Taking Cash on Cruise for Tips and Port Purchases

[scrappinginontario]

During the past few years I've found myself transitioning to using CC more than cash. When preparing for our cruise I took some cash but, not as much as I should have and not as many small bills as I wished I'd taken. I'd forgotten how many times we'd want cash.

We normally do 2 port days but this trip was 3 which added to tips. Many places 'encourage' tips on excursions:
- local tour guide who oversaw the tour
- bus driver
- attraction guides (some of our tours had as many as 3 of these)

In addition to this I realized I only wanted to use cash for purchases at the ports.

Anyway, just a heads up that if you're like me and used to using credit cards, you may wish to take more cash than you would use at home.

(I understand tips are optional, just wanted to share my experience.)

 

[sadiecatie]

How much do people tend to tip for each of these people on excursions? (Newbie here, I know I’ve heard $1-2 per item for room service, but otherwise I have no idea what to plan for in terms of cash tipping)

 

[scrappinginontario]

How much do people tend to tip for each of these people on excursions? (Newbie here, I know I’ve heard $1-2 per item for room service, but otherwise I have no idea what to plan for in terms of cash tipping)

I honestly don't know. Sorry! Not sure there is a set amount.

Hopefully someone else can add more information about this.

 

[tvguy]

We generally tip $5 a person for excursions. I keep reading alerts about NOT using your credit card in some countries, like Mexico, but I always take plenty of cash or travelers checks which I cash at Guest Services before leaving the ship.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How much do people tend to tip for each of these people on excursions? (Newbie here, I know I’ve heard $1-2 per item for room service, but otherwise I have no idea what to plan for in terms of cash tipping)

Typically, on shore excursions (whether ship based, or private) MOST tour guides will be a tippable position and covers both the guide and the driver. On occasion they will also say that the bus driver has his/her own tip bowl. I've never heard of tipping attraction hosts while on a tour, generally those (if there are any) are included in the tour price.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We generally tip $5 a person for excursions. I keep reading alerts about NOT using your credit card in some countries, like Mexico, but I always take plenty of cash or travelers checks which I cash at Guest Services before leaving the ship.

I was cautious not to use my cc at ports but sadly my card was compromised in the US when I filled up at a Sunoco! Thankfully bank picked up immediately on suspicious activity and put a hold on my card. I had a backup cc with me which I used for our US shopping and supper before crossing the border back into Canada.

Typically, on shore excursions (whether ship based, or private) MOST tour guides will be a tippable position and covers both the guide and the driver. On occasion they will also say that the bus driver has his/her own tip bowl. I've never heard of tipping attraction hosts while on a tour, generally those (if there are any) are included in the tour price.

We found many of our attractions last week 'suggested' additional tips besides tour guide and driver (which we were advised by tour guide were separate tips on 2 different excursions.)

Extra tips were suggested for:
Cozumel - Did the chocolate and honey tour. Both stops had local people who provided information during their session and tips were mentioned. (Didn't tip at all of these as I just didn't have small bills with me)
Jamaica - Did the bobsled and zipline tour. Additional tips were suggested at both these places for teams who loaded/unloaded the bobsleds and also those who ran the zipline. I did tip here as there was a team of 5 who made the tour fun and also took great care of us.

I just wasn't prepared for all of these extra places that we had the option to tip and wanted others to know it might happen to them too.

 

[NEGeekymama]

We generally tip $5 for the driver and $5 for the guide, with some wiggle room. For example, our tour guide in Cozumel for the Ruins, Chocolate and Beach tour (Yane!) was one of the best we've ever experienced, so we tipped her $10. In Jamaica we did the Green Grotto Cave tour, and the cave tour guide was also phenomenal, so we tipped him as well.

 

[Princesca]

We signed up for the excursion to Playa Mia, and my understanding is the bus just takes you the 5-10 minute drive to the beach and back. Is a tip expected in this case?

 

[scrappinginontario]

We signed up for the excursion to Playa Mia, and my understanding is the bus just takes you the 5-10 minute drive to the beach and back. Is a tip expected in this case?

It's up to you but personally, I plan to tip all who guide tours or drive us places. This is their main source of income and for us, the small amount of $ is worth it to thank them.