Tipping Etiquette on Cruise Ships - TripSavvy Cruise lines pay these workers very low wages for the long hours that they work each day, and expect that passengers will tip to increase the crew members earnings to a reasonable rate. Porters: $1-5 per bag Room service delivery: $2-4 per tray In this post, Ill be going through the cruise tipping policies by cruise line and answer some of the most common questions people have about gratuities on a cruise. ~ janet Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. One of these differences is that cruise gratuities are included. See details here: Ultimate Cruise Planner -Whats Included, What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise (with packing list), 7 Cruises to Avoid and What to Do Instead, Cruise Line Stocks Shareholder Benefits for Cruisers (FREE onboard credit). Most cruise ships have ATMs, and some have currency exchanges on board. The cruise line makes no recommendation for tipping room service. Your personal data will be processed and information from your device (cookies, unique identifiers, and other device data) may be stored by, accessed by and shared with third party vendors, or used specifically by this site or app. If sailing in a reg. Princess: $14.50 per person, per day ($15.50 for mini-suite guests and $16.50 for suite guests). I think it's more like when you go to a restaurant and they added the automatic service charge to the bill, but there is still a line for additional tipping. I almost alwaysgive my dining staff a bit extra, my kids generally have some special requests that take extra time and effort for the wait staff. For example, Royal Caribbean (www.royalcaribbean.com) recently increased its tip recommendations and now suggests $3.75 per day for your main waiter, $5 per day for the cabin housekeeping staff, $2.15 per day for the assistant waiter, and $0.75 per day for the head waiter. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In standard cabins, Carnival charges $14.50 per person, per day in tips. Originally formed in 1988 by the Chandris Group in Greece, Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. If youre new to cruising, or its been a while since your last cruise, its important to know about cruise tipping guidelines before you sail. This is a good question. how to get cheap hotel rooms last minute - aboutray16-eiga.com Often cruise lines provide additional envelopes to tuck a little extra cash at the end of the cruise just for this purpose. Before Your Royal Caribbean Cruise . The COST Series: Cruise Ship TIPPING - YouTube If you feel you would like to give more that is fine and I am sure they will appreciate anything you decide to tip beyond the daily gratuity. For many cruises that operate in the Australian market where tipping isnt part of the culture, automatic gratuities arent added on to passenger bills. Some things are free, other items are fee-based. When youre on a cruise, you shouldnt tip the captain or the officers. Tipping on a cruise ship: Everything you need to know Your email address will not be published. 15+ Royal Caribbean Tips, Tricks, and Things to Know That was the only time I didn't give an additional cash tip to the wait staff. This may be rare, however if theres a problem with service or you have a complaint on your cruise, that you should bring this to the attention of the staff member, supervisor, or guest services when it occurs. This practice can eat into the regular wages and livelihood of hardworking crew and is not advised. Our Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips And Tricks. W. Automatic gratuities, also called autogratuities or autograts, is the cruise term for the system most cruise lines now use to simplify tipping for passengers. According to RCI's website, of the 2016-updated gratuities (US$13.50), nearly US$8.30 goes to dining / culinary services; suite attendants receive US$6,85; stateroom attendants get US$3,85, and housekeeping service staff - US$1.35. Or you can plan ahead and take enough cash in the correct currency to cover any tips you might want to pay. As it is with most cruise shipping companies, RCI's tourists can remove the daily gratuity but know that these tips are for all the housekeeping and dining staff. 4 Ways to Tip Extra on a Non-Tipping Cruise Ship, What to Expect on a Cruise: Onboard Spending, Service on a Luxury Cruise: What to Expect. The price increases during August to approximately $773 (619) per person, excluding taxes. How Much Should You Budget for Cruise Gratuities? Should Be Cruising is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you want to give an additional tip to your cabin steward (or two), Im sure its very appreciated. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. Often the recommended tips, which run from about $10 to $20 per passenger per day, are published either in the cruise brochure or on the cruise line web page. Royal Caribbean offers three all-inclusive drink packages, a premium coffee package and a water package. Your link has been automatically embedded. You also shouldnt tip the cruise director, the entertainment staff, or any independent entertainers like musical guests, comedians, or magicians. 1 Royal Caribbean Travel Protection is an optional travel protection add-on to your cruise booking and is available through Royal Caribbean for residents in all states except New York. Your cruise in April sounds amazing! Luxury cruise lines have a higher upfront cost than most popular cruise lines, however theyll often include many valuable extras. | Royal Caribbean Blog www.royalcaribbeanblog.com. At some North American ports, youll see signs stating that the porters do not accept tips. Cruise lines have implemented automatic gratuities, options to prepay gratuities and some popular cruise lines have begun including tips in your cruise fare. Hi Janet! You may also like: Eight Things That Will Surprise First Time Cruisers. That is a very personal question. Some claim they are making less money than they formerly did with cash tips. Beyond leaving a cash tip for your cabin steward, or favorite server or bartender, some other small gestures will go a long way. The service charge on MSC Cruises is $12.50 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins. Here's how to get the most out of Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package (or Prime Casino Royale free drinks in the casino). Please let me know in the comments below. There aren't any hard-and-fast guidelines for this type of tip since it's contingent on your experience, but $25 to $40 on behalf of a couple roughly works out to an extra $2 to $3 per person,. I wouldn't worry about giving "too little" extra, since you are already paying the auto gratuity. Most of the biggest cruise lines automatically add some type of service or gratuity fee onto passenger bills. Note that we are Australian, so therefore not inclined to tip unless the service warrants it. The cost is $13.50 per person, per day for guests in Grill Class suites. Ive been cruising for over 15 years, and the practice of tipping on a cruise has certainly evolved. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_21',676,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-shouldbecruising_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Tip: Want to avoid paying hefty ATM fees on the cruise ship to get cash for tips? We did prepaid gratuities, and then I also see that bar tabs will have the auto 18% added so I feel like it wont be necessary to leave an extra tip on the bar tab. You can also adjust your gratuities up or down. By One of the most luxurious aspects of cruising is the service of room stewards -- that team of people who often go unseen in their daily mission to keep your cruise cabin sparkling fresh and clean. If you buy a $5 souvenir with a $20 bill in Mexico, for example, youll receive change in Mexican pesos. We sail Celebrity and opt to prepay gratuities. After 50 cruises I know they really mean it! This is an excellent article, which really clearly explains all the issues around tipping. We usually tip between $500-700 depending on what we do. Please note that gratuities are charged in US dollars for Caribbean, US and Canada cruises. Top Cruise Tips | Royal Caribbean Blog Just for comparison, by the old RCCL tipping guidelines, the Royal Caribbean suggested tips/gratuities were a total of USD 11,65 per day per passenger (respectively USD 13,90 for suite passengers) and also guests could pay onboard either in cash or via their shipboard account. Lets just say from the expression on the drivers face that he was not happy with that amount. Whether in Mexico, St. Maarten, Italy, or Vanuatu, having cash is recommended. If you tip extra, you will get FABULOUS service! With all of your meals and the fun activities on the ship, easily accessible and planned, you won't have to do much work once you are on vacation. In the main dining room, buffet, specialty restaurants, and other dining venues, your tip is included in the automatic gratuities. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Then (if your problem continues to bother you) contact the hotel manager. Given that most , all ? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Cruise Ship Tipping and Prepaid Gratuities: Should I Tip More? . Keep a few dollars handy to tip the cruise porters on embarkation day. On NCL, passengers who dont want to pay autograts need to file a claim for reimbursement after the cruise. You can raise them, lower them, or remove them altogether. I'm so glad you found my post! Could you possibly make your articles printable? As a cruise passenger, you want to be aware and set your budget expectations to include these amounts for the cruise ship staff. If not, just leave blank. One notable exception is Norwegian Cruise Line. Gratuities or a service charge are added onto some onboard services. Royal Caribbean Gratuities: Everything You Need to Know - Cruise Mummy Please check Costas website for details. You wont require cash for 99% of purchases on a cruise, whether specialty restaurants, cocktails, or souvenirs. Then you can take your deposit out in cash at the casino cashier. Related: Whats included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare. Life Well Cruised Ultimate Cruise Planner, YouTube at Life Well Cruised (Vlogs and cruise tips). Grand Suite and above cabin categories pay USD 18,50 pp per day gratuities. Other cruisers, often people who remember cruising before autogratuities, prefer tipping crew in cash. How much do you tip on a cruise ship? Insight on gratuities when sailing. We like to keep a few dollars handy for this purpose as we board our cruise ship. The amount is very personal. But the sticker price of their fares tends to scare off many budget-minded travelers. Love this! You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Hi All, I just wanted to share something with new cruisers (and old if they do not know this). Those can range from about $15 to upwards of $20 for each . You might want to remove their tips as a punishment for poor service. Now, with automatic gratuities, the process is much simpler and you dont need to carry all that cash. You can always add extra for exceptional service, though! What else can you do to show the crew your appreciation? Ive been surprisedor I probably should say I had forgottenhow many hands have been extended for a tip on these shore excursions. I purchased the package pre-cruise for $76, this equates to just over $25 per day. If you go on a tour or shore excursion, its nice to tip the driver or shore excursion staff if youve appreciated their service. If you feel that you want to tip above and beyond the cruise tipping guidelines, go for it. I put together a 47 page printable cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. The drink package works at all onboard bars, restaurants, and even Royal Caribbean's private island CocoCay. I love sharing my best cruise tips with you, along with reviews of cruise destinations, shore excursions, cruise ships and cruise lines. 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. Royal Caribbean International What's Included: Dining, stateroom, and other key crew members. Holland America Line, whose ships Noordam and Maasdam are regular visitors to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, has the same tipping policy aboard all its ships. Celebrity Cruises is Royal Caribbean's sister brand that provides a slightly more upscale, refined experience onboard. Im Carrie Ann, the writer behind Should Be Cruising. Posted March 5, 2007. After 23 Royal Caribbean Cruises, What I've Learned About Tipping Tipping is not required, however, customarily some people do choose to tip anywhere from $1 - $5 per order. How Much Should I Tip My Room Steward on a Cruise? - Cruise Critic Cruises in Europe are charged in Euros. Are very professional, what should a tip look like at the end of a 10 day cruise? It's all on the room service menu. Some cruise ship spas, like those on NCL and Royal Caribbean, add on a service fee or gratuity, usually about 18%. Given the high level of service, passengers often wonder how much they should plan to tip their cabin steward, especially when they go above and beyond. The only exception is for passengers with prepaid gratuities (they won't be charged daily). Royal Caribbean Drink Package: Ultimate Guide - High Seas Cruising What do you think about cruise line gratuities and service onboard? On disembarkation day, you probably wont find your fave crew members in their usual spots! You may also like: 26 Hidden Cruise Fees You Should Know About. A tip of 15%-20% is common, so check the bottom of your bill before adding an additional amount. For many cruise passengers, bars play a pretty large role in their experiences. Here is a list of the daily gratuity charges by major cruise lines for 2021-22. Other itineraries may differ. Just remember that cruise ship crew live in very tight quarters, without much room for personal belongings. The rule of thumb is to tip the guide 10% to 20% of the tour cost, depending on how much you enjoyed the experience. Many luxury all-inclusive cruise lines include gratuities in their cruise fares, or have a tips neither expected nor required policy. In a survey of 850 cruisers, 71% stated that they took over $100 per person per day when cruising. What Is a Cabin Steward on a Cruise Ship? raahc and lovecruising!!! If you feel that you wish to give an extra amount to anyone who you feel has done a great job, they will be appreciative. Cruise lines usually add a service charge, usually 15-18%, to all beverages that arent complimentary. Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package - Cruise Fever Princess Cruises also has the Princess Plus fare, which includes gratuities or the crew incentive, Medallion Net wifi and Princess premium beverage package. Royal Caribbean raised the service fees on its ships in August by more than 10% to $16 per person per day for those staying in most cabins. You can read more about me and about Should Be Cruising here. I dont tend to tip in advance, so this is an interesting way of doing things. IMPORTANT: Since September 7, 2022, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruise ship passengers pay USD 16 pp per day in tips (service charge for staterooms Junior Suites and below). Note that paying in cash does not necessarily circumvent the pooling system -- attendants are officially required to turn in any cash gratuities to put toward the pool. We had the my time diningsame waiter and assistant every night. You can do so by going to guest services and making the request. #4. The amount is the only thing that tends to vary on service levels. You just cant help being extra nice or helpful when you know the people are going to be extra nice to you, ie the extra tips. The Smart Cruiser's Guide to Tipping on a Cruise | Cruisewatch Either way, expect to spend about $15-20 per day. A cruise only rate may be available on select cruises, which would not include gratuities. (Want to get the most from your cabin steward? The amount you tip is up to youI generally give about $5 per person per day to my stateroom steward. What is Royal Caribbean's service gratuities (tips) price and policy? IMPORTANT: Since September 7, 2022, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) cruise ship passengers pay USD 16 pp per day in tips (service charge for staterooms Junior Suites and below). Whether $2 to a bartender, $20 to your waiter, or $50 to your stateroom attendant, its common to tip crew members extra for excellent service. And just like with the Carnival case, this will reflect directly on the ship's serving staff (cabin stewards, Room Service, and Main Dining Room wait staff, as well as kitchen, entertainment, passenger services and other hotel personnel). There are instances of passengers who prefer not to tip, usually either because they disagree with tipping on principle or they've experienced unsatisfactory service. One exception is the piano player in the loungemost accept tips for song requests or if you enjoyed their music. Can Drinking Beer The Night Before Donor Plasma Donation Interfere With Keep in mind that cruise crew members live in tight quarters, so small (and edible) gifts are preferred.