Comprehensive Guide To Tipping On A Cruise Ship
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They will still go out of their way to make your cruise comfortable and enjoyable. If that’s the case — and you decide you want to change the amount you are charged for tips — then you can do that. Gratuity charges are typically not mandatory and can be adjusted. To do so, simply head down to Guest Services on the ship to tell them that you want to change your tip amounts.
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As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. Luxury cruise lines have a higher upfront cost than most popular cruise lines, however they’ll often include many valuable extras. While each cruise line is different, many include alcoholic drinks, soda and specialty coffee, gratuities, specialty dining and some shore excursions.
Do All Crew Members Receive A Portion Of The Daily Gratuities?
So again, be sure to take a close look at the line’s policy regarding tipping. You can adjust your Princess automatic gratuities upward or downward, or eliminate them altogether, at the purser's office. An 18% gratuity is automatically added to all specialty dining, bar bills and spa services. As a first-time cruiser, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with tipping etiquette onboard. The key personnel who will enhance your cruising experience typically include your room steward and dining staff. Many major cruise lines suggest tipping guidelines for these essential services.
How Much to Tip Waiters on a Cruise
When cruising, understanding the tipping guidelines for various on-board services can enhance the experience for both you and the crew serving you. From room service to specialty dining, proper tipping ensures acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication of the staff. For example, some cruise lines have an automatic gratuity charge per drink or drinks package (including “free drink packages,”) and others add a tip percentage to all spa treatments. The third option for tipping is to pay the old-fashioned way – cash. (See below about removing automatic cruise gratuities from your bill.) These cash tips can be given at the time of service or at the conclusion of your trip. For example, European and luxury cruise lines are more likely to factor gratuities into the overall cost of the fare, so they won’t charge you daily gratuities.
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Cruise lines pay these workers very low wages for the long hours that they work each day, and expect that passengers will tip to increase the crew members’ earnings to a reasonable rate. I’ll explain everything you need to know about cruise gratuities—from who you should tip, how much you should tip, and who you should never tip on a cruise ship. Celebrity also has an all-inclusive program called “All Included rate” (formerly Always Included) where these fees are part of the rate.
Truth About Automated Gratuities
However, cruisers don’t always see all of the crew who work behind the scenes for them, like the kitchen and laundry workers. Often, these crew members are part of the tip pool, and they lose part of their expected income each time a passenger removes autogratuities. The cruise line will assess your fee each day, then they’ll charge your credit card on file at the end of the cruise. The daily Crew Appreciation charge is $16.00 per guest per day on Holland America for non-suite stateroom guests and $17.50 per guest per day for suite guests. Remember, you’re never going to get treated poorly if you do not tip extra!
Can I adjust the 18% that’s automatically applied to services and drinks?
When cruising, understanding your automated gratuities and what they mean for crew members is key to respecting cruise tipping etiquette. Recognizing exceptional service with additional tips can be a personal and direct way to say "thank you" to those who've made your trip memorable. For both of these services, always check with your cruise line's tipping policy for guidance as policies vary. Your generosity helps acknowledge the dedicated service your family receives, ensuring a memorable experience for all. Remember, these are standard amounts; you might consider increasing the tip for exceptional service or if you are traveling with small kids that may require additional attention. When planning your cruise vacation, understanding your cruise line's tipping policy is essential to ensure you budget appropriately and reward service staff adequately.
Near the end of your cruise, you’ll probably receive some comment cards in your stateroom that you can use to leave feedback about a member of the crew. You don’t need to write a novel—just a few sentences about how the crew member made your cruise even better will do. Most cruise ships have ATMs, and some have currency exchanges on board. Or you can plan ahead and take enough cash in the correct currency to cover any tips you might want to pay.
Carnival Cruise Line makes a clear statement on 'mandatory' tips - TheStreet
Carnival Cruise Line makes a clear statement on 'mandatory' tips.
Posted: Sat, 26 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruises
If you booked with a travel agent, contact your travel agent and they can add gratuities to your booking. If you booked with Royal Caribbean directly, your best bet is to call or access your account online to prepay gratuities. Some claim they are making less money than they formerly did with cash tips. What do you think about cruise line gratuities and service onboard?
If you want to get the daily cruise tipping fees out of the way before your cruise and avoid last-night sticker shock, I always suggest that you pre-pay gratuities. Bundled package deals seem like a precursor to a future of tip-free cruising. It’s just important to remember that if you go this route, it's on you to opt out of the ship’s gratuities program by going to guest services at the beginning of your sailing.
Luxury lines may include gratuities in the price of your cruise, while it’s a separate charge on mainstream cruise lines. Similarly, if you're on a higher-end ship that lists gratuities as being included in the fare, that means just what it says. You don't have to tip on these cruises because the line is already paying gratuities to the staff on your behalf. At some big lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, it's not uncommon for a family of four staying in a single cabin to see more than $70 a day in service fees added to their bills.
Most allow you to adjust the amount given to each crew member – increasing or decreasing – based on your experience with them. Do not tip the captain or other ship officers -- they are already well compensated, and the gesture would more likely be a source of embarrassment than flattery. Tipping is not necessary in kids' clubs (as kids' counselors are usually considered part of the better-compensated entertainment staff rather than the tip-dependent service staff).
The amount can depend upon size, weight and amount of luggage. Cash tips are certainly still welcomed—especially if that’s what you’re more comfortable with or if you don't want to rely on the cruise line’s predetermined amounts. Passengers ages 2 and younger are exempt from tipping aboard Carnival cruises, for example, while Norwegian excuses kids ages 3 and younger, and Costa Cruises exempts kids ages 4 and younger. In general, plan on giving $16–$23 in gratuities per day for each passenger.
By understanding and participating in the practice of extra tipping, you're not only rewarding stellar service but also encouraging the continuance of high-quality hospitality on your cruise. Youth counselors and childcare providers make the cruising experience enjoyable for both you and your kids by offering a range of activities and services. Remember, while tipping policies may vary, adhering to them is considered a part of cruise etiquette and ensures that those servicing your vacation are adequately compensated for their efforts.
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