Who do we tip?

[LaurenPetersen]

Who do we tip on the cruise?

when?

and about how much?

We don't want to be stingy but we don't want to break the bank.

Thanks,

Lauren

[cruiserbryce]

the standard for grat positions that you will pay are for your Cabin steward, you waiter, asst waiter and head waiter...beyond that you will be charged a pre determined % on drinks that you buy and then tips would be to recognize outstanding service

[cb at sea]

The bartenders add 15% to each bartab--no need to tip extra. Porters and taxi drivers should be tipped. Excursion guides (if they go "above and beyond") are tipped by some. It's not required or expected.

 

On the ship, as the above poster stated, you are expected to tip your cabin attendant, your waiter and ass't. waiter, and the head waiter (if you ever see them!!!) It usually costs about $10 per person per day for tips. So, on a 7 nighter, figure on $140.00 in tips for 2 people. You can give them cash (the ship will leave envelopes in your room on the last evening for tips!) on the last evening, or pre-pay the tips. If you pre-pay, you will get some sort of "voucher" to give to those who have served you.

[Plant]

Here's the link to Carnival's tipping policy:

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Gratuities_Tips.aspx

 

Have a wonderful honeymoon cruise!

[silentbob007]

Just so you know ... tipping is big on cruises becuase those providing services for you make next to nothing from the cruiseline ... they are working for tips. Overall, an awful lot of service is being provided for your tip money. Almost everyone on this board who is a frequent cruiser simply adds the tips in their mind to the cost of the cruise because we know how hard the crew works.

[bar_20]

If you order room service, like breakfast in the morning, you should also tip the person that brings your food to your stateroom a couple of dollars. Basicly it's like a hotel. You should always have some singles for tips. I have heard of some people that handed out $2.00 bills as tips. Don't over tip but do tip as needed. Check your cruise ship guide lines.

[Plant]

If you order room service, like breakfast in the morning, you should also tip the person that brings your food to your stateroom a couple of dollars. Basicly it's like a hotel. You should always have some singles for tips. I have heard of some people that handed out $2.00 bills as tips. Don't over tip but do tip as needed. Check your cruise ship guide lines.

 

The $2.00 bill tips sound interesting and the crew will thank you, but then they'll have to go to the Purser and have them changed into "real" money :) . It's sometimes hard to use a $2.00 bill here in the states. Imagine trying to use one in another country!

 

They also prefer the older bills to the new colored ones. Some places think they're counterfeit.

[cruiserbryce]

I havent had any issues using $2 bills before...is this that common?

[notentirelynormal]

I havent had any issues using $2 bills before...is this that common?

 

Yes. When we were in Australia our taxi/tour driver asked us what the purpose of them was. He had been given one for a tip and his bank wouldn't take it and he couldn't spend it. He said it was a perfectly worthless tip. When was the last time you got a $2 in change? ... and that answers that question. No one uses them.

 

In addition to what other have already said, an earlier poster said you will get vouchers to hand out. It depends on the cruise line. Princess does not do this, they merely inform the personnel involved that you left the auto tip on. You will be charged a set amount - around $10-$11 per person per day which will cover all your tips. If you feel someone went above and beyond throw in some more money. Otherwise you're covered.

[Plant]

I havent had any issues using $2 bills before...is this that common?

 

You haven't had any issues because the crew will thank you profusely for anything you give them :) ; that's part of their job. They'll also thank people profusely for T-shirts, phone cards, knick-knacks, etc., but 99% of these will end up in the trash :( .

 

The only time I found a Room Stewardess interested in anything except "normal" cash was a wonderful young woman who was interested in the magazine I was reading. She said she and other crew like to practice reading English and she'd leave it in the crew area after she read it.

[Sheffie]

Here is a great tip calculator. It is great! (Thanks TPKeller for creating this site.)

 

We always tip AT LEAST that much for service, and usually give extra cash to our waiter, assistant waiter and room steward. They work hard for their tips!