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However, for the most part you can expect that every passenger on your trip will see a charge. While the name sounds fancy, gratuities are nothing more than a tip paid to the staff members for service during the cruise. A 18% tip is automatically added to all drinks, mini bar items and spa & salon purchases.
Automatic gratuities
Although tipping for most of the extra services these employees provide is not required, an additional tip is always appreciated. However, cruise lines encourage paying the flat per-day gratuity rate to support all workers, including those working in the laundry room, washing dishes, or cleaning the ship late at night. With so many activities and venues to enjoy on a cruise ship, you will interact with a number of other crew members who will most likely not receive a portion of your automatic gratuity fee. In the years past, cash in envelopes would only benefit the staff who directly interacted with the passengers.
Tips for staying informed about gratuity updates
Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. 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. When it comes to tipping on a cruise, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, if you are paying the standard gratuities then any additional tips are entirely optional.
Celebrity Cruises increases gratuities for crew members on its cruise ships - Royal Caribbean Blog
Celebrity Cruises increases gratuities for crew members on its cruise ships.
Posted: Wed, 05 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Final Thoughts on Tipping on a Cruise & a Guide to Cruise Gratuities
If you prefer to opt-out or adjust these automatic gratuities, most cruise lines allow you to do so by simply visiting the guest services desk. 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 newer system of charging cruise gratuities on a per person/per day basis has helped equalize this situation. In addition to the waitstaff and room stewards receiving portions of the fee, the funds are also shared by some cruise lines with crew members in other jobs. For example, food preparation, general housekeeping and maintenance, laundry and other important positions may receive a percentage. Major cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity cruise lines automatically add daily gratuities to your onboard account.
Included cruise tips as a booking perk
This happens regularly for passengers feeling generous or thankful for the staff’s work during their trip. In fact, your cruise line might leave a few envelopes in your room exactly for this purpose. 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. Most cruise ship employees that do not receive gratuities receive a salary instead.
In the past, passengers were expected to pay the gratuities to each crew member individually in cash. Before you cruise, it’s important to understand how much you will be paying per day in gratuities and where that money goes. If you are in a suite or aboard a luxury cruise, you may have a butler assigned to your room. Since they typically have more duties to meet, a good guideline, is a supplementary tip of $3 to $5 per night, per person. Tipping isn't mandatory on a cruise, but you should consider that gratuities distributed onboard a modern cruise ship are much more than mere bonuses.
Alternative ways to show appreciation
Princess Cruises also has the Princess Plus fare, which includes gratuities or the crew incentive, Medallion Net wifi and Princess’ premium beverage package. Costa Cruises applies a fee of €11 euro per passenger, per night for all travelers aged 15 and over. On Disney Cruise Line, the recommended cruise gratuity is $14.50 per night, per guest, including infants and children.
Having to add in gratuity costs to these advertised rates could make them less attractive to potential cruisers. Mainstream cruise lines typically add gratuities to passengers’ bills on a per-guest, per-day basis. The rates can range from around $15 to more than $20, depending on the line and stateroom category.
Princess Cruises Teams Up to Offer Easy Transportation to Florida Ports
Most allow you to adjust the amount given to each crew member – increasing or decreasing – based on your experience with them. Also, anytime you hire transportation onshore, gratuities for the driver are appropriate (public transit excepted). Look for a tip jar at the front of the bus or van; if you are on an extended tour with other shipmates, passing around an envelope to collect tips may be in order.
However, an 18% service charge still applies to bar charges, dining room wine accounts, and Lotus Spa services. The cost is the same whether gratuities are paid onboard or before your cruise. It may be a good option if you think it will help with budgeting and are confident in the service. Many people wonder how tips work for other crew members on a cruise ship, such as housekeeping, laundry, or spa staff.
Passengers in mini-suites and club class are charged $17 per day, and suite passengers pay $18 per day. The amount is the same for children and adults, and it can be prepaid up to six days prior to the start of your cruise. Technically, yes, though Celebrity -- like most mainstream cruise lines -- insists these tips are only suggested. If you wish to adjust the amount you pay, this can be done onboard at guest relations.
As stated above, these service charges apply to all guests regardless of stateroom category. However, some stateroom categories do have higher fees than others. Unlike the U.S., cruise lines do not have to pay a minimum wage but instead pay their crew members a salary often supplemented with tips, plus free room, board, and medical care.
If you opt for a specialty restaurant, the tip isn’t usually included. It’s customary to tip the waiters generously at specialty restaurants. If you’re new to cruising, you might be wondering who to tip on a cruise, how much to tip, and exactly how onboard gratuities work. Guests are also charged up to $12 per person, per day for a fuel charge. You might be surprised to learn a gratuity isn't always necessary. Here are seven times you shouldn't tip (even if you feel slightly obliged).
Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare. P&O Cruises Australia does not automatically add gratuities onto passengers' accounts or spa or bar bills. Cruisers can leave tips for crew members who offer outstanding service by handing cash directly to the crew members they want to thank.
The best cruise booking perks – and which ones are actually free - The Points Guy
The best cruise booking perks – and which ones are actually free.
Posted: Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
However, the number of crew members that participate ranges widely within the industry. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has said their automatic gratuities are shared by behind-the-scenes support staff such as table bussers and maitre d’s. Further, cruise lines often ask staff members to volunteer for delivery service. An envelope will be delivered to your stateroom for any extra (optional) tips. You can pick up more envelopes at Guest Services if there are additional crew members you would like to tip. If you go on a tour or shore excursion, it’s nice to tip the driver or shore excursion staff if you’ve appreciated their service.
The tips are spread out between the room steward, dining staff, and others that have customer-facing positions. That said, cruise lines are quiet on exactly how the charges are distributed. 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. These days, the gratuities are set daily amounts paid by each passenger. Instead of one passenger paying a lot and another paying hardly anything, these set amounts ensure that everyone pays the same. Obviously, not all guests were on board with the program and even more crew members got stiffed.
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