tipping cash on ships and pre/post cruise

[NSWP]

G'day, soon to be in USA, post/pre cruise. Are $1 notes still ok for tipping porters, service staff on ships, wait staff in hotels etc ?.

Not talking about auto tips on the ships, just the cash tips expected and deserved by many staff.

Reason for asking, some Aussies reckon $5 notes for tipping in the USA are the norm now, inflation has rendered the $1 notes 'unacceptable' for tipping.

Tell me if this is a stupid question. !

[RichC]

Wow, maybe I've fell behind the times but we've always considered tipping around $2 for room service, laundry etc to be sufficient an will continue to do so in the future. I didn't think anyone would possible be upset unless given $5. 

[f-mattox]

NSWP, not a stupid question at all.  Customs are different in different countries . . .times change.  Tipping is still and always will be a very individual thing. 

My own preference for the three services you mention would be:  porters, $2 a bag; service staff on ship, $2 to $3  depending on the size of the order--don't forget that the tip is added automatically to bar service; wait staff in hotels, 15% of bill--again, be careful here and read your bill; a lot of places are adding  an 18% gratuity automatically.