Tips

Is it acceptable to give AMEX gift cards for tips?

No. While the crew will probably accept them graciously, it is really hard for them use it. The best thing for tips is green paper with pictures of dead presidents.

Do you want AMEX gift cards in lieu of a paycheck?

Gratuities are automatically added on to your account. Your Christmas gift that you don't want (nor do the employees on the ship) would not be appreciated. They work for their gratuities as you do, your paycheck.

For most crew members any extra cash is wired home to their families. Giving them a gift card will add an extra step and most likely an extra fee to that end. Such cards won't be accepted in the crew store onboard (nor at the Seafarer's House in most ports) nor will the purser cash it out for them.

Agree with the rest. If you wish to tip additional do so in cash. But note that the daily recommended gratuity amounts typically are automatically applied to your stateroom account.

I give $USD$ seems to work whatever country they call home

We leave the "tips" (sometimes called Hotel Service Charge on some cruise lines) in place -- in other words we do not remove them.

We do tip extra at the end of the cruise to those individuals who made our cruise an enjoyable one. And we do in US dollars -- all crew have an easier time wiring that money home to the family.

I give $USD$ seems to work whatever country they call home

As does pretty much any other currency.

Is it acceptable to give AMEX gift cards for tips?

We give gift cards to family members. Cash tips to crews.

The crew prefer cash. Gift cards are for people you cannot trust with cash.

As mentioned cash is really the way to go or adding tips to your shipboard account.

Keith

If you worked at a restaurant as a server, would you want your customers to give you any type of gift cards instead of a tip.

DON

If you worked at a restaurant as a server, would you want your customers to give you any type of gift cards instead of a tip.

 

DON

It would be ironic if it was a gift card for another restaurant.:eek:

If you worked at a restaurant as a server, would you want your customers to give you any type of gift cards instead of a tip.

 

DON

If you were to receive a gift from any person for any person, would you really prefer a gift card over something you could really use easily? Gift cards are pains in the butt. I wonder if the notion of giving a gift card in lieu of a cash tip is simply seen as an easy way of re-gifting.

I can so totally see the cheapskates give away invalid or used gift cards.

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If you were to receive a gift from any person for any person, would you really prefer a gift card over something you could really use easily? Gift cards are pains in the butt. I wonder if the notion of giving a gift card in lieu of a cash tip is simply seen as an easy way of re-gifting.

What is next? A voucher for tips on a future cruise?:eek:

We give gift cards to family members. Cash tips to crews.

The crew prefer cash. Gift cards are for people you cannot trust with cash.

.....Like your family! :D

.....Like your family! :D

Exactly.:D

If you were to receive a gift from any person for any person, would you really prefer a gift card over something you could really use easily? Gift cards are pains in the butt. I wonder if the notion of giving a gift card in lieu of a cash tip is simply seen as an easy way of re-gifting.

Want to bet that the OP somehow got a bunch of gift cards for free with a really short expiration date.

DON

Gift cards SUCK....after a month, they start taking money off the card as a "charge"...give them cash..it never expires or has charges attached to it!

We give gift cards to family members. Cash tips to crews.

My family prefers cash rather than a gift card....gift cards can be a hassle...cash never is ;)

Want to bet that the OP somehow got a bunch of gift cards for free with a really short expiration date.

 

DON

Possibly, they would likely be only valid in some stores as well.

And it has to be AMEX cards. AMEX has less worldwide acceptance than either Visa or Master Card.

Want to bet that the OP somehow got a bunch of gift cards for free with a really short expiration date.

 

 

 

DON

You read my mind Don

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