alex_drew Posted April 13, 2019 #1 Share Posted April 13, 2019 I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question. We've cruised many times but always starting/ending in the US, so as this is our first time on Cunard and the first time embarking in Southampton, my question is: should we tip the baggage handlers at the port in US dollars or in pounds? In the US we tip the baggage handlers when they take our bags at the port but in the US these baggage handlers are not affiliated with the cruiseline and I'm just not sure how that works in the UK. I know that on board QM2 everything is charged in USD, so just want to make sure what is appropriate for the baggage handlers in Southampton, pounds or USD? Thank you so much for your help with this; when I was trying to organize things for this cruise earlier today I said to my husband "I'll just post on CC and they will let me know what is correct". I am very grateful for the info/knowledge on CC! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnip eater Posted April 13, 2019 #2 Share Posted April 13, 2019 The baggage handlers in Southampton are employed by the port authorities. It’s not necessary to tip the porters, if fact they take away your baggage so swiftly you’d probably not have time to tip them 😀. If you feel that you must tip them, then £s please. Enjoy your cruise! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseluvva Posted April 13, 2019 #3 Share Posted April 13, 2019 They do very much appreciate a tip, though will do the job with the same efficiency if you forget or choose not to. We always give them a few pounds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted April 13, 2019 #4 Share Posted April 13, 2019 9 hours ago, turnip eater said: The baggage handlers in Southampton are employed by the port authorities. It’s not necessary to tip the porters, if fact they take away your baggage so swiftly you’d probably not have time to tip them 😀. If you feel that you must tip them, then £s please. Enjoy your cruise! (bold is mine) That's usually been my experience. I tell them which bags to take, look down to check that I've got all my carry-on stuff, and when I look up the porter and my bags are already on their way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmike911 Posted April 13, 2019 #5 Share Posted April 13, 2019 12 hours ago, alex_drew said: I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question. We've cruised many times but always starting/ending in the US, so as this is our first time on Cunard and the first time embarking in Southampton, my question is: should we tip the baggage handlers at the port in US dollars or in pounds? In the US we tip the baggage handlers when they take our bags at the port but in the US these baggage handlers are not affiliated with the cruiseline and I'm just not sure how that works in the UK. I know that on board QM2 everything is charged in USD, so just want to make sure what is appropriate for the baggage handlers in Southampton, pounds or USD? Thank you so much for your help with this; when I was trying to organize things for this cruise earlier today I said to my husband "I'll just post on CC and they will let me know what is correct". I am very grateful for the info/knowledge on CC! If you are going to tip anyone in the U.K. please use Pounds Sterling. I usually give people who help me a two pound coin (there are no one or two pound notes) for every bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchestrapal Posted April 13, 2019 #6 Share Posted April 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Bigmike911 said: If you are going to tip anyone in the U.K. please use Pounds Sterling. I usually give people who help me a two pound coin (there are no one or two pound notes) for every bag. Ditto! Tips are more and more becoming the norm in GB as well as in the US. Up until now they just have been lower by about half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChansonDeLaMer Posted April 13, 2019 #7 Share Posted April 13, 2019 We’ve generally had the same experience as TurnipEater. Our bags seem to be whisked away quickly, and there’s no one there to tip. Maybe once in 4 embarkations at Southampton we’ve tipped. The porters are super efficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickb Posted April 13, 2019 #8 Share Posted April 13, 2019 3 hours ago, orchestrapal said: Ditto! Tips are more and more becoming the norm in GB as well as in the US. Up until now they just have been lower by about half. Not sure where you get this information from. The UK is no where near the US in its tipping ‘requirements’ - mostly because the way that wages are structured is different. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchestrapal Posted April 13, 2019 #9 Share Posted April 13, 2019 5 minutes ago, Mickb said: Not sure where you get this information from. The UK is no where near the US in its tipping ‘requirements’ - mostly because the way that wages are structured is different. After 44 visits of 2 -7 weeks each to London we have noticed TIMES HAVE CHANGED. No longer do you round up to the nearest Pound but rather most restaurants add 10-12 % tips. Other service people have their hands out similarly to big cities in the US. The amounts are somewhat less but nevertheless tips. This may vary outside of the Capital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_drew Posted April 13, 2019 Author #10 Share Posted April 13, 2019 Thank you all so much for this information; it is exactly what I needed. We will have our tip (in pounds) in our hands when we arrive at the port, so will be able to tip the hard-working porter(s) before they disappear with our bags! 😊 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turnip eater Posted April 14, 2019 #11 Share Posted April 14, 2019 Orchestrapal, Could it be that in London there are people working there who are from other countries who expect tips?...JMHO I agree with the comment about restaurants adding tips/service charges to bills. Not just in London. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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