NOTE: When paying the cost of any of these or other services on the ship, check to see whether an automatic tip has already been included in the bill. If the wait staff caused your enjoyment of the cruise to be significantly increased, was it worth an extra $100 of enjoyment to you? But like all third-party booking platforms, the programs have their benefits and downsides. Sail on the cruise line, and you'll now pay $20.00 per person, per day if you are sailing in an interior, oceanview, balcony cabin or Club Balcony Suite. Privacy Policy. How Much Should You Tip on a Cruise? | All Getaways $4.75 for your stateroom host (cleans and maintains your stateroom). We're not just walking the walk, either. Discuss this topic at our Cruise Boards >, Free daily cruise updates to your inbox >, Subscribe for daily cruise news on YouTube >, It's time to check today's cruise deals right here >, Passenger Intentionally Goes Overboard Carnival Cruise Ship, 10 Stunning New Cruise Ships Arriving in 2024, New Carnival Ship Reveals Something New During Float Out, Cruise News Catch-Up: Carnival Ship Breaks, Cancellations, and Something Unexpected. We have also tipped some bartenders who went above and beyond (had our drinks ready when we go there, knew us by name, etc). The Disney Cruise Line website reads, It is customary to give gratuities Tipping is the norm and you should be prepared to abide by this custom. These folks should be tipped in cash. If a visit to the spas or salons onboard will be part of your cruise, keep in mind that these crew members may not be part of the tip-sharing program. Why Tipping on Your Cruise is More Important Than Ever Right Now Some people leave nothing more. Room service tipping on the app was not offered to me on any of these trips. That's if memory serves?? Norwegian Cruise Line: $20.00 for standard cabins and $25.00 for The Haven. From trip interruption and cancellation insurance to evacuation and property coverage, not all insurance policies are made equal. And if i really enjoyed them i take picture of our table placard. It is their prerogative. We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox. We leave about $40 or so for the room steward. Some say we are not compensated adequately for what we do,but I love my job. Ask him or her to walk away for the moment, Ricci said. Share some of the good fortune you've had with people who are trying to make your voyage enjoyable.". Do I think $50 is too much? Tip extra, or not. But for cruises departing from international ports, you should consider arriving multiple days in advance, he said. In July 2022, DCL updated its recommended baseline tips for guests staying in Concierge Level staterooms. I always tip my steward over and above what the gratuities are. At specialty restaurants where meals costs extra, gratuities are typically (but not always) included in the added fee, so be sure to ask about whether or not they are. Computerized tip screens at checkout seem especially confounding: A study published last month in Modern Restaurant Management found half of customers felt manipulated or tricked by the tablet screens. This congestion at cruise ports can cause some challenges as cruisers disembark, Chiron said. During my recent sailing aboard Carnival Radiance, I simply added a buck or two to all my beverage slips. Also, the spa is one service for which a tip often isnt included even on luxury cruises that cover all other gratuities. We always get the my time dining so we usually have a different wait staff at every dinner so it is harder to tip at the end of the voyage. Cruise ship employees: Ricci recommends pre-paying so you can save yourself a big headache doing the calculations. There will be occasions for additional tips, he said, such as if servers perform outstanding work. You can prepay tips on the DCL website. Do you tip on top of the pre-paid gratuities? - Royal Caribbean Tips for bar personnel are usually included in the bar bill at a rate of 15 to 20 percent of the total bill. It is not often the case that all interactions with all crew members are substandard. surely every relationship can benefit from some compromise. 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. Lawn care: Salas recommends an annual gift of the equivalent of a weeks pay. "So we actually got back on the tender, went back to the ship, had lunch, waited a couple hours and then came back.". What in. There are also so many free-food spots around the ship, like the pizza station, 24-hour ice-cream machine, and small cafs. Extra Tipping on Silversea - Is It Routine? - Cruise Critic Extra Tip for Room Attendant & Dining Room Waiter - Cruise Critic A very conversational and helpful driver, tip more! Ricci said. While we only interact with certain people in particular positions, they represent dozens of others who work hard at their jobs. The staff really does appreciate that, from what I've been told by staff on cruises I've been on. The whole point is to acknowledge service above and beyond what is required. How Much Extra To Tip Cruise Staff - Cruise Mummy If youre lucky enough to snag a cabana at Castaway Cay, youll be attended by a host wholl bring you extra towels or sodas, give you a golf cart ride back to the ship, and generally make your life nicer. Understand your cruise line's tipping policy. Salas said they should get a minimum of $2 if they open the door for you or hail you a cab. They dont have much room for extra stuff. Additionally, they might have allergies or different tastes than yours. September 26, 2007. We bring a bag of individually wrapped candies (like star burst or smarties) for the kids club hosts. What to Expect on a Cruise: Tipping Crewmembers on a Cruise - Cruise Critic Cruise ships and their destinations are jam-packed with travelers this summer. However, it is always up to the Guest to determine what they feel is appropriate. If you can spare it, consider it. It can make a tremendous difference," Chiron said. We've all added a few extra bucks on top of our usual tips for food delivery workers, restaurant servers, bartenders and ride share drivers. Tipping amount is really up to you. While raising the tip rates does not often happen, if it did, your cumulative costs for the trip would be higher. He's fallen in love with cruising and is having a great time. Just because Virgin is saying that gratuities are included and you don't need to tip, they aren't saying you can't tip. The stated reason for the latter (compulsory nature of this fee) is to ensure that all passengers pay their fair share. Here's everything you need to know about cruise gratuities, with an ultimate guide covering how it all works. The same automatic tipping applies in shipboard coffee bars and ice cream shops. Dog groomer: 10%, but increase to up to 20% if you have a difficult dog, Salas said. Concierge: $10 per service performed, such as making a dinner reservation. You can also subscribe without commenting. Even if included, you are free to add more for service that goes above and beyond. For some cruise lines, bartenders will have to earn their tips during the voyage. George C 21.7k May 17, 2003 Dallas, Texas #2 Posted January 24, 2022 That's a big difference," he told Insider. When you have great service (or need to tip those above who are not part of the gratuity pool), hand the cash, envelope or card directly to the person. So he's figuring about $50 per person extra tip, which is considerably more than I was thinking. I tend to be an over tipper so, I may not be the best example. What's the Real Story on Viking Tipping? - Cruise Critic In the past, passengers had an assigned table and the same waitstaff throughout the entirety of their cruise. More sharing options. Passengers say that the best benefit to using this method of payment is sticker shock avoidance. Additionally, Concierge Guests often ask for guidance regarding gratuities for the Concierge Lounge Team (Concierge Managers and the Concierge Servers). "There's a lot of things that could go wrong or things that [a travel agent] can help improve.". By Seabourn is among the select luxury cruise lines that includes all gratuities in its cruise fares. Pedicure or manicure: $5 or $10, Ricci said. We gave $40 extra to the wait staff last cruise I thinkthen $40 extra to some bar staff also. 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. Also expecting tips of around $1 to $2 per bag are the porters who collect bags at the pier. Some people leave $100/passenger for both the waiter and the assistant waiter. After receiving good service, leave a nice tip. and our His advice:"Take some time to do research on how some of these ports are handling cruise passengers and tourist traffic" and then plan strategically. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. As mentioned, cruise ship staff tips are based off percentages and paid out from the overall tipping pool. ASK LOIS: Where can I find authentic soft-shell crabs in South Florida? 1. For most large lines, cruise gratuities are part of the line items charges along with other extras you bought along the way. This high-quality service deserves a tip in my opinion.. Tell him you'll have to deduct the extra tip from the budget on the next cruise. While it may not sound like much money when quoted as a per person/per day cost, seeing the total on your final onboard bill can feel expensive. Waiting in line to exchange large denominations at guest services can be a hassle. I'm sure this has been asked before, and a search revealed all kinds of debate on the merits of tipping etc, but I'm needing opinions on how much extra to tip. I believe in tipping what someone is worth, not what is customary in their country. Adding an Extra Tip Can Really Make a Difference Right Now. That converts to US $363 per month. The tipping topic comes up often. Some cruise lines automatically add a gratuity or service charge to your bill, which may be distributed among various staff members. Or if youre using a travel agent, they can do this for you. The first is to pre-pay cruise gratuities when you book your reservation. But when you're at port, you have the ship to yourself. This is a respectful way to advise the crew ahead of time about your plans. Food trucks: 10%, unless you order something specially adapted to your needs or got exceptional service., Bartenders: Peter Ricci, director of Florida Atlantic Universitys hospitality and tourism management program, says some people tip $1 per drink, some as much as $5. Bond with your snorkel guide? What else can you do to show the crew your appreciation? Ask a thousand people and youll get a thousand different answers. There is no standard amount. "You want to book something that is reminiscent of your likes and desires.". Right now, your cruise tips are worth even more. However, if you have a particularly helpful cast member who brings you extra towels or beverages or otherwise goes above and beyond, then tipping them a few dollars cash is always nice. Which tips are required and which are optional? I tend to think of wait staff the same way. These costs are added onto the price of the journey and are often an automatic charge. Have a great cruise! Sorry forgot the second half of your question @Julie. There are three basic ways to pay tips on a cruise vacation. On your bill, cruise gratuities may be listed in several different ways: tips, service charges, crew appreciation fees, crew incentives and others. Why did she get pushback? If the salon owner styles your hair, he or she should still be offered a tip, Salas said. These are the startling tipping percentage choices presented to many South Florida restaurant patrons as we pay our bills in 2023. It vows to stay in Florida, Exclusive: Kroger and Albertsons CEOs give details on controversial $25 billion merger, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The Ultimate Guide to Tipping on a Cruise - Cruise Critic Some cruise lines automatically add a gratuity or service charge to your bill, which may be distributed among various staff members. Cookie Notice For example, you may be able to secure significant savings by purchasing a WiFi, drink and tips bundle when you book your reservation. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Opinions? This is an expense that many travelers overlook when tallying the cost of a voyage. The third option for tipping is to pay the old-fashioned way cash. . The second option is to allow the charge to be added each day to your onboard account. Norwegian Cruise Line Gratuities (Tips): Full Guide to Cost & How They Or if you prefer not to carry much cash, you can stop by the Guest Services Desk onboard at any time and add funds to the gratuity part of your bill. Tip these folks in cash depending on the size of your party and the level of attention you receive. 2. Tips are often distributed to your sailing's service crew in lump sums every few months but might also be given out as bonuses, though this can vary by line. One example of this situation is childcare services. Should You Tip on a Gratuities-Included Cruise? Some guests get overwhelmed, thinking this is new environment to me I dont want to seem cheap, but I also dont want to get rooked. This usually requires deciding and paying in advance. Unlike airfare, booking a cruise can be an overwhelming and manual process, he said, and travel agents who have a relationship with the cruise lines have access to special rates and can advocate on your behalf if something goes wrong. Nothing and no onemade him happy. Theyre also serving meals at the pool deck buffet restaurants, in the main dining rooms during breakfast or lunch, and on Castaway Cay. Retreat tipping - Celebrity Cruises - Cruise Critic Community Some people are retired or on a fixed income, some are well off, some have to save for years for a cruise. "I think a lot of people get caught up with some of these sales. This means the tip amounts for each crew members are directly affected by the number of passengers on a particular sailing. Call them what you will -- cruise gratuities, tips, service charges or crew appreciation -- theres no denying that cruise crew rely on our monetary recognition of their hard work and good service. If you enjoy participating in debates about restaurant tipping practices, check out the Sun Sentinels foodie Facebook page, Lets Eat, South Florida, where strong opinions about when to tip and how much flourish. Its also important to note that tipping is a personal choice, and you should only tip what you feel comfortable with. Many cruise lines add gratuities to your onboard bill and charge your credit card at the end of the cruise. If you just add 2% to their daily prepaid gratuity, that brings it up to 20%. Housekeeping: Salas recommends $2 to $5 per day. How much should you tip cruise ship employees? - Quora As for our room steward, we have tipped anywhere between $50-100 for the week depending on how good they were.