Tipping for room service in AUD?

[to_dee]

Why doesn't a coin seem right.

 

surely a $ is a $ is a $. They are going to either use it n port or bank it on board.

 

Good point you're right a $ is a $. And its all the same at the end of the day so true.

 

I think its just that I am used to tipping with bills and I felt like coins could be awkward - just me really - uncoordinated :o!

 

Its funny I am super comfortable with tipping in the US as we go very frequently & always ensure I have singles & fives but later this year will be our 1st non US cruise and I am glad for this thread I hadn't made a tipping plan in regards to which currency.

 

Excellent item to add to my to do list. And I am happy to hear the feedback that any currency is a-ok.

[sexylegend8]

Why doesn't a coin seem right.

 

surely a $ is a $ is a $. They are going to either use it n port or bank it on board.

 

Thanks for this comment! I had tipped a bathroom attendant $10 in AUS coin and felt bad but also thought its still $10 isnt it? LOL She was just a great person who always made sure my cubicle was fully functioning before I went in. I just had to give her something!. I also included thank you notes as well, for all the staff I wanted to tip! As many have said on this thread, Aussies/Kiwis dont really know how to tip so it is hard. We paid our prepaid tips and did the WOW envelopes. :)

[kazbar]

thanks for a great mix of opinions. I guess I will be going to the bank for a bag of $1 & $2 coins LOL

 

Im surprised how many people commented that they hadnt used room service on their cruises. We love it for an early morning pre-breakfast or late night snack.

 

And I cant imagine not tipping anything at all

 

You sound very similar to us to-dee. It is so normal for us to tip on our US trips but cruising out of Australia is going to be a whole new experience with tipping

[OzKiwiJJ]

Im surprised how many people commented that they hadnt used room service on their cruises. We love it for an early morning pre-breakfast or late night snack.

 

 

Early morning? We usually only woke up just in time for breakfast.

 

Late night? Usually too full from dinner and after dinner brandy alexanders.

 

;) :D

Edited May 26, 2015 by OzKiwiJJ

[to_dee]

Thanks for this comment! I had tipped a bathroom attendant $10 in AUS coin and felt bad but also thought its still $10 isnt it? LOL She was just a great person who always made sure my cubicle was fully functioning before I went in. I just had to give her something!. I also included thank you notes as well, for all the staff I wanted to tip! As many have said on this thread, Aussies/Kiwis dont really know how to tip so it is hard. We paid our prepaid tips and did the WOW envelopes. :)

 

What are WOW envelopes? :confused:

[to_dee]

thanks for a great mix of opinions. I guess I will be going to the bank for a bag of $1 & $2 coins LOL

 

Im surprised how many people commented that they hadnt used room service on their cruises. We love it for an early morning pre-breakfast or late night snack.

 

And I cant imagine not tipping anything at all

 

You sound very similar to us to-dee. It is so normal for us to tip on our US trips but cruising out of Australia is going to be a whole new experience with tipping

 

I've only used room service once for dinner when totally tired after a long port day. And pre-cruise I envisaged we would use it heaps but I could never resist sitting out on deck watching the aft wake while eating breakkie. Bliss! I always seem to run out time to try everything.

 

Yes ...that' s exactly it first Aussie cruise and I am unsure of the guidelines. Maybe that means I should book another cruise next year as well seeing as I will have it down pat by then ;)

 

 

Early morning? We usually only woke up just in time for breakfast.

 

Late night? Usually too full from dinner and after dinner brandy alexanders.

 

;) :D

 

I LOVE brandy alexanders. Can I get those on my Celebrity cruise? I wasnt sure if they only make a set range of cocktails or you can order classics like that. That is a perfect after dinner drink yum! Actually on holidays I would have one pre-dinner if on offer :p. We have prepaid for the premium drinks package.

[GUT2407]

. We love it for an early morning pre-breakfast or late night snack.

 

 

So like 10 or 11 am.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I LOVE brandy alexanders. Can I get those on my Celebrity cruise? I wasnt sure if they only make a set range of cocktails or you can order classics like that. That is a perfect after dinner drink yum! Actually on holidays I would have one pre-dinner if on offer :p. We have prepaid for the premium drinks package.

 

I haven't sailed Celebrity yet so can't answer that.

 

They weren't on the drinks list of our Rhapsody of the Seas cruise but we just asked and they made them. They are such a classic that any bartender worth his salt should know how to make one.

 

I prefer cocktails that are more bitter / sour for pre-dinner. Much better as an aperitif. A brandy alexander is too creamy for that.

[The_Big_M]

What are WOW envelopes? :confused:

 

Something higher status C&A cruisers can hand out as a reward for good service.

[CoopColbie]

I LOVE brandy alexanders. Can I get those on my Celebrity cruise? I wasnt sure if they only make a set range of cocktails or you can order classics like that. That is a perfect after dinner drink yum! Actually on holidays I would have one pre-dinner if on offer :p. We have prepaid for the premium drinks package.

 

 

Celebrity doesn't have cocktail lists in their general bars around the ship so you can rock up and ask them to make any cocktail you like. In the specialty bars - Martini and Molecule - they have set menus.

Edited May 26, 2015 by CoopColbie

[circuitrider]

Why doesn't a coin seem right.

 

surely a $ is a $ is a $. They are going to either use it n port or bank it on board.

 

I don't know the policies of the various cruise lines, but the currency exchange places I've used will not take coins. A pile of $1 and $2 Australian coins might be worthless if you're trying to exchange to USD (well, hopefully an Australian money exchanger would take them). Found out the hard way when we tried to purchase a tour in Noumea, they had prices in AUD but would not take coins. Neither would the currency converter biz.

 

Anyways, that's one case where a $ is not always a $.

Edited May 27, 2015 by circuitrider

[sexylegend8]

I am definately going to be trying the room service out this time round, I didnt on our first cruise...... just forgot all about it LOL!

Would it be norty to get a coffee every morning? Hahahahaha - the height of my laziness would be to not have to get up for a coffee! Might make it breakfast as well so i dont feel so bad.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I am definately going to be trying the room service out this time round, I didnt on our first cruise...... just forgot all about it LOL!

Would it be norty to get a coffee every morning? Hahahahaha - the height of my laziness would be to not have to get up for a coffee! Might make it breakfast as well so i dont feel so bad.

 

:eek: I'd put on twice the amount of weight than I normally do if I did that. ;)

 

Making myself go to the MDR or cafe for food means at least I get some exercise. :D

[mr walker]

Im surprised how many people commented that they hadnt used room service on their cruises.

 

Over 90 nights at sea for us & never had room service once :eek: Guess we are out-of-the-cabin type people :)

[chrisb74]

Room service breakfast on port days is our thing. Breakfast on the balcony with a new and exciting view. Plus it makes sure we get up when we should. :)

[Kiwi Kruzer]

:eek: I'd put on twice the amount of weight than I normally do if I did that. ;)

 

Making myself go to the MDR or cafe for food means at least I get some exercise. :D

 

 

Its much easier to just book a cabin near the MDR or the buffet:D:D

[pfm18]

Add my name to the list of people that has cruised several times without ever getting room service.

 

 

Actually come to think of it, I'm only ever in my stateroom for about 7 hours a day, on average.

 

 

Six of those hours are sleep hours (Usually 2am-8am or 3am-9am) and then an hour or so in the early evening to get showered and ready for dinner.

 

The rest of the time I'm either in the buffet eating, in port, at the pool sunbathing, or in the casino :D

[OzKiwiJJ]

Its much easier to just book a cabin near the MDR or the buffet:D:D

 

Has anyone ever told you you are an evil child, David? ;)

Edited May 28, 2015 by OzKiwiJJ

[to_dee]

Something higher status C&A cruisers can hand out as a reward for good service.

 

Ah ok thank you.

 

Celebrity doesn't have cocktail lists in their general bars around the ship so you can rock up and ask them to make any cocktail you like. In the specialty bars - Martini and Molecule - they have set menus.

 

Excellent to know thanks again :D

[to_dee]

Its much easier to just book a cabin near the MDR or the buffet:D:D

 

Good one !! :p:p:p LOLs!

[lyndarra]

Celebrity doesn't have cocktail lists in their general bars around the ship so you can rock up and ask them to make any cocktail you like. In the specialty bars - Martini and Molecule - they have set menus.

 

We experienced that on a recent Celebrity cruise. However, we are at a disadvantage as we are not normally cocktail drinkers and did not have a clue as to what is available. I went to a (poolside) bar and asked for a list and it took the bartender a few minutes of rummaging under the bar to find one and then there wasn't much on it. On a Princess cruise last year they had cocktail lists which were great and you could browse through dozens of different cocktails to find something you may like. Much better in our book.

[lyndarra]

I don't know the policies of the various cruise lines, but the currency exchange places I've used will not take coins. A pile of $1 and $2 Australian coins might be worthless if you're trying to exchange to USD (well, hopefully an Australian money exchanger would take them). Found out the hard way when we tried to purchase a tour in Noumea, they had prices in AUD but would not take coins. Neither would the currency converter biz.

 

Anyways, that's one case where a $ is not always a $.

 

The reason for not taking coins is the banks. They eventually have to repatriate the currency and this is too expensive if it is heavy coinage.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Celebrity doesn't have cocktail lists in their general bars around the ship so you can rock up and ask them to make any cocktail you like. In the specialty bars - Martini and Molecule - they have set menus.

 

That takes all the fun out it. I love looking through cocktails lists and trying new cocktails rather than sticking to the same-old-same-old. We tried some very nice ones on Royal Caribbean that I'd never heard of, plus some interesting variations on old favourites.

 

I guess I'll have to buy that cocktail book for my Kindle.

[Aussie FF]

Will RCCL ships cruising in Australia be able to break US notes into small denominations for tipping? I assume guest relations can do this?

 

Yes. Every cruise I go to 'Guest circus's' on the second last day and withdraw most of my cash balance, and ask for 5's 10's and 20's for tipping purposes.

This is on top of pre-paid tips.:)

[Aussie FF]

Yes. Every cruise I go to 'Guest circus's' on the second last day and withdraw most of my cash balance, and ask for 5's 10's and 20's for tipping purposes.

This is on top of pre-paid tips.:)

 

BTW, nearly a year at sea, and I have never, ever, used room service.:D

And that includes cruising in Suites. :)

Edited May 31, 2015 by Aussie FF