Tipping in Europe

[anneep1016]

We are sailing on the Norwegian Epic out of Barcelona Sunday. Will there be any way to get US dollars on the ship? Like an ATM? If not is it ok to tip the butler and concierge in Euros? I can't believe I forgot to bring US dollars with me!!!!

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

They will be very happy with Euros.

[GUT2407]

We are sailing on the Norwegian Epic out of Barcelona Sunday. Will there be any way to get US dollars on the ship? Like an ATM? If not is it ok to tip the butler and concierge in Euros? I can't believe I forgot to bring US dollars with me!!!!

 

 

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They will take anything.

 

One day in port a crew member was doing some shopping he pulled out some money he had US$ Aus$ Pound Euros NZ$ and some more I didn't recognise.

[ollienbertsmum]

We are sailing on the Norwegian Epic out of Barcelona Sunday. Will there be any way to get US dollars on the ship? Like an ATM? If not is it ok to tip the butler and concierge in Euros? I can't believe I forgot to bring US dollars with me!!!!

 

 

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I am on the ship on Sunday too. Although I do think you will be able to get dollars changed, I don't see any problem tipping in Euro. Money is money anywhere. If you are on a ship in Europe I think you should expect to handle some European currency. I am planning to tip in Euro.

[anneep1016]

Thank you!

 

 

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[KeithJenner]

Euro are actually very convenient for them as they can spend then onshore.

[Demonyte]

We are sailing on the Norwegian Epic out of Barcelona Sunday. Will there be any way to get US dollars on the ship? Like an ATM? If not is it ok to tip the butler and concierge in Euros? I can't believe I forgot to bring US dollars with me!!!!

 

 

You can tip butler and concierge through your onboard account too, the money will be deposited to their onboard accounts in dollars and they can use it just like they can with their regular pay. If you are interested in this, just visit Guest Services and they will help you.

[renata102]

Euros are as good as $USD

[4774Papa]

You can get more dollars onboard from an ATM. Some NCL ships have an ATM with Euros (in the casino).

 

One thing about tipping while on shore in Europe. Tipping your tour guide is common, but tipping in restaurants is different in Europe than the USA. Most restaurants add a service charge that covers the tip. Even, so sometimes I will leave small change on top of the service charge for good service.

 

Another consideration, is that the ATM onboard the ship will have a hefty fee, like $6. I always take some extra dollars and make sure the bills are clean, unmarked, not torn.

[NLH Arizona]

You can get more dollars onboard from an ATM. Some NCL ships have an ATM with Euros (in the casino).

 

One thing about tipping while on shore in Europe. Tipping your tour guide is common, but tipping in restaurants is different in Europe than the USA. Most restaurants add a service charge that covers the tip. Even, so sometimes I will leave small change on top of the service charge for good service.

 

Another consideration, is that the ATM onboard the ship will have a hefty fee, like $6. I always take some extra dollars and make sure the bills are clean, unmarked, not torn.

If I could add, please don't take $2 bills. Some countries think they are not real and won't take them. I know some cruisers think it is a cute idea (because most never see them) to give them as tips to the crew, but many times they are just useless to the crew unless they are cruising in the United States.

[dazey]

When we got money from the

ATM it was US dollars on Celebrity in Europe. Then I went to the main desk and they exchanged(probably for a fee) for Euros and it was very easy.

[4774Papa]

If I could add, please don't take $2 bills. Some countries think they are not real and won't take them. I know some cruisers think it is a cute idea (because most never see them) to give them as tips to the crew, but many times they are just useless to the crew unless they are cruising in the United States.

 

I lived in Germany for four years (87-91). I worked for the US Army and $2 bills were widely in circulation among the military community. In those days, there was no problem exchanging them for DMs.

 

Also, on a trip to Cairo, I negotiated a price for a camel ride at the pyramids with him taking my photo with my camera. When I gave in a US bill, I got some $2 bills in change.

 

We once gave $2 bills as tips and it always seemed to provide us with quick service. We stopped doing that largely because bank don't really carry the bills anymore. You may be right that some may not take the bills, but i don't think it is a widespread problem to dispose of the bills.

[cml4958]

Cash from the ATM in the casino on the Star was US dollars. We were in the Baltics. I can't remember the fee but it wasn't that much.

 

One caveat about tipping from your onboard account, the service people do not like this as much as cold hard cash. They have to wait for their paycheck in order to get the money. With cash, no delay.