Cruise Ship Etiquette: What to Know About Tipping on a Cruise

Table Of Content

• Can I opt out of paying gratuities or have them adjusted?
• Cruises
• Windstar Cruises
• Things Expert Cruisers Do Differently on Their Trip
• Great Reasons To Cruise on Norwegian
• Are gratuities included in all prepaid packages for dining, drinks, and other services?
• Cruise Line Gratuities for 2024
• Birdie and Eagle Packages: Exquisite Golf Experiences

With millions of passengers sailing every year, there’s inevitably going to be someone who feels they received poor service. Depending on your cruise line, you might find different language used than the word “gratuities.” We’ve seen these charges called tips, gratuities, crew incentives, or service charges. Instead, gratuities on a cruise ship are highly automated, with most people just electing to prepay or being charged a set amount for each day on the ship. Room service fees have become the norm on many major cruise lines.

Celebrity Cruises Removes Gratuities from "All Included" Pricing - Travel Market Report

Celebrity Cruises Removes Gratuities from "All Included" Pricing.

Posted: Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Can I opt out of paying gratuities or have them adjusted?

On the other hand, many people choose to instead pay the gratuity charges automatically through their onboard account once on the ship. Each day there will be a gratuity charge — or a lump sum added at the end of the trip. In fact, the staff will love that you want to give them more money.

Cruises

Using a credit card for tipping on a cruise ship is as easy as a breeze. Most cruise lines accept credit cards for gratuities, giving you convenient alternatives to cash. Enjoy a hassle-free experience while showing your appreciation to the hardworking crew members. No, it is not necessary to tip crew members who provide services already covered by the automatic daily charges. However, there are alternatives to tipping, such as leaving extra cash tips for exceptional service. These rates are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check with your specific cruise line for the most up-to-date information.

Windstar Cruises

Passengers need not carry cash if they don't want to, as they can add the tips to their onboard accounts. Gratuities are not added to spa bills, so passengers can tip at their discretion. Stick to automated tipping, which can be prepaid upfront before your sailing or applied to your cruise account as a daily or cumulative fee. If you feel that this automated service charge should be adjusted -- either increased or decreased -- you should make the request with guest services toward the end of the cruise. Because tips are technically voluntary, most cruise lines do allow passengers to opt out of the automatic service charge and to tip by themselves in cash.

Tipping etiquette for tour guides can vary depending on the destination and the quality of service. However, it’s always a good idea to research the local customs beforehand. By being aware of these cruise line policies and international currency considerations, you can ensure that you’re prepared to tip appropriately and enjoy a smooth cruise experience. To determine the final total of these costs, simply visit your selected cruise line’s website. All the exact numbers are there to help you plan accordingly for the actual price of your upcoming cruise. Norwegian is a popular cruise line that offers a variety of choices and experiences to suit different preferences.

Great Reasons To Cruise on Norwegian

Still, some critics see the charges as a sneaky way for cruise lines to make their fares appear lower than they really are. In this line of thinking, lines with these charges are essentially breaking out a good chunk of onboard labor costs as a separate line item on your bill. The gratuities on Oceania Cruises are $16.00 per person, per day for most staterooms and $23.00 per person, per day for guests in suites.

For this reason, I have always found being expected to pay tips, on an already expensive cruise, very irritating and have sometimes had them reduced at the service desk. Your article has done a lot to change my philosophy and increase my understanding of why there is this charge and what the implications of reducing it might be. 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.

But let’s say you have a negative experience with your server in the dining room, or you feel that the cabin steward isn’t doing their job. You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service. With the autograt system, many crew members who rarely received tips before now get a share—like the laundry or kitchen staff on some cruise lines. One important aspect to consider is understanding the cruise line policies regarding gratuities. Each cruise line has its own specific gratuity rates and guidelines, so it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with them before your trip. While planning for your next voyage, search for cruise lines that are bundling onboard items and selling them at a discounted price.

For lines that do have them, service and gratuity charges are touted as a convenient alternative to the practice of cash tipping on cruise ships — something that once was common. The extra cost of the automatic gratuity charges can be a shock to first-time cruisers. And, unlike the typical service fee or resort fee found at a land resort, they are not per room.

I can choose between the Birdie and Eagle packages to have an exquisite golf experience during my Costa Cruises vacation. There are a variety of meal options available to cater to different dietary restrictions. From breakfast to dinner, you’ll enjoy delicious and satisfying meals throughout your journey. These unlimited laundry perks truly elevate the experience of this world cruise, providing luxurious clothing care that adds an extra layer of comfort and convenience. Lounging by the Retreat Pool during the day, I feel a sense of tranquility wash over me as I soak up the sun and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The Retreat Pool is an oasis of calm, with its adults-only policy ensuring a serene and relaxing experience.

All trick, no treat: Royal Caribbean quietly raises automatic gratuity charges - The Points Guy

All trick, no treat: Royal Caribbean quietly raises automatic gratuity charges.

Posted: Tue, 31 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Royal Caribbean lets you make changes up to the morning of your departure—but to avoid confusion, you should contact guest services as soon as possible to make these types of changes. On the higher end of the spectrum, Oceania Cruises charges $18 per day in tips for passengers in regular staterooms, $23 per day for customers in suites. 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.

We break down tipping on a cruise to what you’ll pay depending on your stateroom category, plus any additional service fees. They are often expressed as the rate for a single person (despite having to pay for double occupancy) and don’t include port fees or taxes. Having to add in gratuity costs to these advertised rates could make them less attractive to potential cruisers.

Having several small bills is very handy, especially for early morning breakfast delivery. $2.00 to $5.00 is appropriate, depending on the food or how many meals ordered. If you’ve never cruised, then there is no doubt that these questions and more might be floating through your head. To help explain everything about cruise line gratuities, we’ve answered a number of common questions that will make everything clearer before you set sail.

For example, food preparation, general housekeeping and maintenance, laundry and other important positions may receive a percentage. The crew members who are most visible to passengers are usually those that receive the majority of tips, such as cabin stewards, waiters, and assistant waiters. However, there are many other crew members working behind the scenes who also receive a portion of the daily gratuities.