Counting out my cash for the cruise...

[FigmentSpark]

What's the going rate for porters now? How about room service?

I'm just thinking about how much cash to bring and in what denominations. I know tipping is really subjective and may depend on the person and the service, but, in general, what bills should I have on hand and who will I be tipping cash (as opposed to those we tip on the end of the bill)?

 

[Ariel 2021]

Following . . .How much do people tip for room service? I expect to have coffees and pastries for the kids daily since we’re early risers and possibly some late snacks.

Side question, for early morning room service (5-6 AM) do they knock and bring it in or do they ever just leave it outside and if so how would you tip them?

 

[Calantha]

Side question, for early morning room service (5-6 AM) do they knock and bring it in or do they ever just leave it outside and if so how would you tip them?

So I got room service every morning at 6ish - and they do knock and bring it in. The first morning I had the poor guy carry it to the table...but realized that was a hassle, so I was just ready to go by 6 and had him sit it on the bed. I tipped him $1 per item - but since it was tea for me and cereal for DS it wasn't a lot. I think I'd cap out at about $3-4...

The tray is awful, I can't imagine them handing it to you to bring in the room (at least on the Fantasy/Dream).

What's the going rate for porters now?

I gave the porters $10 for 4 pieces of luggage (1 big suitcase, 1 mini roll-on, a duffle bag and my son's backpack).

 

[squirk]

I agree with @Calantha - $2/$3 for small/big bags for porters. $1 per item ordered from room service.

I always pay base gratuity to room attendant and wait staff via my folio, but usually slip at least another 25% to them in cash.

 

[Geomom]

The room service folks are so quick to drop the stuff off, you really need to have your tip ready when you open the door. They're basically our wakeup call for early excursions, so we can have coffee/breakfast while getting dressed...we were definitely not alert that first time and scrambled to get him a tip before he left. We do $1/item for room service.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I don't know if this is consistent enough to be confident in it, but I've always had the same room service person every morning. That has made it very easy to just tip $20-$40 at the end of the week rather than a couple of bucks each day.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't know if this is consistent enough to be confident in it, but I've always had the same room service person every morning. That has made it very easy to just tip $20-$40 at the end of the week rather than a couple of bucks each day.

I've never had the same person twice. I wouldn't count on that.

 

[brentm77]

I tipped the porter $20 last time we cruised. He looked very surprised, took my case of water that he wasn't supposed to take, and then gave me a few tips for getting through security and into the terminal faster. To me, tipping a little extra for porters and other service workers is such a small percentage of our total trip expense, and what is a relatively small one-time expense for me, seems to really make people's day sometimes. They have a physically demanding job, sometimes dealing with flustered parents/travelers, and it is a nice thing to do if it's in the budget.

 

[Alaska777]

I tipped the porter $20 last time we cruised. He looked very surprised, took my case of water that he wasn't supposed to take, and then gave me a few tips for getting through security and into the terminal faster. To me, tipping a little extra for porters and other service workers is such a small percentage of our total trip expense, and what is a relatively small one-time expense for me, seems to really make people's day sometimes. They have a physically demanding job, sometimes dealing with flustered parents/travelers, and it is a nice thing to do if it's in the budget.

Okay dumbest question ever, but where is the porter?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Okay dumbest question ever, but where is the porter?

They take your luggage when you arrive at the port.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I tipped the porter $20 last time we cruised. He looked very surprised, took my case of water that he wasn't supposed to take, and then gave me a few tips for getting through security and into the terminal faster. To me, tipping a little extra for porters and other service workers is such a small percentage of our total trip expense, and what is a relatively small one-time expense for me, seems to really make people's day sometimes. They have a physically demanding job, sometimes dealing with flustered parents/travelers, and it is a nice thing to do if it's in the budget.

I agree 100%.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

They take your luggage when you arrive at the port.

I found out the hard way it isn't always obvious who is the porter at international ports. In the regular ports DCL uses it's usually very obvious, I think they even have some type of uniform or badge (not DCL style but for the port your are at) but that isn't always the case at international ports. I had what I thought was a young kid "hassling" me to take my bags when I arrived at a port, only to find out it was the porter!!!! I felt ridiculous, but the person had on no uniform or badge and looked like they were in everyday clothes.

But to answer the OP question, I usually tip around $2 a bag. If you've got really heavy luggage, or awkward items (say golf clubs) maybe add on a bit extra. By the reactions I've gotten when I hand over a tip, I'm not even sure everyone knows, remembers or chooses to tip the porters. The people I always wish I could tip were the poor souls having to drag my bags up from the bowels of the ship to my room door. I often do walk off, and dragging those bags around the ship is a hassle! They can have my $10 to not deal with that on my vacation!

 

[princesscinderella]

They take your luggage when you arrive at the port.

They will also help you load it all up when you get off the ship