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

How much to offer on a cruise is a question that bothers many beginners. This is because some cruise lines add a daily service fee to passengers’ bills — yet many travelers still offer additional cash tips, either as a matter of course or in exchange for exemplary service.

The additional cost of the automatic award fee can come as a shock to first-time cruisers. On some lines, this fee is up to $25 per day. Unlike typical service fees or… Resort fee Found on ground resort, not per room. they for one person.

In some larger fonts, e.g 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. On a typical seven-night cruise, the fee is about $500.

And that’s before you add any additional tips you’d like to offer to room service, your favorite waiter, or the automatic tips that get added to your bar, restaurant, and spa bills.

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However, not all lines have such high service fees. Some don’t charge a service fee at all. In many cases, service fees are adjustable.

Tipping on a cruise doesn’t have to be complicated, but you do need to understand the big picture to budget your vacation appropriately. Read on to learn all about cruise ship tipping culture and how much you’ll need to tip on your next cruise, based on the cruise line you’re sailing on.

Tipping on a Cruise Ship: The Big Picture

Most major cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee to passengers’ bills. Lines with such fees include cruise giants Royal Caribbean and… Carnival Cruise Linein addition to the following three major lines MSC flightsand Norwegian Princess trips.

However, the total number of lines charging service fees has been shrinking over the years. Many smaller and higher-end cruise operators incorporate gratuities and gratuities into their base fares.

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Covering lines now include gratuities in their prices It will lastbonant, Regent Seven Seas Cruisesluxury scenic cruises and tours, Seaborn, Sea Dream Yacht Club, Silversea Trips And Virgin Travel.

For lines that do have them, service fees and gratuities are touted as a convenient alternative to the practice of cash tipping on cruise ships – something that was once common.

On Princess Cruises, the automatic award fee is distributed to the crew. Princess trips

Cruise lines say they pass on money collected from service fees to the ship’s crew. They say the money is shared not only with reception staff, such as room attendants and service staff, but also with those working behind the scenes. In this sense, the current system is fairer than the old system of cash tips, which favored some workers, the lines say.

However, some critics see these accusations as a deceptive way for cruise lines to make their prices appear lower than they really are. In this line of thinking, line items containing these charges essentially separate out a significant portion of the onboard labor costs as a separate line item on your invoice.

How are service fees charged?

On most lines, you can pay the service fee before sailing (at the same time you pay the cruise fare). Alternatively, you can add the fee to your room bill on board.

The big advantage of paying cruise tips in advance is that the current price is locked in. If your line raises the price between the time of payment and the time of sailing, you will not pay more.

Some people also like to pay for their services up front for budgeting purposes. This will be something less on your final bill at the end of the cruise.

If you prefer to pay for tips as soon as you board your cruise, you’ll generally find that tips automatically appear on your bill. You don’t have to do anything.

However, if you wish, you can often adjust the fee (either up or down) while on board by visiting the Guest Relations Desk. If you are adjusting your severance fees to reduce them, expect to be asked about the reasons behind the adjustment. Guest Relations staff will want to know if you have experienced certain service issues.

If you leave the service charge on your room bill, you are not expected to leave additional cruise tips for your room attendant or waiter. That’s the whole point of service fees.

Likewise, if you’re on an upscale ship that includes gratuities in the fare, it means exactly what it says. You don’t have to tip on these cruises because the line already pays the tips to the staff on your behalf. Additional cash gifts are not expected.

However, some people leave a little extra for the crew members who are doing their best. Others tip room service or waitstaff at their favorite bar, either early in the trip in hopes of better service or at the end to thank them for enhancing their vacation experience. Determining how much to tip extra on a cruise is entirely up to you as it is by no means required.

Cruise tips included as a booking feature

If you don’t like tipping on cruise ships but can’t afford to sail on an all-inclusive line, look for promotions when cruise lines with service fees offer free gratuities as an incentive to book.

For example, in recent years, the Norwegian has often been running Free promotions at sea Which included free tips for the crew as well as free tips Wi-Fi service on board And it’s free Drink package. The line hasn’t been doing this much lately, but these offers often come back in times when brands need to drum up more business.

In addition, several major lines in the past two years have begun to offer Package pricing For customers who pay for cruise tips, Wi-Fi fees and an on-board beverage package, all at once before sailing, and possibly at a discounted rate.

Princess, for example, has added the Princess Plus plan as a booking option. It gives passengers prepaid gratuities (Princess calls this fee “crew discretion”), a single-device Wi-Fi plan and a basic drink package for a single combined price of $60 per person, per day.

Don’t worry: When airlines offer offers like this, it doesn’t mean the crew will get less tips for the week you travel. The lines offering these deals say they will pay a regular gratuity to the crew on your behalf.

Additional tip for cruise ship

Daily service fees aren’t the only cruise tips you’ll pay on board. Many cruise lines will place an automatic gratuity fee on the bill for surcharge drinks, restaurant meals, and spa treatments.

The amount of tip included varies by cruise line but is usually between 15% and 20% of the bill. Be careful that your receipt often includes a line for an additional gratuity, even when it’s added automatically. This could fool many cruisers into flipping twice. Never feel pressured to add an extra tip when you’ve already paid one.

Note that if you purchase a food or beverage package, most cruise lines will charge you gratuities based on a percentage of the package price. If you get one of these packages for free as a booking benefit, such as with Danish Cruise Line’s Free at Sea promotion, you may still have to pay gratuities on the free feature.

For example, Norwegian offers a free Open Bar drinks package to travelers who book its Free at Sea promotion. This package usually costs $109 per person, per day. The mandatory 20% bonus is approximately $22 per day. That means two people sharing a room on a seven-night cruise would pay $308 in tips for a free drink package — plus a daily service charge fee.

Tourists should also bring cash to tip the porters who bring their bags to the ship (usually $2 per bag), as well as the tour guides in port ($5 to $10 per person on half-day tours, $10 to $20 for full-day excursions ). And $2 for unguided drivers). Piano bar patrons know that a cash tip will increase the chances of a pianist selecting and fulfilling your song request.

How much should you tip each cruise line?

Butler unpacks the guest’s bag. Luca Locatelli/Silver Cruises

If you’re wondering how much you should tip on the specific cruise line you’re considering or have already booked, we’ve compiled that information here. Here’s a detailed look at the automatic bonus fee policies (called service fees or “crew discretion” fees in some lines). Prices listed are per person, per day. They were accurate until this story was published.

Remember that all additional gratuities are at your discretion. Any amount is good and will be appreciated by the hardworking crew.

Alaska Dream Cruises

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Crew gratuities are not included in the fare and are at the passengers’ discretion.

It will last

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Crew gratuities are included in the fare. There is one exception: an 18% gratuity is added to bills for spa services.

Carnival Cruise Line

Automatic bonus fees: $16 to $18 per person, per day.
details: Passengers in most cabins pay $16. Those living in suites pay $18. Children under the age of two are exempt from this fee. Also, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, cover charges for Chef’s Table and Bonsai Teppanyaki restaurants and a la carte fees at Bonsai Sushi, Emeril’s Bistro and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Beer and seafood shack.

Celebrity travels

Automatic bonus fees: $18 per person per day.
details: Passengers in most cabins pay $18. Concierge class passengers pay $18.50. Travelers in AquaClass cabins and The Retreat Suites do not pay a gratuity fee for reservations made after July 14, 2022. Travelers who book the Celebrity cabin under the higher-priced All Inclusive rate plan also do not pay a gratuity fee. In addition, a 20% gratuity is added when a passenger orders a drink not included in the line’s all-inclusive fare plan, as well as when purchasing a minibar item. An 18% bonus will be added for spa and salon services.

Heavenly cruises

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Crew and bar staff gratuities are included in the fare.

Costa cruises

Automatic bonus fees: $12.50 to $17.50 per person, per day.
details: Passengers on US dollar ships generally pay $12.50. Ships operating in euros charge a fee of 11 euros ($11.60 at current exchange rates). On cruises departing from China, Japan and Singapore, fees range from $13.50 to $17.50, depending on cabin class. Passengers under 4 years old are exempt from this fee. Gratuities for children ages 4-14 (up to 12 on cruises departing from Japan, China and Singapore) are half the adult rate. In addition, a 15% bonus is added on beverage purchases.

Cunard Line

Automatic bonus fees: $14.50 to $16.50 per person, per day.
details: Passengers in most cabins pay $14.50. Travelers in Grill Class suites pay $16.50. Additionally, a 15% gratuity is added to your bar, wine and salon bills.

Disney Cruise Line

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Although Disney does not add an automatic tip fee, it suggests that passengers staying in most cabins pay $14.50 per day in total when tipping various dining staff and room attendants. The suggested amount for travelers staying in Concierge Cabins and Suites is $15.50. Passengers can pay the amount in advance or on board. Also, an 18% gratuity is added to bills for bar, beverage, wine and deck service, and an 18% gratuity is added to bills for spa services.

Holland America Line

Automatic bonus fees: $16 to $17.50 per person, per day.
details: Passengers in most cabins pay $16 for what the line now calls a “crew discretion” fee. Travelers staying in suites pay $17.50. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills and wine purchases in the dining room.

lindblad flights

Automatic reward Cost: no one.
details: Gratuities are included in the fare for passengers traveling on National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion. On other ships, gratuities are at the passengers’ discretion.

MSC flights

Automatic bonus fees: About $13 (€12) to $16.
details: The award fee is $16 on flights to and from the United States, except for cruises priced in Euros, where the award fee is €12 ($12.66 at current exchange rates). Tips for children ages 2-11 are half the adult rate on most cruises. Gratuities are not charged for children under 2 years of age.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Automatic service fees: $20 to $25 per person, per day.
details: Passengers in most cabins pay $20. Those living in the Suites or The Haven pay $25. Passengers under 3 years old are exempt from this fee. In addition, a 20% gratuity is added to bills at bars, surcharge specialty restaurants and ship resorts. Cruises to Hawaii will also pay a 4.275% prepaid service fee called the General Excise Tax.

Oceania Cruises

Automatic bonus fees: $18 to $23 per person, per day.
details: Travelers staying in most cabins pay $18. Travelers in superior suites with butler service pay $23. In addition, a 20% gratuity is added to bills at bars, the La Reserve surcharge restaurant and at ship resorts.

Travels of Paul Gauguin

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Gratuities are included in the fare.

Ponant

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Gratuities are included in the fare. However, travelers can offer more at their discretion; Ponant recommends $10 to $12 per rider per day.

Princess trips

Automatic bonus fees: $16 to $18 per person, per day.
details: Passengers in most compartments Pay $16 for what the line now calls a “crew discretion” fee.. Travelers in junior suites pay $17, while those in larger suites pay $18. In addition, an 18% gratuity is added to bar bills, wine purchases in the dining room and Lotus Spa services.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Gratuities are included in the fare.

Royal Caribbean

Automatic bonus fees: $18 to $20.50 per person, per day.
details: Travelers staying in most cabins, including junior suites, pay $18 per day. Travelers in higher-level suites pay $20.50. In addition, an 18% bonus is added to bills at bars, minibars, salons and spas.

Luxury scenic cruises and tours

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Gratuities are included in the fare.

Seaborn

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Gratuities are included in the fare.

Sea Dream Yacht Club

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Gratuities are included in the fare.

Silversea Trips

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Gratuities are included in the fare, except for beauty salons and spa treatments.

Star clippers

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: The line recommends that passengers pay €8 ($8.44 at current exchange rates) per day in tips, but payment is at the rider’s discretion. A 15% bonus is added when purchasing bars.

UnCruise Adventures

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: UnCruise It recommends that passengers pay $35 per person per day in gratuities, but payment is at the rider’s discretion.

Viking

Automatic bonus fees: $17 per person, per day.
details: Passengers pay $17 in gratuities for all cabin types. A 15% gratuity is also added to bar bills.

Virgin Travel

Automatic bonus fees: no one.
details: Gratuities are included in the fare.

Windstar Cruises

Automatic bonus fees: $16 per person, per day.
details: Passengers pay a “hotel service fee” of $16 for all cabin types. Additionally, an 18% gratuity is added to your bar service, drinks, wine and deck service bills. Alternatively, Windstar cruisers can upgrade their reservations with an all-inclusive package that includes unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi and a hotel service fee for $89 per person, per day.

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