Calling Cards as Tips

[Suecot2000]

I have read several posts about giving calling cards as tips to CM that have been extremely helpful during the cruise. For example room service, and bar servers on deck, the CM that usually don't receive money as tips. My question is: What denomination do you usally give? Where is the best place to buy calling cards?

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by Suecot2000
I have read several posts about giving calling cards as tips to CM that have been extremely helpful during the cruise. For example room service, and bar servers on deck, the CM that usually don't receive money as tips. My question is: What denomination do you usally give? Where is the best place to buy calling cards?

We went a different route, we got $10.00 Walmart gift cards to give CM's. I also just recently found out that there is a Target near the port as well that CM's can shop at for personal items.

 

[professorandmom]

Just bought mine at Sam's today (as Barb and Tony recommend). Now that the rate is under 3 cents per minute as you buy them there were two choices - 120 minutes or 60 minutes (or 650 or 1250 in single packs). I laughed when I saw the 60 minute cards because that means I would give a card which cost me under two dollars - doesn't seem too generous a reward for hard work. So I picked up two packs of the 120 minutes - there are 7 in the pack - then I thought I would give two cards per person as a tip. I had a hard time deciding how many cards I would need - I haven't cruised before.
Hope this helps, I am anxious to read what other people choose!
Barb

 

[Moosysmom]

I used the 120 minute ones as extra tips and to the people I would not have ordinarily tipped.
Some of the cast members we spoke with did mention Target and Wal-Mart right by the ship, as a place they ran to for things.

 

[my3kids]

The bar servers do get tips...15% added to every bill. They are the one group who know at the end of the week that a tip is a sure thing. Guests can, and unfortunately do, leave the ship without giving the suggested gratuity to the room hosts and dinner servers, but the bar workers add the 15% to every drink.

 

[Mjasp]

I heard that the 15% gets shared between the person serving the drink and the bartender. When I heard that I added an extra tip on the bar bill.