Need cash? Smaller bills?

[lenshanem]

Can we put EVERYTHING on the room account? Or do we need any small bills for tips, etc.? Can someone tell me what all we could possibly need cash for on the cruise besides at the ports?
I think last time we put cash in the server envelopes on the last night. Can we instead put this on our room account instead? Will they give us a slip to put in the envelopes or do we need to even do that? Will they just forward it on to them?
Would any Travelers Checks be better to take?

Thanks so much! I'm wondering how much we'll need to take.

 

[tampaguys]

Everything on board and on Castaway Cay can be charged on your Key to the World card. This includes the gratuities. You just go to Guest Services, tell them how much you want to tip your server, asst server, etc. They will charge it to your room and give you a receipt to put in each tip envelope. Even if doing it this way, it's still customary to hand the envelopes to the people being tipped.

You will probably want to have some cash on hand to tip porters, tour guides on excursions, etc. We only carried cash with us when we anticipated needing it. The rest of the time, we just locked it away in the safe in our stateroom.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks. I wonder who all I would need to tip on the dolphin encounter... Anyone know?

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

If you plan on using room service, you can tip them in cash. We usually keep some singles in the room for just that purpose.

 

[sk8ingmom]

I thought this was spam from the title!

"Need Cash? Smaller bills?"
"Come to superty-duper-extra-income-for-no-work-dot-something to learn my life changing tips to shrink your bills and get more cash..."

We kept about $20 in singles near the door for room service tips. The rest of it depends on what you plan to do in port. If you never leave the ship, all you'll need is room service tip $, and the porters when you get on & off.

 

[NHdisneylover]

The only time we used cash ON the ship was to tip room service. We also used cash at the terminal (going and comming) to tip porters (major tips for servers, etc can be charged to your account).

Be aware if you want to send a postcard home from Castaway Cay the post office there only takes cash. They also don't have much change--so just bring a couple of one dollar bills with you.

 

[sherekhan]

I agree with the room service note and the porters. We took $30 in small bills and used almost all of them.

We also took a roll of quarters because I heard that sometimes the change machine runs out.

FYI, I was glad I had all of the above. We ended up with my DD having some GI issues which meant quarantine to the room and unexpected laundry . That meant lots of room service. Even when she was out of quarantine, I fed her from room service to keep her on rice, broth, crackers, bananas, etc. Oh, guest services (the people that bring you Pedialyte popsicles) will not accept gratuity. I guess they just want you to STAY IN THERE!

 

[lenshanem]

I thought this was spam from the title!

"Need Cash? Smaller bills?"
"Come to superty-duper-extra-income-for-no-work-dot-something to learn my life changing tips to shrink your bills and get more cash..."

You're right! It does sound funny!


Sooo, tell me about drinks. I can't remember. I can put drinks on my room key and is the tip automatically put on the bill?

Different for room service, though - correct? Drinks to the cabin do not include tip, so we'd tip them then with a couple bucks. Am I right?

Thanks!