How do you tip on a cruise?

Generally speaking, mainstream, U.S.-based cruise lines automatically add gratuities of about $14 to $15 per person, per day, to your onboard bill. These tips are divided among the dining staff (waiters, assistant waiters and head waiters) and housekeeping staff (such as cabin attendants).

What happens if you don't tip on a cruise?

When you forego tipping on your cruise, you aren't hurting the corporation. You're just lowering the pool of funds that hard-working service employees share at the end of the journey. Automatically added gratuities take the confusion out of tipping on your cruise.

How do tips work on cruise ships?

On some ships, many gratuities are automatically included. Most major cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account. The fee is usually between $12 and $15 per passenger, per day, and the cruise line then divvies up that money between all service-oriented crew.

How do you pay tips on a cruise?

From the passenger perspective, the gratuity amount is simple — pay a set amount per person, per day, and be done. So you might be charged $15 in tips for a day. On the cruise line side, that money gets cut up to be distributed. The tips are spread out between the room steward, dining staff, and others.

Is it mandatory to tip on a cruise?

Technically cruise lines cannot force you to pay gratuities, especially if you have a complaint or issue about the service you received on board. Gratuities on a cruise are not mandatory, but instead heavily suggested and added automatically.

Should You Tip on a Cruise!? CRUISE TIPPING EXPLAINED

Is it best to prepay gratuities on a cruise?

If you want to make your life easier, and don't plan on removing or adjusting the gratuities on a cruise, it's better to prepay before you go. In our experience, prepaying gratuities does not negatively affect the service onboard.

How much should I tip my cabin steward on a cruise?

The room steward (or stewardess) is the person who cleans your cruise cabin and assists you with anything you might need while in your cabin. The industry standard for tipping the room steward is $3.50 per person per day, given on the last day of the cruise.

Can you refuse to pay gratuities on a cruise?

On most cruise lines, you can refuse to pay or opt out of the automatically charged gratuities. You can also adjust the gratuities to make them higher or lower. However, keep in mind that this does negatively affect the crew members, who rely on tips from guests as a substantial part of their income.

How much do you tip a cruise waiter?

Typical extra tips may be $15-20 per passenger for a seven-day cruise paid to the cabin steward for exceptional work, or an extra $10-20 per passenger to a waiter who offered spectacular dining service. Similarly, it is often acceptable to tip $1-3 when room service is delivered depending on the size of the order.

How much do you tip your waiter on a cruise?

Most cruise lines suggest tipping $10 to $12 per day per passenger (not per couple), regardless of age. For a seven-day cruise, this means each cruiser should budget at least $70 for gratuities, or $140 per cabin for two people.

How much do you tip shore excursions?

Tip non-guide drivers roughly $2 per person in your party. You'll likely want to tip more for customized, private tours – consider 5 to 20% of the cost of the tour.

Do you tip on cruise excursions?

The standard fee is 15% – 20% throughout the islands. You may add more for exceptional service and are expected to tip if it's not listed on the bill. If you take guided tours, each person on the vehicle usually tips a couple of dollars to both the guide and the driver.

What should you not buy on a cruise?

Do you tip for a massage on a cruise?

Not every onboard spa automatically includes gratuity, but it pays to check the receipt. When your spa bill on a line like Norwegian or Royal Caribbean includes an 18 percent gratuity, do not feel obligated to add an additional tip. Spa treatments are pricey enough to start.

What happens if you don't prepay gratuities on Carnival?

For guests who opt not to pre-pray, gratuities are posted to their Sail & Sign account toward the end of the cruise. The amount is then charged to the payment method on file for your account at the end of the trip.

Do cruise workers get their tips?

Most cruise lines distribute the gratuity charges among a number of workers, including some, like laundry workers, who previously didn't receive tips, Guilford said.

What does it mean to prepay gratuities on a cruise?

Just like in restaurants and hotels, guests on many cruises are generally expected to leave tips for certain cruise staff members serving them. Pre-paid gratuities means that we {Cruise Specialists} have negotiated a special offer for you and you are not expected nor will you be charged for tips.

How much do you tip housekeeping in cabin?

Among travelers, the chatter centered around what's an appropriate amount and who else to tip along the way. Marriott (MAR) didn't specify, but the American Hotel & Lodging Association suggests leaving housekeepers a tip of $1 to $5 per day.

Which is the best balcony room on a cruise ship?

Rear-facing balcony cabins are among the best balcony cabins on any ship. Often, their balconies are bigger than balconies on side-facing cabins and they also feel quiet. There are far fewer balcony cabins at the back of a ship than on the sides of a ship, so you don't hear a lot of noise from your neighbors.

Is an aft facing balcony better?

The view from an aft balcony is of the ship's wake; the view from side balconies is better for viewing the port (and late-returning pier runners). Aft cabins can feel more movement from the ship's thrusters; this is true whether your balcony looks aft or faces to the side at the back end of the ship.

How much do you tip the concierge on a cruise ship?

Special Services - Butlers, concierge, salon and spa attendants should be tipped for their services at your discretion - usually 15%. Gratuities for Drinks - Bar bills almost always include a 15% gratuity, even if the ship has a "no tipping" policy.

Is it worth the money to get a balcony on a cruise?

But Driscoll says price may not be the deterrent it once was. A few years ago, he says, "you'd be paying double to get a balcony." Now, cabins with balconies on a standard, seven-day cruise generally cost $100 more than those with a window, and between $150 and $200 more than a stateroom inside the ship.

Where should you not stay on a cruise?

Is a balcony worth it on a river cruise?

Bottom line: On a river cruise, a balcony may offer good value when it means an upgrade to a larger suite, but not when a French balcony gives you more interior space, or when you will be spending little time in your cabin.

How much do waiters on a cruise ship make?

Total compensation for an assistant waiter position ranges anywhere from $900 to as much as $2,200 a month – inclusive of gratuities; experienced dining room waiters can earn upward of $3,200 a month. The assistant maitre d' can earn $4,000 or more, and is generally part of the tip pool.