with this extra tip:confused:

I mean what was the original tip given for:confused:

 

 

Just my two cents : A tip is supposed to be given for exceptional service.

We are training staff not to give exceptional service, unless you tip extra, extra!

 

Reader

Can any of you folks from across the pond let me know whether handing an additional cash tip straight to your server is considered bad form.

 

I thought I had got my head round this extra tipping lark but now with the mention of people using envelopes is my handing cash in slightly bad taste (although probably gratefully received).

 

Thanks (a tipping confused Brit)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

They'll gladly take it.

But I've also had crew tell me it's not necessary. (but still took it when I insisted, didn't take much pressure).

 

I am sure any tip is appreciated, anyway given.

 

Having said this ,I do not agree with this extra tip:confused:

I mean what was the original tip given for:confused:

 

Reader

I agree. I only tip extra if someone does something entirely outside the realm of their normal duties, or goes above and beyond, for me. And this is very rare. An example would be when the AC in our cabin didn't work properly, the steward monitored the situation and dealt with maintenance for us throughout the day until it was fixed so we didn't have to be bothered with it. Another example was when we had a mattress that was uncomfortable, the steward tried several different methods (egg crate, mattress padding, etc) and when that didn't help, he arranged to have the mattress swapped out for a new one.

The original tips cover everything else. Getting extra towels/pillows, separating the beds, providing ice, cleaning the bathroom, tidying up are all part of their normal duties.

It is my understanding the gratitudes goes to all staff and then if you want to tip someone for a good personal interaction, then do it and make it personal:)

As long as you leave the auto-grats in place, the crew member to whom you give *additional* may keep it.

HOWEVER, do note that if you have removed the auto-grats "in favor of giving individuals money", they MUST turn in the amount that equals what the auto-grats would be to the general pool to be divided just as auto-grats would be. Anything OVER that amount they are allowed to keep. If they are caught NOT turning in cash given in favor of auto-grats they can face termination.

We want to be prepared to tip our wait staff and room stewards (and anyone else we see fit) AUD is our currency so we are wondering if we should tip USD or local currency to the area the ship is in?

We want any tips to be a usable blessing not a exchange problem.

 

Thanks

First, it appears your question is "HOW" to tip extra, not "SHOULD I" tip extra. So, I'll add my 2 cents in U.S. currency. :)

There is no need to tip extra if you don't feel like it. BUT, since you seem to already know that, the way we tip, and we tend to be pretty good tippers, is simple... any way you want. I can't speak to desired currency, as I am American so we always tip in U.S. Dollars. It's the "desired" currency it seems, but more importantly I don't pay any exchange rates on it. But I suspect that someone would be happy to be tipped in ANY currency you desire. If you don't mind changing it to U.S. Dollars, I suspect the crew would appreciate it. But I doubt it's necessary.

HOW to tip. Easy. We give cash directly to room service people as they aren't included in the "standard tips." Usually 2 or 3 U.S. dollars, depending on how much we order.

As for others, if they give us great service (and they always do), I'll add $20-$40 per week depending. Remember, you've already tipped. Most of the time I give an extra $40 to the Room Steward and waiter, and $20-$30 to the Assistant waiter, but that is really dependent on the level of service I have been given. Really, the amount is up to you. Same with the Head Waiter. If he has been very helpful, then maybe $10 extra. Now, I need to point out. These numbers are for TWO, my wife and myself. So they are extra for TWO people.

I go to the Diamond Lounge or Concierge Lounge. I usually tip $10 early in the cruise to the waiters, then $10 or $20 at the end if they have done a good job (they usually do). I tip the concierge depending how well the lounge is run, or anything I've used him for. If the lounge is really run well, he'll get $20 or more from me. If not, then nothing.

I use envelopes for Waiter, Assistant Waiter, Room Steward, Head Waiter and Concierge. Everyone else I just slip them cash.

So. Tipping is individual. Tip as you see fit. These people live off the money you give them. It's their livelihood and they work very hard for it. Their families count on it. If you think they deserve it, give it to them. If they fall down on the job, don't. But don't let ANYONE sway you into "no tipping" or "over tipping." You'll know if the person deserves it, and you'll know how much they deserve.

Thanks for all your help, you guys have helped to clear things up for me and now we can make informed choices as the needs arises.

Can any of you folks from across the pond let me know whether handing an additional cash tip straight to your server is considered bad form.

 

I thought I had got my head round this extra tipping lark but now with the mention of people using envelopes is my handing cash in slightly bad taste (although probably gratefully received).

 

Thanks (a tipping confused Brit)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Just use sausage......they prefer it......if its cocktail size....you might get a look!

Just use sausage......they prefer it......if its cocktail size....you might get a look!

Okay, I know some words/phrases mean different things in different countries.

I am pretty sure this was a very rude comment.

Anyone besides the poster care to explain carefully ,of course?

If I am wrong please forgive me .

Thank you ,

Reader

Humor, some people don't get it.

Humor, some people don't get it.

Thank you for your reply, I get humor ,it was an innocent question.

Thank you for your reply, I get humor ,it was an innocent question.

I don't get it either.