Because we can never have enough tipping threads….

[MouseinMelbourne]

We leave on the Dream in 6 days. I have read in multiple places that there is no “handing things off” to CMs. I plan to at least double the tips, assuming even mediocre service. (I’m going to try and not blubber all over them and instead use cash to show my appreciation for their fortitude over the last 18 months.)

The initial/base tips are automatically charged, right? I seem to remember this from our DEC ‘19 Fantasy sailing. Can I add cash tips? If not, can I add tips in the app? Must I go to a Guest Services to do this? Kind of a pain since I need an appointment, but if I must, I must.

 

[jimandshane]

Base tips are auto-charged, yes -- if you're ordering from bars (or dining at Palo), you will also get an open check in your folio on the app, to which you can add additional gratuity.

I should add, there were at least 2 times where the check never stayed open for us, so we could not increase the tip. And, they only stay open for a few hours. The app will remind you that a check is closing.

 

[jimandshane]

One more thing! We did tip in cash for room service, and to add additional gratuity to the cards at the end.

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

Perfect! Thank you so much.

 

[jimandshane]

We got the envelopes, I'm sure you will too, no worries!

 

[DisneyKrayzie2]

We got the envelopes and the prepaid strips in our stateroom, went to Guest Services to increase the tips and got new strips to put in envelopes. Before heading to our final dinner with the envelopes we decided the cast members really did do a great job and decided we should of tipped more, so added some cash to the envelopes as well and handed the envelopes to them on final night.

 

[tvguy]

When I first started lurking here in 2002 many folks took $2 bills for tipping. Is that still a popular thing to do? I just remember going to the bank to get $2 bills and the teller told me "there is no such thing". She called over the manager, they don't keep them on hand, but they ordered them for me and had them the next day.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

When I first started lurking here in 2002 many folks took $2 bills for tipping. Is that still a popular thing to do? I just remember going to the bank to get $2 bills and the teller told me "there is no such thing". She called over the manager, they don't keep them on hand, but they ordered them for me and had them the next day.

Typically, $2 bills, while a novelty, can be problematic for those sending the cash "back home". There are foreign banks who don't recognize them as actual currency. If you're going to tip cash, it's best to make it 1/5/10 dollar bills.

 

[tvguy]

Typically, $2 bills, while a novelty, can be problematic for those sending the cash "back home". There are foreign banks who don't recognize them as actual currency. If you're going to tip cash, it's best to make it 1/5/10 dollar bills.

Wow, I am amazed the international crew would mail actual cash back home. I would think the ship would have a way for them to give the cash to the ship and have the money electronically transferred home. Or just has a U.S. bank account and deposit the cash at the ATM nearest to where the ship docks in various ports.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Wow, I am amazed the international crew would mail actual cash back home. I would think the ship would have a way for them to give the cash to the ship and have the money electronically transferred home. Or just has a U.S. bank account and deposit the cash at the ATM nearest to where the ship docks in various ports.

I agree. I find it very hard to believe they would mail actual cash back to their home countries.

 

[Lewisc]

My bank told me not to order 2 dollar bills for tipping on cruises. The banks and places crew patronize won't accept 2 dollar bills. I was told a 2 dollar bill has the same value as monopoly money

I'm not sure if the ship will change tip. currency for crew members.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Wow, I am amazed the international crew would mail actual cash back home. I would think the ship would have a way for them to give the cash to the ship and have the money electronically transferred home. Or just has a U.S. bank account and deposit the cash at the ATM nearest to where the ship docks in various ports.

Yes, they often have the capability to bank their cash and transfer it that way. But not all the crew does this. Yes, some will still mail cash home. "Home" may not actually have access to banking facilities.

My bank told me not to order 2 dollar bills for tipping on cruises. The banks and places crew patronize won't accept 2 dollar bills. I was told a 2 dollar bill has the same value as monopoly money

I'm not sure if the ship will change tip. currency for crew members.

I believe that the ship can and does have some banking abilities for the crew.

 

[tvguy]

My bank told me not to order 2 dollar bills for tipping on cruises. The banks and places crew patronize won't accept 2 dollar bills. I was told a 2 dollar bill has the same value as monopoly money

I'm not sure if the ship will change tip. currency for crew members.

Well, I guess there could be issues with foreign banks. But it is illegal not to accept U.S. Currency in the U.S.

 

[Lewisc]

Well, I guess there could be issues with foreign banks. But it is illegal not to accept U.S. Currency in the U.S.

Some of the crew may use the equivalent of private western union type desks in foreign ports to send money back home. Some may be spending money in foreign ports.

A crew member isn't going to setup a US bank account to deposit a 2 dollar bill tip. May not be worth the effort to see if the ship will change it for 2 singles.
The clerk in my bank said 2 dollar bill tips are all but worthless to ship crew. I took them at the word and didn't bother ordering the bills.

Many stores in the US won't accept bills larger then a twenty.

 

[tvguy]

Some of the crew may use the equivalent of private western union type desks in foreign ports to send money back home. Some may be spending money in foreign ports.

A crew member isn't going to setup a US bank account to deposit a 2 dollar bill tip. May not be worth the effort to see if the ship will change it for 2 singles.
The clerk in my bank said 2 dollar bill tips are all but worthless to ship crew. I took them at the word and didn't bother ordering the bills.

Many stores in the US won't accept bills larger then a twenty.

No, I don't think they would set up a U.S. bank account for a $2 tip, but I always tip more than the automatic amount as do others, so I suspect they would have more cash to deposit each week than that. I know many small businesses won't accept anything larger than a $20, but I was shocked when I went to my gas station and saw a guy pay with a $100 bill. Although with current gas prices that may be just one tank of gas. I told clerk I was surprised he took a bill that large. He said they get about 20 $100 bills a day. And Walmart, lord, people are just peeling off $100 bills left and right. But they are in the 25% or so of U.S. citizens with no bank account.

 

[hrhdhd]

There's no need to make a special trip to the bank to order $2 bills when commonly circulated bills are readily available. Just tip in common U.S. currency. (My guess is people want to be remembered, but they end up being remembered for the wrong reason. The tip isn't about you.)

 

[Lewisc]

No, I don't think they would set up a U.S. bank account for a $2 tip, but I always tip more than the automatic amount as do others, so I suspect they would have more cash to deposit each week than that. I know

But only 2 dollar bills are an issue. They only need a US account for 2 bills
I doubt many cruisers get 2 dollar bills to tip.
I'm only repeating what my banker said, 2 dollar bills might as well be monopoly money

 

[tvguy]

But only 2 dollar bills are an issue. They only need a US account for 2 bills
I doubt many cruisers get 2 dollar bills to tip.
I'm only repeating what my banker said, 2 dollar bills might as well be monopoly money

Thanks. I was only asking because $2 bills for tips were the standard for people on the DIS, just like Fish Extenders.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks. I was only asking because $2 bills for tips were the standard for people on the DIS, just like Fish Extenders.

Well, I don't know about "standard". We never used them.

 

[tvguy]

Well, I don't know about "standard". We never used them.

I only got them because when I joined, a lot of people on the DIS said to tip in $2 bills. But this was before you joined so you may have missed that.