extra tipping on cruise ships

The onboard excursions through the ship are with verified operators. Consider rewarding your favorite crew member or the most helpful staff with a little something extra but don't feel that you need to constantly hand out cash to everyone you meet on board. Luxury lines generally include almost everything in their base fares, from drinks of all kinds to gratuities. The cruise experience has changed over time, and most cruise lines have adjusted their tipping policies to match. The typical amounts tipped to room stewards varies between around $2 and $20 per day, although it will depend on the length of the cruise. Sometimes you want to give someone a little something extra. You are not expected to tip the magician doing sleight of hand, the costumed Disney character posing with your child, the musicians performing on the pool deck or the guy running the trivia contests. Maybe a scarf or T-shirt from one port or cookies and candies from another. While this is a huge fear for most passengers, it usually happens to avid cruisers people who have been to the port many times before sometimes assume the all-aboard time is always the same. Book one of these packages on lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Windstar Cruises, and you won't have to pay an automatic gratuity charge. We have found that the excursions offered by cruise lines are often very overpriced. If we have made requests out of the ordinary to our room steward, it's a bigger tip. Do whatever makesyou happy. You also shouldn't assume there's nothing you can do about it. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Small token gifts are a fun and easy way to say thanks, even for crew members you've just met. This is what is included in the automatic gratuities. Beer and spirits are not allowed, and will be confiscated. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Fast-growing Viking has made free access to the thermal suites in its spas a hallmark of the line. Here are 14 common mistakes I see travelers make: Passengers usually come on the ship excited for a good time, and for many, this involves a drinks package. For example, you may not interact with certain people who work hard to make your vacation pleasant table bussers, cooks, housekeeping, entertainers, etc. It will be the first charter out of Miami and with Norwegian Cruise Lines. On some ships, certain menu items in the "free" main dining room now come with an extra charge. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Both lines offer adults-only zones that are available to passengers at no extra charge. Gratuities on a Cruise: How Much to Tip? (18 Cruise Lines) The world's largest cruise ships may have two doctors and five or six nurses. Most cruise lines add an automatic gratuity to each passengers bill. Travelers in regular cabins may cough up one amount, while those in fancier suites often pay a higher rate. Most mainstream cruise lines pay. Anything above that is at your own pure discretion. I would suspect that most of the crew sees it at extra money. Best drinks to order with a beverage package, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. On a Carnival Cruise Line ship, medical staff is on call 24 hours a day for . Carnival, for instance, has a less pricey "social" plan that brings access to key social sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Princess sometimes turns its free buffet area into a "crab shack experience" serving such items as snow crab, jumbo shrimp, clams and mussels for a hefty fee. This website is watched by a bunch of very experienced cruisers. 1. The world's biggest cruise line by passenger capacity, Royal Caribbean, for instance, now levies a $7.95 per order "service charge" for room service even if all you order is a single side of hash browns. I don't agree and most would not agree with you. Lines that now cover gratuities in their fares include Azamara, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Virgin Voyages. Others call them gratuity charges. They seem to consider this a "bribe" rather than a tip for good service. Cruise tipping guidelines for 18 popular cruise lines AmaWaterways Carnival Cruises Celebrity Cruises Cunard Disney Cruise Line Holland America Line MSC Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line Oceania Gratuities Princess Cruises Royal Carribean Cruises Scenic Cruises Star Clippers UnCruise Adventures Viking Ocean Cruises Viking River Cruises The Tiki Room. No need to tip for telling the steward your preferences. Want to avoid such charges? No. Amsterdam's city council on July 20 voted to ban cruise ships from the center of Amsterdam in order to limit tourism and ease pollution in the Dutch capital. Note that these internet charges seem to do nothing but rise in cost. If I should tip them what would be a correct amount. Click to read more of my advice on cruising and stories from onboard the ship. If you're traveling on a seven-night cruise with a party of four, your total gratuity fee would be $407 ($14.50 x 4 people x 7 nights). In the alternative (or in addition to the envelope) consider writing an email/letter to the company. Related: Best drinks to order with a beverage package. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. In part due to the advent of alternative restaurants and flexible dining plans . Yea, some dive 10%, but some never tip at all. Updated on May 17, 2023 To tip (extra), or not to tip, the dreaded dilemma on a cruise Bring up the topic of tips & tipping on a cruise ship and you'll get a wide variety of recommendations and no shortage of opinions on both ends of the gratuity spectrum. River cruise lines at many price points also are known for their all-inclusiveness. It's always a good rule of thumb to arrive at least one day before your cruise departs, especially if you're flying to the port . Carnival and Royal Caribbean now charge extra for filet mignon, lobster or a surf-and-turf combination entree in their main restaurants. Some of the things that come with an additional charge are what you would expect. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. River ships and small ships that hover close to shore have less staff since they can easily access health facilities on land. Cruise ship gratuities are simply "staff tips." These gratuities may also go by "crew service charge" or "crew incentives," but they are tips at the end of the day. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. However, you can go into the booking process wide-eyed by searching the fine print on booking sites for such fees before you commit to a particular sailing. Many crew members on cruise ships earn a large part of their salary from tips. Royal Caribbean: $16.00 for standard cabins and $18.50 for suites Port is the left side of the boat and starboard is the right, always configured facing the front of the ship. I'd recommend waiting until the end of the cruise to make sure you're happy with the service instead of removing it on day one. If you love the idea of an adults-only deck-top area but don't want to pay for it, you might want to look at Disney Cruise Line and Carnival ships. If you truly want to provide a tip on top of what's already been included in the cruise fare, you may do so, but remember that it is not necessary or expected on a non-tipping ship. By At some lines, these charges run as high as $25.50 per day. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. .css-18jw8gc{-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;position:relative;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;line-height:1.2;border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-md);transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);height:auto;min-width:var(--chakra-sizes-10);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);background:none;border:0;color:black;display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0!important;font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-Roboto);font-weight:500;padding-top:0.625rem;padding-bottom:0.625rem;-webkit-padding-start:1rem;padding-inline-start:1rem;-webkit-padding-end:1rem;padding-inline-end:1rem;}.css-18jw8gc:focus-visible,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-18jw8gc:disabled,.css-18jw8gc[disabled],.css-18jw8gc[aria-disabled=true],.css-18jw8gc[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}.css-18jw8gc:active,.css-18jw8gc[data-active]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:hover,.css-18jw8gc[data-hover]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:focus,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}Cookie Consent, The Ultimate Cruise Tipping Guide (Photo: doomu/Shutterstock), Tip for Drinks at the Bar (Photo: luckyraccoon/ Shutterstock). Erica DePascale. Here are 10 times you do not need to tip on your cruise (though you might want to anyway). On many vessels, though, you'll face a steep charge just to set foot in one of these areas. Do you feel guilty about not offering gratuities on an all-inclusive cruise ship? However, if you offer larger sums to crew members, they will likely try to turn down the gift and remind you that no tips are required. You'll find sprawling "thermal suites" with saunas and steam rooms, thalassotherapy pools, heated loungers, rain showers and even snow rooms (with real snow) where you can laze away the day. I have never asked for anything extra done before. Many cruise lines will tack an automatic gratuity charge onto the bill for extra-fee . People visiting the Eye Film Institute take pictures of a passing ship in Amsterdam. Celebrity Cruises also added a $9.95 toom service fee this year for all items except Continental breakfast. You Don't Have to Pay Gratuities on THESE 10 Cruise Lines Cruise passengers from the U.K., Europe, Australia and South America are coming onboard in increasing numbers. Usually most lines do not allow spirits to brought onboard. Free expert cruise tips and news from Cruise Hive! You shouldn't be happy about it, either. Neither allows kids, so every lounge area on the ship is a kids-free area. You can certainly choose to, but whether you do or not should not effect your level of service. 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. After over six years working on ships for a major cruise line, Click to read more of my advice on cruising and stories from onboard the ship. Gratuities are typically included in the extra $10 to $100 per person you'll pay for the steakhouse, sushi bar and other specialty restaurants on board your ship. But it happens. I saw this happen when traveling to India with many American guests, a handful of whom didn't realize they needed a visa. Aside from some river cruises, leaving cash gratuities in envelopes is mainly a thing of the past. Gratuities are included on cruises with Azamara, Celestyal, Crystal Cruises, Marella, MSC, P&O, Regent Seven Seas, Saga, Silversea, and Virgin Voyages. Luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises include crew gratuities in the cruise fare. Free internet has become standard at a lot of hotel chains, so it might seem logical that cruise lines would offer free internet, too. Like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity adds an 18% gratuity fee on top of that charge another service fee on top of a service fee situation that we find innane. Or you simply might wish to tip your hat -- monetarily speaking -- to a member of the crew who went above and beyond. These tips are then typically disbursed among various crew members. Mention the crew member by name; describe how they were exceptional; express your appreciation; and recommend that they receive additional recognition for their work. However, slipping your butler or favorite waiter or bartender some cash is welcomed; good service should be rewarded. You might also want to express your thanks by donating to the crew fund, which provides treats and entertainment options to the hard-working crew. It's not just a matter of how much, but a question of who to tip, when to tip, and whether to tip per person or per room (hint: it's per person more often than not). This keeps the cruise line #039;s costs down and gives personnel an extra incentive to provide good service . Check here before booking an award fare. Some people like to give 10% of the cost of the tour. Nearly every cruise ship has a crew fund, which is sometimes used for the express purpose of improving the lives of the staff. Either way, the daily fees that some cruise lines tack on to passenger bills can be a shock to first-time cruisers. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Also, always triple-check whether the all-aboard time is based on the ship's clock or the local time. 4. By bringing drinks on board, I hope you just meant sodas, or the bottle of wine or champagne that is allowed. How to avoid getting sick on a cruise - The Points Guy Most cruisers likely don't tip over and above the daily auto-tips. Your prepaid gratuities already go . One of the great allures of cruising is that a lot is included in the fare. Departures | Your Guide to Tipping on Cruises Another option: Consider one of the growing numbers of lines that include service charges in their base fares. That can mean throwing an onboard party when the team needs a morale boost, or buying something like a pinball machine or video game system that all crew members can enjoy during their off-hours.The fund might also help staff in times of trouble, for instance, if someone needs to make an unexpected trip home due to a family emergency. Here are seven times you shouldn't tip (even if you feel slightly obliged). We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Stateroom and restaurant service gratuities, and a 20% beverage package gratuity, are included in the fare of all guests in an Excluded Booking. A heartfelt note and drawing by your child is also a lovely way to express appreciation. How much do tips cost on cruises? Amsterdam votes to ban cruise ships - The Washington Post Some of the signature attractions on big cruise ships such as Norwegian Encore and Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas come with extra fees. Norwegian to host nude cruise from Miami in 2025 | Miami Herald These are mostly drivers not official tour guides, but I'm sure we will get some info from them. You'll pay extra for treatments in shipboard spas, for instance, or for guided shore excursions in most cases. In fact, you can find a roll call for your booked cruise and people on the roll call organize cheaper private tours all the time. By clicking Sign Up, you also agree to marketing emails from both Insider and Morning Brew; and you accept Insiders. It probably goes without saying that the captain and executive officers of a cruise ship never expect a tip and would graciously turn down any gratuity offered. This is on top of any included or "ship added" gratuities - the extra tip is our appreciation of the service provided. In both cases, you can buy a weeklong pass, but only if you're OK dropping an extra $199 per person. Generally speaking, mainstream, U.S.-based cruise lines automatically add gratuities of about $14 to $15 per person, per day, to your onboard bill. Insider recommends waking up with Morning . He reluctantly agreed to share and do an 8 person van with Overlord to Normandy, Since he is a WWII vet and it was on the top of his bucket list I basically made him take this tour instead of with the ship. And we leave the extra tip for the cabin steward on the last night. Find the right card for you. The council claims cruise ship vessels are not conducive to the city's efforts to limit tourism and boost sustainability, according to a statement from the Democrats 66 party.. For the ban to be enacted, it will have to go through other . These little "thank-yous" can go a long way to forging happy long-term relationships with the ship's staff. Also, unlike the typical service fee or resort fee found at a land resort, they are not per room. For those of you saying "I won't tip extra since the cruise lines started adding automatic gratuities," allow me to offer an alternate perspective: First, from people in the industry, the cruise lines don't give all of those auto-tips to the people serving you on your cruise; they skim some off the top for themselves. The fact is, luxury lines roll up crew gratuities in the cruise fare, so you actually have prepaid your share of tips. This usually includes crew members working in food, beverage, and housekeeping. You can't get around these fees. If you're tipping a bartender per drink, you can follow what you do at home and offer a dollar or two per pour. Norwegian Encore's much-ballyhooed go-cart track (it's one of the only ones at sea) will set you back $15 for a single, eight-lap ride. After all, cruise ships are just hotels that happen to float. As for asking to have the ice bucket filled- we ask for this at the beginning of every cruise. These men and women receive good salaries commensurate with their years of training. FAQs: Gratuity & Tips for Onboard Staff | Celebrity Cruises On embarkation day, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in the guest's carry-on luggage. . If that's not the definition of a bribe, I don't know what is. Tipping in advance could probably make the crew even more enthusiastic to fulfill your requests, though they've always been very helpful and enthusiastic in their jobs in my experience. However, if the waiter sneaked you an extra order of escargot or otherwise made the meal a truly memorable experience, you may want to add a few bucks to your bill. I've come across a few troublemakers who had no idea that smashing Champagne glasses in the hot tub could get you booted off the ship. We break down situations when passengers might or might not remove automatic gratuities. It is considered an insult to try and tip the captain, officers and ship's senior team, including the cruise director, hotel director and executive chef. Your unsolicited endorsements will be noticed and could even help someone advance in his or her career. That is a personal choice and never a requirement; it should never be considered the norm. A line-by-line guide, 5 cruise lines to try if you can't stand being around kids, 12 cruise ships with the most fun attractions, Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Yea, some dive 10%, but some never tip at all. The word itself (for all my fellow word nerds!) Some cruisers prefer to bring something that represents where they're from (maple syrup from Vermont or salt water taffy from the New Jersey shore), while other people give things like an Amazon gift card for any items they might need or want, or a prepaid telephone card for someone who's expressed a wish to talk with family back home more often. Instead, try reputable, well rounded cruise bloggers like Sheri at CruiseTipsTV.com and Billy at CruiseHabit.com, both with Youtube channels. If this is not an option on your cruise ship, consider splurging on an experience that guarantees you access to dedicated pools. However, that leaves out a lot of behind-the-scenes crew members that work hard to make sure you have a wonderful experience -- another big reason pooled tips are so carefully divvied up by the cruise line. you are trying to get the crew member to do something that they shouldn't do. River lines and luxury lines often offer fitness classes at no extra charge, as does adult-only line Virgin Voyages. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. At many big brands, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Princess Cruises, you'll sometimes pay exorbitant amounts for internet access. July 21, 2023 at 5:20 p.m. EDT. Rather than entertain this part of auto-gratuities, suffice it to say that these are very real considerations for the very real people who work on your cruise. Having fun and enjoying your vacation is one thing, but getting too rowdy is not allowed. So should you tip now that you know the inside scoop on auto-gratuities? For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit, Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter. If you don't set your phone to airplane mode, you may rack up overseas roaming charges. Those can range from . I personally would never spend $300 on an excursion, but for my dad, he likes the ease and knowing that the cruise ship is responsible for getting us back. Missing the ship at port or booking excursions with outside operators could be costly and risky. Many people prefer to tip extra at the start of their cruise, to ensure they get the best service for the duration of their sailing. Enchanted with cruising from my first voyage in the Bahamas on the SS Emerald Seas to Alaskas Inside Passage. The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship; A beginners guide to picking a cruise line; The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship; A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines; 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly; 15 ways cruisers waste money; 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up It calls its daily tips "recommended." The amounts below, however, post to you onboard account on the second-to-last day of the cruise: Standard . So, if you want to tip the waiter and your steward an extra $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000, or $10,000 per week it's all gravy for them. FOR ALL BOOKINGS: Gratuities for stateroom and restaurant services are shared by dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, and other hotel services teams. I. (Add another $1 $7 per person/per night if youre staying in a suite.) Professional freelance writer and published indie author. While its always been a common practice to tip at the end of your cruise (recall the cash-in-the-envelope days), this standardizes the practice and ensures that all crew members receive a portion. correct amount: whatever makes you happy. Many offer wine, beer and soda with lunch and dinner at no extra charge. Cruise ship crew members work hard at the goal of delivering your dream vacation. How Gratuities Work on a Cruise If you're going on a cruise, you can expect daily gratuities to be charged automatically to your onboard account. Do not feel that you need to give additional tips to your waiter or room steward. (Peter Dejong/AP) 3 min. A Guide for Tipping on a Cruise for Each Cruise Line If you need to see someone during off hours, guest services can call an on-duty nurse. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. If you have a drinks package, tips are included. Here is our comprehensive overview of current tipping policies, broken down by cruise type and cruise line: In the past, most cruise lines in the North American market adhered to a similar policy; while tipping was technically at the discretion of each individual passenger, the cruise director or the daily program would suggest a "recommended amount" for service personnel like cabin and dining room stewards and, at the end of the cruise, envelopes for cash tips would be left in every cabin. 25 Fun Things To Do on a Cruise Ship Sea Day Extra tipping - Ask a Cruise Question - Cruise Critic Community All but the smallest vessels usually feature a main dining room that is included in the fare, as well as a buffet eatery where you can count on getting complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner. Morris Redskins Name Change, Articles E