SINGLE HSC/TIPPING THREAD (Previously "Why are gratuities not included in Fares?")

You (a general "you") may prefer to think that a tip in excess of the cruise line's minimum cements some sort of personal relationship with the steward/employee, but it probably doesn't.

I don't do it for my benefit, I do it for theirs.

Do you guys have this much discussion about tipping every time you dine out or go on holidays? It seems stressful haha.

Especially strange as Hal has removed any confusion on the matter by introducing the hsc.

If it makes you feel better to give extra go for it, simple

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Do you guys have this much discussion about tipping every time you dine out or go on holidays? It seems stressful haha.

Especially strange as Hal has removed any confusion on the matter by introducing the hsc.

If it makes you feel better to give extra go for it, simple

 

 

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Some people deserve extra because they do extra. Don't worry, I'll pick up your share. :p

Some people deserve extra because they do extra. Don't worry, I'll pick up your share. :p

Thanks. Actually reading this might even remove HSC seeing as you guys are so generous

I am curious as to whether it is ok to tip with coins rather than notes.

I am curious as to whether it is ok to tip with coins rather than notes.

Money's money - shouldn't make any difference.

I am curious as to whether it is ok to tip with coins rather than notes.

I only know about US/Cdn .... giving someone who is in Canada, and can spend the coins in Canada, Cdn $1 or $2 coins should be okay. BUT if the coins can't be spent or exchanged to US $ in Canada, the recipient has no way of using them. (Unlike paper money, there is no facility for moving Canadian coins to Canada from the US, is about as simply as I can explain it.)

Given its universality, I tip solely in USD paper currency. If I find myself with small amounts of coinage in whatever currency, I'll leave it in my cabin but don't compute it as part of the gratuity.

Given its universality, I tip solely in USD paper currency. If I find myself with small amounts of coinage in whatever currency, I'll leave it in my cabin but don't compute it as part of the gratuity.

It is only universal in North America. We wouldn't get USD if we were travelling in Europe, Africa, Asia or the Pacific.

I only know about US/Cdn .... giving someone who is in Canada, and can spend the coins in Canada, Cdn $1 or $2 coins should be okay. BUT if the coins can't be spent or exchanged to US $ in Canada, the recipient has no way of using them. (Unlike paper money, there is no facility for moving Canadian coins to Canada from the US, is about as simply as I can explain it.)

While banks and bureau de change will seldom take coins for exchange, the shipboard economy is such that very little can't be converted to other currencies. A tip isw always appreciated, no matter the form.

It is only universal in North America. We wouldn't get USD if we were travelling in Europe, Africa, Asia or the Pacific.

We're talking about tips for crew members here, and in my experience, USD is the preferred currency of crew members wherever you are sailing, not just in North America.

We're talking about tips for crew members here, and in my experience, USD is the preferred currency of crew members wherever you are sailing, not just in North America.

On the cruises we have taken from Southampton we have always tipped in British £. Even after Carnival bought P&O and Cunard, we tip in pounds because the crew are going ashore in Southampton or other ports of call where the £ is often accepted as an alternative to the local currency. I have been in Norwegian ports where cash is accepted only in pounds as an alternative to Kroner. Perhaps on a ship with mostly U.S. passengers U.S. currency would be accepted by local merchants.

Canada is part of North America (not a part of the US), and on our Vancouver/Vancouver Alaska cruises we often tip in Canadian currency. And, I know for a fact that the crew will take any currency you offer, quite happily!:D I have never thought of the USD as being universal currency, to be honest.

Canada is part of North America (not a part of the US), and on our Vancouver/Vancouver Alaska cruises we often tip in Canadian currency. And, I know for a fact that the crew will take any currency you offer, quite happily!:D I have never thought of the USD as being universal currency, to be honest.

Hey, Lizzie, as a Canadian, I simply recognize the sad reality that the USD is stronger and holds its value far better than the Canadian dollar and most other currencies. As you and others have pointed out, crew will readily accept tips in any currency, but in talking to crew members, I've been told that they prefer USD. YMMV.

We're talking about tips for crew members here, and in my experience, USD is the preferred currency of crew members wherever you are sailing, not just in North America.

So, have you had people turn down tips in other currencies?

Hey, Lizzie, as a Canadian, I simply recognize the sad reality that the USD is stronger and holds its value far better than the Canadian dollar and most other currencies. As you and others have pointed out, crew will readily accept tips in any currency, but in talking to crew members, I've been told that they prefer USD. YMMV.

My crew.member friend happily collects all foreign currency and converts it when he goes on leave. Last year it bought a motor bike. For those on the Vancouver Alaska runs, they happily accept Canadian as they have lots of chance to spend it on turnaround days same goes for ships cruising in Europe. So USD is not universal.

We're talking about tips for crew members here, and in my experience, USD is the preferred currency of crew members wherever you are sailing, not just in North America.

I was also talking about tips for crew members. I am not going to exchange AUD for USD just to tip crew when I don't need it for travelling.

We were shopping with the some of the crew in Port Chalmers, NZ a couple of weeks ago and they asked at the checkout if they accepted USD and were told yes but the change would be give in NZD. They would lose 41c in the $. So the crew like the currency of the ports they are visiting.

I'll be staying in a neptune suite for the first time. I will pay the suggested HSC. Is it customary to give an additional tip to the concierges? I know it's a personal decision, but what would be a reasonable amount for someone who doesn't make many requests? Thanks.

Vicki

I'll be staying in a neptune suite for the first time. I will pay the suggested HSC. Is it customary to give an additional tip to the concierges? I know it's a personal decision, but what would be a reasonable amount for someone who doesn't make many requests? Thanks.

 

Vicki

Good morning Vicki. You'll love your Neptune. I tip the concierge according to how much I've used them. Answering a simple question doesn't warrant a tip. If you have them making a lot of reservations, printing out maps and other port stuff, I would tip them. As you said it's a personal thing. I sometimes tip on the spot for something that's been time consuming, but I'm one of those who also keeps a running tally in my head and hands out envelopes at cruise end to those I think have gone above and beyond to make our cruise a great time.

We are going on a 7 day cruise (+ 5 day land) in Alaska.

The HSC is prepaid as part of the HAL sale as well as our beverages.

We will use a credit card for the majority of other expenses.

I know everyone is different... I don't feel comfortable carrying alot of cash, so the question is, how much cash would you recommend bringing for tips for a 1 week cruise in Alaska? Knowing that anything not spent can be used.

Thanks in advance.

You can also use your bank card to acquire cash in the various ports so you don't have to leave home with a bunch of cash ....

IIRC HAL has guidelines about the "suggested" tip for the various people who will be looking after you on the land portion -- I can't remember where to find that info, though.

As for tipping onboard over and above the HSC, people you might want to tip extra -- dining room steward and assistant, wine steward, cabin steward pair, favorite bartender or server or 2 in a lounge, concierge if you are in a Neptune Suite.

For a 7 day cruise-only we usually budget $200 - $250 for extra tips. That's for 2 of us and we don't always need that much. And really, once the HSC is paid, anything else is optional.

We are going on a 7 day cruise (+ 5 day land) in Alaska.

 

The HSC is prepaid as part of the HAL sale as well as our beverages.

 

We will use a credit card for the majority of other expenses.

 

I know everyone is different... I don't feel comfortable carrying alot of cash, so the question is, how much cash would you recommend bringing for tips for a 1 week cruise in Alaska? Knowing that anything not spent can be used.

 

Thanks in advance.

I'm old fashioned. I get travelers' checks for my casino cash, tips, and incidental needs. In this age of pick pockets and other thieves, I seldom carry more than a couple hundred in cash. I belong to a credit union that provides them free of charge.

I'm old fashioned. I get travelers' checks for my casino cash, tips, and incidental needs. In this age of pick pockets and other thieves, I seldom carry more than a couple hundred in cash. I belong to a credit union that provides them free of charge.

Now that's funny, I commented sometime back during a similar thread that I carried TC's for the same reason and got criticized because they are outdated? We take some cash, CC's, and TC's.

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Now that's funny, I commented sometime back during a similar thread that I carried TC's for the same reason and got criticized because they are outdated? We take some cash, CC's, and TC's.

 

 

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Back in our early days, DW and I used travelers checks and actually had to utilize the theft protection aspect for $500 in San Francisco when she lost her purse. The lady at the bank looked at us like WE were the thieves! Very uncomfortable. DW actually got the purse back 3 days later with all contents intact! We were glad for the travelers checks though. :D

There are probably more ATMs in Alaska then there are places that take travelers' checks. You can also get cash at the front desk or in the casino. No need to carry large amounts of cash with you.