Tipping with cash

[dcassetta]

Have read a few of the recent threads about tipping, and have a question related to that. I've always been a little hesitant to tip in cash, because I'm not sure how secure it is for the cast members. But I also want to make sure that if I'm tipping someone for excellent service that they are credited for that. Does anyone know if the cast members have a secure place to keep cash tips, or is there a bank on board the ship itself?

 

[lanejudy]

Actually, it's my understanding that CMs prefer when tips are paid through Guest Services rather than cash. That way it is electronically deposited to their bank accounts and easier to send money home to their families. With cash, they have little need for cash and it accumulates, and they have little time to get to a bank to make a deposit. So I'd say unless you have a real aversion to paying the tips at Guest Services -- either in cash, credit, debit, gift card or whatever -- no need to plan cash for the tip envelopes.

As for getting "credited" -- the biggest impact, rather than the tips (and I'm NOT saying to not tip) is to personally recognize the CMs BY NAME on the comment card at the end of the cruise. These are seen by management and rewarded to the employees.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[MillauFr]

I like to tip in cash. When I went to lunch or dinner they never brought me anything to sign the food was "free". Also at lunch we didn't have our regular servers and I figured they didn't get any of the autotips that got debited from our accounts. Is that true?

 

[lanejudy]

I like to tip in cash. When I went to lunch or dinner they never brought me anything to sign the food was "free". Also at lunch we didn't have our regular servers and I figured they didn't get any of the autotips that got debited from our accounts. Is that true?

The recommended tips that are automatically charged to your onboard account at the beginning of your cruise include amounts for your assigned serving team (head waiter, server and assistant server). You are correct that "your" tips will only go to those 3 people. It is widely recognized that someone else's server maybe serving you breakfast or lunch -- but your servers are serving others at that time as well (or working the buffet or fast food stations). It is expected that the dinner tips cover for ALL food service onboard the ship. That said, you are welcome to tip in cash at the table if you so desire. The servers working the "buffet" at night (which is not actually buffet) are trainees and not expected to receive a tip, though it's nice if you choose to do so.

If you left cash tips on the table at dinner, and paid the gratuities automatically charged to your account, then you tipped your dinner staff generously.

 

[tinkerone]

you can add cash to your tip envelope if you wish. we do this if we want to add more to the automatic tips. any cash the cm gets does not have to be held by him till he gets to a bank. he would just take it to the purser and have them credit their account. from there the money is directed where ever the cm has requested it go, such as the bank they deal with at their home.
also, cm's like to have small amounts of cash on them so they can do things when given time off in a port.
tip as you feel is best for you, the cm will be happy no matter how that is.

 

[dcassetta]

you can add cash to your tip envelope if you wish. we do this if we want to add more to the automatic tips. any cash the cm gets does not have to be held by him till he gets to a bank. he would just take it to the purser and have them credit their account. from there the money is directed where ever the cm has requested it go, such as the bank they deal with at their home.
also, cm's like to have small amounts of cash on them so they can do things when given time off in a port.
tip as you feel is best for you, the cm will be happy no matter how that is.

Thank you for letting me know that they can turn cash into the purser. That relieves my mind about cast members having to be concerned about the security of their money.

 

[ludari]

I always do both. I tip the suggested amount that DCL recommends using the automatic tip and then I always add cash to each of the envelopes.